The Lovable Rogue
I am somewhat influenced by the 1980s television show when I think about 'Shoestring'. I liked it very much, plus the bonus of a very handsome actor named Trevor Eve.
The mystery in of itself is a playback story, with a few extra background bits as well.
Eddie Shoestring was a computer programmer extrodinaire, a man whose whole life and intrests were computer code. Whatever happened eventually caused him to have a nervous breakdown which put him in a nursing home. A few years later, he decided a change in lifestyle was due. Still young and adaptable, he set his sights on helping those in need, as a private investigator. He set up an office, using what was left of his savings and waited. Nobody came. Then he set out soliciting some jobs and at least that got him local recognition. By now he was destitute and moved in to a room above his landlady/girlfriend. This carried on for a few months, living off her food and using her phone. Then the big break came when his landlady got an interview at a radio station about her job, which led to him being employed at the radio station as a detective. Then later on as the Radio private eye. The public calls in the cases and he investigates, revealing the solutions over the radio in a subsequent broadcast.
I thoroughly enjoyed the charming way this book is written. Every girl ought to have had a boyfriend like Eddie Shoestring, and I think, every girl has had a boyfriend like him.