The Angel Gang

By Ken Kuhlken

Tom and Wendy Hickey are attempting the happily ever after routine, in their shack on the shore of Lake Tahoe. Wendy is pregnant and fragile, and Tom intends to put nothing above caring for her. Then Cynthia Moon calls. She used to sing at Rudy’s Hacienda, a San Diego nightclub in which Tom was a partner. She begs him to come and help clear her of an arson charge. Wendy urges him to go.

Tom speeds to San Diego, intending to return within a couple days. But when Cynthia blames an L.A. mob for the arson, and Tom begins snooping, Wendy disappears.

The hunt for his wife sends Tom back to Tahoe and to the lakeside mansion of a casino mogul. He takes the man hostage and demands he use all his powers to deliver Wendy.

Back in Southern California, Tom’s partner Leo Weiss, prompted by a little evidence and a big grudge, pursues the arson investigation into the territory of the ruthless Mickey Cohen mob.

“The angels of the title intercede to save most, but not all, of the worthy characters in this gritty, brutal tale, which is tenderized by the PI’s near palpable devotion to his wife.” ~ Publisher’s Weekly

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publisher Hickey & McGee
• Release date: Jan 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005409111

Ken Kuhlken

Ken Kuhlken's stories have appeared in ESQUIRE and numerous other magazines, been honorably mentioned in BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES, and earned a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship.His novels include MIDHEAVEN, finalist for the Ernest Hemingway Award for best first fiction book, and the Hickey family mysteries: THE BIGGEST LIAR IN LOS ANGELES; THE GOOD KNOW NOTHING; THE VENUS DEAL; THE LOUD ADIOS, Private Eye Writers of America Press Best First PI Novel; THE ANGEL GANG; THE DO-RE-MI, finalist for the Shamus Best Novel Award; THE VAGABOND VIRGINS; THE VERY LEAST; and THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.His five-book saga FOR AMERICA, is together a long, long novel and an incantation, a work of magic created to postpone the end of the world for at least a thousand years.His work in progress is a YA mystery.His WRITING AND THE SPIRIT advises artists seeking inspiration. He guides readers on a trip to the Kingdom of Heaven in READING BROTHER LAWRENCE.Also, he reads a lot, plays golf, watches and coaches baseball and softball, teaches at Perelandra College, and hangs out with his daughter when she comes home from her excellent college back east.

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