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Scamming the Birdman |
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S camming the Birdman byLarry Karp Write Way Publishing 277 pages, 2000 ISBN 1885173849 Reviewed by PJ Nunn Thomas Purdue is a doctor. He’s also a collector of rare music boxes and a believer in justice. When his old friend Hugh rushes into his shop with the news that his wife Maddy is in the emergency room, Thomas is quick to offer his help. Unfortunately, he’s too late to save her. The story Hugh later tells his friend is incredible. A persistent collector known as the Birdman wanted to buy one of Hugh’s rare finds, but Hugh didn’t want to sell. He returned from a business trip to find Maddy and his entire collection gone. Further investigation revealed that Maddy lunched with the Birdman in the park, then died suddenly. Thomas discovers that Maddy’s death was no accident but the police is not convinced. Deeply disturbed over the losses of his friend, Thomas embarks on a plan to see that justice is done. The two men gather a group of friends and acquaintances, all of whom have reason to despise the Birdman, and set out to be sure he finally learns his lesson. Can an unlikely group of over-fifty collectors circumvent the law to bring a wily criminal to his knees without risking their freedom, or even their lives? In SCAMMING THE BIRDMAN, Karp opens the door to a delightful antique-loving, justice-seeking senior citizen culture. His descriptions of the tiny collectibles are exquisite. He’s also created a cast of characters that will have readers rooting for the underdogs to win and the evil Birdman to get his just comeuppance. Every necessary detail is carefully plotted, leading to a complex and surprising solution. SCAMMING THE BIRDMAN is not quite a cozy, but thoroughly enjoyable. |
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