Fast Shuffle: A Novel

by David Black

An old-school PI is plunged into modern danger and conspiracy in this gripping mystery from TV screenwriter and producer David Black

Harry has always looked on the bright side of things—until one day he stumbles into a situation that leads straight into darkness, danger, and death. Overnight he is trapped in a conspiracy rooted deep in his past. Now he cannot tell if he is tracking a killer, or if the killer is tracking him and his assistant Friday, the only woman he has ever loved. Turning to the authorities only makes things worse. With both Harry and Friday on the run—hunted by the police, the killer, and even Harry's friends and relatives—the chances for survival look grim. Outmatched, outmanned, and outgunned, Harry discovers that he has challenged and threatened men as ruthless as they are powerful, as cunning as they are cruel, and he knows only one thing for sure: He can trust no one.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2015

About the author

David Black is an award-winning journalist, novelist, television screenwriter, producer and teacher.

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting novel about a used car salesman who believes he is a 40's PI and dresses and acts accordingly. He actually stumbles upon a murder, but for reasons that are obvious, nobody believes him. Well worth the read. Recommended.

[Steve Ewing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 1940's style Private Investigator that lives in the current time, very much like the character Don Quixote. An interesting read

[Fiction With Fallon · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's a clever idea here but it is not well-executed. The main character (whose name I've forgotten is an ordinary used car salesman who is delusional. His particular delusion is that he thinks he's a detective--a la Sam Spade/film noir. That's really an entertaining premise and the beginning of the book lets you see what it could be. But sadly, the author doesn't really make it work. It becomes monotonous, I'm afraid, except when there are these occasional digressions (one in particular) that don't seem remotely connected.

The author is a successful screenwriter and you can see the craft here. Indeed, I wonder if that is why it is not (to my mind) a successful book Everything is described as you would see it--not in great detail, but as a sketch of the movie set. This means there's almost no place for insight into character.

Oh well--at least it is a fast read.

[Deirdre Sinnott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast Shuffle roars off the page. Harry Dickinson a man who likes his fedora tipped at a rakish angle, his office humming with clients, and his world full of mysteries has an individualist relationship with reality. He approached everyone he meets with an open heart and a eye for detail even if the person is trying to get by and, in some cases, get over.

David Black knows a story when he sees one. And he has written a literary, fun, mystery that isn’t hard boiled, but more like deviled eggs — delicious and impossible to stop at just one chapter.

Make certain you read the afterward about how he came to write this particular book. It’s a fascinating walk along the winding path of an amazing career.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast Shuffle is an update on Don Quixote, with noir detectives taking the place of chivalric heroes. In this case our deluded hero stumbles along a real-life mystery, and given his delusions (and his friends' customary indulgence of those delusions) he has trouble convincing anyone that he is on to something real. On the positive side, I felt that David Black really gets Don Quixote, and he nails the concept. Unfortunately, some of the literary gamesmanship (including scenes of overlapping dialogue) took me out of the book at times, requiring rereading of pages when I simply wanted to be propelled through this fairly interesting and humorous story.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was not the murder mystery I was expecting for a writer of Law & Law: SVU episodes but nonetheless I found it to be an entertaining read and I loved the dialouge witty repartee. Less a murder mystery than a humanity mystery: how most of us see the world with so much sadness and judgement that those who see it through rose colored glasses are considered crazy.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific read! Filled with surprising twists and fabulous characters. Also, very funny! And--so unusual in a mystery/thriller--meaningful as well as entertaining. I'm giving Fast Shuffle to my cousin for his birthday because I know he'll love it too. Highly recommended!

[Deborah Barone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was frustrated by this book. Parts of it were wonderful but the characters never really grabbed me. The humor was quite entertaining.

[Mike Graef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick! page turner, very fun read, made me smile, and the afterword is a Hollywood education -- thanks for that too David Black.

[Shannon E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting format, good read, not too deep

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky, twist on the classic mystery novel! If you like the classic, hard-boiled detective, give this a shot. You'll be pleasantly surprised that the protagonist is operating in contemporary America.