Title: In For a Dime (A Jake Hansen Mystery)
Author: Kevin R. Andrade
When private investigator Jake Hansen investigates a missing accountant and two million dollars in stolen funds, the trail points to political corruption, organized crime, and a conspiracy that reaches from City Hall to the Los Angeles underworld.
Jake Hansen thought he’d finally found solid ground.
When a missing insurance executive disappears alongside two million dollars in stolen funds, what begins as a straightforward investigation quickly unravels into something far more dangerous.
Joined by retired NYPD detective Pete Mills and former ex-con Lamar Wagner, Jake discovers the missing money is only the first piece of a much larger puzzle.
Then it gets personal. When Sophie’s past catches up with her, the investigation stops being just another job. As the lines between the case and his chosen family begin to blur, Jake realizes that uncovering the truth won’t matter if it costs him the people who put him back together.
Packed with sharp dialogue, truly unexpected twists, and a cast you’ll want to follow long after the mystery is solved, In For a Dime is a crime thriller that delivers both a satisfying investigation and characters worth coming back for.
For fans of Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Dennis Lehane, and James Ellroy, In For a Dime combines smart detective work, escalating suspense, and a team of unlikely partners who are as compelling as the mysteries they unravel.
Author Interview
What’s a detail, theme, or clue in your book that most readers might miss on the first read but you secretly hope someone notices?
This book and the other books of this series are a love letter to Los Angeles.
When did this story or idea “click” into place for you—was there a single moment you knew you had to write it?
A USC-Utah college football game in 2011 ended with a disastrous moment for gamblers and I immediately wanted to write about a character who once was a highly respected journalist but has fallen on hard times due to his hubris and proclivities, one of which is gambling. I wanted to create a story and characters that provided opportunities for redemption.
Which character or real-life person surprised you the most while writing this book, and why?
I love all the characters but I love, and am surprised, by the story arc of Lamar Wagner. He is one of my favorite characters to write and I am always surprised where I take his story.
If your book had a soundtrack, what three songs would be on it and what scenes or moments would they pair with?
“I Sat by the Ocean,” by Queens of the Stone Age. The first transition from when they take the case at the bar to when they start investigating is a great spot for this song.
“Not Dead Yet,” by Lord Huron. I hear this song whenever Jake wakes up hungover.
“Perfect World,” by Broken Bells, I think this fits when they’re undergoing their plan to get information by Eric Portek.
What’s one belief, question, or emotional truth you hope readers carry with them long after they finish your book?
The strength of loyalty that binds Jake Hansen and his partners and friends, Pete Mills, Lamar Wagner and Sophie Jones.
Tell us about a moment during the writing process when the story (or message) took an unexpected turn.
The first half of the book had been written months before I dove into finishing the story. I struggled with where to take the story and how to close all the gaps but I get all my ideas when I go walking and one day, walking in Hermosa Beach, everything came together.
If your protagonist (or central figure) could give the reader one piece of advice, what would it be?
Never bet a parlay on more than three games.
What real-world place, object, or memory helped shape a key element in your book?
Taylor’s Steakhouse is an important meeting place for Pete and is one of the oldest and best steakhouses in Los Angeles.
What’s something you had to research, learn, or experience to write this book that genuinely surprised you?
The jurisdictions of all of the Los Angeles Police, and Sheriff’s, departments and divisions.
If your book were invited to join a shelf with three other titles, which ones would make you happiest—and what would that shelf say about your story?
White Jazz by James Ellroy, Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly, and The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler. These are all Los Angeles Noir stories and fit with the thought process of my writing.
About the Author
Kevin R. Andrade is the author of the Jake Hansen Mystery series, including Ten to the 405 and In For a Dime.
A Mexican American raised in Ohio, Kevin earned degrees in English and Political Science from Bowling Green State University before building a career as a speechwriter, music journalist, travel writer, and novelist. He has lived in Los Angeles, Mexico City, Boston, and New York City, experiences that continue to influence the authentic settings, dialogue, and characters throughout his fiction.
Before writing novels, Kevin crafted speeches for politicians, interviewed music legends, and explored destinations around the world as a travel writer. Those experiences taught him that every person has a story worth telling, a philosophy that continues to shape the characters and investigations at the heart of the Jake Hansen Mystery series.
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