David H. Hendrickson

Private Eyes: Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem: Issue 1 opens with a brief introduction by Publisher Leah R. Cutter. In her essay titled, “Why Start A Mystery Magazine, she details her reason for starting the magazine and includes links to the various resources she used to bring the project to life.

That is followed by “Life of a P.I. - Just the Facts on Private Investigators” by Geoff Symon. This essay details the differences between private investigators and police detectives for those new show more to mysteries, and in general, crime fiction. The piece details some of the differences for P.I.’s across various states, their various roles in fiction, and how what they can and will do in real life is far different than fictional portrayals.

Then is on to the short stories. Those tales begin with “A Longshot Worth Betting On” by David H. Hendrickson. Operating out of a seedy bar, maybe the seediest in town, is Private Investigator Mick Flanagan. His latest client is one Gino Lombardi, salesperson, and somebody quick to say he is no relation to Vince Lombardi. He comes to hire Mr. Flanagan to deal with a problem that his son, soon to enter college football and ultimately the NFL, is having with a certain blackmailer. Tony Lombardi is a junior in high school. He is captain on his football team because the linebacker has skills. Flanagan had his own brief pro career so he understands that any hiccup between now and his pro career could end his football future. He also knows that the kid has enough problems without his jerkoff dad making things worse. The kid needs help regardless of dear old dad. The real question is how to go about it and end the blackmail threat.

Publisher Leah R. Cutter is up next with “Going Deeper” where Heather works in an underground bunker. She is a forensic account and reviewing the books of Quintekon, Incorporated. The books are perfect. In fact, too perfect. Everybody makes mistakes, computer systems are not perfect, etc., and yet these accounting records are absolutely perfect. Her fiend, Chelsea, agrees that something is not right. She also has a plan for Heather to be forced out of her comfort zone and become, at least for a little while, an amateur detective.

While the main character of the previous story was an amateur in terms of working as a private detective, Helen Hartsock is no amateur. She has been a private investigator for many years. Her current case has taken her to a certain laundromat in “The Definition of Crime” by Kari Kilgore. She is back in the place and again working undercover while awaiting the arrival of Martha Phelps. She isn’t the only one awaiting the arrival of somebody.

Readers are taken to the future in “The Fish” by Nicole Givens Kurtz. In this time, the beat cops are known as District Regulators and technology has made massive advances. Murders still happen and Inspector Regulators Fawn Granger and Briscoe Baker are chasing a psychotic killer known as “The Fish.” They are in a race to save lives as he kills and kills again.

This is a futuristic police procedural tale reminiscent of the Eve Dallas Mystery Series though there is no romance angle at work here. These are cops going about their jobs and both are glad to be off of patrol and working cases as investigators. While there is a refence to Granger having walked away from police work quite some time earlier, that reference is in regard to the street patrol. This is clearly not a private investigator story. It is also a good one.

Dottie Lundegaard is used to being ignored and shuffled aside despite the fact that she notices things others don’t. It is the times she lives in as the Depression was not that long ago. Being ignored and marginalized is a way of life that extends to her brother who does not want her involved in his latest case. She soon is and that is a good thing too as there is a child involved in “A Resourceful Girl” by Cate Martin.

It is back to contemporary times in “Buster” by Juliet Nordeen. Lady private investigators can be tough too and the woman known to all as “Buster” fits the bill. Her latest client is Mrs. Alyssa Trotter. It is March 2020 and Covid-19 is just starting to rear its ugly head. Mrs. Alyssa Trotter is facing what very possibly is the end of her marriage. She has been married a little over three years to her doctor husband and she is sure he is stepping out on her. She needs help and has the money to pay though it is clear that some surveillance alone is not going to solve her problem.

It is the early 80’s and Miss Missy LaForce needs a private investigator. She found one in Amelia Pepper in “Comparison Shopping” by Michele Lang. It could also be said that Amelia Pepper found her. Missy LaForce is dealing with a stalker, but there is a lot more going on and at stake in this tale that brings the issue to a close.

While one story does not fit the stated private investigator premise and there are a few typos throughout the read, overall, this is an interesting and enjoyable issue. Set across various time periods, the tales in the issue are almost all told from the view point of the female main character. A notable exception is the opening story by Mr. David H. Hendrickson. That tale also entails a classic private detective setup and situation though the subject matter of the case is not at all common.

Overall, Private Eyes: Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem: Issue 1 is an enjoyable read and well worth your time. The tales involved are complicated as are the characters and their situations. Plenty of action and adventure where nothing is straightforward or easy. While the language might be, on occasion, too graphic for some as curse words are used in a few instances, graphic violence does not happen in the read. It is an interesting issue and this reader enjoyed it. You just might as well.

Material picked up to read and review late last month by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2022 show less

After a short introduction by Publisher Lea R. Cutter where she expresses her love of stories of theft, the tales begin with “The Rehab Archipelago” by Michele Lang. The job went horribly wrong for Goldman. His stroke really messed up the plan. He survived, but there are several serious issues so he is now in a rehab facility. If that was not bad enough, he does not have the money, can’t get to it, and Vladimir will be coming.

“Bubba’s Blunder” by David H. Hendrickson is next and show more is a prequel to the 2013 novel, Bubba Goes for Broke. Bubba Winslow and Ralphie are on assignment for the boss. Bubba is not the smartest person around as Ralphie keeps pointing out to him. All they have to do is find the right kind of car and swipe it. Then, once they find the car, all Bubba has to do is get the stolen wheels to the chop shop. What could go wrong?

While a car was the item to be stolen in the last job, the theft is far less tangible in “The Fabulous Feats of Billy” by Kari Kilgore. Fabulous Feats, LLC, will either take off or be a total disaster in so many ways for all involved. It is up to Billy Jones which way it goes. He has a plan.

While some describe how food is placed and presented to the diner is a form of art, in “Sushi à Volonté” by Melissa Yi, a certain type of food is made into wearable art. The Montreal artist, Miyuki Ando, takes sushi and creates necklaces, earrings, and more. She has a thriving business. She isn’t about to let a thief ruin her business.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Captain Kent Harper has a case. It isn’t exactly what he should be doing as boss of the Spokane Special investigations unit, but rank does have privileges. In “Gone Gold” by Dianna Deverell, Harper uses his rank and his long dormant investigative skills to work a theft that is very important to the victim.

It took a long time to get it, but the Stop N’ Shop convenience store is all his and Stuart Michaelson intends to keep it that way in “Bobby and Pete” by Jason A. Adams. He thinks his world is pretty set. The theft of a can of cat food leads to a lot more.

Thanks to Leti, he was able to lift the cellphone from La Madrina without her knowing. Hopefully, it will have the proof they need in “The Fall of La Madrina” by Cate Martin. If it does not and she figures out what they have done, the consequences for them as well as many others will be dire.

It had taken awhile, but Jacob has a good job again with insurance benefits in “Tiny Dreams” by Leah R. Cutter. He finally has put his past behind him and is on the straight and narrow. An overnight theft at the warehouse could jeopardize everything and he is not going to let that happen.

“Libby’s Millions” by Juliet Norden is next and is the last read in the issue. As the title “Libby’s Millions” by Juliet Nordeen indicates, the tale features Libby Ortiz and her millions. She has over seven million reasons to keep going day after day. Unfortunately for her, the money is not in her direct possession and she is unable to get to it either. The thought of getting to where it is stashed is the motivation that keeps her going now. The fact that a glitch could make her lose it all is terrifying.

Thieves and thefts of all types drive the tales in Thieves: Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem: Issue 2. Much like the first issue, Private Eyes: Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem: Issue 1, the issue is entertaining and runs the crime fiction gamut of a little violence to a lot. Complicated tales along with complicated characters and situations make for another fun issue and a read well worth your time.

Material picked up back in late May by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account in order to read and review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2022 show less