The Complete Deemer (LOVER MAN, LUSH LIFE, DON’T EXPLAIN)

by Dallas Murphy

ALL THREE OF DALLAS MURPHY'S ARTIE DEEMER NOVELS IN ONE VOLUME
"Artie Deemer is a true original - the frantic, antic humor carries along the characterization and narration like twin, runaway trains," Chicago Sun Times
Artie Deemer lives off his dog Jellyroll, star of movies TV and dog food advertising. In the Edgar-Award finalist Lover Man, Artie becomes a reluctant detective when his ex-girlfriend is killed.
"The writing is flip and sophisticated," New York Times
In Lush Life, Artie falls for a sexy pool player whose sleazy ex-husband has disappeared with $14 million of his company's assets. Now Artie finds himself in the middle of wild caper involving the mob and the CIA.
"A bouncy, quirky, funny mystery...more twists and turns than a New York cab driver running up the meter," Washington Post
In Don't Explain, Jellyroll has become the target of death threats from crazed stalkers, so Artie takes him to a remote island, only to discover their hideaway is overrun with an assortment of colorful killers.
"An outstanding series," Publishers Weekly

740 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2014

Reviews

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Good stories (it was a 3 book set), sometimes spent a long time describing the scenery, when I just wanted to get to the action. Intriguing, interesting, tense at times. Likeable characters (Jellyroll too!), some humor, mostly self directed from Artie. All said, and done, a good read

[Maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the genre of Mystery, I found this series of stories to be enormously entertaining. The writing is quick-witted and intellectual. The author has a dry sense of humor, which I know some readers won't appreciate, but it's right up my alley. The characters are likable and the plots are plausible. Jellyroll, the dog and a main character, is completely adorable. I liked the fast pace and I appreciate the narrator's self-examination and willingness to admit his faults and fears. I rate books on whether or not I think I would read them a second time and if I will pursue other books by the same author: YES, to both!

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of three novels was perfect for transatlantic flight. Deemer lives off his dog, Jellyroll, who stars in movies and commercials. Deemer is an unassuming. low maintenance, unemployed guy himself, but gets sucked into high risk situations because of who he knows. In the first book, his ex-girlfriend is murdered; in the second, the ex husband of his current girlfriend is murdered; and in the third, an ax murderer is stalking Jellyroll. The stories are fun and suspenseful, and who doesn't love a smiling dog?

[Salmon F. Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Really Good Read

A brilliant cast of characters that you get to know a love. Wit, suspense, and atmosphere. Save to read again next summer.

[Vickie Lynn Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy things

I Loved these three stories. I was right there, in every wild situation. I was amused,scared, cold and wet, then happily care free. Don't miss a word.

[Desney King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollicking light entertainment

Artie Deemer, Crystal and Jellyroll ... loveable characters who career from one unlikely drama to another.
Dallas Murphy is a skilful creator of worlds, scenarios and relationships.
My plan was to read these novels one at a time, with breaks in between. But the warmth and bizarre naivety of the protagonists drew me in and insisted I follow their adventures to the very end of book 3.
If you're after a light but absorbing read and an escape from classic whodunnits, The Complete Deemer will keep you entertained for many hours.
Thank you, Dallas Murphy - it's been a pleasure.

[doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

murphy/the complete deemer

Couldn't get into the book, could not finished it,I skipped over a lot of it too much info on planes, playing pool and deemers type of music . The story line
itself can be summed up in a few chapters ,after that all info on the mention above. It was boring to me , a very hard read,

[Lorna Whelan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Some good parts some not so good.Good to dip in and out of.All in all an OK read with some good writing.

[Pat Kahn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read the first of the three. Ok, but not my sort of book.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Put it down not my cup of tea.

[Pat Catanzaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thoughts

I like the book but some places seemed to drag on too long. Fun story line with really weird characters.

[Mark Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I _really_ like this series

Artie Deemer makes an unlikely "detective" - but he has to find out who killed his ex-girlfriend in the first volume, Lover Man. The author has a way with humorous dialog and descriptions, but also balances that with a serious slant on the realities and inequities of life. Recommended.

[Nancy]

ALL THREE OF DALLAS MURPHY'S ARTIE DEEMER NOVELS IN ONE VOLUME
"Artie Deemer is a true original - the frantic, antic humor carries along the characterization and narration like twin, runaway trains," Chicago Sun Times
Artie Deemer lives off his dog Jellyroll, star of movies TV and dog food advertising. In the Edgar-Award finalist Lover Man, Artie becomes a reluctant detective when his ex-girlfriend is killed.
"The writing is flip and sophisticated," New York Times
In Lush Life, Artie falls for a sexy pool player whose sleazy ex-husband has disappeared with $14 million of his company's assets. Now Artie finds himself in the middle of wild caper involving the mob and the CIA.
"A bouncy, quirky, funny mystery...more twists and turns than a New York cab driver running up the meter," Washington Post
In Don't Explain, Jellyroll has become the target of death threats from crazed stalkers, so Artie takes him to a remote island, only to discover their hideaway is overrun with an assortment of colorful killers.
"An outstanding series," Publishers Weekly (less)
GET A COP

Read the first one, Lover Man, don't know if it is worth it to read the rest.