A circus-performer-turned-PI uncovers dark secrets in a Hudson River town in this novel of “bloodcurdling adventure” and “genuine suspense” ( Publishers Weekly ).

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.

When his friend, FBI agent Michael Burana, suspiciously drowns in the small town of Cairn, New York, Mongo’s pursuit of the truth takes him up the Hudson River to the scene of the crime. Long known as a village populated by artists, intellectuals, and writers, Cairn has recently become home to ultraconservative political commentator Elysius Culhane, whose autobiography title, If You’re Not Right You’re Wrong , is less a pun than a personal manifesto.

Mongo couldn’t care less about politics, but there’s something about Culhane that just isn’t right. And as Mongo and his brother, Garth, attempt to discern the real reason for Agent Burana’s death, they will uncover a conspiracy that could leave them both swimming with the fishes . . .

The Language of Cannibals is the 8th book in the Mongo Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.