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Monochrome Noir #3
A Fatal Flood
A down-on-his-luck private investigator who loves whiskey as much as he loves solving cases. An outcast medical technician with a heavy heart and an unnatural ability. A brutal killer with a mysterious agenda.
Welcome to Monochrome Noir , a detective story set in an alternate version of 1986 Los Angeles. It is a grayscale world, where items of color are the rarest of commodities, owned by few and coveted by many.
As the stakes grow ever higher, P.I. Henry Hardcastle is in a race against time to solve the Colorist’s case, even as fresh developments threaten to derail his investigation. Charlie Grant uses her unique ability to revisit the previous crime scenes, uncovering new clues, while also putting herself in grave danger. The mysterious killer finds his next victim, the last one standing between him and his vendetta of vengeance.
Welcome to Monochrome Noir , a detective story set in an alternate version of 1986 Los Angeles. It is a grayscale world, where items of color are the rarest of commodities, owned by few and coveted by many.
As the stakes grow ever higher, P.I. Henry Hardcastle is in a race against time to solve the Colorist’s case, even as fresh developments threaten to derail his investigation. Charlie Grant uses her unique ability to revisit the previous crime scenes, uncovering new clues, while also putting herself in grave danger. The mysterious killer finds his next victim, the last one standing between him and his vendetta of vengeance.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2022
About the author
Jack Wells
6 books149 followersJack Wells is a burgeoning author located in Northern Utah. He has been writing on and off since grade school, though most of his early works are comprised of bad poetry and even worse song lyrics. Some of his more serious writing experience includes penning amateur reviews of movies, novels (multiple genres), and video games for various websites.
The chapter excerpt from "Monochrome Noir" in "Strange Stories: Vol. 1" marks his first physical publication of an original tale. "Monochrome Noir" started out as a short story, in answer to a publishing call, but is currently being expanded into a full-blown novel. It will be released in four parts, with the first part having been published in September of 2021.
When not putting pen to paper, Jack can be found spending time with his sweet but quirky family, hiking, kayaking, and sipping whiskey by his fire pit. One can often catch Jack taking spontaneous late night road trips throughout northern Utah with the latest retro synth music providing a surreal soundtrack.
Outside of all the fun activities, Jack spends much of his time herding cats as a beleaguered government employee.
The chapter excerpt from "Monochrome Noir" in "Strange Stories: Vol. 1" marks his first physical publication of an original tale. "Monochrome Noir" started out as a short story, in answer to a publishing call, but is currently being expanded into a full-blown novel. It will be released in four parts, with the first part having been published in September of 2021.
When not putting pen to paper, Jack can be found spending time with his sweet but quirky family, hiking, kayaking, and sipping whiskey by his fire pit. One can often catch Jack taking spontaneous late night road trips throughout northern Utah with the latest retro synth music providing a surreal soundtrack.
Outside of all the fun activities, Jack spends much of his time herding cats as a beleaguered government employee.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 19, 2022
Decidedly my favorite installment of Monochrome Noir thus far! Full disclosure -- PI/Gumshoe type novels are typically not my thing, but this series is so much more than that! A dash of sci-fi, a pinc of horror. Along with the action and character development, Wells has a knack for building in beautiful little moments that enhance the story. Little sidenote sentences that bring something extra. One that stuck with me was Henry racing through a parking lot in a literal life-or-death situation, with people around:
"Every single one of them seemed frozen in place, stunned by the strange scene unfolding before them. But they were no longer neighbors. No longer strangers or passing acquaintances. They were obstacles."
"Every single one of them seemed frozen in place, stunned by the strange scene unfolding before them. But they were no longer neighbors. No longer strangers or passing acquaintances. They were obstacles."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2022
I love Love LOVE this book. Review to come.
January 31, 2023
Having finished all four parts of Monochrome Noir before writing this review, I have to say, part III is my favorite. Where in book 1 we saw the scene for the story laid, and part 2 gave us a little more depth to the characters, part 3 sees the plot starting to come together. In my mind it really picked up the pace of the story and I wanted to read faster and faster as the action became more intense! It really set the stage for the conclusion to come in part 4!
So far in the series we have been introduced to Charlie, Joe, Henry, and Des separately, and in part 2 we saw how Des connected with Charlie when he brought her into the case. This installation of the series further shows us how Charlie is connected with Joe, and gives a little background on his gift (and a glimpse of Charlie's future). Best of all, we see the beginning of an unlikely partnership/friendship between Charlie and Henry. Despite having just met, there are many clues to the fact they are somewhat kindred spirits and the connection is further cemented by the events that take place at the end of part 3 (no spoilers!).
In addition to the growing relationship between Charlie/Joe and Charlie/Henry, we also learn a bit more about the killer and his methods, through Charlie, and see the murderer continue his spree in the worst act yet. Add that to a little suspicion cast on the colorist when Henry visits her and you have the scene for a conclusion you can't wait for!
So far in the series we have been introduced to Charlie, Joe, Henry, and Des separately, and in part 2 we saw how Des connected with Charlie when he brought her into the case. This installation of the series further shows us how Charlie is connected with Joe, and gives a little background on his gift (and a glimpse of Charlie's future). Best of all, we see the beginning of an unlikely partnership/friendship between Charlie and Henry. Despite having just met, there are many clues to the fact they are somewhat kindred spirits and the connection is further cemented by the events that take place at the end of part 3 (no spoilers!).
In addition to the growing relationship between Charlie/Joe and Charlie/Henry, we also learn a bit more about the killer and his methods, through Charlie, and see the murderer continue his spree in the worst act yet. Add that to a little suspicion cast on the colorist when Henry visits her and you have the scene for a conclusion you can't wait for!
May 22, 2023
I just finished "Monochrome Noir, A Fatal Flood" by Jack Wells. This is book 3 in a 4 book series and OMG, this story is freaking amazing!! Saying I loved it is so understated, this series is the best set of stories I think I've ever read! Highly, highly recommend!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews