The Great American Deception

Detective Frank Harken could really, really use a cup of coffee. Can you blame him? His new case features a missing woman, a flaky client, a cranky security officer, a mysterious assassin, an overbearing mob boss, an ice-cold enforcer, and the best mini-golf the world has ever seen. Did we mention the fate of millions is at stake?

“Stein delivers a madcap sci-fi take on the hard-boiled detective genre in this fun, near-future romp that’s chock-full of rapid-fire wit, tongue-in-cheek literary allusions, and playful futuristic absurdity… this zany, uproarious mystery is a constant delight.”

—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Get ready for some super great fun! The Great American Deception is a hilarious (and deeply disturbing) voyage through a futuristic netherworld of caffeinated robots and diet pizza. Somewhere—possibly nowhere—Douglas Adams is sighing pleasurably with a combination of approval and afterlife indigestion.”

—Gary Shteyngart, author of Little Failure and Lake Success

“The Great American Deception is by far the most enjoyable novel told from the point of view of a futuristic coffee machine I have ever read!”

—Ben Schwartz, actor and writer

“The Great American Deception is such fun to read! Both funny and insightful, this Scott Stein original sends up the conventions and conceits of contemporary life in a daffy, cultural mash-up.”

—Paula Marantz Cohen, author of Suzanne Davis Gets A Life and Beatrice Bunson’s Guide to Romeo and Juliet

“A laugh-out-loud detective noir that reads like Twin Peaks meets Futurama. Even the footnotes are hilarious!”

—Jacopo della Quercia, author of The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy and co-author of MacTrump

“An amusing SF private eye/coffee spoof, chock-full of silicon circuits, served with laughs. This coffee tale offers good taste (to the last drop).”

—Kirkus Reviews