Road To Ruin

This is the 19th in a series of novels that revolve around JP Parker a 100 year old retired New York City private detective from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. The novels are his first person recollections as told to a young writer who is compiling them into book form. They deal with his most notable cases and the famous people who crossed his path. Parker is hired by a high powered businessman who is also part owner of the NY Times which consequently makes him the detective's wife's boss. The case involves going to Nebraska to look into the suspicious death of one of the man's business partners. Parker's work, however, is quickly interrupted by a Hollywood movie that is being shot on the partner's land. Further complicating his work is the partner's young widow, a movie actor acquaintance, local politics, interstate highway construction, a very attractive newspaper woman, and the Nebraska State Department of Transportation. In a case that stretches over three states the detective is forced to deal with the chaos of making a movie, lies, illegal drugs, governmental fraud, and murder. Not only will he be taxed to the limit, but so will his wife, Doris.