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A Tom Collins To Go
Times change, but when it comes to certain genres of literature, sometimes the old ways are the best ways. There are still legions of loyal readers who long for the days of Dashiell Hammet and Mickey Spillane. Robert B. Parker, the famous modern day detective novelist knew this and successfully incorporated some of the deadpan style and film noir humor and drama of these authors into the modern day adventures of his private eye, Spencer.
Jim Hart has created a powerful rendering of the golden era of the private eye story in his new novel, A Tom Collins to Go. The work chronicles the adventures of private eye Harry Parker who works in the Big Apple back in the days when it was still Gotham City. Harry drinks too much, laments his failed marriage, longs for his ex and scratches out a living as a hardscrabble PI. Which all lends to his ‘don’t give a damn’ demeanor and what makes him so lovable.
I believe that the skillful combination of all of these elements will give readers of this genre exactly what they are looking for.
"A Tom Collins To Go" Is a winner of a Poison Cup Award from Crime Masters of America.
Jim Hart has created a powerful rendering of the golden era of the private eye story in his new novel, A Tom Collins to Go. The work chronicles the adventures of private eye Harry Parker who works in the Big Apple back in the days when it was still Gotham City. Harry drinks too much, laments his failed marriage, longs for his ex and scratches out a living as a hardscrabble PI. Which all lends to his ‘don’t give a damn’ demeanor and what makes him so lovable.
I believe that the skillful combination of all of these elements will give readers of this genre exactly what they are looking for.
"A Tom Collins To Go" Is a winner of a Poison Cup Award from Crime Masters of America.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2016
8 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 3, 2017
Author Jim Hart writes a fast-paced, first person, gripping story of Harry Parker, a PI from Post World War II, 1947 Brooklyn, New York. Harry is a dynamic character, quickly bringing you into his story; the dark side of Brooklyn, a group of intriguing characters, witty scenarios, and gumshoe antics – notes under doors, waiting in the rain, shady characters, and shadows of clues – all which make a great PI adventure. As a fan of Phillip Marlowe, I enjoyed the storyline and intrigue. Author Hart uses actual locations/landmarks, 1947 props, along with endearing characters, all combined to make A Tom Collins to Go recommended reading for everyone. The first in the Harry Parker Mysteries Series, I look forward to future volumes!
July 5, 2018
One of the things I most enjoy about Indie authors is that they are unpredictable.
They take chances, not only with their narratives but also with their characters, and their plots are often very creative.
"A Tom Collins To Go" by Jim Hart is a prime example of what I'm talking about. His protagonist is a borderline alcoholic with a checkered past; a former cop who is now barely scraping by as a private detective in post-WWII New York City. His ex-wife ran off with his partner and he is carrying curious kind of torch for her - he desires her, probably still loves her on some level, and is angry at her all at the same time.
The plot appears pretty straightforward at first glance but it's not... and that's something that always intrigues me when I'm reading a mystery novel. On the surface this is a story about the kidnapping of a Wall Street millionaire back in the days when a million bucks was still a big deal. It's not long, however, before you get the sense that there's something much deeper involved. Insider trading, a rich young woman with what could well be a hidden agenda, a thuggish butler with an ax murder in his background... they all come together in the story along with a half dozen other very interesting - and well fleshed-out - secondary characters.
Throw in all kinds of references to long ago New York (before it became "Fun City" and, later, "The Big Apple") and you have a delightful mystery,.
It's so delightful, in fact, that I won't hesitate to recommend "A Tom Collins To Go" to other readers who - like me - are "of a certain age" and can remember when a gun was a gat, the Dodgers played ball in Brooklyn, and we were all reminded regularly to "think Rheingold whenever you buy beer."
They take chances, not only with their narratives but also with their characters, and their plots are often very creative.
"A Tom Collins To Go" by Jim Hart is a prime example of what I'm talking about. His protagonist is a borderline alcoholic with a checkered past; a former cop who is now barely scraping by as a private detective in post-WWII New York City. His ex-wife ran off with his partner and he is carrying curious kind of torch for her - he desires her, probably still loves her on some level, and is angry at her all at the same time.
