Peter Pan Must Die / John Verdon / 440 pages

"Every so often in his life as a detective, Gurney got the feeling he was juggling hand grenades."  The Spalter case may have bee the worst.  Although he was retired, he owed an old friend a favor.  Jack Hardwick lost his job when he passed along unauthorized info on the Shepherd case.  Jack wants revenge on those who forced him out.  He and an attorney have decided to re-open the investigation into the Spalter murder.  They believe misconduct on the part of the investigating officers and poor representation caused the conviction of the victim's wife.  Jack asks Dave to join the investigation.  Dave Gurney uncovers numerous suspects including one Peter Pan, an international assassin who loves his job too much.  This page-turner is nearly impossible to put down.  It features an amazing portrait of functional...and dysfunctional family dynamics...and perhaps, an epitomization of a hero.