All Shook Up: An Eddie Dancer Mystery

Eddie Dancer Mystery #1

by Mike Harrison

This hard-edged, energetic mystery features Eddie Dancer—Canada's newest and toughest private eye. Two years as a city cop have convinced Eddie he is better off working for himself as a private investigator. When he is hired to track down a tough, professional bank robber, Eddie has no idea he is about to pry the lid off a very nasty can of worms. When he runs up against a pair of disgraced ex-bikers, he uncovers a macabre connection between the ex-bikers and the "fate worse than death" that has befallen many of the city's hookers—a fate that leaves them, irreversibly, in a vegetative state. Eddie learns that a man who is already in prison has carried out the bank robbery and he wonders how someone can be in two different places at once. With the help of his friend, Danny Many Guns, Eddie uncovers evidence of a major conspiracy stretching from the city's back streets and tattoo parlors to the very top of the prison system food chain. Will Danny Many Guns save his friend and partner from the "fate worse than death," or will the bad guys get their revenge on the man who has exposed them?

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Mike Harrison was born in the United Kingdom. He lives in Okotoks, Alberta where he works as a real estate agent. His mystery novels feature private investigator Eddie Dancer. He has worked in advertising for much of his life and has an eclectic mix of interests that include motorcycling, hiking, cooking, and hypnosis. He lives in Okotoks, Alberta, with his wife and two cats.

Series:
* Eddie Dancer Mystery

Reviews

[Tim Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early on I thought this was a 4 star book and couldn't understand the lower consensus rating. By the middle of the book I was leaning toward 3 1/2 stars. At the end -- just 3. What started promising failed to deliver for me. Part was shallow character development along with several cliched characters and relationships. The middle and end of the book definitely felt like a high concept pitch for a Hollywood action movie. That's not all bad, just is what it is. However, the ending was very disappointing, not much of a climax.

[Tanelle Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a local author and an independently published book and my local library recommended this one.

Overall the book was ok, I could see how it could have been great had it had an editor’s touch added to it. I loved the references to local landmarks, even if the author did go a little too in-depth on details at times.

[Sandi Fiolka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book!
Easy to read, grabs you right away and keeps you invested right to the bitter end
You easily get caught up in the characters, which were unique and interesting
I might be a bit biased as I live in Calgary.