The plot appears pretty straightforward at first glance but it's not... and that's something that always intrigues me when I'm reading a mystery novel. On the surface this is a story about the kidnapping of a Wall Street millionaire back in the days when a million bucks was still a big deal. It's not long, however, before you get the sense that there's something much deeper involved. Insider trading, a rich young woman with what could well be a hidden agenda, a thuggish butler with an ax murder in his background... they all come together in the story along with a half dozen other very interesting - and well fleshed-out - secondary characters.
Throw in all kinds of references to long ago New York (before it became "Fun City" and, later, "The Big Apple") and you have a delightful mystery,.
It's so delightful, in fact, that I won't hesitate to recommend "A Tom Collins To Go" to other readers who - like me - are "of a certain age" and can remember when a gun was a gat, the Dodgers played ball in Brooklyn, and we were all reminded regularly to "think Rheingold whenever you buy beer."
June 11, 2018
This was a fun noir-style mystery. It's set in like 1947 or so, and the author managed to nail the witty banter of our favorite hard-boiled detectives from the time period. There was hardly a line in the whole story from Harry Parker which wasn't drenched in sarcasm and insults. I loved the banter, and the dialogue was top notch.
The story, the mystery, was fun as well, but nothing we haven't seen before in similar stories. Still, it served its purpose well and carried the reader along for the journey without boring me at any time. It would be hard to call this a thriller, because it really didn't have any thrills. It IS, on the other hand, a good mystery. I would just have preferred to have some thrills along the way, maybe a chilling villain thrown in instead of the comically inept ones we got, but those played well anyway, so I really can't complain too much.
The story played out with lots of laughs and keeps you guessing as you go along, and on that front I believe the author scored. If you're a fan of Raymond Chandler and Dashielle Hammet and the like, you'll likely enjoy this, though those had more sinister things going in their storylines than here. Nonetheless, it scratches the itch for the 40s PI story and I would recommend it to anyone interested in something from this genre. If you're not specifically after this genre, you may not enjoy it as much.
The story, the mystery, was fun as well, but nothing we haven't seen before in similar stories. Still, it served its purpose well and carried the reader along for the journey without boring me at any time. It would be hard to call this a thriller, because it really didn't have any thrills. It IS, on the other hand, a good mystery. I would just have preferred to have some thrills along the way, maybe a chilling villain thrown in instead of the comically inept ones we got, but those played well anyway, so I really can't complain too much.
The story played out with lots of laughs and keeps you guessing as you go along, and on that front I believe the author scored. If you're a fan of Raymond Chandler and Dashielle Hammet and the like, you'll likely enjoy this, though those had more sinister things going in their storylines than here. Nonetheless, it scratches the itch for the 40s PI story and I would recommend it to anyone interested in something from this genre. If you're not specifically after this genre, you may not enjoy it as much.
September 13, 2022
Way to Go!
Noir crime fiction at its best, bar none! Other than Farrell’s, the bar where Harry Parker, a borderline drunk PI guzzles Rheingolds. Down and out, dumped by his ex for his former partner, Harry holds office in an ever-shrinking space in the back storeroom of a candy store where the patterns on a grimy window give him insights into solving his cases.
More fascinating to me than the T.M. Collins case itself:
Harry Parker, himself, and the company he keeps who provide him with another set of eyes: a forensic technician who wears his work on his sleeve and an underworld-type who gets the dirt for five bucks a pop.
Harry’s hardscrabble narrative. Nothing beats, “I had finished my Corn Flakes. I let it lay on the table as I put my last bowl in the sink. Tomorrow would be dish washing day, hell I might even wash them all.”
Last, but not least, the author’s penchant to deliver a realistic, plausible, and highly entertaining noir masterpiece at the turn of every phrase.
Highly recommended!
Noir crime fiction at its best, bar none! Other than Farrell’s, the bar where Harry Parker, a borderline drunk PI guzzles Rheingolds. Down and out, dumped by his ex for his former partner, Harry holds office in an ever-shrinking space in the back storeroom of a candy store where the patterns on a grimy window give him insights into solving his cases.
More fascinating to me than the T.M. Collins case itself:
Harry Parker, himself, and the company he keeps who provide him with another set of eyes: a forensic technician who wears his work on his sleeve and an underworld-type who gets the dirt for five bucks a pop.
Harry’s hardscrabble narrative. Nothing beats, “I had finished my Corn Flakes. I let it lay on the table as I put my last bowl in the sink. Tomorrow would be dish washing day, hell I might even wash them all.”
Last, but not least, the author’s penchant to deliver a realistic, plausible, and highly entertaining noir masterpiece at the turn of every phrase.
Highly recommended!
March 24, 2017
I'm a big fan of hardboiled detective fiction as well as film noir of the 1930s and 1940s and thanks to Jim Hart and his A Tom Collins to Go, I got to experience both.
I enjoyed being teleported back in time to America in the late 1940s and the golden age of the hardboiled detective fiction. Hart has a keen eye for detail as well as capturing the ambiance of the time. And you just got to love Harry Parker and his flair for witticisms which would make Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe proud.
This was a fun read and a gem from Jim Hart!
Jeffrey Miller,
The Panama Affair
I enjoyed being teleported back in time to America in the late 1940s and the golden age of the hardboiled detective fiction. Hart has a keen eye for detail as well as capturing the ambiance of the time. And you just got to love Harry Parker and his flair for witticisms which would make Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe proud.
This was a fun read and a gem from Jim Hart!
Jeffrey Miller,
The Panama Affair
November 18, 2022
A fun read. Kind of Damon Runyon.
This was a fun story to read. The setting was in the early 1900's, before computers. One thing I noticed was he said the lawyer in the story had a Jurisdiction Doctor. The LL.B was not replaced by the JD until after 1964. Otherwise the characters, the story line, and the plotting were all well done.
This was a fun story to read. The setting was in the early 1900's, before computers. One thing I noticed was he said the lawyer in the story had a Jurisdiction Doctor. The LL.B was not replaced by the JD until after 1964. Otherwise the characters, the story line, and the plotting were all well done.
January 2, 2021
Brilliant crime noir novel by Jim Hart. Gripping plot and dialogue. A leading character that Raymond Chandler would have loved to create. A classic novel in this genre. You won't be able to put this book down.
November 27, 2022
1947 Ex-policeman and now private investigator Harry Parker is e,played to find missing man J.M. Collins, presumed kidnapped. With all the help he gets can he solve the case.
An entertaining mystery
An entertaining mystery
January 6, 2017
Author Jim Hart's experience working in New York City government shines in this film noir classic of a novel, 'A Tom Collins To Go.'
Both plot and character driven, the novel brings the reader back to the darker side of 1947 Brooklyn. Hart includes all the best elements of the detective genre; mystery, action, sharp dialogue, Hitchcock-like suspense, wisecracks, and a cast of characters, including the Sam-Spade-like Harry Parker. The characters are like people you know. Location descriptions are terrific, setting a realistic tone and a sense of brooding. Clues are dispensed sparingly. Until the end I wasn't sure which way it was going. Also, I particularly enjoyed the cynical observations of the narrating detective. Very entertaining with plenty of twists and turns, it’s as good as it gets in the hard-boiled detective genre.
If you like detective novels, here’s one to keep you reading late into the night. I’m glad to know it’s the first in a series, because I’m looking forward to the next.
Both plot and character driven, the novel brings the reader back to the darker side of 1947 Brooklyn. Hart includes all the best elements of the detective genre; mystery, action, sharp dialogue, Hitchcock-like suspense, wisecracks, and a cast of characters, including the Sam-Spade-like Harry Parker. The characters are like people you know. Location descriptions are terrific, setting a realistic tone and a sense of brooding. Clues are dispensed sparingly. Until the end I wasn't sure which way it was going. Also, I particularly enjoyed the cynical observations of the narrating detective. Very entertaining with plenty of twists and turns, it’s as good as it gets in the hard-boiled detective genre.
If you like detective novels, here’s one to keep you reading late into the night. I’m glad to know it’s the first in a series, because I’m looking forward to the next.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews