Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Looking For Henry Turner by W.L. Liberman is an action packed sleuth novel full of surprises. Mo Gold and Arthur "Birdie" Birdwell make an unlikely PI duo working the mean streets of 1960s Toronto. Mo is a Jew, with a conman for a father and a pain in the neck younger brother constantly trying to live up to his father's skewed image. Birdie is big, black, and a "Holy Roller" Bible loving man. Together, they take on a case to find an elderly woman's son, missing for eight years. When the case ties into some trouble with a Chinese warlord involving Mo's no good brother, things heat up. Can they find the missing son for a heartbroken, but still hopeful mother? Will they be able to follow the loose leads to a young woman that holds Mo's brother's life in her unsuspecting hands? Or will Mo and Birdie become just two more victims found in the sludge of the world's largest Chinatown's back alley?

Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get dirty as you dig through the dirt and slime of the inner city with Mo and Birdie. This story goes deep and pulls you in, giving you insight into life in Toronto's underbelly and wealthy suburban living simultaneously. Sometimes painful, sometimes hopeful, always moving. It has been a long time since I have read such a well-written novel. There were times I wanted to stop reading to shower off the city grime and lies fed to us daily, then grab a cup of coffee and sandwich. Even though the 1960s wasn't considered the best era, the author did an awesome job of portraying life during that time. It is amazing how things have changed in the way of "political correctness." The history between the main characters was interesting and heartwarming. I loved how the author gave the reader small peeks into WWII. Despite Mo's frustration at his brother's foolishness and lack of character, the reader still feels the obvious love beneath it all.

This book is more than just a story of murder, lies, drugs, and gangs. Beneath it all, you feel the ties of a deep familial bond and loyalty of friends. I was pleasantly surprised by Looking For Henry Turner by W.L. Liberman. It was a delightful mixture of sleuth and noir with a hint of action. It had a few rough scenes that made me feel that perhaps a man would enjoy this book more than a woman, but, then, I could just be sensitive. Although it was a great read, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under eighteen due to some mature content.