It has been several years since Michael Sears’ last novel, so I was thrilled to sink my teeth into his new release, TOWER OF BABEL.

Readers are introduced to Ted Molloy, who is almost instantly memorable and sympathetic. Ted is a native New Yorker who has a penchant for home games, which he attends as frequently as possible, occasionally in the company of his ex-wife. He is also a former attorney who was once on the fast track to success with a white-shoe Manhattan law firm. His fall from grace was abrupt and dramatic. Although he left behind his license to practice law with his high salary and prestige, he took his skill set with him and parlayed it into a marginally successful career as a foreclosure profiteer. He looks for situations where he can make some money, though not a lot, eschewing high-finance transactions that tend to be time-consuming in favor of numerous smaller ones.

"Ted Molloy is an interesting and addictive character whom fans of author Timothy Hallinan will find particularly appealing."

Ted is assisted by a bottom feeder named Richie Rubiano, a one-time con man who works as his case sourcer. Richie spends his time pouring over foreclosure actions in the office of the clerk of courts and looking for potential winners within the financial parameters set by Ted. When Richie brings him a seven-figure case --- well beyond the limits he has set --- he almost instantly rejects it. However, Ted’s interest is renewed when Richie is murdered three days later. It appears that his untimely death was related to this case, which becomes increasingly suspicious since the original owner of the property is flush with cash and advanced in age. Ted does some digging and finds Russians, an unscrupulous real estate developer, and ties to his ex-wife and former law firm all in the mix.

He senses more injustice taking place as he becomes involved in the investigation of Richie’s murder, in which he is a person of interest. Richie’s widow implores him to find out who killed her husband and to ostensibly recover his share of the case that he brought to Ted. She is a bit mercurial in mood, which certainly complicates matters. Ted gets some unexpected help from several sources, including an alcoholic grifter who is nonetheless connected and a community activist with whom he is feeling the urge to get active. However, they are arrayed against powerful forces and will be lucky to escape with their lives, let alone obtain justice, even of a sort.

Sears was the managing director for two Wall Street brokerage firms. As a result, his novels are shot through with an air of authenticity. Ted Molloy is an interesting and addictive character whom fans of author Timothy Hallinan will find particularly appealing. Return visits from Ted and those characters who make it to the conclusion of TOWER OF BABEL in one piece will be most welcomed. I only ask that Sears, if possible, shorten the interval between his books next time.