A Murder of Honor

by Robert Andrews

Book Overview

When a priest is shot down in a drive-by on the streets of Washington, D.C., a pair of relentless homicide detectives investigate the killing, only to uncover a conspiracy of corruption involving the most powerful players in town. "A solid, meat-and-potatoes-style city cop story that has a steady pace and packs a dose of wry humor...Andrews keeps the cop genre fresh and full of surprises." (USA Today) "The story never misses a beat." (Houston Chronicle)...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425183025
• ISBN13: 9780425183021
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Revenge of The Nerds

Frank Kearney and Jose Phelps two veteran D.C. detectives have been buddies since their first day on the force more than twenty years ago. They're assigned a "no win" case, the murder of activist priest Fr. O'Brien, victim of and apparent drive-by shooting. When they discover a bunch of gay literature in the good father's quarters and $500,000 in cash in his closet, the case take on a different smell. A red Beemer turns up in an auto compactor with one body in the trunk and a second on top of the car, decapitated. The headless one would be Henry, a guard for Jarvis Security, run by ex-cop Solomon Jarvis. Henry made $15 / hour, drove a 500 SL and was killed by two shots from a 22 similar to the one that killed Fr. O'Brien.Frank and Jose tie it all to control of the drug trade in a hot corner of Washington. A Marion Berry-like Malcolm Burridge raises hell, chief of homicide Randolph Emerson slithers around trying to look good and DC City Treasurer Simmons tells a sleazy investigative reporter that Fr. O'Brien could have been an embezzler. Frank Kearney's belief in Fr. O'B is punctuated by the author's reference to Ray Donovan's lament after being falsely accused.The plot builds to three made for TV-like action shootouts, the last of which occurs when Frank and Jose run a scam that pits the two bad guys against each other. The good guys win in the end, of course, and with a surprisingly satisfying avenging act.I liked it a lot!

Outstanding Read...Can't Wait For The Sequal

Once again Robert Andrews spins a thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. From wonderful, chilling spy novels to stories of murder and intrigue, Robert Andrews continues to hold my admiration as one of the best writers available. In "A Murder of Honor" Robert Andrews leads us through twists and turns to solve the murder of a local, Washington, DC, priest. Not unlike the streets of the Capital, Det's Kearney and Phelps must navigate the avenues of politics, drugs, murder and city-hall. These two seasoned detectives; who have seen their share of tough cases and the "politics" played in the District; find themselves working to protect not only the honor and integrity of the murdered priest...but their own as well. This book is well written and well researched and will hold your reading attention well into the night. So, if you're looking to go to bed early, don't start this book as you won't be able to close it!!

First in a Series?

Bob Andrews immerses the reader into a rewarding world of two homicide detectives who must battle murderers, drug syndicates, and money launderers in the course of solving the seemingly random murder of a priest. At the same time, Frank Kearny and Jose Phelps must cope with the frustrations laid in their path by bureaucratic weasels, slippery politicians, and slimy media figures. As in his earlier novels, Andrews gets the details exactly right while moving the story along at a steady clip. The plot twists and turns interweave nicely with Andrews at the controls. When this story reached its climax and resolution, I felt both satisfied and anticipating Frank's and Jose's next case.

Andrews Murder Mystery Big Winner

Robert Andrews' switch from spy novels to murder mystery was a smart move. Setting it in Washington DC provides readers with the best literary inaugural in a number of presidential terms. His writing about a veteran team of DC detectives who work to solve an intriguing mystery against difficult odds is crisp, authentic and atmospheric. His lead characters are not just plausible -- as the book progresses the reader comes to know them as real and interesting people. The plot sustains and builds interest until the final pages, and the pace is exciting. Readers should look forward eagerly to Andrews' next book and the ongoing adventures of DC Detectives Frank Kearney and Jose' Phelps.

Great debut novel

Frank Kearney and Jose Phillips have worked for the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department for over a quarter of a century each. They stared out as rookies at the same time and later became partners. They shared an apartment and know each other on a deep gut level as perhaps only twins know one another.They are at the downhill side of their careers and both want easy cases to coast into retirement. Still, their boss Randolph Emerson assigns the duo a high-profile case that seems impossible to solve. Someone gunned down the activist priest, Reverend Father O'Brien in what appears to be a random drive-by shooting. The two cops look into Father O'Brien's living quarters and discover a folder containing clippings from a gay newspaper. Even stranger is the half-a-million dollars they find in a closet. Kearney and Phillips have to wonder if a good priest was committing a transgression. However, they soon realize that the evidence plus the killing is more complex and sinister with the two officers potentially being retired in a more permanent way than they would like.A MURDER OF HONOR depicts the day to workings of an ongoing murder investigation conducted by two experienced cops. Though weary and ready to retire (think Glover in Lethal Weapon), Kearney and Phillips remain dedicated heroes doing what they do best. The homicide almost vanishes as a bigger crime unfolds that will leave the reader shocked and amazed at the audacity and talent of Robert Andrews to successfully pull off such a stunt. Fans of police procedural will enjoy this debut tale.Harriet Klausner