Snake Eyes : An Alex Stone Novel

Rating:
Summary: Dick Tracy & Bruce Lee character combo!
Review: Alexander "Alex" Hamilton Stone, Memphis P.I., keeps his nine-millimeter, Smith & Wesson, automatic locked and loaded at all times. Good thing since he is wanted for murders he did not commit.

Gambling is still illegal in Memphis; however, that may soon change. Tennessee State Senator Milton Barnstable chairs the committee that is determined to let gambling in. ("Resolution 788")

Penelope "Penny" Harmon is Alex's secretary. She is also the only one that has Alex seriously thinking about settling down. Alex could tell from the beginning that Penny was upset. Her mother is hospitalized, yet Penny ends showing up at the casino where Alex plays Santa, A.K.A. the homeless waif. Turns out her misery is connected with his.

Through it all, Alex has recurring nightmares about Vietnam relating to a small, bomb laden girl. Alex stays sane by drawing upon his knowledge of Tai Chi, compliments of Master Li Yue Pang.

***** A modern day Dick Tracy meets Bruce Lee in the form of Alex Stone, P.I. This story has several different forms of bad guys, such as dirty senators, gangster (triad), bad cops, and computer geeks (of the highest order). Why have the generic bad guy when you can have so much more? As an added twist, Lou Diamond Phillips has a brief cameo as well.

All-in-all, this is one fast paced and in depth novel that will keep its readers off center, yet unable to stop reading. Excellent! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Rating:
Summary: A quaint world of old-fashioned mystery solving.
Review: October 29, 2004

Alexander Hamilton Stone, a modern-day Bogart type with a sense of humor is a private investigator in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. His reputation, based upon honesty, integrity, and a twenty-five year warranty on your new roof.

Penelope Harmon is the superbly beautiful devoted secretary. She constantly gives off the aura that she has had a physical relationship with Hamilton in the past and that some of it still hangs around even though nothing has ever come of their "friendly" relationship.

Hamilton receives a call from Detective Felton Isaac Bradshaw summoning him to 225 Dexter Avenue. Both men have known each other since grade school. Upon arriving at the requested location, Hamilton finds Bradshaw standing next to a barely discernible corpse.

The oddity of this encounter is that Bradshaw allows Hamilton to move the body around, as well as handle evidence without the crime scene techs present. This doesn't register with Hamilton until it is too late. He's struck from behind.

When Hamilton comes to, he discovers Bradshaw is dead!

The same day: Penny is summoned away by her mother- supposedly her forgotten stepbrother is back in town. Nicholas Sevier, a homicide lieutenant and Felton Bradshaw's partner shows up at his office. Hamilton is arrested for the suspected murder of his friend then released.

By the next day the plot thickens when the widow Bradshaw asks Hamilton to investigate her husband's murder, federal agents join the investigation, an intelligent-homeless hacker gives aide, bodies are beginning to pile up, and an APB goes out, making Hamilton again a wanted man!

I got such a kick out of this detective novel, so much that I think I was grinning from ear to ear. The other characters in this story are extraordinary, they completely hold your attention and are just as interesting, perhaps even more so, than the 1941 sleuth actors.

If you're a mystery connoisseur, you will without doubt enjoy Snake Eyes!

Reviewed by Betsie


Rating:
Summary: What A Ride
Review: Snake Eyes will rock and roll readers through the soul and controversy of Memphis on a twisting ride of adventures and thrills. Alex Stone, multi-talented private eye and main character, is fascinating. I couldn't put it down until the last page was turned. If you are looking for a book with dimension that leaves you breathless, this is one!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: Snake Eyes ~ An Alex Stone Mystery
John Jay Richardson
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN: 1-4137-3037-X

Alex Stone, a private detective finds himself wanted for three murders he didn't commit, within the first few chapters of reading. This action packed thriller is filled with murder, deceptions, and surprises.
Mr. Richardson pens an awesome tale of intrigue and suspense. His writing style is advanced and unique. The author shows you the scenes with his words. You feel you are seeing the action instead of just reading it. And there is plenty of action.
Mr. Richardson has a talent for character development. His characters are vivid and realistic. The introduction and development of Alex Stone's character is superb. He is portrayed as seemingly simple, yet is actually a very complex individual whom you learn to love while reading Snake Eyes. There are wonderful characters through out the book, villains as well as heroes.
In Snake Eyes the action never stops. Surprises never end through out the book, up to and including the very last page.
I highly recommend this book to any lover of action packed suspense.
I will caution that this is not a book for the academically challenged. The author is apparently well acquainted with the English language and uses vocabulary that is not generally found in novels.
Snake Eyes is a splendid novel. We give it our highest rating of five stars.

Lola Pierce
Chariot Rider Reviews