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Anthony Carrick Mystery #1
Money Ain't Nothing
Money ain’t nothing if you’ve got a lot of it. But then again, a lot of money won’t necessarily buy happiness either. In this Anthony Carrick mystery, hard boiled detective Anthony Carrick is asked to solve the murder of a rich dame’s son. Police think it’s an accidental death, but could it be something more sinister?
From the moneyed streets of Mulholland Drive to the trashy trailer park home of white trash Goths, Anthony’s quest takes him into the dark underbelly of humanity’s seedy side. Love may be blind, but the love of money is a sure path to murder and regret. The rich may be protected from most of life’s hardships but nobody is beyond the reach of the reaper.
Young love is full of promise and vigor but also of hot emotion. Mix 2 parts spurned lover with 1 part trailer trash and another part quick cash and you’ve got a recipe for murder. From vixens to victims and rich bitches to Hispanic snitches, watch Anthony bring a murder to its conclusion. Was it accidental or homicidal?
From the moneyed streets of Mulholland Drive to the trashy trailer park home of white trash Goths, Anthony’s quest takes him into the dark underbelly of humanity’s seedy side. Love may be blind, but the love of money is a sure path to murder and regret. The rich may be protected from most of life’s hardships but nobody is beyond the reach of the reaper.
Young love is full of promise and vigor but also of hot emotion. Mix 2 parts spurned lover with 1 part trailer trash and another part quick cash and you’ve got a recipe for murder. From vixens to victims and rich bitches to Hispanic snitches, watch Anthony bring a murder to its conclusion. Was it accidental or homicidal?
- GenresShort Stories
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2011
9 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 22, 2018
This is a 2.5 star read.
A pastiche of the Sam Spade variety, it was well written but ultimately too short to bring any depth to the character or plot. A quick read to fill in a break, but unfortunately I've decided that gritty crime noir isn't my thing. I'm off to check out the author's Lady Marmalade series.
I received a ebook copy of this short story from the author via Bookfunnel. I have voluntarily decided to review the book and the gifting in no way influences my review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.
A pastiche of the Sam Spade variety, it was well written but ultimately too short to bring any depth to the character or plot. A quick read to fill in a break, but unfortunately I've decided that gritty crime noir isn't my thing. I'm off to check out the author's Lady Marmalade series.
I received a ebook copy of this short story from the author via Bookfunnel. I have voluntarily decided to review the book and the gifting in no way influences my review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.
August 15, 2019
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Film noir style detective
August 12, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: May 18, 2011
Language: English
ASIN: B0051MGP9M
24 pages
I suppose the double negative in the title is meant to make the film noir style PI seem tougher. Fortunately the grammar in the story isn't that bad. A very short story so there is limited space for character development. Even so, there is no doubt that PI Anthony Carrick is a tough cookie. Three and a half stars.
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Film noir style detective
August 12, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: May 18, 2011
Language: English
ASIN: B0051MGP9M
24 pages
I suppose the double negative in the title is meant to make the film noir style PI seem tougher. Fortunately the grammar in the story isn't that bad. A very short story so there is limited space for character development. Even so, there is no doubt that PI Anthony Carrick is a tough cookie. Three and a half stars.
February 5, 2017
Anthony Carrick is an ex-detective, now working as a Private Investigator. When he gets a phone from a woman claiming her son was dead and it was declared an accident, she wants him to look into it.
Specifically she wants him to talk to Melody, her son's' girlfriend ... the girl who is beneficiary of a rather large life insurance policy.
Being only 25 pages, this is an extremely short short story. It is all substance, no fluff. He solves the crime faster than CSI.
While this one is good, I liked the first in the series much better. It may be because it was so short, there wasn't time to develop fully a good story with some depth. That being said, I would like to read THIRD BASE, next in this series.
I wish to thank the author who offered this short story on his website. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
Specifically she wants him to talk to Melody, her son's' girlfriend ... the girl who is beneficiary of a rather large life insurance policy.
Being only 25 pages, this is an extremely short short story. It is all substance, no fluff. He solves the crime faster than CSI.
While this one is good, I liked the first in the series much better. It may be because it was so short, there wasn't time to develop fully a good story with some depth. That being said, I would like to read THIRD BASE, next in this series.
I wish to thank the author who offered this short story on his website. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
December 9, 2011
Gritty and entertaining
Anthony Carrick, the self-described 'alley cat', is a character you will love. He's a rough around the edges, hard knocks kind of guy - a former police detective, that now finds himself eking out a living doing private investigations for people who are having a run of bad luck.
In Money Ain't Nothing, he's hired by a wealthy woman to investigate the suspicious death of her son. She suspects murder, but the authorities don't agree, so she turns to Anthony Carrick. His methods are far from by the book, and in his world, fairy tale endings don't exist, but the big, bad wolf always does.
Readers of hard-boiled detective fiction will find a colorful new character, who is more comfortable navigating the seedy side of life, to get their mystery-solving fix from. Anthony Carrick's beaten up charm is undeniable, his jaded 'seen it all' take on the world makes for a lively read.
Money Ain't Nothing is an entertaining short story that will have you completely hooked on this character, gruff charm and all. Also highly recommended: First Feature - the first novel in the Anthony Carrick detectives series. Count me in for more, lots, lots more!
-Rai Aren
Anthony Carrick, the self-described 'alley cat', is a character you will love. He's a rough around the edges, hard knocks kind of guy - a former police detective, that now finds himself eking out a living doing private investigations for people who are having a run of bad luck.
In Money Ain't Nothing, he's hired by a wealthy woman to investigate the suspicious death of her son. She suspects murder, but the authorities don't agree, so she turns to Anthony Carrick. His methods are far from by the book, and in his world, fairy tale endings don't exist, but the big, bad wolf always does.
Readers of hard-boiled detective fiction will find a colorful new character, who is more comfortable navigating the seedy side of life, to get their mystery-solving fix from. Anthony Carrick's beaten up charm is undeniable, his jaded 'seen it all' take on the world makes for a lively read.
Money Ain't Nothing is an entertaining short story that will have you completely hooked on this character, gruff charm and all. Also highly recommended: First Feature - the first novel in the Anthony Carrick detectives series. Count me in for more, lots, lots more!
-Rai Aren
July 18, 2018
A very short book--almost too short to get to know much about the protagonist (Anthony Carrick). He's a hard-nosed private investigator who seems hell-bent on damaging himself. He basically stumbles into solving the crime that starts this story using his self-described charm.
It's an interesting start to a series, but the crime and the resolution need a bit more complexity to keep me interested. However, the writing is entertaining and I hope the next book moves in the right direction.
It's an interesting start to a series, but the crime and the resolution need a bit more complexity to keep me interested. However, the writing is entertaining and I hope the next book moves in the right direction.
November 29, 2016
MONEY AIN'T NOTHING by Jason Blacker, a new author for me. Delightful find, and looking forward to more by him . Love the witty, crisp writing, one looks forward to them as watching the actions of Anthony unfold. The first born son of Mrs. Greenlaub, age 19 is dead. Suicide or what, left a big policy to a girlfriend, who's not what she pretends to be. What was behind the big policy, they thought that Williams mother wouldn't try to destroy the love they had, was Melodie answer. Anthony doesn't buy it, she's looking for a patsy to take the heat. What's the real reason. Enjoyable quick read
Given ARC and my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
Given ARC and my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
July 1, 2017
Money Ain't Nothing by Jason Blacker
The first of Jason's hard-boiled detective style books. Very short. I don't know, maybe it's me, but they I hope they get better. The plot was interesting. Kept me reading. The character Carrick is reasonably well developed but the whole thing is just too short, too choppy and a bit trying to be something it really isn't.
The first of Jason's hard-boiled detective style books. Very short. I don't know, maybe it's me, but they I hope they get better. The plot was interesting. Kept me reading. The character Carrick is reasonably well developed but the whole thing is just too short, too choppy and a bit trying to be something it really isn't.
June 17, 2017
Loved the raw side of town this is set in. The PI has seen a lot of things and is prepared for the worse. The mother can't reconcile herself with the part that she herself has played in the death of her son. This book is s good read and if you enjoy a good mystery then you should really pick this book up to read!
November 26, 2016
An enjoyable short story introduction to detective Anthony Carrick who is employed by Mrs Marlene Greenlaub to look into the death of her 19 year old son.
Shall need to investigate the next in the series.
Shall need to investigate the next in the series.
October 3, 2017
aka. SherleyB...
Well what a lovely short story, whilst I was reading the first few pages,
I just had to smile, the character Anthony Carrick is quite an affable bloke,
The way this story was written made you want to keep going to the end...
Well what a lovely short story, whilst I was reading the first few pages,
I just had to smile, the character Anthony Carrick is quite an affable bloke,
The way this story was written made you want to keep going to the end...
March 1, 2018
A very short story, but deep and it will introduce you on the main character: the detective Antony Carrick.
I'll suggest this book to all that love mystery and investigation. A perfect book for a moment of relax.
I received a free book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I'll suggest this book to all that love mystery and investigation. A perfect book for a moment of relax.
I received a free book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
February 20, 2012
I like the short, clipped sentences and wry sense of humor/writing.
February 23, 2017
A SoCal gumshoe narrates this little novella in local slang describing a case that is thrown his way. He gets results the story is not for the faint of heart.
October 3, 2017
While the detective may be hard boiled, this is a case of knowledge and skill solving the crime. It is a short story so the tale doesn't get too involved but a good short story can be hard to find.
December 29, 2017
Crime Noir. Set in the style of a 1940's Sam Spade/ Philip Marlow movie. Narrated by the main character. Not bad.
January 2, 2017
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this short story and voluntarily decided to review it.
"Money Ain't Nothing" is a fast, easy read by Jason Blacker. Anthony Carrick, a gritty ex-cop turned private detective, is a funny and rough around the edges main character. With a penchant for the less sophisticated lifestyle of scotch and a cigarette with breakfast, he nonetheless agrees to help a clearly well-to-do grieving mother discover the truth of her son's death.
This short story is fun and entertaining, and it's hard not to like Detective Anthony Carrick. I would recommend this quick read, and look forward to checking out more of Blacker's work.
"Money Ain't Nothing" is a fast, easy read by Jason Blacker. Anthony Carrick, a gritty ex-cop turned private detective, is a funny and rough around the edges main character. With a penchant for the less sophisticated lifestyle of scotch and a cigarette with breakfast, he nonetheless agrees to help a clearly well-to-do grieving mother discover the truth of her son's death.
This short story is fun and entertaining, and it's hard not to like Detective Anthony Carrick. I would recommend this quick read, and look forward to checking out more of Blacker's work.
December 12, 2018
Anne Kinslow.
I enjoyed reading this book but, it was just too short. I was just getting caught up in this story when all of a sudden, I was on the final page. I was so disappointed that there wasn’t more crimes to solve.
I enjoyed reading this book but, it was just too short. I was just getting caught up in this story when all of a sudden, I was on the final page. I was so disappointed that there wasn’t more crimes to solve.
June 28, 2021
short story about a gumshoe named Anthony Carrick. He takes a case to solve a young adult man's murder. He is hired by the mother of the murder victim. He solves the case in a pretty straightforward manner.
May 1, 2022
Shades of Sam Spade here. Hard to develop a character in such a short story but enough came through. Plot was simple but it had to be because of it's length. Old time style.
May 5, 2022
I enjoyed that "Crime Noir". As I was reading, I have a picture of Dick Powell in my mind. I believe I will have to read some more Anthony Carrick stories.
December 10, 2022
Entertaining mystery - elements of the hard boiled detective genre
August 16, 2023
A private eye with a innate ability to see what happens in every situation. Problem is, who feels worse when the truth comes out?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2022
Jason Blacker's book Money Ain't Nothing is like the dime books from the 50's and 60's. The tough guy private detective that has the respect of the police either because they send him the cases that look like one thing but the family of the dead want second opinions. Carrick plays his part well.
I like it when you can read a story or Novella like this one that doesn't have all the fill in sex scenes because the author is stuck and doesn't know what to write so they fill in the garbage.
Blacker's book is a good clean down to earth murder. Will have to keep an eye out for more of his Micky Splane (sp it's been awhile ) type books.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Lynn
I like it when you can read a story or Novella like this one that doesn't have all the fill in sex scenes because the author is stuck and doesn't know what to write so they fill in the garbage.
Blacker's book is a good clean down to earth murder. Will have to keep an eye out for more of his Micky Splane (sp it's been awhile ) type books.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Lynn
April 3, 2017
Well done. Burned out ex-cop now working as a PI catches a paying case from an old friend. The wealthy mother of the victim thinks that the trashy girlfriend hurried him along for the insurance money and pays good money to have Carrick look into it. He crawls out of his chronic despair long enough to solve the case.
April 23, 2017
First, even though money ain’t nothing, remember the names of your greenbacks. I will save a little confusion early on. A retired LAPD detective should be able to sleep in. But, no one said that being retired meant that you didn’t have to do anything. Ask this little old white haired retired lady with a neck brace. I know what it is like to get a call just when you finally get to sleep. Anthony Carrick handles it much better than I would. All he wanted to do was talk to the girlfriend and then… I enjoyed this short story and recommend it to those who like to see the bad guys get their just due.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews