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Matt Kile Mystery #2
The Original Alibi
This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN: B008MOP6MI
Eleven years ago General Whittaker, long retired, former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, bought an alibi for his grandson who had been arrested for the murder of his fiancée, Ileana Corrigan, and the general’s unborn great grandson. The charges were soon dropped and the grandson released. General Whittaker is now dying and he can no longer restrain his doubts. The question that has haunted him all these years must be answered. Did his money save his innocent grandson or cheat justice?
The general hires Matt Kile to thaw this cold case. The solution of the crime is complicated by the passage of years and an excess of suspects, including the general’s grandson, the general’s promiscuous adult daughter, and even the general himself. All had means, motive, and opportunity. The Original Alibi is a big story told on a small stage, intimately portrayed primarily among the members of the Whittaker family and those who serve them. Of the secrets and strategies that fester inside an outwardly functional and famous family.
Matt Kile is a former homicide detective, and pardoned ex-con who, like several real-life former cops, has gone on to achieve success as a writer of mystery fiction. Matt’s efforts are aided by a colorful cast of Damon Runyonesque characters. Chief among them is Axel, Matt’s former cellmate whose parole, after more than thirty years in prison, had been advanced by Matt’s promise of a job. He is also helped by Hillie, a young inexperienced streetwalker Axel takes under his wing. Then there’s Bruno Grunsky, a former mob wheelman, and retired spinster Clara Birnbaum who makes pies in return for Axel’s favors. This mixed bag of characters add flavoring to the story, while each, in their own way, help Matt Kile determine the guilt or innocence of General Whittaker’s grandson.
Eleven years ago General Whittaker, long retired, former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, bought an alibi for his grandson who had been arrested for the murder of his fiancée, Ileana Corrigan, and the general’s unborn great grandson. The charges were soon dropped and the grandson released. General Whittaker is now dying and he can no longer restrain his doubts. The question that has haunted him all these years must be answered. Did his money save his innocent grandson or cheat justice?
The general hires Matt Kile to thaw this cold case. The solution of the crime is complicated by the passage of years and an excess of suspects, including the general’s grandson, the general’s promiscuous adult daughter, and even the general himself. All had means, motive, and opportunity. The Original Alibi is a big story told on a small stage, intimately portrayed primarily among the members of the Whittaker family and those who serve them. Of the secrets and strategies that fester inside an outwardly functional and famous family.
Matt Kile is a former homicide detective, and pardoned ex-con who, like several real-life former cops, has gone on to achieve success as a writer of mystery fiction. Matt’s efforts are aided by a colorful cast of Damon Runyonesque characters. Chief among them is Axel, Matt’s former cellmate whose parole, after more than thirty years in prison, had been advanced by Matt’s promise of a job. He is also helped by Hillie, a young inexperienced streetwalker Axel takes under his wing. Then there’s Bruno Grunsky, a former mob wheelman, and retired spinster Clara Birnbaum who makes pies in return for Axel’s favors. This mixed bag of characters add flavoring to the story, while each, in their own way, help Matt Kile determine the guilt or innocence of General Whittaker’s grandson.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2012
551 people are currently reading
1012 people want to read
About the author
David Bishop
33 books140 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
I was born in Washington, D.C. From there my life likely mirrored that of a lot of my readers. We moved around. I got some education. Played some sports, and got some more education. Prior to becoming a novelist, I worked as a financial analyst determining the value of companies. But let's talk about my current and final career, writing mystery novels.
As a writer, I conjure up occurrences designed to quickly bring the story to a roiling boil. Along the way, I invent people. Victims and villains and heroes are needed, as well as a supporting cast. I make these people fun and interesting so you will welcome them and introduce them to your friends. Primary characters need habits and tics and talents, the qualities that bring them to life and make you love them or hate them. You'll want to see them humiliated or hunted down, be sucessful or seduced.
My mysteries offer you the opportunity to be challenged to find the villain from among the suspects. Clues as large as a log or as tiny as a bump thereon are salted throughout the stories. There are distractions in the form of false clues, called red herrings, which point to someone other than the real villain.
