Dead Men Talk [Paperback]

Johnny Barnes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 2003

DEAD MEN TALK is a modern murder mystery, taking place in Boston where the author was a private investigator for eleven years. Johnny Barnes has been a cop for the last 18 years, outside of Boston.A dozen homicides leads this offbeat detective through Boston's rock & roll nightclubs, strip joints, and famous locations in search of a mysterious book and a serial killer. Unforgettable characters, wry humor, and the detective's odd encounters add color and excitement to this fast paced, action packed thriller.DEAD MEN TALK is a very funny throwback to the classic hard-boiled mysteries.I jumped up on the hood of the car. The moment seemed suspended in time. The radiator hissed, shooting steam straight up into the air. The smell of burnt rubber, and smoke from the tires, drifted upward.Glass from the shattered windows still rained down, landing on the car's roof and hood. A rolling hubcap clattered on down the alleyway, finally circling a few times, and clanging to rest. Then there was a sudden and deep silence... but I was still focused on the man at the end of my gun sights.DEAD MEN TALK reads like a movie and would translate well into film.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in New Bedford, Mass. Johnny attended boarding school in the Berkshires and played harmonica in a weekend blues band in New York City's Greenwich Village in the late '60's. After 2 years at U-Mass Dartmouth, Johnny moved to Boston where he drove a taxicab, attended Berklee School of Music and Harvard University Extension School majoring in Zen Buddhism. Johnny Barnes sang and played guitar in all of the famous nightclubs in Boston with many of rock and roll's legends, producing and releasing a dozen records. Local airplay and intense record company interest led to a hit song in England and work with legendary producer, Jimmy Miller (The Rolling Stones, Blind Faith with Eric Clapton, Traffic with Steve Winwood.) Barnes moonlighted, helping manage Boston's largest live music nightclub, The Channel, where his band opened for numerous major acts through the '80's and early 1990's. Barnes was a paralegal investigator for law firms, and an operative and operations manager for Boston area private detective agencies. Johnny worked for Massachusetts's Legal Services, the Mass. ACLU, and was a subcontract homicide investigator for the state's Committee for Public Counsel. Since 1991 Barnes has been a full time Police Officer, an FBI trained Hostage Negotiator, and a Detective.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (March 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410707938
• ISBN-13: 978-1410707932
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,745,989 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, April 19, 2004

By 

Betty J Dixon (Boston, Mass.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Men Talk (Paperback)

I was just looking for a quick mystery to read but got much more. Being from Boston I was intrigued by the setting of the book [Boston] and while reading it I enjoyed recognizing places I know well. Only someone who knows both the city and it's crime could write about it this accurately. I was also impressed with the easy humor that Johnny Barnes incorporates into the dialog. The dialog flows easily and naturally and some of the best laughs come at some of the tensest moments. [as all good laughs do!] Written before the much touted book MYSTIC RIVER, by Dennis Lehane,[another local boy] DEAD MEN TALK, has the same quality characters and real life setting. They both posess an ability to write from inside the different characters heads, not just the lead character. In my opionion this book [as stated on the back cover] could easily be translated into film.
I recently read an article about the author and it stated that he has completed a second book titled, SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD which continues the saga of lead character Jack Kelly. I will definetly read it. Johnny Barnes obviously is able to write and having been in police work for over 20 years adds all the authenticity one needs to write a good murder mystery. My only complaint was that it could have been longer because the characters were enjoyable. Hope there's lots more Jack Kelly to come!