Spent the Weekend with Moe Prager! 2 Reviews for Reed Farrel Coleman

"I undressed and showered. The shower wasn't so much to rinse away the sweat and grime, but to wash off the remnants of the people with whom I'd shared the day. It's no wonder that good cops sometimes turn to the darkness. When you spend more time with the worst people imaginable than with your family, it rubs off on you. You can't go down into the sewer and not come up smelling like shit yourself. If I could have scrubbed out the linings of my lungs, I would have. I remembered talking with Mr. Roth about the camps, about how he said the worst part of it all was the breathing...
Reed Farrel Coleman (Photo credit: Mark Coggins)

Hurt Machine 
 A Moe Prager Mystery


By Reed Farrel Coleman


I happened to pick up Hurt Machine first of the two Moe Prager books I had received. Innocent Monster is the second... I'm not one of those readers who must read series books in sequence, and, in this case, I was happy that I read the latest book first. Prager is a very introspective main character and Coleman writes from his POV. I had to wonder how much of Prager was really Reed Coleman, since readers begin to feel as if we know Moe and would like to discuss some of the issues he explores personally, if only we could...

Hurt Machine leaves readers hanging as to Moe's future. I'm hoping the series goes on, and will be looking forward to it. You see, Moe has a tumor in his stomach and throughout the book, we are privy to all of Moe's feelings as he deals with, first, the realization that his life may be soon cut short, and then through all of the myriad of issues that must flow through our minds, if we were in a similar situation. To a small extent, yes, it is depressing, but in so many more ways, it is inspirational, in its realism as an individual decides how to deal with his future.

Moe works a case, mostly because he was asked to by his ex-wife and former PI partner Carmella. He has never lost his physical attraction to Carmella, but he still had not forgiven her from taking his son Israel away from him and moving to Canada.There is a poignant story line that runs through the book about their history that shares much of Moe himself as he ponders his past and we learn that Moe is a caring, family oriented man that can forgive even if he doesn't forget. But he works to avoid his attraction, even while agreeing to do the investigation Carmella has requested.

Alta, Carmella's older sister had been murdered. She was an EMT and she and her partner had gotten into trouble when they had refused to help when a man had passed out in a restaurant and then died... Later, in a different restaurant, she had entered and died, having been attacked outside. Carmella was upset because it didn't seem that the police were doing much to find out who had killed her. Worse, many were saying that she deserved it!

Prager is looking forward to his daughter's wedding in a few weeks, deciding not to tell her about the cancer; but, during this investigation, as he looked tired and had lost weight, he did share a little. For what he was finding was much more than the basic murder. He had to explore the histories of all those involved, helping in some ways, but, in the end, he once again stumbled into what had actually happened to Alta...

Moe admits that he is not a good investigator--he gets hunches, he plods along, and sometimes stumbles into much more than he had ever thought to become involved with. For readers, what that means is that we have a complex, twisted mystery to which pieces are slowly added. Thus keeping the tension edgy and constant...

Coleman claimed me as his newest fan when I finished this...No wonder he's an award-winning author! If you, like me, had not yet read Reed Farrel Coleman, I highly recommend that you do!

"What do you want me to say?"
"I want you to say you'll go talk to Candy...She wants
 to hire you to help find Sashi..."
"Sarah, You're precisely why I won't do it. I'll take the
guilt over Katy's murder to my grave, but that guilt's just
background noise compared to the hurt I've felt for the last
seven years over what happened between us. Even in the
worst of times, when your mom miscarried, when our
marriage collapsed, when my friend Larry Mac committed
suicide, I always had you and your love to hang on to. We
were a team, me and you kiddo. You were always the best
part of me and as long as you loved me, I knew there was
hope in the world. Well, the world and me, we've kinda
parted ways since you parted ways with me..."
"It was the first time she had let down the barrier between
us since we buried Katy, and I knew right then there would
be no thinking about it. I was back in the game."

Innocent Monster
 A Moe Prager Mystery


By Reed Farrel Coleman




Moe Prager, in his 60s, had been a cop until he had his knee shattered. He went into the PI business for awhile and then retired to work with his brother as owners of wine businesses. He is quite bored with what he does in the latter, so when he agreed to join him, he made arrangements that he could take a case whenever Moe wanted to. This time, his brother didn't seem to mind.


