Always a Cold Deck

The Harry Reese Mysteries #1

by Robert Bruce Stewart

Always a Cold Deck is the first Harry Reese Mystery.

Harry is an insurance investigator with a wry sense of humor who never takes life too seriously. In July 1900, he is sent to Buffalo, New York, to look into a fire that has destroyed a grain elevator. But when Harry uncovers a smuggling operation, the case morphs into something more serious. Trains and steamships feature prominently as he crosses into Canada and back, accompanied by a curious young woman who seems to be conducting an investigation of her own. But Harry can never be sure of anyone’s loyalties, least of all those who’ve hired him.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Humor, Historical, Cozy Mystery

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Finding himself misplaced in the 21st century, Robert Bruce Stewart has opted to retire to what he hopes will be a more congenial era for a person of his sensibilities by means of fiction writing. Meanwhile, his temporal self lives with his wife and cat in a small-town hermitage in western Massachusetts where he spends his idle hours tending to the needs of tadpoles and keeping his ill-mannered bamboo grove in check.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Reese is an Insurance Investigator, and there's murder, mystery, lots of suspects, lots of leads (the intricacy of which is amazing) and just when you think you've finally sussed out whodunit, the author provides even more avenues to explore that we hadn't even considered.
The fact that Harry, (along with his partner Emmie) execute their investigations with a large dollop of wit, gives a little added extra to the usual whodunit novels.
Set in 1900, Mr Stewart certainly knows how to write an excellent historical mystery (they're clearly well researched).
I loved the setting, together with this period in history, and I also loved the characters. I enjoy a book that keeps me guessing right up to the end, and that’s exactly what the author has managed to do. A thoroughly enjoyable read.


*I received a paperback copy from the author in exchange for an honest review, so thank you Mr Stewart for that.*

[Joel Bresler · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Always a Cold Deck" is the first in a series of Harry Reese novels. Here, the insurance investigator is sent to turn-of-the-century Buffalo to see if an insured grain elevator's burning to the ground might have had some help. The story soon turns into one of missing persons and murder, as these things generally do.
This is a well-written novel. There are no speeding car chases, O.K. Corral-style shootouts or exploding bombs; rather, there is the sort of methodical progression that Chandler was the master of. Author Robert Bruce Stewart knows how to move a story along and tie it up nicely at the end, and I suspect that anything he writes will be worth reading.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this series backwards, from Kalorama Shakedown and Crossings, so it's good to get back to the first book in this amusing mystery series set in 1900s New York, and see just how Harry Reese and his irrepressible wife Emmie met.

Mr. Stewart makes the Buffalo of 1900 come alive in this book. It's easy to imagine yourself hopping on a cable car, train or steamer in the course of investigating a possible insurance fraud. Since Harry's always short of funds he's hoping to cadge a meal at the opulent Iroquois Hotel at someone else's expense while juggling his meager advance cash. Are the missing partners in the company in question dead or not? It's up to Harry to prove that someone is pulling a fast one here.

The dialogue is witty and entertaining with a healthy dollop of humor as we meet a colorful cast of characters. Think The Thin Man movies if you're a film buff, but with a ragtime film score.

I'd recommend you start with Always a Cold Deck if at all possible. This series only gets better as it goes along.

For more, see my blog post: http://my-book-diary.blogspot.com/201...

[Jo-Ann Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I was spoiled by reading the later books in this series first. Overall, it was a fun read, but I thought it got off to a slow start and the culprit in the base mystery seemed very obvious to me from the beginning. However, when Harry and Emmie finally get together, it picks up and is as enjoyable as the later books.

There is lots of humor and quite a few chuckles. Many at poor Harry's expense.

This is the first of the books where I was able to solve the mystery before the detectives. All the books have multiple plots and sub plots which can get very confusing but hold your interest in the story.

It is still a good book and very entertaining. I look forward to reading more of Harry and Emmie's adventures.

[Jann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another book started to while away the time waiting in hospital. I found it entertaining, if a little confusing. The minor characters were not well drawn out and not memorable, so I often found myself wondering which of them was either in the current scene or being discussed by Harry, the young insurance investigator and the young lady Emmie, who is the cousin of one, niece of another and employee of a third. She has attached herself to Harry and at first it isn't clear if she is trying to undermine his efforts, assist him or is merely attracted to him. They muddle their way through to solving three murders and are a great help to the police in Toronto, Canada as well as those in Buffalo.
I wouldn't particularly recommend it unless you already have it on hand.

[Italo Italophiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This humorous crime-mystery story set near the turn of the century (1900) is one of those books you just sit back, read with abandon, and go along for the wild ride just for the fun of the journey. The author gives us plenty of entertaining characters, who seem to suit their era to perfection, to keep us company.

Our guide is the first-person narrator Harry Reese, an insurance investigator. His dry wit and smart-alecky demeanor make him the perfect guide. When he teams up with Emmie, a quirky young woman with a very vivid imagination, Harry comes to life. We get subtle hints about his attraction to her, and his fascination with her character. He indulges her out of a head-over-heels love that he can't quite admit to us.

This is a book for active readers who know how to read between the lines. Subtlety is the author's forte, and it brings these fascinating people alive for the intelligent reader. The light humor throughout made the crime-mystery case secondary to the enjoyment of this reader. Expert writing, well-edited, quality presentation.

The research into the era, places and language shines through, but never overshadows the story. Instead, it all adds an honesty to the book that makes it seem like it could actually have been written in that era. I will be reading all of the books in this creative, unique, entertaining, quality series. For active, intelligent readers with a well-developed sense of humor.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you 're looking for a laugh out loud, interesting, cozy mystery to read, this entire series will have what you want. The characters' morals may be outdated, but the characters' actions are familiar - especially when trying to save themselves from trouble. I suggest that you read the books in order so you understand the references to earlier stories. Happy Reading!

[Larry Hightower · Rating 1 out of 5]

No!

A tedious slog. Not serious enough for face value. Not comical enough for farce. Didn't bother finishing, just fast forwarded to end.

[NVTony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stewart is now one of my favorite mystery writers. What a fun read.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

1900, Buffalo, NY. The 160’ elevator owned by Eastern Elevator Co. (EEC) had burned down.
It was however insured for $200,000.
The problem was there was a lot of internal EEC scandal.
McLeod’s Hotel. Harry Reese had contacted Ed Ketchum (fire investigator) about the misfortune.
The main Eastern Elevator Co. office was housed in the Mooney-Brisbane Building.
Done for day, Harry had been invited for dinner at the Iroquois Hotel by Samuel Keegan (Gotham Insurance Bureau owner).

Jeb Cowell (American Concordia Insurance Co. claims dept.) would be there also.
General Chester Osgood (president, lawyer Erie County Bank Building office) wasn’t much help.
Danny Sullivan (former dockhand) might be able to shed some light on what happened.
Detective James Donahy was pounding on Harry’s room door.
It seems Danny was being fished out of the river.
Detective George Henafelt met them at the crime scene.
Harry was doing a lot of investigating.
Shea’s Garden Theater. Ms. Emmie McGinnis (secretary, Charles’ niece), & Harry went to see Carlotta (cousin, aka Cissie Lightner), & Tim Madden (partner). They were putting on “A Wife’s Stratagem.”

There was several more acts after that.
Will Harry & Emmie figure out if there is an insurance fraud?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Street Car Mysteries; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)

[Patricia Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; I wish I would have known the meaning of "a Cold Deck" beforehand. (ah, my ignorance! It's a deck of cards that have been 'arranged' to increase the possibilities of winning. ) But maybe that lack of knowledge contributed to the quirky humor I find In Mr. Stewart's writing. I saw this book characterized as a Historical Mystery... but for those who appreciate a quiet subtle humor, it's a Hysterical Historical Mystery. Harry Reese, a frugal and often 'low on cash' insurance investigator in the 1900's is looking into a grain elevator fire. Was it arson? Is it fraud? Many suspects, possibilities for fraud arise..but Harry finds a vault under the elevator. Could there be smugglers? Could one of the owners who was supposedly dead be still alive? IS that owner's niece Emmie out to sabotage or to assist him??? It's in this book that Harry meets and marries his wife Emmie .Ooops, I've given a hint that she does assist him-- or does she really? As they embark for their 'honeymoon' Harry notes that there are no tears from her family as they depart. He's puzzled by their sense of relief !! Emma and Harry solve the mysteries but only after a madcap series of convoluted scenarios that not only entertain but also exercise 'the little grey cells' . Thanks Robert Bruce Stewart for another fun, good, entertaining mystery. I NOW look forward to reading some of the Emmie Reese mysteries (for lots of reasons she reminds me of my grandmother).

