What do you think?
Rate this book
Past Tense: A Matt Moulton Mystery
As America races toward the supposedly bright new decade of the 1950’s, disillusioned white private dick Matt Moulton finds himself faltering in the dark. Should he serve an amnesiac client whose recovering memories of paid murder intensify his own wartime guilt as an assassin? Should he risk endangering the person he loves, a beautiful black woman, for information on that case and an apparently related one? Does he imagine he can save her and himself from the corruption, the intolerance, and the apathy that linger in that violent nation’s shadows?Taking place in a misty, sulky San Francisco, “Past Tense” appeals to readers who love their thrillers hardboiled. It brings pulp fiction back from the past, but here the genre seems more modern and yet more noir-like than ever before.
136 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2024
1 person is currently reading
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 8, 2024
Past Tense by Michael Amedeo is a must-read for fans of mystery, thriller, and crime. Amedeo’s novel transports readers to San Francisco in the 1940s, where we see the world through the sultry view of the Private Detective “Dick,” Matt Moulton. Amedeo’s vivid writing will make you feel like you’re part of the team, ready to crack the case wide open.
Matt Moulton, the war veteran turned police officer, turned private detective, receives a case that will alter his career and life. When a client comes to him to help locate her missing sister, and several days later, he finds out both his client and her sister have been murdered, he knows there’s more to this case than he thought.
With the help of his ex-girlfriend, Gina, a black woman who, despite insurmountable racism, is employed by the SFPD, helps him track down the missing links to the murders. While searching for answers, Moulton realizes he may have bitten off more than he can chew after he suffers several brutal attacks ordered by people in high places. Despite the imminent threat to his life, Moulton continues to follow his clues.
As Moulton gets closer to the truth, he realizes that not only is his life in danger, but also those of whom he loves. Will Moulton solve the case before it’s too late? Will his unexpected ally prove to be loyal, or will he turn against him? Readers will be kept on the edge of their seats for the answers.
Past Tense by Michael Amedeo is the perfect Mystery novel. Amedeo is detailed, the characters stay true to their descriptions, and he doesn’t waste time with fluff.
While reading this novel, I felt like I stepped into a black-and-white movie scene. I could feel the foggy San Francisco air around me, smell the cigarette smoke, and anticipate the danger lurking around the corner.
Past Tense was so entertaining that I read it all in one sitting. It was too good to put down. It took me five pages to fully immerse myself and truly become part of the story, which told me this would be a 5-star read early on.
Amedeo vividly depicts life in the 1940s while also offering a more modern view from Matt Moulton, who is dating a black woman despite society’s open disapproval.
Past Tense is a page-turner full of crime, mystery, and thrilling adventure that will leave you wanting more. ~ Leah for Novels Alive
Matt Moulton, the war veteran turned police officer, turned private detective, receives a case that will alter his career and life. When a client comes to him to help locate her missing sister, and several days later, he finds out both his client and her sister have been murdered, he knows there’s more to this case than he thought.
With the help of his ex-girlfriend, Gina, a black woman who, despite insurmountable racism, is employed by the SFPD, helps him track down the missing links to the murders. While searching for answers, Moulton realizes he may have bitten off more than he can chew after he suffers several brutal attacks ordered by people in high places. Despite the imminent threat to his life, Moulton continues to follow his clues.
As Moulton gets closer to the truth, he realizes that not only is his life in danger, but also those of whom he loves. Will Moulton solve the case before it’s too late? Will his unexpected ally prove to be loyal, or will he turn against him? Readers will be kept on the edge of their seats for the answers.
Past Tense by Michael Amedeo is the perfect Mystery novel. Amedeo is detailed, the characters stay true to their descriptions, and he doesn’t waste time with fluff.
While reading this novel, I felt like I stepped into a black-and-white movie scene. I could feel the foggy San Francisco air around me, smell the cigarette smoke, and anticipate the danger lurking around the corner.
Past Tense was so entertaining that I read it all in one sitting. It was too good to put down. It took me five pages to fully immerse myself and truly become part of the story, which told me this would be a 5-star read early on.
Amedeo vividly depicts life in the 1940s while also offering a more modern view from Matt Moulton, who is dating a black woman despite society’s open disapproval.
Past Tense is a page-turner full of crime, mystery, and thrilling adventure that will leave you wanting more. ~ Leah for Novels Alive
June 28, 2024
Good murderers cover their tracks. Can a good detective foil the murderer’s plans before too many more people die?
The main storyline was fast-paced and interesting. I enjoyed taking note of the clues Matt found and trying to figure out why so many people connected to this case kept turning up dead. There was plenty of fodder for the imagination here, and my attention remained strong from the first scene to the last one.
