Hush Hush by Gabriel Valjan is the third book in the Shane Cleary mysteries. The story brings back Shane Cleary, an ex-cop turned PI who has let his license expire. That does not stop him as he takes a case requested by an old friend. The case is of a young black man imprisoned for a crime he says he didn't do. He has been accused of the murder of a wealthy, white college student.

The story is set in Boston during the '70s, racial inequalities and differences in Boston run high. Valjan gives a great description of the times, and tensions between the black community and the cops. Even the mob is included in the story along with dirty politics. In his investigation, he enters high society and the lowest of society. The problem is, whatever he may find, would be illegal due to the simple fact of not having a PI license.

He enlists his girlfriend Bonnie, who is a criminal defense attorney, to help him sift through all the evidence. A dangerous endeavor for them both. Like I said, the deeper he digs the more danger they are in. He is determined to get the facts and prove the young man's innocence.

This is a fast-paced story, one written with impeccable research of the times and the city of Boston, with the author's description of the times that brought me back to the turbulent '70s when I was a teenager/young adult. I lived in a different city but the issues were the same. If you enjoy a noirish story about a hardboiled PI then give this book a try. I have read other books by Gabriel Valjan and have never been disappointed.

I give this book 4 stars. ( )

In Hush Hush, book three in the Shane Cleary Mystery Series, author Gabriel Valjan takes the reader back to 1970s Boston to follow the latest investigative cases of ex-Boston cop turned PI Shane Cleary. Shane's PI license has lapsed, and he has no intention of renewing it. His new job is managing rental properties. But Shane's friend John asks him to look into the Dawson murder case for a friend of his whose son has been convicted of voluntary manslaughter. Shane agrees to research the case for new evidence to grant an appeal, which turns into uncovering a disturbing case involving race, wealth, and police corruption.

Hush Hush is a riveting crime story that easily draws the reader in from the start. The author provides the reader with a fascinating and richly detailed crime thriller set in 1970s Boston. Told in the first person narrative by Shane, this gritty noir story has enough drama, secrets, deception, tension, and surprising twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing if Shane will be able to uncover enough new evidence to grant an appeal for the case. Shane deals with hostility from his ex-police brethren, crooked cops, mobsters, and wealthy individuals who try to hinder his every move. Trouble always seem to find Shane, it's the hazard of his job and it comes with the territory, but it doesn't deter him from finding the truth.

This suspenseful storyline is about a murder case that Shane slowly puts the pieces of the puzzle together, uncovering the underlying race relations and corruption during that time in Boston that was kept hush hush, it will keep the reader guessing. With an intriguing cast of characters, a great description of Boston and the throwback to the 1970s decade, and flashbacks to Shane's past, Hush Hush takes the reader on one heck of a thrilling rollercoaster ride!

Hush Hush is a well-written, fast paced crime thriller story that left me interested in finding out what Shane's next investigative adventure will be in the continuation of the series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

HUSH HUSH by Gabriel Valjan is my first book by this author. Set in the 1970’s in Boston, Valjan gives readers insight of what life was like for many during that Era. The characters were spot on and though most of them were a rough bunch, I did enjoyed the way they grew and developed as the story unfolds. Author Gabriel Valjan is a phenomenal writer. Different than most authors I read, and he does an amazing job with the dialogue, a little rough talk at times but that fits the story well.

I did like Shane Cleary, the unlicensed PI, but a sharp PI that. I found that much of the story is so realistic today, especially on the racial issues. And Valjan doesn’t back off from telling it like it is.
I think you will enjoy this story if you enjoy a good mystery as well as taking a trip back to the good old 1970 and some of the hard core memories of Boston’s streets.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )