Title: The Man Everybody Was Afraid Of (#4 in the Dave Brandstetter series) Author: Joseph Hansen Published by: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1978 ISBN: 0-03-042376-7 [hardcover, 181 pages]
Police Chief Ben Orton had a gift for making enemies. He was proud to count among them hippies, homosexuals, and subversives of every race and religion. When his body was discovered, head smashed in, the people of his California seaside domain were shocked. Not because their law-abiding town had witnessed grim murder, but because someone had finally dared to cross Ben Orton.That someone, the cops immediately claimed, was gay activist Cliff Kerlee. The clincher: Kerlee had publicly threatened the Chief's life at a heated demonstration. Case closed.
Until insurance investigator Dave Brandstetter enters the scene. Dave -- cool, persistent, shrewd yet sensitive -- won't buy it. Nothing fits. Orton's widow won't talk. Orton's son slashes his tires. Orton's daughter disappears, no one knows where. The townspeople seem to fall in with the family's secrecy, raising more questions for Dave than they answer. What is the local newswoman hiding? Why does she send her attractive young assistant after Dave, even into his bed? What is the drunken old painter trying to say? Is anyone telling the truth?
In an evocative setting of bright-colored flowers and pungent eucalyptus, sun-sparkled ocean and sun-tanned beauty, Dave Brandstetter pursues the answers to the seamy, intricate puzzle. And finds too many. One by one he strips away the lies, Step by step he gets closer to the truth. Until he reaches it -- and finds himself face to face with death.
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