July 23 Giveaway
THE PICKLE MY LITTLE FRIEND
by Evan Trevane and Shawn M.
Casey
Rating: SENSUAL
The eighth victim in the Bicycle Chain murders is found dead
on his living room floor grasping a paper bag containing a pickle.
Detective Jack Carter is working on the biggest murder case of his life. Which
means, the last thing he needs is to find out that the one woman he has
feelings for might be involved in the murders.
Vicky Peik knows things, and one of those things is that her boss, Detective Jack Carter, is in over his head. Vicky has stayed a step ahead of Jack in her private investigation. Only problem is, despite her ability to sense the killer, he has managed to stay a step ahead of her. Something's wrong, and it's closer to home than Jack can imagine. Can Vicky find the killer before things go too far, and Jack can't get out?
Excerpt:
She stepped up beside me, close—too close. Shoulders nearly touching, I could almost feel her breathe, hear the faint rustle of silky fabric beneath that green dress. Suddenly, I wondered how long it had been since I’d been with a woman. Not long after Marilyn’s miscarriage. Nearly three years now. Afterwards, she had quietly sobbed in the darkness. Christ, I hadn’t realized so much time had passed, or that I had become so acutely aware of her lack of affection. Lack of affection, hell; her lack of presence.
I flared my nostrils slightly, drawing in the aroma of Vicky’s perfume. My eyes drooped as I savored the sweet, delicate scent of cinnamon. I turned, embarrassed, and rounded my desk.
I sat in my chair, careful to keep my voice official and my gaze from Vicky’s gams. “Thanks.” I focused on the photos and that pickle in Malone’s hand. “Wait!” I nearly shouted. I grabbed pen and paper and began scribbling.
Records of pickles found at crime scenes of any kind.
The use of pickles in any sort of ritual.
Anything and everything that alludes to pickles and crime.
I extended the paper to Vicky. “Get this down to research. Tell Bill to get on it right away. I want the results yesterday.”
“You got it, Mr. C.” She took the note. “Anything else?”
I looked at her. Oh yes, I thought, forcing my gaze not to traverse any farther south than her mouth, but replied, “No. That’s all.”
She smiled, saying, “Okay,” then strutted from the room without a backward glance.
I memorized every move, drank in every nuance, despite knowing each luscious step brought with it another helping of guilt. I had been fighting this feeling even before I realized it had begun. Two years ago, Vicky came to work for me. Nine months after that, Marilyn left me. We’d been divorced less than a year now. The light attraction that had existed from the moment I laid eyes on Vicky had metamorphosed into downright lust. The kinda lust it takes working until dawn to do anything about.
I yanked open the bottom desk drawer and grabbed the bottle of Wild Turkey. I snatched up the first dirty glass I saw, poured four fingers, and gulped half before collapsing back against my chair. This was going to be a long night.
Reply to this
Here, again, is THE PICKLE MY LITTLE FRIEND. Written by me as Shawn M. Casey, and my talented collaborating partner, Evan Trevane.
This piece is definitely film noir, written in the illustrious tradition of Mickey Spillane, Phillip Morrow, and Nero Wolfe. According to one reviewer, this book is vaguely reminiscent of old Humphrey Bogart films.
If you like the old fashioned, hard boiled detective stories, this story might be for you--if you like a modern twist.
Swing by our website and check out the short book trailer and reviews.
Any questions, ask away.
Reply to this
I would love to be entered in your contest. Many thanks, Cindi
Reply to this
This book is one I would really love to read.
Reply to this
what a neat book!! I would love to ahve it
Reply to this
Ooh, film noir. Speaking of Bogart, "The Big Sleep" is one of my favorite movies. Bogart and Bacall were great together on and off screen.
Reply to this
I wrote this with Bogart and Becall In mind. I have all their films.
Reply to this
You know it's always been the little things that grab me. So the first thing that springs to my mind is Why a pickle?. What kind of inspiration would cause you to make a pickle so pivotal (presumably) to a book that it's in the title. Or is the pickle a red herring (pickled of course)?
Reply to this
What was the inspiration? Heh heh. Pure dumb luck--something that is often responsible for an author's inspiration. This story was the first Evan and I wrote together, and was written on a lark with no inkling where it would lead--which is currently two completed novels, a third near completion, a superhero novella series in progress and several other novels in progress. Talk about fate! And we still manage to write our own work.
Anyway, here's how THE PICKLE MY LITTLE FRIEND came to be.
I was online with my critique partner, Kim. She was cleaning out her inbox and mentioned she got a spam email titled MY LITTLE FRIEND. The ad was for, shall we say, male enhancements. Of course, our conversation turned to, yes, you guessed, pickles. I coined the phrase THE PICKLE MY LITTLE FRIEND, then commented "Now there's a title begging for a story."
Well, a couple weeks later, we were in an online class Kim was teaching. Evan, not yet my collaborating partner, was there. In the course of the class, Kim mentioned the title THE PICKLE MY LITTLE FRIEND. Someone asked where the title came from, and I told Kim she got to tell that story! She did.
I again commented that the title was just begging for a story. Evan said "You should write it." I said, "You should write it." We went back and forth like that for a little while (something we still do,) when Kim said we should write it together.
I half-jokingly told Evan that if he wrote the first draft, I'd do the rewrite. Well, he did! Now, here we are! ROFL. I would never have guessed.
Reply to this
And here we are. The little pickle that could.
Reply to this
ROFL. Evan did write that first draft, which is how we ended up with a pickle mystery in a bag.
Reply to this
I'd love to read this one!
Reply to this
What a great book!!!
Reply to this
Wow! Sounds intriguing!!!
Andrea :O)
Reply to this
Thanks so much for all the lovely compliments, all!
Reply to this
Pickle.......that just makes me laugh! It would be interesting indeed to read this book and see exactly what the pickles mean. LOL
Deidre
deidre_durance@hotmail.com
Reply to this
wow this book sounds like it has all the suspence you need all the heart throb heart stoping you want is this in book form or just ebook I dont have one and I'd like to have the story
Reply to this
Read some excerpts for this book a few months ago on one of the loops and have wanted to read it ever since.
Hubby and I love old balck and whites - movies and television ahows. Since our 42nd anniversary is next week, shall we just say that we grew up with black and whites.!!??
Saturday mornings were great - Sky King, Roy Rogers, Annie Oakley, Fury, My Friend Flicka, etc., etc.
We are also huge fans of Sherlock Holmes movies, Bogey movies and any suspense or mystery movies.
Enjoyed reading how this title came about - cute.!!
Hoping everyone has a great day.
Storms here most of today and power comes and goes.
Reply to this
I would really like to read this story.
Reply to this
This sounds great..I just love a murder mystery
Reply to this
I'd really like to read this!
Rhonda :0)
Reply to this
I don't if I would want a "gift" that had me seeing what a killer is doing and/or know what he is thinking.
Reply to this
I'm rather proud of this short e-book. I genuinely feel we used the pickle in a unique fashion. And the way we tied Vicky in follows suit.
Reply to this