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Charlie McGinley Mystery #1
The Right Stiff
A nerdy author of pulp detective novels has to solve a real murder before he gets bumped off by the Mob.
Charlie McGinley writes detective novels. At least he did, until writer’s block kicked in. He owes his publisher a book, multiple wives alimony and a loan shark is about to break his thumbs.
Charlie hightails it out of L.A. two steps ahead of the police and his latest ex. On Route 66, he runs into Ben Fox, a mysterious Native American hitchhiker who just happened to know Ernest Hemingway – Charlie’s favorite writer.
Charlie’s life gets even more complicated when he and Ben are dragged into a murder at a shady cryonics lab. Will Charlie be able to avoid the police, Mob hitmen, and his ex-wife, while trying to save an aging beauty queen from being frozen to death?
Charlie McGinley writes detective novels. At least he did, until writer’s block kicked in. He owes his publisher a book, multiple wives alimony and a loan shark is about to break his thumbs.
Charlie hightails it out of L.A. two steps ahead of the police and his latest ex. On Route 66, he runs into Ben Fox, a mysterious Native American hitchhiker who just happened to know Ernest Hemingway – Charlie’s favorite writer.
Charlie’s life gets even more complicated when he and Ben are dragged into a murder at a shady cryonics lab. Will Charlie be able to avoid the police, Mob hitmen, and his ex-wife, while trying to save an aging beauty queen from being frozen to death?
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2021
173 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Sam Ingraffia
4 books8 followersSAM INGRAFFIA has been a professional writer for over three decades.
During his long career, he has won numerous awards, including the Gold Medal from Global Book Awards for his novel Bad Bones.
He was born in Chicago but grew up in Los Angeles. He attended UCLA and shortly after graduating with honors, began his writing and acting career.
Sam had no show business connections when he started in the industry, so his original plan was to write material for himself to help his burgeoning acting career.
“In the beginning, I was the only one who would cast me.”
He and another actor wrote a short pilot presentation in which they played the two leads. They performed excerpts from the project at comedy clubs and showcases all around Los Angeles. The project was eventually optioned by Universal Studios. The pilot never sold, but that was the beginning of his long, successful career as a writer.
Ingraffia has written novels, short stories, feature films, episodic television, network pilots, Pink Panther cartoons, stage plays, HBO comedy specials and multiple internet series.
As an actor, he’s made over 100 film and television appearances.
When Sam's not in his office writing, or on a set acting, he can often be found in his home workshop finishing a woodworking project. He's built or refinished most of the furniture in his home. He still lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two cats, Oscar and Felix.
www.samingraffiawrites.com
sam@samingraffiawrites.com
During his long career, he has won numerous awards, including the Gold Medal from Global Book Awards for his novel Bad Bones.
He was born in Chicago but grew up in Los Angeles. He attended UCLA and shortly after graduating with honors, began his writing and acting career.
Sam had no show business connections when he started in the industry, so his original plan was to write material for himself to help his burgeoning acting career.
“In the beginning, I was the only one who would cast me.”
He and another actor wrote a short pilot presentation in which they played the two leads. They performed excerpts from the project at comedy clubs and showcases all around Los Angeles. The project was eventually optioned by Universal Studios. The pilot never sold, but that was the beginning of his long, successful career as a writer.
Ingraffia has written novels, short stories, feature films, episodic television, network pilots, Pink Panther cartoons, stage plays, HBO comedy specials and multiple internet series.
As an actor, he’s made over 100 film and television appearances.
When Sam's not in his office writing, or on a set acting, he can often be found in his home workshop finishing a woodworking project. He's built or refinished most of the furniture in his home. He still lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two cats, Oscar and Felix.
www.samingraffiawrites.com
sam@samingraffiawrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 7, 2024
The Right Stuff: A Charlie McGinley Mystery Book 1
So much fun and exciting. Action all the time (even in the Norco freezer). Charlie has lots of ex-wives and owes his publisher at least one book and maybe more. He is definitely tired of Johnny Dent and wants to write serious books, but nobody reads those.
So much fun and exciting. Action all the time (even in the Norco freezer). Charlie has lots of ex-wives and owes his publisher at least one book and maybe more. He is definitely tired of Johnny Dent and wants to write serious books, but nobody reads those.
December 31, 2025
A quirky little tale. It has an amusing character. Just a fun little read for something different in your normal genre binges. Not for the serious reader. Touches on one minor supernatural character, but that is likely to be an introduction for the continuing series.
This is good for a change of pace. Have a GoodReads.
This is good for a change of pace. Have a GoodReads.
July 1, 2025
Frozen Bodies
At first this book is a mix of different people. By the end they have all joined the plot. The story makes sense and the people all combine for a good story. Just enjoy the ride!
At first this book is a mix of different people. By the end they have all joined the plot. The story makes sense and the people all combine for a good story. Just enjoy the ride!
November 26, 2025
I tend to avoid comedic novels as a rule due to the subjective nature of comedy, but I really enjoyed reading this book. A fast paced story in which neither the lead character nor the author took themselves too seriously.
November 21, 2025
Quirky story, a struggling author, and an unusual path.
November 24, 2025
A cut and paste job on characters, plot, and locations from so many other books, films ,and TV shows. Nothing in this book that! Would make me want to read more by this author.
November 24, 2025
Wacky humor
An easy, fun read. Characters over the top stereotypes. The set-up is totally improbable . It makes for an enjoyable read..
An easy, fun read. Characters over the top stereotypes. The set-up is totally improbable . It makes for an enjoyable read..
December 9, 2025
I thought that this was a pretty good read. Good pace, light-hearted and surprisingly entertaining.
December 28, 2025
Goofy and cute
A great little novel with engaging characters ( good guys, bad guys, ghosts) and some romance thrown in. A great book to kill a winter afternoon with
A great little novel with engaging characters ( good guys, bad guys, ghosts) and some romance thrown in. A great book to kill a winter afternoon with
January 4, 2026
This is a short, fast read. It has a strong comedic mix of people and events. Will I read the next. No. This was fun, but one is enough.
January 5, 2026
I think this book was too laidback for me. No excitement that I could discern. I won’t read anymore of this series.
January 21, 2026
I love quirky characters
This book was in writing what Peter sellers was in the Pink Panther series, fun and funny. I'll definitely read the series.
This book was in writing what Peter sellers was in the Pink Panther series, fun and funny. I'll definitely read the series.
December 1, 2025
good story and easy read
I liked this story. Good writing had me turning the pages. The characters were likeable and I enjoyed their journey
I liked this story. Good writing had me turning the pages. The characters were likeable and I enjoyed their journey
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews