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The Case
Jake's last job was never going to be open and shut
Intrepid private investigator Jake comes out of retirement to help mob boss, Don Michael retrieve a bag from a business associate. Only Jake discovers he is not the only one on its trail as he joins forces with an FBI agent and a British spy.
For reasons Jake wishes he could figure out, the CIA, the FBI, the KKK, the British Secret Service and the mob want to get their hands on the leather briefcase and whatever secrets lurk inside. Can Jake find the bag and make it back to New York before he is killed or are the dark forces circling overhead too powerful for anyone to stop them?
This standalone pulp fiction novel flits around Jake's life weaving a tale which spreads from the 1940s to the 1990s as he tries to piece together the clues to discover what is so valuable that government agencies and organized criminals might want to get their hands on a crummy old case. Before the story is over, Jake witnesses incest, robbery, kidnapping, torture and murder: a typical day in the life of a private dick.
Contains violence, some profanity and surprisingly few scenes of a sexual nature.
Intrepid private investigator Jake comes out of retirement to help mob boss, Don Michael retrieve a bag from a business associate. Only Jake discovers he is not the only one on its trail as he joins forces with an FBI agent and a British spy.
For reasons Jake wishes he could figure out, the CIA, the FBI, the KKK, the British Secret Service and the mob want to get their hands on the leather briefcase and whatever secrets lurk inside. Can Jake find the bag and make it back to New York before he is killed or are the dark forces circling overhead too powerful for anyone to stop them?
This standalone pulp fiction novel flits around Jake's life weaving a tale which spreads from the 1940s to the 1990s as he tries to piece together the clues to discover what is so valuable that government agencies and organized criminals might want to get their hands on a crummy old case. Before the story is over, Jake witnesses incest, robbery, kidnapping, torture and murder: a typical day in the life of a private dick.
Contains violence, some profanity and surprisingly few scenes of a sexual nature.
331 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 10, 2019
Very interesting story of a Private Investigator who tells us stories of his life over the years. Suspenseful, mysterious tales of his involvement with the Mob and the many quick,people-watching missions he is hired for by others who pick his name from an ad!
The characters keep you involved from page one, the scenes are well described so that you can actually see what is happening...If you dare!!!
I received an ARC from author Leopold Borstinski, who I thank for a great read, and I give you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
The characters keep you involved from page one, the scenes are well described so that you can actually see what is happening...If you dare!!!
I received an ARC from author Leopold Borstinski, who I thank for a great read, and I give you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
June 30, 2019
In this stand alone novel, Leopold Borstinski brings his professional experiences as a P.I to bear in a frantic, frenetic race against time .
Is authentic, sweary, violent and no holds barred noir crime your bag? You need to open 'The Case'.
Jake has to deliver a parcel which should in itself be a straight forward task, if it weren't for all the people after him. This includes the Mafia , whose antics Leopold describes so well in his 'Lagotti Family series' , it has a retro feel reminiscent of Mario Puzo, whose spectre I suspect lingers over anyone who ventures into this area.
Gritty, noirish and dark, yet not devoid of patches of humour to lighten the mood, this book is not for the easily offended or those who find swearing objetionable, To be frank, a book involving blackmail, double crossing and crime is hardly going to be floating in an 'Oh my gosh!' sea of expressions! SO YOU ARE WARNED!
Being a tough nut, this bothered me NOT AT ALL, it adds authenticity to the story and grit int he wheels of the plot.
Jake is a hard character to get to know, he is not the guy in the white hat, and that is the point-no-one is really above corruption, lines get blurred between right and wrong no matter what side of the law you are on, when greed, power and ambition get involved.
It reflects such a long time period as well, which is the later half of the 20th century, so you really get a feel for the time period and the monumental changes comparing then to now.It also emphasises the HUGENESS of the case and as time goes on the stakes get higher and higher...
Will Jake make it to the end of the novel? What is in the package?You'll have to read 'The Case' to find out...
Is authentic, sweary, violent and no holds barred noir crime your bag? You need to open 'The Case'.
Jake has to deliver a parcel which should in itself be a straight forward task, if it weren't for all the people after him. This includes the Mafia , whose antics Leopold describes so well in his 'Lagotti Family series' , it has a retro feel reminiscent of Mario Puzo, whose spectre I suspect lingers over anyone who ventures into this area.
Gritty, noirish and dark, yet not devoid of patches of humour to lighten the mood, this book is not for the easily offended or those who find swearing objetionable, To be frank, a book involving blackmail, double crossing and crime is hardly going to be floating in an 'Oh my gosh!' sea of expressions! SO YOU ARE WARNED!
Being a tough nut, this bothered me NOT AT ALL, it adds authenticity to the story and grit int he wheels of the plot.
Jake is a hard character to get to know, he is not the guy in the white hat, and that is the point-no-one is really above corruption, lines get blurred between right and wrong no matter what side of the law you are on, when greed, power and ambition get involved.
It reflects such a long time period as well, which is the later half of the 20th century, so you really get a feel for the time period and the monumental changes comparing then to now.It also emphasises the HUGENESS of the case and as time goes on the stakes get higher and higher...
Will Jake make it to the end of the novel? What is in the package?You'll have to read 'The Case' to find out...
June 26, 2019
3.5 review to follow
June 23, 2019
This was a really different read for me in more ways than one and, for that reason alone, I really enjoyed it. My favourite thing about taking part in blog tours is getting pushed out of my comfort zone and picking up books that I would not normally read. Expanding our reading horizons is a great thing, I learn things I would never have known before, become exposed to different styles of writing, different genres and different life experiences. All of this helps with my own writing, and also my own experience and empathy in life. A lot to gain from one little book, hey? This is the secret that avid and diverse readers know and want to share with the rest of the world!
Anyway, enough waxing lyrical about the advantages of reading widely and back to the book in hand. This is a an old school pulp fiction-style novel of a kind I would never normally pick up under my own volition. It’s protagonist is a low-level gumshoe with dubious morals, grifting his way through life doing PI work for suspicious spouses and local hoodlums, until he gets entangled with the Mob and becomes embroiled in events above his usual pay grade which offer him greater rewards and greater dangers than he usually experiences.
The way the book is structured is quite unusual, because it involves the biggest case of the MC’s career, recovering a missing case for a Mafia boss (The Case of the title, but also a play on words because it is his biggest case. Clever.) But, whilst we are following this investigation, the PI is also reminicising about previous cases that have shaped him and his business over the years, so the book jumps around between different time periods, different cities and different investigations. This is a really interesting and informative way of informing us about the character and providing a lot of interesting stories. In fact, I felt like this actually read like a collection of short stories, rather than a contiguous novel, which I quite liked but I guess may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, the fact that it jumps around, and not always in a very obvious way, requires a higher level of concentration than may otherwise be needed for this type of book and it did get confusing a couple of times, particularly when I was reading late at night.
The story itself is gritty and does not pull any punches. This book is dark, containing a lot of violent scenes, graphic descriptions and gratuitous sex. Anyone who is not a fan of any of these things in books will not enjoy this because it runs unapologeticically throughout. I had no problem with it as I’m not squeamish and it felt very true to the story and the character and the style of novel being written, but it certainly will not be for everyone. The characters in this book are not pleasant people, they do very unpleasant things to one another and feel no remorse. This is even true of the main character, although he does seem to have a moral line which he will not cross and, because we get an insight into his motivations and inner thoughts, the reader does end up having some sympathy and affection for him, despite his many failings. I think it is a cleverly written book.
This was a really interesting and diverting read for me which stretched my mind and my reading experiences out of my normal safe zone. Has it converted me to a huge fan of dark pulp fiction? Probably not, it will still not be my genre of choice. However, if you do like this style of book, I think you will get a lot from this interesting new take on it and the writing is great. Have a look and see what you think.
Anyway, enough waxing lyrical about the advantages of reading widely and back to the book in hand. This is a an old school pulp fiction-style novel of a kind I would never normally pick up under my own volition. It’s protagonist is a low-level gumshoe with dubious morals, grifting his way through life doing PI work for suspicious spouses and local hoodlums, until he gets entangled with the Mob and becomes embroiled in events above his usual pay grade which offer him greater rewards and greater dangers than he usually experiences.
The way the book is structured is quite unusual, because it involves the biggest case of the MC’s career, recovering a missing case for a Mafia boss (The Case of the title, but also a play on words because it is his biggest case. Clever.) But, whilst we are following this investigation, the PI is also reminicising about previous cases that have shaped him and his business over the years, so the book jumps around between different time periods, different cities and different investigations. This is a really interesting and informative way of informing us about the character and providing a lot of interesting stories. In fact, I felt like this actually read like a collection of short stories, rather than a contiguous novel, which I quite liked but I guess may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, the fact that it jumps around, and not always in a very obvious way, requires a higher level of concentration than may otherwise be needed for this type of book and it did get confusing a couple of times, particularly when I was reading late at night.
The story itself is gritty and does not pull any punches. This book is dark, containing a lot of violent scenes, graphic descriptions and gratuitous sex. Anyone who is not a fan of any of these things in books will not enjoy this because it runs unapologeticically throughout. I had no problem with it as I’m not squeamish and it felt very true to the story and the character and the style of novel being written, but it certainly will not be for everyone. The characters in this book are not pleasant people, they do very unpleasant things to one another and feel no remorse. This is even true of the main character, although he does seem to have a moral line which he will not cross and, because we get an insight into his motivations and inner thoughts, the reader does end up having some sympathy and affection for him, despite his many failings. I think it is a cleverly written book.
This was a really interesting and diverting read for me which stretched my mind and my reading experiences out of my normal safe zone. Has it converted me to a huge fan of dark pulp fiction? Probably not, it will still not be my genre of choice. However, if you do like this style of book, I think you will get a lot from this interesting new take on it and the writing is great. Have a look and see what you think.
April 14, 2019
A fascinating novel that touches on certain periods of the life and career of a private investigator. He has worked to protect, annihilate and even the mundane task of following errant spouses. Pulp fiction at its best. Travel through his memories to his final case.
June 29, 2019
What was in the case?
This fabulous pulp fiction novel grabs you and takes you on a mind-blowing journey from the 1940s to the 1990s as P.I. Jake Adkins reminisces on other cases while on his quest to retrieve 'The Case', knowing that the CIA, the FBI, the KKK, the British Secret Service, and the mob all want it. But why???
Thrilling non-stop action and suspense keep the pages turning as you stay riveted to this book.
This fabulous pulp fiction novel grabs you and takes you on a mind-blowing journey from the 1940s to the 1990s as P.I. Jake Adkins reminisces on other cases while on his quest to retrieve 'The Case', knowing that the CIA, the FBI, the KKK, the British Secret Service, and the mob all want it. But why???
Thrilling non-stop action and suspense keep the pages turning as you stay riveted to this book.
June 26, 2019
This is classic pulp noir, a Private Investigator who gets caught up with the Mob, putting himself in more danger than you can shake a stick at….
Our PI is investigating ‘The Case’ ….a huge case that will hopefully bring some reward……with plenty of background into previous cases you really get a feel for Jake as a character.
This is a dark, violent and at times sexy and shows the seedy and unpleasant side to the characters and the lifestyle they lead….a compelling and entertaining read.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Our PI is investigating ‘The Case’ ….a huge case that will hopefully bring some reward……with plenty of background into previous cases you really get a feel for Jake as a character.
This is a dark, violent and at times sexy and shows the seedy and unpleasant side to the characters and the lifestyle they lead….a compelling and entertaining read.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
June 27, 2019
Jake Adkins is a private investigator hired by mob boss Don Micheal Lambretti to find out what is in the bag that the mob, the FBI, the CIA, the KKK and the British Secret Service want. The story takes place during the 1940's through 1990's where Jake wity murder, torture, kidnapping, robbery, incest and of course, the case. This suspenseful action-packed novel kept me reading until the very end. I really enjoyed reading this crime fiction novel by Leopold Borstinski.
June 29, 2019
An non stop, action packed thriller - full of suspense! Check out my review on my blog -> http://bookworminglife.com/the-case/
June 15, 2019
Thanks to Emma from Damp Pebbles Blog Tours for my copy of The Case by Leopold Borstinski.
A first time author for me, after looking up his previous works i was intrigued to try this out, this really is my kind of story.
Jake Adkins is a private investigator and this story, told in the first person, details his life and adventures. It’s almost a memoir.
We follow some crazy adventures as Jake works for the Mob, he is often is tasked with helping friends and clients of Don Micheal Lambretti.
Adultery, Incest, British spies, the mob, Las Vegas, kidnap, The Korean War and of course, The case ... this is a startling romp through America and its crime scene over an extended period of time.
Jake is an interesting character, and though he has some morals, they tend to be used when they suit him best, I liked Jake a lot, he is very human.
The writing is sharp, descriptive and keeps you gripped with short punchy paragraphs and chapters that makes it very easy to keep turning.
Pure classic pulp fiction, it’s crime noir at its absolute best. I’ve not read any of Borstinski's other works but based on this I shall be and very soon.
A fascinating, gritty, entertaining tale, written in a very different style, for me this is a fantastic book.
4.5🔥🔥🔥🔥
A first time author for me, after looking up his previous works i was intrigued to try this out, this really is my kind of story.
Jake Adkins is a private investigator and this story, told in the first person, details his life and adventures. It’s almost a memoir.
We follow some crazy adventures as Jake works for the Mob, he is often is tasked with helping friends and clients of Don Micheal Lambretti.
Adultery, Incest, British spies, the mob, Las Vegas, kidnap, The Korean War and of course, The case ... this is a startling romp through America and its crime scene over an extended period of time.
Jake is an interesting character, and though he has some morals, they tend to be used when they suit him best, I liked Jake a lot, he is very human.
The writing is sharp, descriptive and keeps you gripped with short punchy paragraphs and chapters that makes it very easy to keep turning.
Pure classic pulp fiction, it’s crime noir at its absolute best. I’ve not read any of Borstinski's other works but based on this I shall be and very soon.
A fascinating, gritty, entertaining tale, written in a very different style, for me this is a fantastic book.
4.5🔥🔥🔥🔥
June 25, 2019
Action-packed and incredibly compelling, this is a tough one to put down. I enjoyed reading this and would love to read more from this author. I highly recommend this book if you like books with action and a private dick.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 23, 2019
Suspenseful as you can get, what’s not to love. Jake thinks his last case might be straight forward, how wrong. Don’t miss out.
August 21, 2019
A Good Read
This book to me was Unique because I've never read a Private Eye story that took a Charcter from the Beginning of his career to the end
this book is old fashioned story telling
a noir style and a anti hero with no true motives other than money a collection of short stories from the 1949 to 1999 one of the tales
didnt appeal to me but the writer did a great job capturing the era's &the attitudes his Charcter experienced
This book to me was Unique because I've never read a Private Eye story that took a Charcter from the Beginning of his career to the end
this book is old fashioned story telling
a noir style and a anti hero with no true motives other than money a collection of short stories from the 1949 to 1999 one of the tales
didnt appeal to me but the writer did a great job capturing the era's &the attitudes his Charcter experienced
August 11, 2019
he is a PI and he is given a packet to transport but it is not going to be as easy as he will have the law after him as well as the mob. will he make it? Can he deliver the packet? See how he gets on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews