Was it suicide or murder when one of San Francisco's most despised landlords went flying off the roof of his own apartment building? That's the question former homicide detective Sam McGowan, who's also a tenant in the building, is asking. Even though the police want to rule it a suicide, there are just too many suspects who wanted to see this guy dead -- and most of them live in the building. Sam is sure it's murder, so he puts his early retirement plans aside and starts getting to know his odd neighbors better.

What he finds are two lazy brothers who use their sandwich business as a cover to distribute marijuana for the Mexican mob, two beautiful young girls who are financing their grad school educations with an X-rated website, a lonely and sultry torch singer with the hots for Sam and a B-movie director who could be a blackmailer. The one thing they all have in common is their hatred of the late landlord, which makes all of them suspects, including Sam. So, was it murder or suicide?

This frenetically fast-paced and funny novel will keep you glued to the pages until the final surprising outcome. You'll be delighted with Sam's antics, as well as those of all the quirky neighbors, as they steadfastly muddle through finding the answer. Another great book from the talented Maleeny.