"Four on the Floor" By Gabriel Valjan: Review/Giveaway

Review by Sharon Marchisello

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it. 

Four on the Floor, the new mystery by Gabriel Valjan, is the fifth book in his series featuring Shane Cleary, a former cop and Vietnam veteran turned private investigator. Shane lives with his girlfriend, Bonnie, who is a lawyer, and an opinionated cat named Delilah.

This novel was inspired by a real cold case involving five men found murdered in the basement of Blackfriars Pub in downtown Boston in the summer of 1978. Although Valjan fictionalized many of the details of the event, he kept intact the overlap among the Church, politicians, power brokers, and organized crime—the morally gray minefield in which Shane has to operate.

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Image Source Level Best Books

The story is told in first person from Shane’s point of view. When it opens, a mob boss known as Mr. B comes to the door in the middle of the night, asking for Shane’s help with a case. Four people have been shot to death at Blackfriars Pub: the owner, the bartender, a waitress with a day job as a social worker, and a journalist, who might be collateral damage. Several thousand dollars remain in the safe, so robbery doesn’t appear to be the motive. Cocaine was found at the scene; thus, the killings don’t seem drug-related. Mr. B insists that his people had nothing to do with this hit, and he wants Shane to prove it. He has the support of the former Commissioner because the governor and mayor believe the corrupt Chief of Police will pin this crime on the wrong person or group.

Chauffeured around by mobsters, Shane reluctantly begins his investigation, procuring crime scene photos, visiting the coroner, and conducting interviews. He soon realizes there was a fifth person present who escaped the bullets—a surviving witness. And more than one shooter with very different weapons: a .25 caliber that might indicate a female attacker, and a shotgun. Shane is also tasked with protecting an annoying reporter who wants to break the story and may be a target. The more Shane investigates, the more complex the case becomes.

In addition to the investigation, Shane must deal with some personal issues. Bonnie’s father, Erik, comes to town and is critical of his daughter’s choices; for a while, Shane feels like an outsider. Eventually, Shane and Erik reach a détente and even bond over their war experiences.

Because this novel is part of a series, many characters appear without much introduction, and there are references to past events that could be confusing to a new reader. Probably some subtle clues that someone not familiar with the series might miss. But the writing is good, the pacing is fast, and justice is served—depending on one’s definition of justice.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Four on the Floor, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "four,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 22, 2026. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors!

You can click here to purchase this book.

Sharon Marchisello is the author of the DeeLo Myer cat rescue mysteries published by Level Best Books, starting with Trap, Neuter, Die (2024). Her other mysteries were published by Sunbury Press: Going Home (2014), Secrets of the Galapagos (2019), and Murder at Leisure Dreams – Galapagos (2025). She has also written a nonfiction book (Live Well, Grow Wealth - 2018), travel articles, and short stories. She earned Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is active in Sisters in Crime. Sharon lives in Peachtree City, GA, where she does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society and the Fayette County Master Gardeners.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.