He knew that his daughter must have already talked to him...


For it was Sarah who had come to him, asking that he take the case of finding the daughter of a former neighbor who had once babysat Sarah. Moe had known that it had to be important; after all, Sarah had pulled away from her father years ago...when her mother had been killed and she had blamed him.


Now she was coming to him because a little girl was missing, possibly already dead, since she had been gone for three weeks. Still, in that type of situation, it was almost as important to find out, to be sure.


But, once again, Moe was finding out much more than he ever wanted to know about people. He had never liked Max Bluntstone, Sashi's father and when Moe first talked to Candy, it was alone and he quickly knew that Max did not know that she had contacted Moe.


Sashi had started painting when he was very young and now she was being touted as a prodigy. But there were many critics of her work, not only that she might not be painting, or was being helped, and also that even if she was painting them, she could not possibly know that she was painting in abstract mode and understand what it was she was painting. So, naturally, Moe had to find out more about her critics, as well as her parents. He soon found out that the parents were nearly close to bankruptcy.


Then there were those who claimed Sashi as a prodigy, purchasing her works as investments. They, too, could have been involved. After all, the rumors had already started that the works of dead artists automatically became more valuable...


Moe's interviews were stirring up trouble and his car was demolished. The police investigator was ecstatic since that showed that somebody was getting nervous...


Moe meets a new love interest in this novel, who carries over into Hurt Machine. Her story is another family subplot and a young man enter's Moe's life, as well as Sarah's. The back stories are dramatic additions to the mystery and helps readers to learn more and care about the characters. Moe's self-awareness and internal communication is a very important addition to these books. Readers can't help but come to love him and want the best for him and his daughter.


Now here is my only quandary about this new character...Normally, I would go back and pick up the earlier books in the series and get to know the main character even more....but what if we are nearing the end, per Hurt Machine. I would hate to have him gone just as I was getting to know him...Hmmmm, any others reading Moe Prager? What should I do? In the meantime,


Innocent Monster is a unique perspective of those who criticize, sometimes based on nothing more than their own opinions or losses and sometimes due to mental illness. Can an innocent monster kill? And can solving a case help the innocent? Surprise ending was not to my liking and many readers will be disappointed to... Coleman creates characters that we want to win--sometimes they just don't... Highly recommended!




GABixlerReviews

About

Reed Farrel Coleman is the award-winning author of the Moe Prager series and other novels.

Biography

Called a hard-boiled poet by NPR's Maureen Corrigan, Reed Farrel Coleman is the former executive vice president of Mystery Writers of America. He has published twelve novels—two under his pen name Tony Spinosa—in three series, and one stand-alone with award-winning Irish author Ken Bruen. His books have been translated into seven languages.

Description

Reed is a three-time winner of the Shamus Award for Best Detective Novel of the Year. He has also received the Macavity, Barry, and Anthony Awards, and has been twice nominated for the Edgar® Award. He was the editor of the anthology Hard Boiled Brooklyn, and his short fiction and essays have appeared in Wall Street Noir, The Darker Mask, These Guns For Hire, Brooklyn Noir 3, Damn Near Dead, and other publications.

Related articles

• An interview with Reed Farrel Coleman

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• Hurt Machine by Reed Farrel Coleman

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Last Chance to Read Excerpt of Code of Darkness!

Book Excerpt – 

Code of Darkness 

by Chris Lindberg

Chapter 12 

Deep within the Pentagon, Edward Armstrong was making edits to a border defense plan when his secretary buzzed him. 

“What is it, Marlene,” he exhaled, setting down the red-ink pen. 

“A General Dunlap here to see you, sir,” the voice replied through the speakerphone. 

“Hmm,” Armstrong paused, stroking his chin.  “All right then, send him in,” he finally said, stacking the papers strewn across his desk and setting them in his inbox. 

The heavy steel door opened, ushering in the tall, broad frame of General Jack Dunlap.  He was dressed in full uniform as always, presenting the many service marks and medals packed tightly across his lapels.  His clean-shaven, bald head and neatly trimmed mustache belied his gray, bushy eyebrows.  A thirty-year Marine veteran and decorated war hero, Dunlap had been Armstrong’s acquaintance since the Somalian missions they’d worked on together some fifteen years before, when Armstrong had been a military strategist, and Dunlap a Lieutenant.  Now heading up the Pentagon’s special task forces unit, Dunlap was viewed by many as next in line for promotion to Joint Chiefs. 

Armstrong rose to greet him, then motioned for him to have a seat. 

“Edward,” Dunlap said, nodding as he sat down. 

“Jack,” Armstrong replied.  “Haven’t seen you since the North Korea debrief in December.  How’s the family?” 

“Good, Edward, good,” Dunlap said, a look on his face Armstrong couldn’t identify.  He appeared ready to speak when Armstrong cut in. 

“So, what can I do for you?” he said curiously. 

“Edward,” Dunlap began.  “One of the men under my command was recently tapped for a top-secret operation within our borders.  Colonel Nolan Hayes.  I was wondering if you knew anything about it.” 

Armstrong paused, leaning back in his chair. 

“I might,” he answered carefully, folding his hands together. 

“Don’t play games,” Dunlap said sharply.  “You either know or you don’t.” 

“I do,” Armstrong admitted. 

“What are you doing running an operation within the homeland?” Dunlap questioned.  “Is this in a civilian environment?” 

“Jack, as you’ve already said,” Armstrong replied.  “It’s top secret.  I’m prohibited from speaking about it.” 

“But Hayes,” Dunlap pressed.  “He’s one of my men.  Why didn’t you come to me first?  At least for a POV?  Do you understand the implications of deploying him inside our borders?” 

“We’ve read the file on him, yes,” Armstrong answered.  “He’s the perfect fit for this mission.” 

“He’s also extremely dangerous,” Dunlap shot back, leaning forward.  “Placing him in a civilian atmosphere puts us at incredible risk.” 

“We know what we’re doing,” Armstrong said flatly.  “His skills make him the only one who can carry out the operation the way it needs to be done.” 

“Edward, listen to me,” Dunlap said, his tone urgent.  “If it’s not too late already, you need to pull the plug, now.  Hayes should only be deployed in hot zones, deep behind enemy borders, on the other side of the world.  There are plenty of those missions to keep him busy.  Under no circumstances should he be anywhere near U.S. civilians, innocents, or even cameras, for that matter.”  

“Jack, I don’t understand,” Armstrong said, flabbergasted.  “He’s the best soldier this country has; a decorated war hero, just like yourself.” 

“He’s the best soldier we have,” Dunlap said.  “Because he is a killing machine.  Yes, he’s killed a lot of our most dangerous enemies.  Hundreds, maybe a thousand.  But there have also been scores of civilian casualties, even American soldiers.” 

“That’s part of war,” Armstrong said.  “You know that.” 

“Not this way,” Dunlap countered.  “He has no regard for human life.  Any human life.  If you could only see what I’ve seen, you’d understand.” 

“Jack,” Armstrong said, “I hate to put this argument to bed.  But it’s a moot point.  The field leg of the mission began several days ago, without incident, I might add.  The SRC created an antidote to his condition.  To control these … urges he has.” 

“Antidote?” Dunlap asked curiously. 

“Yes,” Armstrong answered.  “There’s a shot; he injects himself twice a day.” 

Dunlap paused, an almost hopeful expression on his face, as if he wanted nothing more than to be wrong about what he’d said.  “Has the field leg concluded?” he asked. 

“No,” Armstrong answered.  “But we’re halfway there.” 

“Then I hope you’re right; that he’s taking the meds as you say he is,” Dunlap said, standing up to leave.  “And if for any reason he stops … God help us all.” 

_____  

Chris Lindberg’s first novel, Code of Darkness, was released in August 2011.  You can find out more by visiting www.codeofdarkness.com, or visiting Facebook and searching on “code of darkness.” 

To purchase Code of Darkness in paperback or e-book edition, please search “code of darkness” on Amazon, iTunes, or BN.com. 

You can also email him at chris@codeofdarkness.com – he’d love to hear from you. 

