Title: Uncanny Alliance
Subtitle: A Jack Ludefance Novel
Author: Behcet Kaya
Publisher: KDP
ASIN: B0D1DS3PKV
Pages: 265
Genre: Fiction PI Series / Suspense
Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin

Read Book Review

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder; as with art also comes literature. As an analogy, this reviewer will state that most readers will admire the beauty, skill, and storyline of the Jack Ludefance Novel series by author Behcet Kaya, especially his most recent title, Uncanny Alliance.

Private investigator Jaques Ludefance, Jack for short, is called to pick up a case in a wealthy community where a professor in an exclusive university is found dead, and his wife has been arrested for the murder of her deceased husband. Believing she is innocent, her wealthy father hires Jack to do two things; find the actual murderer, and by doing so have his daughter released from prison. Starting with only a clue of DNA which points to the professor’s wife, hence her arrest, there is also a hair sample which was unable to be linked to any known individual. So begins the investigation, and the bodies start to pile up.

Readers who are familiar with the prior Jack Ludefance Novel series immediately are treated to the mindset and methodology of Jack’s peculiar character traits. One of which is always enjoying a Samual Adams beer, and another is always explaining to people he meets how he got a big scar on his face. To me, this was a welcome feeling when reading – as I felt as if I was revisiting an old friend.

As the investigation dives into iPhone technology and cryptocurrency, Jack realizes he is out of his sweet-spot for researching these technological puzzles, so he calls upon his side-kick Rudy, a semi-homeless computer hacker nerd in Los Angeles, to come out to help on this case. Rudy, along with other hackers in London, become the key for unlocking the transactions of billions of Bitcoins of which Jack then follows the money to find the killer. The importance of Rudy’s hacking skills is what Jack realizes he himself lacks, so their joint efforts become the basis for their alliance, and will certainly play a prominent role in future Jack Ludefance novels.

The author uses a style very well suited for a “whodunit” investigation by writing short chapters, employing lots of expertly poignant dialogue, and providing a narration of Jack’s thoughts via first-person logical deduction along the way. By juggling the plot lines in alternating fashions within these chapters, readers are kept up to the edge of the factual reveal as it progresses, making this novel an extraordinary page-turner.

Another comment is the classy way Behcet Kaya brings about descriptions of very touchy bodily issues when the police are called to the scene of the murder, and also other feelings which include Jack’s carnal desires. The author does so in a way which is very “gentlemanly” and by doing so avoids offending any reader of any age, showing immense respect for his reading audience.

For people new to the series, I suggest starting with Jack’s prior novels, thus bringing you up-to-date for many of the reminiscing moments interleaved within this story, although Uncanny Alliance can stand on its own merit. Being a fan of Behcet Kaya’s writing over the years, it became, for me, a yearning desire to read a new case, and then a heightened satisfaction upon completing the novel – that is the definition of an addiction.

So, beware of the addictive quality of getting hooked on Behcet Kaya’s Jack Ludefance Novels. Pick up your own copy of the series, crack open a Sam Adams, and enjoy delving into the world of private investigations. You’ll be amazed, as I am, for sure.