Monster Town

by Bruce Golden

Private Investigator Dirk Slade is looking for the killer of his best friend, as well as a missing teenager who just happens to be the son of Dracula. Along the way he encounters the Wolfman, Frankenstein’s monster (plus his former bride), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Leech Woman, the Invisible Man, Wasp Woman, and a host of other old horror movie characters. That’s because Bruce Golden’s Monster Town is set in an early sixties ghetto of Hollywood, where—now that they’re no longer in vogue—the monsters of black and white horror films have taken up residence. In this existence, monsters played themselves in the movies. THEY were the actors. Now most of them are just regular folk, with regular jobs.

Slade’s investigation leads not only to a number of murders, but a political cover-up and threat to the well-being of every citizen of Monster Town.

This satire on old film noir and hard-boiled detective stories plays its mysterious plot straight, despite the bountiful list of quirky characters and its sardonic narration. Golden’s Monster Town is unlike any book you’ve ever heard of, never mind visited.

Genres: Mystery

130 pages, Hardcover

Published August 19, 2017

About the author

Novelist, journalist, satirist, Bruce Golden's short stories have been published more than 130 times across 20 countries and in 30 anthologies. Asimov's Science Fiction described his second book, "If Mickey Spillane had collaborated with both Frederik Pohl and Philip K. Dick, he might have produced Bruce Golden's Better Than Chocolate." The same reviewer said of his novel Evergreen, "If you can imagine Ursula Le Guin channeling H. Rider Haggard, you'll have the barest conception of this stirring book, which centers around a mysterious artifact and the people in its thrall. Reminiscent of the work of Robert Silverberg, this planetary romance will introduce lucky readers to a world both magical and spooky, yet ultimately as tangible as your own backyard.” His Dancing with the Velvet Lizard, with 33 stories, is one of the largest collections of speculative fiction ever published. His latest novel, Red Sky, Blue Moon, follows Vikings and Native American Sioux when they're transported to another world by aliens. http://goldentales.tripod.com

Reviews

[R.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful -and successful- blend of old Hollywood, Universal Monsters, and Noir. Crisp writing and vivid characterizations. A delightful read.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A film noir-type private dick, a handful of dangerous dames, Dracula as an entrepreneur, the Wolfman as a mob boss, Frankenstein's monster as a high school football coach, a sexy fairy who's been kicked out of Hollywood in disgrace. a murder mystery, a plot that threatens an entire city...what's not to like about this satire of black and white monster movies and hard-boiled detectives? The plot is dark, serious, but the assorted characters are a hoot, and PI Dirk Slade's first person narration is just short of over-the-top. My only complaint is that this novel idea for a novel is way too short. I need more from Monster Town!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have saved this for Halloween, but it was great just the same. Old movie monsters with regular jobs (hilarious), a satirical play on the language of hard-boiled detective stories, and plot that kept me intrigued until the end. I specially liked Kink, the disreputable fairy who wants to be PI Dirk Slade's partner. This was a great melding of various genres and quirky characters.

[Kerri Selby · Rating 3 out of 5]

PI slade is hired to investigate the disappearance of Dracula's son, whilst trying to find the killer of his friend & reporter, Danny. Are the two linked?

Set in Monster town; a ghetto where the old skool Universal movie monsters now live. Former cop, now private investigator, Dirk Slade, is hired by Dracula himself, to find his missing teenage son. Not long after, his friend and journalist, Danny, is found dead. Slade sets out to find whose committed murder most foul; what Danny's last words to him meant, and where is young Drac at!
As Dirk goes further into the rabbit hole, he uncovers corruption that puts the residents of Monster Town in harms way.

The blurb and beginnings of this book sounded promising; I'm a sucker for the classic Universal movie monsters.
But unfortunately it was lacking clout.
Though only a short book, I felt that the ending was rushed, and the certain branches of the story were missing in information. Likewise with the missing son of Dracula, it sounded like it was to be one of two big plots of the whole book, but it was overshadowed by the murdered reporter.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love old monster movies, and this book brought them all back to life...if sometimes in a humorous way. Except for the monsters in their sometimes quirky new professions, it was a good, serious murder(s) mystery. I like the way the author satirized the detective stories of old--some of the hard-boiled narration was pretty funny. I also loved Kink, the perverse fairy. She was hilarious. Overall, a very entertaining read.

[Erin Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book doesn't put a smile on your face, then you're dead...and Monster Town is the perfect place for you. All the plot points of a great film noir detective story, all the black & monsters of old cinema, and satire so subtle you may not even realize it's there until Kink, the disgraced fairy reminds you. I doubt you've ever read a book like this.

[Jim Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great idea! Satirizing hard-boiled detective fiction and setting it in a world where old movie monsters are real people--former actors. Best of all, it's told in a straight-forward manner, not silly. I researched this book and found it was in development for a TV series at one time. Don't know if it still is, but I hope so.

[Mary Layson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fantastic piece of satirical fantasy featuring all the great old monsters from the black & white movie days. Not only does this feature quirky monsters, the writing style satirizes the old hard-boiled detective tales of the mid-20th Century. Yet, despite all the humor, the fun, the serious underlining plot is told in a straight-forward manner.

[Jan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great fantasy world where movie monsters have other jobs! Loved this book!

[Bambee Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satir written detective novel bringing in the novility of movie star monsters. Welcome to Monster Town where the monster may be....a monster? Was an entertaining read.

[Ann Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great idea, satirizing hard-boiled detective stories with old movie monsters. The narration of private investigator Dirk Slade is like great dialogue inside the character's mind, written with wit and just enough of a nod to those old detective tales. I hope we see Slade again somewhere.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held my interest throughout--funny in a subtle way--good plot--great characters.

[Liz Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have given it five stars, but it was too short. I wanted more from Monster Town.