J. P. Lane Takes Us to the Caribbean - Murder, Drugs...and Love...

"Still gazing out the window of his plane, Armstrong could see the
island now, or rather he could sense it. Though lit by brilliant
moonlight, only lights twinkling down the mountains to the harbor
were visible from the air. It always amazed him how much
subliminal energy this island had. He could almost hear it rising
from the earth like the distant beat of rasta drums. It had been more
that twenty years since it had been his permanent home, but now,
as his plane prepared to land, he had that familiar feeling of coming
home. It always felt good to be back, though this time would be
different..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean

The Tangled Web


By J. P. Lane




Ahhh, the beautiful Caribbean...it is enticingly beautiful and welcoming. J. P. Lane spends some time sharing that beauty in her narrative, but I noticed right away that she writes with that edgy tension that makes me realize that I'm going to be fast pulled into the action and adventure she's providing. And I wasn't disappointed!

Two main characters--Logan Armstrong and Lauren... are attracted to each other when they meet. Lauren is an investigative reporter; Logan is...a very rich man...more on him later. Lauren had made her own reputation on the local newspaper, so much so that, when she interacted with people, they weren't quite sure they were not being "investigated" for some criminal act. In fact, she was quite vocal about the corruption of the local government...Not always a safe thing to do...

Logan Armstrong was originally from the island and still had a deep love for his homeland, although he worked in New York owning a variety of businesses. Because he maintained a home interest, he was upset when he learned that five people had been murdered while out on their boat. They thought they were headed for the rarely visited Fisherman's Key on the south coast of the island. But as they had got closer they had seen there were cigarette boats already docked and then a seaplane appeared. The sea had welcomed them; but, that day, those already there and in the plane did not. They had turned to escape, but it was already too late...

Logan knew, as did most other people, that those five people had more than likely been in the wrong place at the wrong time and that they had died because of that. Some type of drug transaction had doubtless been taking place. Lauren was quick to start working on the case and report the details, but there was not much evidence that was found.

Logan was on his way to the island, but for a secret meeting. There were still honest government officials there and he was going to talk with three of them. And, at the meeting they had decided. Something must be done...

At the same time, in Columbia, the head of the drug cartel was fuming over what she had just been told. The Prime Minister of the most important entry into the US was demanding 50% of the profit from the drugs that were, in essence, being transferred on the island. She had depended on her representative, but he had not been able to persuade him to take a lower cut. But, having the head of the local government be willing to allow their drugs through was highly unusual! Still, she knew what must be done...

The Prime Minister must die...

I must say that I enjoy the almost farcical humor of parts of this novel...especially the decisions of the "second" assassin... And then there is the less than smooth switch to the romance between Logan and Lauren toward the end--almost saying, in effect, well, the political intrigue, drugs, murder--they'll all continue and we know that! One intrigue will be stopped; a new one will start... What's important is that we've decided we've got to clarify what happened as it affects us--after all, we're in love!

And even then the author left another tangled web as she closed, announcing another assassination was being planned...

Lane, as mentioned in her bio, has traveled extensively and her novel certainly reflects that experience. I enjoyed that, as a former, newspaper woman, she created her main character as an investigative reporter--perhaps the role she once played or wanted to play. But Lauren, her character, is a strong, opinionated, and aggressive individual who wants to know the truth and is not afraid of "getting dirty" to dig into what is actually happening. Her nosiness got her into some trouble, but it also got her married...I loved it! It would be nice to meet Lauren and Lance again in the future. What say you, J.P.?


GABixlerReviews

It isn't surprising J.P. Lane's point of view is global. From an early age, she was trekking from Jamaica (where she was born and raised) to Europe with her family. During her adult years, Lane has blazed a trail across the world, following her star and gathering the international experience that is reflected in her writing. She has lived in London, Southeast Asia, Puerto Rico, and Miami where she was an award-winning writer for The Miami Herald's marketing team. She has been published in other leading Florida publications, including "Florida Design Magazine." Lane now resides in north Florida where she's currently working on her second novel.

Website: www.jp-lane
Blog: http://jplanewrites.blogspot.com
Twitter: @jpLANEauthor
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jplane

A Reblog: What Is A Reviewer by Big Al

Click to Indies Unlimited!

What Is A Reviewer?

Last fall Stephen Hise interviewed me, along with several other book reviewers, for his What Reviewers Want series. In the comment section of part 2, Jacqueline Hopkins posed some questions about reviewers:

“ . . . what is a reviewer, do they have to have certain credentials; i.e., a degree in English, or writing/reviewing, what makes a good reviewer, and can just anyone be a reviewer, are there professional reviewers and what makes them professional? Do reviews written by a reader carry more weight than a professional reviewer?”

I volunteered to attempt answering Jacqueline’s questions in two posts. This post will be my thoughts on some of the questions. In a few weeks, a follow-up post will explore the answers further with input from other reviewers and readers.

Please click over to read the entire article!

Note: A version of this article first appeared on Indies Unlimited on 6/14/12. It is used here with the permission of the author.

Check out Big Al's Blog!

Big Al

BigAl (who insists he only has one name, like Cher, Madonna, and Hitler) spends his days writing computer programs that are full of typos, homonym errors, and incorrect verb usage.

During his evenings, he writes reviews of indie books for BigAl’s Books and Pals and has recently taken over The IndieView, a website founded by indie author Simon Royle as a resource for indie authors, indie reviewers, and those who read either.

R. S. Guthrie Wants to Introduce You To Black Beast...

black beast: 

a clan of macaulay novel

by R. S. Guthrie

The boy had died during the exorcism. Now Father Macauley was in the hospital, discovering he’d lost one of his legs...had he really killed the Black Beast?

Bobby Mac had lost a leg as well...

Bobby Mac entered the Executive Suite—what they called the location for inmates who were scheduled to be terminated—Durning had killed a cop, Bobby Mac’s partner and he had lost his leg in the same shooting.  He wasn’t there to forgive Durning. Durning asked only one thing, for him to hold his sister, Lucinda’s hand as he was dying...But he also told him something strange had happened when they robbed that store...

Bobby Mac is still on the job and has suffered through a series of different leg replacements, the most recent being a C-leg. He had just been called in to a double homicide where both bodies had been mutilated.

Just a routine cop procedural? NOT! 

But even as he started working the case, he couldn’t stop wondering whether Durning had been telling the truth—he seemed to think that his partner had been killed on purpose... Had he been a dirty cop?

And then Bobby Mac had a visitor. A Father West had come to deliver a journal... It was then that he learned the truth about his family and that he was a member of the Macauley Clan...and so much more that was almost unbelievable!

It was soon that he realized that his past was merging with his present. He had been given a crucifix--it was his turn to face the Black Beast...

This is one of those books that is so integrated and so mysteriously intertwined that I am hesitant to say too much to prevent a spoiler. Let me just say that it is certainly recommended for your consideration...The legend that follows the clan family is fascinating...you wonder about fate, religion, and so much more as you meet each character...once you start, you'll keep reading!

The novel for me had somewhat of the flavor of the Grimm TV program, with Grimm learning after he had been working as a cop exactly who he was. But the supernatural part is totally different and had much to offer in complementing solving brutal murders. Guthrie successfully merged the two and created a paranormal story like no other. This is the first in a series and certainly will capture fans. The main character is not only well written, his introspection allows readers to get to know him perhaps a little better than many other books allow. I look forward to future additions.

For those who love cop stories merged with the paranormal...check this one out!


GABixlerReviews

R.S. Guthrie has been writing fiction and non-fictional essays since college. “Black Beast” is his first published novel. He has been working on a second novel: a story set in his home state of Wyoming, where much land is still wild and untouched. The first chapter of "Dark Prairies" wsa recently accepted for publication on New West.

The author currently lives in Colorado with his beautiful wife, Amy, two Australian Shepherds, and a Chihuahua who fervently believes she is an Aussie.

2 of 3 Excerpts from Code of Darkness by Chris Lindberg!

Book Excerpt: 

Code of Darkness  

by Chris Lindberg 

Chapter 5

 

Looking up from her files, Mira happened to notice the clock.  It was lunchtime already. 

It was her third day of work at the newly-opened Chicago Loop branch of Beacon Therapeutic Social Services, and Mira had been asked to lunch by her co-workers Bernice, Edna, and Kim.  Bernice was a black woman of about sixty who’d spent the past fourteen years at Beacon’s Longwood location.  She was at least six feet tall, with a lean frame and bushy gray hair that wrapped around a kind but steely face.  Wire-rimmed glasses always rested about two-thirds down the bridge of her nose. 

