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Artie Deemer Mystery #1
Lover Man
When his girlfriend, Billie, is murdered, Artie Deemer, an unemployed New York jazz player content to live off his dog's success in movies and commercials, uncovers a deadly link between past and present
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First published January 1, 1987
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September 28, 2014
Artie Deemer has a life that many would envy. He spends the bulk of his time sitting in his New York apartment, smoking dope and listening to classic jazz. He can afford to do so because he’s supported in luxurious style by his dog, Jellyroll, the spokesdog for R-r-ruff Dog Food and a famous star of movies and television. Artie occasionally has to take Jellyroll to a studio and put him through his paces, but it’s hardly the most demanding job in the world.
Until a year ago, Artie was madly in love with a beautiful woman named Billie Burke, an artist/photographer. He’s still a bit madly in love with Billie, but to no avail since she ditched him for another lover (or two or three). Artie is stunned when the cops interrupt one of his relaxing afternoons to tell him that Billie has been found, bound and drowned in her bathtub. The cops suggest that Artie might be a suspect in the killing and then, to make matters worse, Artie discovers that he’s overlooked a message that Billie left on his answering machine just before she was killed. In the message, she begs him to come see her at her studio and tells him that she has something for him there.
Artie decides that he has to find whatever it is she might have left for him. This means, of course, that he will have to slip into the crime scene and search it, in violation of all sorts of laws. He tracks down his lawyer, who’s hard at work losing money in a pool hall and who advises Artie not to do it. Happily, Artie ignores this sound advice; if he didn’t there would be no book, and that would be a shame because it turns out to be a pretty good one.
Artie is a very engaging protagonist and naturally, once he sneaks into the studio and discovers what Billie left him, he puts himself in the crosshairs of the NYPD and the FBI, as well as an assorted group of mobsters, con men and aging World War II fighter pilots. (The book was first published in 1987, when these flyboys would have been in their late sixties.) Artie struggles to stay one step ahead of them all as he attempts to unravel the complex mystery that led to the death of his ex-lover. He doesn’t always succeed, which means that his life expectancy may not be all that great.
This is a very entertaining book, laced with a wry humor and populated by a quirky cast of characters. It’s now available in new trade paperback and e-book editions, and readers who seek it out are sure to enjoy it.
Until a year ago, Artie was madly in love with a beautiful woman named Billie Burke, an artist/photographer. He’s still a bit madly in love with Billie, but to no avail since she ditched him for another lover (or two or three). Artie is stunned when the cops interrupt one of his relaxing afternoons to tell him that Billie has been found, bound and drowned in her bathtub. The cops suggest that Artie might be a suspect in the killing and then, to make matters worse, Artie discovers that he’s overlooked a message that Billie left on his answering machine just before she was killed. In the message, she begs him to come see her at her studio and tells him that she has something for him there.
Artie decides that he has to find whatever it is she might have left for him. This means, of course, that he will have to slip into the crime scene and search it, in violation of all sorts of laws. He tracks down his lawyer, who’s hard at work losing money in a pool hall and who advises Artie not to do it. Happily, Artie ignores this sound advice; if he didn’t there would be no book, and that would be a shame because it turns out to be a pretty good one.
Artie is a very engaging protagonist and naturally, once he sneaks into the studio and discovers what Billie left him, he puts himself in the crosshairs of the NYPD and the FBI, as well as an assorted group of mobsters, con men and aging World War II fighter pilots. (The book was first published in 1987, when these flyboys would have been in their late sixties.) Artie struggles to stay one step ahead of them all as he attempts to unravel the complex mystery that led to the death of his ex-lover. He doesn’t always succeed, which means that his life expectancy may not be all that great.
This is a very entertaining book, laced with a wry humor and populated by a quirky cast of characters. It’s now available in new trade paperback and e-book editions, and readers who seek it out are sure to enjoy it.
June 13, 2018
This opens as we find main character Deemer in his apartment overlooking the Hudson listening to jazz and flaking with his dog, Jellyroll. For a man who does nothing Deemer lives quite nicely on the income that Jellyroll brings in as a famous show-biz dog.
Then bad news arrives. Deemer's former girlfriend has been found murdered. Shortly after, Deemer is pulled in when he gets a prophetic letter she'd written that leads him to something she wanted only him to have.
Deemer seeks those things and understanding of them. Others, mostly the bad guys, want them, too. But figuring out even who the bad guys are is a problem, let alone keeping out of their clutches. Things get difficult and ugly for Deemer. His allies, the pool-hall attorney and others help as they can but not only do the bad guys want Deemer and his possessions, but so do the cops and the FBI.
We spend about a week with Deemer after the murder. We find out his background, as well as that of his murdered ex, and find the roots of the problems reach back in history. The story flow and language are engaging. Knowing about jazz and WWII aviation, neither of which is familiar to me, might raise this to five stars. But as it stands, I liked Deemer, rooted for him, and will continue the series.
Then bad news arrives. Deemer's former girlfriend has been found murdered. Shortly after, Deemer is pulled in when he gets a prophetic letter she'd written that leads him to something she wanted only him to have.
Deemer seeks those things and understanding of them. Others, mostly the bad guys, want them, too. But figuring out even who the bad guys are is a problem, let alone keeping out of their clutches. Things get difficult and ugly for Deemer. His allies, the pool-hall attorney and others help as they can but not only do the bad guys want Deemer and his possessions, but so do the cops and the FBI.
We spend about a week with Deemer after the murder. We find out his background, as well as that of his murdered ex, and find the roots of the problems reach back in history. The story flow and language are engaging. Knowing about jazz and WWII aviation, neither of which is familiar to me, might raise this to five stars. But as it stands, I liked Deemer, rooted for him, and will continue the series.
August 18, 2014
Brash Books just keeps digging up treasures from the out of print list. From 1987, LOVER MAN was an Edgar finalist for best novel.
Artie Deemer is our erstwhile hero. His dog Jellyroll(Artie is a jazz fan) is famous from TV, movies, and dog food commercials is the breadwinner of the family.
Artie is relaxing one day, smoking a joint and listening to jazz, when two cops drop in to inform him that his ex-lover Billie Burke had been murdered, tied and drowned in her bath tub.
He identifies the body and when he returns home finds a message on his phone that he'd missed. From Billie, she meeded to see him right away.
Then the message saying she would be dead when got it. Get up and go look in the ice trays at her apartment.
What he finds are negatives(Billie was a photographer) of the business acroos the street from her studio and some personal stuff.
What did it all mean?
Artie suddenly finds himself a reluctant investigator looking for a killer, dodging cops, Feds, and blackmailers, which it looked like Billie was a part of.
All Artie cared about was finding her killer. Those pictures held the answer, though he couldn't see how. He had to figure out what before he became one of the dead.
Another winner from Brash Books.
Artie Deemer is our erstwhile hero. His dog Jellyroll(Artie is a jazz fan) is famous from TV, movies, and dog food commercials is the breadwinner of the family.
Artie is relaxing one day, smoking a joint and listening to jazz, when two cops drop in to inform him that his ex-lover Billie Burke had been murdered, tied and drowned in her bath tub.
He identifies the body and when he returns home finds a message on his phone that he'd missed. From Billie, she meeded to see him right away.
Then the message saying she would be dead when got it. Get up and go look in the ice trays at her apartment.
What he finds are negatives(Billie was a photographer) of the business acroos the street from her studio and some personal stuff.
What did it all mean?
Artie suddenly finds himself a reluctant investigator looking for a killer, dodging cops, Feds, and blackmailers, which it looked like Billie was a part of.
All Artie cared about was finding her killer. Those pictures held the answer, though he couldn't see how. He had to figure out what before he became one of the dead.
Another winner from Brash Books.
May 8, 2015
Young Artie Deemer: stoner, ex-boyfriend of a dead woman, and groupie owner of a star dog, Jellyroll. What could possibly go wrong?
Mostly, everything.
Artie is such a slacker, buffeted by the winds of criminal enterprise, antiquarian art dealers, and eager movie producers looking to cash in on Jellyroll's enormous star-power.
Doing his best to stay ahead of the mob and the law, Artie's whodunit sleuthing gets him into and out of scrapes (including some flash-frozen clues).
This is a good little book to just enjoy. And lay off the ganga, there, Artie. It makes things a little too mellow for your own good.
4 Stars
Mostly, everything.
Artie is such a slacker, buffeted by the winds of criminal enterprise, antiquarian art dealers, and eager movie producers looking to cash in on Jellyroll's enormous star-power.
Doing his best to stay ahead of the mob and the law, Artie's whodunit sleuthing gets him into and out of scrapes (including some flash-frozen clues).
This is a good little book to just enjoy. And lay off the ganga, there, Artie. It makes things a little too mellow for your own good.
4 Stars
March 3, 2020
Artie Deemer never had any intention of investigating a murder. But when his former lover, Billie Burke, turns up dead, he seems to think there’s no alternative. Billie has entrusted him with a set of photographs that appear to point to a heinous crime. And Artie can’t trust anyone with the photos, even the police detectives who show up at his door. This is the setup in the first of Dallas Murphy’s three mysteries featuring the accidental detective.
