In the City of Angels, not everyone plays by the rules. When people need a problem fixed fast, and discreetly, they call Dick Henry. Henry is known as a “shortcut man,” someone who believes that the shortest answer to many problems may not always be legal. As he cuts through the red tape for his clients, who range from an elderly woman ripped off by shady contractors to a landlord with a tenant many months behind on the rent, Henry always gets the job done, no matter what the cost. In Shortcut Man, Henry spends his days hunting down slimy con men and his nights seducing Lynette, an intoxicating, long-legged vixen. But when Henry gets an assignment from porn producer Artie Benjamin, his life suddenly becomes much more complicated. Now Henry must complete the job, avoid being killed, and somehow figure out what to do with Lynette. Filled with dark comedy, whip-smart writing, and a memorable cast of characters, Shortcut Man evokes Chandler and Hammett—hard-boiled crime at its best—and is an exciting beginning to a crackling new series.
Shortcut Man: A Novel
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Book Description
A smart and entertaining crime series debut set in the underbelly of Los Angeles, with a cast of characters that runs the gamut from saints to sinners.
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Dick Henry calls himself the “Shortcut Man.” Whether he’s hired by a landlord coping with a deadbeat tenant or a woman whose widowed father is being bilked by a pen pal, Henry is there with a smile, a fist, a solution—and no annoying paperwork. His simple approach gets complicated, however, when the client is a porn producer who wants to know if his gorgeous young wife is cheating. It turns out that Henry already knows the wife, biblically, but by another name. Henry’s fix only works until the client decides he wants more information, and soon the Shortcut Man is navigating an unpredictable series of detours in an effort to keep himself—and his love life—alive. This fast and funny debut paints a wickedly comic portrait of L.A. in all its sprawling seediness, only losing momentum when it shifts from Henry’s lively, first-person voice to third-person scenes with the other characters, who just aren’t as interesting. But if you start reading, you’ll want to finish. Just don’t peek at the ending. --Keir Graff
Review
"I was hooked on his quirky characters and original plot turns. By the spectacularly unexpected conclusion, I was floored. Now I can hardly wait for the second installment. . . Mr. Sturges' writing is flip and hip, influenced by a line of predecessors from Raymond Chandler to Elmore Leonard, but the unconventional writer adds a sassy cynicism of his own."--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"A rollicking new LA crime novel. . . . A well-paced and suspenseful damn good read, full of deft observations, honest sentiment, and screwball touches that would make his father proud."--Los Angeles Review of Books
"A rollicking new LA crime novel. . . . A well-paced and suspenseful damn good read, full of deft observations, honest sentiment, and screwball touches that would make his father proud."--Los Angeles Review of Books
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Shortcut Man" is P.G. Sturges's debut novel, and he definitely comes out swinging.
Dick Henry is the "Shortcut Man", the guy you go to if you want to bypass the system and its red tape and take a "shortcut" directly from your problem to its solution. An ex-cop who doesn't mind applying his knuckles to your woes. His only problem is that he's still burdened by his own moral code, no matter how hard he tries to get around it.
Dick's fallen in lust with Lynette; the only downside is that he finds out that Lynette is actually Judy, who happens to be the wife of the guy who's hired him to find out if Judy is cheating on him. Needless to say, this does tend to complicate Dick's life.
This book's written in a fast-paced and deceptively open style, with many darker and more complex underlying themes. It's funny, wry, engaging, and populated with fully realized characters. It's a satirically accurate portrayal of LA and Hollywood, reminiscent of the work of another newcomer, Daniel Depp, with touches of Raymond Chandler thrown in for good measure. Definitely a bit of the modern noir here, folks.
It may seem, at first blush, to be a little on the short side by today's standards, coming in at a slim 224 pages. Don't let that fool you; there's not a wasted word here, and I'd rather read a book that's tightly conceived and executed than a bloated monstrosity that you have to wade through with hip boots.
Get it. It's a helluva fun read.
Dick Henry is the "Shortcut Man", the guy you go to if you want to bypass the system and its red tape and take a "shortcut" directly from your problem to its solution. An ex-cop who doesn't mind applying his knuckles to your woes. His only problem is that he's still burdened by his own moral code, no matter how hard he tries to get around it.
