Harry Dolan
Reviewed by Larry F. on October 18, 2012
Growing up in Ann Arbor immediately drew my attention to "Bad Things Happen" by Harry Dolan. The author lives in Ann Arbor and the city is the setting for his first mystery novel.
David Loogan is the main character who has an enigmatic past and unclear motives. He wants to lead a quiet, anonymous life in a college town. He befriends Tom Kristoll, the owner/publisher of a mystery magazine called "Gray Streets". Tom asks David to be an editor and he accepts. He is soon drawn into an affair with Tom's wife and a killing apparently committed by Tom. But when Tom is killed, murder seems to accompany David to the point that he himself could be in danger of becoming a victim.
Elizabeth Waishkey is the city detective investigating these murders and is undecided about Loogan and his role or motives in the deaths. The investigation introduces a variety of characters that are seamlessly written into surprising twists and turns which make it hard to put the book down. You do not know until the very end what really happened, but each part of each story is wrapped up to a conclusion that will leave you thinking after you have finished reading it.