[BookAddict · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the characters,and initially the plot, and the writing was funny and intelligent but god almighty this was so long, and for whatever reason quite a slot to get through and so with about 2.5 hours still to go I skipped to the end, I just got tired of it. A condensed version of this would make a great movie-too bad Clark Gable and Carole Lombard are no longer alive.

[Norine Luker · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever any book series should make it to film, this is it. Funny, twisty, engaging.

[Bob Blanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun. good mystery

[Marion Grassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Robert Bruce Stewart. That being said, the following is my considered review of the book.

I enjoyed reading this novel, the first in the Harry Reese Mysteries series, although it is the third book I have read from the series. As with the other two Harry Reese novels (Crossings and Kalorama Shakedown) this is a mystery novel which is rather humorous, tongue-in-cheek and doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you like your mystery/ detective /murder stories with a humorous element, these are the books for you.
This unusual combination of mystery and comedy is set in the USA and Canada during the turn of the last century and effectively draws the reader into its historical setting with its pleasing period details.
The story is based around Harry Reese, insurance investigator, who has been sent to investigate a possible insurance fraud based around a grain elevator fire. The plot soon develops into one of smuggling, missing persons, blackmail and murder. The story progresses through an assortment of twists and turns and, as the reader, you are never quite sure who to believe or trust as there are a multitude of dubious characters and suspects. And while I was kept guessing right up to the end I was rewarded with its satisfying conclusion.
The characters are vibrant and memorable. Harry is ‘assisted’ in his investigations by Emmie McGinnis, a young office girl with a taste for the gruesome and salacious. The developing relationship between Harry and Emmie (although very much understated) is responsible for much of the comic relief. The banter between these two main characters is a delight – Emmie is rather emancipated and forward for the times - leading to an occasional battle of wills! Even those characters not entirely likeable are still rather colourful and intriguing.
My only grumble: The book contained a great deal of dialogue, while peppered with humour and wit, meant I found it a little difficult at times to stay with the story – referring back on several occasions to check on the plot and characters. Once the narrative picked up I felt the book flowed much more smoothly.
Nevertheless, the novel is well written and highly entertaining with its lively, tongue-in-cheek, witty style. I look forward to more from this author.
The website for this series is wonderful (link provided in the opening pages). It contains details of the Streetcar Mystery novels, all the characters and a vast amount of related information on the places involved and their historical context. It provides a vast glossary of the words and terms used in the novel for authenticity. Links are provided for further investigation. It is clear the author has gone to a great deal of background research to produce the historical detail found in these books in order to present an authentic setting.
The author states: “It’s my aspiration to write historical mysteries that are humorous in a sophisticated way, yet faithful to the genre and the period.” Once again I would have to say he has undoubtedly achieved his goal.

[Els · Rating 1 out of 5]

Het laatste boek dat in mijn ebookpakket zat en eerlijk? Ik was er totaal niet boos om. Het vorige viel al tegen en als je dacht dat het niet erger meer kon, dacht je fout. Ik vond dit echt een draak van een verhaal, sorry voor de fans.
Ten eerste is het geschreven door een man. Laat het duidelijk zijn : ik heb totaal niks tegen mannen maar toch ligt hun schrijfstijl mij minder om de een of andere reden.
Ten tweede vind ik het een afschuwelijke cover. Die duidt op de periode waarin het zich afspeelt en daar hou ik ook niet van. Maar goed. Ik geef elk boek een eerlijke kans en zet altijd alle vooroordelen opzij.
De cover is zeker goed gekozen, de titel daarentegen geeft wel een onderdeel weer maar dekt volgens mij niet voldoende de hele lading.
Het verhaal zelf dan. Het gaat om een onderzoek naar een mogelijke verzekeringsfraude en dat is een kolfje naar de hand van Harry Reese. Op zich best interessant, maar de manier waarop het gebracht wordt, valt tegen. Te ingewikkeld waardoor het totaal onoverzichtelijk wordt. Te veel personages en waarom kies je twee mensen met bijna dezelfde naam? Dat maakt het nodeloos verwarrend en daardoor gaat er een deel van de vaart weg omdat je je te fel moet concentreren over wie het nu juist gaat. Er zit absoluut geen spanning in en het feit dat ik er voortdurend werkelijk bij in slaap viel, zegt genoeg.
Ik speel graag mee detective, maar als je dan de ontknoping leest en je doorheen het hele boek niets kan vinden waardoor je bij deze uitkomst zou uitkomen behalve op de voorlaatste bladzijde, dan valt mij dat heel erg tegen.

Conclusie

Dit was deel 1 van de Harry Reese reeks. Was het daarom minder van kwaliteit? Ik zal u het antwoord moeten schuldig blijven, want deel 1 was meteen ook het laatste deel dat ik er ook zal van lezen. 1 ster voor de passende kaft. Meer kan er niet af. Jammer :(

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always A Cold Deck is the first of a lighthearted and humorous historical mystery series set in the early part of the last century. Harry Reese is a young insurance investigator who is sent to Buffalo in the summer of 1900 to look into a grain elevator fire. This fairly routine case is suddenly transformed into a mystery involving smuggling, fraud, missing persons and more than one dead body.

It's an intricate mystery, and several people try to mislead him for reasons of their own, but Harry finds some help in the person of Emmie McGinnis, who's rather bored with her office job. She jumps at the chance to assist Harry in this exciting adventure, since she secretly has a desire to become an author, starting out with dime novels (the more salacious, the better!). Also, her uncle is one of the principals in the case -- is he dead? Missing? On the run? No one really knows for sure.

With Emmie beside him, taking notes all the way, Harry travels from Buffalo to Toronto to Rochester in his efforts to unravel this complicated web. And before the mystery is solved, Harry and Emmie are engaged, but it's not until everyone comes together to celebrate the happy event that the whole truth is finally revealed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing style is first-rate. It has great period details that really bring this era to life, including a vaudeville show, an eye-opening museum, and police investigative techniques that would leave today's CSI aficionado gasping in horror. Harry usually manages to find the humour in life, even if the rent is overdue, and he and Emmie make a great team. I can't wait to see what they get mixed up in next!

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a disclaimer, I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review and he was actually trying to send me a copy of his later book in the series "Kalorama Shakedown" (see separate review), and I had asked him if it would be possible to read the first book in the series instead as I had started with book #4 ("A Charm of Powerful Trouble" - see separate review), and he very kindly sent me a copy of both, noting that he did not think his first book was as good as his later books.

I did like book #1 "Always A Cold Deck" but it really does not pick up the pace until the two main characters meet each other, and I would recommend reading the later books first and then coming back to find out how Harry met Emmie. This first volume was a little drier reading than the later books where the author obviously found his comic stride. But still interesting with the ins and outs of turn-of-the-century insurance fraud and murder. (And based on the reviews on the back cover, we know who to blame for President McKinley's death ;) )

[Paul Burnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold decks don't just happen in the North Atlantic on passenger ships. Occasionally it’s on passenger trains in the area between Buffalo and Toronto. This is the book where Harry Burgess, sent to investigate a suspicious fire, meets and marries Emmie McGinnis, probably, like the reader, asking himself, “How’d that happen?” I don’t know whether this tells us more about Harry’s laid-back personality or Emmie’s delightful manipulations, but whichever we focus on, we are delighted with both process and outcome. Arson, faked deaths, mistresses, bigamy, champagned courtships, cheating at cards, actual murders, all in the frame! Harry is great at collecting the facts and connecting the dots, and Emmie is even greater, as her notebook will prove, at seeing all the possibilities, then injecting herself into the action in a clever way that advances the cause of the two young investigators. Stewart’s description of their relationship is, “These two share a quirky, symbiotic relationship based on mutual amusement and unblemished by sentiment.” True, and truly entertaining! More! More! Encore!

[Florry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book entertained me till the last page. It’s mysterious, amusing and page turning.

Through this story I was transported more than a hundred years back, travelling from US to Canada and back. I was excited to re-discover Toronto (my actual city) and I was in a continuous rush from different trains, hotels of that era, streets and boats. I also was eating some smoked eel and drinking champagne.

I met quite interesting people, from intriguing ladies to men with multiple identities. There were criminal acts, frauds, investigations and corrupt people. There was nobody to trust, even your boss or own family members.

I like Harry for his right judgements and I find Emmie the cherry on the cake for her own way to help the investigation.

I also like the book’s format, because it suited perfectly into my bag, so I was able to carry it with me everywhere.

Great book! Thank you!

[Arielle Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this fun book! I was hooked immediately, and unlike previous reviewers, never found a dull or lagging moment. It was actually a very high-spirited and rollicking story line, easy to follow yet also with some complexity. The characters are extremely entertaining, if not endearing. The time period of the late 1800s seems to be perfectly portrayed as well.

Harry is a freelance insurance investigator, basically flat broke, and takes this job hoping for a meager payday. He seems to be a fairly stand-up guy, ready to see this through to the end, even if he doesn't make a penny. He is skilled at finding opportunities to not only benefit him a little financially with his daily needs, but also at finding the right people to help him in his investigation.

I am in no way a literary critic, but I do know what I like, and I loved this book!

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I acquired this as a free book on Smashwords. At first I was put off by the main character's occupation -- an insurance investigator? In Buffalo? In the early 1900s? I went back to it, though, when I found a different book hard to read, and was pleasantly surprised. The mystery is not terribly compelling, but I liked the characters and period details. Harry is a free-wheeling guy with an ability to enjoy life, despite his penny-pinching ways, and watching the development of his relationship with Miss McGinnis/Emily/Emmy was amusing. I also liked all the racing around via trains and boats, even to Toronto, Ont. And as a small extra, there was a mention of Victoria, B.C., where I live.

[Argum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Reese is a bit down on his heel insurance investigator. He is in Buffalo about the possible fraud in a grain silo fire. He finds a strange cellar no one claims. The company has a sordid past with partners involved in stock fraud and disappearances. He leverages his hunches into a contract to find two of them. Along the way he makes friends with the niece of one of the missing men who supposedly died at sea. Many threads and some unsolved points were adding to the madcap feel. The unresolved points were annoying. Entertaining duo not sure the side characters were greatly drawn but good first outing

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Occasionally amusing, but nearly all exposition through lengthy dialogue which consisted of speculation about who may have done what. Very little of the action happened "on screen." After it was over, the most exciting thing I remember the reader actually witnessing was some chicanery at a party right before the end. Otherwise, fairly well written and the time period is a good fit, but I'm not sure I'll continue the series. This was a free Amazon daily deal and I have more on my Kindle. Maybe when I run out of other reading material and I'm stuck in an airport.

[Conny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as a free download and really enjoyed it. It is the first book in the Harry Reese series. I was hooked on this humorous historical mystery from page one and I loved the characters and found the plot line interesting. I'll be honest I knew very little about how an insurance investigator worked in the early 1900, so I was please to have learn something new. It truly was a delightful read and I can't wait to read other books by Robert Bruce Stewart.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vintage mystery

Harry Reese is an insurance investigator who travels from New York to Buffalo to investigate a fire which destroyed a grain elevator. From there the story becomes increasingly complicated and convoluted.

This is the first book in a series and, while the story was good, I don't feel compelled to continue the series. The book is well-written (and Grammar Nazi only spotted one error), but the story lacked excitement, or sparkle.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisted tale

There are more loops and swirls in this search for insurance fraud than you can shake a stick at. Harry Reese starts out working on an insurance fraud case, about the 2nd or 3rd chapter the explosion begins. Con-men, pick-pockets, aliases, etc. you name it. From that point on you will have to be pried away--even for dinner.
I've finished it, added the series to my "Ones to Watch" list, and am movin' on.

[Diarmuid O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brutal bog of exposition

Fails to follow the most basic of writing advice - show don’t tell. Instead, it tells and tells and tells. Every passing side character is delved into. Very little of the book is important to the story. 


I can see why people like this author, it is a funny book with an interesting story and a pretty good mystery. However, this is a painful slog of a read. Definitely, one that will only appeal to a specific subset of readers.

[msleighm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you very much to Robert Bruce Stewart for a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.

The first in a delightful new series about murder and mayhem in turn-of-the-twentieth century New York. The principle characters are introduced and well established. These are full length books interspersed with short stories and I'm on to the next in the series.

[Mrs Lianne Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novel

I persevered with book but I found it long-winded. There were a lot of conversations going over all the possible scenarios which I felt slowed the plot down. That said it definitely evokes the period in which it is set, and reminded me of the Amelia Butterworth stories (mentioned in the story).