Jason S. Ridler

This mystery is supposed to echo classic mysteries of the 1970s. Which ones, I am not sure since the heyday of the great pulp mysteries was over by then. While we did still have the marvelous John D. MacDonald and Travis McGee, Elmore Leonard was just then switching from westerns to his goofy con men. Mostly the 1970s was full of spies and Cold War thrillers.

In any case, while there is nothing wrong with setting a mystery in 1970 (two years after the Tet Offensive as stated), it helps if the show more writer or editorial staff actually knew anything about 1970. This book is full of anachronisms.

* Plastic trash bags were invented in 1965 and the first ones for home use were sold in late 1960s. They were not popularized till the 1980s. 1970 is too early for our hero to be using them, because he is broke and they were a luxury.
* The minimum-skill actress who was hired to deceive our hero is being paid $20 per hour. The California minimum wage at the time was $1.65.
* Designer jeans did not exist in 1970. Calvin Klein jeans, considered by the fashion press to be the first designer jeans, were not introduced till 1983.
* Police did not use the Crown Vic(toria) NOT CROWN VICKS until much later. California street cops used the Plymouth Belvedere.
* The Big Mac was sold in all McDonalds from 1968, but whether our cash strapped protagonists would have shelled out for one if there happened to be a McD near them is unlikely.

While ticking all of these bloopers plus the typos ("deep friars") is fun, it makes for a bad reading experience and I quit before finishing.

I received a review copy of "Hex Rated" by Jason Ridler (Skyhorse) through NetGalley.com. show less

This is the 2nd Brimstone Files novel, which is an occult detective series that's set in the 70s and emulates the style of pulp mystery from that era. I liked the first novel, but this time around not so much. The hero, James Brimstone, just came off as an unlikeable jerk for way too much of this book, and the "plot" seemed to mostly consist of him randomly wandering from one place to another and coincidentally stumbling across clues. Then there's the book's MacGuffin, the Black Lotus, which show more is a mystical flower, lost since prehistory, which is used as a drug that seems seems to randomly either turn you into a berserker, kills you, acts a super steroid, or heals you depending on the needs of the plot. This one put me off so much that if there's a third one, I'll probably pass on it. show less

Well, that was a cool splash of water across my face! Refreshing, funny, encouraging without being too madly so (after all, the writing biz is a tough slog no matter how you approach it), and filled with useful tips, Ridler’s latest effort is well worth a read.
He describes his struggles with gaining acceptance as a writer, outlines the little bursts of joy that happen occasionally that keep us going, pushes back at all those “how to make a million writing fan fiction in a year” piles show more of trash that are killing trees for no reason.
Ridler hasn’t had an easy go of it, but his optimism shines throughout. Like a weeble, he wobbles but never falls, and I am agog in admiration at all he has managed to do in his diverse and vaguely madcap life.
It’s just the book I NEEDED to read, as I struggle through revisions to my novel and wonder if anyone will really a. care if I get it right or b. read it at all. My creative mind is stuck in that project and I can feel it turning grey. No longer! I feel all pinked up after this delightful, gossipy, fun take on the writing/publishing industry.
Full disclosure- I know Jay from years ago and have watched in admiration as he copes with the slings and arrows- he’s altogether a great guy.Buy his book. You won’t regret it. I’m going to keep it on my “read when blue” list.
Oh, and did I mention- he has a whole list of intriguing books at the end of the book- by authors I am looking forward to meeting. Can’t wait to get started. But first, I think I’ll write a little something. My muse just woke up and she’s laughing. show less

Now I don't normally read vampire books, to me they've become too domesticated in the past decade, to the point that I can't take them seriousness. This book however sounded more interesting and slightly different.

The book follows two very different people, Malcolm the streetwise kid who bets on the fringe fights for his abusive brother, and Milkwood the punch bag who loses every fight. The story then picks up the pace when Malcolm finds out Milkwoods vampiric secret and they plot together show more to win money to change both of their lives.

All of the characters in the book are colourful and very varied, not the usual stereotypes, and combined with a very fast paced story makes this quite a page turner. There is quite a bit of wrestling/fighting lingo used in the book, something I found helped give depth to the story although some could find this confusing if they are not used to the lingo.

Overall I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would, Milkwood is not your normal young, attractive (or sparkling) vampire which was refreshing and the story had plenty of twists. If your a fan of vampire stories which aren't aimed at youngster, or a fighting fan then you will find this well worth reading.

The novel was received in exchange for an honest review. show less