I may have to demand my money back. Needle calls itself "a magazine of noir," but this story isn't noir; it's hardboiled. Jack Bludis created the classic distinction: "Hardboiled = tough. Noir = screwed."
But on the other hand, I like hardboiled better than noir, so I suppose I shouldn't complain.
Ray Hannah is an attorney in Hyannis. His stockbroker calls to report finding a dead body, specifically a crooked hedge fund manager who is one of his clients. Somebody beat his head in with an antique golf club.
Motives start piling up as last as lies, which is very quick indeed. Some of the plot twists are easy to see coming, but one caught me by surprise. The writing is low-key and precise. And Morin shows proper respect for Italian cooking. Buon appetito..
