The Long Drunk

by Eric Coyote

In Venice, California, the sun always shines, but that's not much help if you're a homeless drunk like James Murphy, a man with a past of shattered dreams and empty bottles. Murphy's life in the gutter was bad enough, but now bad gets worse. Murphy has one week to solve a cold-case murder that has police detectives stumped, or else his best friend dies. Inspired by Chandler, Steinbeck, and Quentin Tarantino, THE LONG DRUNK is a darkly comic crime/detective saga filled with sex, violence, booze, and plenty of foul street talk. Hard-boiled, heartbreaking, and gritty as hell, it thoroughly immerses the reader in the squalid yet resourceful underworld of the down-and-out. By juxtaposing the cruel realities of life on the street with the obscene wealth of the Hollywood elite, Eric Coyote creates an ultra noir masterpiece for the ages. THE LONG DRUNK, named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012, will leave you cringing, laughing, and begging for more.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2011

About the author

Eric Coyote grew up northwest of Chicago. His first novel, The Long Drunk, was named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 list. Eric currenty lives in Venice, California, with two cats and Pickle, a basenji mix.

Reviews

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to review this at the request of the author who sent me a free copy. My first impression was that the cover is awful. [Checking recently, I noticed it had been changed.] The book’s description seems to pander to a particular audience segment, “Set in the gutters, bars, and alleys of Venice, California, this darkly comic crime/detective saga is filled with sex, violence, booze, and plenty of foul street talk,” a segment that wouldn't necessarily exclude me, but it’s not a description that would make the book leap on to my TBR list either.

OK, now putting aside all that crap. I liked this book. The premise is that Murphy, a homeless drunk (“I’m not stupid, just a drunk,”) former NFL player with a Super Bowl ring suffering from multiple concussions and numerous injuries, is swept up in a police raid to discover if any of the homeless in Venice, CA, might have seen something of use to them in their investigation of a car shooting. Murphy is forced to leave his companion Rottweiler, Betty Bonaparte (because she can take bones apart,) while he’s in jail. After his release he searches frantically for Betty Just as he sees her across a highway, the dog runs to him and is hit by a lady in an SUV (talking on a cell phone, of course) who runs the light. Gathering up Betty into a shopping cart, Murphy runs four miles to the nearest vet hospital he knows of where he learns that Betty might survive but will need hip surgery. She also has lymphoma that will require chemotherapy, all to the tune of $15,000. (The scene with the compassionate vet and Murphy is very well done.) Learning that a $25,000 reward has been posted for the killer in the drive-by, Murphy figures he has to solve the crime to earn the reward so he can pay for his dog’s surgery.

Coyote uses Murphy's homelessness to poke not so gentle fun at the foibles of the rich that surround him. Using Raymond Chandler's books as a guide, he detects by asking questions. It was interesting to read some of the negative reviews on Amazon, which focused on the rather sad aspects of Skid Row and “the depths to which people can sink.” Ironically, it’s the “bums” and unfortunates that have more character than those in the book who haven’t had to resort to living off society’s detritus. How realistic the portrayal might be I don’t know.

The second volume of a proposed trilogy has yet to appear. Not for the squeamish.

“Interview” with the author at http://www.ericcoyote.com./interview.pdf

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an invisible world populated by the homeless, Murphy and his cohorts struggle and somehow manage to survive day by day. They look to one another for support in their Venice, CA habitat, showing the reader that invisibility does not mean they do not exist. Nor is their world all that different from ours, in that they have needs, desires, and love, just like the rest of us.

For Murphy, his dog Betty means more to him than anything else. He would do whatever it takes to protect and save his friend. Therefore, the long journey he takes roped me into his world.

Eric Coyote has delved into the underbelly of LA life in his portrayal of Venice and its inhabitants. From the homeless habitats that vary from day to day, we wander along with Murphy and friends to glimpse the wealthier portions of Venice through Murphy’s eyes, as he struggles to solve a murder mystery that could save his dog Betty.

The characters of "THE LONG DRUNK" are real, complex, and totally captivating. I found myself rapidly turning pages to find out what would happen next. Caught up in the somewhat convoluted logic of Murphy, I was rooting for him, despite my awareness that his plans, hopes, and dreams might come to naught. Until I read this book, I could only imagine what the lives of the homeless might be like. Delving into this gritty world felt important, adding a rich layer of understanding to my own perspective.

What did Murphy learn in his long journey to save Betty? What resources did he call upon to achieve his goals? In the end, how did he finally resolve his situation?

I am eager to read more from this talented writer. Five stars.

[Savvy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groucho Marx is quoted as saying “Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.”
This novel has been called “ultra noir”, but I’d like to re-classify it as “ultra gritty” and “waggishly noir!”

Eric Coyote’s sideways humor…. peppered with crisp writing and fresh metaphors was a totally unexpected surprise!

I am not accustomed to the street language of the day, but I didn’t flinch too much with the graphic insults, descriptions of sexual kinkiness, bodily fluids and other deviant follies…. It felt so right and very true to the story. ….the narration flowed smartly and smoothly!
Throughout the story, a thread of integrity and credible human kindness wove its way seamlessly and with a curious moral compassion.

As Murphy strives to become a detective in a noble quest to save his beloved canine companion, Betty, he is given a Raymond Chandler book to read as a blueprint for crime solving. Chandler is classic L.A. detective fiction writer!
Of it, he remarks….”The book was a mish-mash of double-crossing characters, evocative descriptions, and snarky remarks by Philip Marlowe. It failed spectacularly as an instructional guide. Or maybe that was the point. There was no set playbook on murders.”

I was born and raised in Los Angeles! …. at a time we could leave our doors unlocked…today's L.A is a swarm of incongruities and uncertainties.

Eric Coyote has a very lively and fertile imagination….. Plus a special gift for storytelling!

[LibraryGirl2008 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murphy is one of the many who live on the streets in Los Angeles, but he has no complaints. All he needs are the three essentials: food, shelter, and booze. Oh, and Betty. Betty is his beloved canine companion, a sweet stray who has been by his side for years. When Betty is struck by a car and needs surgery, he has no idea how to pay for it. Then he spies a police flyer offering a reward for help in solving a murder, and he decides to undertake the task of solving the crime himself. Through guidance obtained by his well-meaning friends and a few detective novels, Murphy the homeless man becomes Murphy the homeless detective—and learns that solving crimes is a lot harder than he originally thought. In this first installment of a planned trilogy, Coyote tweaks the hard-boiled genre with a strikingly original premise and a host of colorful, well developed characters. This smart, gritty jaunt through the seamy streets of Los Angeles is definitely not one to miss.

[Rory Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This* close to being a classic. Murphy is a terrific central character, and his adventures are very funny. The raunchy dialogue in particular is hilarious, and the crew of other hoboes is a kick. So are other the supporting characters. The dog story line has a lot of heart.

So what happened? The ending. As they say in gymnastics, he didn't "stick the landing". It came as abrupt, perhaps because this is billed as Part I of a trilogy. At any rate, I'm on board for what may happen next.

[jobiwan6 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and 1/2 stars.
there's really no way to avoid thinking of Bukowski and Chandler while reading this. for me, that's not a bad thing. if you agree, you'll probably enjoy it.

[Rebecca DeVincentis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! Educational, if most of it is true, regarding how the homeless survive
and stick together looking out for one another. A very well written book, keeping me guessing what will happen next! I was very impressed and enjoyed this book very much!

[Raghu Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trailer promoting the book calls it an 'ultra noir' murder mystery. Thanks to Google, I found out that I had already read an ultra noir novel (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) without knowing what the genre means. Compared with the Swedish mystery, 'The Long Drunk' feels a lot more 'noir', especially with the choice of its many homeless characters and the no-holds-barred, irreverent commentary on life in Venice Beach, California.

The novel is about James Murphy, a homeless guy in Venice, who suffers the misfortune of his beloved dog Betty being run over by an SUV and being badly maimed. Murphy takes the dog to Dr.Walters who tells him the still further bad news that Betty also suffers from acute Lymphoma and needs chemotherapy which would all end up costing Murphy some 15000 dollars. Murphy's love for his dog sets him on a course to find $15000 in one week. The rest of the story takes us through Murphy's attempts to get the $25000 prize money for solving the murder of a wannabe actor named Alan Tanner. Even though the story in part 1 ends rather sadly, since the author has billed this book as the first of his trilogy on the 'homeless detective', there is going be more to it than this.

The thing that appealed to me most in the book is the window it gave me on the life of the homeless in Venice. Not ever having been to LA to visit and never having had an opportunity to interact with the homeless in the US, I found the graphic descriptions of their lives, their street language and their drunken pre-occupations quite humorous, poignant and insightful. Coyote writes about them with much compassion and humor and is unsparing about the disparities of life in Venice between its genteel-half and that of the homeless. You laugh out loud as you read about the homeless finding discarded Hollywood screenplays in the garbage where they forage for food. There is a liberal sprinkling of vomit, urine, feces, blood as well as wine, vodka, yoga, art and sex in the book. I suppose that is what makes it noir.

The murder mystery part of the book failed to grab my attention that much. Murphy tries to set out on the case a la Raymond Chandler, but the various clues and his attempts at detective work fell short of grabbing my deep interest. I wish the author had put in more work on this aspect of the novel. Also, during these forays, the homeless Murphy ends up seamlessly blending with the genteel side of Venice - in art galleries, with yoga-teaching blondes and wannabe actors in Hollywood. He even ends up having sex with Jocelyn, a lovely actress in training, as well as from the sexy yoga instructor. Though the narration of all this is graphic and entertaining and direct, it stretched my credibility and made me feel that the good work done by the author in portraying 'Venice as it is' has been compromised somewhat.

The book is an easy and entertaining read and I am glad to have read a book in this genre. However, it does not do enough to make you that much intrigued to look forward to finding out what happens to James Murphy in the rest of the trilogy.

[Marie-Jo Fortis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long, long time since I got into my hand fiction addressing social issues. Here, we have a mystery set among a world few authors today attempt to describe: the world of the homeless. I said, a mystery. But the genre is more of an excuse for the literary exploration of a milieu, in my view, than a real mystery. And because of that, for daring and for talking about the forgotten, I am giving five stars to this book.

Mind you, I didn't know what I was getting into at first. I was not sure if I wanted to go on, but I did. Imagine Venice Beach, a place high in social contrasts. There you meet among the wealthiest and the poorest of the land living side by side. You find the palaces; you find the misery. And very little in between. (That's what struck me when I went in this and other L.A. areas years ago. That, and the fact that the presence of so many homeless people on beaches seemed to bother no one.) In these times of harsh economy and weakening middle-class, such decor makes for a metaphor in more ways than one.

Obviously, Coyote doesn't give a damn about the rich. All his heroes --well, his antiheroes-- wear dirty clothes and go to the bathroom al fresco. They collect their food from the garbage of the privileged, and remain consistently drunk in order to forget that there is no roof over their head, and that their mattress is made of cardboard. They may lack hygiene, but the really disgusting story is about the rich accumulating the superfluous as our antiheroes are in need of the essentials.

Murphy, The Long Drunk main character, has an old dog with cancer who needs an operation. The problem: The surgery costs fifteen thousand dollars. When he learns that the L.A. police, whose clues have grown cold on a murder, is offering a financial reward to anyone who may know the author of the crime, Murphy decides to play detective in order to save his four-legged best friend.

Things, as you can imagine, do not run smoothly, particularly when the help Murphy solicits comes mostly from companions who have not met a sober day for quite some time. There is something of the picaresque in what is at times a tragicomic adventure. And there is something of Zola, too, in the Naturalist (here simultaneously merciless and loving) way Coyote depicts the world of the homeless. Finally, there is something of Beckett in the theme of our tramp Murphy who, as he hopes to save his dear dog, is in his own way waiting for Godot. Up to the novel's poetic, absurdist ending with one lost man and the sea.

There is a bite, strong language, satire about art snobbery (and a delicious little moment when that snobbery is thrown into the ocean) in The Long Drunk. Something that makes it not just a book, not just fiction, not just words locked into a genre, but writing, writing that dares to go beyond. And in my view, writing that dares to go beyond is literature.

[Resa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have always been a fan of the classic noir detective films I usually shy away from modern noir mysteries. Nine times out of ten they usually turn out to be an excuse for an author to use a lot of graphic violence, sex, and harsh language without any plot to create an actually story. Eric Coyote is that one out of ten who has actually crafted an intelligent noir novel without losing the essence of what noir should be. “The Long Drunk” is a mystery with an unexpected private investigator, fueled by cheap booze and a love for his dog, Betty. The story gives a brilliant description of the two sides of Venice, California from the unique perspective of the homeless investigator. It is the classic story of the haves and the have-nots, and yet the ending is not nearly as predictable as you expect it to be.

This is not a book for the faint of heart. If you’re easily offended I’d advise you to stay away. The book is gritty with harsh language, violence, sex, and a realistic depiction of life on the street. If you have the stomach for it, however, all of this helps to build a unique background for the mystery and creates characters that will stick with you even after you’ve put the book down. From Memphis Mike to Black Elk the characters are as individual as their names, each with their own vices and story of how they ended up on the street. Unlike your usually mystery novel there is very little police involvement in the story after the initial round-up and questioning, which really helps to add to the grit of the novel and keeps the focus on the characters you want to read about. A lot of Murphy’s breaks come from dumb luck, but he plays the part of the derelict detective well, taking nonsensical notes about subjects while constantly finding ways to get his hands on his next drink even more vigorously than he tries to get his hands on the next clue.

For a debut novel, Eric Coyote has done a great job. I would like to give a special shout out to the editing in this book. Because, yes, it is a debut-noir-street-fiction novel with an excellent editing job. No, it’s not perfect, but it’s obvious this book was painstakingly put together. That deserves some recognition. I wasn’t told if this was the first book in a series, and I couldn’t really tell by the ending whether or not it was set up as the beginning of a series. I think it stands on its own very well, but I also think it could be turned into a detective series if Coyote has a mind to do so. It wasn’t my usual choice of a book to read, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Ulysses S. Grant Murphy, aka Murph, is a homeless alcoholic who lives in Venice, California. At one time in his life he was on the brink of an NFL career after playing football for Notre Dame. Now he limps amid the filth and decay of the alleys, beaches, and byways of Venice, sometimes alone but for his dog Betty, sometimes with other homeless folks, his gang of druggies, crazies, eccentrics, and fellow drunks. A car accident and subsequent bills mean that Murph must somehow raise some cash to save a friend, so he decides to investigate a six-month-cold homicide case with a $25,000 bounty for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer.

Don't read this book expecting sunshine and rainbows, because it's dark. To be clear, Webster's defines noir as "crime fiction featuring hard-boiled cynical characters and bleak sleazy settings." Some of the characters in The Long Drunk are so hard-boiled they're pulp--barely human refuse--and sleazy doesn't quite cover the squalor on these pages. Not to mention puke, crap, blood, and other assorted bodily fluids. But (you could feel that word coming, right?), unbelievably enough, the humanity of the characters shines through it all, and they are incredibly sympathetic--and at times comic--, even in their worst moments (and there are many). Although the story nominally revolves around Murph's attempt to solve a murder and get the reward money, it's the characters and their lives, in all their seamy glory, that make this novel so compelling. The social critique inherent in the contrast between the homeless and the wealthy denizens of Venice propels The Long Drunk into the realm of the extraordinary. Highly recommended for adults only.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure - I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by the author.

It has been a long while since I have read a book that surprised me. This book was nothing like I had expected, which was refreshing.

The positives are that I found the book immediately engaging and really connected with the characters. The environment in which the book is set is very different from what I have come to expect in the novels that I read. It is easy to read and generally flows very well. The story line is engaging and highlights, I believe, the importance of relationships and the fact that loyalty is a very honourable human quality and is something perhaps that the we are losing in our modern world.

As much as I enjoyed this book I would have to say that I was disappointed with the way that it ended and speed with which it did. I perhaps would have liked to have seen a more 'extended' conclusion and rounding off of the multiple threads of the storyline. It may have made the storyline a little more 'mainstream' but it is something that many people come to expect these days I believe. I felt that I still needed some closure with the characters I had followed throughout the book.

Even with this in mind I am glad that I had the opportunity to read this book, as it would have been unlikely that I would have otherwise. I found the story and the characters really engaging in a very unique way that really piqued my interest. I would certainly recommend this book to others but would note that some, like me, may be a little disappointed in how it ends. A more robust end game would have certainly completed the experience for me.

[Kenneth P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The protagonist of this novel is Murphy, a homeless alcoholic in Venice, California who attempts to solve a murder in order to obtain reward money. He needs the money to save his beloved dog who requires extensive medical work. The murder is inconsequential. It's all about the journey of Murph and his homeless buddies who work to solve the crime. It's a very good premise and Venice is a rich landscape for such a journey.

The book becomes a wild, zany romp through the streets and along the canals Venice. But Murphy is a problem. He is 56 years old but acts, thinks and speaks like a twelve year old boy with a foul mouth. It's true that he suffers from CTE due to football concussions. And it's true that decades of alcoholism has touched his brain. But he shouldn't sound like an idiotic little boy. Indeed his homeless friends seem equally childlike. I am aware that mental illness is rampant among the homeless. But these characters don't come off as troubled adults. They come off as silly, stupid kids.

The murder may be inconsequential but it requires a resolution of some kind and this doesn't happen. Clearly a lot of work went into this book. There are some laughs and many long passages of good writing. But it's a cartoon that doesn't work.

A lot of hard work went into this self-published novel. The author can write and I cetainly hope he keeps at it.

[Wayne Klick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good story, but beware -- the story involves several homeless people, with one as the protagonist, and includes every bit of cringe-inducing behavior you've seen and heard about involving homeless people, plus some you haven't seen or heard about. The stereotypical lack of personal hygiene, and the constant never-ending quest for the next drink are always in your face here. Most homeless people are mentally ill according some expert or another, and these folks are no exception. Murphy, the lead character, is a pitiful alcoholic but also suffers from some brain injuries from when he played football at Notre Dame. The author has added interest by giving a few of his homeless noteworthy histories. One was a Harvard professor, another a Wall Street hedge fund manager. But I digress. The story is the thing. A young man was was murdered, and Murphy wouldn't care except there is reward money involved, and he needs it to save his best friend. He gets his street dwelling associates to help him find the killer. Hilarity and nausea ensue. Oh, if you do brave this tale, allow me to give you one spoiler: Murphy does take a bath.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really hard for me to rank. It gives the reader a more well-rounded view of life in the streets and concerns of the homeless. My main complaint is that it's not clear what the theme is. And it's not clear how accurate the vision of people and style of life is.
When the book ended, it became clear that the book was not really about the "mystery"; it really is about life on the street and the headaches, prejudices, and consequences involved. Motivations and drives are all presented in a very basic, brutal plangency.
It certainly helps round out the possibilities of the realms of humanity.

[cisco pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

An earthy saga about losing it all.

We walk past the homeless as if they are stones on the side of the road. In this book, the homeless have names and small portions of lives. Who are these people really and what are they capable of? It is a long fall from professional football to sleeping behind a dumpster in crumbling Venice, California. What remains of the man and further, what is lost?

[Dan Leblanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining read

Murphy is an ex-NFL football player now on skid road with his best friend, Betty, his Rottweiler, when a person driving an SUV hits Betty causing major injuries. Murphy doesn't have the funds to pay the vet bills, so he become a amateur private investigator trying to claim the reward for the apprehension and conviction of a murder. Will he solve this case to save his best friend.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A homeless alcoholic tries to solve a murder to collect reward money and save his dog. What results is a crime novel that stands up next to Charlie Huston's Hank Thompson trilogy. Which is to say, it's an involving and consistently surprising story, and it also manages to sneak in some social commentary and philosophy along the way. Highly recommended for fans of crime fiction.

[Shari Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Gritty and down to earth. Do not read if you are easily offended. A protagonist who is a loser but still has redeeming qualities. Parts of the story stretch the imagination but I look forward to reading more.

[T.L. Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review: http://ageeksaga.blogspot.com/2012/03...

[Brandon T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fucking book. Cant wait for the next one.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes just doing something, whether right or wrong, effective or ineffective, is better than doing nothing!

[Jim wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining book a good read.

This is a great book from start to finish. It's sad it's funny it leaves you wanting more. A truly entertaining read.

[alice loader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story, enjoyable book!