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Johnny Liddell #13
Trigger Mortis
Johnny Liddell, private investigator, is not accustomed to a quiet life. But life was never less quiet for him than after he was called in by Celeste Pierce, a redhead who is giving several famous bosomy blondes a run for their money. Everything was going swimmingly for Celeste until she was blackmailed by Bare Facts, a magazine which had some bare facts about Celeste from her girl-in-the-pie period. She is willing to pay for pictures and films, and Johnny sets off to get them back.
Unfortunately for Johnny’s peace of mind, impetuous Celeste goes off herself to see Murray Carter, the unattractive publisher of the unattractive periodical. The next day she is found dead in his apartment, and someone has obviously lent a helping hand since there is a bullet hole in the back of his skull. Johnny is given forty-eight hours and a free hand by the police to check on other blackmailers of Bare Facts. His search leads him everywhere from a Harlem dope joint to a boxers' hangout, with trouble all the way. He finally solves the riddle, no thanks to anybody but himself.
Unfortunately for Johnny’s peace of mind, impetuous Celeste goes off herself to see Murray Carter, the unattractive publisher of the unattractive periodical. The next day she is found dead in his apartment, and someone has obviously lent a helping hand since there is a bullet hole in the back of his skull. Johnny is given forty-eight hours and a free hand by the police to check on other blackmailers of Bare Facts. His search leads him everywhere from a Harlem dope joint to a boxers' hangout, with trouble all the way. He finally solves the riddle, no thanks to anybody but himself.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1957
4 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Frank Kane
218 books10 followersFrank Kane, Brooklyn-born and a lifetime New Yorker, worked for many years in journalism and corporate public relations before shifting to fiction writing. At the time he was selling crime stories to the pulps he was also sustaining a career writing scripts for such radio shows as Gangbusters and The Shadow.
In addition to the Johnny Liddells, Kane wrote several suspense novels, some softcore erotica, and (under the pen name of Frank Boyd) "Johnny Staccato", a Gold Medal original paperback based on the short-lived noir television series, starring John Cassavetes, about a Greenwich Village bebop pianist turned private detective.
In addition to the Johnny Liddells, Kane wrote several suspense novels, some softcore erotica, and (under the pen name of Frank Boyd) "Johnny Staccato", a Gold Medal original paperback based on the short-lived noir television series, starring John Cassavetes, about a Greenwich Village bebop pianist turned private detective.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 31, 2011
Straight ahead pulpy private eye novel that is heavy on the sleazy sex and ultra-violence. Did a good job of keeping me guessing till the end.
May 22, 2017
Frank Kane was a news columnist. He wrote stories for numerous publications and wrote screenplays. But, most of all, he wrote stories about a PI named Johnny Lidell. In all, he published at least 29 Lidell
novels and hundreds of short stories. Liddell is a tough, no-nonsense PI whose first inclination is to ask questions with his fists. He has a one man office in NYC with a redheaded secretary who tries to type
without ruining her nails but has a witty sense of humor.
Trigger Mortis is a 1958 novel, recently republished by prologue books. The book begins with an awesome description of Johnny lounging by a pool and being approached by Celeste Pierce in what was barely even a bikini with her assets fully displayed. Celeste was the hottest movie
star and her bust was featured in every magazine for the past six months. She needs Johnny's help. She's being blackmailed over some photos taken long before she became a star. Johnny reluctantly agrees to help, although he admits he's better at beating up blackmailers than delivering ransom. Before he can do much, Celeste appears at his office with her face all pale and in a
complete panic. She plugged the blackmailer full of lead and desperately needs Johnny's help.
The novel is well written. It is quick reading. And it's nonstop action.
Kane doesn't waste time on fancy descriptions except when it comes to
Celeste
novels and hundreds of short stories. Liddell is a tough, no-nonsense PI whose first inclination is to ask questions with his fists. He has a one man office in NYC with a redheaded secretary who tries to type
without ruining her nails but has a witty sense of humor.
Trigger Mortis is a 1958 novel, recently republished by prologue books. The book begins with an awesome description of Johnny lounging by a pool and being approached by Celeste Pierce in what was barely even a bikini with her assets fully displayed. Celeste was the hottest movie
star and her bust was featured in every magazine for the past six months. She needs Johnny's help. She's being blackmailed over some photos taken long before she became a star. Johnny reluctantly agrees to help, although he admits he's better at beating up blackmailers than delivering ransom. Before he can do much, Celeste appears at his office with her face all pale and in a
complete panic. She plugged the blackmailer full of lead and desperately needs Johnny's help.
The novel is well written. It is quick reading. And it's nonstop action.
Kane doesn't waste time on fancy descriptions except when it comes to
Celeste
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
March 1, 2019Synopsis: Celeste Pierce was Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield rolled into one. Murray Carter knew her secrets and then he was dead.
July 17, 2019
well written, hard boiled, fun
January 18, 2023
A true tough guy PI novel from the Fifties. I've never heard of Johnny Liddell until a few weeks ago. I purchased a couple of boxes of vintage paperbacks at a local weekly auction. There are many copies of various Mike Shayne and Shell Scott novels and a mix of singles such as "Trigger Mortis". Evidently the previous owner was a big fan of tough-guy pulps.
What I find interesting about the older PI stories is how they were considered racy and violent in the day, but now come across as strictly PG. They actual mystery wasn't too bad, but played like every episode of "Mannix" that I watched as a kid. Also, let's throw in "Murder She Wrote" while I'm at it.
There was absolutely no profanity and the shocking violence consisted of a couple very brief fist fights and a single gunshot which took down the victim very neatly. The women were all beautiful, ornamental and spend much of the time is various stages of undress. They also require the assistance of our hero to rescue them from un-chivalric bad guys. There was also the usual heavy amount of drinking and smoking.
In the end I like to read these old pulp novels not for the mystery, but the glimpse they offer of the time. The hero is the writer's idealized version of himself writing for men who were feeling "trapped" by their jobs, families and mortgages. It was strictly fantasy - think Harlequin Romance for men. The novels almost never contain any observations of political or social trends of the time. The characters move from one dire predicament to another with the occasional 12:00 A.M. stop at the latest hot night club for a couple martinis and a little dancing. All in all, the stories go down easily and tax very little. But now and again it's fun to go back to a time that never was.
What I find interesting about the older PI stories is how they were considered racy and violent in the day, but now come across as strictly PG. They actual mystery wasn't too bad, but played like every episode of "Mannix" that I watched as a kid. Also, let's throw in "Murder She Wrote" while I'm at it.
There was absolutely no profanity and the shocking violence consisted of a couple very brief fist fights and a single gunshot which took down the victim very neatly. The women were all beautiful, ornamental and spend much of the time is various stages of undress. They also require the assistance of our hero to rescue them from un-chivalric bad guys. There was also the usual heavy amount of drinking and smoking.
In the end I like to read these old pulp novels not for the mystery, but the glimpse they offer of the time. The hero is the writer's idealized version of himself writing for men who were feeling "trapped" by their jobs, families and mortgages. It was strictly fantasy - think Harlequin Romance for men. The novels almost never contain any observations of political or social trends of the time. The characters move from one dire predicament to another with the occasional 12:00 A.M. stop at the latest hot night club for a couple martinis and a little dancing. All in all, the stories go down easily and tax very little. But now and again it's fun to go back to a time that never was.
June 21, 2015
Was pretty disappointed by this one. One of the other reviews claims that it's "straight forward" and "pulpy". I'd agree.
First, Kane does spend some time describing his characters physically, but not much, the problem is that they all look the same. I think I was about 50 pages in before I realized I couldn't think of a character that didn't have red hair (except Liddell although I don't know if we ever get a good description of him).
Pretty much all of the women characters exist as sex symbols. Celeste Pierce is the only woman with any motivations in the novel (indeed, she gives the call to action) but she is perfectly happy to let Johnny do all of the work. Celeste does so little it hurts.
The book was published back in 1958, so perhaps we can chalk some of this up to a different era with different sensibilities. Still it was disappointing. I picked this one up after hearing it shared the title with upcoming 007 novel by Anthony Horrowitz. I know bond novels aren't renowned for their excellent treatment of women either but I sincerely hope that what I've read here, is nothing like what I'll be reading on September 8th.
I suppose I should give some credit to Kane though. I did not figure out 'who dunnit' until the last chapter. I probably enjoyed the last chapter the most as its reliance on mystery convention (Liddell gathers all the suspects together before revealing who the killer is) felt 'right'.
Even so, a quick google search shows me that there are 28 other Johnny Liddell mysteries. I don't think I'll be reading any of the others.
First, Kane does spend some time describing his characters physically, but not much, the problem is that they all look the same. I think I was about 50 pages in before I realized I couldn't think of a character that didn't have red hair (except Liddell although I don't know if we ever get a good description of him).
Pretty much all of the women characters exist as sex symbols. Celeste Pierce is the only woman with any motivations in the novel (indeed, she gives the call to action) but she is perfectly happy to let Johnny do all of the work. Celeste does so little it hurts.
The book was published back in 1958, so perhaps we can chalk some of this up to a different era with different sensibilities. Still it was disappointing. I picked this one up after hearing it shared the title with upcoming 007 novel by Anthony Horrowitz. I know bond novels aren't renowned for their excellent treatment of women either but I sincerely hope that what I've read here, is nothing like what I'll be reading on September 8th.
I suppose I should give some credit to Kane though. I did not figure out 'who dunnit' until the last chapter. I probably enjoyed the last chapter the most as its reliance on mystery convention (Liddell gathers all the suspects together before revealing who the killer is) felt 'right'.
Even so, a quick google search shows me that there are 28 other Johnny Liddell mysteries. I don't think I'll be reading any of the others.
November 6, 2016
My second Kane book and already I notice some recycling. Specifically, a description of a woman's assets. The ending relies upon a piece of evidence that came out of the blue, so "Ugh!"
Both books hit their mark, so maybe 3 *'s isn't fair, but a solid 3* that fulfills its every ambition is something to be treasured.
Both books hit their mark, so maybe 3 *'s isn't fair, but a solid 3* that fulfills its every ambition is something to be treasured.
March 22, 2020
Highest possible recommendation!
I've never read anything by Kane, let alone know anything about Johnny Liddell, but I'm hooked! I loved the language, the characters, the action, the mystery.
This is everything I wanted out of a pulpy detective story. I've got to find more from Kane and read them all. I haven't been this happy or excited by a crime novel in quite a while.
I've never read anything by Kane, let alone know anything about Johnny Liddell, but I'm hooked! I loved the language, the characters, the action, the mystery.
This is everything I wanted out of a pulpy detective story. I've got to find more from Kane and read them all. I haven't been this happy or excited by a crime novel in quite a while.
May 1, 2016
Trigger Mortis starts out pretty well as a sort-of James Ellroy sleazeball fest about a murdered scandal sheet writer but then it sinks into stale detective novel cliches. It's a shame, too, because Frank Kane's writing style is imaginative. Too bad he didn't have any ideas to match his technique.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews