The Classic PI In The Modern World

Maryland author's detective fiction explores the loyalties (and disloyalties) of family bonds, exposes a private investigator's time-management crisis, and uncovers the corruption of a mysterious art market. Deadly Heirs is a throwback to detective noir but set in today's society.

(PRWEB) March 20, 2004 --Saying Earl Kiddering is rich is like saying Babe Ruth hit a couple of homeruns, but saying he's dead is more accurate. In Mike Ricksecker's new novel Deadly Heirs, a month has passed since the billionaire drowned in his own swimming pool, and Earl's great-niece hires private investigator Chase Michael DeBarlo to find Kiddering's missing will while other family members squabble over the fortune.

In this throwback to detective noir, dark family secrets are uncovered including adultery and tax evasion - and Earl's death continues to look less like an accident. Earls wife, Josephine, introduces Chase to her late husbands collection of ancient Chinese terra cotta vases that she believes holds the key to finding Earls will. This pits him against a Chinese underworld lord named Chan, a nearly invisible foe that is molding the vase market to his liking, even if it means murder.

In the meantime, Chase feels obligated to help his mother's friend, a lounge singer who fears she is being stalked. He reluctantly takes the case, worried that it may infringe on his time with the Kiddering case - and it does.

Due for release on April 16, Deadly Heirs explores the loyalties (and disloyalties) of family bonds, exposes a private investigator's time-management crisis, and uncovers the corruption of a mysterious art market.

Mike Ricksecker spent ten years growing up in western Massachusetts and began writing detective fiction as a youngster in Westfield. He first brought Chase Michael DeBarlo to life in 30-second mystery style in 1992 while he was in Wooster, Ohio, and is working to have DeBarlo featured as a PC game. He currently lives in Maryland with his wife and four children.

More information about Mike Ricksecker and Deadly Heirs may be found at http://www.rrdevelopments.com/mike, a mystery genre web site produced by the author.

Deadly Heirs can be purchased from the publisher's web site, Barnes & Noble, amazon.com, and other stores where books are sold.