Newport Ave

Combine a returning fugitive, his sister who is married to a low-level mobster and an old junky friend who is now a devout Christian and it becomes a lethal mix. Years before James Dobchek and Greg Mairs were involved with some other guys in an alteration that killed one of them and James fled.

In Newport Ave by Ken Kuhlken, James quietly returns to check on his sister Olivia and her friend Greg. Greg, now terminally ill with liver disease caused by his drug addition, has a wife and young daughter. He has turned to Christianity and is trying to lead a good life - for whatever time is left.

Olivia is married to Maurice, who has made her life miserable and lead her to alcohol. James decides she would be better off without Maurice and enlists the aid of Greg to kill him. This is counter to his new beliefs, but Greg remembers that James saved his life so he reluctantly agrees to help him.

After all these years FBI agent Miles Milligan still keeps
checking in with Greg and Olivia, looking for James. He feels sure one of them has been in touch with James, but they both deny it to Miles' endless frustration.

When Maurice is killed events become more complicated for James and Greg leading them to drastic action.

Not really a cozy mystery but the dark subplot makes for an interesting read.

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