Nasty

manuscript review by Publishers Weekly, an independent organization

Nate Jepson (a.k.a. "Nasty") is a solid entry into the P.I. hall of fame. He's a rugged and tough ex-Marine who mistrusts traditional law enforcement and who has few but loyal friends. His first person prose is punctuated by phrases along the lines of: "There was bacon, of course, and I could swear I detected some maple syrup hanging in the air like a sadistic sibling holding a lollipop just out of the reach of his younger sister." His other culinary interests include burritos, popcorn, coffee and big hamburgers. His manners may be rough, but he's charming enough to earn the trust of pretty motel concierges and pseudo-good guys. In fact, one of the latter will end up in his car with a bag full of drug-laced beef jerky, putting him in the midst of an Asian mafia power-grab that endangers not only his life but the lives of all of his friends. Sure, it's a big coincidence, but any guy who keeps a security camera in a garden gnome justifies the necessary suspension of disbelief. After some classic genre metaphors and a significant amount of note passing, Nasty makes a final attempt to bring peace back to his neighborhood. The scenery and history of the Pacific Northwest play a nice supporting role.

Amazon Top Reviewer
I liked the premise of this story and also the author's style of writing. The interesting meeting of the two characters in this body of text was well done and actually quite interesting in each approach. The opening lines in the story reminded me of the narration of the main character in any of the old "film noir" movies of the early days in Hollywood. I would most likely purchase this book and I know without a doubt that I would definitely read it.

Character That Grabs You, January 19, 2008

By	Carolyn Howard-Johnson "Author 'This is the Place,' 'Harkening,' 'Tracings' and 'The Frugal Book Promoter'"

Nate. Ignatious.

He's a character that grabs you instantly. I want to know more about him. Seedy but with a philosophical side. Also a little off-center. Not sure quite where his philosophizing takes us but that is part of the fun. This is a novel. We'll want to read more to understand what the hell he's talking about, what the hell he's doing. I can see this guy in a series. And I'm willing to go along for the ride. That's all one can expect, really, from the first chapter, from the first few pages, from an excerpt. And this delivers a lot more. I've got the setting, the voice, the character and a whole lot of interest.

Not sure about the title, though. Catchy title, nickname, etc. But maybe a turnoff for those who want tons of action, great characterization, don't even mind a little lowlife stuff? Hard to tell. Before I published it under that name, think i'd run it by a focus group. Would you BUY this book? Titles are easy to change if one finds it necessary, right? Titles can't negate a great story. Titles aren't about the work, mostly, but about the marketing.

I'm giving this five stars for the writing in its genre.
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Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This Is the Place, Harkening, and Tracings, a chapbook of poetry.