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Paul MacDonald #2
Huckleberry Fiend
After stealing the original manuscript of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from a stewardess' closet, Booker, a partially reformed kleptomaniac, hires private detective Paul McDonald to find its rightful owner
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
180 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
Julie Smith
266 books404 followersAuthor of 20 mystery novels and a YA paranormal adventure called BAD GIRL SCHOOL (formerly CURSEBUSTERS!). Nine of the mysteries are about a female New Orleans cop Skip Langdon, five about a San Francisco lawyer named Rebecca Schwartz,two about a struggling mystery writer named Paul Mcdonald (whose fate no one should suffer) and four teaming up Talba Wallis, a private eye with many names, a poetic license, and a smoking computer, with veteran P.I. Eddie Valentino.
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 20, 2016
I liked this better than some of Smith´s other series, probably because of the humor and Donald-Westlake-like feeling of the finding and losing (repeatedly) part of the handwritten manuscript of Huckleberry Finn. It´s full of clues and red herrings along with the Mark Twain fans and their different ways of honoring Mark Twain. Altogether a fun and quick read. Probably more like a 3.5 star rating.
August 20, 2018
I really enjoy mysteries with an element of historical truth and this was awesome. It's good to go back to the 1980's sometimes when the world was a little different and cell phones and digital software didn't rule our lives. I loved the Huck Finn trail and followed it avidly. It's ironic that after the author published, many elements proved accidentally true.
The narrative is heavy and detailed, which can make for a confusing read. I forgot sometimes who was who and what had happened when, finding myself constantly searching back and forth to orientate myself again. But it's a wholesome read. It's definitely value for money and quite old school in the face of the 25 page novellas on offer nowadays.
Side note - I dislike the narrator, Paul. I can't help it. I just think he's an idiot. That coloured my view somewhat. If you're looking for Jack Reader, you ain't gonna find him here. Not unless he fights with a library card...
The narrative is heavy and detailed, which can make for a confusing read. I forgot sometimes who was who and what had happened when, finding myself constantly searching back and forth to orientate myself again. But it's a wholesome read. It's definitely value for money and quite old school in the face of the 25 page novellas on offer nowadays.
Side note - I dislike the narrator, Paul. I can't help it. I just think he's an idiot. That coloured my view somewhat. If you're looking for Jack Reader, you ain't gonna find him here. Not unless he fights with a library card...
October 31, 2025
Paul & Sardis are at it again, this time investigatimg a stolen original manuscript of Huckleberry Finn (as in, handwritten by Mark Twain himself!) that was stolen, then stolen again. In the couse of these thefts, at least one person was murdered. Who would want this manuscript so bad that they would kill?
It again felt like a hard-boiled detective story, but with much more wit. Paul & Sardis are still trying to figure out their relationship (Are they serious? Casual? Exclusive? Just having fun?) Paul & Blick still trade insults like a couple of potty-mouthed children. There are several threads, making the story confusing & convoluted in parts, but they all come together to make a satisfying end. Amd the Washoe County Library? Definitely google pics.
It again felt like a hard-boiled detective story, but with much more wit. Paul & Sardis are still trying to figure out their relationship (Are they serious? Casual? Exclusive? Just having fun?) Paul & Blick still trade insults like a couple of potty-mouthed children. There are several threads, making the story confusing & convoluted in parts, but they all come together to make a satisfying end. Amd the Washoe County Library? Definitely google pics.
April 28, 2023
Paul's friend, Booker, has come across a copy of what just might be a genuine, handwritten portion of the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Booker wants Paul to find the rightful owner of the manuscript & get it back to them.
This is a twisty book & mystery. It's a bit much to keep organized. If you are a Mark Twain fan, you will love this book.
I found no reason for the author to use quotes from Twain's work that have the n word. It had no reason to be included. (I'm aware that this novel was written in the mid 80s. I don't care.)
This is a twisty book & mystery. It's a bit much to keep organized. If you are a Mark Twain fan, you will love this book.
I found no reason for the author to use quotes from Twain's work that have the n word. It had no reason to be included. (I'm aware that this novel was written in the mid 80s. I don't care.)
March 12, 2018
A good second book, wish there were more.
If your Huckleberry Finn fan you get a bonus in this book. For me there was a little too much Mark Twain memorabilia in the book but the characters and the Mystery made it all worthwhile. I liked the two books in this series and would have liked to have another one available.
If your Huckleberry Finn fan you get a bonus in this book. For me there was a little too much Mark Twain memorabilia in the book but the characters and the Mystery made it all worthwhile. I liked the two books in this series and would have liked to have another one available.
November 22, 2019
Always more to know.
I highly recommend reading this book (with a dictionary nearby).........................WIKIPEDIA is a handy reference, too!
I laughed and giggled as well as being amazed. I thought I had an extensive Southern vocabulary but had fun realizing my shortcomings.
This would be great holiday travel reading. Enjoy.
I highly recommend reading this book (with a dictionary nearby).........................WIKIPEDIA is a handy reference, too!
I laughed and giggled as well as being amazed. I thought I had an extensive Southern vocabulary but had fun realizing my shortcomings.
This would be great holiday travel reading. Enjoy.
August 8, 2018
Good but a bit too literary at times
The storyline, pace and writing style were excellent with a good dose of humour. Towards the middle I t got bogged down into excessive literary quotations and intelligentsia talk which was rather annoying.
I enjoyed the moral ending.
The storyline, pace and writing style were excellent with a good dose of humour. Towards the middle I t got bogged down into excessive literary quotations and intelligentsia talk which was rather annoying.
I enjoyed the moral ending.
May 24, 2018
A woman who ran away with her daughter is being pursued by unknown people. Anyone who had contact with her before her disappearance, is being threatened or killed. Very good mystery!
August 2, 2018
Nothing great. Sorry, can't recommend.
August 18, 2018
This is truly one of the most amazing, well-plotted, entertaining books I've read in quite some time.
December 3, 2018
A novel novel
Great storyline. Great history. Great imagination. This is as good as it gets. Even ends well. Great read. Thanks for an evening.
Great storyline. Great history. Great imagination. This is as good as it gets. Even ends well. Great read. Thanks for an evening.
December 5, 2018
Surprisingly enjoyable
If you like your mystery dark and Chandleresque this may not be your cup of tea...or it may just be. Lighthearted and intricate.
If you like your mystery dark and Chandleresque this may not be your cup of tea...or it may just be. Lighthearted and intricate.
March 21, 2019
Interesting enough story but I had to start skipping bits as it was dragging
September 19, 2019
This book is really good! I had a lot of fun reading it. Besides being a very humorous account of a murder mystery, it also is a great homage to Mark Twain, one of my favorite authors.
August 7, 2022
Set in San Francisco, this light-hearted romp traces the theft and multiple re-thefts of a Mark Twain manuscript among a set of eccentric Twain collectors.
February 15, 2019
HUCKLEBERRY FIEND is a book made for bibliophile mystery fans, so there’s no wonder I had such a good time reading it.
Our plot (which knows it’s ludicrous and knows we’ll find it ludicrous and revels in its own ludicrousness) centres on a former journalist, Paul, who comes into possession of the lost original manuscript of THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN. But, before he’s really decided what to do with, it’s stolen from him. He then gets it back, before – almost as swiftly – its stolen from him again. It would all be funny to him too, if there weren’t murders involved. As he investigates what the hell is going on, he meets all kinds of colourful characters who are interested in getting their mitts on the book, creating a full-on noir – with guns and menace and femme-fatales – while not leaving the library set.
I haven’t read THE ADEVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN since I was about eleven years old, and so fear that some of the literary allusions may have gone over my head. But still I had fun in the twists and turns of its plot and the general absurdist hard-boiled feel of it. Our protagonist is someone who is out of his depth and knows he’s out of his depth, but keeps a good humour about it anyway – and that makes for an engaged guide through the knotty and, apparently gun filled world, of antiquarians.
Our plot (which knows it’s ludicrous and knows we’ll find it ludicrous and revels in its own ludicrousness) centres on a former journalist, Paul, who comes into possession of the lost original manuscript of THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN. But, before he’s really decided what to do with, it’s stolen from him. He then gets it back, before – almost as swiftly – its stolen from him again. It would all be funny to him too, if there weren’t murders involved. As he investigates what the hell is going on, he meets all kinds of colourful characters who are interested in getting their mitts on the book, creating a full-on noir – with guns and menace and femme-fatales – while not leaving the library set.
I haven’t read THE ADEVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN since I was about eleven years old, and so fear that some of the literary allusions may have gone over my head. But still I had fun in the twists and turns of its plot and the general absurdist hard-boiled feel of it. Our protagonist is someone who is out of his depth and knows he’s out of his depth, but keeps a good humour about it anyway – and that makes for an engaged guide through the knotty and, apparently gun filled world, of antiquarians.
February 12, 2015
I've read many of Julie Smith's novels, mostly taking place in New Orleans, with a couple in San Francisco. This is perhaps one of my favorites in that it combines a good mystery with information about Mark Twain and how far some wealthy people will go to obtain holographs. A missing part of the original Huckleberry Finn novel is discovered, stolen multiple times, and results in several murders that Paul Mcdonald must solve. The cast of characters is interesting, and there is truth to the actual missing part of Twain's writing.
October 28, 2013
This was a very well written story with all the twists and turns and dead ends needed for a great story. Lots of humor, a touch of romance, mystery, a little sex and murder, everything plus a jaw dropper ending. The characters are well developed and very likable. Paul and Sardis make a wonderful team, working together without really having to talk. I loved Booker the rich cat burgler, especially his conscience! It's a great read and one you will enjoy. Highly recommend.....
January 14, 2015
Loved i
I enjoyed reading about Mark Twain, (Samuel Clemmons) greatly. A very neat little mystery to be sure. And I'm getting to like the main character and his girl Friday. If you like noir, you'll like this book. More!
I enjoyed reading about Mark Twain, (Samuel Clemmons) greatly. A very neat little mystery to be sure. And I'm getting to like the main character and his girl Friday. If you like noir, you'll like this book. More!
January 16, 2015
Clemen-see Granted
I enjoyed the humor, pun my sole, I did. I confess I guessed the wrong villain more than once, but I didn't feel manipulated by the author. I was happy she held off the obligatory graphic sex scene long enough so I wasn't distracted by it.
I enjoyed the humor, pun my sole, I did. I confess I guessed the wrong villain more than once, but I didn't feel manipulated by the author. I was happy she held off the obligatory graphic sex scene long enough so I wasn't distracted by it.
March 17, 2014
Manuscript of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn found, lost, found, lost, found.
Clever.
One character is a good thief.
Clever.
One character is a good thief.
July 13, 2015
Julie Smith lets Paul Mcdonald get into some interesting cases. "Huckleberry Fiend" lets you into the world of collecting great works of literature. Kept me reading!
April 30, 2016
it was ok. not as good as her other stuff
May 24, 2020
The second book in the Paul MacDonald series. Interesting and entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews