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Matt Kile Mystery #4
Find My Little Sister
In 1938, Frances Hopkins ran away from home to chase the glitz of movie stars and the titillation of rubbing shoulders with gangsters. Her older sister, Calandra, hires Matt Kile to help locate Frances and bring her home safely. Matt and Callie soon find themselves embroiled in a torrid romance wrapped in the magic of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Colorful fictional characters from the pen of David Bishop are sprinkled among the famous and infamous of that era. Lovers of the movie, L.A. Confidential, the T.V. series, Boardwalk Empire, and the wide-ranging era of prohibition, illegal gambling, and Tommy guns, will love this Matt Kile Mystery—and love story.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2014
299 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
David Bishop
33 books140 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
I was born in Washington, D.C. From there my life likely mirrored that of a lot of my readers. We moved around. I got some education. Played some sports, and got some more education. Prior to becoming a novelist, I worked as a financial analyst determining the value of companies. But let's talk about my current and final career, writing mystery novels.
As a writer, I conjure up occurrences designed to quickly bring the story to a roiling boil. Along the way, I invent people. Victims and villains and heroes are needed, as well as a supporting cast. I make these people fun and interesting so you will welcome them and introduce them to your friends. Primary characters need habits and tics and talents, the qualities that bring them to life and make you love them or hate them. You'll want to see them humiliated or hunted down, be sucessful or seduced.
My mysteries offer you the opportunity to be challenged to find the villain from among the suspects. Clues as large as a log or as tiny as a bump thereon are salted throughout the stories. There are distractions in the form of false clues, called red herrings, which point to someone other than the real villain.
Take a journey with me. Laugh. Hold your breath. Cheer. Boo. The characters are rich and the plots are grabbers. I promise that you'll be glad you came along. Some people don't like golf or chocolate or even a hearty laugh. But I'll bet you like some of those things and I'll bet you'll like my mysteries. Yours very truly, David Bishop
I was born in Washington, D.C. From there my life likely mirrored that of a lot of my readers. We moved around. I got some education. Played some sports, and got some more education. Prior to becoming a novelist, I worked as a financial analyst determining the value of companies. But let's talk about my current and final career, writing mystery novels.
As a writer, I conjure up occurrences designed to quickly bring the story to a roiling boil. Along the way, I invent people. Victims and villains and heroes are needed, as well as a supporting cast. I make these people fun and interesting so you will welcome them and introduce them to your friends. Primary characters need habits and tics and talents, the qualities that bring them to life and make you love them or hate them. You'll want to see them humiliated or hunted down, be sucessful or seduced.
My mysteries offer you the opportunity to be challenged to find the villain from among the suspects. Clues as large as a log or as tiny as a bump thereon are salted throughout the stories. There are distractions in the form of false clues, called red herrings, which point to someone other than the real villain.
Take a journey with me. Laugh. Hold your breath. Cheer. Boo. The characters are rich and the plots are grabbers. I promise that you'll be glad you came along. Some people don't like golf or chocolate or even a hearty laugh. But I'll bet you like some of those things and I'll bet you'll like my mysteries. Yours very truly, David Bishop
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 6, 2017
Interesting
I have read several of David Bishop's books and the way he has written this one intrigued me. Most of the book takes place after Matt Kile has collapsed and he's in hospital. Then when he wakes at the end, that's when you realise he'd dreamed his next book. This book is a worthwhile read
I have read several of David Bishop's books and the way he has written this one intrigued me. Most of the book takes place after Matt Kile has collapsed and he's in hospital. Then when he wakes at the end, that's when you realise he'd dreamed his next book. This book is a worthwhile read
October 4, 2014
Pretty good
well written and enjoyable characters. when I realized of yt? would be dream/noire I almost stopped reading. glad gave it a cjance
well written and enjoyable characters. when I realized of yt? would be dream/noire I almost stopped reading. glad gave it a cjance
October 10, 2022
“Tony the Hat” Cornero was a visionary of his time.
“Anthony Cornero Stralla also known as "the Admiral" and "Tony the Hat" (August 18, 1899 – July 31, 1955) was a bootlegger and gambling entrepreneur in Southern California from the 1920s through the 1950s. During his varied career, he bootlegged liquor into Los Angeles, ran legal gambling ships in international waters, and legally operated casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada.”
“Anthony Cornero Stralla also known as "the Admiral" and "Tony the Hat" (August 18, 1899 – July 31, 1955) was a bootlegger and gambling entrepreneur in Southern California from the 1920s through the 1950s. During his varied career, he bootlegged liquor into Los Angeles, ran legal gambling ships in international waters, and legally operated casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada.”
January 21, 2018
Fantastic
Have really enjoyed the series. Very colorful characters, that you would want to know. You would also want to keep track of their adventures.
So far, this is the best in the series....I am in to historical fiction, and this one mostly takes place in the 1930s. However, Bishop has never let me down. His books are very fun to read.
Have really enjoyed the series. Very colorful characters, that you would want to know. You would also want to keep track of their adventures.
So far, this is the best in the series....I am in to historical fiction, and this one mostly takes place in the 1930s. However, Bishop has never let me down. His books are very fun to read.
March 21, 2018
Mystery galore!
What a great book! I love David Bishop's Matt Kyle! In some ways he reminds me of Sam Spade but not all the time. It kept me guessing a lot but I think that is what a suspense author does.
It's a great book, so pick one up for yourself and see.
What a great book! I love David Bishop's Matt Kyle! In some ways he reminds me of Sam Spade but not all the time. It kept me guessing a lot but I think that is what a suspense author does.
It's a great book, so pick one up for yourself and see.
December 23, 2020
An interesting mix of 30s and present day story line with both past Matt and present Matt looking for a lost sister. The history lessons on the late 30s California was a welcome addition to my knowledge base. Thanks for the good reading.
July 8, 2017
Not bad really, it just did not appeal to me at all. Forced my way through because of disinterest.
July 11, 2018
Kind of smaltzy gum shoe mystery/historical fiction story. I liked it not knowing there were other stories before and after. It stands alone on its own and a quick read
November 14, 2018
An entertaining book
David Bishop continues to produce entertaining and fun books to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
David Bishop continues to produce entertaining and fun books to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
January 20, 2019
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
January 6, 2020
Kindle-Free 3.5 stars. If you like Archie in Nero Wolfe books,you will like David Bishop mysteries about Matt Kile
January 19, 2021
Another great book in the Matthew Kyle series, although this one a little different as Matt 'goes back in time'. Can't get enough of these novels and have already downloaded book number five.
July 11, 2022
wow!
The storybtelling in this book is phenominal, one can only guess at all the research that had to occur to tell the story! I loved it!
The storybtelling in this book is phenominal, one can only guess at all the research that had to occur to tell the story! I loved it!
June 3, 2016
I was taught to think of stories similar to Find My Little Sister, one of the latest Matt Kile mysteries, as envelope stories. Envelope stories are when one story fits inside another. In this case, one Matt Kile remembers a story told by a previous Matt Kile (the bulk of the book and a delightful excuse for a period piece) before returning to the modern era. I’ve read the summaries of the other books in this series and don’t think I would have been interested but one couldn’t keep me away from this one, largely a noir-style story from the early era of Hollywood.
I know just enough of L.A. in the sixties to remember some of the artifacts of this earlier era and I was delighted with the period detail (including the nice biographical summaries of real characters in the appendix). I remember the Clifton Cafeterias—especially the elaborate one downtown. There are also some great descriptions of the gambling ships that once anchored (they didn’t “sail” or “steam”) off the coast of California. I only knew of them from old movies and the television show and Cary Grant movie, Mr. Lucky. The people seem right, too. In fact, when Earl Warren appears in the story, I couldn’t help but remember those ubiquitous “Impeach Earl Warren” billboards when the former D.A. and Governor of California became Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
And anyone who has read my reviews of period mysteries knows that I’m a sucker for the ‘30s detective descriptions. How about this one? “The darkness seemed to hurry to her. She absorbed its plainness and returned a soft glow.” (Loc. 326) Who wouldn’t love the following?
“Her voice was warm and gooey—like high marshmallows being caressed by a reaching fire.” (Loc. 488) I thought, “My loyal car died like the trusty steed of a matinee cowboy.” (Loc. 1167)
I thought that the plot within the “envelope” was particularly Chandleresque. I wasn’t surprised at the eventual result—just with how soon it happened. I liked the way the protagonist investigator was caught between two opposing forces—sometimes engaging with them under the flimsiest of metaphorical white flags. Even a character analysis late in the book had that hard-edged, but philosophical feel. In describing L.A. gangster, Mickey Cohen, he “speaks” incisively, “His purposes are served by his subscribing to the image the public holds of him. We all do that to varying degrees.” (Loc. 1867)
With all of my biases, this one gets my highest rating even though I don’t intend to try the others in the series. Of course, anyone who doesn’t have my love for tough detectives in early L.A. would enjoy it anyway. The story wrapped in another brief story has enough twists to keep you interested and enough tropes to satisfy the faithful.
I know just enough of L.A. in the sixties to remember some of the artifacts of this earlier era and I was delighted with the period detail (including the nice biographical summaries of real characters in the appendix). I remember the Clifton Cafeterias—especially the elaborate one downtown. There are also some great descriptions of the gambling ships that once anchored (they didn’t “sail” or “steam”) off the coast of California. I only knew of them from old movies and the television show and Cary Grant movie, Mr. Lucky. The people seem right, too. In fact, when Earl Warren appears in the story, I couldn’t help but remember those ubiquitous “Impeach Earl Warren” billboards when the former D.A. and Governor of California became Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
And anyone who has read my reviews of period mysteries knows that I’m a sucker for the ‘30s detective descriptions. How about this one? “The darkness seemed to hurry to her. She absorbed its plainness and returned a soft glow.” (Loc. 326) Who wouldn’t love the following?
“Her voice was warm and gooey—like high marshmallows being caressed by a reaching fire.” (Loc. 488) I thought, “My loyal car died like the trusty steed of a matinee cowboy.” (Loc. 1167)
I thought that the plot within the “envelope” was particularly Chandleresque. I wasn’t surprised at the eventual result—just with how soon it happened. I liked the way the protagonist investigator was caught between two opposing forces—sometimes engaging with them under the flimsiest of metaphorical white flags. Even a character analysis late in the book had that hard-edged, but philosophical feel. In describing L.A. gangster, Mickey Cohen, he “speaks” incisively, “His purposes are served by his subscribing to the image the public holds of him. We all do that to varying degrees.” (Loc. 1867)
With all of my biases, this one gets my highest rating even though I don’t intend to try the others in the series. Of course, anyone who doesn’t have my love for tough detectives in early L.A. would enjoy it anyway. The story wrapped in another brief story has enough twists to keep you interested and enough tropes to satisfy the faithful.
October 16, 2014
Matt Kile is told about a woman who wants to find her sister. He then collapses. The actual story then takes place in the late-thirties Los Angeles where his grandfather is portrayed as a columnist who was previously a detective. As with the start of this book, Matt (the grandfather) is asked to help find the younger sister of an attractive woman. Their hunt involves gambling organizations, and some interesting information about real-life LA characters is included in the story. My only complaint with this novel is that the beginning and the end of the book are superfluous. As I was reading the story, I thought that the 30's story would somehow become connected to the contemporary story, and this doesn't happen. Cynic as I sometimes am, this leaves me wondering if the front and back parts of the book were added to meet a page or word count for publishing.
October 9, 2016
A fiction wrapped historical, with a bow
This is my favorite form of history. If I'd read more books like this one when I was younger I might have paid more attention in those classes. Because in this book I learned some things from 1938-39 that I'll remember
Matt has fallen into a comma and the events that take place occur in his head where he becomes his grandfather, also named Matt Kile, a crime beat columnist. As a former copper turned journalist, he has made friends, acquaintances and enemies on both sides of the law. He's currently helping a friend search for her younger sister, a wild child taken with the thrill of living life on the edge. And it's a search that will call on all his resources. This standalone story takes up about 75% of the content of the book. The remainder is an excerpt from book one in the series. It's a very good KU library read.
This is my favorite form of history. If I'd read more books like this one when I was younger I might have paid more attention in those classes. Because in this book I learned some things from 1938-39 that I'll remember
Matt has fallen into a comma and the events that take place occur in his head where he becomes his grandfather, also named Matt Kile, a crime beat columnist. As a former copper turned journalist, he has made friends, acquaintances and enemies on both sides of the law. He's currently helping a friend search for her younger sister, a wild child taken with the thrill of living life on the edge. And it's a search that will call on all his resources. This standalone story takes up about 75% of the content of the book. The remainder is an excerpt from book one in the series. It's a very good KU library read.
December 22, 2015
Very interesting writing technique: In order to time shift to a different era, the story starred Matt's grandfather, also named Matt. The era was the 1930s Los Angeles, and was basically a film noir story.
The entire story was told with tongue-in-cheek which made it a lot of fun to read. Some of the characters in the book were historical characters, so well integrated you couldn't immediately tell which was which. Matt was a newspaper columnist who focused on police stories and the underworld. He was pressed into service by Callie to locate her missing sister who lived on the wild side.
I really enjoyed this book.
The entire story was told with tongue-in-cheek which made it a lot of fun to read. Some of the characters in the book were historical characters, so well integrated you couldn't immediately tell which was which. Matt was a newspaper columnist who focused on police stories and the underworld. He was pressed into service by Callie to locate her missing sister who lived on the wild side.
I really enjoyed this book.
September 13, 2016
Good story, interesting history lesson included
I've never thought much on the mob scene in LA in the 1930's, but this was a very interesting take on it. There isn't really a mate solved in this book, is more of a fictional story of a real person, Tony Cornero, who had his own code of honor and lived by it to the end. It was intriguing. I liked it. And I like Matt Kile as a character, so all around a pleasant read.
I've never thought much on the mob scene in LA in the 1930's, but this was a very interesting take on it. There isn't really a mate solved in this book, is more of a fictional story of a real person, Tony Cornero, who had his own code of honor and lived by it to the end. It was intriguing. I liked it. And I like Matt Kile as a character, so all around a pleasant read.
October 11, 2014
Clean, fun, historically accurate & interesting. Cast reads like a newspaper from the 1930-40's. I learned things I hadn't known (Time magazine's Man of the Year for 1938 - Adolph Hitler). Some facts were more fun than that, thank goodness. Plot was well drawn. Will read author again. ©2014 Recommended.
August 24, 2015
Nice Little Mystery Read
The story moved along well after I got over the jarring incident in the beginning. My only quibble is the use of the phrase "judo chop" which was, indeed, quite popular but is technically incorrect as there are no blows or "chops" of any sort in judo. Small quibble overall.
The story moved along well after I got over the jarring incident in the beginning. My only quibble is the use of the phrase "judo chop" which was, indeed, quite popular but is technically incorrect as there are no blows or "chops" of any sort in judo. Small quibble overall.
December 13, 2016
David Bishop has out done himself again. I'm currently reading this whole series in order. find my little sister was not a disappointment but a fun fast-paced mystery with lots of humor mixed in which made it a real fun read. I would recommend anyone who likes Mysteries to give this series a whirl.
August 28, 2014
This book is a mystery with a Film Noir vibe to it. You have the reporter and the lovely lady and a missing person. The main part of this story takes place in the past. A fun read that is fast and enjoyable.
September 28, 2014
Reporter for the mob.
Very interesting tale about the grandparents of our narrator, based on the gangsters that were on the ground floor of America's gambling industry. colorful history brings fact and fiction together.enjoyable.
Very interesting tale about the grandparents of our narrator, based on the gangsters that were on the ground floor of America's gambling industry. colorful history brings fact and fiction together.enjoyable.
April 10, 2015
Of the novels by David Bishop I have read so far, I liked this one the least. It was OK, but not for me.
May 23, 2015
noir. set in LA in the late 30s ..interesting.
August 26, 2015
Interesting book, in that the main character goes back in time to reflect a mystery involving his grandfather and famous characters of that time. Good read.
September 17, 2017
Matt Kile, a man I,d like to get to know better.
He is interesting,not the same old story.And I like Irish men.In fact I like all sexy men with a sense of humor.
He is interesting,not the same old story.And I like Irish men.In fact I like all sexy men with a sense of humor.
September 29, 2015
I remember reading Beholder by the same author. And it was good...
This one however.... Was sub par. Extremely disappointing.
This one however.... Was sub par. Extremely disappointing.
January 24, 2016
Different and enjoyable.
Set in LA in the late 30's during a time of growth in LA and Hollywood. Cops and gangsters, with a love story thrown in.
Set in LA in the late 30's during a time of growth in LA and Hollywood. Cops and gangsters, with a love story thrown in.
June 28, 2016
Not my type of fiction. Expected a thriller, but didn't deliver.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews