Book Title: Fast Times, Big City by Shelly Frome
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 284 pages
Genre: Historcal Escapade, Crime Fiction
Publisher: BQB Publishing
Release date: March 2024
Content Rating: PG. My book is rated PG for the times some of the mob characters utter mild curse words
~ International Impact Award ~
~ Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite ~
~ Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite ~
5.0 out of 5 stars Madcap Romp Through the Fifties!
Fast Times, Big City says it all as we are treated to not one, but two, and maybe peripherally even three or four major cities, as the action jumps from Miami to New York City to mentions of Havana and even Dublin. And once the action gets rolling, it never stops. But it's action unlike any that's ever been mishmashed together before. In a madcap romp involving a runaway nubile starlet and a silver briefcase we have gangsters, mobsters, grifters, beatniks, buskers, beat poets, method actors, hot off the press reporters, precocious kids, wisecracking detectives, smarmy street dealers and meddling families. Along the way we pick up several famous and infamous characters who make an appearance for a scene or two and then reappear later with a more interesting role. Some only have a walk-on and are never seen again. But everything ends up wrapped up neatly with a bow and even sprinkled with some sugar on top at the very end.
I found this to be extremely humorous and tongue-in-cheek and firmly ensconced in New York City and Miami of the Fifties. The scenery, down to the food, clothing, music and art, were so well depicted that I felt like I was along for the ride with Bud. This is truly a unique tale and a must read for those who love a type of noir you don't find every day.
-- review by DTChanel
Fast Times, Big City says it all as we are treated to not one, but two, and maybe peripherally even three or four major cities, as the action jumps from Miami to New York City to mentions of Havana and even Dublin. And once the action gets rolling, it never stops. But it's action unlike any that's ever been mishmashed together before. In a madcap romp involving a runaway nubile starlet and a silver briefcase we have gangsters, mobsters, grifters, beatniks, buskers, beat poets, method actors, hot off the press reporters, precocious kids, wisecracking detectives, smarmy street dealers and meddling families. Along the way we pick up several famous and infamous characters who make an appearance for a scene or two and then reappear later with a more interesting role. Some only have a walk-on and are never seen again. But everything ends up wrapped up neatly with a bow and even sprinkled with some sugar on top at the very end.
I found this to be extremely humorous and tongue-in-cheek and firmly ensconced in New York City and Miami of the Fifties. The scenery, down to the food, clothing, music and art, were so well depicted that I felt like I was along for the ride with Bud. This is truly a unique tale and a must read for those who love a type of noir you don't find every day.
-- review by DTChanel
Book Description:
Like most people, Bud Palmer felt this was just another day. Though the era was drawing to a close, he assumed his life as a sports columnist in the subtropics, in keeping with the benign fifties itself, would go on as predictable as ever. But that particular autumn morning he was thrust into a caper that was totally beyond him, forced him to leave Miami and take the train to Manhattan, and suddenly found everything in this restless "Big Apple" was up for grabs, at a dicey turning point.
Like most people, Bud Palmer felt this was just another day. Though the era was drawing to a close, he assumed his life as a sports columnist in the subtropics, in keeping with the benign fifties itself, would go on as predictable as ever. But that particular autumn morning he was thrust into a caper that was totally beyond him, forced him to leave Miami and take the train to Manhattan, and suddenly found everything in this restless "Big Apple" was up for grabs, at a dicey turning point.
Historical Novels with Mystery are a very intriguing read. Fast Times, Big City by Shelly Frome is the latest book in this genre that I have read.
WOW, this book really captivated me from the very first chapter. The setting is 1950's in New York City. The main character of this book is Bud Palmer. Bud Palmer is a sports reporter from Florida and he has to head to New York to help his Uncle Rick. His Uncle is a Private Investigator and they have a mystery they need to solve. The mystery involves a Mobster, Al Escobar, and the missing Briefcase. I found this book to be so interesting as the Mobsters, Poker Games and so much of this book truly is what the 1950's were all about. I am also born and raised in Chicago, where the Mob was very prevelant, even in the 70's when I was born. I really enjoyed all the characters in the book, although I would say Bud was my favorite. The book was really well researched by the author. I had never read a book by Shelly Frome, but now I am excited to read many more by this author. The book is filled with Mystery, Suspense, and a lot of History. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Mystery! WONDERFUL BOOK!
Amazon
B&N ~ Bookshop.org ~ Kobo
add to goodreads
Shelly Frome is a member of Mystery Writers of America, a professor of dramatic arts emeritus at UConn, a former professional actor, and a writer of crime novels and books on theater and film. He also is a features writer for Gannett Publications. His fiction includes Sun Dance for Andy Horn, Lilac Moon, Twilight of the Drifter, Tinseltown Riff, Murder Run, Moon Games, The Secluded Village Murders, Miranda and the D-Day Caper and Shadow of the Gypsy. Among his works of non-fiction are The Actors Studio: A History, a guide to playwriting and one on screenwriting, Fast Times, Big City is his latest foray into the world of crime and the amateur sleuth.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads
0 comments:
Post a Comment