Marked for Murder

Mike Shayne #12

by Brett Halliday

Mike Shayne Mystery

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, American

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1945

About the author

AKA David Dresser
Excerpt from Wikipedia:

Brett Halliday (July 31, 1904 - February 4, 1977), primary pen name of Davis Dresser, was an American mystery writer, best known for the long-lived series of Mike Shayne novels he wrote, and later commissioned others to write. Dresser wrote non-series mysteries, westerns and romances under the names

Asa Baker, Matthew Blood, Kathryn Culver, Don Davis, Hal Debrett, Anthony Scott, Peter Field, and Anderson Wayne.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marked For Murder is one of the earlier Mike Shayne novels and one of the best. If you've been reading this series, then you are no doubt familiar with Shayne's best friend Tim Rourke, the reporter. This story in a twist features Rourke and colors in his story and character perhaps more than any other Shayne novel. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Shayne novel without hoods, murders, sexy blondes, and a mystery.

It is a really great read from the chapters featuring Rourke and his lonely battle against the Mob to Shayne's desperate return to Miami.

There's plenty of action here and the writing is sharp throughout. If you like fifties era hardboiled detectives, this is certainly a terrific read.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike Shayne mysteries are always a hoot to read. They're fast-paced and hard boiled. In this one Mike returns to Miami Beach after two years away in New Orleans. He had left after his wife's death, but responds to a request by a report friend of his, Tim Rourke. Rourke is near death by the time he gets there, beaten up and then shot, presumably by a gambling syndicate. In just a couple of days Mike solves four murders, drinks cognac like nobody's business and annoys the Chief of Police Peter Painter because he's smarter and actually solves the crimes. Blondes figure heavily in this one; so much so that this could be called Too Many Blondes.

[Kurt Reichenbaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the 1940s. Written back when the world was in black and white and teeming with hoods and gun molls. Tough guys armed with shivs and gats and too many blondes make this caper a real puzzler for Mike Shayne. Someone is knocking off lucky winners at some of Miami's casinos. Shane's pal, reporter Tim Rourke covers the story and takes a bullet for his efforts. All clues like, you know, lipstick on a whisky glass and stuff like that, point to a babe loaded with heat. You get the idea.

[K. Counihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shayne returns to Miami to help his old friend Tim Rourke his reporter friend. By the time he gets to Miami Rourke has been shot and is in critical condition. Mike reads the front page of the Miami paper with Rourke's organized crime murder spree story on it. Could this be why he was shot? I thought tis was a very good story.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part about reading Mike Shayne books in the winter time is the they are set in Miami Beach. Today there's a foot of snow but riding the train I'm in the sun of Miami.
Plus of course, he takes no guff from any swine.