“By Any Means” will be published in 2014 (May) and was written by Chris Culver. This is Mr. Culver’s fifth novel to be published in his mystery series following the character of Ash Rashid. The book is available through Amazon .
Indianapolis Detective Ash Rashid is currently working community relations. He has had that detail for the last eight months following his encounter and subsequent shooting death of a young man with a gun. He was cleared in the shooting, but still has not been returned to his status as a detective. The fact that Rashid is a Muslim is woven through the story, but really does not enter into the mystery.
He encounters what appears to be an auto accident on his way home one afternoon that thrusts him back into the role of detective. What appears to be an accident, quickly develops into a homicide. To complicate matters, a good samaritan stopping to help has been kidnapped.
Because of the urgency of the situation and the fact that he started the investigation, Rashid is somewhat reluctantly placed in charge by his superiors. As the investigation progresses, the crime seems to be somehow tied to human trafficking and prostitution.
An underworld contact of Rashid’s, the Russian Kostya (a character from earlier books in the series), is somehow involved. While he provides Rashid with information, he also has his own agenda.
I enjoyed this book and give it a 4 out of 5. The characters were well developed, and the story engaging. Given the opportunity I would read other books by this author.