Customer Reviews

Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy - Surviving Frank

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David Page has taken a different turn with his book "Surviving Frank." The book immediately takes a distinctive look at detective work from the eyes of someone who is not quite accepted in his community, but who is otherwise dedicated to his work.

Frank's adventures and misadventures help us to look at a serious issue from someone who is really not that serious about himself. This approach not only shows us that we are all human, well except for Frank in a manner of speaking, but also shows that the unorthodox approach might be the best approach. Page shows this time and time again with his character development as well as his writing style.

For his first novel Page has really opened some doors in literature. It's a good read for those of you who want a light read, some good laughs and a story which is most unconventional.

How does one classify a novel in which a detective werewolf living in Boston begins working on a new case with his 13th partner? Mystery, horror, and a touch of humor all intertwine to make a unique story.

In Surviving Frank, David A. Page has created a fantasy world in the reality of Boston city life. Frank, known to his friends as Hairy, has been down on his luck. His wife is dead, he's become a werewolf, and he's lost 12 partners. Now he's faced with a new challenge: a rookie goody-two-shoes partner named Ryan. The case? The murder of a scientist at the Boston Public Library.

Yes, the library scene sucked me right into the story. Since I've never been to that particular library, I'll have to take the author's description as truth (Page lived in Boston, so I'm not taking much of a leap of faith here). I only wish that Frank and Ryan had spent more time working the case in the library. But if I want a good mystery that deals with books, I can always fall back on John Dunning's "Booked" series.

I couldn't really relate to Frank or his situation, but two other characters really stood out for me. Ryan, Frank's rookie partner, always has good intentions. Yet as he spends more time with Frank, his personality becomes more developed; as if Frank is pulling him out of his shell. Violet also caught my attention. She's a journalist who helps them on the case. Why did she capture my attention? The name alone would have done it. But she's also a smart, spunky person who can take care of herself and usually gets what she's after. I'm impressed that a male writer could do such a good job writing a strong female secondary character.

A mystery with many twists and detours along the way. This book is a hybrid for those who enjoy fantasy/science fiction, but also like to sit down with a good classic mystery. Strange characters, vividly come alive as you come to the surprising conclusion. Buy this book!

Formerly known as "F as in Frank," David Page has worked hard to publish his first novel, "Surviving Frank." The story centers around Frank T. Wolfe, the first and only werewolf on the Boston police force. His latest partner, Detective Ryan, (we're never told his full name), is the straight man tasked to find information that will have Frank thrown off the force, but Ryan hopes to prove Frank's innocence.
Meanwhile, the pair investigates the murder of a librarian, encounter the dark, savage "trashcan people" and square off against local crime figures and their loaner minions from the "mafia exchange program."
Page creates an edgy, humorously twisted Boston just left of center, with vanishing restaurants, invisible cigar-smoking hitmen, and the exotic "artiste" Violet. One of my favorite sequences is when Frank and Ryan must navigate the layers of bureaucracy and nepotism in order to meet the mayor and District Attorney.
The mystery also features Frank receiving packages from a secret source, leading him deeper into his quest to come to terms with his past.
The novel was well paced, with crisp dialogue and a number of well-orchestrated action scenes. The humor worked best when it was not forced, with a few bits just not working like having a partner die from being hit on the head by an anvil. The suspension of disbelief only works if it's not too over the top.
There were also some details I would have liked to know, like more about Frank's past, why he changed his name and whether he had the same style, clothes and car when he was a human. I'll look for those in the next book of the series? And what was Ryan's full name?

Boston residents think of homicide detective Frank T. Wolfe as a hero because he puts vicious felons behind bars though his peers and superiors think he is a loose cannon. Frank, Hairy to his few friends, hates criminals with a passion and as a werewolf with superhuman senses and strength, he brings specials weapons against those who walk the wrong side of the law. Unfortunately for Frank, he caught a mutated form of the lycanthropic virus and is always in a half human half-wolf form.

Police Officer Ryan applies for a detective position. He is offered the promotion if he partners with Frank, something he doesn't really want to do. The werewolf lost twelve partners in six years and although none can be linked to deeds done by Frank, Internal Affairs wants to prove he had something to do with their deaths. Ryan accepts the assignment because he admires Frank and knows he is truly a hero. On their first case together involving a dead librarian, a series of book store robberies and an assassination attempt, the two partners find they complement each other as they try to take down the mastermind who is behind all the crimes that make up this case.

SURVIVING FRANK is a tongue in-check police procedural horror novel starring a caring protagonist who has adjusted very well to his handicap. He acts like a tough macho man but has his vulnerable moments and his partner recognizes them for what they are. Ryan genuinely cares about the werewolf and if he can find a way of SURVIVING FRANK, he thinks they will make a strong crime fighting team.

Harriet Klausner

Surviving Frank is a witty, fun, and very different novel. If you are looking for something refreshing and new, I recommend this book. The characters are great in their personality and interaction, and the world it all takes place in is colorful, humorous and somehow still like our reality.
A good read!