My name’s Benji Golden and you’ll never guess what I do for a living so don’t even try. In the world of casting agents I’m what’s known as a juvenile type. I stand exactly one quarter inch shy of five-feet-six, weight a buck thirty-seven and am exceedingly baby faced. I’m twenty-five but can pass for seventeen. I answer to the nickname of Bunny. But I’m plenty feisty. I have to be.
I’m a licensed private investigator. In fact, I’m the best there is in New York City at finding missing young people. Ask around at One Police Plaza. Down there they call me Runaway Man.
My dad, Meyer Golden, was an NYPD homicide detective who became a genuine hero back in the 1990s when he caught Briefcase Bob, the subway serial killer who was terrorizing New York City. After he retired from the job Dad bought a comfortably worn – some might say decrepit – five-story brownstone on the corner of Broadway and West 103rd Street and launched Golden Legal Services. He and mom sold our raised ranch in Mineola and moved in over the office. Eventually, Mom became a licensed PI herself, which was quite some change of direction for her. When the two of them first met Mom had the distinction of being the only Jewish pole dancer in New York City.
Me, I caught the showbiz bug. I love Broadway musicals with all of my heart (Trust me, you do not want to get me started on the subject of Ethel Merman). I desperately wanted to act. Did act. I got two weeks on a soap. A few commercials that went national. Speaking roles on a couple of different Law & Order episodes. Given my slight stature and boyish features, they kept casting me as a high school kid – until they stopped casting me altogether. It turns out there isn’t much demand for a twenty-five-year-old juvenile type.
So I joined the family business. I can tail anyone through the streets and subways of New York City and they don’t know I’m there. But, like I said, my specialty is finding runaways. Thousands of teen-age kids from all over the country disappear into the Big Apple maw every year. Some are fleeing an abusive home life. Some are chasing the Broadway or catwalk dream. Some are just running and have no idea why.
When Dad passed away from stomach cancer two years ago Mom took over the business. I moved into our building’s top floor apartment – on a clear day I can see Amsterdam Avenue — and she and I run Golden Legal Services together now with the help of Mom’s pal Rita, a statuesque redhead who put herself through the Rutgers computer science program by working nights as a lap dancer. Give Rita a keyboard and ten minutes and she can hack into anyone’s most personal records.
Small agencies such as ours have trouble surviving these days. It’s tough to compete against the big boys. We’re always delighted when a paying client comes along. I’m especially excited about our newest client, Morrie Frankel, who is the last of the great Broadway showmen. Sadly, Morrie’s current extravaganza, a lavish $65 million musical adaptation of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, is the biggest unfolding disaster in the disaster-riddled history of the Great White Way. Rumor has it that Morrie has leveraged every asset he owns to keep his teetering production afloat. Rumor also has it that if he doesn’t find himself another deep-pocketed angel very soon he might go down — and take Wuthering Heights with him.
He has found himself a new angel, Morrie informs me. A flashy young British hedge fund billionaire named R.J. Farnell has promised to advance him $12 million. Unfortunately, Farnell and his $12 million have vanished. The only concrete lead Morrie has is the man’s hot girlfriend, an 18-year-old would-be actress from Ruston, Louisiana named Jonquil Beausoleil. Mind you, she’s disappeared, too. But Morrie figures that if I find her he’ll find Farnell.
I find her, all right — Jonquil Beausoleil is a webcam porn girl in the employ of the Minetta crime family. It so happens that Morrie Frankel is in deep to Joe Minetta, head of the family, who is Broadway’s top loan shark. It also so happens that absolutely nothing is what it appears to be.
Which is something I’ve gotten used to since I became a private investigator. Same as I’ve gotten used to being alone. It’s kind of ironic if you think about it. I can find anyone – except, that is, for my soul mate. I know she’s out there somewhere. And I know I’ll find her someday. I’m quite a good catch if I do say so myself, although I must admit that my job can get a bit crazy sometimes.
Not to mention deadly.
You can read more about Benji in Phantom Angel, the second book in the “Benji Golden” mystery series, published by Minatour. The first book in the series is Runaway Man.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on February 20 for the chance to win a copy of PHANTOM ANGEL. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes.