Take a journey with me. Laugh. Hold your breath. Cheer. Boo. The characters are rich and the plots are grabbers. I promise that you'll be glad you came along. Some people don't like golf or chocolate or even a hearty laugh. But I'll bet you like some of those things and I'll bet you'll like my mysteries. Yours very truly, David Bishop
I was born in Washington, D.C. From there my life likely mirrored that of a lot of my readers. We moved around. I got some education. Played some sports, and got some more education. Prior to becoming a novelist, I worked as a financial analyst determining the value of companies. But let's talk about my current and final career, writing mystery novels.
As a writer, I conjure up occurrences designed to quickly bring the story to a roiling boil. Along the way, I invent people. Victims and villains and heroes are needed, as well as a supporting cast. I make these people fun and interesting so you will welcome them and introduce them to your friends. Primary characters need habits and tics and talents, the qualities that bring them to life and make you love them or hate them. You'll want to see them humiliated or hunted down, be sucessful or seduced.
My mysteries offer you the opportunity to be challenged to find the villain from among the suspects. Clues as large as a log or as tiny as a bump thereon are salted throughout the stories. There are distractions in the form of false clues, called red herrings, which point to someone other than the real villain.
Take a journey with me. Laugh. Hold your breath. Cheer. Boo. The characters are rich and the plots are grabbers. I promise that you'll be glad you came along. Some people don't like golf or chocolate or even a hearty laugh. But I'll bet you like some of those things and I'll bet you'll like my mysteries. Yours very truly, David Bishop
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 28, 2020
There are at least three of David Bishop's books whose covers feature a mini-skirted woman with her shapely legs crossed. Readers should be insulted that Mr. Bishop believes he can manipulate them so blatantly. It's no mystery that sex sells, but this author evidently does not have enough confidence in his writing to let his mysteries sell themselves without employing salacious cover art.
January 11, 2014
The author admires earlier detective fiction and he seems to admire the status of detective fiction writer as well (the main character claims to be one when he isn’t all busy solving mysteries as he does here). However, this novel is rife with clichés. I like a good simile or a well turned metaphor as much as the next guy, but they should be supporting a particular tone at that moment in the piece they are inserted, not tossed in willy nilly. I get the homage to great detectives of the past aspect, and I share the author’s sincere respect for these talents, but similarly, the allusions lose their complimentary aura when referential styles are all blurred together. Emulate Dashiell Hammett, or Mickey Spillane, or Nero Wolfe—but choose one and be consistent, don’t appropriate the language stylings, attitudes, social class behaviors and practices of earlier literary detectives across a range of time periods in one paragraph. The hero should not be a horny unabashed womanizer on one page, a rationalist behaving like Sherlock Holmes on the next (yes, even the classical detective appropriations are strewn in there among all the hard-boiled detective variants), neither should he be the vigilante administering street justice on one page, the calming voice reminding others to follow the rule of law on the next.
Greater attention to copy editing for proofreading corrections was needed. In the future, I would recommend working on editing out unneeded exposition (such as when characters are filled in on background info we as readers already know!). The ending, unsurprisingly, was another cliché, and came far too abruptly.
Greater attention to copy editing for proofreading corrections was needed. In the future, I would recommend working on editing out unneeded exposition (such as when characters are filled in on background info we as readers already know!). The ending, unsurprisingly, was another cliché, and came far too abruptly.
June 3, 2013
Probably more of a 3 1/2 star but not quite as good for me personally as some of the author's other books have been. Very solid mystery, good characterization, professional writing style, just a touch more male-dominated than I prefer.
Definitely an entertaining read that held my attention and someone with a preference for a more Spillane style storyline and character would be likely to enjoy this a great deal.
Definitely an entertaining read that held my attention and someone with a preference for a more Spillane style storyline and character would be likely to enjoy this a great deal.
October 30, 2016
Fantastic
David Bishop had me hook, line and sinker from page 1. He had me believing every scenario that Matt Kile came up with right up to the face slapping truth. As with every other book written by Bishop, that I have read, the characters, the plot, everything just works so well
David Bishop had me hook, line and sinker from page 1. He had me believing every scenario that Matt Kile came up with right up to the face slapping truth. As with every other book written by Bishop, that I have read, the characters, the plot, everything just works so well
October 7, 2018
The Original Alibi (Matt Kile Mystery, #2)
by David Bishop
Okay, I was all over the place in how I felt about this book. I was planning on giving it a 2 star rating, and then relented and gave it 3 stars solely on the strength of the plotting and pacing of this devilishly complicated mystery.
First what I liked: basically the plotting and pacing. It was a dandy, thrill ride of a mystery, with so many twists, turns and red herrings that it should have smelled like a fish sandwich. I changed my mind about who the possible assassin was so many times, back and forth, in and out, and in the end, it was the first one I suspected. So kudos to Bishop for that wonderful mystery.
But actually, that was all that kept me reading. I almost stopped reading about 3 chapters in and put it on my threw-it-at-the-wall shelf, but decided I'd read to 50% and if I was still so annoyed I'd skip to the end for the reveal and be done with it. But somehow I just kept reading, kept rolling my eyes, kept swiping left on my Kindle. First. This is 2018 and the book is set in modern times: computers, cell phones, geo-location, etc. But evidently Bishop imagines himself Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler and has his modern day P.I. speaking in noir-speak and acting like some 1950s horndog, and other characters following right along. That's two stars off right there. Add to that a few serious proofing "oopsies," and I was ready to chop off another star. But, as I said earlier, the mystery itself, from conception to end, was great, so I let that negate the proofing errors.
In any case, while I loved the mystery, I hated the execution, so, even though I have two more of the Matt Kile Mysteries, I won't be reading them. Maybe, after enough time, I'll try one of the Linda Darby series Bishop writes to see if things improve with a female lead.
by David Bishop
Okay, I was all over the place in how I felt about this book. I was planning on giving it a 2 star rating, and then relented and gave it 3 stars solely on the strength of the plotting and pacing of this devilishly complicated mystery.
First what I liked: basically the plotting and pacing. It was a dandy, thrill ride of a mystery, with so many twists, turns and red herrings that it should have smelled like a fish sandwich. I changed my mind about who the possible assassin was so many times, back and forth, in and out, and in the end, it was the first one I suspected. So kudos to Bishop for that wonderful mystery.
But actually, that was all that kept me reading. I almost stopped reading about 3 chapters in and put it on my threw-it-at-the-wall shelf, but decided I'd read to 50% and if I was still so annoyed I'd skip to the end for the reveal and be done with it. But somehow I just kept reading, kept rolling my eyes, kept swiping left on my Kindle. First. This is 2018 and the book is set in modern times: computers, cell phones, geo-location, etc. But evidently Bishop imagines himself Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler and has his modern day P.I. speaking in noir-speak and acting like some 1950s horndog, and other characters following right along. That's two stars off right there. Add to that a few serious proofing "oopsies," and I was ready to chop off another star. But, as I said earlier, the mystery itself, from conception to end, was great, so I let that negate the proofing errors.
In any case, while I loved the mystery, I hated the execution, so, even though I have two more of the Matt Kile Mysteries, I won't be reading them. Maybe, after enough time, I'll try one of the Linda Darby series Bishop writes to see if things improve with a female lead.
August 23, 2017
Matt Kile is a throwback to tough-guy detectives of the 40s and 50s. His brother, Daryl, was a pretty good pitcher for the Astros. His other brother, Daryl, was a bum. But I digress with silly details.
The book is humorous and entertaining. A whodunit that wraps together in the study, much like Ellery Queen, though Mike did not call the meeting. The only nag I have is the old-school fistfight didn't seem too realistic. I'm not sure guys could ever fight for 10 minutes, much less modern guys. The second "fight" really stretched the ability to suspend disbelief. Guys just aren't able to do what Kile did in that warehouse, after getting beat up pretty severely for 30 minutes.
Nevertheless, I was happy to overlook these minor quibbles. I love Kile's humor and no-nonsense approach. I look forward to reading the first and subsequent books in this series.
The book is humorous and entertaining. A whodunit that wraps together in the study, much like Ellery Queen, though Mike did not call the meeting. The only nag I have is the old-school fistfight didn't seem too realistic. I'm not sure guys could ever fight for 10 minutes, much less modern guys. The second "fight" really stretched the ability to suspend disbelief. Guys just aren't able to do what Kile did in that warehouse, after getting beat up pretty severely for 30 minutes.
Nevertheless, I was happy to overlook these minor quibbles. I love Kile's humor and no-nonsense approach. I look forward to reading the first and subsequent books in this series.
February 6, 2018
A Squad of Suspects and Many Surprise Twists
Matt Kile is everything you want in a private eye. He wants to make things right, but doesn’t mind a little fun and games along the way. Between the ladies, the drinking, some fights, and a mind boggling mystery, he leads on a twisted path to find the truth. The story telling is good, the pace rarely drags, and the characters are colorful and are given enough depth by Mr. Bishop to make them interesting.
Matt Kile is everything you want in a private eye. He wants to make things right, but doesn’t mind a little fun and games along the way. Between the ladies, the drinking, some fights, and a mind boggling mystery, he leads on a twisted path to find the truth. The story telling is good, the pace rarely drags, and the characters are colorful and are given enough depth by Mr. Bishop to make them interesting.
January 18, 2021
I'd probably bump this to 2.5 stars. I enjoyed most of the book but there were a couple spots where it just was too much. I like the idea of recreating the old Mickey Spillane type PI but Matt Kile is no Mickey Spillane. I think I probably got this book for free so I got my money's worth. As far as the "original alibi," there wasn't really an alibi let alone the original one which from the cover makes one think it had something to do with a woman - nope, it didn't.
February 16, 2019
Eleven years ago the fiancée of General Whittaker’s son, Eddie, was killed while pregnant with the future great-grandchild. Now, near death, General Whittaker has hired Matt Kile, former cop and now a P.I., to find out who actually killed the girl.
Interesting story as a Matt senses the killer is someone in the house—but who and why?
Interesting story as a Matt senses the killer is someone in the house—but who and why?
November 29, 2020
Good reading
This second book in the Matt Kile series has a plethora of suspects but no hard evidence. Matt tries to solve an 11 year old case for a beloved General before he dies. Many little mysteries are solved along the way but the real murderer remains elusive through the many twists and turns
This second book in the Matt Kile series has a plethora of suspects but no hard evidence. Matt tries to solve an 11 year old case for a beloved General before he dies. Many little mysteries are solved along the way but the real murderer remains elusive through the many twists and turns
September 29, 2018
Enjoyed it!
Good unpredictable end. Great descriprion of characters, I almost couldn't let go of the book. Keep sending those thrillers, I read it in one lonely weekend, & was good company too!
Good unpredictable end. Great descriprion of characters, I almost couldn't let go of the book. Keep sending those thrillers, I read it in one lonely weekend, & was good company too!
February 16, 2019
Another great mystery
Here is another hard boiled mystery that kept me guessing till the final pages. There are a couple of places that needed a bit more threshing out, but the story moved quickly. Enjoyable.
Here is another hard boiled mystery that kept me guessing till the final pages. There are a couple of places that needed a bit more threshing out, but the story moved quickly. Enjoyable.
March 27, 2019
My second Matt Kile Mystery in two weeks ... becoming an addiction!
Another excellent storyline; development of characters, with new ones being introduced, and an enjoyable read... just bought book 3 ... feeding my habit!
Another excellent storyline; development of characters, with new ones being introduced, and an enjoyable read... just bought book 3 ... feeding my habit!
December 1, 2019
Inteligent mystery will keep you guessing!
Though provoking whodunit with lots of suspects and few clues! Not much action but a well written mystery the reader will find fascinating!
Though provoking whodunit with lots of suspects and few clues! Not much action but a well written mystery the reader will find fascinating!
August 5, 2020
Interesting plot, but....
Good reading but too many characters to keep track of. Also, one thing is missing, unless I missed it. It was never established why Eddie’s fiancé was killed.
Good reading but too many characters to keep track of. Also, one thing is missing, unless I missed it. It was never established why Eddie’s fiancé was killed.
May 17, 2021
A light murder mystery
The author tried a little too hard to push the idea of a complex murder case by repeating the possibilities over and over again. Some good lines but too too much attempt at drsma. Not up to novel one of the Kile series.
