P.I. (Book 1) (Rick Cantelli - P.I. Detectives)

Cantelli is an unbelievable character. He stumbles around like poor imitation of Peter Sellers. The story line is way below what this author usually writes. The formula just does not work in either of the Cantelli books. I say leave it on the shelf and read something else

This book reads like a series of short stories and the same scenes play over and over: bad guys burst in, Rick shoots them in the head. What's the purpose of the cafe or fitness center except as a way to stretch the story. The taunts from Lois to Rick are tiresome, not funny. And why is she so angry about his sex life?! Each time I saw her laugh called a "cackle" I wanted to gag. Same with the word "geezer". To expect us to suspend belief that a man approaching 60 has nubile women throwing themselves at him, not to mention that he still has the reflexes of a young man is ludicrous. Lois is also older and is unbelievably competent and violent. I had to force myself to finish it and the only reason I gave it 3 stars is in deference to the author's efforts and because I give 2 stars to books I really don't like and delete from my Kindle.

Everything about this book screams an old man that wishes he where 25. The dialog between Rick and his partner is so over the top any self respecting guy would cage her. The book reads like an interrogation by a sex freak Lois has issues big tme. Next every women is throwing themselves at this guy it's just too much and takes away from the sad shambles of a plot.

Monster was great right along with Hardcase. But this is just subpar by a landslide. Only reason I gave it two stars is it's readable and cringe worthy reading. A one star is just unreadable and this is very close.

For a book that started out so promising, this one quickly became episodic and repetitive; almost like ready five short stories. While there were occasional bits of humor, they could not cover for the lack of any continuous plotting. The main characters never developed into anything deeper than you'll read in the first 30 pages. This was my first DeLeo book, and it will certainly be my last.

A very good read if you like a PI series.. Great character development. It's a departure from the Nick McCarty series. I see this as a great start to a series that will become an instant read for me. Congrats Bernie you have me hooked again.

Rick Cantelli is a caricature of the strong, silent type that all women flock to for no apparent reason. The recurring theme of his 'animal magnetism' gets old fast as does all the 'chortling' his office partner, Lois, does. Need to think of a couple new words to describe her laugh. I got about half way through before I finally gave it up.

Too repetitive, the same things were said over and over; not funny (especially when you have to keep explaining how funny it is), I finally gave up at about 30% as I was bored to tears. I thought I had found a new series. No such luck...

This is my first Deleo book. Much violence, but always well connected to the story-- not just violence for its own sake. And never the grotesque descriptions of the awful mess left by the violence. I found it more palatable than normally I would. I was not in love with the key players showing love through insults
By mid book it was tiresome. Still, I finished the book and enjoyed it. Mr. deleo does not need to tell his reader what is funny by reporting how the characters are enjoying the quips. I will look for another by deleo
To other first timers I say go for it-- a good story.

I have to admit I was a little skeptical about whether this was something I would actually enjoy reading. I am so glad I did read it. Every chapter was filled with nail biting action, laugh out loud moments, and of course those romance games. I considered calling out of work so I wouldn't have to put this book down, it is that good!
The group of characters that end up being close as close can be friends was really interesting to me. I love that kind of mix. One of my favorite characters is T-Bone! I enjoy reading about people that can turn their life around and T is that person. I would surely want him on my good side. Although, every character had their own unique story which makes their friendship work out in ways that really get you laughing.
This book was very well written. It has none of that yadda, yadda, yadda skip a few pages and get to someplace where the characters are actually doing something moments. Yet, you never had to guess, what the heck, did I miss a few pages? I find books boring and hard to read when they are filled with mumble jumble. You won't find that here. I don't want to give too much info about content. You have to get this book and read it!

The only down side to this book is that it had to end!

This is also the first book by Bernard Lee DeLeo I have read and now that I know how awesome he is at writing I'll be looking to read more of his books.

Thank you Mr. DeLeo for keeping me so entertained these past few nights! I look forward to reading more of your books.

You have made a true fan!

I just finished Rick Cantelli, P.I. Wow! Take a peek into the world of Rick Cantelli, and you won't be able to wait for more. The book is filled with action, and you will love Cantelli's sense of humor. As you read about his daily life...troubles...and job, you will wonder where he goes from here. A fantastic book, that you will try to read in one sitting. The pages fly by as you enjoy reading every single word....there is not a single sentence in this book that will bore you. Buy it...read it...enjoy it!

For an old navy fart like me, not sure how he continues to keep me rolling on the floor with his stories. They are all so completely different but still good funny and great. I hope the old man can them coming as I love them. Thanks although the America was a bit nicer than the Ranger. Same time different ship. Fair winds old friend.

I think I have read all of his books, have not found one I didn't love. Might be I am as weird as he seems to be, maybe. But love his writing

Too repetitive, the same things were said over and over; not funny (especially when you have to keep explaining how funny it is), I finally gave up at about 30% as I was bored to tears. I thought I had found a new series. No such luck...

This is my first Deleo book. Much violence, but always well connected to the story-- not just violence for its own sake. And never the grotesque descriptions of the awful mess left by the violence. I found it more palatable than normally I would. I was not in love with the key players showing love through insults
By mid book it was tiresome. Still, I finished the book and enjoyed it. Mr. deleo does not need to tell his reader what is funny by reporting how the characters are enjoying the quips. I will look for another by deleo
To other first timers I say go for it-- a good story.

I have to admit I was a little skeptical about whether this was something I would actually enjoy reading. I am so glad I did read it. Every chapter was filled with nail biting action, laugh out loud moments, and of course those romance games. I considered calling out of work so I wouldn't have to put this book down, it is that good!
The group of characters that end up being close as close can be friends was really interesting to me. I love that kind of mix. One of my favorite characters is T-Bone! I enjoy reading about people that can turn their life around and T is that person. I would surely want him on my good side. Although, every character had their own unique story which makes their friendship work out in ways that really get you laughing.
This book was very well written. It has none of that yadda, yadda, yadda skip a few pages and get to someplace where the characters are actually doing something moments. Yet, you never had to guess, what the heck, did I miss a few pages? I find books boring and hard to read when they are filled with mumble jumble. You won't find that here. I don't want to give too much info about content. You have to get this book and read it!

The only down side to this book is that it had to end!

This is also the first book by Bernard Lee DeLeo I have read and now that I know how awesome he is at writing I'll be looking to read more of his books.

Thank you Mr. DeLeo for keeping me so entertained these past few nights! I look forward to reading more of your books.

You have made a true fan!

I just finished Rick Cantelli, P.I. Wow! Take a peek into the world of Rick Cantelli, and you won't be able to wait for more. The book is filled with action, and you will love Cantelli's sense of humor. As you read about his daily life...troubles...and job, you will wonder where he goes from here. A fantastic book, that you will try to read in one sitting. The pages fly by as you enjoy reading every single word....there is not a single sentence in this book that will bore you. Buy it...read it...enjoy it!

For an old navy fart like me, not sure how he continues to keep me rolling on the floor with his stories. They are all so completely different but still good funny and great. I hope the old man can them coming as I love them. Thanks although the America was a bit nicer than the Ranger. Same time different ship. Fair winds old friend.

I think I have read all of his books, have not found one I didn't love. Might be I am as weird as he seems to be, maybe. But love his writing

It's a bit over the top. Heck, it's way over the top. I liked it. Very funny. Buy it. You'll enjoy it. But Bernard, Bernard, Bernard. A BA in English? "I" is a pronoun. You use it incorrectly almost everywhere. It is not "to I." It is "to me." "Me" is the object of a preposition. It is not "sent I." It is "sent me."
This looks to be a great series. I intend to read them all.

Rick Cantelli is a great character and gets into some new trouble almost every day. This is good private eye fiction with more action than I expected.

Rick and his partner Lois run an investigation and security business with a nice variety of clientele. The trouble starts when Rick gets a call from his high school sweetheart Stacy and doesn't slow down until the last page.

I'll be reading more of this series along with Bernard Lee DeLeo's other books. I'm glad to have discovered this author.

Author DeLeo's sense of humor in action/pulp fiction is second to none. Lots of laughs with the clever dialog of the characters. Not real life dialog but these are supposed to be a fun read and that they are.The interaction between Lois and Rick kept me laughing throughout the story. Enough action to satisfy too. This first book of Rick Cantelli, PI is similar to the Cold Blooded series but without quite so much graphic violence. If you want a fun read this is a good one.

Definitely a different thriller if that is the category in which you would place it. If all nearly 60 years old had a life like that, California would have definitely changed their gun laws. A writer's version of the movie"reds".

I am a true fan of this author. Became acquainted with his writings a few months back. Have found this series to be almost as entertaining as his other books. A little more low key, not at active and violent however does have several moments of hilarity.

Another action packed tale from Bernard Lee DeLeo. This is the first in a new series by DeLeo, but it contains his usual blend of action and humor. Rick Cantelli is an ex Navy Seal who has transitioned to the life of a private investigator. Unlike most PIs in fiction, Cantelli doesn't work alone but is a member of a team. Much of the humor in the story arises through his interactions with others on his team, but there is also a rich cast of extras and secondary characters.

