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Murder Will Out
Logan is the first person you’d call for two-fisted detective action!
And three times Logan means three times the adventure.
1930s Hollywood wasn’t just moving picture stars and backlots. It was also a petri dish crawling with crime. Power breeding corruption, wealth motivating robbery, and revenge leading to murder. In these three tales, private investigator Tom Logan uses his brains, fists, and caustic wit, first to take on a mysterious organization called "The Syndicate", which is usurping territory from other mobs and has placed a target on him, and the female witness he’s protecting. In a second story, Tom rescues a fair maiden from the clutches of a racketeer running a gambling boat. She becomes the "marker" Logan has to prevent him from cashing in. And finally, Tom discovers that revenge is anything but sweet. A repeat (serial) murderer - labeled "The Full Moon Killer" by the press - is stalking The City of Angels. Unfortunately, Logan’s name is on this character’s list.
And three times Logan means three times the adventure.
1930s Hollywood wasn’t just moving picture stars and backlots. It was also a petri dish crawling with crime. Power breeding corruption, wealth motivating robbery, and revenge leading to murder. In these three tales, private investigator Tom Logan uses his brains, fists, and caustic wit, first to take on a mysterious organization called "The Syndicate", which is usurping territory from other mobs and has placed a target on him, and the female witness he’s protecting. In a second story, Tom rescues a fair maiden from the clutches of a racketeer running a gambling boat. She becomes the "marker" Logan has to prevent him from cashing in. And finally, Tom discovers that revenge is anything but sweet. A repeat (serial) murderer - labeled "The Full Moon Killer" by the press - is stalking The City of Angels. Unfortunately, Logan’s name is on this character’s list.
- GenresFiction
Audible Audio
Published March 5, 2018
8 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Tony Piazza
14 books20 followersTony Piazza is a Central Coast mystery writer, film historian, presenter, and a veteran storyteller well-known for his passion about writing and movies.
He is an author of the mystery novels; “Anything Short of Murder,” "A Murder Amongst Angels,"“The Curse of the Crimson Dragon,” "Murder is Such Sweet Revenge," and "Murder Will Out" available through Amazon. Piazza’s memoir, “Bullitt Points,” from SansTree, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the classic Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt” and the involvement of the Piazza family in the production.
Piazza worked regularly as an extra and stand-in on multiple Hollywood movies and television shows shot in San Francisco during the 1970′s, including “Towering Inferno,” “High Anxiety,” “Magnum Force,” and “Streets of San Francisco.” He now blogs regularly about his Hollywood experiences at authortonypiazza.com.
His inventory of stories reads like a Who’s Who of Hollywood from that era: Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Darren McGavin, Paul Newman, Karl Malden, Michael Douglas, Raymond Burr, Walter Matthau, Fred Astaire, Robert Vaughn and Leslie Nielsen.
Piazza is a member of Sisters in Crime, The Mystery Writers of America, and SLO Nightwriters.
He is an author of the mystery novels; “Anything Short of Murder,” "A Murder Amongst Angels,"“The Curse of the Crimson Dragon,” "Murder is Such Sweet Revenge," and "Murder Will Out" available through Amazon. Piazza’s memoir, “Bullitt Points,” from SansTree, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the classic Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt” and the involvement of the Piazza family in the production.
Piazza worked regularly as an extra and stand-in on multiple Hollywood movies and television shows shot in San Francisco during the 1970′s, including “Towering Inferno,” “High Anxiety,” “Magnum Force,” and “Streets of San Francisco.” He now blogs regularly about his Hollywood experiences at authortonypiazza.com.
His inventory of stories reads like a Who’s Who of Hollywood from that era: Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Darren McGavin, Paul Newman, Karl Malden, Michael Douglas, Raymond Burr, Walter Matthau, Fred Astaire, Robert Vaughn and Leslie Nielsen.
Piazza is a member of Sisters in Crime, The Mystery Writers of America, and SLO Nightwriters.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 27, 2018
3 short stories featuring Private Eye Tom Logan with the action set in 1930's Hollywood.
The main story (which takes up almost 3/4 of the book) sees Tom coming to the rescue of Mei-Ling, a young Chinese woman who's being kidnapped in broad daylight. Logan is already trying to find out who killed his old cop buddy "Red", gunned down in a late night ambush.
Mei-Ling turns out to be a friend of a prostitute named Roxie, one of Red's snitches who had a "black book" listing the names of many pillars of the Los Angeles community who have been using The Manor - a high-class brothel run by "The Syndicate". Tom recovers the book and aims to expose corruption in high places. But who can he trust? It seems his pursuers are not only gangsters but also corrupt cops while some in the LA District Attorney's office are also in the pay of The Syndicate.
On the run with Mei-Ling, he is stalked throughout the city as more people die.
Fans of movies such as "Chinatown" and 1940's noir thrillers will enjoy this fast paced tale. My only criticism is that the action tends to flag towards the end as the various threads of the story are explained in a lengthy scene in which the "good guys" talk about who they can and can't trust. A great read for fans of old-style private eye stories.
The main story (which takes up almost 3/4 of the book) sees Tom coming to the rescue of Mei-Ling, a young Chinese woman who's being kidnapped in broad daylight. Logan is already trying to find out who killed his old cop buddy "Red", gunned down in a late night ambush.
Mei-Ling turns out to be a friend of a prostitute named Roxie, one of Red's snitches who had a "black book" listing the names of many pillars of the Los Angeles community who have been using The Manor - a high-class brothel run by "The Syndicate". Tom recovers the book and aims to expose corruption in high places. But who can he trust? It seems his pursuers are not only gangsters but also corrupt cops while some in the LA District Attorney's office are also in the pay of The Syndicate.
On the run with Mei-Ling, he is stalked throughout the city as more people die.
Fans of movies such as "Chinatown" and 1940's noir thrillers will enjoy this fast paced tale. My only criticism is that the action tends to flag towards the end as the various threads of the story are explained in a lengthy scene in which the "good guys" talk about who they can and can't trust. A great read for fans of old-style private eye stories.
September 2, 2018
4.5/5.0
Mr. Piazza has quite a knack to transport readers to old-time Los Angeles.
Read full review in the 2018 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Mr. Piazza has quite a knack to transport readers to old-time Los Angeles.
Read full review in the 2018 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 26, 2020
Not the first book with this title, nor the first to be set in this era. But I was intrigued. The theme of old Hollywood, detectives (or PIs), a mystery, an author with a connection - who could not be hooked.
The fact this that is a prequel - and that I had not read any in the preceding series - was a good omen. It meant that I was starting at the beginning, I hadn't missed anything, and I had something more to look forward to. And I will be seeking out this series.now that I have read these three "cases". I also enjoyed the first person narrative - which reminded me of two of the genre's other great detectives - Spade, Marlowe.
I am returning to my roots - so to speak - of detective fiction, and have read extensively over the last few years, some old favourites and some new works. This is one I would happily add to my own collection - and the rest in the series.
The fact this that is a prequel - and that I had not read any in the preceding series - was a good omen. It meant that I was starting at the beginning, I hadn't missed anything, and I had something more to look forward to. And I will be seeking out this series.now that I have read these three "cases". I also enjoyed the first person narrative - which reminded me of two of the genre's other great detectives - Spade, Marlowe.
I am returning to my roots - so to speak - of detective fiction, and have read extensively over the last few years, some old favourites and some new works. This is one I would happily add to my own collection - and the rest in the series.
February 24, 2018
Three cases for ex-cop Private Investigator, Tom Logan set in 1930 Los Angeles. In the first story after the death of a close friend from the force he investigates an organisation called 'The Syndicate'. The following two cases are short stories where he tries to locate a missing woman, and finally he is looking for the 'Full Moon Killer'.
Enjoyable stories with good dialogue and fine characters. What I didn't like was the use of some characters speaking in the vernacular. Very off putting.
A NetGalley Book
Enjoyable stories with good dialogue and fine characters. What I didn't like was the use of some characters speaking in the vernacular. Very off putting.
A NetGalley Book
May 1, 2018
Love the 1930s theme of this book. There is a little black book missing and the Syndicate wants it back. The girl who took it is dead but she hide it away and nobody seems to be able to find it. Tom Logan was a cop but now a PI who has been asked to look into his friend's murder. There are dirty cops involved so who can he trust. Then he is trying to protect Meling who everyone thinks knows where the book is. Can he help her? Can he unravel this twisted case to find the answers to find out who killed his friend?
June 24, 2018
Set in LA in the early 1930’s this is a gold old fashioned detective story. The author,Tony Piazza has written a ripping yarn in the vein of Sam Spade Et al. It’s a quick read with corrupt cops, murder, prostitution, and gang rivalry. Tom Logan calls Women ‘Doll ‘ and has a female friend who is too independent for him to consider as wife material.....so comes across as a little dated but overall it’s great pulp fiction.
I would like to thank the author/publisher/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review
January 9, 2018
This is storytelling at its finest. Witty dialogue, plenty of twists & action, vivid characters & the history of old Hollywood makes this a must read.
Congratulations, Mr. Piazza you’ve done it again.
Can’t wait to see what Tom Logan is up to next.
Congratulations, Mr. Piazza you’ve done it again.
Can’t wait to see what Tom Logan is up to next.
July 10, 2018
I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest review. Great 1930's PI mystery set in LA with incredible characters including the mob. What more do you need? Loved the narrative that made me feel as if I was actually at the scene.
June 8, 2018
Yeah for some modern authors of Noir! There are only so many times you can read the old greats in the genre and it was thrilling to find a current book with the same vibe.
May 12, 2018
Tony Logan is the main character in three stories in this book all set in 1930's Las Angles. The first being the longest and in my opinion, the best. In this first, longer story, Tony just founds out his good friend Red is dead. Killed by the Syndicate. He is contacted to investigate the murder of a prostitute, Emily, who is known to have a "black book" with a list of clients and syndicate members. Tony is being tailed by numerous people, but he does not know whom to trust and along the way, he makes more than one mistake. He meets up with Mie-Ling another prostitute who was friends with Emily and might know the location of the Black Book. If you are a fan of 1930's mysteries, these three stories will be a treat. I am giving this 3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars.
June 24, 2018
Set in LA in the early 1930’s this is a gold old fashioned detective story. The author,Tony Piazza has written a ripping yarn in the vein of Sam Spade Et al. It’s a quick read with corrupt cops, murder, prostitution, and gang rivalry. Tom Logan calls Women ‘Doll ‘ and has a female friend who is too independent for him to consider as wife material.....so comes across as a little dated but overall it’s great pulp fiction.
I would like to thank the author/publisher/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review
I would like to thank the author/publisher/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews