A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH by Coy Hall / Z-View

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH by Coy Hall

Publisher: Shotgun Honey Books (November 10, 2023)

First sentence…

The Marley Caldwell Palace of Motion Pictures was a lot of name for a second-run theater on the edge of East 14th and Sycamore Street.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The year is 1956.  And it’s not a good one for Royce Pembrook.  He’s an ex-con.  He works at a rundown theater that shows features making their last lap.  He lives in a one room apartment and it ain’t on the good side of town.

But just a few years back Pembrook was on top of the world.

He was a conman.  And a great one.  Pembrook did his best work running séances.  Pembrook’s charm, quick wit and ability to think on his feet made him a favorite of rich, grieving widows.  Life was good.

Until it wasn’t.

A stint in prison cured Pembrook of his conman ways.  He busts his hump working at the theater doing all the jobs the owner doesn’t want.  And he’s just getting by.

Then one night Anna Vogel shows up.  Pembrook hasn’t seen her in years.  Anna worked with him on the circuit.  She was good, but when they teamed it was magic.  Anna’s on the run with a purse full of stolen cash.  She needs Pembrook’s help to escape the city and the killer after her.

Pembrook, against his best judgment, throws caution to the wind.  He quits his job and takes off with Anna.  Another city and they’re back to their old ways.  What Royce Pembrook doesn’t yet know is that Anna’s plan is working perfectly.

+++++

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH is my first book by Coy Hall.  I promise it won’t be my last.  I loved the unique story, the fast pace, interesting characters.  It had just the right mix of mystery, suspense, violence and humor.  I hope we get more Royce Pembrook stories, but until then I plan to check out Hall’s other novels.

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH gets my highest recommendation.

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