Mr. Paradise
By Elmore Leonard
Read by Robert Forster

     Kelly and Chloe are roommates. Kelly is a model and Chloe is the playmate of an elderly rich man named Tony Paradiso. Mr. Paradise, as she calls him, talks with a cruel mouth but promises to take care of Chloe with an insurance policy. His son hates Chloe and would fight for anything left to her in the will. In fact, Mr. Paradise, has promised to take care of others outside of his will, as well.

    Mr. Paradise likes to see Chole play cheerleader. One night, Chloe brings Kelly along. Unfortunately, for the ladies, Mr. Paradise gets generous with their company and splits them up. When two hit men arrive, expecting to find an old man having a quiet night, only to discover a cheerleader entertaining him with her pom-poms, they are not happy. The hit takes place, but isn’t seen for what it was suppose to be – a home invasion. And this, folks, is just the beginning.

     Leading the police investigation is Detective Frank Delsa. He’s suspicious about the crime scene. He has a female witness acting odd, a fast-talking bodyguard and he is attracted to the beautiful witness.

    Believe it or not, I’ve avoided Elmore Leonard’s work. Being a skeptic of over-praised authors, I’ve dodged it for a long time, but it was the TV show Karen Sisco that changed my mind about listening to this audio book.

     Mr. Paradise is the first Detroit mystery for me, and I can tell you it’s not for sissies. It’s rated R with plenty of cringing points. Forget walking and talking tough, these characters “breathe” tough, including the women. The dialogue is short and sweet and the storyline moves quickly. Very entertaining. It’s worth a second listen. Remember to use the headphones.

     Actor Robert Foster is the reader. He also plays Marshall Sisco on the TV show Karen Sisco. Foster is a smooth reader, and does a good job of delivering exactly what Leonard’s characters are, Detroit rough.