About the author
David Handler, the Edgar Award-winning master of the witty whodunit, was born and raised in Los Angeles and published two highly acclaimed novels about growing up there, Kiddo and Boss, before resorting to a life of crime fiction. He has written eight novels about the dapper celebrity ghostwriter Stewart Hoag and his faithful, neurotic basset hound, Lulu, as well as ten books in his bestselling series featuring the mismatched crime-fighting duo of pudgy New York film critic Mitch Berger and the lovely Connecticut State Trooper Desiree Mitry. Phantom Angel is his second novel to feature young Benji Golden, the feisty and street-wise 137-pound New York private detective who is sure to become Mr. Handler’s most beloved hero yet. Mr. Handler has written extensively for television and films on both coasts and coauthored the international bestselling thriller Gideon under the pseudonym Russell Andrews. He presently lives in a 200-year-old carriage house in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
Visit David at www.davidhandlerbooks.com or on Facebook.
This sounds interesting Dru, Please toss my hat into the contest ring.
Wish I still weighed 137 pounds.
This looks interesting. Funny with some serious overtones, and it will interesting to see just what 137 pounds can do!
I enjoy this author’s other series but this is a new one to me. Looks good.
137 sounds about right but 5ft6inches is tall for me. This sounds like a fun and interesting series.
Sounds like a good read, I look forward to it
I like the CT series, so I will probably like this one.
Interesting story line; never heard of this series, thanks for the chance 🙂
In anticipation of the sequel, I’m re-reading RUNAWAY MAN, David Handler’s first in his new series featuring the incomparable Benji Golden! This book has all the elements I look for in a good read! All are compelling: the protagonist, the setting, the characters, the story and the surprise ending! David Handler’s superb writing and sharp wit are in evidence throughout the book! I’m looking forward to reading PHANTOM ANGEL during this cold winter!
I’m intrigued. Just added book #1 to my TBR list over at Goodreads. Thanks for the heads-up on a new-to-me series, and for the chance to win.
I have enjoyed some of this author’s other works. This appeals to me because of the idea of a juvenile actor being a P.I. I think this could lead to a lot of interesting situations.
This one belongs on my shelf. I really hope to win this one.
This book looks interesting, fun, and unique, can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Can’t wait to read this! Hi Benfi!
Oops Benji!
Somehow I have missed this series! It sounds fascinating-a mix of Broadway and detective work is hard to beat! I am going to get a copy of the first book in the series and will be ready to read this one soon, Thanks for the opportunity to win it Dru and David!
This sounds like a great book! Thank you for the review and contest, Dru!
I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I often think I should have been a PI, I can find info on the computer that others find amazing. But I could never take the long hours!
Sounds like another good series that I must get into!
Bravo, David Handler. This one sounds great!
Sounds like a book for my TBR pile
It sounds like a fun and interesting read. I would definitely enjoy it. Thanks for the chance to win it.
This is a new author to me, looks interesting
I need another entire lifetime to read all of the books that I have wanted to read just this year alone and now another VERY interesting one has come along to add to that list. Wow. Thank you for letting us readers know all about this series, Dru Ann. You are our go to girl for finding out what to read that is for sure. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Cynthia
Sounds good. This would be a new author for me. Always a good thing.
Sounds good. This would be a new author for me. Need more reads in my life
Sounds good. This would be a new author for me. Would love to try David Handler.
I haven’t read this author—but the book sounds interesting and I’d like to try it.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Phantom Angel will be a good winter weather cuddle up book to read. Thanks for sharing.
Benji sounds like quite a neat guy, I’m sure we’d both enjoy spending a little more time with him. Thanks for the chance to win Phantom Angel.
A new series for me.
Marilyn Watson ewatvess@yahoo.com
Takes me back to the early 60s when i first discovered detective series books. Can’t wait to read it.
A new-to-me series….
Sounds good, especially that it is set in NYC!!!!
The setting caught my attention and the youthful PI as well. The title is catchy and may attract some paranormal fans.
can’t wait to read!
This book sounds interesting.
Sounds very interesting~thank you for the chance to win a copy and for the great review!
I definitely will read the first book in the series and hope i win the second. Unusual characters and sounds like a twisty turny plot.
Well, I love the description and what a plot..
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I have enjoyed all of David Handler’s books. I’m positive this one will be no exception. What a great writer!
Love free books. Thanks.
What a great giveaway. Intriguing.
contest is closed.
Thank you so much Dru!