Category: Crime

WHERE THE BONES LIE by Nick Kolakowski!

Posted on by

Nick Kolakowski has a new novel coming out on March 25, 2025.  WHERE THE BONES LIE sounds like a winner…

Centered around the small California town of San Douglas, Where the Bones Lie is an electrifying new mystery noir novel, perfect for fans of Jordan Harper.

For Dash Fuller, Hollywood’s underbelly is home sweet home. He’s spent years helping to disappear the film industry’s worst secrets, and it’s left him a cynical burnout who loves bourbon a little too much. But when a young woman named Madeline Ironwood comes to him with a peculiar quest, Dash sees it as a chance for redemption.

Madeline is the daughter of Ken Ironwood, a notorious smuggler and murderer who disappeared 20 years ago. Ken’s skeleton was recently discovered in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake, and Madeline wants to know who killed him.

Dash agrees to help, and as this desperate daughter and jaded cynic claw their way through a world of sun-bleached secrets, crooked cops, and Hollywood thugs, they soon uncover a massive conspiracy involving some of LA’s most powerful people.

Get ready for a fast-paced, darkly funny thriller with a twist you won’t see coming

Preorders are available now.

“Unit 234: The Lock Up” starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Don Johnson & Jack Huston – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by

The poster and trailer for Unit 234: The Lock Up are here.  It stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Don Johnson and Jack Huston.

Deal me in.

After the discovery of an unconscious man in a locked unit, the lone employee of a remote storage facility must fight to survive the night.

Overtime is hell for Isabelle Fuhrman in this tense white-knuckle thriller. After a shocking discovery of an unconscious man in a locked unit, the lone employee of a remote storage facility must fight to survive the night against a ruthless gang, dead set on retrieving their precious cargo – at any cost.

Starring Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan: First Kill), Don Johnson (Knives Out) and Jack Huston (Kill Your Darlings), Unit 234: The Lock Up is written by Derek Steiner and directed by Andy Tennant (Fool’s Gold).

LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN By Ace Atkins & Marco Finnegan / Z-View

Posted on by

LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN By Ace Atkins (writer) and Marco Finnegan (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Nick Travers is a Tulane University blues historian.  You’d never know that by just looking.  Nick played pro ball for the New Orleans Saints.  But those glory days are behind him.  Now still a young man, Nick spends time at JoJo’s bar drinking too much and listening to Fats make his sax sing.

Fats is an old-time bluesman and Nick’s friend. Fats’ gambling and drinking often eat up his paycheck before the week is over. So when Fats takes a break, Nick offers to buy him a meal. As they’re talking Fats says that he’s in love.  Real love.  He’s found a woman and she’s something.

Two days later Fats is dead.  Self-inflicted gun shot is the reported cause.

Nick is given the task to clean out Fats’ apartment.  It’s a sad job.  Too many memories.  Then it gets worse. Nick realizes that Fats’ beloved saxophone is missing.  Nick is determined to learn who took it.

As Nick begins looking for the sax, he gets information that leads him down a different path.  One that involves human trafficking, rich and powerful men and the woman that Fats loved.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I first became aware of Ace Atkins when he took over writing Robert B. Parker’s Spencer novels. Atkins was the perfect choice to continue the series. Which led me to Ace Atkins’ Quinn Colson novels.  Each new novel became a must read.  So when I learned that Ace had done a graphic novel with Marco Finnegan, it was a quick buy.  I wasn’t let down.

Atkins has created a great protagonist.  A college professor built like a thug.  A bluesman.  Someone willing and able to right wrongs and go the distance for a friend.  The Nick Travers novels have now moved to my “must-get” list.

Marco Finnegan was a great choice to create the art for this graphic novel.  Finnegan was an Atkins fan and actually reached out to Ace with samples of his art.  The two hit it off and the end result was LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN.  Finnegan’s art is black and white with gray wash which is an excellent choice for a noir story.  I’m a fan of Marco’s art thanks to LAST FAIR DEAL.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Chris Brunner’s wraparound cover.  It’s the icing on the cake.

LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN By Ace Atkins (writer) and Marco Finnegan (artist) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“Depravity” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by

The poster is pretty generic, but I like the trailer to Depravity.

Deal me in.

When three residents suspect their reclusive neighbor is a serial killer, they break into his apartment only to uncover a hidden fortune in stolen art. But their discovery turns into a nightmare as they’re ensnared in a sadistic game of survival, where every corner hides a new horror. Outsmart the killer, or become his next victim.

Starring Victoria Justice, Devon Ross, Taylor John Smith, and Dermot Mulroney. From the writer of THE FIGHTER and THE FINEST HOURS.

In Theaters and On Digital October 11, 2024

THE WAYS OF WOLFE by James Carlos Blake / Z-View

Posted on by

THE WAYS OF WOLFE by James Carlos Blake

First sentence…

Axel Wolfe stole a white Ford Fairmont out of the zoo parking lot, then followed Duro’s black Mustang up to I-30 and then eastward a few miles to an exit near a shopping mall.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Axel Prince Wolfe was a married college student whose future was assured.  On track to take a position of honor in the Wolfe family’s law firm.  Axel would have a position of power to various Wolfe family criminal endeavors.  Success and riches were assured.

When an opportunity for a big money heist came his way, it was too much for Axel to resist.  He went in with his best friend, Billy, and a Mexican stranger.  When things went sideways Billy and the new guy took off.  Axel was arrested and convicted.  A thirty year prison sentence took away everything.

Axel disgraced his family.  His wife took off.  His young daughter would grow up refusing to see him.

After two decades in prison, with another decade to go, Axel get the opportunity to escape. He takes it.  Axel and Cacho, an inmate with cartel connections make it out.  Now Axel and Cacho are on the run into the badlands.  With state and local cops dogging their trail and Federales on the Mexican side waiting, the chance for survival is slim.

But if he does survive Axel will see his daughter… and have his revenge.

+++++

James Carlos Blake has created a universe where the Wolfe family’s history spans decades.  It’s interesting (and fun) to see how Wolfe’s on both sides of the border work together in respectable/legal as well as criminal enterprises.

I’ve never been disappointed by any of James Carlos Blake’s novels, but his Wolfe tales are always moved to the top of my to-be-read pile.

Rating:

“To Catch a Killer” (2023) directed by Damián Szifron, starring Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo and Ralph Ineson / Z-View

Posted on by

To Catch a Killer (2023)

Director: Damián Szifron

Screenplay: Damián Szifron, Jonathan Wakeham

Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo, Ralph Ineson, Richard Zeman, Dusan Dukic, Jason Cavalier, Darcy Laurie, Mark Camacho, Marcello Bezina and Maurizio Terrazzano.

Tagline: A city at the center of chaos. A detective with special skills. A madman testing her limits.

The Plot…

A sniper from a high rise begins shooting New Year’s Eve rooftop partiers.  Dozens of people are killed.  The sniper is fast and efficient.  One shot.  One kill.  Police throughout the area are called to respond.  An explosion rocks the building used by the sniper.  As people begin pouring out of the structure, street cop, Eleanor Falco (Woodley) begins recording faces and tells other officers to do the same.

Special Agent Lammark of the FBI (Mendelsohn) is put in charge of the case.  He learns that Eleanor had the presence of mind to record those exiting the building.  Lammark speaks with her and is quickly impressed with her frankness and intuition.  Lammark invites Eleanor to join him and FBI agent Jack McKenzie (Adepo) on the case. She accepts.

Lammark gets some pushback from higher ups at the FBI.  Eleanor had applied to the Bureau and been rejected.  She had no college and things in her background that made her unacceptable.  Lammark stands his ground and Eleanor is kept on the team.

The sniper killed dozens of people.  Another mass killing is coming soon.  As Lammark, Eleanor and McKenzie work the case, the public outcry intensifies.  Politicians and FBI brass put the pressure on Lammark.

Then they get the break they need…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I absolutely loved To Catch a Killer.  Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn and Ralph Ineson give power house performances.  This is Damián Szifron’s first time directing an English language film and he hit a home run.  Kudos also to Damián Szifron and Jonathan Wakeham for their screenplay.

To Catch a Killer (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

NOIR BURLESQUE by Enrico Marini / Z-View

Posted on by

NOIR BURLESQUE by Enrico Marini (writer/artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Terry Cole agreed to one job to pay of his brother-in-law’s debt to a gangster named Rex.  It was a jewelry store robbery.  The heist went sideways when the getaway driver panicked and left early.  Terry made it out, but the haul came up short.  There wasn’t enough to cancel the debt.

To make matters worse, Terry discovers that Rex’s fiancée is Terry’s former lover.  Terry knew her as Debbie, but she now goes by Caprice.  Caprice is gaining a reputation as a burlesque entertainer.  Caprice dreams of stardom and Rex has the money and pull to help her get it.  Still, the attraction to Terry is still there.  And Terry feels the same.  Caprice loves the sex with Terry, but loves the idea of stardom more.

Rex learns of their past relationship and believes that they’ve started seeing each other.  (They have.  But is it lust or love?)  Rex orders Terry to do another job to finish paying off his brother-in-law’s debt.  It’s a suicide mission to rip off Rex’s competition — an Italian mobster.  If Terry is successful, Rex will kill him.

Terry is outmaneuvered and outgunned.  Or is he?  Terry has a secret and a plan that just might save his life.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you’re a fan of crime fiction and film noir, NOIR BURLESQUE is for you.  It’s obvious that Enrico Marini loves the genre.  Set in the 1950s, Marini checks off all the boxes expected for a fun crime story.  It’s got the stoic tough guy anti-hero, the sexy former lover who is as apt to shoot you as she is to make love to you, the jealous crime boss, the little tough guy and the big dumb lug henchmen.  It’s got sex (more than in older film noir, but nothing too graphic).  And more than a couple of twists.

I’ve been a fan of Marini’s art for a while, but this is the first story I’ve read by him.  I hope it won’t be my last.  (And I’d love to see more NOIR BURLESQUE tales.)

NOIR BURLESQUE by Enrico Marini (writer/artist) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“The Living Ghost” (1942) / Z-View

Posted on by

The Living Ghost (1942)

Director: William Beaudine

Screenplay: Joseph Hoffman;  Howard Dimsdale (original story)

Stars: James Dunn, Joan Woodbury, Paul McVey, J. Farrell MacDonald.

Tagline: SPOOK CHASER… A reckless sleuth follows the trail of a white ZOMBIE!

The Plot…

When wealthy banker Walter Craig disappears, his best friend, Ed Moline (McVey) hires retired PI, Nick Trayne (Dunn) to find him.  Trayne has his hands full.  Everyone is suspect and that includes Craig’s ex-wife Helen, his daughter Tina and her fiance Arthur, his sister Delia, her husband George, Craig’s friend Tony, Craig’s secretary and even Cedric the butler

When Walter Craig turns up in a zombie-like state, the case changes from a missing person to a who dunnit.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

What could have been a fun old dark house murder mystery/comedy ends up being a lackluster affair.  The title indicates a ghost but we end up with more of a zombie.  Not that a ghost would have livened things up.

The Living Ghost (1942) rates 2 of 5 stars.

RACING THE LIGHT: AN ELVIS COLE AND JOE PIKE NOVEL by Robert Crais / Z-View

Posted on by

RACING THE LIGHT: AN ELVIS COLE AND JOE PIKE NOVEL by Robert Crais

First sentence…

Josh agreed to meet her at the Coffee Club, which was where they met the first time he interviewed her.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Adele Schumacher wants Elvis Cole to find her missing son.  She’s more than willing to pay since she brought a bag of cash (and a very professional security detail).  Her son, Josh, is a podcaster.  Adele believes her son stumbled on to a story big enough to get him killed.  Elvis isn’t so sure, but he takes the case.

At first it appears that Josh may have just run off with his porn star girlfriend.  But as Elvis digs deeper he wonders if the geeky young podcaster really did discover a story that some well placed politicians and a crime cartel are willing to kill to keep secret.

Elvis won’t have to wonder long.  Soon he is marked for execution.  That is nothing new for Elvis and his partner Joe Pike.  But the love of Elvis’ life, Lucy Chenier, and her son, Ben are in town.  And they could become collateral damage.

+++++

I’m a huge fan of Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole and Joe Pike tales. Each new novel is an automatic pick-up.  They’ve never disappointed.  RACING THE LIGHT is no exception.

Rating:

Lethal Weapon (1987) directed by Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson & Danny Glover / Z-View

Posted on by

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Director: Richard Donner

Screenplay:  Shane Black; Jeffrey Boam (uncredited)

Stars: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Jackie Swanson, Ebonie Smith, Bill Kalmenson, Lycia Naff, Don Gordon, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Jason Ronard, Blackie Dammett,  Mary Ellen Trainor, Jack Thibeau, Ed O’Ross, Joan Severance and Al Leong.

Tagline: After 20 years on the force, police detective Roger Murtaugh has come face-to-face with the most dangerous killing machine in Los Angeles… his new partner.

The Plot…

Martin Riggs (Gibson) was a Special Forces Ranger.  Now he’s a Los Angeles police Sergeant.  Since the unexpected death of his wife, Riggs’ behavior has become erratic.  Riggs’ Captain thinks Riggs is faking it to get early retirement.  The police psychologist isn’t so sure.  So the Captain teams Riggs with 20 year veteran Homicide Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Glover). The Captain figures Murtaugh will keep Riggs in line.

Murtaugh quickly discovers Riggs ain’t faking it.

An old friend of Murtaugh contacts him for help.  The friend’s daughter is into drugs, prostitution and pornography.  When Murtaugh and Riggs investigate, they discover a high level para-military organization acting as a drug cartel.

Now Murtaugh and Riggs are marked for death.  If the cartel doesn’t kill them, Riggs’ death wish might.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Richard Donner dedicated the film to legendary stuntman, Dar Robinson, who died shortly after filming was completed.

Gibson was 30 playing a character that is 38.  Glover was 40 playing a 50 year old.

Blackie Dammett whose real name is John Kiedis plays a drug dealer that gets The Three Stooges treatment from Gibson.  Dammett is the father of Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Richard Donner brought in Jeffrey Boam for an uncredited rewrite of Shane Black’s script.  Donner thought Black’s take was too dark.  Boam was brought in again for a clean-up on Lethal Weapon 2.  Boam then wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon 3.

Traci Wolfe played Murtaugh’s teenage daughter that had a crush on Riggs.  At the time of filming Wolfe was 26 and Gibson was 30.

Lethal Weapon is one of my all-time favorite films.  Notice I didn’t just say “action films”.  Everything about this one is right.

Lethal Weapon (1987) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger Novels Being Developed as TV Series by Chad Stahelski!

Posted on by

Jonathan Maberry recently directed fans to Nellie Andreeva’s Deadline article ‘John Wick’s Chad Stahelski To Develop Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger Novels As TV Series.  Here are a few highlights before you click over…

  • Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick franchise, has acquired rights to bestselling author Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger book series…
  • … the Joe Ledger thriller series consist of 10 novels and various offshoots. Its protagonist, Joe Ledger, is a psychologically fractured Baltimore detective secretly recruited by the government to lead a new task force called the Department of Military Sciences to face off against terrorists using bleeding-edge science weapons. Along with his combat dog Ghost, his team of tier-one special operators, and the resources of the mysterious Mr. Church, Joe faces off against the threats no other team is able to stop.

I’ve been a fan of Maberry’s Joe Ledger tales since the very first.  They are all excellent.  I hope the series adapts one novel each season.