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Hallam Mysteries #2
Dead Stick
A HIGH-FLYING MYSTERY SET IN OLD HOLLYWOOD—A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR NOVEL WITH INTRIGUE.
Given Lucas Hallam's background, it’s not surprising that he’s easily able to find work as an extra on the sets of various Hollywood westerns. This retired Texas Ranger gets a lot of work as stuntman and other work—work that isn't as much fun—as a private detective. It is in this role that Lucas finds himself hired to work on the set of Death to The Kaiser!
This is the first time Hallam has had the opportunity to be around an aviation picture. He’s worked on a couple of war films, but—like most of his breed—Hallam regards a job he can do from horseback as a job worth doing.
His first day on set, one of the biplanes battling in the sky has engine failure and starts falling, and Hallam is tasked with stopping the sabotage on set. But since Count Wolfram von Ottenhausen—one of Germany's leading aces during WWI—was hired for the movie, the KKK has been ruffling feathers …
“Set in the 1920s, this intriguing mystery marks the return of likable Lucas Hallam … True-to-life characters with a dash of 1920s seasoning contribute to a satisfying read.” —Publishers Weekly
Given Lucas Hallam's background, it’s not surprising that he’s easily able to find work as an extra on the sets of various Hollywood westerns. This retired Texas Ranger gets a lot of work as stuntman and other work—work that isn't as much fun—as a private detective. It is in this role that Lucas finds himself hired to work on the set of Death to The Kaiser!
This is the first time Hallam has had the opportunity to be around an aviation picture. He’s worked on a couple of war films, but—like most of his breed—Hallam regards a job he can do from horseback as a job worth doing.
His first day on set, one of the biplanes battling in the sky has engine failure and starts falling, and Hallam is tasked with stopping the sabotage on set. But since Count Wolfram von Ottenhausen—one of Germany's leading aces during WWI—was hired for the movie, the KKK has been ruffling feathers …
“Set in the 1920s, this intriguing mystery marks the return of likable Lucas Hallam … True-to-life characters with a dash of 1920s seasoning contribute to a satisfying read.” —Publishers Weekly
302 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 22, 2023
A couple of months ago, I read and thoroughly enjoyed Livia Washburn’s first book in the Lucas Hallam series, Wild Night. I knew I would return to the character and series soon and so I’ve made it a point to do so. There’s something about early Hollywood, the Prohibition era, and detectives that always stirs my soul and it doesn’t hurt when you have a high-quality writer behind the story.
This second novel is, I believe, even better than the first. Lucas, former Texas Ranger and current private detective (in addition to working as a stuntman/extra in western movies) is hired by a studio to determine what is behind some recent sabotage. It seems somebody doesn’t want the latest picture to be complete, perhaps because of the subject matter as evident in its title: “Death to the Kaiser!” The incidents of sabotage have gotten worse and may be aimed at one of the stunt pilots who just happens to be a former WW1 German ace. But when a young pilot is killed, Lucas knows the stakes are high and the culprit(s) must be brought to justice.
As in the first novel, this one seamlessly meshes the detective genre with that of a western novel. Lucas is an old cowboy and lives up to the high standards of hard, honest work while standing firm in the face of danger. A side plot surrounds his evolving relationship with his main squeeze, but Lucas gets the distinct feeling that may be headed in the wrong direction.
Looking forward to book number three.
This second novel is, I believe, even better than the first. Lucas, former Texas Ranger and current private detective (in addition to working as a stuntman/extra in western movies) is hired by a studio to determine what is behind some recent sabotage. It seems somebody doesn’t want the latest picture to be complete, perhaps because of the subject matter as evident in its title: “Death to the Kaiser!” The incidents of sabotage have gotten worse and may be aimed at one of the stunt pilots who just happens to be a former WW1 German ace. But when a young pilot is killed, Lucas knows the stakes are high and the culprit(s) must be brought to justice.
As in the first novel, this one seamlessly meshes the detective genre with that of a western novel. Lucas is an old cowboy and lives up to the high standards of hard, honest work while standing firm in the face of danger. A side plot surrounds his evolving relationship with his main squeeze, but Lucas gets the distinct feeling that may be headed in the wrong direction.
Looking forward to book number three.
April 9, 2022
LJ Washburn – Lucas Hallam Bk 2 - Dead Stick – Reviewed 4/8/22 – Read 4/5-6/22
Hallam has his feet in the air, and he is not sure he likes it!
Lucas Hallam's next job is to find out who is trying to sabotage the filming of “Death to The Kaiser!” Lucas was talking to some of the men on the set, when they heard the cough and sputter of one of the biplanes. They watch in horror, knowing that it would take skill to land the plane without crashing. The odd thing was that Count Wolfram von Ottenhausen, one of Germany’s leading aces during WWI, was supposed to have flown that very plane, and the story begins.
We join Lucas while he works in a world that he does not know and is not sure he ever wants to know! The world of planes. But someone is trying to stop this movie, and now Lucas wants to stop them…
What did I like? After the wild west, the next generation I love is the twenties, just where this series is set. The life, the people and the new discoveries are wonderful, plus I love the dancing. Now, Lucas is learning to accommodate the times even though he would much rather be back on his horse, drinking, marshaling, etc.
What will you like? This book is sure full of action; Lucas can stir up a hornet's nest without even trying. The killers are now after him, and it’s no surprise, but watch out because they have gone too far and killed someone he liked. The next adventure in the Lucas Hallam series by LJ Washburn, “Dead Stick,” is available NOW!!!
• ASIN: B09T8W4NB3
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 3/23/2022
• File Size: 3039 KB
• Print Length: 267 pages
• Genre: Noir Crime, Hard-Boiled Mysteries, Mystery Series
Hallam has his feet in the air, and he is not sure he likes it!
Lucas Hallam's next job is to find out who is trying to sabotage the filming of “Death to The Kaiser!” Lucas was talking to some of the men on the set, when they heard the cough and sputter of one of the biplanes. They watch in horror, knowing that it would take skill to land the plane without crashing. The odd thing was that Count Wolfram von Ottenhausen, one of Germany’s leading aces during WWI, was supposed to have flown that very plane, and the story begins.
We join Lucas while he works in a world that he does not know and is not sure he ever wants to know! The world of planes. But someone is trying to stop this movie, and now Lucas wants to stop them…
What did I like? After the wild west, the next generation I love is the twenties, just where this series is set. The life, the people and the new discoveries are wonderful, plus I love the dancing. Now, Lucas is learning to accommodate the times even though he would much rather be back on his horse, drinking, marshaling, etc.
What will you like? This book is sure full of action; Lucas can stir up a hornet's nest without even trying. The killers are now after him, and it’s no surprise, but watch out because they have gone too far and killed someone he liked. The next adventure in the Lucas Hallam series by LJ Washburn, “Dead Stick,” is available NOW!!!
• ASIN: B09T8W4NB3
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 3/23/2022
• File Size: 3039 KB
• Print Length: 267 pages
• Genre: Noir Crime, Hard-Boiled Mysteries, Mystery Series
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews