Shooters and Chasers

by Lenny Kleinfeld

When Chicago police Mark Bergman and John Dunegan investigate an open-and-shut case of murder, something just does not seem right, which sends them after professional hitman Arthur Reid and his lover, Dina, in California wine country.

Genres: Mystery

445 pages, Hardcover

First published January 21, 2009

About the author

Lenny Kleinfeld specializes in black comedy crime fiction. His first novel, Shooters And Chasers, received a starred review from Kirkus, which called it "A spellbinding debut."

His second novel, Some Dead Genius, was named one of NPR's Best Books of 2014--"A rollicking caper that you constantly think you've got figured out until you don't. This book is fun. Loads of fun."

The Austin Chronicle: "Clever, well-paced plot and terrifically real characters. A sharp insider's look at the art scene, and an especially addictive narrative voice... Recommending the hell out of this book."

He began his career in Chicago as a playwright and as a columnist for "Chicago" magazine. His fiction, humor and articles have appeared in Playboy, Galaxy, Oui, the Chicago Reader, Chicago Tribune, New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up SHOOTERS AND CHASERS based on the recommendation of fellow Mystery Readers Cafe members, and I'm so glad I did. I'm truly shocked that this book didn't garner more attention, it's hands down one of the best debuts of last year. Kleinfeld's character and setting description is simply unparalleled. I really can't recommend this book highly enough, the story grabbed hold on page one and never let up.

[Gram · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a series featuring Chicago homicide detectives Mark Bergman and John "Doonie" Dunegan. Wilson Willets, a famous architect, is gunned down by a mugger who steals the taxi which brought Willets to his home. The taxi driver, Naguib Darwahab, scratches the mugger on the arm which has an impressive snake tattoo.
Meanwhile, Meelo Garcia, waits in a seedy motel room. Evidence at the scene of the crime points to Meelo's guilt and he is arrested and charged with Willets' murder, but Meelo claims he's been framed, set up by the real killer.
True enough, Meelo is a patsy and the real killer - a professional hit man - has ensured that Meelo will be found guilty.
As Mark and "Doonie" investigate, the prosecution case begins to unravel and the story switches from the police investigation to the actions of the bad guys as they kill again and again to cover their tracks. Meanwhile the man who paid for Willets to be killed panics and has his henchmen try to derail the police investigation.
The story is shot through with author Lenny Kleinfeld's dark humour and many twists and turns as Bergman and Dunegan travel across the USA to solve this puzzling crime.
I've read the 2nd and 3rd books in this series and can recommend all of them to readers who don't mind gritty crime stories laced with laugh out loud moments, such as Bergman's embarrassment at being the source of a crush by his partner's 13 year old daughter and a professional hit man and his female partner gradually falling in love. The dialogue snaps and crackles and the main and minor characters are all lovingly drawn. Do yourself a favour and get to know more about Chicago's top murder police.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHOOTERS & CHASERS by Lenny Kleinfeld has everything one would want in a thriller. The shooters are (sort of) identified right at the beginning. The chasers, Chicago Homicide detectives Mark Bergman and John Dunegan enter the scene soon after. The shooters are sociopaths and the chasers are the kind of characters that I want to meet again.

The book opens in August, 2002 with Meelo Garcia prowling restlessly in a motel room. He can’t leave because Oscar told him he can’t.

In the second chapter, Naguib Darwahab, a Chicago cabbie originally from Cairo, picks up famed architect Wilson Willets. As Willets is walking toward his house, he is killed by a mugger. Darwahab risks his life by scratching the mugger down his left arm but the murderer runs off and there is nothing that can be done to help Willets.

From that point the books takes off, introducing a cast of characters that is large but who are so distinct that the reader has no problem keeping everyone straight. The plot moves from street crime to the very richest of the rich in Los Angeles and a contest sponsored by the Los Angeles Fine Arts Museum. Along the way there are other murders, a mysterious Englishman, assassins, a public defender who suggests that the murder has elements of the Kennedy assassination, Oscar, and two police forces, Chicago and Los Angeles, that are not made to look crooked or inept. And…the book is funny. Kleinfeld writes wonderful dialogue even when the dialogue is interior. I don’t know how many times I had to stop reading and laugh.

This is a book that will appeal to just about anyone who likes mysteries and thrillers. This is an author who deserves a wide readership. SHOOTER & CHASERS is a wonderful way to spend a day.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you loved the classic childhood game of cops and robbers, you'll love this hilarious police procedural thriller by Lenny Kleinfeld. It all started with a murder of a prominent Chicago architect, when the chase is on. When CPD's Detective Mark Bergman and John Dunegan are on the scene, they're after a killer or two across the country. There's plenty of humor into this police chase with shocking twists and turns between the cops (the chasers) and the shooters (the bad guys.) With every step they take, they'll be watching the bad guys from false leads and many missteps to tie this together from Chicago to California. Plenty of intense drama and suspense, when we get inside Bergman's and Dunegan's head, and also the bad guys. We go inside their minds and know what they're thinking of doing next. You'll be rooting for John and Mark in no time, until it comes to a head in the end. It's a shame he didn't write any more after this one came out.

[Jaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before my review, I want to point out to the Goodreads staff that this book is mislabeled. The book is listed as having 44 pages, when in fact it's more like 449. Probably just a typo, but it was frustrating when I posted updates, and it listed my progress as 465%.

Mark Bergman and John Dunegan are Chicago PD Homicide detectives. They're working a simple hit-and-run case when the murder of a prominent architect is dumped in their laps. It seems to be open-and-shut, but appearances are deceiving. The killing turns out to be a professional hit, and the case leads them all the way to Los Angeles.

I think this story would make an excellent movie. There's action and drama, leavened with humor. I'd look for a sequel, but as it happens, I read that one first.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining read. It was a little draggy through the first third of the book, but then it really stepped up the pace to the point that the last third of the book couldn't be put down. Good Chicago and Los Angeles settings and all of the characters were well developed. Nice touches of humor as well.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read and his writing kept me in the book. I haven't read a crime novel in quite some time so it was a welcome change of pace. No real surprises--not a whodunnit, but a nice read overall.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if a little frenetic. Loved the mid-west references and the characters.

[Kalle Spångberg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish; unlikely plot, shallow characters and Dan-Brown-short chapters. I quit.

[William Krulak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Well constructed and laid out piece. Story, characters and particularly the dialog grab the reader. Mark and Doonie are a. Great pair of hardened cops.

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've rarely seen a book try so hard on page 1. I stopped on page 2.