Dick's fallen in lust with Lynette; the only downside is that he finds out that Lynette is actually Judy, who happens to be the wife of the guy who's hired him to find out if Judy is cheating on him. Needless to say, this does tend to complicate Dick's life.
This book's written in a fast-paced and deceptively open style, with many darker and more complex underlying themes. It's funny, wry, engaging, and populated with fully realized characters. It's a satirically accurate portrayal of LA and Hollywood, reminiscent of the work of another newcomer, Daniel Depp, with touches of Raymond Chandler thrown in for good measure. Definitely a bit of the modern noir here, folks.
It may seem, at first blush, to be a little on the short side by today's standards, coming in at a slim 224 pages. Don't let that fool you; there's not a wasted word here, and I'd rather read a book that's tightly conceived and executed than a bloated monstrosity that you have to wade through with hip boots.
Get it. It's a helluva fun read.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By NoCo
Format:Hardcover
I love great mystery novels and writers and Sturges has potential. What turned me off and almost made me put down the book was the amount and focus on gratuitous sex with Lynette. Hot romance and women have always been a part of mystery writers' product, but most writers know it is not the central plot....and how to structure that element. In Sturges' case, this was at times just over the top and more details than needed. I get it and don't need the play by play. The storyline was decent. Good, not great. I would try reading more of his work.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Based on a superb review by a cyber friend I hold in high regard, I purchased Preston G. Sturges' debut novel, Shortcut Man. I wish I would have enjoyed it as much as he did, but it was just not the type of book that I prefer to read. This is no reflection on either the author or my friend; it is just my personal taste. I guess that is why cars are made in different styles and colors.
The author does a great job developing his characters and moving the story along. His writing skills are excellent and story unfolded in an interesting manner. I am sure that Sturges will have a large following, will write and sell many novels.
My problem with this genre is that the abundance of crude profanity, explicit sexual activities, sociopathic behaviors and unlikeable characters are not something I find entertaining.
A former submarine sailor turned cop, who took the behavior of heinous criminals personally, Dick Henry did not let the badge get in his way as he meddled out his own brand of justice. His career changed; however, his brand of justice escalates. He is the Shortcut Man--a violent guy who makes his money resolving insurmountable problems for clients using any mean he deems necessary.
Dick hooked up with "Lynette, a plainly amoral, possibly evil" private airline stewardess at the Sunset Strip House of Blues, when he propositions her with a crude sexually linked pick-up line. Their ongoing commitment was purely sexual, using each other at will.
By the time Arnuldo Guinaldo was an adopted 16-year-old; he had killed five deserving criminals and moved from the mean streets of Manila to Poway California.... Read more ›
The author does a great job developing his characters and moving the story along. His writing skills are excellent and story unfolded in an interesting manner. I am sure that Sturges will have a large following, will write and sell many novels.
My problem with this genre is that the abundance of crude profanity, explicit sexual activities, sociopathic behaviors and unlikeable characters are not something I find entertaining.
A former submarine sailor turned cop, who took the behavior of heinous criminals personally, Dick Henry did not let the badge get in his way as he meddled out his own brand of justice. His career changed; however, his brand of justice escalates. He is the Shortcut Man--a violent guy who makes his money resolving insurmountable problems for clients using any mean he deems necessary.
Dick hooked up with "Lynette, a plainly amoral, possibly evil" private airline stewardess at the Sunset Strip House of Blues, when he propositions her with a crude sexually linked pick-up line. Their ongoing commitment was purely sexual, using each other at will.
