13 Million Dollar Pop: A Frank Behr Novel

By: David Levien
Publisher: Doubleday
Publication Date: August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-385-53253-2
Reviewed by: Mary Lignor
Review Date: June 22, 2011

This new mystery novel by David Levien is not for the faint of heart. The scenes are emotional and heart-rending, and are filled with definite "in your face" realism.

The main character, Frank Behr, is an ex-cop who has found himself in hot water before. Now, as he is about to become a father, he takes a job working for a Protective Agency, and is following a client through an Indianapolis underground parking structure. Frank is on an executive protection detail, taking the place of a co-worker who couldn't work that night. This protection detail is for Bernard "Bernie Cool" Kolodnik, a business owner who is on his way to the Senate in Washington, DC.

The company Frank is working for, The Caro Group, is a private protection and security company where most of the employees are ex-FBI. Frank is very uncomfortable in his job situation, especially when the sound of automatic weapons fire rings out loud and clear, and an attempt is made on Frank's very prominent client. Frank manages to protect him and send the attackers on their way. Although Frank is lauded for his heroism under attack, he tries to investigate the attack on his own and runs into many secrets and lies told by the client and also his employers. The Indianapolis Police Department also seem to be in on helping to bury the whole situation and pretend it never happened.

There are many good people - and bad - who never make it through this story as it shows the realism of a man trying to settle into a job he really doesn't like all that much in order to protect his lady and his child. A very good character protrayal that readers will be looking forward to as the author takes us through Frank's life.

Quill Says: Levien writes a crime story that is full of real people and energy that centers around the brooding Frank Behr. A compelling read which will have all readers waiting impatiently for the next Frank Behr mystery to arrive.