The demons that drive John “Mocha” Moccia to obsess, to put absolutely everyone under a microscope, and scratch away at every last clue, make him the best hardnosed detective in Brooklyn homicide. But these same demons may very well write the final chapter in his career.
He isn’t the kind of detective to take no for an answer, but in his most recent case answers are damn hard to come by. Partnered with the conscientious Detective Matt Winslow, Mocha endeavors to solve the murder of the wealthy and beautiful Jessica Shannon, a woman who had every reason to live.
As Mocha and Winslow strive to push forward the hands of time and solve the murder, their imposing lieutenant breathes down their necks, suspects are scarce, and all of the evidence seems to be a dead end.
With the last precious grains of sand falling through the hourglass, Mocha pushes ever forward, determined to make an arrest, even if it means this collar will be his last.
The Last Collar is available in the following formats:
Paperback:
or order from your favorite independent bookstore, such as 
Ebook: 
Audio, in production
Reviews:
“Exceptional attention to detail – much like a painter or sculptor creating art – Kelter and Zafiro make this fast-paced story real as the crimes past and present of New York City. Fine story telling by fine writers.”
— Grady Harp, from a 5-star Amazon review
“The book has it all: a solid mystery, action, suspense, humor, sex appeal, gripping drama. Law and Order fans will appreciate the easy banter between Winslow and Mocha and a murder case that will keep them guessing. The book is full of great supporting characters and turns of phrase that will stay with you for a long time. But what I kept coming back to was the idea of a two-fisted action hero facing his own mortality in realistic and believable ways. That aspect of the story elevates it from being “just” a really good crime fiction novel to a fascinating examination of whether or not it is possible to find redemption when you are dealing with a terminal illness. I don’t usually expect murder mysteries to help me process things I went through when my father died of cancer, so finding a bit of catharsis in the pages of “The Last Collar” was a welcome surprise. I would recommend the book to anyone, but more because of what Mocha figures out about himself over the course of the story than because of the murder investigation.”
— Brian Triplett, from a 5-star Amazon review
“Not all police procedurals are created equal. Some reach beyond the standard cliches. The Last Collar delivers what we expect and much more. Writing that is clean, fast and decisive. Snappy dialogue, cops cracking wise in a funny back and forth. We discover what the investigating detectives, Brooklyn Homicide’s finest Detective John “Mocha” Moccia and his partner Matt Winslow, discover, and are led to the make the same hunches and brought to the same conclusions. We are also there as larger personal questions are asked of Mocha. So yes, we want our Ed McBain procedural, and it is delivered. Collaborating authors Lawrence Kelter and Frank Zafiro add the unexpected, a little John Donne to the mix. [The novel is…] the result is a seamless, enjoyable read. Highly recommended.”
— John Stickney, independent reviewer