Chasing the Devil

By James Brant

   Meet homicide detective, Harry Dymes. Harry is trying to solve a murder of a scientist and uncovers a whole lot more. Harry gets caught up between the FBI, the Russian Mafia, and the dreaded Chinese underground. Harry also gets involved with a known woman, Marta. Can Harry capture the illusive Russian killer before that killer is killed himself and avoid being killed? Or will Harry be forced to face death?

   James Brant does a fantastic job in incorporating all of the different governmental international agencies (FBI, Russian Mafia, Chinese underground) [not all of these are governmental...] in Chasing the Devil. Harry Dymes' characterization adds to the suspense and thrill of trying to figure out how Harry will figure out who murdered the scientist. The setting (San Francisco) is helpful in Chasing the Devil. The story could only take place in a city, another city being New York City, where the Russians and Chinese were involved (i.e., Chinatown). The romance between Harry and Marta adds to the story and does not take away from the mystery of the murder. It is nice to see that Harry does not solely focus on his job. Chasing the Devil is a fairly good police procedural mystery novel.