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Luke In Time #1
The 9 Lives of Marva DeLonghi
Luke and Lyle have gotten used to investigating lost pets and cheating spouses. That’s all washed-up private detectives are good for. Then Marva DeLonghi walks into their office.
Someone’s out to kill her but her story's vague. Hungry for a challenge and a decent payday, they accept her case anyway.
When a tip from a gambling river rat leads them to a rundown gentleman’s club to question a mysterious criminal named Laser, the night ends fatally for Luke and Lyle.
How then does Luke end up outside her office eavesdropping on Marva propositioning Lyle to find the perp who wants her dead? Was Luke’s death a dream, déjà vu, or something worse?
Someone’s out to kill her but her story's vague. Hungry for a challenge and a decent payday, they accept her case anyway.
When a tip from a gambling river rat leads them to a rundown gentleman’s club to question a mysterious criminal named Laser, the night ends fatally for Luke and Lyle.
How then does Luke end up outside her office eavesdropping on Marva propositioning Lyle to find the perp who wants her dead? Was Luke’s death a dream, déjà vu, or something worse?
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2023
19 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Jody J. Sperling
10 books37 followersJody J. Sperling is a novelist, podcaster, husband, and father. He's obsessed with writing the best books and showing other authors how to make the best books bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 3, 2023
What a roller coaster ride. I don't normally read mysteries, let alone supernatural/fantasy/paranormal ones, but once I settled into the gritty world and got to know the host of colorful characters it was a non stop read to the satisfying finale.
I'm curious to see where the series goes, and the author has left plenty of loose ends waiting to be unraveled by our intrepid Detective Luke.
I'm curious to see where the series goes, and the author has left plenty of loose ends waiting to be unraveled by our intrepid Detective Luke.
February 24, 2023
Books usually don’t take me this long to read. But I had to take this one slow. It was like reading all the possible outcomes of a game of Clue.
On one hand the characters seemed 2-dimensional and cliche but as the story continues they all gain depth.
The story itself kept me interested and kept me guessing. I gave it four stars for the writing and the originality but I have yet to decide if I like it.
But I will be reading the next book.
On one hand the characters seemed 2-dimensional and cliche but as the story continues they all gain depth.
The story itself kept me interested and kept me guessing. I gave it four stars for the writing and the originality but I have yet to decide if I like it.
But I will be reading the next book.
May 4, 2023
Mystery/thriller hasn't been my genre in a long time, but I took a chance with this book. I was a little off-put at the beginning, but I stuck with it, and it took me on a roller-coaster of twists and thrills! I was invested in Luke and Lyle. I enjoyed the story immensely and will be reading book 2 when it comes out.
May 26, 2023
When I started reading "The 9 Lives of Marva DeLonghi" I wondered why nobody, up to now, had ever done a crime/noir version of Groundhog Day. It sounds like a natural. It has to be grittier than the film, of course, instead of waking up every morning on repeat, you have to die for the reset to happen. Then each iteration gets you a little closer to solving the case. Clues have a price, so to speak. Jody Sterling's characters, Luke and Lyle, are an engaging pair. She drinks, smokes, and swears like a Cossack (if Cossacks drank bourbon), and he's such a compulsive eater of junk that he should have the waistline of a walrus. Marva, on the other hand, is a bundle of lies and misdirections. She's the client. Her life is threatened. By whom??? And why... The mystery is engaging and creative, even if the resets start to grate after a while, which is the whole point. Wouldn't you get crabby if, like Luke, you were doomed to retrace your steps with knowledge of what came next, inevitable, unless you deployed treasures of imagination to get the needle out of the groove. This is a fun read and the writing is superb. Sperling is talented and wicked sharp. Go for it.
May 10, 2023
I was hooked from the first page. Loved the characters and their quirks, the chain-smoking Luke and her perpetually noshing partner give me a spin on the suspended-disbelief rollercoaster, and I'm so here for it. The noir feel with an almost Sin City vibe with a humorous twist had me turning page after page. Get it. Read it. Then read it again. You won't regret it. ...now, I kinda wanna be a PI...
October 17, 2025
WTF was that?
June 6, 2023
Tried to like it
I really liked the premise, but the execution was just not good to me. The “hero” is totally unlikable. She and her partner have atrocious character tics that are shoved down our throats and fall into caricature. The very convoluted resolution takes way too much “dialoging” to convey. I like mysteries to lead me to the solution, not just tell me about it at the end. I thought I’d found a new series to read, but just barely made it thought this first book. Not bothering with the rest of it.
I really liked the premise, but the execution was just not good to me. The “hero” is totally unlikable. She and her partner have atrocious character tics that are shoved down our throats and fall into caricature. The very convoluted resolution takes way too much “dialoging” to convey. I like mysteries to lead me to the solution, not just tell me about it at the end. I thought I’d found a new series to read, but just barely made it thought this first book. Not bothering with the rest of it.
May 27, 2024
I hope anyone reading this takes it with a large grain of salt. This isn't the type of book I'd usually choose and it's no surprise I'm sat wondering what to give the story for a rating. I believe if this is your cup of tea, it would be quite a great one.
The audio is the moodiest thing I've ever listened to. The VO has a sexy, smoky, transatlantic meets jazz bar vibe. The theatrics of it all was fantastic. It did make it tough sometimes to understand and higher listening speeds were tough so just give yourself the time.
The story was really interesting, very meaty by the end and SO much left for the next in the series. I however wasn't always really into how things evolved. Again, a huge caveat to my personal preference.
The characters surprised me. I was really expecting these big caricatures you get in the beginning of the story to stick, like a 50s sitcom, but they did get deeper and I loved that development.
The writing was fantastic. Jody knows how to write and the style was super slick. It should have felt kitchy and flat but it wasnt. And this is where my struggle comes in with rating it... Will I read the next book, probably not. Should you read this book, absolutely. If you're here there's probably a reason, and if that reason is something in it sounds like you like it, you really will. This book serves its intended reader well. And though I'll go back to my fairy tales and galactic adventures, you won't be disappointed. 😉
The audio is the moodiest thing I've ever listened to. The VO has a sexy, smoky, transatlantic meets jazz bar vibe. The theatrics of it all was fantastic. It did make it tough sometimes to understand and higher listening speeds were tough so just give yourself the time.
The story was really interesting, very meaty by the end and SO much left for the next in the series. I however wasn't always really into how things evolved. Again, a huge caveat to my personal preference.
The characters surprised me. I was really expecting these big caricatures you get in the beginning of the story to stick, like a 50s sitcom, but they did get deeper and I loved that development.
The writing was fantastic. Jody knows how to write and the style was super slick. It should have felt kitchy and flat but it wasnt. And this is where my struggle comes in with rating it... Will I read the next book, probably not. Should you read this book, absolutely. If you're here there's probably a reason, and if that reason is something in it sounds like you like it, you really will. This book serves its intended reader well. And though I'll go back to my fairy tales and galactic adventures, you won't be disappointed. 😉
February 19, 2023
Hard-boiled detectives meet Groundhog Day.
For Luke Mia, the Private Eye game is a dead-end vocation. She tough, she’s brass, and she’s nobody’s fool. Not even Marva DeLonghi’s.
But, with each of Marva’s 9 lives, I fell more and more in love. Not with Ms. DeLonghi, but with the partners of MK Detective Agency. No spoilers will be given here, but I will say Luke Mia and Lyle Kuputchnik give their all to their case. There are twists and turns in this fresh-take-on-modern-sleuthing tale you never see coming. Again and again. And...again.
There is plenty of action. Plenty of deception. Plenty of snacks. A nymphomaniac with sadistic fetishes. Skull-embedded shrapnel. And even a guy with an ax. There's also more heart than the chain-smoking, Magdalene-drinking Luke Mia would ever confess to.
This story is clever and well-paced. And, if I may say, a little sad. Whether it’s chases, near-misses, edge-of-your-seat thrills, or your own belief you might be able to solve this mystery ahead of our heroes, there’s something for everyone in this tale of corruption, grit, magic, and friendship. I highly recommend you discover these things by picking up a copy and discovering them for yourself.
And, with that, I think I’m going to go get myself a ham and cheese hoagie, pour my own glass of bourbon, and wait impatiently for book 2.
For Luke Mia, the Private Eye game is a dead-end vocation. She tough, she’s brass, and she’s nobody’s fool. Not even Marva DeLonghi’s.
But, with each of Marva’s 9 lives, I fell more and more in love. Not with Ms. DeLonghi, but with the partners of MK Detective Agency. No spoilers will be given here, but I will say Luke Mia and Lyle Kuputchnik give their all to their case. There are twists and turns in this fresh-take-on-modern-sleuthing tale you never see coming. Again and again. And...again.
There is plenty of action. Plenty of deception. Plenty of snacks. A nymphomaniac with sadistic fetishes. Skull-embedded shrapnel. And even a guy with an ax. There's also more heart than the chain-smoking, Magdalene-drinking Luke Mia would ever confess to.
This story is clever and well-paced. And, if I may say, a little sad. Whether it’s chases, near-misses, edge-of-your-seat thrills, or your own belief you might be able to solve this mystery ahead of our heroes, there’s something for everyone in this tale of corruption, grit, magic, and friendship. I highly recommend you discover these things by picking up a copy and discovering them for yourself.
And, with that, I think I’m going to go get myself a ham and cheese hoagie, pour my own glass of bourbon, and wait impatiently for book 2.
April 10, 2024
A Detective's Quest for Redemption and Truth
It intricately weaves together the lives of complex characters like Marva and Debbie, adding layers of mystery and moral dilemmas.
The book is full of suspense and philosophical questions, making it an engaging read for those who enjoy stories that prompt reflection on justice, friendship, and the possibility of changing one’s destiny.Through the detective’s relationships and choices, the story delves into the gray areas of human actions and their repercussions.
Final thoughts: It’s a thought-provoking story that combines elements of mystery, fantasy, and drama to explore the depth of human emotions and the complexities of trying to undo the past.
A compelling read for anyone interested in stories about overcoming the past and the intricacies of human morality.
It intricately weaves together the lives of complex characters like Marva and Debbie, adding layers of mystery and moral dilemmas.
The book is full of suspense and philosophical questions, making it an engaging read for those who enjoy stories that prompt reflection on justice, friendship, and the possibility of changing one’s destiny.Through the detective’s relationships and choices, the story delves into the gray areas of human actions and their repercussions.
Final thoughts: It’s a thought-provoking story that combines elements of mystery, fantasy, and drama to explore the depth of human emotions and the complexities of trying to undo the past.
A compelling read for anyone interested in stories about overcoming the past and the intricacies of human morality.
March 20, 2023
What do you get when you cross the works of Friedrich Dürrenmatt with The Twilight Zone? Something very close to The 9 Lives of Marva DeLonghi! This book was a delight to read; the cast of characters is so original - a pleasure in this day of 'prefab stereotypes' that so many novels churn out. There is a strong Lyotardian 'undercurrent' here: metanarratives that no longer scaffold the collective edifices 'we' have built. I found myself in the same place I was in when I read The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien or The Swimmer by John Cheever: total immersion that disbelief suspends once you have agreed to the authors perception(s). Highest recommendation.
May 28, 2023
Jody Sperling has a unique way of writing The 9 Lives of Marva Delonghi. I won’t give away the secret but to say I have never read it story as Mr Sperling has created.
Ground Hog Day, the Bill Murray movie comes to mind. I found myself intrigued and couldn’t stop reading. As often happens when I come across a book I am thoroughly engaged in, I want to continue reading to get to the end but I also want to savor every word and I don’t want the ride to end. So I slow way down because I love reading so much. That doesn’t happen often but it did occur with The 9 Lives of Marva Delonghi.
I already have Sperling’s next book on tap and I look forward to starting that soon.
Ground Hog Day, the Bill Murray movie comes to mind. I found myself intrigued and couldn’t stop reading. As often happens when I come across a book I am thoroughly engaged in, I want to continue reading to get to the end but I also want to savor every word and I don’t want the ride to end. So I slow way down because I love reading so much. That doesn’t happen often but it did occur with The 9 Lives of Marva Delonghi.
I already have Sperling’s next book on tap and I look forward to starting that soon.
June 21, 2023
I listened to the audiobook version of The Nine Lives... and absolutely loved it. The narrator is pitch perfect as Luke, supporting story-telling by Jody J Sperling that is just sublime. At first, there is a millennial Philip(pa) Marlowe vibe to the hand-to-mouth gumshoe and her partner, but soon things have begun to twist into a dimension of their own. Without giving too much away, the plot is intriguing, the characters captivating and the language is - for want of a better word - beautiful. There are odd little throw away aphorisms that are priceless. The ebb and flow of changing pace through the story-telling are superbly orchestrated. Can't wait to read the next one!
June 4, 2023
amazing!
This story had me hooked from the first few chapters, the idea of reliving the same days over and over again after you die is interesting.
This book did take me a few days to read but I was thinking about it while I wasn’t reading it. What would I do in certain situations, (probably not eat as much as Lyle even though I do that now)
I love that this book is part one of a series and I can’t wait to start reading the next books to watch the story continue!
This story had me hooked from the first few chapters, the idea of reliving the same days over and over again after you die is interesting.
This book did take me a few days to read but I was thinking about it while I wasn’t reading it. What would I do in certain situations, (probably not eat as much as Lyle even though I do that now)
I love that this book is part one of a series and I can’t wait to start reading the next books to watch the story continue!
September 11, 2023
This was a well-written, fun book. I usually don't read mystery thrillers, but I enjoyed this very much. I liked take-no-prisoners Mia Luke and her no-nonsense approach, especially with how she handled Lyle and all the men around her to keep them in line. Lots of neat twists and turns. The author has a great sense of humor too. I smiled and laughed a lot as I read. I highly recommend it for anyone who is into mystery and sleuthing stories.
October 8, 2023
This is a great noir detective novel with a slathering of the supernatural. It's got all the tropes but in a creative way that settles you right in. Sperling delivers on characters and story, creating panache only a cynical, sarcastic detective from the back alleys could deliver. I really liked the read and the feel of this novel.
July 17, 2023
This is noir, but not as you likely know it. The author uses an intriguing premise but does not rely on a gimmick. Instead, he gets the reader to care what will happen to both Luke and Marva in each part of the story.
September 8, 2023
Gripping narrative from the first sentence. Currently reading and as an author myself, his defining ability to hook readers right from the start with his abrupt yet riveting style of writing has genuinely inspired me👍👍👍
June 6, 2024
Sperling is a master with words. The pictures that he paints are incredibly vivid, and occasionally made my skin crawl in the best possible ways. When I thought I could predict how the story would unfold, the rug would consistently be pulled out from under me. And that ending? *chef's kiss*
July 15, 2024
Not your standard gum-shoe detective book. It has all the familiar trappings of a Raymond Chandler or Lee Child, but then hits you with a twist and keeps twisting. Hard-boiled, gritty, original, funny, and heartbreaking. You'll love it!
February 27, 2023
Funny and unexpectedly romantic. Who wants to kill Marva? Does it even matter? And how much food can one man eat it a day?
May 9, 2023
very interesting. I like Luke
Kept my interest to the very end. I have seen this plot setting before. This was well played. Will read the next one.
Kept my interest to the very end. I have seen this plot setting before. This was well played. Will read the next one.
May 10, 2023
There are two modern noir novels worth reading. Noir by Robert Coover and 9 Lives of Marva by Sperling. That’s it.
August 30, 2023
If you like Noir fiction, you'll love this. Just be warned it does have a twist, but this still keeps you reading to the end, and wanting more.
I'll definitely be continuing with this series.
I'll definitely be continuing with this series.
September 28, 2023
As serious as it is absurd. Mystery, death, death, death, death, death, and death. Original voice, interesting story, great characters, strong writing.
Hells-to-the-yeah on this one.
Hells-to-the-yeah on this one.
May 21, 2024
3.5 / 5
*Review to come*
*Review to come*
June 22, 2024
Jody Sperling knows how to weave a compelling engaging story. I love detective stories and this one is worth the read. Very unique and highly recommend!!
July 19, 2024
It was interesting and suspenseful, but sometimes I found the plot kind of confusing.
December 20, 2024
Review to follow shortly
July 8, 2025
This was excellent!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews