But Tell It Slant

Frank Gould #1

by Alan Asnen, Deren Beck (Pseudonym)

"This is all part of a four-book origination story designed to illuminate the mystery behind Frank's life, who he really is and how he came to be, while, at the same time, telling the readers this grand opera about a chase through time and space by this very mortal and damaged but very smart schmuck and how he comes to...well, I don't want to give the ending away, do I?"--Deren

Imagine Lenny Bruce marrying Seneca, siring an hallucinatory Mickey Spillane. That’s our melancholic, vegetarian detective, Frank Gould.

Frank Gould, a retired professor of Humanities who has come to the detecting business more as a favor to his friends than anything--and spends more of his time finding dogs and cats than missing spouses--is confronted with a story about a lost cause that spurs his interest on several levels despite being absolutely absurd.

Following up on it leads him to discover a connection with someone from his past he thought dead. Worse, a man he holds responsible for the death of his wife and child. Soon the layers begin to increase as he follows a trail laid out by an unlikely source.

A detective mystery/thriller with some comic overtones; first book in a series, and the first in an intended four-book sequence.

Genres: Fiction, Paranormal, Crime, Adult, Baseball

477 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2018

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was difficult. It had its entertaining dialogue at times but it was just all over the place. Someone said it was like the author was on LSD when he wrote it. I can’t disagree with that. It was hard to follow and keep track of what was going on with all the skipping around in time and place. I think the story was actually pretty interesting but it became a slog to get through. And the liberal agenda being slammed into my head like a jackhammer got really old. Ok you don’t like Trump. I get it. But some of it was just ridiculous. Too much pontificating. I don’t know if I will read any more in this series or not. It felt like someone trying too hard to impress you with their intelligence at the cost of telling the story.

[Deren Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

FROM ELLEN...

I want to crawl into that chock-full brain and wander around just to see what-all he knows. The style is unique and created occasional mental images of Conroy, Joyce and Faulkner. Looney Toons and Merrie Melodies, too! Love the characters, especially Smartass Frank. He reminds me of Murray in Ghostbusters and Nicholson in Cuckoo's nest. I started laughing hysterically beginning with Vera in the bathroom scene and didn't stop until halfway through WOO. Literally had to change the Depends 3 times. Just when I got myself under control, along came Henry/Paula... Major kudos for making me laugh like that! You also often wrote about things that I feel, too, that made my life experiences sharpen into focus. The writing is so engrossing and fun and funny and deep and sad and very unique. More like poetry than prose at times. Always kept me curious and wanting more. More magical than you know. I hope the book is a great success in every way!

(NOTE: Ellen is a friend and one of my betas...so be impressed, but not too...)

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was awarded this book thru a goodreads giveaway .
I enjoyed this mystery as it was written quite different from the usual style/format . The dialogue portions were humorous and added to the context.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept my attention throughout

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book new author to me but I like his style.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends find rewards knowing Frank Gould...yet they have to be weighed against the price they sometimes have to pay. Tempted by a daughter's love for her dying father, and her tale of his final request, he turns to friends for help.

They step together into a trap, quickly discovering themselves in the hands of a ghost. A man Frank knew growing up on the streets of New York City. Will Frank pay attention? And might they shed light on more than he imagines? But then the other mystery awaits... Who is Frank Gould? He would like to know, too.

I found that this was a book that I needed to pay attention to and take my time with... I picked it up and put it down a few times because I wasn't fully understanding the story... Once I finished it, though I thought it was really well written with believable characters. I look forward to book #2!

I won a free copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

[Ovidia Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Big Experience

There were times I hated Frank Gould, or rather was as exasperated as the people around him. But like them I couldn’t let go. I really loved this book, which is much more than a standard mystery or adventure though it succeeds at being both. I read it through this first time for the story, but I'll have to go back to enjoy the weird but spot on word play. Frank Gould isn't Jack Reacher (as I'd expected from the blurb), he reads like a hybrid of Salinger's Seymour Glass and Rex Stout's Saul Panzer and much as I wanted to smack him at times, I love him and want to read more about him. I really want more Paula too, if Deren Beck is reading this! And thank you!

[Christi M · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this with high hopes based on the reviews. What the reviews failed to mention was how it was written like someone on an LSD trip spouting out whatever disjointed nonsense was coursing through their brain. I found myself questioning if the tea I was drinking was laced. I couldn't get past the second chapter. NOTHING made sense.

I am absolutely gutted at having to leave a poor review as usually I enjoy everything I read. But this just was not a book that matched my intellect, I guess. I'm sorry!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked most of the story. I had to go back a couple times to figure out who was who.

Ending confused me. If I say more than that I give spoilers so if anyone has read this and wants to talk about it, let me know.

[Sherry McGuinn]

This book is utterly fantastic! Asnen has crafted a character who is funny, smart as hell, sexy, and always lovable. I could see the Frank Gould stories making for one hell of a TV adaptation. I plan to read them all and I highly recommend you do the same.

[L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. I would look for more by this author.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book. good storyline and believable characters.

[Ginger Pollard · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads win for me. Thank you, Goodreads.
Problem is, it didn't make any sense to me😕 It's got some good reviews and I'm so disappointed. Why I didn't get it, I don't know.

[Amy Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book wanted more!!!!!

[Ruth J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy and could not finish.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is lots to like here,but sometimes the plot is overly complex, lots of characters, almost too hard to follow, but overall good 3.6

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep starting this book but then putting it aside for another time when I can give it 110% of my attention. It’s not at all that I find it boring, far from it. It’s that as a relatively slow reader who says every word aloud in my head, savors every nuance in turn of phrase, and is hypersensitive to characters’ use of language, the brilliant repartee of Frank Gould’s inner monologue offers me too many potential rabbit holes too quickly to manage. I feel like a terrier with ADD set loose at Prairie Dog Town - such sensory overload my mind blanches and I grasp something easier for the short term. I say this in congratulations to the author - Frank Gould seems a character worthy of the effort. More plot-driven readers might be able to zoom right through, but character, language, & philosophy buffs will want to take it slow and savor every word. Frank Gould, at least thus far, is definitely someone you’d invite to a great dinner party where bon mots are relished more than bonbons!

Progress Update: Definitely worth waiting for vacation and plenty of un-disturbed time. Such a witty character! Definitely worth being played by Bogie & Bacall!

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. My husband picked it up and tried to read it but gave up after about 25%.

[Renee]

Definitely a challenging read, so be sure to take your time with this one! Very unique writing style. Never a dull moment!