Jeremiah Healy

John Francis Cuddy Books
Mairead O'Clare Books
Other Books
Links

The John Francis Cuddy series by Jeremiah Healy has been one of the most highly regarded private eye series of the past two decades, both by fans and by his peers (Shamus nominations for 6 novels and 5 short stories). Cuddy is quite a bit like his creater; as both a lawyer and a former military policeman, he knows how to handle himself in the courtroom and on the street. He's not a violent man, however, spending more time talking to people than shooting at them.

Cuddy is also famous for the faith and devotion he showers on his wife, Beth, especially notable since she's been dead since the series began. His frequent trips to her grave and the "conversations" he has with her give the books a melancholy tinge. Cuddy is also something of a do-gooder, a detective who wants to see justice carried out, not self-righteous but always seeking the truth. A strong character in a strong series.

When he's not writing about a Boston private eye, Healy writes novels about Boston lawyer Mairead O'Clare under the pseudonym "Terry Devane".