The Long Way to Die

by James N. Frey

Joe Zanca, an ex-boxer turned private detective, is hired by a dying woman to find and bring back her missing teenage daughter

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1987

About the author

James N. Frey is an American novelist and acclaimed writing teacher, best known for his influential guide How to Write a Damn Good Novel. He has authored both fiction and non-fiction, including thrillers and several popular books on writing craft. Frey taught at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1994. He continues to lecture on creative writing at various conferences and institutions. His fiction has earned critical recognition, including an Edgar Award nomination. Frey lives in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Jeffrey Philips · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Frey was nominated for an Edgar for this book. "Zank the Tank" is a great character. The first chapter ends this way, "Charlotte's no lady,Zank. She's Adolf Hitler with tits." "Don't make no difference to me. I just work for her, I ain't gonna father her children." And thus, Zank is thrown into a great mystery.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: a woman is dying and wants to see her missing daughter; she hires ex-boxer and now PI, Joe Zanca, to find her.

[JoAnn Ainsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t like the title, but the story is good.

Had trouble with the set up because I couldn’t tell what it told me about the hero, but once it got started, I enjoyed it a lot.