Catchee Monkey

Rex & Eddie Mysteries #1

by Sean Cameron

Two Detectives. One Murder. No Clue.

When Eddie is persuaded to start a detective agency with his friend Rex, he hopes to set up a respectable business, while Rex sees it as a chance to play out his noir fantasies.

The inexperienced sleuths stumble upon a murder mystery that puts them head-to-head with gangsters, assassins, and corrupt coppers. Outnumbered, outgunned and outwitted, they have to solve their case before it kills them, or before they end up killing each other.

The first in the Rex & Eddie Mysteries series, Catchee Monkey is a comedy-mystery — or daft noir — that lovingly mashes the pulp detective novel with a British twist.

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Amazon, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Comedy, Thriller

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Sean Cameron is from Rochester, England and currently lives in Los Angeles, California. When not laughing at the British weather report, he finds time to write the comedy book series REX & EDDIE MYSTERIES.

He likes carrot cake, dinosaurs, and hiking; although not much hiking happens as he fears being eaten by a mountain lion. He dislikes the news, squash soup, and mountain lions.

You can connect with Sean on Twitter at @seancameronuk, on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/seancameronauthor, or drop him an email at scameron.uk[at]gmail.com.
Visit his online home at www.sean-cameron.com.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...our motto is the old West Coast proverb, “Softly, softly, catchee monkey”; in other words, “Don’t flurry; patience gains the day.”
~The Downfall of Prempeh, by Major R S S Baden-Powell, 1896, in his diary of his activities in what is now Ghana in 1895-6. Powell was also the founder of the Boy Scouts.

____________________________________________

Well, the one thing Rex and Eddie do have is patience. Things they don't have?
Money, a private investigator's license, a reliable automobile, a clue as to what they're doing...

After losing their jobs as mall cops, Eddie and Rex open a detective agency. Things go from bad to worse as the accident-prone duo move into their new office space only to discover a dead body outline and big blood stains on the floor. Ah, well...at least they have their first case - who killed the previous tenant?

The boys manage to bumble from one fine mess to another. But, fortune occasionally smiles on them, and at one time, they think they've even got the monkey all ... catcheed:

"Well done, Rex. We solved the case."

Rex struggled to find the words as he put on his seat belt. "It's just that it's not what I expected. I wanted a femme fatale, a couple of double crossings, a big reveal, you know, a car chase."

"Sorry Rex, but real detective work is time-consuming and monotonous." He started the car and drove down the country lane. "In real life, it's hard work and due diligence that pays off. Now, let's get a beer."

Rex perked up. "Uh, Eddie."

"It's okay. There no need to thank me."

"No, it's just, well, a black SUV is following us." Rex pointed at the rear-view mirror. Eddie saw the black SUV catch up to them. He didn't know what was worse: the thought of being followed, or that Rex was excited about it.

I don't think it's giving anything away to say that Rex will get his wish for detective-type thrills, including real gangsters toting real guns. Fun, mayhem and free doughnuts follow.

My only problem with the book was that, even though I know they're both at least a decade too old, I couldn't stop picturing Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as Eddie and Rex.
And that was not really a bad thing! (There's even a role for Alan Ford who played Bricktop in the movie Snatch.) This has simply GOT to be filmed!

If you like your crime fiction mixed with a good dose of humor, this one's for you!

[Danielle Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in GoodReads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

I wish I read this novella during a plane trip or last summer, while lying on the beach. This is exactly the kind of fun read we love in those moments. The story is action-packed enough to sustain our interest and the two protagonists are downright awkward and funny.

As I read this novel, more than once I started laughing and my husband asked me what was so funny in this novel. I described him a few scenes and he imagined Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in the lead roles.



These two actors are perhaps somewhat caricatural, maybe a little too much, to play Eddie and Rex, but I think everyone who reads this novel will also have their own vision of two characters and the comic detective movie that would result from it.

As for me, I would see these two in the lead roles:


Christian Bale could even play the 2 MCs:


Yeah, I admit, I love Christian Bale.

Whoever the actors, it would be a fun summer evening movie, for example.

I give 4 stars to this novel and I'm looking forward to Rex's and Eddie's next adventures.

[Tom Donaghey · Rating 4 out of 5]

CATCHEE MONKEY by Sean Cameron is a funny, wacked out tale of two losers who somehow manage to become winners. Sort of, like in a way that could never happen but in this skewed world does. This is the story of Eddie and Rex, two guys who are best friends, have known each other since childhood, and manage to get fired from every job they ever had.
After getting axed from their security jobs at the mall, Rex talks Eddie into opening a detective agency. Training, licenses, police background, all those things are for the amateurs. The pair buy up the worst car in their small town, secure an office where a murder occurred and try to discover who killed the outlined form on the floor.
Along the way there are petty-ante hoods, real hoods, laser tag, movie producers, a femme fatale, old girlfriends, bad shoes, con men and guns. Eddie hates Rex for pulling him into this situation while Rex nonchalantly carries on despite (or oblivious to) the danger that is all around, and each page is funnier than the last.
In short CATCHEE MONKEY is a fast, easy read that is somehow spellbinding in its ability to draw the reader in and not let go. I sped through this in a few hours and enjoyed every minute. I am looking forward to the next installment.
I won this book through Goodreads.

[Charles Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

British expat, now LA resident, Sean Cameron like dinosaurs and carrot cake, and as you might expect, he has a decidedly weird sense of humor. That wacky sense comes through clearly in Catchee Monkey, a Rex and Eddie mystery set in Cloisterham, ‘a place to live.’ I received a free copy of this book for review.
The story starts with Harold the cleaner, who while doing cleanup in an office block finds a body with half a head – the rest of the head having been spattered all over the office. ‘Bugger’ is all Harold can say.
Then, in come Eddie and Rex. A couple of hapless friends who can’t even hold on to jobs as do-nothing rent-a-cops in a shopping mall (Eddie can’t hold on to his girlfriend Melinda either), they decide to become private detectives. Actually, Rex decides, and Eddie just tags along. Things get really weird when they end up renting the murder office and decide to solve the still unsolved killing.
If you like your humor shoveled on in the style of ‘The Three Stooges,’ or ‘Laurel and Hardy,’ you’ll love Catchee Monkey. I can’t say I really understood how the title relates to the story – but, I was laughing so hard, I forgot why I couldn’t understand it. A truly funny book that I highly recommend.

[David West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I love about British Gangster Comedies. All the mystery, action and dry humor I could ask for. Full of surprises and great dialogue, Catchee Monkey kept me very entertained as I tagged along with this pair of rogues.

While Rex and Eddie are a pair of fools, Cameron's writing certainly is not. Deft arrangements of pacing and scenery keep the plot moving, whilst painting vivid pictures of their suspects and clues. Rex and Eddies knack for piecing together mysteries and finding the hidden and overlooked obvious also makes for great character comedy.This was a fantastic book. I loved the witty - (or dim) characters and I found myself laughing out loud at at least every other page with Rex and Eddie's antics (and Jim Jam's).

You will be asking to hang with these rascals again.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Reads, First Reads

Rex and Eddie, a couple of lost 20 somethings trying to find their way. Mall Cop meets Ace Ventura kinda sums up the antics of Rex and Eddie. Getting fired and breaking up with a girl gets the pair motivated to start their own detective agency. When they rent their office space to start the agency they stumble upon their first case. Does the paid solve the crime or are they killed first? Fast easy read, laughed out loud several times and would read the second book in the series which I believe is due out in early 2015.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Disappointing"

Not sure which age group this is aimed at. I'm British, and I stopped laughing at this type of humour when I was sixteen. As for the crime capers these two got up to? Not for me, I'm afraid.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long-time friends Rex and Eddie are fired from their mall security job, mostly due to Rex's burning desire to go above and beyond at catching shoplifters. At loose ends, Rex convinces Eddie to go into business for themselves as detectives -- well, at least they can't be fired! They stumble upon their first case when they rent an office in which a man had recently been murdered.
Rex and Eddie are perfect foils for each other; Eddie's fastidiousness contrasts perfectly with Rex's enthusiasm. I can't wait for more from these characters! They had me laughing aloud at several points during the narrative. Cameron is also a master of the written chase scene. Sometimes when I read those, I can't quite follow the action, but this I saw clearly, almost as if it were a movie in my brain.
I very much enjoyed this book and am quite looking forward to the next!!

[Sarah-Jayne Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

(This review may contain spoilers).

I did find this book to be a really quick and easy read, even though I do have to say I got really irritated with Rex at times. I honestly couldn't figure out how Eddie kept putting up with him.

I didn't really find much humour in this book, personally. The two main characters, while fairly likable, were still very incompetent. And eventually, that incompetence became irritating rather than cute.

Probably the best part of this book was the interaction between Eddie and Rex. While there was little in the way of laugh out loud moments, the litany of failed jobs was somewhat amusing to read, if also somewhat depressing.

While there were some good moments of action and detective work in this book, I felt there wasn't really enough of a plot to keep me fully engaged.

Out of the characters in this book, it was only Eddie and Rex who seemed to have much depth to them. I didn't think much of Eddie's ex-girlfriend; she really didn't seem to have a life outside of his interactions with her. I would say the same was true of the rest of the secondary characters. They only appeared when it was convenient to the plot and therefore, they didn't feel real enough. The same was true of Rex's mother, who made no actual appearance in the book, even though she was referenced.

All in all, this book could have been done a lot better. The two main characters had me continually rolling my eyes, but they were arguably the best thing about this book. I kind of kept forgetting about what they were actually doing in this book, as the two of them didn't really seem to know what they were doing.

If there'd been less information dumping and more time spent on developing the secondary characters, I would have enjoyed this book a lot more. As it was, the book was still easy to read...but it hasn't particularly stuck in my mind. While the ending worked especially well, I don't plan to read the next book/s in this series; at least not any time soon. The book could have been longer with secondary characters who had more life to them.

[Tony Duxbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is in the finest tradition of British slap-stick comedy. After being sacked from their security guard jobs, this pair of idiots open a detective agency. Having no cases to solve and no idea how to get any, they decide to solve an old murder that's still open. Eddie and Rex are clueless and have no idea how to dig up clues or leads. Unfortunately for them, their continued inept bumbling draws the culprit out. In a panic, they lurch from one ridicules disaster to another. The dynamic duo spend most of their time running away, being beaten up or being shot at. Who would have thought the Kent countryside was so dangerous? I had a great laugh reading this. The characters are so stupid that you feel embarrassed for them. Loved the dialogue. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a few laughs.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern “old English murder mystery”

I picked this up at a discount “the first one is free”,and I’m glad I took the chance and spent the time. If you like the American writer Donald Westlake and his books, I think you will like these characters who seemed to me British versions of the Dortmunder crowd in one of Westlake’s series. The writing is good, but some glitches in the process created editing errors that are not. They don’t distract terribly. It is written very much in the style of the early 20th century British mystery writers, but is totally modern. This is no Dorothy Sayers, or Margery Allingham, but it is witty and most of the characters seem dim rather than stupid. Sort of good brain candy to cleanse the mind after the daily horrors I read go on out there.
I recommend it.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goofy, funny and an all around entertaining read. It's not complex, and more of a slight mystery with a lot of funny situations interspersed throughout. Great for a beach read. (I did get this ebook for free in exchange for a honest review and hopefully will write a more thorough review shortly, but it was funny and enjoyable enough that it's worth paying for the ebook). I do hope that the series continues. A lot of mysteries claim to be funny, this one actually is laugh out loud. Do note the book is written in British English, so if you're not a fan of British humour, or get caught up figuring out that the boot, refers to the trunk of a car and not a shoe, or wonder what a lift or tap is, then British authors (including this one), might not appeal to you.

[Twilightwatchers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read. I had a good time reading this British mystery, very funny. The characters are well-rounded and great flow of dialogue. Some might find Rex and Eddie a bit juvenile but who isn't a young at heart when with friends. The adventure they go on is wrapped up satisfyingly. I will be watching for more from Sean Cameron.

I received Catchee Monkey for free to review by Story Cartel.

[Shandi Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely recommend this to everyone. I loved the characters and the story line. The way Rex and Eddie interact is so comical I couldn't put this book Down. I am always intrigued by murder mysteries and I want to read more. Between murder, gangs, conspiracy and friendship this book was a thrilling page turner.

[Jan Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. A very simple read which made me chuckle on a few occasions but on the whole it was all too slapstick for me and a plot you didn't have to think too deeply about. I suppose it depends on what type of sense of humour you have. Read it in three days, so I must have thought it was worth sticking with...wont be rushing to get the sequel though.

[Sam Whittam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of bumbling wannabe detectives stumble through their first case together with comic results. The characters are well rounded and entertaining which leads to a fast paced, interesting story that keeps the reader turning the pages and awaiting the next installment that could lead anywhere.

[Mike Tomasello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious romp

Catchee Monkey is a hilarious romp of a mystery with a heavy dose of believable comedy. The characters are fascinating and relatable and details add to the depth of the story.

[Jonathan Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, playful fun.

[Roddy Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the English town of Cloisterham, Eddie and Rex are best friends working as security guards in the Octagon Centre. When they lose their jobs following a disastrous attempt to apprehend a shoplifter they decide to set up in business as private detectives and are soon in danger from someone who doesn't want the murder of a TV crime writer investigated.
I really wanted to like this far more than I did. The plot isn't that badly worked out, but the narrative is sabotaged by weak jokes masquerading as dialogue. It's very lazy writing in which the jokes dictate the characters rather than allowing the humour to emerge from the characterisation.
The author's approach results in the following, which is the finale of a protracted discussion in which Eddie accuses Rex of having ruined his chances of an army career by perforating his eardrum.

“How was it my fault?”
“Because you jumped down the flume at Waves Leisure Pool before I’d finished. I landed in the pool, and before I got clear of the chute, you flew right out the tube and kicked me in the ear.”
“That wasn’t my fault. There should have been a lifeguard on duty.”
“We were the lifeguards. Up until that moment anyway.”

This whole conversation is clearly aimed at making the reader imagine that they were children until we get the punchline. As part of a sketch, or a stand up routine it might work but in the context of two men in a novel having a conversation it is merely confusing. Yes, OK, we get the joke, but it ends up making no sense and is in any case not funny enough to justify the build up.
I picked this example at random from a whole book of rather weak jokes, which are compounded by ridiculous slapstick moments, often involving tins of paint.
At another point, the author goes to great lengths to have Eddie almost choke on a boiled sweet, while Rex (I can't be bothered explaining how or why) gets wet paint all over the front of his body, then has to give Eddie the Heinrich manoeuvre. This whole series of actions is all set up so that some boys on mopeds can see them in the street and accuse them of being gay, since from the matching paint marks they have clearly had their bodies pressed together intimately.
And again, for such preparation and lengthy setting up we should surely expect a highly amusing punchline. No, we get a cheap gay jibe and not even one funny enough to be worth the risk or the effort.
And so it goes on.. and on...
As a first draft it has a certain amount of merit, but needed very serious revision before it was released into the world. It's a bit of a shame since there's not a lot wrong with the plot and with some heavy editing it might have been a decent piece of work.
Can't say I'm tempted to read any more of these as they stand.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, humorous mystery involving two friends that find themselves private investigator. Eddie Miles and his friend Rex Milton are both lovers working as mall security guards until they find themselves in the unemployment line. Rex comes up with the brilliant idea that he and Eddie become private investigators. He even buys an office where a crime occurred and decided they solve the murder to make themselves know. It's full of humor and packed with action, but still overall a light mystery. The two main guys were relatable, and it was a blast to watch them in the investigation. Will definitely come back for the rest of the books.

[Goth Gone Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madcap, unexpected fun

I was expecting a mystery with a dry British sense of humor. Instead, it's a two man version of the Three Stooges, physical humor and nonstop quips no matter how dire (or bizarre) the situation.

A fun read with a cast of unique characters and events. Billy the Quid is in the running for most puntastic character name ever, just fantastic.

Looking forward to the next in the series!

[Dorn Carran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different detective story

This book is great. The two detectives are idiots that somehow plod on and manage to get things done. They do it in such a way that you can't help but live the story right along with them. They are a likable and well written duo without any pretence.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great,fun story!

I really enjoyed this book free on Amazon and definitely want to read more. The characters are hilarious and the story a funny amusing tale. I laughed out loud in quite a few occasions and kept seeing Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in the roles of the two private detectives. Thoroughly enjoyable. MORE please!!!!!

[Anita Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be on tv

A modern Laurel and Hardy, lol humour. It would make good tv series with Paddy McGuiness and Keith Lemon as inept inestigators. The humour subtle.

“You want to break up? Why?” “You’re not going anywhere.” “Oh, phew.” Eddie motioned a wipe of his brow. “I thought you were getting rid of me.”

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

🤭

Such a short book to read but it took a wee while to get into. Not really all that funny if am honest but it had potential in a few places. It's full off mishaps that are meant to be funny but aren't really. The back story has real potential if you take away the elememts of the humour. Not a bad book per se, just not all that funny to me.

[F. DOUTHWAITE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I wasn't certain if I would like this book, I kept looking at it until one day I thought I'd try it out. Well I'm very glad that I did. I read the whole book in an afternoon, I didn't mean to its just that I couldn't stop. I'm defiantly going to read books 2 & 3.

[T.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amusing regional detectives.

An amusing take on the regional detective shows favoured by Sunday afternoon schedules (complete with 'classic' car), that pokes Findlay cliches to good effect.

[Daniel Deitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely ridiculous

This book is so awful it’s actually brilliant. The characters are some of the dumbest I have ever encountered in this comedy of errors with a happy ending. Read it and have a wonderful experience

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smiles along with mayhem and murder

I was laughing or smiling most most of the time reading this book. The two hapless detectives and their friends settle the crimes by confusion. Cool.

[sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

like reading a Laurel and Hardy skit

Or Tim Conway and Don Knotts ... This book is funny
Rex and Eddie stumble .. bump .. and fall their way through solving a couple murders
I actually laughed out loud .. more than once
Try it .. you'll like it