Dark and, at times, amusing fiction from award-winning author Dave Zeltserman

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

What readers are saying about Julius

"Fun in mysteries is back!"

"Really different and GOOD"

"A delightful book"

"Very cleverly done"

"Clever, funny, and very satisfying"

"Great read! The authors writing style is one that drew me in and kept me wanting to know what happened next."

"A joy to read"

"Very nice surprise"

"A very enjoyable read. Anyone who likes private eye mysteries would enjoy this book immensely."

"Imaginative and fun"

"Delightfully urbane"

Julius Katz mysteries have won Shamus, Derringer, and Ellery Queen's Readers Choice awards. If you haven't discovered Julius and his highly unique sidekick, Archie, isn't it about time that you do?


Saturday, May 25, 2013

Monster in the UK

I'm happy to report that Duckworth Publishers have published a trade paperback version of Monster for the UK.

Monday, May 20, 2013

A small taste of ARCHIE SOLVES THE CASE



(a small taste of ARCHIE SOLVES THE CASE)
 
What I went through with the Widow Quayle was downright pleasant compared to Jason Heckle, an investor Quayle had cheated out of a very large sum of money, at least according to a lawsuit Heckle had filed that was dismissed thanks to some very clever maneuvering on Quayle’s lawyer’s part. When I called him, he asked whether it was so that Julius could prove that he was the one who murdered Quayle.
“Did you?” I asked.
He giggled at that and said, “If I did I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”
“Okay. So you know what Julius wants to talk to you about. Are you willing to come in?”
“I don’t believe that would be very prudent. Why hand the great genius detective the rope to hang me with?”
“You could convince him you’re innocent.”
“That could be difficult,” he said. “And even on the off-chance that I am innocent, I don’t see any reason to make things easier for him.”
He was having fun with this. I could hear the amusement in his voice, and it annoyed me. I felt the annoyance with the way my processing cycles were slowing down, as if flowing through molasses.
“Yes or no, will you meet with him?”
“I’d say no.”
“So you’d rather have Julius dig into every aspect of your life than consent to a one-hour meeting?”
“Oh, I’m sure he’d do that anyway.”
He hung up on me. As I’d mentioned, he annoyed me, and he did so enough that I hacked into the IRS database, as well as his bank and brokerage accounts, and found several interesting discrepancies that could get him in hot water. When I called him back I mentioned these discrepancies. His tone changed then as he asked me how I found out about that.
“Julius and I are both very good at what we do.”
“So you’re blackmailing me now.”
“Call it what you want. Just ask yourself whether you’re more afraid of an IRS audit or Julius pinning a murder rap on you. If you hang up on me now, that will help him even more than if you agreed to come in and meet with him.”

Click to purchase ARCHIE SOLVES THE CASE

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

My two stories that seem to fool everyone

I've written two stories that seem to fool just about everyone--Old Wives' Tales, that's in my recent ARCHIE SOLVES THE CASE collection, and A Hostage Situation, in my ONE ANGRY JULIUS & OTHER STORIES collection. Both stories have plenty of clues to their twist endings, but when I read these at book events no one has so far gotten either one, nor readers I trade emails with.

I'm going to make the following offer--if you read either of these stories and figure out the twist before you get 3/4s of the way through, I'll take your word for it and send you a kindle copy of either THE SHANNON NOVELS, FAST LANE, or BLOOD CRIMES, your choice.


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

ARCHIE SOLVES THE CASE is now available for Kindle!

ARCHIE SOLVES THE CASE  features the latest novella in the award-winning Julius Katz mystery series. When the great detective finds himself stumped in proving his client didn't murder a rival chef over a stolen recipe, it's left up to Archie to save the day. Also in this collection are four additional stories including my amusing PINK WIGGLY THINGS and my ultra noir 'TIL DEATH DO YOU PART.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The gift of weeds for Mother's Day?

Normally I wouldn't suggest giving a gift of weeds for Mother's Day, especially not killer weeds, but a book full of Aukowies would certainly make a unique and memorable gift.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Ames Library on The Caretaker of Lorne Field

“The Caretaker of Lorne Field” is fast-moving with a “Twilight Zone” atmosphere. Jack is the ninth generation of Durkins to weed Lorne Field. If the field is untended, an Aukowie monster will grow. At one time, the caretaker position was a high honor. But 300 years have passed and most have lost respect for the position, the family, or the ancient contract. As the evidence of a lack of threat and calamities mount, Jack questions his own sanity while struggling to protect the world.

More of Ames Library recommendations can be found here.