Cicero's Dead is a hard-boiled detective mystery written by Patrick H. Moore. Nick Crane is a private investigator working from his home in the hills outside Los Angeles. He's been hired by Jade Lamont, a young heiress, who's been unable to reach her brother, Richard. Jade's father, Cicero, was killed in a hit-and-run accident, and her mother committed suicide not long thereafter. Richard's all Jade has, and it's been three weeks since she's spoken to him. Jade suggests that Nick start by speaking with Ron Cera, one of Richard's friends and Jade's former lover. Ron is frightened and getting ready to leave town. He tells Nick that Richard's gotten involved with Arnold Clipper, a psychotic sadist, who has given Ron 48 hours to help them find Jade.

Patrick H. Moore's detective story, Cicero's Dead, is exciting and fast-paced. Nick Crane is the perfect hard-boiled detective even if he does come with a wife and young daughter. Moore makes this detective story come alive with his characterizations of this iconic private eye and his crew: Audrey, Bobby and Brad. The plot is finely drawn and filled with action and suspense. I particularly enjoyed watching Nick's team working together and planning strategies, especially those scenes where they're based out of Bobby's house, complete with electrified fencing and pet goats. Bobby is a Vietnam vet suffering from PTSD, and Moore's coverage of Bobby and Nick's working partnership is inspired. There are also some marvelous scenes where Nick gets into it with some police detectives who are itching to blame him for something, but can't seem to get it right. I had so much fun reading Cicero's Dead. It's first-rate hard-boiled detective fiction, and it's most highly recommended.

Things didn't go easy for Cicero Lamont. Cicero was a drug merchant dealing in massive quantities of drugs and making huge profits. But, he also made a lot of enemies. Yes, things didn't go easy for Cicero when one night he was slammed in a hit-and-run. Or, at least that’s what private detective Nick Crane is told when meeting a prospective client. Cicero’s daughter, Jade, is at her wits' end. First there was Cicero’s hit and run; then she learns that her mom committed suicide, and now her brother, Richie, is missing. Jade hires Nick to find Richie and to track down whoever murdered their father. Nick soon discovers that something isn't quite right about the death of her father, and possibly the suicide of her mother. And, that is just the tip of the iceberg. Nick also learns that there is money, a lot of money, at stake and a host of criminals looking to get their hands on it. And his troubles start there as he and his associates' lives are quickly in jeopardy. Can he solve the case before harm can come to his client, and his family and friends? Only time will tell. 

Cicero’s Dead by Patrick H. Moore is a very well written private detective story. I was a little surprised at the beginning with the protagonist Nick Crane. Yes a private detective, but also a family man. Things were a little slow at first, but as the suspense began to build so did the action. The author also introduced a varied group of supporting characters with diverse backgrounds that helped move the story along very nicely. This book has it all; strong characters, great dialogue, and a superior plot. A very good read indeed.