Dead Men Talk

by Johnny Barnes

DEAD MEN TALK is a modern murder mystery, taking place in Boston where the author was a private investigator for eleven years. Johnny Barnes has been a cop for the last 18 years, outside of Boston.A dozen homicides leads this offbeat detective through Boston's rock & roll nightclubs, strip joints, and famous locations in search of a mysterious book and a serial killer. Unforgettable characters, wry humor, and the detective's odd encounters add color and excitement to this fast paced, action packed thriller.DEAD MEN TALK is a very funny throwback to the classic hard-boiled mysteries.I jumped up on the hood of the car. The moment seemed suspended in time. The radiator hissed, shooting steam straight up into the air. The smell of burnt rubber, and smoke from the tires, drifted upward.Glass from the shattered windows still rained down, landing on the car's roof and hood. A rolling hubcap clattered on down the alleyway, finally circling a few times, and clanging to rest. Then there was a sudden and deep silence... but I was still focused on the man at the end of my gun sights.DEAD MEN TALK reads like a movie and would translate well into film.

292 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kathei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the tradition of noir detective fiction Dead Men Talk fits neatly into the genre.

When I picked this up to read I was concerned it would be just another wannabe story following in the footsteps of the great. I was wrong. Johnny Barnes takes the classic style and modernizes it into the future of today.

Set in the gritty sides of Boston, Detective Jack Ryan becomes embroiled in murders that have him hiding from the police and the bad guys alike. It's a fun read.

I recommend the book.

Mine has a different cover.