Welcome to the often-comical world of Artie Deemer. Artie, it seems, lacks ambition. He lives off the royalties earned by his dog, Jellyroll, a television and film star who “is the exclusive spokesdog for R-r-ruff Dog Food, his happy face printed on millions of boxes distributed nationwide.” And Jellyroll isn’t even his dog, not really. Billie rescued him from a pound but insisted on leaving him behind when she moved out to go her own way months ago. All she asks is that Artie send her every month a check for exactly $2,158.68. Which Artie is delighted to do, since he’s still very much in love with the beautiful Billie. And Jellyroll brings in more than that every week.
OK, so a lot of confusion and a few laughs later, Artie’s investigation uncovers mystery within mystery. It’s all tied to those photos Billie took. (Yes, Billie is a photographer.) Eventually, though, we find out what Billie’s real name is, who are all the people in those photos, why those checks need to be for exactly $2,158.68, how several former World War II aces are connected to everything else, and, of course, who murdered Billie, and why. All the explanations are a long time coming, but it’s fun to get there. And now the accidental detective has got not just one but several solved mysteries under his belt.
Welcome to the often-comical world of Artie Deemer. Artie, it seems, lacks ambition. He lives off the royalties earned by his dog, Jellyroll, a television and film star who “is the exclusive spokesdog for R-r-ruff Dog Food, his happy face printed on millions of boxes distributed nationwide.” And Jellyroll isn’t even his dog, not really. Billie rescued him from a pound but insisted on leaving him behind when she moved out to go her own way months ago. All she asks is that Artie send her every month a check for exactly $2,158.68. Which Artie is delighted to do, since he’s still very much in love with the beautiful Billie. And Jellyroll brings in more than that every week.
OK, so a lot of confusion and a few laughs later, Artie’s investigation uncovers mystery within mystery. It’s all tied to those photos Billie took. (Yes, Billie is a photographer.) Eventually, though, we find out what Billie’s real name is, who are all the people in those photos, why those checks need to be for exactly $2,158.68, how several former World War II aces are connected to everything else, and, of course, who murdered Billie, and why. All the explanations are a long time coming, but it’s fun to get there. And now the accidental detective has got not just one but several solved mysteries under his belt.
April 21, 2015
This is a first person mystery set in Noo Yawk, where a man with far too much time on his hands hears about his ex-lover’s death and wants to solve it before the police. Fair warning if you’re reading this in 2015: it is not set in the present; either this is written about the past, or more likely was written in the past and is being republished now. Don’t know much about baseball, but I’m pretty sure Gooden and Strawberry played quite a while ago.
The writing style is showcased from the very first sentence, which I enjoyed a lot. Not that the rest was bad, but it was such a good start there was no way it could stay at such a level. It’s always a good sign when a dog is a main character, and is quite the character. This book will particularly be enjoyed by jazz fans, which the main character is.
What he isn’t is very smart; over and over I had to keep from shouting at him for making the stupid move, particularly when it came to keeping things from the cops and going it alone, where he was much more likely to get beat up or killed. His motivation for doing so didn’t strike me as all that smart to begin with, and after dangerous people mess with him he doesn’t get the message, his ego taking over. Considering all he does for a living is manage his famous dog, I eventually grew to dislike him, wondering if he would end up in the hospital—can’t kill a first-person narrator, after all, unless you’re Richard Matheson—and I wasn’t bothered by the idea.
The ending in particular was confusing; the plot had taken so many turns, there’d been so many revelations and character twists, that even when I was told who was who and did what, I wasn’t sure what had happened. Ordinarily I would give this a 2, but the writing style warrants bumping it up to 3.
The writing style is showcased from the very first sentence, which I enjoyed a lot. Not that the rest was bad, but it was such a good start there was no way it could stay at such a level. It’s always a good sign when a dog is a main character, and is quite the character. This book will particularly be enjoyed by jazz fans, which the main character is.
What he isn’t is very smart; over and over I had to keep from shouting at him for making the stupid move, particularly when it came to keeping things from the cops and going it alone, where he was much more likely to get beat up or killed. His motivation for doing so didn’t strike me as all that smart to begin with, and after dangerous people mess with him he doesn’t get the message, his ego taking over. Considering all he does for a living is manage his famous dog, I eventually grew to dislike him, wondering if he would end up in the hospital—can’t kill a first-person narrator, after all, unless you’re Richard Matheson—and I wasn’t bothered by the idea.
The ending in particular was confusing; the plot had taken so many turns, there’d been so many revelations and character twists, that even when I was told who was who and did what, I wasn’t sure what had happened. Ordinarily I would give this a 2, but the writing style warrants bumping it up to 3.
October 18, 2021
Artie Deemer lives a pointless but pleasant life courtesy of his TV and Film star dog, 'Jellyroll'. The dollars just keep rolling in!
And then his ex-live-in girlfriend, Billie (possibly The One), is murdered. He's mildly concerned but when another ex-lover (there are many he never knew about) delivers him a last message from Billie it kicks in to action.
The trail leads to a series of negatives which relate to Billie's family and, oddly, to WWII fighter pilots and a business just across from Billie's studio.
Artie's persistence in hunting for answers bring him to the attention of several people who are very interested in the negatives, but not so much in providing answers as to why they matter a damn.
Artie's not much given to looking back, or even forward, but he proves a relentless investigator - he simply wants to know what it is all about. It's not about revenge, it is not even about justice - he just wants to know.
He's in deep water, well over his head, and he's about to find out how deep it is!
“Lover Man” doesn't really explain everything at the end, it leaves it up to the reader to figure out what the hell it was all about.
I found it unsatisfying – a great read right up until the finale and then it all went to hell.
3 Stars because of the experience reading it, but it would have been 2 Stars if based on the conclusion.
And then his ex-live-in girlfriend, Billie (possibly The One), is murdered. He's mildly concerned but when another ex-lover (there are many he never knew about) delivers him a last message from Billie it kicks in to action.
The trail leads to a series of negatives which relate to Billie's family and, oddly, to WWII fighter pilots and a business just across from Billie's studio.
Artie's persistence in hunting for answers bring him to the attention of several people who are very interested in the negatives, but not so much in providing answers as to why they matter a damn.
Artie's not much given to looking back, or even forward, but he proves a relentless investigator - he simply wants to know what it is all about. It's not about revenge, it is not even about justice - he just wants to know.
He's in deep water, well over his head, and he's about to find out how deep it is!
“Lover Man” doesn't really explain everything at the end, it leaves it up to the reader to figure out what the hell it was all about.
I found it unsatisfying – a great read right up until the finale and then it all went to hell.
3 Stars because of the experience reading it, but it would have been 2 Stars if based on the conclusion.
January 31, 2015
I'd rate this 3.5 stars, but because it left me with a good feeling, I'm rounding up to 4 stars. This is an intriguing mystery. We begin with Artie, a laid back, hippie kind of guy who is living off the career of his dog Jellyroll, well-known in commercials and movies. But from this seemingly uninspiring character, we discover he has hidden depths. He's actually intelligent and dogged in his determination to discover what happened to Billie. She is his ex-girlfriend who turns up dead right at the beginning of the book and sent him on a search for some answers. While we discover that Artie is more than he seemed at first, we also discover (along with Artie) that Billie had many secrets as well and was involved in some underhanded activities. Secondary characters of Calabash and Sybil were fun and brought some light-heartedness to the book. I haven't read Murphy before, but I liked his terse and straightforward writing style. Good stuff, and I'll look for more from this author.
July 10, 2016
A most amazing book! It keeps the reader involved and thinking from the very first page. Artie Deemer is as unlikely a hero as you can find, and the puzzle he unravels continues to surprise right up to the very end. The players are a diverse breed and truly unique, adding significantly to the flavor of the story. The writing is simple and direct, advancing the plot without getting in the way. I won't tell you the story, but I will recommend you read it for yourself.
March 24, 2017
On the surface you might wonder about the premise of this book. Artie Deemer doesn't have a job. He doesn't need one because his dog is a TV star. But when his ex-girlfriend gets murdered and he receives a key that leads him to some old pictures, he goes searching for answers. The story has lots of action, humor and surprises!
February 28, 2018
Not just a mystery
This was such a delightfully surprising mystery. It was so well written and never once did I guess all of the final details. Superb.
This was such a delightfully surprising mystery. It was so well written and never once did I guess all of the final details. Superb.
December 1, 2018
Fun read. 3 and 1/2 stars. I will look for more books by this author.
April 15, 2022
Likeable characters, cute plot. An entertaining chuck away story.
August 14, 2023
Not great. Very dated. Too many characters and
a thick header plot.
Not Recommended.
a thick header plot.
Not Recommended.
November 26, 2014
Imagine this – you’re just a regular guy – well, maybe not exactly REGULAR, since your dog is a famous dog food dog and you live off your dog – just a lucky guy, living in New York City, when you get this note from an old lover, ‘I’M DEAD…..’
And then this whole crazy roller coast of a ride begins – cops, FBI, old World War II fighter pilots, shady Mafia deals – and you’re just this innocent guy trying to figure out what up….
Especially since you have some mysterious pictures left to you by your dead former lover and EVERYBODY wants them!
Bodies begin to pile up, as you, your former lover’s offbeat girlfriend, and bodyguard Calabash – not to mention your big bucks dog – find yourselves in the middle of one incredible, kaleidoscopic adventure – that only becomes clear in the last pages.
Grab this baby and settle down for some dark laughs and plenty of surprises as you have one unbelievable adventure!
And then this whole crazy roller coast of a ride begins – cops, FBI, old World War II fighter pilots, shady Mafia deals – and you’re just this innocent guy trying to figure out what up….
Especially since you have some mysterious pictures left to you by your dead former lover and EVERYBODY wants them!
Bodies begin to pile up, as you, your former lover’s offbeat girlfriend, and bodyguard Calabash – not to mention your big bucks dog – find yourselves in the middle of one incredible, kaleidoscopic adventure – that only becomes clear in the last pages.
Grab this baby and settle down for some dark laughs and plenty of surprises as you have one unbelievable adventure!
September 17, 2016
Once there was a dog that was famous for advertising a certain dog food.
He earned enough money between this advertising and his film appearances to that his owner and handler needed not to work any further - for an example in the cat world see Grumpy Cat.
His owner's old lover is murdered and a complicated train of events is set into motion.
the story is told through the eyes and emotions of Artie, the dog's owner. He is a very laid back type of character - who likes to watch the world go by and smoke an occasional reefer. But Artie now finds that Billie, is ex-lover and ex-part owner of the dog, was not who she appeared to be. Or who she said she was. Or even who she seemed to be.
In fact almost no-one seemed to be who they said they were we find out....
A good read, not setting out to be funny but gentle humour pervades it. The style leaves a wry smile behind. Like Artie.
I was given this book by Brash Publishers and NetGalley to review and was impressed.
He earned enough money between this advertising and his film appearances to that his owner and handler needed not to work any further - for an example in the cat world see Grumpy Cat.
His owner's old lover is murdered and a complicated train of events is set into motion.
the story is told through the eyes and emotions of Artie, the dog's owner. He is a very laid back type of character - who likes to watch the world go by and smoke an occasional reefer. But Artie now finds that Billie, is ex-lover and ex-part owner of the dog, was not who she appeared to be. Or who she said she was. Or even who she seemed to be.
In fact almost no-one seemed to be who they said they were we find out....
A good read, not setting out to be funny but gentle humour pervades it. The style leaves a wry smile behind. Like Artie.
I was given this book by Brash Publishers and NetGalley to review and was impressed.
October 23, 2016
I received a free electronic copy of this book from Brash books with no explicit requirement that I should review it. However, I enjoyed it very much and feel obliged to post a review. From the outset, I found Artie an engaging character. I envied his easy life, but also got the sense that he was troubled and complex. And, of course, there is a dog. Throughout the unravelling mystery with steadily building tension, I was worried that the bad people would harm the dog, or that something would happen to Artie and that Jellyroll would be left uncared-for. But Jellyroll and Artie both make it to the end with the dog lifting his leg to urinate on the landing gear of the aeroplane in which they had such a scary ride. Even if you don't like dogs, there is enough in this book to keep you fascinated. The main characters are well-developed, there is some wry humour, and the book has weathered well, now having a charming retro feel about it. Recommended.
July 24, 2015
Who would not be jealous of Artie? Lays around listening to jazz, smoking a bit of pot, and now and then takes his talented dog Jellyroll into the studio to do dog food commercials. Jellyroll is quite good at it evidently, enough to keep Artie in the bux. His life is upended when his former lover is discovered dead in her bath tub and he has to do the identification. He then finds a message from her that he should check her ice cube tray, whereupon he finds some interesting but puzzling negatives that he feels provides clues to her death. The clues, however, are neither obvious or, on first examination particularly edifying. So, off he goes on a twist and turn filled mission to figure it out. Fun book, despite the dastardly deeds!
November 30, 2014
Duke, Prez, Count and more. I have heard of most of them and even enjoyed their music. But I would have been happier if it were Mick, Janis, Jimi. More of a Rock ’n Roll person. That aside a darn good read. Not sure if the many characters would have made the story as interesting without the dog. Think of yourself as the owner of Lassie or Nipper. The royalties would let you live comfortably. But of course the intrusion of police and the villains make the story. With many a twist and turn and like any great story plenty of “I did not see that coming” events. Keeps you guessing and turning pages. The first Brash book I have read leaves me with great expectations. This is enjoyable entertainment and that is what makes a good read a great read.
August 27, 2015
funny enough to make me snort out loud on the subway.
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