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Truman #2
Too Bad to Be Truman
YOU NEVER HAD A JOB OFFER LIKE THIS
When out-of-work crime reporter Harry Truman is hired to kill a man’s wife, he’s reasonably certain there’s been some mistake. But when he’s left holding a smoking gun, Truman has got to act fast—or this marital spat could end with his funeral!
When out-of-work crime reporter Harry Truman is hired to kill a man’s wife, he’s reasonably certain there’s been some mistake. But when he’s left holding a smoking gun, Truman has got to act fast—or this marital spat could end with his funeral!
ebook
First published September 29, 2013
227 people want to read
About the author
Chris Well
22 books22 followersHere's the deal: When I was in the first grade, my life goal was that I would grow up to be Batman. Because I thought it was a vocation—you know, policeman, fireman, Batman. Once my first grade teacher crushed the dreams of that little boy, I guess I decided I would do the next best thing and make up stories about Batman. And then somewhere after that I learned about things like "intellectual property" and "copyright law" and "cease and desist" and decided I would have to make up stories about my own characters.
So today, I do just that: Write stories about my own characters— whether it's a doomed hitman named Solomon Long or a grumpy old amateur sleuth named Earl Walker or an out-of-work smart alec crime reporter named Truman.
So today, I do just that: Write stories about my own characters— whether it's a doomed hitman named Solomon Long or a grumpy old amateur sleuth named Earl Walker or an out-of-work smart alec crime reporter named Truman.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 9, 2013
Be prepared to laugh. This book reminds me of an adult version of the Amelia Badelia books I used to read to my children when they were young. Not everyone will enjoy the type of slapstick, zany humor employed by this author. But in spite of the light-hearted (and may I perhaps add, tongue-in-cheek, 'lightheaded') dry-humored persona Chris Well has given to the main character, Harry Truman, Harry is a bit sharper than he first appears.
Harry Truman is a former crime reporter for a local newspaper. He's making attempts to write the great American novel, perhaps with the intent to try to show the newspaper just what type of talented writer they had replaced. Curiously, he was not overly surprised when a couple of mobster like goons showed up at his door with the news that "the boss wants to see you." While the readers roll their eyes with thoughts that this is going to be another ho-hum stereotypical read, the "boss" explains to Truman that he wants his biography--a memoir--written before he dies. Harry is less than enthused at the prospect. He's not really given much of a choice, and on the way home he wonders how he is going to accomplish this task and write his own great novel.
Harry realizes he is being followed by someone he didn't recognize. The man approaches him and Truman realizes the man thinks he is associated with the "boss." The man wants Harry to kill his wife--for hire. Harry is not up to committing a crime, but instead of doing the right thing and reporting this to the police, he decides to investigate the situation for himself.
What follows is the strangest series of happenstances I've ever read in a mystery. The author presents some unexpected twists and turns that I did not see coming in addition to some good old-fashioned chase scenes. I give this zany adventure mystery a thumbs up for those who enjoy this type of light reading. It is quick paced and has some genuinely funny moments. If I were to rate this book, I would give it a PG-13 rating with a warning about the presence of some drinking, hangovers, smoking, a shooting, and some hints of sexual temptation. There is no crude language.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this ebook from the author through The Story Cartel. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Harry Truman is a former crime reporter for a local newspaper. He's making attempts to write the great American novel, perhaps with the intent to try to show the newspaper just what type of talented writer they had replaced. Curiously, he was not overly surprised when a couple of mobster like goons showed up at his door with the news that "the boss wants to see you." While the readers roll their eyes with thoughts that this is going to be another ho-hum stereotypical read, the "boss" explains to Truman that he wants his biography--a memoir--written before he dies. Harry is less than enthused at the prospect. He's not really given much of a choice, and on the way home he wonders how he is going to accomplish this task and write his own great novel.
Harry realizes he is being followed by someone he didn't recognize. The man approaches him and Truman realizes the man thinks he is associated with the "boss." The man wants Harry to kill his wife--for hire. Harry is not up to committing a crime, but instead of doing the right thing and reporting this to the police, he decides to investigate the situation for himself.
What follows is the strangest series of happenstances I've ever read in a mystery. The author presents some unexpected twists and turns that I did not see coming in addition to some good old-fashioned chase scenes. I give this zany adventure mystery a thumbs up for those who enjoy this type of light reading. It is quick paced and has some genuinely funny moments. If I were to rate this book, I would give it a PG-13 rating with a warning about the presence of some drinking, hangovers, smoking, a shooting, and some hints of sexual temptation. There is no crude language.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this ebook from the author through The Story Cartel. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 24, 2013
‘The night was dark.’ is the first line of Harry Truman’s (don’t ask) epic novel. Unfortunately, after six months, fired crime columnist Truman has yet to write another word and it doesn’t look like he is going to be able to change that anytime soon. Not now that dying mob boss Eddie ‘Midas’ Schultz has decided Truman is the perfect choice to write his tell-all biography whether Truman agrees or not. Oh, and then there’s the man who hired Truman to kill his wife. Chris Well’s second Harry Truman novel is a delicious mix of humor, eccentric characters and a mystery that becomes more involving as you read each chapter. I smiled my way through this book as I followed the beleaguered Truman and his escapades. Chris Well’s writing had me caught up in not just solving the mystery but equally in the cleverly comic way the mystery was solved. I am excited to see there is a prior Truman book available and I’m looking forward to diving into it and the other novels Chris Well has already written. And, of course, I’ll be looking forward to the next installment of Truman’s adventures.
October 14, 2013
This book is full of humor. I had a lot of fun reading it! Truman is quite a character! He's obnoxious, but hilarious. The way his mind works is very entertaining. I had a bit of trouble following who was saying what at times, but overall the book was well written, and a good read. It was fun trying to figure out exactly what was going on, as Truman was, too. I feel sorry for Jack, though!!!
I was given a copy of this book through Story Cartel in exchange for my honest review.
I was given a copy of this book through Story Cartel in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2015
I think the most common response to reading a Chris Well novel for the first time is: Has he written anything else? That or: Really? I can't believe I read the WHOLE thing. (No need for alka seltzer, though.) (That dated me.)
The point is, Well writes with a casual, conversational tone that reminds readers that reading is fun. (And we really didn't need to do those dishes tonight, anyway.) It's easy to get caught up in the narrative and actually feel like one of the characters caught up in the action, trying to figure out what just happened and why.
My first encounter with his writing was the Kansas City Blues books which actually served to remind me that fiction was worth reading again. (I had gotten into quite a pattern of reading non-fiction, business books to "better" myself - turns out, I'm better when I'm happy, and I'm happy when I'm reading good fiction.)
All that to say that Well has done it again with the love-him-or-hate-him character, Harry Truman, a frustrated ex-journalist with bad habits, a trail of broken relationships, and aspirations of writing a novel. Of course, nothing goes as Harry plans - ever - and he get sidetracked by, of all things, writing a biography for a mob boss with mere months to live. And of course, naturally, when you hang out with mobsters, you often get mistaken for a contract killer, right?
Oh what to do, what to do Mr. Truman, or Fillmore, or, well, over the course of the book we get a better idea of who Harry really is, based on his choices and actions while navigating circumstances only he could find himself in. You see how easy it is to act like he's a real person? Like a good friend that drives you crazy, but also reminds you that life would be boring without him? That's Harry. And at least once, you'll find yourself saying... "Oh, that Harry, he's so crazy."
And you will read the book. And you will thank me for it later. Better yet, thank the author.
By the way, I received a complimentary digital edition of this book from Story Cartel because I promised to write an honest review. I mean what I say, believe me... you should see what I wrote about those other books...
The point is, Well writes with a casual, conversational tone that reminds readers that reading is fun. (And we really didn't need to do those dishes tonight, anyway.) It's easy to get caught up in the narrative and actually feel like one of the characters caught up in the action, trying to figure out what just happened and why.
My first encounter with his writing was the Kansas City Blues books which actually served to remind me that fiction was worth reading again. (I had gotten into quite a pattern of reading non-fiction, business books to "better" myself - turns out, I'm better when I'm happy, and I'm happy when I'm reading good fiction.)
All that to say that Well has done it again with the love-him-or-hate-him character, Harry Truman, a frustrated ex-journalist with bad habits, a trail of broken relationships, and aspirations of writing a novel. Of course, nothing goes as Harry plans - ever - and he get sidetracked by, of all things, writing a biography for a mob boss with mere months to live. And of course, naturally, when you hang out with mobsters, you often get mistaken for a contract killer, right?
Oh what to do, what to do Mr. Truman, or Fillmore, or, well, over the course of the book we get a better idea of who Harry really is, based on his choices and actions while navigating circumstances only he could find himself in. You see how easy it is to act like he's a real person? Like a good friend that drives you crazy, but also reminds you that life would be boring without him? That's Harry. And at least once, you'll find yourself saying... "Oh, that Harry, he's so crazy."
And you will read the book. And you will thank me for it later. Better yet, thank the author.
By the way, I received a complimentary digital edition of this book from Story Cartel because I promised to write an honest review. I mean what I say, believe me... you should see what I wrote about those other books...
October 17, 2013
This is my first Chris Well book, and it definitely will NOT be my last. Harry Truman is bumbling, awkward in most situations, and associated with a variety of characters, many of whom defy normal description. Add to that the fact that he's a discredited journalist (my favorite kind), and there's no telling where his story will lead. Which is why it was almost impossible for me to put this book down. Which is why I was even more delighted to discover that there's another Harry Truman book which I purchased immediately upon finding it.
The plot to TBTBT has some problems, so at times it's necessary to suspend all disbelief. However, it becomes obvious early in this book that reading it is supposed to be for the sheer fun of it. So, given that fact, I was not at all bothered by the circumstances that were difficult to believe from a realistic standpoint. I was more interested in how Harry was going to get to the bottom of why a complete stranger was willing to pay him to kill his wife, as well as how Harry was going to deal with being forced to write the life story of a nefarious character who dogged Harry's every move with a mountain of a man who let it be known early on that Harry would do as he was told or suffer very painful consequences.
In my opinion, Too Bad To Be Truman is perfect escapist reading for anyone who likes something a little off the beaten track but still wants to stick to the mystery genre. I hope to see lots more from Harry in the future.
The plot to TBTBT has some problems, so at times it's necessary to suspend all disbelief. However, it becomes obvious early in this book that reading it is supposed to be for the sheer fun of it. So, given that fact, I was not at all bothered by the circumstances that were difficult to believe from a realistic standpoint. I was more interested in how Harry was going to get to the bottom of why a complete stranger was willing to pay him to kill his wife, as well as how Harry was going to deal with being forced to write the life story of a nefarious character who dogged Harry's every move with a mountain of a man who let it be known early on that Harry would do as he was told or suffer very painful consequences.
In my opinion, Too Bad To Be Truman is perfect escapist reading for anyone who likes something a little off the beaten track but still wants to stick to the mystery genre. I hope to see lots more from Harry in the future.
March 29, 2014
This was my first Harry Truman novel. I received from a Good Reads give away. I really enjoyed the character Harry Truman and his unique sense of humor. I will be on the look out for the next adventure in Harry Truman's life.
October 11, 2013
This was a great read by Chris Well that I would recommend to anyone. He weaves in some mystery but also some laugh out loud comedy. I look forward to all books by Chris Well.
July 19, 2014
This is a fun novel to read. I am enjoying this author's style and way of writing mysteries. They're lighthearted, humorous and not full of sex and cussing. :-) Thumbs up, Mr. Chris Well!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews