The Big Sheep by Robert Kroese
Robert Kroese puts a fresh spin on the LA noir detective story with this tale of quirky private investigator Erasmus Keane and his assistant, Blake Fowler. The story is told from the POV of Fowler. It takes place circa 2039 in a section of Los Angeles that has been disowned by civil authorities after the economic collapse of 2028. The section is referred to as the Disincorporated Zone, or the DZ. Erasmus Keane, who prefers to be referred to as a “phenomenological inquisitor” rather than a P.I., has an office right on the edge of the zone and he takes on unlikely cases, giving each case his own unlikely name for it.
Erasmus takes on The Case of the Missing Sheep. The sheep in question is a large breed, female sheep named Mary, who has been genetically altered by researchers at Esper. But Mary has been stolen and the head honcho at Esper wants her found. As Keane and Fowler begin their investigation of the missing Mary, they are sidelined by beautiful actress Priya Minstry. Priya thinks someone may be out to kill her. Fowler thinks she might just be a little bonkers. As these two cases progress, they begin to realize that one may very well have to do with the other.
The Big Sheep is fast-paced, clever, atmospheric and funny in an absurd, tongue-in-cheek sort of way. I recommend sitting down and taking the afternoon to breeze through this little gem. It’s a good, fresh read for both sci-fi and detective mystery fans.
I want to thank the publisher (St. Martin’s Press) for providing me with the ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
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