I’ve been working
on mystery novellas for a while now. The Blue Dragon has just been released
and there are plans for the sequel, The
Black Tortoise, in 2017. The last two books in the Carly Paladino/Noah Lang
series are also novellas — both easily read on a flight, say, from Boston to
L.A. Novellas are longer than short
stories and shorter than novels
The
Blue Dragon — Peter Strand is a Chinese American private eye who “follows the
money.” As a forensic accountant, he’s
especially qualified to solve crimes. In
this short tale, Strand, who speaks not a word of Chinese, is sent to Chinatown
to calm tenants of a small apartment house in San Francisco’s Chinatown, where
his P.R. assignment turns into a murder investigation. But it appears that at
least one one of the tenants is the problem. It’s up to Strand to find out
which one.
Series: Rapid Reads
Paperback: 168 pages ($9.95)
Publisher: Raven Books, Orca
ISBN-10: 1459809041
ISBN-13: 978-1459809048
Death
In The Haight — When Michael Vanderveer goes missing in San Francisco,
Private Investigator Noah Lang assumes it’s just another runaway escaping to
the Haight, San Francisco’s home to the displaced… until the homicide cops pays
the P.I. a visit. Fifteen-year-old Michael has been implicated in the murder of
a prostitute, and the police don’t want Lang’ search mucking up their
investigation — especially Inspector Stern, who has strong opinions about
Lang’s questionable past. But Lang becomes inextricably involved when he is hired
by Michael’s parents: Their son is being ransomed, and they want Lang to ensure
the exchange goes smoothly. As everyone waits for the kidnappers to make their
next move, Lang struggles with the moral implications of rescuing Michael only
to have to turn him in for murder. Then there is Stern, whose increasingly
volatile behavior may just put Lang’s life in as grave danger as Michael’s. The
Guilt Edge Mystery from Dutton is available in e-book form for $2.99.
E-Book: $2.99
Print Length: 93 pages
Publisher: Dutton, Penguin Group (USA) LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B008ON3XLI
Mascara,
Death in the Tenderloin — From the very beginning, things just aren’t what they seem. On a late,
lonely night, San Francisco private investigator Noah Lang’s eyes deceive him.
He makes a mistake. But what should have been simply an embarrassing moment
becomes a deadly walk on the wild side. Unfortunately for Lang, before this
nightmare is over, he puts his life on the line a second time for a new client
who may or may not have a missing husband, who might or might not live on a
boat in Tiburon and who seems to have an odd way to settle the bill for
services rendered. This novella, a lively, tougher precursor to the San
Francisco series, is available as an e-book and in paperback.
E-Book: $3.99
Publisher: Life, Death and Fog Books
Publication Date: June 22, 2011
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B0057P2D5S
Paperback: 150 pages ($12.57)
Publisher: Life, Death and Fog Books
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615493564
ISBN-13: 978-0615493565
These books were
satisfying undertakings. I was especially pleased to find Rapid Reads from
Orca. Because I admire the publisher’s mission to provide quality fiction and become
a catalyst for new readership I was thrilled that my interest in this form of
short fiction and the very direct way I write is a natural fit with this exciting
and pioneering imprint.
If you find a story you want to read, find the book icon on the left column and click.
If you find a story you want to read, find the book icon on the left column and click.
