SOME DIE HARD - Book review

Stephen Mertz’s debut novel (1979) has been reissued by Wolfpack Publishing. It’s a hardboiled private detective novel in a similar stable to Ross McDonald. Rock Dugan is an ex-stuntman and now a gumshoe.

An incident draws Rock to the door of Susan Court, the daughter of a millionaire who is dying. She has a wastrel brother Tommy who owes a lot of money to the local powerful hood Murray Zucco. There’s the question of the old man’s will. Mr Carlander Court is reinstating Susan in his will and shutting out Tommy. Susan wants Rock to protect her father until the will is changed next day. She is fearful that Tommy will murder his father to get the inheritance and pay off Zucco.

There follows a death – a kind of locked-room mystery right out of John Dickson Carr, only with a difference. I won’t spill the beans – though the blurb tends to, just a little. 

It’s clear that Mertz was learning his craft – for example, there are too many lengthy speeches by characters. But the flavor, the pace and the characters all add to an enjoyable mystery laced with wit.

The next Mertz book I shall read is Say It Was Murder. Looking forward to it.

Writing – market - Write down these mean streets…

Gumshoe Review is an online source for new books in the mystery/whodunnit category.

It is also open to short original fiction. What they’re looking for in stories is a complete mystery in 1,000 words or less. No character studies or mood pieces. They'd like it to lean towards noir but ‘being a mystery -- telling a story is actually more important’.

The short stories should be no longer than 1,000 words. Payment will be 5 cents per word to a maximum of $50 (so if the story is longer you still only get $50).

They plan to publish one short story per month.

Submissions should be sent as plain text within the body of an email or as a .txt, .pdf (not password protected), .doc, or .wp attachment to editor@gumshoereview.com. Use the subject line "Gumshoe Short Story Submission". They will acknowledge receipt of the story immediately but it may take longer to respond about whether they will use the story in an upcoming month. Please include a short bio with the story. Submissions should be original and unpublished.

According to their Senior Editor: "We're looking for stories where the investigator is the protagonist, or at least a significant character, and the focus is on solving a crime, or getting someone out of a jam, or seeking some sort of justice."

See the website: http://www.gumshoereview.com/

Good luck!

 

 

 

Crackers for Christmas!

It's commercial break time...

It's mega cyber sales day, 2 December! Which means Christmas orders need to be sent out very soon to avoid disappointment...

If you're thinking of buying a book for a loved one, the choice can be formidable. Yes, you can go on recommendations - always a good idea; or you can check the loved one's bookshelf, just to make sure the latest in the series isn't there already, or, dare I suggest, you can try something new and even daring.

A book isn't just for Christmas, it can be for life (or until the bookshelf collapses under the weight of books...)

Christmas Crackers by David W. Robinson is the tenth tome in the popular STAC series. Published by Crooked Cat Publishing.

Merry Murders. It's Yuletide again and faced with a demanding writer, Joe, Sheila and Brenda must deliver tales of murder and mayhem. Who slaughtered Santa? Who committed a felony on a ferry, topped a teller, killed a copper and did Lee really go gunning for a gumshoe? In the background there is the Novel of the Year award and Joe is faced with finding another brutal killer. Its Christmas, but not everyone harbours peace and goodwill, and for the three sleuths, it means... MURDER most festive. Short stories with crime interlaced with humour, an ideal stocking (or Kindle) filler!

The paperback can be purchased here

The Amazon com Kindle version can be purchased here

The Amazon co uk Kindle version can be purchased here

See also an earlier post on STAC here

Spanish Eye by Nik Morton features 22 tales from Leon Cazador, private eye. Published by Crooked Cat Publishing.

Stories that have been published in a number of magazines, some of which won prizes, some insightful, some humorous, and some tragic. Through the eyes of Leon Cazador, half-English, half-Spanish private investigator, we experience the human condition in many guises. The tales evoke tears and laughter, pleasure at the downfall of criminals, and anger at arrogant evil-doers.  

Sometimes, Cazador operates in disguise under several aliases, among them Carlos Ortiz Santos, a modern day Simon Templar; he is wholly against the ungodly and tries to hold back the encroaching night of unreason.

Cazador translated into English means hunter. In his adventurous life he has witnessed many travesties of justice; he is a man driven to hunt down felons of all kinds, to redress the balance of good against evil.

Spanish Eye just in time for Christmas! UK purchase the paperback here

Spanish Eye just in time for Christmas! UK purchase the paperback here

Spanish Eye just in time for Christmas! Purchase uk Kindle version here

Spanish Eye just in time for Christmas! Purchase Amazon com Kindle version here