Fade to Black

by Steve Mullins

Cool media man Root Wilson almost has it all - the London radio show, the movie deal, the dream girl. But the reappearance of deceased film director Philip Hegley leads Root to put everything at risk, drawing him a world of tough media fixers, as well as henchmen such as Nesh, the persuasive - and extremely light-footed - enforcer, and Naysmith, the raisin-eyed heavy.

Root's forced to hit the London streets and riverbanks as an increasingly willing gumshoe - aided and abetted by the smart, sassy and beautiful Harry - in search of the truth about Hegley's supposed death… and the reason for his return to life.

But murder darkens Root’s case as he struggles to determine what’s what and just who is pulling the strings as his chase for the truth takes him on a lethal trip to the Thames estuary and to a showdown on the bleak eastern seaboard of England.

The Third Man casts a long and intriguing shadow over Fade to Black, where London is transformed into a contemporary noir landscape full of fast-talking, quick-witted antagonists, a bevy of femmes fatales, and a River Thames that plays as big a part in the action as any of the colourful cast of characters

245 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Steve Mullins is a journalist who has worked for newspapers including the Financial Times and International Herald Tribune, specialising in film and digital media. He is a former advertising agency copywriter and has more than twenty-five years' writing experience, working mainly in London, with spells in Paris and San Francisco. Fade to Black is his first novel.

Reviews

[Craig Sisterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longtime journalist Steve Mullins' first novel reads like an ultra-cool love letter to London, magnifying the stylish and cinematic aspects of the capital city as it flows along on honeyed prose. It's a tale that sparkles with atmosphere and originality, while at the same time having a rather old-fashioned noir sensibility.

Root Wilson is his own man, a bit of a maverick who hosts an eclectic radio show where he curates things he loves and thinks his listeners will too, ranging from music to film references, food, art, and little-known London history. His world is tipped when he suspects a dead film director whose work he very much admired - to the point of writing a glowing obituary and referencing regularly - may actually still be alive, having pulled the wool over everyone's eyes, for whatever reason.

The situation ascends from puzzling to dangerous when Root is confronted by sinister figures; our hero seems to have stumbled into his own noir film, complete with henchman, femme fatales, and mysterious forces lurking in the shadows. Just what the heck is really going on?

This is not your typical British crime novel. Mullins has created something that, like several of his characters, is a little eccentric. Full of culture and plenty of film references, it's a very visual tale; as readers we glide along in Root's world, at times feeling like we're in a classic black and white film. Root is an engaging protagonist, even if at times he seems to be blundering through life in a haphazard way. Mullins brings various areas of London vividly to life, but the setting and story both centre strongly on the Thames River; its waters bisecting the capital like a glittering snake.

There's a good sense of pacing to Fade to Black as the mystery unravels, and Mullins surrounds Root with plenty of fascinating and well-developed characters. Overall the book is an impressive first effort, a jazz lick of a debut - fast-moving, offbeat, and shot through with a sense of cool.

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This review was first published on Crime Watch: http://kiwicrime.blogspot.com

Craig Sisterson is a journalist from New Zealand who writes for magazines and newspapers in several countries. He has interviewed more than 140 crime writers, discussed crime fiction at literary festivals and on radio, and is the Judging Convenor of the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. Follow him on Twitter: @craigsisterson

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner, clever noir mixed in with a film script, a radio show, moody Thames side scenes, a too-cool-for school London media man who's getting in too deep with an undead film director and a cast of women who're all a step ahead of him ... Beautifully written, intelligent and different, really enjoyed it!

[J. Simons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mullins provides the reader with that rare and longed-for combination - a whodunnit/whydunnit written with literary flair. Very much in the vein of William Boyd and Ordinary Thunderstorms, Mullins is able to bring a classy stamp to the crime novel with London and its beating heart, The Thames, at the core of his narrative. This is crime noir, London noir and even film noir at its best.

[Pat Chappell]

Loved this book. Thoroughly enjoyed the atmospheric descriptions of London and the Thames, and was gripped by the plot. Loved the characters too, all of whom are entirely believable. Hoping for a sequel ... This is a must-read not only for lovers of crime fiction, but also lovers of London. Highly recommended.

[Michael Thurnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. Steve Mullins paints an excellent picture of contemporary London. He shows a good understanding of what it's like to be in media and brings us into that world.

The book tells an exciting story with some excellent plot twists. Steve has a unique story telling style that really kept my interest.

I highly enjoyed it and i think you would too.

[Pat Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Thoroughly enjoyed the atmospheric descriptions of London and the Thames, and was gripped by the plot. Loved the characters too, all of whom are entirely believable. A must-read not only for lovers of crime fiction, but also lovers of London. Hoping for a sequel ...

[Sharon Thurnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this gook in a goodreads giveaway. I loved waling through London through Steve Mullins eyes. I have been to London once and I really can not wait to return. The opening line got me hooked. Not many people get to shake the hand of a dead man. Have a read and enjoy.