‘Love the Stranger’ by Michael Sears. Soho Crime, 352 pages, $28.95
The changing landscape of real estate in Queens, N.Y., jumpstarts a look at a community being forced out in “Love the Stranger,” Michael Sears’ second novel featuring attorney Ted Molloy.
Ted and his business partner, Lester McKinley, have a sure-fire scheme — investing in foreclosed properties while brokering somewhat shady loans with local mobsters. These two men want to do good for their community while making a profit, believing they can do both. Their commitment to the community includes helping Kenzie Zielinski — an activist who also is Ted’s girlfriend — in her efforts to halt “the Spike,” the nickname for the mega corporate-backed development that will help gentrify Corona, Queens.
Kenzie and her 60-something friend called The Preacher team up to discuss “Stop the Spike” at various neighborhood events. The project seems like a good idea, but it will displace the large immigrant community, many of whom are being exploited by a crooked lawyer. Kenzie becomes the prime suspect in the lawyer’s murder when she finds his body. She is then the subject of a smear campaign.
Sears delivers an action-packed “Love the Stranger,” deftly moving the plot from a financial thriller to a story about a vulnerable immigrant community easily exploited. Ted and Lester believe they have the sophisticated legal skills to do business with the mob, but that quickly backfires. Sears keeps the violence surprising when it erupts but not unexpected.
“Love the Stranger” seamlessly picks up where “Tower of Babel,” the first in this series, ended. A third outing will be welcomed.