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Mike Angel Mystery #3
Dark Blonde: A Mike Angel Mystery
Julia Gateswood hires reluctant PI, Mike Angel, to find her missing sister, but Julia's social position and the sordid past of the sister make this anything but a simple case. Julia's a mysterious ex-beauty queen, who married for ambition to congressman Henry Gateswood, a charismatic ex-professor running for a vacated US Senate seat from Illinois in 1962. When Julia's sister Gail, a loose woman with past shady connections, disappears, Julia calls on private eye Mike Angel, who quickly learns his new employer isn't everything she seems to be, but what she is beyond a doubt is a great hypnotist of Mike's libido. Before Mike is hardly into the case, he's visited by Julia's strange secretary, who later finds the missing sister's headless body in the guesthouse of the Gateswood estate. Mike and his unofficial partner, Rick Anthony, a 25 year veteran of the NYC detective force and, whose vocabulary suffers from too many NYU grad classes, get to the crime scene before the police and follow clues that pit them against powerful Chicago mobsters. Rick was a partner for many years with Mike's late father, who was murdered on his first case as a private investigator. O.W. Wilson, a famous police chief and gangbuster from Kansas City, has taken over the Chicago force and enlists Mike to seek the department mole connected with the year old Summerfield scandal, where police were in cahoots with robbers. Mike hunts for Gail's killer while sorting out the threads of motive, political intrigue, bad cops and an arrogant DA, and Henry Gateswood's role. All the while Mike becomes conflicted by attraction to Julia, who disappears at a critical juncture, only to discover that her husband has placed her in a sanitarium. What were Henry's real motives for putting her away? Who killed Gail and how does she fit into Chicago mobsters on the run from the Summerfield scandal? Mike and Rick follow too many clues to a surprising conclusion. One twisting aspect of Mike's investigative instincts is often timely warnings from the "voice" of his late father, and also through sensations felt in a long scar Mike won during a shootout with the Russian mob who was behind his father's death. He also struggles with a desire to commit to Molly Bennett, his office manager and love interest, while conflicted with an over-healthy desire for attractive women who cross his path. This is the third in a series of four Mike Angel novels. These take place in NY/NJ (Dark Quarry), and Chicago in the early 1960s (Dark Quarry, Dark Lake, Dark Blonde, Dark Poison). Some actual historical characters and events are used. At this time only Dark Poison is published.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
137 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 24, 2017
Mike Angel is a good old-fashioned PI, in the Mickey Spillane mold. His sarcasm and smart remarks make the book worth reading, nd the great story is a plus. All the environment of 1950s Chicago is on display, and the entire story is framed in black. The descriptions are detailed when necessary, but the book is basically excellent conversation and action. I'll give it a rest, then read it again.
March 11, 2015
Private eye Mike Angel has been hired by Julia Gateswood to find her sister who’s been missing for four days. Ordinarily, Mike wouldn’t be interested in the case if it wasn’t for the fact that Julia is gorgeous and wealthy enough to pay him well. Since Julia’s husband is campaigning to become a senator, she’s desperate to avoid a scandal. But scandal is just what she gets as death and violence blast through Julia and Mike’s world.
Set in 1962 Chicago, Dark Blonde is an entertaining, hardboiled mystery featuring a macho, reasonably intelligent, thirty-two-year-old protagonist who cheats on his girlfriend now and then. At least he’s not a drinker, otherwise the stereotype would be a little too much. Nor is he a complete loner, thanks to longtime girlfriend Molly and his older, former cop partner, Rick.
Reminiscent of classic mysteries from the 40’s and 50’s, there are plenty of plot twists, secrets, and unsavory relationships to sort through before the truth is revealed. Most of the one-liners in the book would do Raymond Chandler proud, but a few were clunky or overwritten. Still it was fun to delve into old school crime detection before CSI, DNA, and GPS’s began to dominate. More to the point, it’s a good that kept me interested from beginning to end.
Set in 1962 Chicago, Dark Blonde is an entertaining, hardboiled mystery featuring a macho, reasonably intelligent, thirty-two-year-old protagonist who cheats on his girlfriend now and then. At least he’s not a drinker, otherwise the stereotype would be a little too much. Nor is he a complete loner, thanks to longtime girlfriend Molly and his older, former cop partner, Rick.
Reminiscent of classic mysteries from the 40’s and 50’s, there are plenty of plot twists, secrets, and unsavory relationships to sort through before the truth is revealed. Most of the one-liners in the book would do Raymond Chandler proud, but a few were clunky or overwritten. Still it was fun to delve into old school crime detection before CSI, DNA, and GPS’s began to dominate. More to the point, it’s a good that kept me interested from beginning to end.
January 20, 2014
With a striking cover, we go back to the 60s as Mike Angel is hired by Julia Gatewood, the title character. Her husband is running for Senator from Illinois, and Mike ends up 'doing it' with just about every female character in the story--nothing being mentioned about condoms or STDs. There are gangsters, as well, and Gail, who is NOT Julia's sister--just a courtesy title apparently, gets killed. Mike's partner Rick, a former police officer, has a little better luck--he only gets shot in the same shoulder where he was previously injured. This is somewhat of a 60s book noir.
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January 10, 2014A new twist in every chapter-a can't put down
unpredictable twists and turns; an almost enthralling read; author must wish for an angel_but yet to meet one.The Best Of Early 2014
unpredictable twists and turns; an almost enthralling read; author must wish for an angel_but yet to meet one.The Best Of Early 2014
November 26, 2015
Hard boiled if that's your thing
I felt the author tried too hard to set the tone, and the wrap-up was not as clear as I would have liked. Entertaining enough read.
I felt the author tried too hard to set the tone, and the wrap-up was not as clear as I would have liked. Entertaining enough read.
May 11, 2018
A hard-boiled private eye tale in the tradition of the pulps.
Mike Angel is a private investigator with a scar that tingles, itches, or burns whenever danger is near, and a dead father who also gives him advice. He cracks wise, tap dances around the cops and DA, and flirts with women, all while trying to remain faithful to his office assistant and secretary Molly.
Fears hits on all the clichés of the hard-boiled detective, including the slang. The terms can be a bit jarring if you aren't familiar with them, but overall Fears delivers an enjoyable read.
With the backdrop of 1960's Chicago, Angel must tango with a Congressman running for Senator and his ambitious and voluptuous wife while trying to track down the wife's missing sister.
Graphic depictions of sex.
Mike Angel is a private investigator with a scar that tingles, itches, or burns whenever danger is near, and a dead father who also gives him advice. He cracks wise, tap dances around the cops and DA, and flirts with women, all while trying to remain faithful to his office assistant and secretary Molly.
Fears hits on all the clichés of the hard-boiled detective, including the slang. The terms can be a bit jarring if you aren't familiar with them, but overall Fears delivers an enjoyable read.
With the backdrop of 1960's Chicago, Angel must tango with a Congressman running for Senator and his ambitious and voluptuous wife while trying to track down the wife's missing sister.
Graphic depictions of sex.
June 7, 2018
First time Fears reader - enjoyed the book
Happened to notice this book on my long list of unread Kinle books. Started reading it and couldn’t put it down. Great mixture of mystery, suspense, and sexy situations.
Happened to notice this book on my long list of unread Kinle books. Started reading it and couldn’t put it down. Great mixture of mystery, suspense, and sexy situations.
August 31, 2019
This book just drug on, and didn't keep my attention very well. There was a lot more attention to details that in all reality just didn't need to be there, and the ending was not a good one at all. I'm pretty sure that this was another free book from bookbub.com
December 13, 2022
terrible terrible terrible ,Don’t waste your time and money on this book.
Sorry I bought the book in the first place. Complete waste of time and money for me. You on the other hand might enjoy it.
Sorry I bought the book in the first place. Complete waste of time and money for me. You on the other hand might enjoy it.
June 29, 2017
I got this book as an e book because it took place in Chicago and I wanted to see if I knew any of the places. It is an OK mystery but not great
May 16, 2018
Another hard-boiled Mike Angel mystery. Good escapist fare.
January 6, 2012
This book was given to me for free by the author in exchange for a review.
Here's a pun for you in the form of a question. What gives private eyes the license to be a d**k? That's meant with all puns intended and in all meanings of the word.
It seems (at least to this reader) that private eye stories are the romance novels for men. Here's why. You're guaranteed a happy ending, in one the guy and girl get together and in the other the PI gets his crook. You get the life of a character that you know you have no chance of getting in real life, in one all the thoughtfulness and romance and in the other all the drinking, womanizing, and rudeness. Lastly, you almost always get a really well told story, even though in both cases the characters themselves may drive you insane.
Dark Blonde: A Mike Angel Private Eye Mystery by David H. Fears is a stereotypical PI story with a stereotypical lead character but a fantastic plot. The stereotypes are a lead character who is a heavy-drinking, womanizing, rude, unsophisticated, disrespectful cad, who manages to bungle his way through the mystery solving it by the skin of his teeth and through lots of unorthodox ways.
There is a bit of a fantasy aspect to this novel as well. No, not fantasy as in magic or science fiction, but fantasy as in women's romance novel fantasy. The story that will never happen in real life, but damn it's nice to wish. Isn't it? Mike Angel not only flirts and sleeps with anything in a skirt, but he has a girlfriend who is okay with the fact that he does. Most women would definitely qualify that as a fantasy, but to be fair ladies our romance novels set just as unrealistic standards.
However, if you can get over your aversion to Mike Angel and look past his distasteful ways, then you are in for a treat. Dark Blonde takes place in Chicago in 1962 and Fears does a fantastic job of accurately documenting the events of that time: the organized crime, the corruption in the public services, the crackdown and clean-ups going on, and the political state of Chicago. It was thrilling to see such small details as the fact that Chicago is not called the windy city because of how windy it actually is, or in this case isn't. A lot of people don't know this, but Fears got it right, Chicago got it's title because of the "windy" & corrupt politicians. You're probably familiar with the saying, "Just blowing hot air."
Fears definitely keeps the plot hopping with a missing person turned murder victim, that before mentioned corruption and the clean-ups, the romantic liaisons that go way past triangles into other bizarre shapes, the characters' sordid pasts, the numerous skeletons in the closets, the beauty queen turned rotten, and the amazingly dysfunctional relationships and family dynamics.
Here's a pun for you in the form of a question. What gives private eyes the license to be a d**k? That's meant with all puns intended and in all meanings of the word.
It seems (at least to this reader) that private eye stories are the romance novels for men. Here's why. You're guaranteed a happy ending, in one the guy and girl get together and in the other the PI gets his crook. You get the life of a character that you know you have no chance of getting in real life, in one all the thoughtfulness and romance and in the other all the drinking, womanizing, and rudeness. Lastly, you almost always get a really well told story, even though in both cases the characters themselves may drive you insane.
Dark Blonde: A Mike Angel Private Eye Mystery by David H. Fears is a stereotypical PI story with a stereotypical lead character but a fantastic plot. The stereotypes are a lead character who is a heavy-drinking, womanizing, rude, unsophisticated, disrespectful cad, who manages to bungle his way through the mystery solving it by the skin of his teeth and through lots of unorthodox ways.
There is a bit of a fantasy aspect to this novel as well. No, not fantasy as in magic or science fiction, but fantasy as in women's romance novel fantasy. The story that will never happen in real life, but damn it's nice to wish. Isn't it? Mike Angel not only flirts and sleeps with anything in a skirt, but he has a girlfriend who is okay with the fact that he does. Most women would definitely qualify that as a fantasy, but to be fair ladies our romance novels set just as unrealistic standards.
