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Monterey Pulp
Barker, the mysterious sleuth of California's Central Coast, returns in this volume in the titillating Barker Mysteries.
Following hot on the heels of his rescue of Carmel's mayor from the ship Wicked Joe in “Monterey Noir,” Barker once again finds himself in a hot mess of danger and intrigue. Seeking escape from his newfound popularity, the handsome man with no memory of his past, travels deep into the Carmel Highlands - only to find adventure has followed him there.
From an encounter with the disturbing Easter Bunny Man at Pacific Grove's famous Lover's Point to a diabolical plot by the homeless denizens of Deadrent Kingdom, trouble is never very far from Barker and his collection of loyal canines.
Following hot on the heels of his rescue of Carmel's mayor from the ship Wicked Joe in “Monterey Noir,” Barker once again finds himself in a hot mess of danger and intrigue. Seeking escape from his newfound popularity, the handsome man with no memory of his past, travels deep into the Carmel Highlands - only to find adventure has followed him there.
From an encounter with the disturbing Easter Bunny Man at Pacific Grove's famous Lover's Point to a diabolical plot by the homeless denizens of Deadrent Kingdom, trouble is never very far from Barker and his collection of loyal canines.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2013
20 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Whitehurst
27 books50 followersPatrick writes both fiction and nonfiction, the latter of which includes the books “Haunted Monterey County” and “Murder and Mayhem in Tucson.” His stories range from true crime to thriller fiction reminiscent of Tales from the Crypt. Patrick’s writing can be found in Punk Noir, Shotgun Honey, Pulp Modern, Hoosier Noir, and Switchblade Magazine. He’s been featured in the anthologies “Bitter Chills,” “Wild Violence,” and elsewhere. Look for his author interviews and book reviews in Suspense Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 11, 2014
It is no surprise to me, that Patrick Whitehurst is absolutely wowed; turned on by the BBC TV series Sherlock. As an avid reader of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work and since childhood, an irrepressible fan of the detective genre, I would have allowed Patrick the right to be picky. He is intuitive to the characteristics in the template of the great detective that Conan Doyle gives his readers and using that template Patrick sensitively builds his own detective; the enigmatic, charismatic, homeless, unattainable Barker.
In Monterey Pulp, Book Two, Barker’s tale continues and as in the first novel of the Barker Mysteries, a three dimensional character steps onto the stage of the reader’s imagination. Patrick Whitehurst has devotedly crafted his creation to be unforgettable in the reader’s mind.
But what is really important, is that the reader is already seeing this strange, elusive figure, crafted carefully and carved with precision, as a fully rounded character.
And as a reader, I am wondering about this strange man who deliberately chooses to live in the margins of society. Will I know any more about him by the end of the book? I wonder!
Barker can make anywhere a home; he is as resourceful as the pack of hounds that are his devoted companions. Barker has become a Cause célèbre in Monterey due to his skill in solving a famous kidnapping case. Barker has no time for the media and its nonsense; he prefers obscurity and he takes refuge in the peace and quiet of the woodlands. But mystery has a way of following Barker around. A camper tells Barker a strange tale of a nightmare and an abduction. The reader sees Barker’s intuitive response in action. In stylish, leisurely prose Patrick Whitehurst’s Barker quietly, precisely averts a heinous scheme of double dealing and destruction.
And this first chapter, this tale sets the pattern for the book. Barker’s instinct never fails him, neither do his dogs; loyal, and as intuitive to Barker, as he is to them. They can read each other and they are never wrong. Murderers, thieves, kidnappers, the unscrupulous; none of them escape Barker’s incisive, insightful gaze. He cuts through appearance and reality, explaining patiently what actually happened, not what we are meant to think happened.
Barker is a worthy successor to Sherlock Holmes; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would not be disappointed; neither will any fan of the detective genre.
Patrick Whitehurst is an elegant and economic writer. Words are never wasted. He understands language and conveys sentiment, atmosphere and character, with an ease that other writers will envy. This novel will delight and intrigue the reader.
If you’ve read the first book in the Barker series, you’ll be hungry for more. If you are new to Barker you will soon be as addicted to him, and his pack of hounds as I am. I hope that Patrick Whitehurst doesn’t make us wait too long for the next book in this captivating series.
In Monterey Pulp, Book Two, Barker’s tale continues and as in the first novel of the Barker Mysteries, a three dimensional character steps onto the stage of the reader’s imagination. Patrick Whitehurst has devotedly crafted his creation to be unforgettable in the reader’s mind.
But what is really important, is that the reader is already seeing this strange, elusive figure, crafted carefully and carved with precision, as a fully rounded character.
And as a reader, I am wondering about this strange man who deliberately chooses to live in the margins of society. Will I know any more about him by the end of the book? I wonder!
Barker can make anywhere a home; he is as resourceful as the pack of hounds that are his devoted companions. Barker has become a Cause célèbre in Monterey due to his skill in solving a famous kidnapping case. Barker has no time for the media and its nonsense; he prefers obscurity and he takes refuge in the peace and quiet of the woodlands. But mystery has a way of following Barker around. A camper tells Barker a strange tale of a nightmare and an abduction. The reader sees Barker’s intuitive response in action. In stylish, leisurely prose Patrick Whitehurst’s Barker quietly, precisely averts a heinous scheme of double dealing and destruction.
And this first chapter, this tale sets the pattern for the book. Barker’s instinct never fails him, neither do his dogs; loyal, and as intuitive to Barker, as he is to them. They can read each other and they are never wrong. Murderers, thieves, kidnappers, the unscrupulous; none of them escape Barker’s incisive, insightful gaze. He cuts through appearance and reality, explaining patiently what actually happened, not what we are meant to think happened.
Barker is a worthy successor to Sherlock Holmes; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would not be disappointed; neither will any fan of the detective genre.
Patrick Whitehurst is an elegant and economic writer. Words are never wasted. He understands language and conveys sentiment, atmosphere and character, with an ease that other writers will envy. This novel will delight and intrigue the reader.
If you’ve read the first book in the Barker series, you’ll be hungry for more. If you are new to Barker you will soon be as addicted to him, and his pack of hounds as I am. I hope that Patrick Whitehurst doesn’t make us wait too long for the next book in this captivating series.
February 20, 2020
A good old style Mystery with the capital "M". The main character is unique and cleverly created, Barker is an everyday hero that at the same time has nothing of ordinary. Once you start reading it you'll go on until you reach the end because it is one of those books that that keep you going and when you eventually thunk you had it all figure it out here it is the final unexpected twist.
October 13, 2022
[free for review -audio book ]
A good concept. Reminiscent of an all time radio show, each chapter is an episode where the homeless detective solves a mystery.
While the narrator has a pleasant, evenly modulated voice, there is not a lot of distinction between the characters. I picture an old time family sitting around an older person reading a story book.
Looking forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully it will contain some clues about Barker's mysterious past.
A good concept. Reminiscent of an all time radio show, each chapter is an episode where the homeless detective solves a mystery.
While the narrator has a pleasant, evenly modulated voice, there is not a lot of distinction between the characters. I picture an old time family sitting around an older person reading a story book.
Looking forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully it will contain some clues about Barker's mysterious past.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews