The Dirt Peddler (Dick Hardesty Mystery S.) [Paperback]

Dorien Grey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dick Hardesty Mystery S. | Publication Date: August 2003

Tony T. Tunderew's latest barely-fictionalised novel about the scandalous behaviour of a governor has earned him overnight success. Previously an obscure junior executive, he's now writing a second book, which promises to dig up even more dirt, and certain people are very nervous about what kind of inside information he might have picked up. With an ongoing battle with his publisher over rights to the second book, a looming divorce, and blackmail, Tunderew needs a private investigator. Since he suspects a gay man of being the culprit, he turns to gay detective Dick Hardesty.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Hardesty becomes a kind of everyman with explorations of relationships along with his detective work, warrants our highest award. -- Cynthia Penn, Word Weaving

Unique gift of vivid characterization makes this book and the series both tease the brain and touch the heart. -- Ralph Higgins, Wayves (NS)

Well-thought out plot, interesting characters, terrific voice in protagonist Hardesty, and humor and sex - most engrossing! -- J. Alan Hartman, Knowbetter.com

About the Author

Dorien Grey may have started out as the alter-ego of a lifelong book and magazine editor, but in the course of the writing of the Dick Hardesty mystery series, he's taken on a life of his own. Most people live one life, in one time, and in one body. Dorien considers himself lucky to have no such constraints–he is Dick Hardesty; he lives in Dick Hardesty's world, and what Dick feels, Dorien and his creator feel. All three are hopeless romantics who share a deep rooted if offbeat sense of humor, and a fascination with words and the power of language.

Always writing with the reader in mind, Dorien considers each of his books a kind of conversation with the reader, and invites the reader to join Dick in solving the mystery. Because the clues are always there, though Dick doesn't always recognize them, the reader is sometimes a step or two ahead of him–which is fine with Dorien.

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: GLB Publishers (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879194724
• ISBN-13: 978-1879194724
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,468,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've always resented reality. It is far too capricious and too often unkind and unfair. I avoid reflective surfaces whenever possible. Being a writer allows me to create my own reality, and worlds over which I have some degree of control.

I'm an incurable romantic. I believe strongly in things which reality views too often with contempt, such as happy endings, true love, and the baic goodness of people.

The one personal characteristic in which I take great pride, and which has been my rock throughout life is that I never, ever, take myself too seriously. If one has a choice between positive and negative, why would anyone (though too many people do) opt for the negative? Life is not always kind, but it is a gift beyond measure, and one which must all too soon be given back. I really try to enjoy and be thankful for ever single day allotted to me.

For most people, children are their posterity. For me, as a gay man, it is my words which will, I hope, stand as evidence that I was here (albeit, no matter how long I may live, never long enough to suit me).

And because written words are nothing unless someone reads them, I am heavily reliant on my readers. I sincerely look on every reader as a partner and traveling companion on every journey my writing embarks on.

I invite you, individually and personally, to join me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Human interest, humour and labyrinthine mystery, what more do you want?, December 21, 2008

By 

Ventura Angelo (Brescia, Lombardia Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dirt Peddler (Dick Hardesty Mystery S.) (Paperback)

Il just love Dick Hardesty mysteries. They have the quirky tutrns of an Ellery Queen mystery, the human interest and endearing characters of McBain's 87th Precinct and the wry humour of Westlake. All this makes for a very enjoyable read. Here an obnoxious muckracker is killed, with too many people with reasons to off him. Dick Hardesty will have to walk many blind alleys to find the perpetrator, whilst being involved with a former rogue "colleague" of Johnathan and his problems.
A must read for those who love mystery laced with romance and human insight!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best One Yet, May 10, 2008

By 

British Bulldog - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dirt Peddler (Dick Hardesty Mystery S.) (Paperback)

Book seven in the series sees Dick continuing to live in cosy domesticity with Jonathan. Though one mustn't also forget the growing collection of fish and house plants.

Many of my old favourites from previous books popped up, including Jared, who, rather amazingly, finds himself going steady with someone. I gain as much enjoyment from reading the continuing sub-plot of Dick's relationship and friendships, than I do the particular mystery which is at the forefront of each individual book.

This brings us neatly to the main plot. I often found myself confusing Tony T Tunderu, the deliciously obnoxious author who initially hires Dick, with Tondelaya O'Tool, a drag queen who appeared in earlier stories. The names are a little too similar. But this is only a small inconvenience.

The spotlight of suspicion sweeps across a handful of characters, each has plenty of motive. But none seem to fit exactly. Rearranging things in his head, Dick changes his focus, and wham. The perp is finally illuminated.

I particularly enjoyed how we were allowed to solve the case just before hardesty does. It takes a skillful writer to do this, because these stories are told in the first person, so we can only see and hear what Dick sees and hears. Being that one step ahead at the crucial denouement, made for a great ending. Full marks.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uncomfortable, December 28, 2008

By 

gardeningmae - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dirt Peddler (Dick Hardesty Mystery S.) (Paperback)

I just finished The Dirt Peddler. Having read all of the previous Dick Hardesty's books, I'd have to say I really enjoy the series. Dick, the PI, is an intelligent man who doesn't take himself too seriously. The mysteries are interesting and an provide insight into the gay community as a whole. However, I have a problem with the character, Johnathan. First of all when in a previous book it was mentioned that he had started having sex with, if I'm not mistaken, his brother at the age of 13 it made me uncomfortable. Not only is this an example of incest, it is also pediphilia. In addition to this the brother was providing alcohol to Johnathan thus causing him to become an alcoholic. All of this was handled in very cavalier manner as if this happens between people every day. The only thing that bothered Johnathan about the entire thing was his brother got married and decided not to have sex with him anymore.

Next, Johnathan is just a little too naive. For instance, when Johnathan's small fish began disappearing he couldn't figure out that the bigger fish were eating them. What would an older more mature person find in a young man who seems to be emotionally arrested at the age of 12. I could understand the relationship more if Johnathan were mature for his age. I do realize that Dick is probably in his upper twenties to early thirties - certainly not old. However, Johnathan's rather childish personality and the fact that Dick likes to call him "tiger" - something a father might call his son I just can't get comfortable with. So, even though I like the series and would like to read the rest of Hardesty's mysteries, I dislike the addtion of Johnathan so much so that I will probably not continue.

The above reviewer wrote about Dick's slut phase being acceptable because he was always looking for Mr. Right. I just which that when he met Mr. Right he would have stuck to his principles, which I thought were admirable, about not dating anyone younger than 21 and he would have been paired with someone a lot more interesting and mature than Johnathan.

It gets four star because I still think Mr. Grey can write a interesting mystery. If you have no problem with Johnathan's past and his apparent adolescent desire to please Dick in every way, you'll enjoy this book.