I read "Apparent Wind" a while ago and thought it was wonderfully goofy and I was eager to read more from Dallas Murphy. "Lover Man", the first Artie Deemer mystery, is wonderful in an entirely different way.

Artie Deemer is certainly not what you expect from a sleuth or a hero. He is an introspective, quiet guy who listens to jazz and hasn't owned a business suit in 20 years. Artie makes his living as a dog handler, managing Jellyroll, a sweet and friendly dog who is a TV and movie star. Artie isn't ashamed of living off a dog's income. He likes his life a lot.

Then Billie Burke, Artie's old girlfriend and the woman who rescued Jellyroll, is murdered and Artie receives a cryptic letter to be delivered in case of her death. Already nearly paralyzed by shock and grief, Artie stumbles off to fulfill the requests in the letter and in doing so, sets off a series of inexplicable attacks and murders. The complex plot is as confusing to us as it is to Artie and we follow this harmless man as he follows the trail.

I don't know how to explain why I liked this book so much. I think Mr. Murphy's writing is tremendously effective and affecting. Artie may seem passive but we realize that he is almost holy in his sense of justice yet his refusal to force his will on people. Or maybe the metaphor should be from some deep Asian martial art in which lack of aggression overcomes the violence in others. Whatever it is, I liked it.

I received a review copy of "Lover Man: An Artie Deemer Mystery" by Dallas Murphy (Brash) directly from the publisher. It was originally released in 1987 by Macmillan and nominated for an Edgar for Best First Novel and named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times. ( )