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The Killer Who Hated Soup
The Internet? Never heard of it. Smart phones? Who you kiddin’? We’re talkin’ 1956.
Energetic and eager to make his mark on what Time magazine called the next great boom town, Bucky Ontario leaves his Louisiana home and hops a bus to Defiance, Oklahoma, a town not particularly adverse to murders, just the embarrassment of them.
While helping his friend, Kindra search for a ring that once belonged to her dead mother, Bucky is told: “Find the baby, find the ring.”
Energetic and eager to make his mark on what Time magazine called the next great boom town, Bucky Ontario leaves his Louisiana home and hops a bus to Defiance, Oklahoma, a town not particularly adverse to murders, just the embarrassment of them.
While helping his friend, Kindra search for a ring that once belonged to her dead mother, Bucky is told: “Find the baby, find the ring.”
- GenresMystery
315 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2017
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Bill A. Brier
4 books101 followersBill grew up in California and went to Hollywood High School, then served in the Air Force as a combat cameraman.
After hiring on at Disney Studios as a film loader, he soon advanced and moved on to other film studios.
He earned a master’s degree in psychology. A big help when working with Trumpish Hollywood producers. You're fired!
During his more than twenty-five years in the movie business as a cameraman, film editor, and general manager, Bill worked on everything from the hilarious, The Love Bug, to the creepy, The Exorcist, to the far out, Star Trek and Battle Star Galactica.
Eight years ago, Bill switched from reading scripts to writing thriller/mysteries and driving racecars. After completing three award-winning novels, he signed with Black Opal Books. His first novel, The Devil Orders Takeout, is about a devoted father and husband who makes a deal with a real-life devil to protect his golf-prodigy son after his wife and older son are killed in a mysterious accident — and pays hell for it.
Bill’s second mystery, The Killer Who Hated Soup, is Book One in the 1950s The Killer Who series, and it launches this Summer. The Internet? Never heard of it. Smart phones? Who you kiddin’?
Energetic and eager to make his mark on what Time magazine called the next great boom town, Bucky Ontario leaves his daddy and little sister in Louisiana and rides a bus to Defiance, Oklahoma, a town not particularly adverse to murders, just the embarrassment of them when committed by high officials.
Book Two, The Killer who Wasn’t There, will be on bookshelves this fall.
Bill writes everyday and golfs infrequently (that damn right knee!). His five children and eight grandchildren keep him busy going to birthday parties, and he never misses a one!
The Brier Patch is Bill’s wildly entertaining blog about his shameless early days in Hollywood. It’s on his website, billbrier.com, along with a contest linked to The Devil Orders Takeout, which will award the grand prizewinner $1,000.
Bill is a member of Mystery Writers of America.
AWARDS
The Devil Orders Takeout was a finalist in the 2015 Faulkner Creative Writing Competition. The Killer Who Hated Soup placed third in the Southwest Writers 2013 contest for mysteries and was shortlisted for finalist in the 2015 Faulkner Creative Writing Competition. The Killer Who Wasn’t There placed semi-finalist in the same Faulkner contest.
After hiring on at Disney Studios as a film loader, he soon advanced and moved on to other film studios.
He earned a master’s degree in psychology. A big help when working with Trumpish Hollywood producers. You're fired!
During his more than twenty-five years in the movie business as a cameraman, film editor, and general manager, Bill worked on everything from the hilarious, The Love Bug, to the creepy, The Exorcist, to the far out, Star Trek and Battle Star Galactica.
Eight years ago, Bill switched from reading scripts to writing thriller/mysteries and driving racecars. After completing three award-winning novels, he signed with Black Opal Books. His first novel, The Devil Orders Takeout, is about a devoted father and husband who makes a deal with a real-life devil to protect his golf-prodigy son after his wife and older son are killed in a mysterious accident — and pays hell for it.
Bill’s second mystery, The Killer Who Hated Soup, is Book One in the 1950s The Killer Who series, and it launches this Summer. The Internet? Never heard of it. Smart phones? Who you kiddin’?
Energetic and eager to make his mark on what Time magazine called the next great boom town, Bucky Ontario leaves his daddy and little sister in Louisiana and rides a bus to Defiance, Oklahoma, a town not particularly adverse to murders, just the embarrassment of them when committed by high officials.
Book Two, The Killer who Wasn’t There, will be on bookshelves this fall.
Bill writes everyday and golfs infrequently (that damn right knee!). His five children and eight grandchildren keep him busy going to birthday parties, and he never misses a one!
The Brier Patch is Bill’s wildly entertaining blog about his shameless early days in Hollywood. It’s on his website, billbrier.com, along with a contest linked to The Devil Orders Takeout, which will award the grand prizewinner $1,000.
Bill is a member of Mystery Writers of America.
AWARDS
The Devil Orders Takeout was a finalist in the 2015 Faulkner Creative Writing Competition. The Killer Who Hated Soup placed third in the Southwest Writers 2013 contest for mysteries and was shortlisted for finalist in the 2015 Faulkner Creative Writing Competition. The Killer Who Wasn’t There placed semi-finalist in the same Faulkner contest.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 17, 2018
This is mindstretching crime thriller, set in the town of Defiance, Oklahoma in 1956. Bucky Ontario has read about the up and coming town of Defiance in Time magazine. He decides to leave his home in Louisiana and head for this town, where he quickly secures a job initially at the local grocery store, and then as a car salesman. However he has far more deep seated intentions to make it big in this town, and one day wants to become mayor.
As the book begins, there is a horrific murder, and Bucky is first on the scene, camera in hand. He then immerses himself in trying to work out, what turns out to be, a very complex plot. Without spoiling the story, there are other murders to follow.
Bill Brier is an excellent story teller. He doesn’t hurry the story, and has a lovely turn of phrase. I really loved some of his descriptions ...
... “Bucky sank into a wingback chair with upholstery as soft as a flower petal and took in the scent of Vicks Nose Drops. He faced a wall setting of porcelain ducks waddling after their mother. Marybeth sat slouched on the sofa wearing a green sweatshirt and stroking a tortoise shell cat
shaped like a feather duster" ...
Bucky is the protagonist. He comes across as level headed, bright, quick witted and has very decent values and a dedicated, systematic approach to crime solving. He also enjoys bowls of soup! There are a number of different other characters in the book. Cal Alsop, his boss at the Chrysler Car Sales Room. Kansas, father of local teenager Marybeth. Kindra who becomes Bucky’s super sleuthing friend. Gustafson, Kindra’s grandfather, to name a few. I thought the characterisation was strong and consistent.
I loved the title of the book, and found it amusing with the references to soup (usually Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup by the way!). You do have to finish the book to discover who didn’t like soup!
I found life in Oklahoma in 1957 interesting. The town was beholden to the mayor. The decision to bury the time capsule, the nature of the time capsule, and the events surrounding this, including the 'caddos’ was most intriguing. I had to look the caddos up as I had never heard of them, to find they are a South Eastern American Tribe, who were living within the community. The tensions within the town because of this, were very apparent.
I loved the dialogue – it was very well done. For example -
“Do you have water?” She asked, placing red fingertips to her throat like she was really thirsty.
She said “worter,” so he pegged her for a Noo Yawker.
The story had a lot of twists and turns. One minute you thought you knew the identity of the killer, then it had to have been somebody else. Other unexpected and shocking events unfolded including amongst other things, incest, sexual assault and a peeping Tom. I had to keep reading as I really needed to know who did it and get some answers
Without giving away any spoilers, the book was a page turner, action packed, and there were very vivid scenes of crime. If you like crime stories and ‘who dunnits’ – you will enjoy this book. And appreciate the subtle touches of humour!
Overall, the book was great fun, and I very much enjoyed reading it. I would definately recommend this book. It’s a super read - especially if you like the psychological challenge of a well thought out and clever plot!
And when you turn the last page – you might just feel like – you know what? – a bowl of soup!?
As the book begins, there is a horrific murder, and Bucky is first on the scene, camera in hand. He then immerses himself in trying to work out, what turns out to be, a very complex plot. Without spoiling the story, there are other murders to follow.
Bill Brier is an excellent story teller. He doesn’t hurry the story, and has a lovely turn of phrase. I really loved some of his descriptions ...
... “Bucky sank into a wingback chair with upholstery as soft as a flower petal and took in the scent of Vicks Nose Drops. He faced a wall setting of porcelain ducks waddling after their mother. Marybeth sat slouched on the sofa wearing a green sweatshirt and stroking a tortoise shell cat
shaped like a feather duster" ...
Bucky is the protagonist. He comes across as level headed, bright, quick witted and has very decent values and a dedicated, systematic approach to crime solving. He also enjoys bowls of soup! There are a number of different other characters in the book. Cal Alsop, his boss at the Chrysler Car Sales Room. Kansas, father of local teenager Marybeth. Kindra who becomes Bucky’s super sleuthing friend. Gustafson, Kindra’s grandfather, to name a few. I thought the characterisation was strong and consistent.
I loved the title of the book, and found it amusing with the references to soup (usually Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup by the way!). You do have to finish the book to discover who didn’t like soup!
I found life in Oklahoma in 1957 interesting. The town was beholden to the mayor. The decision to bury the time capsule, the nature of the time capsule, and the events surrounding this, including the 'caddos’ was most intriguing. I had to look the caddos up as I had never heard of them, to find they are a South Eastern American Tribe, who were living within the community. The tensions within the town because of this, were very apparent.
I loved the dialogue – it was very well done. For example -
“Do you have water?” She asked, placing red fingertips to her throat like she was really thirsty.
She said “worter,” so he pegged her for a Noo Yawker.
The story had a lot of twists and turns. One minute you thought you knew the identity of the killer, then it had to have been somebody else. Other unexpected and shocking events unfolded including amongst other things, incest, sexual assault and a peeping Tom. I had to keep reading as I really needed to know who did it and get some answers
Without giving away any spoilers, the book was a page turner, action packed, and there were very vivid scenes of crime. If you like crime stories and ‘who dunnits’ – you will enjoy this book. And appreciate the subtle touches of humour!
Overall, the book was great fun, and I very much enjoyed reading it. I would definately recommend this book. It’s a super read - especially if you like the psychological challenge of a well thought out and clever plot!
And when you turn the last page – you might just feel like – you know what? – a bowl of soup!?
January 5, 2018
“The Killer Who Hated Soup” tells the story of Bucky Ontario. Bucky is ambitious with an array of talents all propped up by his belief in the principals outlined in the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. When a series of murders, not necessarily related to each other, occur in a small Midwestern town, Bucky seems to be in middle of everything all the time. Sometimes it’s through his inquisitive nature and other times by sheer coincidence.
Bucky is a likeable soul. That can’t be said for all the characters in the story—good or bad. The opening was tough because of the avalanche of characters, but it smooths out soon enough. The plot, which seems straight-forward in the beginning, get twistier and twistier as the story goes on. In fact, there is some like of belief in some of the scenes at the end of the story and with Bucky’s ultimate ending. Still it is a good read with a lot of mid-1950s nostalgia that seems spot on. It is worthy of a solid four-star rating.
Bucky is a likeable soul. That can’t be said for all the characters in the story—good or bad. The opening was tough because of the avalanche of characters, but it smooths out soon enough. The plot, which seems straight-forward in the beginning, get twistier and twistier as the story goes on. In fact, there is some like of belief in some of the scenes at the end of the story and with Bucky’s ultimate ending. Still it is a good read with a lot of mid-1950s nostalgia that seems spot on. It is worthy of a solid four-star rating.
January 17, 2024
Unfortunately, I was unable to read and review this mystery when I received it a few years ago, but I finally read and finished it so here is my review: Set in the 1950's, this murder mystery differs from the cozy mysteries I usually enjoy. The protagonist, Bucky Ontario is a young photographer from Louisiana who moves to Defiance, Oklahoma in order to begin a new life and career. He is extremely likable and a competent sleuth who keeps the novel wholesome. He is assisted by a young girl who is also likable but sadly has an unhappy past. Including the murders, there are graphic and disturbing scenes and story lines which makes this small town scary. It is a fast paced thriller with many twists, turns and surprises that will keep you guessing. Finally, it appears that all the characters, whether positive or negative, get what they deserve in the end!
November 23, 2017
Set in the late 1950s, The Killer Who Hated Soup tells the story of a series of murders (not all related) through the eyes of Bucky Ontario, a young jack of all trades who works as a car salesman, photographer and unofficial murder investigator in a small mid-western town. Brilliantly well told the story twists and turns through the plot filled with murder, suspense, small town corruption and illicit sex, looking back at a different time with a blend of nostalgia, humour and brutal honesty.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and all of it's tangled who-dunits.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and all of it's tangled who-dunits.
November 8, 2017
I love to love a protagonist and yet have him be complicated. I love to follow a plot with surprises right to the last page and realize all the clues were in plain sight. I love being transported to Defiance Oklahoma in the 1950’s by Bill Brier without being buried in cute period details. The Killer Who Hated Soup delivers story and setting and I can’t wait to read the next installment of Bucky Ontario’s detective career.
November 10, 2017
The Killer Who Hated Soup
: Bill A. Brier
This seemed to be a cozy mystery with unusual twists. I loved the setting 1956 Oklahoma. The characters were interesting, some you loved and some not so much! There was plenty of suspense, some humor, and a dash of romance.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Jarman Day-Bohn.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
: Bill A. Brier
This seemed to be a cozy mystery with unusual twists. I loved the setting 1956 Oklahoma. The characters were interesting, some you loved and some not so much! There was plenty of suspense, some humor, and a dash of romance.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Jarman Day-Bohn.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 21, 2017
This was a Great book with an attention grabbing plot. I liked that I didn't guess the killer until the book told me. I loved the time period of it also, set in the 50's in Oklahoma, was very interesting to read about. I was worried about it being too political when they Mayor and Police chief were brought up but it wasn't that, at all.
February 6, 2018
Interesting read
This book takes place in a small town in the 50's. Having grown up in a small town in the 50's and 60's I found the characters believable and the events, although fiction, could take place. This is a fun mystery that will keep you interested and guessing who done it.
This book takes place in a small town in the 50's. Having grown up in a small town in the 50's and 60's I found the characters believable and the events, although fiction, could take place. This is a fun mystery that will keep you interested and guessing who done it.
November 7, 2017
Great first book in a series. Kept me reading in long sitting to get to the end to know who the murder was and why. Can't wait for the next one.
February 6, 2018
Great Book
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't pick out the killer. I think I had everyone pegged but the guilty party. Would like to read the next book when it comes out.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't pick out the killer. I think I had everyone pegged but the guilty party. Would like to read the next book when it comes out.
March 5, 2019
You will love Bucky
This was a very good book. A lot f curves. Surprise ending and a series to boot! I am going to download book 2right now.
This was a very good book. A lot f curves. Surprise ending and a series to boot! I am going to download book 2right now.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews