The Comeback

Duffy Dombrowski Mystery, Book 6

By: Tom Schreck

Narrated by: Rich Palmer

Duffy is back!

After almost a decade our social working, pro boxing, Schlitz drinking, basset hound loving, bleeding heart tough guy has no idea what he’s in for.

His world literally blows up with a new gig, a career shift, another hound and, though he’s still spending most of the time in AJ’s, now it is from the other side of the bar.

Duffy’s buddy and owner of his drinking haunt dies suddenly and before he knows it, Duffy is in the tavern business. AJ’s cryptic note left to Duffy asks him to look into his demise and when a thick necked goon comes around to scare Duff off, well, we know our man decides to go all in.

Now, Duffy is up against the Chicago mob, a dirty drug business preying on the addicted, and his hometown’s worst street gang.

It’s a good thing Al, the basset hound is on his side.

Critical acclaim for THE COMEBACK:

“In The Comeback, Tom Schreck’s good-guy Duffy Dombrowski continues his journey of helping those who can’t help themselves. He even helps them after they’re dead. Readers who are addicted to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher protag will appreciate Duffy, who is tougher than the violent bad guys he faces down. A fun, muscular read.” —G. Miki Hayden, author of Writing the Mystery and Dry Bones, out in spring 2024

“Duffy Dombrowski, the hero of Tom Schreck’s The Comeback, is the kind of guy you can count on if your car breaks down at 3am, you need a last-minute sparring partner at the gym, or you’re a few dollars short for your next whiskey. I’m glad I got to hang out with him.” —Tim O'Mara, author of the Raymond Donne series and creator of “Murder in Halifax”

©2023 thomas Schreck (P)2024 thomas Schreck

Unique take on the genre

A former boxer turned bar owner might seem like a stretch for a different take on the "normal person turned Robin Hood" genre, but this author surprises with his hero, Duffy, who in addition to his background in the fight game, has a sensitive side. In this addition, Duffy quits his job as a substance abuse counselor and in less than 24 hours, he's lost his home, his girl and finds himself in big trouble, all while becoming the new owner of a friend's bar.

In Duffy, we have a street smart hero with a heart of gold, who can't help getting involved with people's lives, even as he deals with his own emotional baggage. My background in counseling gave me an appreciation for what the author is trying to do here. A fairly successful take on this genre, and I'll likely be back for more of Duffy and the gang. Bonus! There are hounddogs. :)