PI is a witty jog with a private investigator who lives an action-packed life and takes us with him. A former Navy Seal, Cantelli is the boots-on-the-ground in a crime buster partnership. The action is dynamic, slick, easy to visualize. Cantelli can whip out his piece and blast a couple of bad guys quicker than… well, you get the picture. As we listen to his gritty, earthy drawl, we slide along with the coded street talk. It’s hard to realize that Cantelli at fifty-nine is just a bit over-the-hill. So is the woman whose story he becomes involved in, a former homecoming queen named Stacy. Stacy’s life ‘in the crapper’ adds depth and poignancy to this crime candy. Lives don’t always go where you think they will. Things don’t always turn out the way you’d like them to, and sometimes good people make bad choices.

Rick Cantelli is an ex navy seal and his partner Lois is a Mossad trained CIA Agent and handler. Together they run a private investigations and Security business. One day a surprise call for an old high school girlfriend will lead Nick and Lois into a whole new world of trouble. I enjoyed the interaction between the two man characters. This is a great story filled with action and humor. I recommend this book!

This is a fun and action packed read. Rick Cantelli is a man who is old enough to know not to get into all the trouble that is lurking after him but he is having fun when it can be had. When his life is turned upside down with not only women, yes women as in more than one, but his P. I. business becomes a little more famous because of the recent events Rick knows he may be old but not too old to handle what comes his way.
The one thing Rick does have is a family that he has built through trust and friendship and no one messes with family.

There were times this novel had me laughing so hard that I had to stop reading it to catch my breath and other times where the action had me hanging on every word that I couldn't put it down.
Great read!

This is my fourth helping of the author's work, and I'm thouroughly enjoying it. Plenty of action, interesting characters and plotlines, and lots of wise-acre one-liners and tough guy wit. I really like the first person narrative. Getting a tour of Rick Cantelli's innermost thoughts is like a combination ride on a roller coaster and a trip through Fun Land. I will be back for more!

This was an amazing read! This is a fast paced action book of 'episodes' with lots of humor. The characters are funny and the fictional episodes are fun, easy and quick to read. A very entertaining laugh out loud (for real) novel.

Bernard DeLeo is a really entertaining author. Lots of action and humor, I am reading everything I can get my hands on from this guy! He is very prolific too, with about 50 novels out there! I am Cantelli's age or older and he appeals to the "Walter Mitty" in me.

I really enjoy the books by Bernard Lee Deleo. He doesn't pretend to offer the reader anything except a good read, and he always delivers. He combines action and humor in a thoroughly enjoyable way. His books follow a fairly predictable pattern, but he changes the characters often enough that you don't get tired of them. He is on my list of authors whose works are not to be missed.

David Gilmore did a great Audible presentation of this, the first Rick Cantelli book. I thought it was extremely well read and I loved the story. the humor is outrageous. my favorites by Bernard are the Hardcase novels but these are a close second.

The characters in this book have a flow that is like a disgruntled family but at the same time it seems to flow well. I love how each chapter is amino series with a slight recap from the last.
Just a really great cast,well written, funny book.

I liked this detective novel about one crazy p.I. that can handle any situation. His partner named Lois is a really obnoxious character, that I wanted to kill personally, not my favorite character of this book. Good read overall

This is just a little TOO fantastic for the serious mystery lover. Unbelievable coincidences and sex-starved middle aged women combine to fuel Cantelli's days and apparently quite a few of his nights. Lois's character was well enough crafted to make me hate her but the rest of the ladies are super shallow. Purchase at your own risk but don't expect too much from Mr.DeLeo.

I am not sure why I wasted my time reading this book to the end. I can't think of anything good to write. about it. An immature junior high kid might like it, but I no reasonably intelligent adult should waste his/her time with it. There is no plot, characters are comic book heros, grammar is so bad it would fail a junior high writing class, and the hundreds of attempts at humor are lame, at best.

Definitely a different thriller if that is the category in which you would place it. If all nearly 60 years old had a life like that, California would have definitely changed their gun laws. A writer's version of the movie"reds".

I am not sure why I wasted my time reading this book to the end. I can't think of anything good to write. about it. An immature junior high kid might like it, but I no reasonably intelligent adult should waste his/her time with it. There is no plot, characters are comic book heros, grammar is so bad it would fail a junior high writing class, and the hundreds of attempts at humor are lame, at best.