Cosmic Forces

COSMIC FORCES, The Jake Helman Files, Gregory Lamberson, Medallion Press, $14.95, 388 pages, ISBN: 9781605424088, reviewed by Barry Hunter.

Jake Helman is a New York City Private Investigator who seems to attract the more unusual cases. Of course, he is an ex-cop and usually gets leaned on by those on the force when some of his cases leave too many unanswered questions. He has plenty of skeletons in his closet; has triple locks on his safe; keeps a two foot raven as a “pet”; and, is still in love with his dead wife.

In this case, Marla Madigan, wife of the mayor, hires him to find out if her husband is having an affair. While tailing the Mayor to his weekly meeting, he discovers something more sinister afoot that’s smells fishy all the way to Heaven and Hell. Marla goes missing, presumably kidnapped; Jake is targeted; and, a psychic is killed as he follows leads received from unusual sources.

Jake’s investigation goes from surreal to spiritual as he investigates a group of men who will stop at nothing to control the world. His clues and findings range from Seneca Indian legend to pre-Biblical mythos with a very interesting story taking us to a rousing ending.

I’m reminded of the tales of The Shadow, Doc Savage, Manly Wade Wellman, H.P. Lovecraft, and other pulp stories. The creativity and pacing make this a very enjoyable and fast moving novel. There are other Jake Helman adventures out there and I’m sure there are more on the way. I’m sure that after reading this one, you will want to read the others. I know I do.