By the time Arnuldo Guinaldo was an adopted 16-year-old; he had killed five deserving criminals and moved from the mean streets of Manila to Poway California.... Read more ›
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By B.A. Reader
Format:Hardcover
For every person who has ever been ripped off by a contractor, been left unpaid for an honest day's work, cheated on or ignored "Shortcut Man" is a book that will make you feel the satisfaction of sweet revenge. Dick Henry is a former cop who broke "a cop's primary unwritten directive: Never get personally involved." His new gig allows him to not only get involved, but mete out justice for anyone who hires him. When Porn Producer Artie hires him to find out if his wife is cheating, Dick Henry finds out that she is, and Dick Henry finds out that he himself is the "other man." When Artie wants the other man killed, Dick Henry needs to keep his own identity secret while seemingly carrying out the task for which he was hired. Dick Henry is a fascinating character and "Shortcut Man" is terrific enough that you will be impatient for the sequel.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dick Henry is the Shortcut Man. He's the guy to call if you've got a perplexing problem with no quick, easy legal solution. Say you're a landlord with an unruly tenant who refuses to pay the rent and who is relying on his "legal rights" to remain in your apartment unmolested indefinitely. You might be an elderly widow who's been ripped off by a slimy contractor. Or you could be a woman whose father is being bilked by a phony Filipino sweetheart. In each case you could hire a lawyer, go to court and wait interminably to see if you might get some small measure of justice.
Or, you could just call Dick, who is likely to solve the problem much more quickly and efficiently.
Life is going swimmingly for Dick who's also carrying on a torrid relationship with a sexy woman named Lynette. Then he gets a call from a porn producer named Artie Benjamin. Artie suspects that his wife, Judy, is cheating on him and he wants Dick to determine if his suspicions are well-founded. Dick agrees, and all of a sudden, his life is not going so swimmingly anymore.
This is a very entertaining book with some hilarious moments. It's a pretty quick read through a lot of very short chapters, and you can't take the whole thing very seriously. But it's a fun way to spend a couple of hours and I'll be looking forward to Dick's next outing.
Or, you could just call Dick, who is likely to solve the problem much more quickly and efficiently.
Life is going swimmingly for Dick who's also carrying on a torrid relationship with a sexy woman named Lynette. Then he gets a call from a porn producer named Artie Benjamin. Artie suspects that his wife, Judy, is cheating on him and he wants Dick to determine if his suspicions are well-founded. Dick agrees, and all of a sudden, his life is not going so swimmingly anymore.
This is a very entertaining book with some hilarious moments. It's a pretty quick read through a lot of very short chapters, and you can't take the whole thing very seriously. But it's a fun way to spend a couple of hours and I'll be looking forward to Dick's next outing.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
STURGES BATS IT OUTTA THE PARK!
Much more than your basic smart-ass detective novel, but funny as hell, the Shortcut Man has a definite set of rules that he lives by. Read more
Published 15 days ago by merry moore
3.0 out of 5 stars
headline and 20 more words is too much of an effort
headline and 20 more words is too much of an effortheadline and 20 more words is too much of an effortheadline and 20 more words is too much of an effortheadline and 20 more words... Read more
Published 2 months ago by olfard
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I was eager to read this book after reading several favorable reviews from both reputable critics and other authors in the genre. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Harrison
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good, very fast read.
I liked this book. It seemed like it could have been fleshed out a little more, but the fast pace was also appealing. Read more
Published 6 months ago by N. Pierre
4.0 out of 5 stars
A twist on the PI
I really liked the way this book took a classic PI story and made it modern. It's disjointed Ina very good way, almost like a Barry Gifford novel. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Noirguy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good debut novel
Be warned that this is an adult novel with significant sexual content and language.
Dick Henry is a man who solves problems for people. Read more
Dick Henry is a man who solves problems for people. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Fred Camfield
4.0 out of 5 stars
good book but short
This was an interesting story, it went by very quickly, a testament to the story and the pace. I am hopeful of a sequel or another book by the author.
Published on June 16, 2011 by jondoe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Enjoyed It
Looking forward to his next book. I thought this was funny and smart. Loved the characters, and if I met Dick Henry in a bar, I'd probably buy the guy a beer.
Published on May 15, 2011 by SteveRRRR
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dissenting view
Purchased this book after reading all of the great reviews. Am a great fan of the mystery genre. Have previously read most of the well-known mystery/detective writers both in the... Read more
Published on March 17, 2011 by RAC
5.0 out of 5 stars
No shorcuts in this gem of a novel!
I really loved this book. Preston Sturges has a totally individual voice, wise, funny, poignant, filled with really original turns of phrases and great characters. Read more
Published on March 2, 2011 by Jim Peterson
