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The Blacktop Blues A Dieselpunk Adventure
He's lost his girl and now his mind. Jed Strait survived the war, but will his homecoming be the death of him?
Jed Strait made it through the war unscathed. Or at least, that's what he thought. But now that he's home, he's not so sure, because he’s plagued by horrifying flashbacks. Only, they're visions of events that never occurred.
All he wants is to reconnect with the woman he left behind and get on with his life, but according to the visions, that's the worst thing he could do. If he follows Annabelle to LA, his nightmares could actually become real, but staying in New York with no Annabelle and no explanations will surely drive him mad.
Damned if he goes and damned if he stays, the only path forward is the one leading west, to the final crescendo of either marriage, misery or madness waiting for him at the end of a road that’s paved with The Blacktop Blues.
Fans of hard-boiled detective stories and Dieselpunk science fiction will enjoy The Blacktop Blues, the first installment in the thrilling Crossover Case Files series.
Jed Strait made it through the war unscathed. Or at least, that's what he thought. But now that he's home, he's not so sure, because he’s plagued by horrifying flashbacks. Only, they're visions of events that never occurred.
All he wants is to reconnect with the woman he left behind and get on with his life, but according to the visions, that's the worst thing he could do. If he follows Annabelle to LA, his nightmares could actually become real, but staying in New York with no Annabelle and no explanations will surely drive him mad.
Damned if he goes and damned if he stays, the only path forward is the one leading west, to the final crescendo of either marriage, misery or madness waiting for him at the end of a road that’s paved with The Blacktop Blues.
Fans of hard-boiled detective stories and Dieselpunk science fiction will enjoy The Blacktop Blues, the first installment in the thrilling Crossover Case Files series.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2020
58 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Richard Levesque
45 books46 followersRichard Levesque was born near Montreal,Canada and grew up in Southern California.
He began writing while in college, publishing several pieces in college journals while working on his undergraduate degree at Cal Poly Pomona. After finishing his Master's Degree in 1990, he focused more on teaching than writing for a few years, eventually completing his Ph.D. at UC Riverside in 2000. His dissertation was on Hollywood novelists of the 1920s and 1930s.
Since 1999, he has been part of the English Department at Fullerton College and turned again to writing a few years ago. He primarily writes science fiction but continues to have a strong interest in early Hollywood and Los Angeles history and culture and often works those themes into his writing.
When not writing or grading papers, he spends time with his wife and daughter, works on his collection of old science fiction pulps and tries to be better than a mediocre guitar player.
He began writing while in college, publishing several pieces in college journals while working on his undergraduate degree at Cal Poly Pomona. After finishing his Master's Degree in 1990, he focused more on teaching than writing for a few years, eventually completing his Ph.D. at UC Riverside in 2000. His dissertation was on Hollywood novelists of the 1920s and 1930s.
Since 1999, he has been part of the English Department at Fullerton College and turned again to writing a few years ago. He primarily writes science fiction but continues to have a strong interest in early Hollywood and Los Angeles history and culture and often works those themes into his writing.
When not writing or grading papers, he spends time with his wife and daughter, works on his collection of old science fiction pulps and tries to be better than a mediocre guitar player.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 6, 2021
What an incredible book! To appreciate this comment, you have to know that I don't read alternate history books and I avoid "just post-WWII" mystery/detective stories, too. Of course, I had no idea that any of this would be relevant when I bought the book. A friend had recommended it, as something written by one of her friends who does great work. And so it goes.
Well! As soon as I realized it was one of those post WWII things, I said "shit." But in for a penny, as they say. And the story quickly moved to LA; I'm a sucker for novels set in LA. There were weird things about the war's end. Then there were other anomalies. Now, I've never been anything but bad at history, but even I knew something was damned strange. It took me a while, but eventually I said to myself, alt history, too?!?!? Shit, again! But is it alt history? Well, not being one for spoilers, I'll just let that hang. What this novel is, is a real genre-bender.
Levesque has written really solid characters. These are real people, some good guys, some bad guys and even the dog. You find yourself caring for some and hoping others come to an unpleasant end. You also see some tragedy as inevitable and possibly for the best, but sad none the less.
Oh, if you care about gender issues, you should know that Levesque has some fun here with gender norms and women's roles--some social alt history that even I could get into.
The plot is great! It was hard to guess where Levesque was going to take us next. As it turned out, it was always a place worth going. Despite my misgivings re genre and time period, I pretty much couldn't put down the book.
This is one you have to read! And now, please excuse me, but I have to stop so I can go get more from this author. Enjoy!!
Well! As soon as I realized it was one of those post WWII things, I said "shit." But in for a penny, as they say. And the story quickly moved to LA; I'm a sucker for novels set in LA. There were weird things about the war's end. Then there were other anomalies. Now, I've never been anything but bad at history, but even I knew something was damned strange. It took me a while, but eventually I said to myself, alt history, too?!?!? Shit, again! But is it alt history? Well, not being one for spoilers, I'll just let that hang. What this novel is, is a real genre-bender.
Levesque has written really solid characters. These are real people, some good guys, some bad guys and even the dog. You find yourself caring for some and hoping others come to an unpleasant end. You also see some tragedy as inevitable and possibly for the best, but sad none the less.
Oh, if you care about gender issues, you should know that Levesque has some fun here with gender norms and women's roles--some social alt history that even I could get into.
The plot is great! It was hard to guess where Levesque was going to take us next. As it turned out, it was always a place worth going. Despite my misgivings re genre and time period, I pretty much couldn't put down the book.
This is one you have to read! And now, please excuse me, but I have to stop so I can go get more from this author. Enjoy!!
February 18, 2021
Dieselpunk? Giant trucks racing across the country to deliver COVID vaccine?
You'd be wrong if you think the above, but you will like noir detectives and interdimensional travel mixed together in Richard Levesque's usual style and panache.
There's a lot going on in this book and (yay!) we get more adventures of Jed Strait in his new gig as a PI in different dimensions. I can't explain that concept to you, but you'll either already know it or you will quickly learn reading this book and the others to come.
Jed is a likeable guy returned from the battlefields of WWII and haunted by what we know as PTSD today. He's looking forward to seeing Annabelle even if she Dear John'ed him. For one thing, she didn't explain why her fiancé is no longer suitable. That's gotta hurt. Jed thinks he might pick up on his music as something to do while his head gets sorted out. He picks up his previously hawked guitar and does a open stage show at the Break O' Dawn club. A new song he picked up in Europe, "The Blacktop Blues" proves to be a crowd-pleaser. But he steps out for a bit of fresh air and finds himself somewhere else than he was a few seconds before and Annabelle was there with him. But he was holding a gun on her and she was a redhead not a blonde. Disconcerting, to say the least, since he knows she's taken off to the land of fruits and nuts California to join a cult leaving both Jed and her own grandmother behind.
When he comes out of his little mind trip he's returned to the club's stage he realizes that he has to find Annabelle. That means a trip cross-country to California in his less-than-reliable car.
I will leave you to read the rest of the book as Jed packs up to chase after Annabelle. Who wouldn't when he feels like he, or maybe another him, had killed her. He HAD to prove she was still alive.
I've read a number of Richard Levesque's books of the detective noir variety. I like his writing style and his originally unique plots.
So, go buy the book. Richard gives you a nice gift at the end, so it's a real bargain.
Read it and check out other books by Richard. If his noir genre appeals to you, you will not be disappointed. I promise.
You'd be wrong if you think the above, but you will like noir detectives and interdimensional travel mixed together in Richard Levesque's usual style and panache.
There's a lot going on in this book and (yay!) we get more adventures of Jed Strait in his new gig as a PI in different dimensions. I can't explain that concept to you, but you'll either already know it or you will quickly learn reading this book and the others to come.
Jed is a likeable guy returned from the battlefields of WWII and haunted by what we know as PTSD today. He's looking forward to seeing Annabelle even if she Dear John'ed him. For one thing, she didn't explain why her fiancé is no longer suitable. That's gotta hurt. Jed thinks he might pick up on his music as something to do while his head gets sorted out. He picks up his previously hawked guitar and does a open stage show at the Break O' Dawn club. A new song he picked up in Europe, "The Blacktop Blues" proves to be a crowd-pleaser. But he steps out for a bit of fresh air and finds himself somewhere else than he was a few seconds before and Annabelle was there with him. But he was holding a gun on her and she was a redhead not a blonde. Disconcerting, to say the least, since he knows she's taken off to the land of fruits and nuts California to join a cult leaving both Jed and her own grandmother behind.
When he comes out of his little mind trip he's returned to the club's stage he realizes that he has to find Annabelle. That means a trip cross-country to California in his less-than-reliable car.
I will leave you to read the rest of the book as Jed packs up to chase after Annabelle. Who wouldn't when he feels like he, or maybe another him, had killed her. He HAD to prove she was still alive.
I've read a number of Richard Levesque's books of the detective noir variety. I like his writing style and his originally unique plots.
So, go buy the book. Richard gives you a nice gift at the end, so it's a real bargain.
Read it and check out other books by Richard. If his noir genre appeals to you, you will not be disappointed. I promise.
February 23, 2021
A killer story, pun intended.
I don't do spoilers. I love the time period Richard puts his stories in. Blacktop Blues is more full of twist and turns than the Great American Rollercoaster. Written in first person, Jed Strait, a get along to go along kind of guy, tells us just how he feels about the chaos he has to navigate. Just when one thinks the story is wrapped up - one last and thrilling zinger gets tossed in like a hand grenade.
I especially like Richard's writing style. His characters come to life on the page in a witty gritty sort of way. I've pre-ordered the next in this series. Highly recommend this book for YA and up.
I don't do spoilers. I love the time period Richard puts his stories in. Blacktop Blues is more full of twist and turns than the Great American Rollercoaster. Written in first person, Jed Strait, a get along to go along kind of guy, tells us just how he feels about the chaos he has to navigate. Just when one thinks the story is wrapped up - one last and thrilling zinger gets tossed in like a hand grenade.
I especially like Richard's writing style. His characters come to life on the page in a witty gritty sort of way. I've pre-ordered the next in this series. Highly recommend this book for YA and up.
June 9, 2021
Meet Jed and a fun multi dimensional mystery
A fun mixture of hardboiled detective, alternate universes and 1950s sci-fi technology. Fans of characters like Zachary Nixon Johnson (Zakour) , Garrett P.I. (Cook), Dan Shamble (Anderson) and others that encompass a detective in an alternative setting will enjoy this novel. A very nice blend of alternate worlds and characters with just enough information to keep the mystery moving and thought provoking.
A fun mixture of hardboiled detective, alternate universes and 1950s sci-fi technology. Fans of characters like Zachary Nixon Johnson (Zakour) , Garrett P.I. (Cook), Dan Shamble (Anderson) and others that encompass a detective in an alternative setting will enjoy this novel. A very nice blend of alternate worlds and characters with just enough information to keep the mystery moving and thought provoking.
August 1, 2021
Good Read and Fun Discussion
We read The Blacktop Blues for our book club and invited Richard to come explain the ins and outs of Dieselpunk. He was a good sport and after a few glasses of wine he shared the deepest secrets of his craft. I’m not sure he can come to everyone’s gathering but you’ll enjoy the book regardless.
We read The Blacktop Blues for our book club and invited Richard to come explain the ins and outs of Dieselpunk. He was a good sport and after a few glasses of wine he shared the deepest secrets of his craft. I’m not sure he can come to everyone’s gathering but you’ll enjoy the book regardless.
March 14, 2022
Such a fun book
Difficult book to review with out giving spoilers. This is a fish out of water book. I mean it takes the MC and puts him where he does not belong ... The book has more than just a few twists and turns. It has a surprise ending, and it is action packed.
The very start of the book can be annoying to anyone who has any idea about history. Stick with it and keep reading, you will figure out why things seem off. I would LOVE to explain more, but I dont want to give anything away. Just keep reading and it all will make sense to you with in a few chapters time. this book is well worth sticking with. I nearly put it down and I am happy i did not.
Difficult book to review with out giving spoilers. This is a fish out of water book. I mean it takes the MC and puts him where he does not belong ... The book has more than just a few twists and turns. It has a surprise ending, and it is action packed.
The very start of the book can be annoying to anyone who has any idea about history. Stick with it and keep reading, you will figure out why things seem off. I would LOVE to explain more, but I dont want to give anything away. Just keep reading and it all will make sense to you with in a few chapters time. this book is well worth sticking with. I nearly put it down and I am happy i did not.
April 6, 2021
Mr. Levesque's books are fun to read. I like how he combines futuristic elements with history, and I really enjoy how well Los Angeles is portrayed. I have read numerous books by this author, and they are all enjoyable; however, I particularly like the main character in this book, Jed Strait, and look forward to reading the others in the series!
January 22, 2022
Quirky and intriguing
Not my usual sort of read and it took a while to get into the story. I should give it 5 stars because it's clever and imaginative. However there really t is only one character, the others are just functional. This time\dimension traveling ex soldier is worth your time. There is something quite Scott Fitzgerald about him.
Not my usual sort of read and it took a while to get into the story. I should give it 5 stars because it's clever and imaginative. However there really t is only one character, the others are just functional. This time\dimension traveling ex soldier is worth your time. There is something quite Scott Fitzgerald about him.
May 15, 2022
good story
This is not my genre of choice, detective noire with some sci-if mixed in. However, this is very well written. The author is able to make you feel the emotions of a GI getting home and going to see his girl in the first few pages. It’s a good mystery and moves a long well.
This is not my genre of choice, detective noire with some sci-if mixed in. However, this is very well written. The author is able to make you feel the emotions of a GI getting home and going to see his girl in the first few pages. It’s a good mystery and moves a long well.
May 23, 2022
pretty decent story
I can’t say that the detective side of the story was all that great. It’s not bad either. I have a feeling this series will get better as it progresses. The fantastical side of the story was super interesting.
I can’t say that the detective side of the story was all that great. It’s not bad either. I have a feeling this series will get better as it progresses. The fantastical side of the story was super interesting.
March 8, 2021
Very Good Story
Who are you and where are you and what dimension are you in? These are the questions of reality our characters face in this entertaining read. I liked the book.
Who are you and where are you and what dimension are you in? These are the questions of reality our characters face in this entertaining read. I liked the book.
February 8, 2022
Most of the story seemed beyond me, did not follow well as I was tired. Received free from Amazon.
March 7, 2022
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like stories with a different flare.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like stories with a different flare.
February 2, 2021
As always with Richard Levesque, The Blacktop Blues is a cleverly written and entertaining book, following Jed Strait, a disturbed but very relatable character, full of humour despite everything that goes wrong around him.
He comes back from the war in an alternate 1949 (where World War II didn’t end in the same way as what we know), to find his world not quite like he expected it. So he sets on a journey that will lead him to some very colourful characters, interesting inventions and strange timelines.
The book is very entertaining, far enough from our current world to allow a welcome escape, while still being fully accessible to a modern reader. I especially loved the main character, Jed Strait, who is very satisfyingly witty – it’s a real joy to be inside his head.
Good news: this book, while being entirely standalone, is the first in a series. Which means that I’ll get to read more of Jed Strait’s adventures – I’m looking forward to it!
He comes back from the war in an alternate 1949 (where World War II didn’t end in the same way as what we know), to find his world not quite like he expected it. So he sets on a journey that will lead him to some very colourful characters, interesting inventions and strange timelines.
The book is very entertaining, far enough from our current world to allow a welcome escape, while still being fully accessible to a modern reader. I especially loved the main character, Jed Strait, who is very satisfyingly witty – it’s a real joy to be inside his head.
Good news: this book, while being entirely standalone, is the first in a series. Which means that I’ll get to read more of Jed Strait’s adventures – I’m looking forward to it!
January 24, 2021
We first meet Jed Strait when he comes back to America from the war in Europe. He has somehow managed to survive all the horrors which cost the lives of many of his comrades. He comes back to find that many things have changed in his absence. Amongst other things, he discovers that his fiancé, Annabelle, has left town and gone to Hollywood, where she has met some ‘really nice new people’. Just to add to his confusion and despair, whilst playing his guitar and singing in a club to earn some money, he is visited by what seems to be a very realistic flashback in which he sees and experiences things that have never happened.
He decides to go after Annabelle to get some answers, and then things start to get really strange. This is the first book in the latest series by Richard Levesque and, as always, leaves me hoping that the next book in the series is soon published! A wonderful cross-over between the noir genre of writing combined with fantasy and alternative realities. Highly recommended!
He decides to go after Annabelle to get some answers, and then things start to get really strange. This is the first book in the latest series by Richard Levesque and, as always, leaves me hoping that the next book in the series is soon published! A wonderful cross-over between the noir genre of writing combined with fantasy and alternative realities. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews