Hanging the Devil
A Cape Weathers Mystery
Now Available
It was supposed to be a simple job: steal the paintings, leave the forgeries.
When a helicopter crashes through the skylight of the Asian Art Museum, an audacious heist turns into a tragedy. The only witness to the crash is eleven-year-old Grace, who watches in horror as a guard is murdered and a priceless statue is stolen by two men and a ghostly figure who sees Grace as nothing more than a loose end. Terrified, Grace flees into the night and seeks refuge in the back alleys of San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Grace is found by Sally Mei, self-appointed guardian of Chinatown. While Sally trains Grace in basic survival skills, her erstwhile partner Cape Weathers, private detective and public nuisance, searches for the mysterious crew behind the robbery before they strike a second time. As the clock winds down, Cape seeks help from unlikely allies and a few felonious friends to lay a trap for a ghost who has no intention of being caught—nor of leaving any witnesses alive.
Hanging The Devil is a darkly comic tour of the global market for stolen art, where forgers, smugglers and career criminals routinely trade timeless masterpieces for human lives.
REVIEWS
Winner of the 2024 Silver Falchion Award for Best Action Adventure Novel
“A relentlessly fast-paced plot and delightful dry humor…Suggest this enjoyable caper with its well-developed characters to Lee Goldberg’s fans.”
—Library Journal (Starred Review, Mystery Pick of The Month)
“A riveting thriller set in San Francisco’s Chinatown… You won’t be able to put it down, guaranteed.”
—San Francisco Magazine
“Original, deftly crafted, and a compelling read from start to finish, Hanging the Devil by author Tim Maleeny will have a very special interest for fans of Private Eye detective novels and heist thrillers. A fun and highly recommended pick.”
—Midwest Book Review
“[Maleeny’s] probably the funniest mystery writer I can think of… If you like your crime fiction served with a smile, this one’s for you.”
—Literary Ashland
“Hanging the Devil provides edge-of-your-seat action along with some bits of humor. As someone new to the series, I had no problem jumping in with this installment as a standalone. The character development stands out.”
—Novels Alive
“Fast-paced and fun… If you haven’t yet met Cape Weathers, you might want to try Hanging the Devil.”
—Lesa’s Book Critiques
“A caper stuffed with comedy and crime…equal parts adrenaline and heart. A completely delightful read.”
—Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author
“Smart, sassy, and sizzling with action.”
—Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author