Boca Mournings

Eddie Perlmutter, after his sparkling debut in "Boca Knights," makes a welcome return in Steven M. Forman's new novel. Eddie is still working as a pi in Boca Raton, this time having to deal with a widow with dementia, a neo-Nazi father and son, the apparent disappearance of a gay couple, and his own prostate problem. And that's just skimming the surface of this laugh-out-loud funny novel. Eddie describes himself as "one of Boston's most decorated policemen from 1966 to 2000, but now I was just a sixty-year-old retired cop living in Florida. I was five feet seven and weighed slightly over my fighting weight. I was in great shape for an antique." He had been dubbed The Boca Knight by an area news reporter, becoming a local hero and mini celebrity and inspiring others to call themselves Boca Knights, living by the principal, as Eddie says, of being "willing to fight for everyone's right to live in peace." Widowed for many years, he is famously determined to live an uncommitted life, despite his fondness for his much younger Haitian-born girlfriend. Eddie refers to his new place of residence as Broken Heights, where "murder is rare and rape is ninety percent below the national average," but, as Eddie points out, "so is consensual sex." He enters into a strange partnership with another senior citizen improbably named "Louie Dewey" - don't ask. There are references to scenes from the original Depression and some ensuing years, with all seemingly loose ends tied up completely and very satisfyingly by the book's end. Without doubt the author has a wacky sense of humor, but neither he, nor his protagonist, is without sentiment, and along with the broad smiles elicited by the writing were, I am unashamed to admit, some tears. The book more than lives up to the challenge presented by the follow-up novel to an excellent beginning of the series, and this one is just as highly recommended.

Both of this author's "Boca" books are absolutely hilarious, although you really do have to know Boca Raton and South Florida to truly get all the humor. I thoroughly enjoyed both books and hope the series continues. I compare him to Carl Hiassen and that's an honor!!

Hey, I admit it - Eddie Perlmutter talking to Mr. Johnson is funny! As usual, Eddie is handling many side stories while one larger one dominates. This was an interesting take on Jewish vs. Neo Nazi. Even though the book is for the most part funny Mr. Forman does address a serious issue. I recommend this book, it's a great blend of serious and zany, heartwarming and refreshing.

Eddie Perlmutter retired from the Boston Police Department looking forward to sun and fun in Boca Raton, his new home. However, though he intended to mind his business, the almost sexagenarian cannot sit idly by while crimes and injustice occurs which is why the local paper calls him the Boca Knight. He knows he suffers from something a shrink called "compulsive explosive disorder" although he would have said hyperactivity, but cannot stop from helping those in trouble. Thus he opens up a private investigative agency with a staff of himself. Business is booming as Eddie resolves situations his style which includes beating up some punk. His preference is first to teach respect of others but does not mind using fistic "poetic justice" to achieve his goal. Eddie understands the difficulty of using fists on an eighty something bagel felon or quacks allegedly practicing medicine when to him they seem more like financiers. However, even Mr. Johnson tells him to take it easy on his lower head as Eddie works cases involving Neo-Nazis and the Russian Mafia that will abet his retirement wish of visiting other countries. Once again over the top of Britton Hill, the second Boca Raton private investigative tale contains an amusing series of cases deftly handled in unique ways by the hero. The story line is at its best when Mr. Johnson remains covered especially as the Boca Knight heroically deals with a myriad of social issues with depth and passion. Humorous yet profound as Steven M. Forman scrutinizes human rights of gays, when a Neo Nazi's First Amendment rights clash with that of a Jew, and a scathing look at health care in a state with so many seniors who go without. Harriet Klausner