The author tried a little too hard to push the idea of a complex murder case by repeating the possibilities over and over again. Some good lines but too too much attempt at drsma. Not up to novel one of the Kile series.
April 25, 2022
Who done it?
A great book. I did not figure out who did it until the last chapter. Until then my choice of killer wasn't even close. The best of the authors books I have read so far.
A great book. I did not figure out who did it until the last chapter. Until then my choice of killer wasn't even close. The best of the authors books I have read so far.
May 17, 2023
Good police thriller
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Loved the main character Matt. To say that he is a little unconventional is putting it mildly. Loved the twist at the end. Would love to read more about Matt Kile.
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Loved the main character Matt. To say that he is a little unconventional is putting it mildly. Loved the twist at the end. Would love to read more about Matt Kile.
March 6, 2018
Good book.
August 12, 2018
I liked it. It was fun. It was easy enough to read.
September 22, 2018
Well written. Believable characters. Reminds me of another series he wrote. Will go back and read first story in this series.
February 7, 2020
Move before you are found
Great story!. Fast paced & had you going every which way in who was guilty! Loved the ending, on to the sequel
Great story!. Fast paced & had you going every which way in who was guilty! Loved the ending, on to the sequel
May 11, 2020
The original alibi
This book was quite humorous. The main character is a bit conceded but very likable. This book also had a good plot. I would recommend this book.
This book was quite humorous. The main character is a bit conceded but very likable. This book also had a good plot. I would recommend this book.
August 2, 2020
Ok, I guess. It didn't really hold my attention so I didn't finish it.
July 3, 2021
Shades of Raymond Chandler s THE BIG SLEEP!
August 20, 2023
Good reading until the very end - disappointing ending
November 12, 2017
Intriguing
Intriguing storyline. Skipped to the end due to the level of language, but the end was a good wrap for the way it began.
Intriguing storyline. Skipped to the end due to the level of language, but the end was a good wrap for the way it began.
June 29, 2018
A Great Read!
Every Matt Kile Book Gets Better & Better!
I hope David Bishop keeps writing Mysteries for a Long, Long Time! Today's headlines could be in one of his mysteries!
Every Matt Kile Book Gets Better & Better!
I hope David Bishop keeps writing Mysteries for a Long, Long Time! Today's headlines could be in one of his mysteries!
January 14, 2014
Eleven years ago, General Whittaker, now retired from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, bought an alibi to keep his grandson, Eddie, out of jail after being charged with the murder of Eddie’s pregnant fiancee. No one else was ever charged in the case. Now, as he nears the end of his life and is thinking about his legacy and his estate, he wants to know if Eddie actually committed the crime. He hires former police officer Matt Kile, currently an ex-con and an author, to investigate the original crime.
THE ORIGINAL ALIBI offers a cast of colorful characters including but not limited to Matt’s all-around-assistant Axel, the general’s daughter Karen, and his butler, Charles. Eddie, who generally keeps his distance from the family, is a self-centered hedonist. Thirty-five-year-old Karen, who is extremely attentive and devoted to her father, is described by a quote from Count Tallyrand “In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.”
Matt’s investigation leads him to several possible perpetrators and motives on a well-scripted plot.
David Bishop has a delightful way with words. Some of my favorite descriptions are:
“His ears reached out from his head like they were expected to catch fly balls rather than words.”
“The general ran a hand through his thin pepper-colored hair, which each day was surrendering more of its territory to salt-colored hair.” “Before six, the sun started sliding into the room, doing its thing, the way cream softens black coffee.”
He writes about the way his view of his parents changed as he grew. Their original perfection is replaced by anger at them letting him down and turning to other teens for knowledge. “ By the age of sixteen, Mom and Dad’s image was totally tarnished and Hoppy (referring to his Hopalong Cassidy lunch box in elementary school) was out of my life except for watching him on TV.”
He portrays the General as a Law-and-Order type – “America has become much too soft. We need more swift justice....There is a certain discipline society surrendered when we gave up the immediate effectiveness of firing squads and public hangings.” and wonders “Why is it us cops lead the league in divorce, alcoholism, and suicide?...[We] begin to think everybody’s a lowlife.”
In a tribute to authors and book buyers, Matt writes “Today’s book buyers are asked to pay too much because of all the layers that stand between the author and the reader. I’m going to start self-publishing. I’ll use a work-for-hire publisher so I can control my rights to my own books. That way I can set lower prices, make a good living and protect my readers from getting ripped off.”
Even though the characters and plot were somewhat stereotypes, the book was worth reading. I will likely check out David Bishop’s other books.
This book was a free Amazon download.
THE ORIGINAL ALIBI offers a cast of colorful characters including but not limited to Matt’s all-around-assistant Axel, the general’s daughter Karen, and his butler, Charles. Eddie, who generally keeps his distance from the family, is a self-centered hedonist. Thirty-five-year-old Karen, who is extremely attentive and devoted to her father, is described by a quote from Count Tallyrand “In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.”
Matt’s investigation leads him to several possible perpetrators and motives on a well-scripted plot.
David Bishop has a delightful way with words. Some of my favorite descriptions are:
“His ears reached out from his head like they were expected to catch fly balls rather than words.”
“The general ran a hand through his thin pepper-colored hair, which each day was surrendering more of its territory to salt-colored hair.” “Before six, the sun started sliding into the room, doing its thing, the way cream softens black coffee.”
He writes about the way his view of his parents changed as he grew. Their original perfection is replaced by anger at them letting him down and turning to other teens for knowledge. “ By the age of sixteen, Mom and Dad’s image was totally tarnished and Hoppy (referring to his Hopalong Cassidy lunch box in elementary school) was out of my life except for watching him on TV.”
He portrays the General as a Law-and-Order type – “America has become much too soft. We need more swift justice....There is a certain discipline society surrendered when we gave up the immediate effectiveness of firing squads and public hangings.” and wonders “Why is it us cops lead the league in divorce, alcoholism, and suicide?...[We] begin to think everybody’s a lowlife.”
In a tribute to authors and book buyers, Matt writes “Today’s book buyers are asked to pay too much because of all the layers that stand between the author and the reader. I’m going to start self-publishing. I’ll use a work-for-hire publisher so I can control my rights to my own books. That way I can set lower prices, make a good living and protect my readers from getting ripped off.”
Even though the characters and plot were somewhat stereotypes, the book was worth reading. I will likely check out David Bishop’s other books.
This book was a free Amazon download.
May 25, 2013
It is a great, old-style mystery, which I really like. The contradicting issues and tangled motives which keep unraveling as the story progresses keep me turning the pages. Matt Kile and Axel's characters are really likeable - the way you'd love Poirot and Hastings in Agatha Christie's novels, if not more!
A minor downside is that I find Eddie's character unbelievable. Even though the writer has intended him to be a character whom everyone dislike, he is so unbelievable that I can't even dislike him properly, and the character development became rather careless towards the end with Eddie. Everyone else's characters are nicely crafted, with many twists and turns and dark sides.
Overall, I'll give this book a 4/5. It is a great book that will keep your interest perked up for more, without indulging in excessive gory details - a trap that many authors nowadays seem to fall into. The story-telling is elegant that way. What keeps me from giving 5/5 is Eddie's characterization, and the fact that the culprit got a little predictable a tad too early, prompted by the discovery of rather unconvincing new facts. Yet, it is still a good book that gives a modern look to a nice, classic detective series.
A minor downside is that I find Eddie's character unbelievable. Even though the writer has intended him to be a character whom everyone dislike, he is so unbelievable that I can't even dislike him properly, and the character development became rather careless towards the end with Eddie. Everyone else's characters are nicely crafted, with many twists and turns and dark sides.
Overall, I'll give this book a 4/5. It is a great book that will keep your interest perked up for more, without indulging in excessive gory details - a trap that many authors nowadays seem to fall into. The story-telling is elegant that way. What keeps me from giving 5/5 is Eddie's characterization, and the fact that the culprit got a little predictable a tad too early, prompted by the discovery of rather unconvincing new facts. Yet, it is still a good book that gives a modern look to a nice, classic detective series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews