A Drop of the Hard Stuff by Lawrence Block

Matthew Scudder, a private detective, former police officer and recovering alcoholic, becomes involved in investigating a murder mystery involving a childhood friend.  There are over 15 novels in Block's Matthew Scudder series; this tells the story of an early stage in his work as a private detective.  The characters, plot, and setting ring true; it's gritty enough to be realistic, but not gruesome.  I will probably try another other these. 319 pages.