Madman on a Drum (Rushmore McKenzie) by David Housewright

One of the biggest strengths of David Housewright's writing is the way he manages to present Rush McKenzie as a person who can get quite hardboiled when pushed, but overall stays very humane and kind. And McKenzie is really pushed in this novel when the daughter of his best friend is kidnapped. McKenzie needs to provide the ransom money but working together with several FBI-agents he unmasks the kidnappers. When one of the kidnappers ends up dead McKenzie discovers the kidnappers have strong ties to his own past.
This one's got all the goods. Lots of action, a fair-play mystery, some comedy to lighten the mood, an insight in the character of McKenzie and a fast-paced thrillerlike plot.