Once a Detective...

"Once a Detective," is a fast-paced romp through the streets of New York by former Detective Dan Burnett, in search of a killer. Larry Terhaar is a great storyteller. His characters were well developed and compelling. I could feel the grit from the streets and taste the flavors of the fabulous food described. A fun summer read with lots of action....." - John W. Long, author of "In the Name of the Father."

"Larry Terhaar's Once a Detective is a masterfully plotted mystery with a compelling narrative voice, vividly drawn characters, and sizzling dialogue. A nuanced, emotion-filled portrayal of a struggling ex-cop who becomes a private eye, this novel is much more than a simple whodunit. It is impossible not to become immersed in the story-the book will grip you from beginning to end."- Urs A. Boelsterli, award-winning author of "Dead Natural"

"A well written and fast paced detective novel in the tradition of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I hope this absorbing and entertaining book is the first in a series." - Steve Skurka, author of "Pharo and the Murder at Smoke Lake"

Her brother was murdered.

After two years the NYPD had given up.

It was now up to me to find the murderer.

Once a Detective... introduces Dan Burnett, an NYPD detective who opts for retirement after failing his physical. At fifty-five, he becomes a private investigator, learning the ropes from a P.I. with a similar history. Divorced and living on a sailboat, his one source of happiness is his college-aged daughter.

After assisting his new partner with ongoing cases, he lands one of his own: a beautiful woman whose brother was murdered. With the NYPD abandoning the case, it's up to him to find the murderer, all while grappling with his attraction to the client.

The suspects? Las Vegas casinos, where the brother owed a million dollars, and his second wife, who inherited millions upon his death. Dan doggedly works the case, drawing on his lifelong skills, with the help of a former colleague initially assigned to the case. Tracking a mob hitman leads him on a chase across the country, searching for the truth and ultimately finding it.