Title: Deception
Subtitle: A Jack Ludefance Novel
Author: Behcet Kaya
Publisher: TBA
ASIN: ‎ B0FFTS29QT
Pages: TBA
Genre: Mystery / Fiction
Reviewer: Gary Sorkin

Read Book Review

“Who the hell are you? And why are you here at this hour?” asks Jack. So begins the narrative of Deception, the latest release in the Jack Ludefance Novels by author Behcet Kaya. Taking off with intrigue from page one, readers are transported into a logical, very credible and somewhat bizarre sequence of events. Jack Ludefance, PI, known to his friends as “Swamp” due to his gritty Bayou demeanor along with the unmistakable scar on his left cheek on his face derived from a bite while wrestling an alligator, along with his protégé and IT support subordinate Rudy, are introduced to Colonel Westerdam the Third. “I want to report a homicide,” states the Colonel. When asked by Jack who? He continues, “Me. I’m the one who was killed.”

Alright I know what comes to mind, so did it to me as well, simply stated – this does not make sense. How can someone claim to have been murdered while they still are alive? That is precisely the literary hook Behcet Kaya plants deeply in the book’s plot, and frankly by page two I was unable to put this book down, reading it in virtually one sitting.  As not to spoil any of the story’s elements with details, I will not provide any synopsis in this review. However, I am pleased to mention each moment of discovery, investigation, action, and dialogue is done with a finesse of authenticity, believability and most of all entertainment, making Deception a polished gem of a book.

Deception reads with an abundance of dialogue – making up the bulk of the story.  Almost so much so that this novel can border on seeming more like a screenplay for a movie, providing the emotions, thoughts and actions of the characters via their expertly versed verbal interactions. Kaya, has a talent for dialogue to carry the book’s narrative making it read with each character’s voice talking in the readers’ minds so clearly that simply spacing of lines are written without the commonly used comments of, “said Jack,” or “he replied.” There is no ambiguity given the use of superbly quoted text, so as the rudimentary clarification as who-said-what isn’t necessary. This literary quality shows so much respect for the intelligence of the reading audience, bringing this novel to the best-of-class in skill and enjoyment.

Kaya brings into the story some of what I would call “Cameo” appearances and references of characters from the prior Jack Ludefance Novels, yet those inserts I believe are for the enjoyment of readers such as myself, who has read every other title in the series, yet Deception stands on its own merits, and can be picked up and enjoyed by newcomers as an introduction to the series. As hidden agendas unravel and danger closes in, Jack must navigate a treacherous maze of lies to uncover the truth. Deception is a high-stakes thriller that delivers pulse-pounding action and a detective you won’t forget.

One thing is for sure – once you pick this up…you won’t be able to put it down until you finish it. It’s that good!