Synopsis/blurb….
Markham is a private
detective, but instead of a client he has a personal stake in this case. He's
the one who finds the two kids wandering along a desert highway in the middle
of the night. Their father is missing, and Markham's efforts to discover the
man's fate draw him into a dark web of crime, hate . . . and murder.
THE MAN IN THE MOON
is a 10,000 word novella from legendary author James Reasoner. It originally
appeared in the April 1980 issue of MIKE SHAYNE MYSTERY MAGAZINE and is one of
several stories about Markham, a classic Southern California private eye.
I read and enjoyed a couple of James Reasoner’s short novels
last year – Tractor Girl (review link here) and Dust Devils (here), with one
other – Texas Wind sitting neglected on the pile. I had kind of forgotten about
Reasoner until my good blog-friend, Prashant read and excellently reviewed this
short PI story a few weeks ago (here).
I’m a big fan of the PI in crime fiction, preferring this
form of investigator over more formal police procedurals. I think the one man
thing has more potential for interesting conflicts with authority when the two
cross paths. Slightly less believable sometimes and the stories can be a
stretch sometimes, but hey - I like what I like.
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On this occasion, Markham after finding two abandoned
children out on the highway and having performed his duties as a concerned
citizen; stays around and without any opposition from the local law follows his
nose and gets to the bottom of the mystery.
Reasoner crams a lot into this piece and whilst I’m not
exactly reaching for my wallet right now – I’d be interested in looking at the
other couple of Markham stories available on Amazon for less than a pound
sometime in the future.
Short and satisfying and another 4 from 5
Reasoner has written about 150 novels and many short
stories. His website is here and his blog is here.
Bought recently on Amazon.
Col, many thanks for the generous credit. "Short and satisfying" is how I'd describe this story and the kind I enjoy reading. I'm planning to read the other two Markham stories soon as well as some of Mr. Reasoner's long work.
ReplyDeletePrashant thanks for tipping me off about this one. I'll bear the other two in mind for the future.
DeleteI saw Prashant's piece on this too. Obviously an impressive author - 150 novels??!!
ReplyDeleteMoira, I think Mr. Reasoner has written more than 200 books including historical novels under his own name as well as pen names.
DeleteMoira, 150 is an under-estimate by a considerable margin apparently. Despite my enjoyment of the 3 books-pieces I have read so far, that would be a leap too far for the Library both time-wise and in regards to the purse strings!
DeletePrashant thanks for the update. I think I could well read my way through all his mysteries, as they appear to be considerably fewer in number than his historical and western fiction.
DeleteCol, you are welcome. I'm more keen to read his western and historical fiction.
DeleteI'll see what other treasures you uncover then.
DeletePrashant, have you read much of his stuff? That's an incredible figure, thanks for the info.
DeleteCol, I'm surprised you haven't got at least 100 of them tucked away in tubs...
Moira, I'm the very model of restraint when not cursing Halloween!
DeleteMoira, it is an incredible figure. I have read about Mr. Reasoner's books as well as those by his wife and award-winning author, Livia J. Washburn. They have also authored book together, I think. However, I'm afraid I haven't read anything. I'm planning to read some of his western and historical fiction in the very near future.
DeletePrashant, I hope they are good and you enjoy them - just not too good, otherwise I'll feel I have to read them!
DeleteCol - Thanks for this review - glad you enjoyed. And to both you and Prashant, thanks for the fascinating background on Reasoner. What a hard-working, prolific author!
ReplyDeleteMargot you're welcome. I wonder if he ever suffers from writer's block?
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