The Harry Chronicles [Mass Market Paperback]

Allan Pedrazas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

From an exciting new author to watch comes a mystery featuring Harry Rice, Florida oceanside bar owner and part-time sleuth. When a simple robbery investigation turns into a complex case of adultery and murder, Harry is "encouraged" to leave the case alone.

"This new sleuth has an edge." The New York Times Book Review

"A nimble, award-winning novel...Pedrazas proves himself a sure-handed storyteller with an engaging voice." Publishers Weekly

"A most satisfying debut." Mostly MurderNominated for an Edgar award in the Best First Novel category.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This nimble, award-winning novel (1994 Best First Mystery contest sponsored jointly by St. Martin's Press and the Private Eye Writers of America) is set in a part of Fort Lauderdale that tourists rarely see. The personable Harry Rice, who supports his penchant for detection by running the kind of bar that respectable PIs past and present would happily call their own, is a glib wisecracker, whose unlucky love life and solo walks on the beach mark him as a soulful type, too. His difficult new client, the middle-aged but well-put together Eloise Loftus, is holding out on him. She says she wants him to find a valuable gun collection that she claims was stolen from her apartment during a physically impossible heist. But her husband scares Harry off the trail. So does a sultry redhead who both piques Harry's curiosity and delivers a highly professional warning to back off the case. Then the husband turns up murdered and Harry becomes a suspect. While many of the supporting cast are PI-territory indigenes and Harry himself has caricature moments, Pedrazas proves himself a sure-handed storyteller with an engaging voice.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

First-timer Pedrazas takes to mystery like the proverbial duck to water. He places his charming, sympathetic protagonist in southern Florida?a fertile setting for several well-known authors?and sticks him with a murder case of infinite variety. Narrator Harry Rice, a thirtysomething bar owner and part-time private investigator, agrees to find a stolen gun collection for Eloise Loftus, not knowing that he will soon stand accused of her husband's murder. An elusive naked dancer; an aging mobster and his hard-bodied, knife-wielding moll; and Harry's bartending cohorts add pizzazz. Great dialog, colorful locale, and skillful construction strongly recommend this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (Mm) (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061044350
• ISBN-13: 978-0061044359
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,071,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced with fabulous wit, August 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Harry Chronicles (Mass Market Paperback)

Mr. Pedrazad uses traditional private eye settings but with a twist. He deftly utilizes brutally funny lines from his hero and sidekick. Worth the time and effort to wander through his Floridian world.