Aspen Pulp [Hardcover]

Patrick Hasburgh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2004

It's off-season in Aspen and former TV writer turner private eye Jake Wheeler is hired to find bimbette-in-training Tinker Mellon. Using what little he's learned from The Rockford Files and other TV detective shows, Jake's search for the cheerleader-turned-runaway uncovers a complex crime ring that lies deep within the old mines shafts of Aspen mountain.

So begins Aspen Pulp, a slalom ride of mystery for Jake and his crew of misfits and burnouts which include Hermy, the booze-swilling Swiss ski instructor, Ernie, the yokel deputy of the Aspen PD, and Winston, a loyal malamute the size of a snowmobile.

Filled with hilarious digs at its ostentatious home, Aspen Pulp is a page-turning debut.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Some lively writing and a hard, crisp look at life in Aspen, Colo.'s legendary ski mecca, overcome a familiar plot in TV producer Hasburgh's first mystery. Zingers are planted like slalom poles on every page (e.g., "The poor man was obviously suffering from acquired situational narcissism, an affliction one catches from always thinking he is the most important person in the room. There is no known cure, but the Alec Baldwin Foundation is raising research funds"), and more than half are worth reading out loud. And even though the story—former Aspen resident Jake Holmes goes off to Los Angeles, makes millions writing for TV shows like The Rockford Files, spends all of it on booze and drugs, slinks home where the only work he can find is as a private detective looking for the missing daughter of a mega-wealthy woman—would probably never make it to pilot, Hasburgh gives Holmes enough colorful company (including a giant malamute named Winston) to ease readers down the slopes while hoping for a more original narrative next time.
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Review

"Perhaps I should recuse myself because I have long been a fan of Patrick Hasburgh’s writing (we created two TV shows together). But I can’t, because Aspen Pulp, his first novel, sets a new high point for the comic novel. Patrick’s social commentary, keen sense of dialogue and funny take on life, make this book a delight."
- Stephen Cannell, author of Vertical Coffin

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (November 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312331835
• ISBN-13: 978-0312331832
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,297,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story line is cleverly designed, October 31, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aspen Pulp (Hardcover)

Former TV writer Jake Wheeler was a big success in Hollywood scripting some very popular shows, but he lost his lofty standing and his wealth to what he felt was the two "A"s: age and alcohol while the community dropped him for a string of flops. Jake returned to his hometown of Aspen struggling to make a living while drinking diet coke with sugar to overcome the "Stolichnaya Flu".

Long time friend Chief of Police Rick Rankin offers Jake work as a private sleuth. Laura Keller (whose surname is now some cereal company) needs a detective to find her missing seventeen years old stepdaughter Tinker "Bell" Mellon while her spouse (Tinker's genetic dad) is spending the season in Alabama watching football. Seeing easy money, Jake visits Laura who has tasted every male's Jimmy except his. Using Jim Rockford (rather than Mr. T) as a mentor, Jake investigates. Except for the aid of Winston (the dog) and in spite of his intimate knowledge of Rockford, Jake fumbles the ball time after time.

Readers who appreciate hours of laugher from the asides, self deprecations, puns, and buddy shots will want to read ASPEN PULP, a private investigative tale that feels more like Inspector Clouseau, Rocky Mountain amateur sleuth. Though played for laughs, the Jake is a complete person holding the plot together even when he'd rather have a "Virgin" than a "Bloody Mary". Though totally irreverent, the story line is cleverly designed so that the twists and turns down Aspen Mountain add depth while the secondary cast provides insight into the Rockford wannabe or the avalanched working class. Patrick Hasburgh opens his new series with a gold medal grand slalom run.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When is Hasburgh's next book coming out?, August 30, 2006

By 

Expat (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aspen Pulp (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As someone who lives outside of the unbelievably rich areas of Colorado, it's always fun to see what these places are really like (and yes to have some prejudices confirmed). I hope this won't be Hasburgh's only foray into fiction - finding out what happens next to Jake and the love of his life Annie would be great fun to read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A double black diamond mogul run, October 29, 2005

By 

dbk (ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aspen Pulp (Hardcover)

As "Aspen Estreme" is a movie for skiers, so is this book. It's a wild ride.A great book to take on a Ski vacation.