This Far, No Further — John Wessel

Wessel's first novel introduces Harding, a Chicago private investigator who has lost his license to operate and must depend on slick operators to throw work his way, but who nevertheless maintains a cool, wisecracking style. Harding's charming quirks include a devotion to horror movies and a weakness for women who sing sad, soulful songs. Hired to check out a plastic surgeon with shady finances and kinky vices, Harding is assisted by a photographer and a computer whiz in this original debut.