Past Tense

John Marshall Tanner #12

by Stephen Greenleaf

When his friend, police lieutenant Charlie Sleet, breaks into sudden acts of violence, San Francisco PI John Marshall must unearth the repressed memories at the heart Charlie's corruption and vigilantism to put an end to the killing. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Stephen Greenleaf got a B.A. from Carlton College in 1964 and a J.D. from the University of California at Berkely in 1967. Stephen Greenleaf served in the United States Army from 1967 through 1969, and was also admitted to the California Bar during that period, with subsequent numerous legal positions.

Stephen Greenleaf studied creative writing at the University of Iowa in 1978 and 1979, (the Iowa Writers Workshop) with the subsequent publication of his first Tanner novel in 1979. Mr. Greenleaf has written fourteen John Marshall Tanner books to date, with his latest being Ellipse. All the novels are situated in San Fransico, and Stephen Greenleaf also lives in northern California with his wife Ann.

Series:
* John Marshall Tanner Mystery

Reviews

[Eric_W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanner is stunned when his old friend Charle Sleet, a cop, pulls a gun in the courtroom and blasts a man on trial for sexual abuse of his daughter who is seeking damages after recovering her memory of the abuse years later. Then two others turn up dead.

Sleet's actions are so out of character that Tanner and his friends investigate. Sleet is of no help. He pleads guilty at the arraignment (reversed by his lawyer whom he didn't want), won't speak to any of his friends, and refuses to cooperate in any way. No one has a clue why Charlie would embark on this killing spree.

This one is truly suspenseful. It leaves the reader just as much in the dark as Tanner and the reader has to piece the puzzle together along with the protagonist. The ending is a real shocker which asks just how far we might be willing to go to support a close friend. Excellent.

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do most of my reading these days on a e-reader or tablet. Only problem is some times you find a good author and you can't find much of his work being published electronically.

Damn shame, because Stephen Greenleaf is a good writer. I hope Mysterious Press or somebody finds a way to publish his Tanner series.

If you stumble on this one, you're in for a good read.

Consider yourself lucky.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 12th John Marshall Tanner mystery, all set in California and explosive with the state's politics, money and foibles. In this one Marsh has to figure out why Charley Sleet goes on a killing spree. Always a good cop and never known to go to the dark side, Sleet's actions are unbelievable. It will take good friends and a great investigator to unravel the knots that bind Sleet's soul.

What I like about Greenleaf's writing is his noir, but not the 50s overdone black and white noir with short snappy dialogue that lashes the brain. Greenleaf writes naturally, almost as one thinks and with just enough of the inside dialect and idiom to be believable. He's also more clearly moral and upstanding not given to righteous outrageous behavior as the old pulps are prone.

Wish Greenleaf was still writing those Marshall Tanner thrillers.... (ps. Stephen Greenleaf did not found Greenleaf in Ashland, Oregon - that was Daniel, no relation).

[Seth Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was really rough. For all his travails and disappointments, Marsh always had a drive to keep going and keep trying stuff. This book puts him through the fire like never before and the ending leaves you wondering how he'll come back. Like all of the books, it taps into the secrets we keep from those we're closest to and the hidden tragedies we never get past. Perhaps the darkest, most punishing chapter of all in this series.

[Roxy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Greenleaf took good notes from Chandler and Hammett and wrote smart mysteries; love 'em all.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

WOW, this book really upset me! All that effort to help a friend only to get killed in the end for no reason. Very disappointing ending!

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong entry in a strong series. John Marshall Tanner, San Francisco P.I. goes forth once again to do battle with the insidious and growing forces of evil. But this is a different kind of evil. The series is dark, occasionally uncommonly so, and PAST TENSE is more of a noir novel than many. It is also a long way past merely being tense. Author Greenleaf winds the springs to excruciating tension, then a few notches farther.

Charlie Sleet, long time San Francisco police detective and Tanner have, over the years, been close, have helped each other on difficult cases, played poker together and supported each other in several of life’s more difficult circumstances. Now this honest cop seems to have gone seriously astray. Tanner learns that Sleet has suddenly risen in open court, drawn his weapon and killed a man. That the man very likely needed killing is irrelevant. Sleet is now in jail refusing to see anyone. His friends are worried and Tanner must try to find some way to explain and alleviate the circumstances that have put his friend in harm’s way. But the more he probes, the murkier and more dangerous the situation becomes.

In the process of trying to help his friend, Tanner must delicately examine a number of current issues in our society, issues that are among our most explosive. His skill as an investigator is evident on almost every page. Complicating things, Greenleaf reintroduces another surprising side of Tanner, a side that illuminates and informs us in
powerful ways.

As the case winds up and then winds down, Tanner is trapped in a moral quagmire with no apparent way out. And then, in a final stunning scene, Greenleaf will freeze your heart.

[Barbara Messenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something about Greenleaf's writing that holds my interest. Could be the edgy and believable characters, the well constructed plot, and the dialogue that reminds me of Ed McBain. All first rate.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author writes decent books.

[Laurie (Kwiltreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending is a cliff hanger.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most heartrending books of the John Marshall Tanner series, and not because of romance. Because of JMT's relationship with his best friend. So good, these books.