J. Paul Rieger, Jr.

Baltimore Detective Kev Dixit is back, in this sequel to Clonk!

Detective Kev Dixit is covering for his Sergeant in the Baltimore City Police Criminal Investigation Division when a report of an alleged double murder comes in. Husband and wife, Christian Robert and Joanne Matthiesen, are found dead in their home. The evidence points to a murder-suicide, but a possible third-party shooter cannot be ruled out. Dixit is assigned to the investigation and soon discovers some oddities about the case. Days before the crime, Mr Matthiesen transferred large amounts of cash from his account to an investment bank in the Grand Caymans, while DNA profiling of the victims turns up some peculiar results. As the investigation continues, Dixit foils an armed robbery at a bank, and is drawn into a car bombing investigation, while a sexual predator is on the loose and is terrorising women across Baltimore.

Running parallel to the investigation is the story of Klos, a man who believes Dixit killed his father and will stop at nothing to find the detective and get revenge. Meanwhile, Dixit’s old high school friends and entrepreneurs, Waxley and Switzer, are busy trying to promote their new book while also considering a new business venture.

Sunscreen Shower is a sequel to J. Paul Rieger’s book Clonk! which follows the misadventures of a group of friends who met at Ignatius High School. Each man has chosen a different path in life, and a couple have taken the wrong track, but remained close in adulthood. The novel centres largely on Detective Kev Dixit, and the stories of the other characters are interwoven throughout.

Rieger seamlessly weaves together a gritty crime investigation, with a dark, delirious comedy. It is a delicate balancing act that Rieger executes with aplomb, ensuring the comedy enhances rather than undermines the gravity of the crimes. Dixit is a likeable character, although somewhat of an unexpected hero. He is a character you will not forget, and his investigations with Baltimore City Police are sure to leave a lasting impression.

With multiple, intriguing plotlines and a cast of quirky characters, this is a must read for fans of crime fiction and dark comedy alike.

Star rating: 5 Stars

Summary: A clever, funny and wonderfully strange crime detective novel.