However, if you can get over your aversion to Mike Angel and look past his distasteful ways, then you are in for a treat. Dark Blonde takes place in Chicago in 1962 and Fears does a fantastic job of accurately documenting the events of that time: the organized crime, the corruption in the public services, the crackdown and clean-ups going on, and the political state of Chicago. It was thrilling to see such small details as the fact that Chicago is not called the windy city because of how windy it actually is, or in this case isn't. A lot of people don't know this, but Fears got it right, Chicago got it's title because of the "windy" & corrupt politicians. You're probably familiar with the saying, "Just blowing hot air."
Fears definitely keeps the plot hopping with a missing person turned murder victim, that before mentioned corruption and the clean-ups, the romantic liaisons that go way past triangles into other bizarre shapes, the characters' sordid pasts, the numerous skeletons in the closets, the beauty queen turned rotten, and the amazingly dysfunctional relationships and family dynamics.
March 20, 2012
I enjoyed this book. I don't usually read crime/mystery, but having met David on kindleboards, my interest was piqued. Imagine my surprise when the day I decided to give this book a try it was free! Cool! Just a head's up: If you are small minded enough to think that an author can't fairly review another author, please don't continue. I feel it is my right as a reader to give authors reviews when I have the time or inclination.
Let me start out by saying that this book is definitely a throwback to the old art noir type books and films of several decades ago. That is something to keep in mind when reading it. The main character, Mike Angel, is a product of those times. He is a chauvinist. That was true of every detective in every nvoel of that genre and I am glad the author stayed true to the roots of these types of crime novels. You can love Angel, you can hate him...but he is what he is. That is what it was like back then. Angel would gets his b*lls kicked in by many a woman if he appeared in the 21st century, but back to the review...
The story is fast paced and entertaining. I found the descriptions to be just enough to give me a solid picture but not so much that I started skimming. (I hate a lot of description. I prefer dialog.) The dialog was great. Punchy, to the point, yet original. Fun stuff, nostalgic throwback.
There are some steamy sex scenes, but I would have liked them steamier. Again, perhaps that is reflective of the times the author is trying to emulate.
The only complaint I have is the character Molly. She was too robotic, too cardboard cut-out for my taste. It would have been fun to see her darker side and give her some spine. I do know this is a series so I am hoping that happens down the line.
Would I reccomend it? Yes, absolutely. A real blast from the past for this old "toots".
Let me start out by saying that this book is definitely a throwback to the old art noir type books and films of several decades ago. That is something to keep in mind when reading it. The main character, Mike Angel, is a product of those times. He is a chauvinist. That was true of every detective in every nvoel of that genre and I am glad the author stayed true to the roots of these types of crime novels. You can love Angel, you can hate him...but he is what he is. That is what it was like back then. Angel would gets his b*lls kicked in by many a woman if he appeared in the 21st century, but back to the review...
The story is fast paced and entertaining. I found the descriptions to be just enough to give me a solid picture but not so much that I started skimming. (I hate a lot of description. I prefer dialog.) The dialog was great. Punchy, to the point, yet original. Fun stuff, nostalgic throwback.
There are some steamy sex scenes, but I would have liked them steamier. Again, perhaps that is reflective of the times the author is trying to emulate.
The only complaint I have is the character Molly. She was too robotic, too cardboard cut-out for my taste. It would have been fun to see her darker side and give her some spine. I do know this is a series so I am hoping that happens down the line.
Would I reccomend it? Yes, absolutely. A real blast from the past for this old "toots".
February 19, 2017
Dark Blonde
This could possibly be a good story. That being said, I found there wasn't enough dialogue and too much unnecessary explanation.
This could possibly be a good story. That being said, I found there wasn't enough dialogue and too much unnecessary explanation.
July 27, 2011
Novel Noir, you have met your author! Fears' novel chronicling the adventures of Mike Angel, private eye, was gripping from beginning to end. I hate to use a cliché here, but I have to. If you want a page-turner, this is the novel for you. I had a very difficult time putting this novel down, and Fears has made a fan of me.
What's so great about this book? In a word: Voice. Fears has perfected the voice of Mike Angel, the former NYC police officer-turned Chicago PI, and it oozes with noir magic. From the first sentence, I felt as if I was watching a film noir, in fact, Dark Blonde would be perfect for that. If you have not contacted an agent in Hollywood yet, Mr. Fears, I suggest you do so.
Mike Angel is a womanizing investigator, a character flaw that actually makes Angel that much more believable, and in my opinion, charming. I could not help but chuckle as he oogled everything that came at him in heels. Fears' treatment of Angel made his character so real that I felt as if I was right there with him.
Fears' story not only has a strong voice, but also great twists, turns, hooks that kept me wanting to know more, and an incredibly unexpected plot pivot at the end. Dark Blonde was a fantastic and absorbing read and I highly recommend it to fans of mystery, drama, film noir, or anyone who just really wants a great read. As an author, Fears has much to offer, and I look forward to seeing more from him.
What's so great about this book? In a word: Voice. Fears has perfected the voice of Mike Angel, the former NYC police officer-turned Chicago PI, and it oozes with noir magic. From the first sentence, I felt as if I was watching a film noir, in fact, Dark Blonde would be perfect for that. If you have not contacted an agent in Hollywood yet, Mr. Fears, I suggest you do so.
Mike Angel is a womanizing investigator, a character flaw that actually makes Angel that much more believable, and in my opinion, charming. I could not help but chuckle as he oogled everything that came at him in heels. Fears' treatment of Angel made his character so real that I felt as if I was right there with him.
Fears' story not only has a strong voice, but also great twists, turns, hooks that kept me wanting to know more, and an incredibly unexpected plot pivot at the end. Dark Blonde was a fantastic and absorbing read and I highly recommend it to fans of mystery, drama, film noir, or anyone who just really wants a great read. As an author, Fears has much to offer, and I look forward to seeing more from him.
February 6, 2014
Shamus, Noir, Chicago, Dames, Mob, I could go on, but then I would be long-winded, kinda like the story. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad story, and the characters were well developed, it was just over-written. Too much description to action - 3 pages to describe a house is just a tad too much. At some points while reading the descriptions of people and places, I forgot where I was in the story. I liked the subtle plot turns and twists, and I definitely liked the smarmy protagonist and his way with the opposite sex. But a girlfriend that's okay with a guy having multiple orgasms with another woman, that's a stretch (fantasy?) Maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea. Or Joe? Though I do normally like this genre, I just couldn't get on board with this one.
September 28, 2015
P.I. and boobs and legs oh my
The story was about a grisly murder, who's description was one of the better part's of the book. It's not a badly written story, it's just that nothing really happens after midway through the book,, except for the main character letting us know how much he admires his client Julia s boobs after the hundredth time you'd think he would move on. I would have loved to know more about the sisters growing up. Which is a crucial part of who they become as adults. All we really know about them is that one is a nympho and the other a former beauty pageant queen. I don't really like spoiling book s for readers so I'll. Finish by saying that if you can tolerate the continuous references to "Boobs and legs" by all means go for it...
The story was about a grisly murder, who's description was one of the better part's of the book. It's not a badly written story, it's just that nothing really happens after midway through the book,, except for the main character letting us know how much he admires his client Julia s boobs after the hundredth time you'd think he would move on. I would have loved to know more about the sisters growing up. Which is a crucial part of who they become as adults. All we really know about them is that one is a nympho and the other a former beauty pageant queen. I don't really like spoiling book s for readers so I'll. Finish by saying that if you can tolerate the continuous references to "Boobs and legs" by all means go for it...
April 26, 2011
This is the second 'Dark' book I have read. I seem to be reading them in the wrong order as I read #4 first! I really enjoyed this one, more so than the first I read. It is at it's heart a murder story with a twist that I didn't see coming. but there are several other threads mixed in. Political scandal, corruption, a nod to 'The Mob' & even the obligatory love triangle! It has made me hungry for more from this author!
February 27, 2014
An enjoyable read. Good characterization, pacing and use of language. The "hard-boiled" detective speak seemed a bit forced at times. One bit of nit picking from a factual perspective. A character was referred to as 'hispanic'. This book takes place in 1962 but that term did not come into wide use until the mid '70's. This was another great free find from Barnes and Noble and I will probably look for more in the series.
August 1, 2015
Generally a good story. Overall, I liked most of the plot. Having a younger PI was nice, also. However, at times, the author tried too hard to make the character speak like a 1960s Film Noir detective, which made the character seem like a caricature of himself. In addition, the last storyline twist undid a lot of what had been discovered and left me more confused than anything. It seemed unnecessary to the story.
April 28, 2015
Another hard-edged private detective with an eye for blondes
Mike Angel is , except his youth, the stereotypical PE dreaming of hot blondes and falling for one when she comes to him for help finding her sister. The only interesting character was Molly, his brunette lover who also watches over his PE business.
Mike Angel is , except his youth, the stereotypical PE dreaming of hot blondes and falling for one when she comes to him for help finding her sister. The only interesting character was Molly, his brunette lover who also watches over his PE business.
July 29, 2015
Well, this one was free from Amazon Kindle, so I thought I'd try it.
It's a hard-boiled, tough talking detective style murder, with much too much sexual objectification of female characters. The plot is pretty mundane, and the denouement not very interesting.
In other words, Meh!
I guess I don't see any other Mike Angel books in my future...
It's a hard-boiled, tough talking detective style murder, with much too much sexual objectification of female characters. The plot is pretty mundane, and the denouement not very interesting.
In other words, Meh!
I guess I don't see any other Mike Angel books in my future...
January 6, 2016
Good mystery novel. It is in the 'Hard-boiled' category. Not sure what this means exactly, but most of these novels involve characters who are hard-drinking unsophisticated private eyes. The dialogue is reminiscent of the old 'B' movies, the bad guys over-muscles thugs, and the dames are gorgeous, none of the characters are over-developed, but are not totally cardboard flat either. An easy read.
September 8, 2012
Honestly I was not expecting anything worthwhile in this book but I was floored. This is an very well written book and well worth the money to invest. My only complaint, too short, luckily Fears has plenty more novels to choose from. Look for more of my reviews of his work in the future.
January 21, 2014
Enjoyable
I really was involved with the main character, but the sex-addiction is simply an excuse. for additional sex scenes. the plot was well twisted, but I'm still fuzzy about all the turns and hidden pieces.
I really was involved with the main character, but the sex-addiction is simply an excuse. for additional sex scenes. the plot was well twisted, but I'm still fuzzy about all the turns and hidden pieces.
January 11, 2015
Great mystery that takes you back in time.
The author has written a book that reminds of the Mickey Spillane series. There is also a dash of Raymond Chandler. Great story and a lot of who done what. A gripping mystery and great prose.
The author has written a book that reminds of the Mickey Spillane series. There is also a dash of Raymond Chandler. Great story and a lot of who done what. A gripping mystery and great prose.
December 24, 2015
Good well-written story with well-developed characters. PI Mike Angel is a throw-back to the old rough around the edges PI's of the past - not your run of the mill detectives you read about in most books today.
March 25, 2014
https://www.facebook.com/MikeAngelPI
See the characters!
See the characters!
February 11, 2014
A good mystery.
January 14, 2015
Very exciting!
It was a thriller all throughout the novel. I can't put it down,just have to read all the way so I won't miss anything.It was a superb book.
It was a thriller all throughout the novel. I can't put it down,just have to read all the way so I won't miss anything.It was a superb book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews