August is Murder ...... Molly's reviews

Oct 10 '01 (Updated Apr 18 '07)    Write an essay on this topic.


The Bottom Line AUGUST IS MURDER is a gripping narrative which appeals to lovers of good action packed mystery thrillers.


AUGUST IS MURDER

Enjoyd the read ............ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

THE REVIEW
Nick Bancroft has made somebody mad, real real mad. So far they have torched the building where he lives, by shot at him and who knows how or when they are going to try to kill him next. Nick, a journalist by trade, inherited both his top floor office and his detective agency and has found that he enjoys detective work even more than he does journalism. Because of the fire, Bancroft finds himself having no home and possessing only his files, a small cat who lived in the building and came by for supper each day and the clothes he threw on when he realized the building was afire. The generosity of Otto, the owner of the bar where Nick has been spending a lot of his time, comes to Nick's rescue by allowing the newly homeless fellow a place to spend the rest of the night.

The day before the fire Bancroft had half way accepted a new client, Kathleen Cameron is a strange person claiming to have received death threats. Bancroft, Kathleen, Otto and Maggie, the former secretary of the only other business in the burned out structure find themselves drawn into an ever stranger, worsening web of intrigue, deceit and murder.

When Kathleen's husband is murdered, she is accused of the homicide. Maggie seethes with jealousy and Otto first gives up his tavern and then reopens it again. Underlying everything as Bancroft attempts to unravel this harrowing situation is something known only as 'The Club.' The machinations of several wealthy, powerful men who are 'the power behind the throne' in Central City, Illinois cause both Nick and Kathleen to be evicted from their homes, Otto is threatened with having his tavern razed, and Maggie is fired from her job. The situation appears bleak and almost beyond repair.

Writing in the first person Bob Liter has produced a power packed novel which draws the reader into the story from the opening line and holds their attention right on to the surprising revelation concerning 'The Club,' and the conclusion of the tale.

Reminiscent of Ellery Queen twists and turns in tandem with the throat clutch drama of William Manchee's Stan Turner mystery series, writer Liter has produced a mystery thriller of exciting dimensions. The narrative is peopled with fascinating, credible characters who interact with one another in understandable and plausible fashion.

Liter's private detective is a gem, no suave, 'got it wrapped up in hours' investigator here. Bancroft is beset with many of the very same foibles as are the readers; it is that quality which make him seem so alive and so likable.

Liter has peopled his narrative with a group of entertaining characters ranging from the lively, nubile Kathleen to the powerful local cartel these are people you feel you almost know. The consternation voiced by Kathleen, Maggie's annoyance and Bancroft's befuddled dealings with the two women is both humorous and acceptable. Nick Bancroft is a tenacious detective, well able to ferret out the truth even as he stumbles in his dealings with attractive women.

Writer Liter crafts a deft tale of murder, complicity and downright evil with a skill usually reserved for those who have been at the writing craft for a longer period. AUGUST IS MURDER is the first in this series, book 2 has been accepted for publication by New Concepts Publishing, and Washington, Illinois resident Liter says books 3 and 4 are finished and are being shopped to print publishers. AUGUST IS MURDER is a gripping narrative which appeals to lovers of good action packed mystery thrillers. Highly recommended.
Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend

I received review copy from author
Reviewed Molly's REVIEWS



AUGUST IS MURDER
by Bob Liter
ISBN 1586081691
New Concepts Publishing 2000
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com






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