The Cold Smell of Sacred Stone

Mongo #6

by George C. Chesbro

In an effort to save his brother Garth, who has been poisoned with "spy dust," Mongo, a dwarf detective, exposes a KGB plot to use Garth as a political pawn

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

George C. Chesbro was an American author of detective fiction. His most notable works feature Dr. Robert "Mongo the Magnificent" Fredrickson, a private detective with dwarfism. He also wrote the novelization of The Golden Child, a movie of the same name starring Eddie Murphy.

Chesbro was born in Washington, D.C. He worked as a special education teacher at Pearl River and later at rockland Psychiatric Center, where he worked with trouble teens. Chebro was married and had one daughter and two step-daughters.

Reviews

[JR Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixth in the Mongo mystery Series, written in 1988. This one was entertaining, but it was very dark, and a bit overboard on the overly intense ending. It continued the arc that was begun two books back, but again, it seemed, in the end, that though the character's actions got them out of immediate trouble, the overriding problem facing Mongo's brother Garth, was one to be solved through no direct action on their part.

[Gloria Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mongo tells us what happened as a result of his and his brother's role in destroying a project aimed at ending the human race as we know it. His brother Garth was poisoned with a rare chemical and lies, comatose, in a secret government psychiatric facility.

Mongo takes it upon himself to apply unorthodox methods that awaken Garth. But Garth is strange and saintly. Soon people are hailing him as the Messiah. Mongo is torn between pride in his brother and suspicion that foreign operatives are involved, not to Garth's benefit.

Here is a combination fantasy/mystery. Mongo is a dwarf, which may account in part for his having attained expertise where it counts. He is an ex circus tumbler, martial arts black belt, criminologist, teacher, and private investigator. He is also, refreshingly, a balanced adult--unlike the wise-ass, in your face, adolescent behavior of so many mystery protagonists. Rather, he is compassionate, respectful, and tough when necessary. There are delicious moments to savor, as when his kindness shows, whether it's winning over troubled youngsters he's teaching or collecting a would-be assassin's teeth for re-implanting. Certainly there's the subtle humor that lightens the novel.

Where the story may drag is during conversations. The dialogue is so realistic that the characters, as in real life, tend to repeat themselves. That could be shortened.

The tale takes surprise twists. Tension grows as time to save our heroes ticks away. And Mongo doesn't disappoint. He's a gem of a character. I want to read more stories involving him.

[Hani Fitriani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is probably the best from the sequence of Valhalla, Archangel and Sacred Stone... I love the emotional stuff between the Frederickson brothers and especially Mongo with his parents (That got me choked up)

[Richard Lujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, interesting plot with a Philosophical twist on man's religious hangups.

[Quanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mongo's brother, Garth, is mistaken for the messiah. Like all the Mongo books there is a touch of SciFi. Unbelievable, but, entertaining.

[Violette Malan]

The next in the Mongo series I've been revisiting over the last week or so. A great example of how a book can actually work better if you haven't read everything that came before, the summaries of the knowledge to you need to understand what's happening work like a charm. For my complete take on the Mongo series, take a look at my post at Black Gate Magazine, https://www.blackgate.com/2016/06/17/...

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a pair of novellas - there are two distinct but intertwined settings and stories here; and this is the first Mongo book that almost requires that it be read in sequence with its immediate predecessors. (not a complaint, since I am reading them in order of publication, just an observation)

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well paced and action packed, like all chesbro, but with less supernatural phenomena.a breezy & enjoyable read, despite the somewhat heavy lessons about religion, morality and humanity that are att he heart of the story

[Luis Gutierrez-Poucel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining, but certainly not one of the better books by Chesbro.t

[Jim Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love Mongo

[Lapetitesteph]

Excellent.