Hard-hitting Sam Crown, disillusioned with the police force, opens up his own Private-Eye business and soon becomes a target in a deadly murder investigation.
Private Eye Sam Crown’s beat is the underbelly of Orange County, California. At 48, he’s an aging “dude” who lives at the beach, still surfs, and birddogs the bikini crowd.
“He loved summer. All the women in tank tops and bikinis!”
More from the book:
“‘Well, let me check my calendar,’ he replied.
‘You don’t have a calendar, Sam Crown! You make life up as you go along!’ she laughed.”
That’s how many people perceived Sam Crown until they found themselves on the receiving end of his brand of justice: Crown’s Law.
A former U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient, Sam had worked for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) for 17 years, most of it as a homicide investigator. He had quit the job after his captain called him in — yet again — after he shot and killed a pistol-wielding, crazed junkie during a domestic disturbance call.
“‘Do you know how many officer-related shootings and excessive force complaints you’ve had? You and your version of the law — Crown’s Law everyone calls it.’”
“‘No, but I’m sure you do.’”
After leaving OCSD, Sam sets up shop as a Private Investigator in Santa Ana, California doing business as Mickey Malone Investigations. When a murder victim is found with a Mickey Malone Investigations business card in his pocket, the cops and the FBI start knocking on Sam’s door looking for Mickey Malone — a man who doesn’t exist. It goes downhill from there. Sam gets dragged into a murder investigation he doesn’t need, and soon finds that he — and his 16-year-old genius ward, Becky — are targets of the unknown killers. He becomes entangled in international espionage and smuggling and finds himself in a race to find the killers before they find him.
When Sam runs a couple of fingerprints through the national database, the FBI is on him like an old wetsuit.
The beautiful FBI agent Rainbow “Bo” Trout comes looking for Mickey Malone, but she finds Sam instead. She sees him as a two-fisted Scotch-drinking, womanizing flirt who consorts with criminals and outlaw bikers. He has Sam Spade’s toughness, Mike Hammer’s violent streak, and is as debonair as Philo Vance. As she gets more involved with Sam and Becky, she also becomes a target of the killers, and soon she will see another side of Sam Crown: A man who will put his life on the line for the people he cares about.
As the violent noose tightens, and the FBI can’t find the killers, Bo is about to witness Sam deliver a large dose of Crown’s Law.
Excerpt
The three men went into the house and he could hear women screaming. If all the guests did as they were told, give up their jewels, then maybe there would be no shooting — or killing. Sam got to the rear of the van and pulled his gun. He had jacked a shell into the firing chamber when Carole had left him. He cocked it, made sure the safety was on, then walked swiftly down the driver’s side of the van. The driver was watching the front entrance, which was on the passenger side. He never knew what hit him. Sam yanked open the door and hit him in the back of the head with his gun. He retrieved the duct tape from beside the still unconscious guard and taped the man’s hands to the steering wheel, then taped his mouth. He secured his ankles with tape and took the keys from the ignition and pocketed them. For good measure, he found a twig and let the air out of both tires on the driver’s side.
Now what? he thought. Where the hell are the cops?
Professional Reviews
An Outstanding Read
Crown’s Law: A Sam Crown Mystery/Thriller
Wolf Wootan
iUniverse (2006)
ISBN 978 0595403611
Reviewed by William E. Cooper for Reader Views (11/06)
Historically, I have not been a big reader of mystery novels. As a career police officer I’ve often
found the portrayal of law enforcement to be, at best, inaccurate and unreliable. As a result I haven’t
invested much in these types of books. Having read Mr. Wootan’s book, I’ve changed my mind.
Not only is this book far more realistic, it’s an outstanding read. It is a genuine page turner, and one
of the better books I’ve read in a long time. The book is so well written, the reader can place
himself/herself in the shoes of the characters. It mixes suspense with emotion in such a manner that
the reader’s attention is never lost.
Mr. Wootan takes the characters and develops them and their relationships extremely well and in a
most believable sense. The plot of “Crown’s Law” is also well developed and unusual. The
combination of these elements results in an outstanding book. If Mr. Wootan produces additional
Sam Crown mysteries, he can count me as a reader. I’ve been sold on your work sir. Well done!
A well-rounded, fun to read story of deception and love
Wolf Wootan is a bit of a dude himself, having been an Air Force pilot. He also has more than forty years as a computer geek. He has written hundreds of articles for government and private industry, and published EDGE OF TOMORROW, a techno-thriller. Wootan has degrees in Mathematics and Astrophysics.
Sam Crown comes from a wealthy family, with a socialite mother and a father who is ex-CIA. Crown joined the Marines on a lark after high school, which pushed him in the direction of law enforcement and private investigation work. He found he couldn't "help people" while being constrained by law enforcement rules and regulations. Sam is connected and well-respected. He is forty-eight and still is the rich playboy, but isn't quite ready for Becky...a genius waif from the streets whose sister is killed by thugs. Sam takes Becky in and his parents quickly become co-parents with Sam, as they educate and develop Becky's considerable intellectual talents. Little do they know that Sam's dummy investigation firm, Mickey Malone Investigations, will be the launching point for a murder that leads to International espionage and FBI agent Rainbow "Bo" Trout. Sam's life will never be the same as he and Bo identify the killers:
"'Well, Big Brother does screw up now and then,' laughed Sam. 'But I have a possible solution. You won't tell me anything about your case, so I'll do some guessing. Since you are looking for Mickey, your case must involve that guy Jackson, who was shot - the guy who had Mickey's business card. Since you seem to have been poorly briefed, maybe you don't know that Jackson has been identified as William Winston. The cops here didn't get far on finding his killer because you Feds swooped down and took all the evidence and the case. Now, finally, you show up. It must be your case now, right?'"
CROWN'S LAW is a mystery/thriller rich in plot and characterization. Wootan's knowledge of mathematics and astrophysics leaks through in his tale, and his career as an Air Force pilot fills in the rest to form a well-rounded, fun to read story of deception and love. Wootan is a bit of a romantic himself, which makes for a fairytale ending and the promise of a sequel. This reviewer is totally hooked and can't wait until his next book comes out. Get writing Mr. Wootan!
Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
CROWN’S LAW is page-turning entertainment!
Sam Crown enlisted in the Marines in 1970 in a fit of drunken pique. He became a fearless warrior, garnering the nickname of "Crazy Crown" by taking risks fighting the Viet Cong during some of the tough times of the Vietnam War. His valor and bravery earned him the Medal of Honor and a honorable discharge in 1973.
When Sam returned to the States, he went to college and received a degree in Criminal Justice. His "Crazy Crown" tactics came in handy during his tenure with the Orange County Sheriff's Department as a homicide investigator. After some disagreements with superiors and an especially bad domestic incident case, Sam decides to turn in his badge and go the private investigator route. He works for Mickey Malone Investigations, which does a lot of pro bono work for the more upscale Investigations International. There is a running joke about the fact that there is no Mickey Malone.
During his work as a PI, Sam finds Rebecca Rogers aka Becky, after coming upon men assaulting and killing her older sister. Sam and his parents take Becky in and nurture her amazing intelligence. Becky is a math whiz at thirteen, despite her abusive past.
As part of a case, Sam meets Rainbow Trout aka Bo. Bo is an FBI agent who has been wrapped up in her career. She is attracted to Sam, but she is leery of his womanizer reputation.
There is plenty of suspense, action and romance in this latest thriller by Wolf Wootan. The author takes the reader on a break-neck ride to an exciting denouement. Things are nicely tied up, but there is still an opening for a sequel.
Although thrillers are often more plot-based, Mr. Wootan has done a masterful job in developing characters you come to care about. Sam may have his "Crazy" side, but Becky and Bo seem to take off his rough edges and help him mellow. The reader sees both Becky and Bo bloom with the changes in their lives.
CROWN'S LAW is page-turning entertainment and sure to garner Mr. Wootan more fans. I highly recommend his earlier book, EDGE OF TOMORROW, to all who enjoy thrillers.
Roberta M. Austin
Reviewer for Romance Junkies, Murder & Mayhem Book Club, Amazon.com, A Romance Review
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