Scan barcode
A review by constantreader471
Atlanta Deathwatch by Ralph Dennis
4.0
A solid 4 stars
Thanks to Brash Books for sending me this eARC through their Priority reviewers program. It is a republication of an overlooked author. His first publisher published his books as cheap men's action-adventure paperbacks. In reality, this one is book 1 in a series of hard boiled private eye stories in the tradition of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I found the plot to be well written with believable characters. Jim Hardman is an ex Atlanta policeman who was forced to resign after being falsely implicated in a corruption scandal. He now works as unlicensed PI. He has an African American sidekick, Hump, an ex football player who can ask questions where Hardman can't.
Hardman is hired by a member of the Black Mafia to find the killer of his white girlfriend, Emily Campbell.
Together Hardman and Hump follow the trail of clues as more people die. They do solve the case and there is a satisfying ending. There is a disclaimer at the beginning explaining that the book was published in 1974 and reflects the cultural and sexual attitudes of the time.
This book was an easy fast paced read --2 days.
I plan to read more books in this series.
Thanks to Brash Books for sending me this eARC through their Priority reviewers program. It is a republication of an overlooked author. His first publisher published his books as cheap men's action-adventure paperbacks. In reality, this one is book 1 in a series of hard boiled private eye stories in the tradition of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I found the plot to be well written with believable characters. Jim Hardman is an ex Atlanta policeman who was forced to resign after being falsely implicated in a corruption scandal. He now works as unlicensed PI. He has an African American sidekick, Hump, an ex football player who can ask questions where Hardman can't.
Hardman is hired by a member of the Black Mafia to find the killer of his white girlfriend, Emily Campbell.
Together Hardman and Hump follow the trail of clues as more people die. They do solve the case and there is a satisfying ending. There is a disclaimer at the beginning explaining that the book was published in 1974 and reflects the cultural and sexual attitudes of the time.
This book was an easy fast paced read --2 days.
I plan to read more books in this series.