With a genius IQ, a past career as a circus acrobat, and a black belt in karate, criminology professor Dr. Robert Frederickson—better known as "Mongo the Magnificent"—has a decidedly unusual background for a private investigator. He also just so happens to be a dwarf. Mongo's friend and sensei, Veil Kendry, is pretty magnificent himself. A devoted martial arts instructor and extremely successful abstract artist, Veil single-handedly transformed his shady neighborhood in New York City's Lower East Side into a safe haven from crime and corruption. But when Mongo enters Veil's abandoned apartment and finds a bullet hole, a cryptic oil painting, and an envelope addressed to him containing $10,000, he starts to worry that Veil's reputation as a vigilante has gotten him into the worst sort of trouble. Determined to find his friend, Mongo attempts to rule out any enemies from Veil's past—details of which Veil has never shared with him. But as he uncovers the shocking truth of Veil's time in the Vietnam War—participating in dangerous CIA missions under the call sign "Archangel"—Mongo soon finds enemies aplenty, ones that will do anything to make sure the past remains a secret . . . In addition to creating "the most engaging detective in decades," author George C. Chesbro introduces the character of Veil Kendry, who would go on to have his own series (Library Journal). Two Songs This Archangel Sings is the 5th book in the Mongo Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

From Publishers Weekly

In the latest of Chesbro's esteemed series (King's Gambit, The Beasts of Valhalla, etc.), his gallant hero fights corruption against formidable odds. Dr. Frederickson, aka the dwarf Mongo, starts his search for friend Veil Hendry in Manhattan when Hendry leaves a cryptic message before vanishing. A renowned artist, the missing man is also a disturbed Vietnam veteran. Mongo, accompanied by his brother, detective Garth Frederickson of the NYPD, follows a serpentine trail to remote locations, which include a Hmong settlement in Seattle. Everyone Mongo meets is killed by a faceless gang who tail the brothers, ultimately leading them to Hendry, the prime target. The novel's climax occurs at a Congressional hearing, with an explosion that strains one's nerves to the limit. (October 27
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Having invented the most unlikely fictional heroMongo Frederickson, a dwarf who graduated from circus performer to professor of criminology and private detectiveChesbro appears to have run out of steam. Assisted by his policeman brother, Mongo looks into the disappearance of his friend and martial arts instructor Veil Kendry, who has overcome enormous psychiatric problems to become a respected abstract painter. Kendry's disappearance is related to his earlier covert activities in the Vietnam jungles under the name Archangel. Despite assorted assassination attempts by a cast of improbable villains, a high-level government coverup, and many grisly murders, the depressing duo wrap up their fifth case by surviving a shootout at a joint House-Senate Investigating Committee. John North, LRC, Ryerson Polytechnical Inst., Toronto
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Every now and again a writer comes along who can use the conventions of the genre and the language of popular fiction to fashion a novel that careens ahead with the speed and promise of danger of the Indy 500. . . . This is what George C. Chesbro does.” — The Washington Post Book World

Praise for the Mongo Mysteries
“Murder and international intrigue . . . Well done, suspenseful, highly recommended.” — Newsday

“One of the most appealing creations in the detective world.” — Publishers Weekly

“Raymond Chandler meets Stephen King by way of Alice’s looking glass.” — Playboy

“One of the best detective novels of the year . . . It has everything!” — The New York Times Book Review on Shadow of a Broken Man

“Chesbro’s wild roller-coaster rides mix detection with science fiction and fantasy but keep a center of humanity and rationality in the amazing Mongo.” — Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine

“Chesbro writes wonderfully strange mystery novels . . . [with] perfectly calculated nail-biting tension.” — Boston Sunday Herald
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

About the Author

George C. Chesbro (1940–2008) was the author of twenty-eight books, including the renowned Mongo Mysteries, starring private eye Dr. Robert Frederickson, aka Mongo the Magnificent. He also wrote the Chant Mysteries and the Veil Kendry series, both featuring characters from the Mongo universe, as well as a few standalone novels. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.