The Blood Red Ruby

by D. Alan Lewis

It was a typical February night in 1951 when she stepped into one of Nashville’s many dives and into my life. The blonde asked for my story, wanting to know what had me drinking. She had no idea it was the same thing that had me working at nights, hunting down the monsters that stalk the back alleys of my city.
Back in ’31, the job was just supposed to be another bank heist - in, then out, then we'd be rich. But along with the money, we found that cursed ruby, and nothing was the same again. I’d thought about that gem every night for years, but now, in this bar with this dame looking at me all innocent and beautiful, I told her my tale.
And that's when our story began.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 4, 2018

About the author

As a child of the sixties and seventies, D. Alan Lewis grew up watching the U.S. space program in its heyday. His fascination with the space race developed a love of science fiction. His interest in horror came about later in life as the result of multiple marriages.

D. Alan Lewis is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee who now resides in Nashville with his children. He has been writing technical guides and manuals for various employers for over twenty years but only in recent years has branched out in to writing fiction. In 2006, Alan took the reins of a Novelist Writer’s resource in Nashville where he has been working to with aspiring writers.

The manuscript for his first novel, The Blood in Snowflake Garden, was a Top Ten finalist for the Claymore Dagger award in 2010. He is currently working on several other projects including a follow-up to Snowflake Garden.

Reviews

[Seth Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story to set the stage for the world that you are entering. Thomas Dietrich is a PI in 1951 Nashville. He wasn't always in this line of work. Once he was a bank robber. This is the story of the events that transpired to put him back on the straight(ish) path following a theft of a very special stone. For fans of Pulp Noir with fantasy and southern gothic flair, this is a book right up your alley.

[Ernest Russell]

Alan Lewis knows the tropes and plays them well in this story of redemption. Follow this hero's journey from bank robber to PI. Thomas Dietrich prowls the streets of Nashville. Discover how his crooked path was straightened in this Pulp Noir romp through Fantasy and Southern Gothic glamour. Fast-paced and well-conceived, this is a good read. Alan Lewis's flair for description will keep you turning the page.

[Joe Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author at a convention, and what a great guy. I bought this book from him because it takes place in 1950’s Nashville. I thought it would be interesting to read about some of the Nashville history. Wow! What an awesome book. I forgot all about Nashville, and was captured with this great tale! Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!

[Shane Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable. I like Lewis' supernatural works.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, entertaining, and a few unexpected turns. What's not to love! I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series!

[T.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this fast-paced and gruesome paranormal mystery novella. The Prohibition/gangster/Great Depression setting was really well done.