#1 New York Times Bestselling author "As dark and twisted as anything Hammett or Chandler ever dreamed up" Kirkus, Starred Review "Approaching the level of Lawrence Block is no mean feat, but Goldberg succeeds with this engaging PI novel." Publishers Weekly Harvey Mapes is a 26-year-old security guard who spends his nights in a guard shack outside a gated community in Southern California, reading detective novels, watching reruns, and waiting for his life to finally start… which happens when Cyril Parkus, one of the wealthy residents, asks Harvey to follow his beautiful wife Lauren. The lowly security guard jumps at the opportunity to fulfill his private eye fantasies and use everything he’s learned from Spenser, Magnum, and Mannix. But things don’t exactly go according to the books…or the reruns. As Harvey fumbles and stumbles through his first investigation, he discovers that the differences between fiction and reality can be deadly. With the help of his mortgage broker neighbor and occasional lover Carol, Harvey uncovers a blackmail plot that takes a sudden and unexpectedly tragic turn…plunging him into a world of violence, deception and murder… and forcing him to discover what it really takes to be a private eye. (This book was previously released under the title "The Man With the Iron-On Badge" and nominated for Best Novel by the Private Eye Writers of America) CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR "WATCH ME DIE" “A wonderfully fresh voice in the mystery genre, Goldberg will delight fans of Janet Evanovich and Robert Crais,” - Rick Riordan, author of "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" "Lee Goldberg bravely marches into territory already staked out by some fierce competition--Donald Westlake, Lawrence Block, the early Harlan Coben--and comes out virtually unscathed." The Chicago Tribune "Goldberg has a knack for combining just the right amount of humor and realism with his obvious love for the PI genre and his own smart ass sensibilities. [...]A terrific read. Goldberg is the real deal and should be on everyone’s must read list." Crimespree Magazine "A quick, fun read with a satisfying and unexpected ending. Harvey Mapes is a hero I hope we see in a sequel." -- Phillip Margolin, author of "Gone But Not Forgotten" "As dark and twisted as anything Hammett or Chandler ever dreamed up" Kirkus, Starred Review "Lee Goldberg is known for his cleverness and sense of humor... a masterful plotter" - Thomas Perry, New York Times bestselling author When Harvey Mapes gets a chance to step out of his job as a security guard to be a private detective [...]he finds courage he never thought he had and the malleable conscience every successful PI needs. If you're looking for a great read, look no further. -- Joel Goldman, bestselling author of "Motion to Kill" Great concept and great execution...it's funny, thrilling, and quirky, with a completely satisfying ending you won't see coming . -- Barry Eisler, New York Times bestselling author Enjoyed the hell out of it. It's fast and funny, and manages to be both a critique of the PI genre, and a love letter to it. -- Jay Stringer, author of "Ways to Die in Glasgow" Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar & two-time Shamus Award nominee and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the fifteen  Monk  mysteries   and the internationally bestselling Fox & O'Hare books ( The Heist, The Chase, The Job, The Scam, The Pursuit ) co-written with Janet Evanovich. He's also written and/or produced scores of TV shows, including  Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, Monk,  and  The Glades . As an international television consultant, he has advised networks and studios in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, China, Sweden, and the Netherlands on the creation, writing and production of episodic television series. He recently founded, with author Joel Goldman, the publishing company Brash Books. Used Book in Good Condition