A series of surreal shorts more humour than horror-themed though not without a few gruesome passages to raise the goosebumps. Not quite what I was expA series of surreal shorts more humour than horror-themed though not without a few gruesome passages to raise the goosebumps. Not quite what I was expecting but I did enjoy the tongue and cheek tone. ...more
Inventive and interesting, the creation that is the collective character known as A.Z. Kimrean; twins who share the same body but look and function (aInventive and interesting, the creation that is the collective character known as A.Z. Kimrean; twins who share the same body but look and function (at least on the outside) as one person, is clever, witty, and adds a little dynamite to what is a devilish noir.
A stock standard private eye novel, this is not. It's like the combined creative efforts behind Micky Spillane's Hammer books, Duane Swierczynski's Secret Dead Men, and Marc Lecard's Vinnie's Head met up in a bar, got drunk and decided to turn noir naughty and nice and all things sour and spice...um, yeah, you could say this book leaves a lasting impression...
I love when books grab you by the proverbial from the get-go and that's exactly how This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us opens up - with a perfectly executed, slightly disorienting roller-coaster of manic storytelling that left me light headed but craving more like a crack addict.
Sure, the broader PI plot formula is a tried and tested one but it succeeds in its simplicity, allowing for the characteristics and complexities of A.Z. Kimrean to shine.
My rating; 5/5 stars. This was my first introduction to author Edgar Cantero, now to check out Meddling Kids....more
The dizzy blonde bombshell and private eye Mavis Seidlitz finds herself involved in a crazy caper involving a corpse concealed in the trunk of a car aThe dizzy blonde bombshell and private eye Mavis Seidlitz finds herself involved in a crazy caper involving a corpse concealed in the trunk of a car and a murderer so dreamy she can't refuse to aid; an accidental but willing accomplice in a fun piece of pulp from Carter Brown.
None but the Lethal Heart (published in 1959, by Horwitz) is a slapstick pulp which is as entertaining as it is cringe-worthy. The protagonist, Mavis Seidlitz is all to willing to use her god-given assets to confuse and muddle the opposite sex while her partner at the PI firm, Johnny Rio is the epitome of the male chauvinist - his dialogue offensive and loaded with derogatory remarks towards an all-too happy go lucky Mavis.
The plot is pretty straight forward; a 'prowler' is murdered by an acquaintance of Mavis who is in L.A. to guard a foreign dignitary who is visiting the USA to borrow money for his fledgling president. It later turns out that the prowler was actually the money-man, and his death a major bump in the road in the deal.
It's up to Mavis, to 1. help the murderer hide the corpse, and then 2. find out why the money-man was moonlighting as a prowler. There's a lot of finger pointing and smoke and mirrors as other characters come into the fold but in the end, the finale was ultimately disappointing.
My rating: 2.5/5 stars. I do love a pulp, and taken on face value as a pure satire, None but the Lethal Heart is pretty fun. However this one is really for Carter Brown and Mavis Seidlitz fans.
Noir is a satire / humorous take of the more serious noir genre with a twist. In it, the reader is taken down a dark alley laughing all the way as ourNoir is a satire / humorous take of the more serious noir genre with a twist. In it, the reader is taken down a dark alley laughing all the way as our faithful protagonist Sammy ‘Two Toes’ Tiffin goes from bartender with puppy love to entrepreneur to crime fighting extraordinaire.
From sketchy business ideas involving snake urine, to dog pizza (pizza made for dogs, not dogs as an ingredient), author Christopher Moore light-heartily jumps to plot elements encompassing rich fat cats out for a good time while in the process kidnapping a few dames in distress, only to then leap towards an alien angle with a misunderstood moon-man.
All this action taking place around the omnipresent ‘Cheese’, a to-die-for blonde named Stilton who happens to be the object of Sammy’s eye.
My rating: 4/5 stars. I couldn’t wipe the goofy smile off my face while listening to this audiobook. ...more
The Upper Hand is a humorous crime caper which has instant appeal for readers of Carl Hiaasen and Victor Gishler.
Three siblings, shortly after learniThe Upper Hand is a humorous crime caper which has instant appeal for readers of Carl Hiaasen and Victor Gishler.
Three siblings, shortly after learning of their mother's death are contacted by a lawyer who swiftly advises them that their inheritance has been left to a televangelist. The trio are given a matter of days to vacate the family home. Not knowing where this sad and unexpected event leaves them, a long lost auntie arrives at the funeral promising wealth and recompense through criminal enterprise.With a degree of reluctance, the trio agree to join the Ucker clan and from there the fun really starts.
The Upper Hand is a great read; both lighthearted and loaded with emotional depth. The Ucker family are unique and complex but easily readable and enjoyable.
My rating: 5/5 stars. Readers who enjoy a smile with their crime must read this book. Instantly addictive and a great read all the way through. No doubt one of my top reads of 2018....more
If you're looking for a gritty prison crime fiction novel turn away now, Help I Am Being Held Prisoner is pretty much the opposite; professional prankIf you're looking for a gritty prison crime fiction novel turn away now, Help I Am Being Held Prisoner is pretty much the opposite; professional prankster, Harold Kunt (with an umlaut) finds himself in prison after a prank turned foul, causing multiple injuries to motorists including a couple of high powered politicians. Now he's serving time, rubbing shoulders with con men, mobsters, and violent street thugs - he's completely out of his depth and comfort zone - so how does he manage to rob a couple of banks?
Help I Am Being Held Prisoner is loaded with laughs using the trademark Westlake humor. Even the crimes committed comprise elements of jocularity which few other writers could pull off while managing to both; convey a sense of dangerous urgency and subtle satire.
While the pranks, the stop-start nature of the bank job, and the comings and goings of the prison populace grew a tad tiresome, it was a fun ride all the way through to the ending.
My rating: 3.5/5 - Westalke didn't take all his characters seriously and this book is all the better for it. Recommended for fans of Carl Hiaasen and Marc Lecard....more
The heady mixture of murder and comedy makes for an addictive read from opening stanza to punch line. In this murder mystery, author Fred Van Lente emThe heady mixture of murder and comedy makes for an addictive read from opening stanza to punch line. In this murder mystery, author Fred Van Lente employs a number of classical genre tropes but keeps the story fresh with a healthy dose of humor. As the title suggests the plot revolves around a group of comedians brought to an island under false pretenses, thinking they're going to collaborate with a comedy heavyweight only to be picked off one by one by a mysterious murderer. I couldn't put it down - highly recommended - 5/5 stars. ...more
A pitch perfect parody of a reality TV man-verses-wild survival series that doesn’t skim on heart felt moments among the lough out loud humour. Chomp A pitch perfect parody of a reality TV man-verses-wild survival series that doesn’t skim on heart felt moments among the lough out loud humour. Chomp sinks its teeth into the not so glamourous life a reality TV where the ‘real’ in this case is a façade perpetuated by a flabby and clueless self-proclaimed survivalist. Naturally things go bad pretty quick when the star of the show Derek Badger takes his film crew to the Everglades to take on actual wild animals in a last ditch bid to boost his salary for next season. Adding to this already dangerous soupy mix are a couple of animal wranglers and a runaway teenage girl who come along for the adventure (and payday). Chomp had me hooked from the open stanza and put smile on my face that still hasn’t left long after I finished reading. ...more
Not sure who the target audience is for this book but it wasn't me. I really had to push myself to finish it. Whilst an easy read, Killing Richard DawNot sure who the target audience is for this book but it wasn't me. I really had to push myself to finish it. Whilst an easy read, Killing Richard Dawson gets boring fast; the crux of the story is about love, life, and loss, all played out across nightclubs and drab inner conflict. There's murder thrown in to keep things interesting but the level of interest is minor at best. There's a twist too but that is easily picked to those with a keen eye for detail (or without, it's easy enough to work out how it's going to end). I won this book via an online competition so at least it didn't cost me anything aside from a couple of reading sessions. Sometimes books just don't work out and unfortunately, Killing Richard Dawson didn't connect with me. ...more
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