Edna and Kim had worked together at the Calumet Park campus.  Both lived on the north side, so they had jumped at the chance to move to the Loop location.  Edna was a witty lady whose neatly-styled white hair complemented her always-fashionable clothes, and who moved through life much faster than her short, 63-year old frame should have allowed.  Kim, considerably younger than Bernice and Edna, carried a rougher edge through her day.  Mira observed that Kim took on the most difficult cases, from child abuse to trauma.  The circles under her eyes were but one sign that her cases had taken a long-term effect on her.  She’d always schedule ten-minute intervals between clients to allow her to go outside and smoke at least two cigarettes.  “One to detox from the last meeting, one to prepare for the next,” she’d say. 

The four of them found a booth right by the front window, and consuming helpings of pad Thai and pot stickers, chatted about their new clientele. 

At a break in conversation, Edna piped in: “Mira dear, do you have a boyfriend?” 

Mira froze in her chair, forcing a smile in response.  She fought off the hot rush of embarrassment rising in her face.  Why, she thought, did people feel the need to break the ice with her using the topic of men?  She was single, but had learned that saying so usually led to back-handed compliments (“How on earth could you be single?”), followed by the prospective introduction to someone or another.  It was flattering for a while, but even the most genuine of compliments aged quickly when repeated too often. 

“Hmm, well, why do you ask?” she smiled back at Edna, trying to hide the slight bit of frustration her expression had surely given away. 

“Oh, no reason,” Edna replied, retreating a bit, still with a genuine smile.  “I guess we were just wondering, that’s all.” 

“I don’t care,” Bernice grinned at Mira, taking a sip of her iced tea. 

“I think what our friend Edna’s getting at,” Kim started, “is something about her nephew.  Isn’t that right Edna?  See, we know all about him.  I even met him myself.  Nice guy, a cop.  Low-thirties, lost his wife years ago.  Sad story.  Still, he’s handsome, nice tush.  Built like an ox, but wouldn’t hurt a fly.  So, you wanna meet him?” 

Edna flushed, taking a sip of her tea.  “Okay, something like that,” she admitted. 

After hearing about her nephew’s wife, Mira decided to humor Edna a little.  “Has he dated often since?” 

“Not a one,” Kim cut in before Edna could respond.  “Fussy one he is, if you ask me.  Or can’t move on, one or the other.” 

“Let’s give Edna a chance here,” Mira offered.  “Continue, Edna.” 

“I think,” Edna exhaled, putting her palms on the table, “that you’ve all made your point clear.  How about we change the subject?  Did you know, the city is going to offer special group therapy sessions at city hall starting week after next, paying moderators $1,000 for each course.  It runs six weeks, just two nights a week.  There are slots open if any of you girls is interested.” 

“Something to think about,” Kim sat back in her chair, “if you can’t get enough of this job during the day.  Thanks, I’ll keep my evenings to myself.” 

Bernice had started to flip through the day’s edition of the newspaper.  “Will you look at that,” she said.  “Another one of those murders.  Just like the others – gang members.  One dead, one left alive.  Guy all in black, with a ski mask.  This is like the fifth one, isn’t it?” 

“Fifth, sixth,” Kim commented passively.  “Who’s counting?” 

“It says here,” Bernice continued to read, “that in the last two cases now, the words ‘Protector of the People’ were found spray painted on the ground underneath the victims.  What do you think that means?” 

“Well, whatever it means,” Edna added, “I’m sure the police are doing their best to catch him.” 

“I suppose,” replied Bernice, scanning down the story.  “But apparently whoever it is, they’re not leaving much of a trail to follow.” 

The subject then changed to the weather and other small talk.  Soon afterwards, the four of them finished up lunch and headed back to the clinic for their afternoon appointments. 

_____  

Chris Lindberg’s first novel, Code of Darkness, was released in August 2011.  You can find out more by visiting www.codeofdarkness.com, or visiting Facebook and searching on “code of darkness.” 

To purchase Code of Darkness in paperback or e-book edition, please search “code of darkness” on Amazon, iTunes, or BN.com. 
You can also email him at chris@codeofdarkness.com – he’d love to hear from you.