I would have liked to see more character development in this novella, especially when it came to Matt. He was an intelligent but often conflicted protagonist. Learning more about his past and how it had shaped his personality would have made it easier for me to connect to him. I also found myself wishing he had shared more information about his feelings for Gina as she seemed to occupy many of his thoughts when he wasn’t focused on work. Exploring that relationship in more depth would have been a good way to showcase more of who Matt was when he wasn’t attempting to solve cases.
Speaking of Gina, I loved the romantic subplot between her and Matt. There were definitely sparks to be seen every time she showed up in his life. I appreciated how clearly they communicated their feelings to each other and found myself wishing they could find a way to overcome the racial prejudices of the late 1940s that were such a huge obstacle for them. My fingers are crossed that readers will get more opportunities to get to know her later on in this series as she seemed to be a level-headed and kind woman.
Past Tense: A Matt Moulton Mystery kept me guessing.
The main storyline was fast-paced and interesting. I enjoyed taking note of the clues Matt found and trying to figure out why so many people connected to this case kept turning up dead. There was plenty of fodder for the imagination here, and my attention remained strong from the first scene to the last one.
I would have liked to see more character development in this novella, especially when it came to Matt. He was an intelligent but often conflicted protagonist. Learning more about his past and how it had shaped his personality would have made it easier for me to connect to him. I also found myself wishing he had shared more information about his feelings for Gina as she seemed to occupy many of his thoughts when he wasn’t focused on work. Exploring that relationship in more depth would have been a good way to showcase more of who Matt was when he wasn’t attempting to solve cases.
Speaking of Gina, I loved the romantic subplot between her and Matt. There were definitely sparks to be seen every time she showed up in his life. I appreciated how clearly they communicated their feelings to each other and found myself wishing they could find a way to overcome the racial prejudices of the late 1940s that were such a huge obstacle for them. My fingers are crossed that readers will get more opportunities to get to know her later on in this series as she seemed to be a level-headed and kind woman.
Past Tense: A Matt Moulton Mystery kept me guessing.
May 27, 2024
PAST TENSE is the first instalment in Michael Amedeo’s historical, adult MATT MOULTON MYSTERY noir, mystery series focusing on private dick Matt Moulton.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers from more sensitive readers.
Told from first person perspective (Matt) PAST TENSE follows former US Army sniper / Detective turned private dick Matt Moulton. The year is 1949, and Matt Moulton, a successful private investigator is about to find himself in the middle of an investigation where the body count rises in proportion to the secrets and lies uncovered by our story line hero. Matt has been contracted to find a missing woman but the information Matt receives only veils the truth when another case involving an assassin with amnesia crosses over with Matt’s current case, involving a corrupt politician, and several unscrupulous law enforcement officers. With the aid of his office assistant Sara, and administrative assistant Gina, Matt begins to unravel the truth, a truth that becomes stranger than fiction as a killer takes aim at everyone involved.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and interesting secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Matt’s assistant Sara Manson; his girlfriend and detective bureau administrative assistant Gina Harner; Lieutenant Gilbert Brannigan; San Francisco mayor Anthony Rossini, and assassin John Boorman.
PAST TENSE is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, murder and corruption, race, acceptance and relationships. The premise is intriguing, suspenseful and dramatic; the characters are colorful and charismatic.
www.thereadingcafe.com
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers from more sensitive readers.
Told from first person perspective (Matt) PAST TENSE follows former US Army sniper / Detective turned private dick Matt Moulton. The year is 1949, and Matt Moulton, a successful private investigator is about to find himself in the middle of an investigation where the body count rises in proportion to the secrets and lies uncovered by our story line hero. Matt has been contracted to find a missing woman but the information Matt receives only veils the truth when another case involving an assassin with amnesia crosses over with Matt’s current case, involving a corrupt politician, and several unscrupulous law enforcement officers. With the aid of his office assistant Sara, and administrative assistant Gina, Matt begins to unravel the truth, a truth that becomes stranger than fiction as a killer takes aim at everyone involved.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and interesting secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Matt’s assistant Sara Manson; his girlfriend and detective bureau administrative assistant Gina Harner; Lieutenant Gilbert Brannigan; San Francisco mayor Anthony Rossini, and assassin John Boorman.
PAST TENSE is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, murder and corruption, race, acceptance and relationships. The premise is intriguing, suspenseful and dramatic; the characters are colorful and charismatic.
www.thereadingcafe.com
April 12, 2025
I thought it was a little all over the place, also had a hard time keeping my attention
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews