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Oh, Bits!: Grumbles From the Grave
When the dead just won't shut up.... Stormy Green, fresh from college, lands a newspaper job in Atlanta during World War II where she meets an eccentric gossip columnist who is ready to name names in a colossal scandal. Some people, however, don't want the story told, and they'll do anything to prevent it. Forced to take over for the columnist, Stormy unearths a bizarre plot involving Nazi sabateurs, exotic dancers, B29 bombers, and even voices from beyond. After investigating several murders, thefts, and a kidnapping, Stormy must unravel the diabolical scheme and find a way to thwart the terrorists.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2017
7 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Josh Langston
52 books14 followersJosh writes books which amuse, anger, enlighten and entertain. He regularly mines history for background material that's little known but reliably fascinating. His plots are complex, interconnected and layered with humor and suspense; his characters are rarely predictable, and even his bad guys tend to be both engaging and diabolical.
A graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in journalism, Josh's writing tastes quickly shifted away from reportage. His fiction has been published in a variety of magazines and anthologies, and he currently has two short story collections in the Amazon top 20 for genre fiction.
Josh has branched out more recently into contemporary thrillers and currently has eight such titles on the market along with an historical fantasy trilogy set in the 1st century BC, plus a handful of short story collections.
Oh, Bits! his latest novel, is a paranormal mystery/romance set in Atlanta during WWI. Published by Janda Books, Oh, Bits! debuted in July, 2017.
A graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in journalism, Josh's writing tastes quickly shifted away from reportage. His fiction has been published in a variety of magazines and anthologies, and he currently has two short story collections in the Amazon top 20 for genre fiction.
Josh has branched out more recently into contemporary thrillers and currently has eight such titles on the market along with an historical fantasy trilogy set in the 1st century BC, plus a handful of short story collections.
Oh, Bits! his latest novel, is a paranormal mystery/romance set in Atlanta during WWI. Published by Janda Books, Oh, Bits! debuted in July, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 11, 2017
Technically, this is a mystery novel and if it needs a category of mystery, I might slot it under the “cosy” column but it’s also a period-piece, set in Atlanta, GA during 2nd World War, a romance, and a fantasy all told with a touch of humour. If you keep a spreadsheet of books you’ve read this year with various columns to note your reading history you might need a new column labeled “genre-bender” and perhaps that’s where Josh’s book belongs.
I’m in awe of mystery writers. Plotting a story with twists and turns and red herrings and chapter mini-climaxes is an enviable skill. Throw in some interesting characters and a high body count and you have a light-hearted page-turner. Except for the body count and the means by which some of the characters meet their fate. Then you’re venturing into different territory again. Poe-like.
The story follows Stormy Green, who is aware of the connotations her name stirs up in the males she encounters in the testosterone territory that was the newspaper biz at the time. Stormy, you see, is a budding journalist and moves to Atlanta to start her career. In the course of the story she meets the love of her life, a magic mirror, a stripper with a boa (not the feathered kind) in her act, and an adorable dog she calls “Bits”. Oh, yes, and she starts her career as an obituary writer, hence the title which gives you further clues about the tone of the book. Who doesn’t like a good pun?
If you’re looking for a distraction from the present and you’ve just finished a dystopian novel set in a post-apocalyptic future when the lights don’t go on again, pick up “Oh, Bits” and have fun in the past. And the next time you look in a mirror, you might find yourself looking for something beyond your reflection.
I’m in awe of mystery writers. Plotting a story with twists and turns and red herrings and chapter mini-climaxes is an enviable skill. Throw in some interesting characters and a high body count and you have a light-hearted page-turner. Except for the body count and the means by which some of the characters meet their fate. Then you’re venturing into different territory again. Poe-like.
The story follows Stormy Green, who is aware of the connotations her name stirs up in the males she encounters in the testosterone territory that was the newspaper biz at the time. Stormy, you see, is a budding journalist and moves to Atlanta to start her career. In the course of the story she meets the love of her life, a magic mirror, a stripper with a boa (not the feathered kind) in her act, and an adorable dog she calls “Bits”. Oh, yes, and she starts her career as an obituary writer, hence the title which gives you further clues about the tone of the book. Who doesn’t like a good pun?
If you’re looking for a distraction from the present and you’ve just finished a dystopian novel set in a post-apocalyptic future when the lights don’t go on again, pick up “Oh, Bits” and have fun in the past. And the next time you look in a mirror, you might find yourself looking for something beyond your reflection.
October 9, 2017
Brilliant
Absolutely brilliant! I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Langston a few weeks ago. He pointed me in the direction of 'oh, bits!,' And I am so pleased. When I was finally able to sit down and immerse myself, I couldn't put it down. I love the characters and I think Stormy needs her own spin off series about future "grumbles!" Thanks for a fun read.
Absolutely brilliant! I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Langston a few weeks ago. He pointed me in the direction of 'oh, bits!,' And I am so pleased. When I was finally able to sit down and immerse myself, I couldn't put it down. I love the characters and I think Stormy needs her own spin off series about future "grumbles!" Thanks for a fun read.
June 23, 2017
Oh, Bits held my attention all the way. With a surprise at the end, and many more throughout the book. Josh did a great job with the book!
June 1, 2019
Fun and charming period mystery.
A gossip columnist, a gravedigger, and a young journalist encounter magic and espionage in World War II Atlanta.
This struck me as a wonderful movie that somehow never got made. The main character is a young woman trying to get a job as a reporter in WW II Atlanta. She winds up getting caught up with a gravedigger who has been feeding tips to a local gossip columnist. Tips that come from a mysterious source. Meanwhile, German spies are gearing up for sabotage.
Langston plays with some familiar tropes -- sharp female reporter, crusty editor -- and mixes in some fantasy and historical detail. The characters are charming, the writing is fast-moving, and darn, would I like to see this as a movie. Preferably with Claudette Colbert and Cary Grant.
This was a fun read.
A gossip columnist, a gravedigger, and a young journalist encounter magic and espionage in World War II Atlanta.
This struck me as a wonderful movie that somehow never got made. The main character is a young woman trying to get a job as a reporter in WW II Atlanta. She winds up getting caught up with a gravedigger who has been feeding tips to a local gossip columnist. Tips that come from a mysterious source. Meanwhile, German spies are gearing up for sabotage.
Langston plays with some familiar tropes -- sharp female reporter, crusty editor -- and mixes in some fantasy and historical detail. The characters are charming, the writing is fast-moving, and darn, would I like to see this as a movie. Preferably with Claudette Colbert and Cary Grant.
This was a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews