Too Soon Dead [Paperback]

Michael Kurland (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: St Martins Pr (1997)
• ASIN: B000OTDNRY
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

• This page was created by a seller.

More About the Author

A plump, middle-aged man with greying hair and mild, hazel eyes looking out from behind wire-rim glasses, Author Michael Kurland has the perpetually nervous look of a rabbit invited to lunch at the Lions' Club. He has been a teacher of obscure subjects to disinterested children, the editor of a magazine even more idiosyncratic than himself, a seeker of absent persons, a magical explainer, and guest lecturer at numerous unrelated events. But he has never wandered far from his chosen profession of scrivener for very long, since he finds the fawning idolatry of his fans a useful counterbalance to the disinterest of landlords and the disapproval of bank managers.

In Kurland's over 30 books he has romped through a variety of fields. His non-fiction works cover topics as diverse as forensic science, criminal law, espionage, amateur radio, and the history of crime in America, and have been selections of the Military Book Club, the Readers' Digest Book Club, the Junior Literary Guild, and the Writers' Digest Book Club, among others.

Kurland has written a dozen or so science fiction and fantasy novels, notably "Ten little Wizards" and "A Study in Sorcery," set in Randall Garrett's Angevin Empire, and "The Unicorn Girl," which was nominated for a Hugo. He now mainly writes mysteries, including "The Infernal Device," the first of (currently) five Professor Moriarty novels, which was nominated for both an Edgar and an American Book award, and "Too Soon Dead" and "The Girls in the High-Heeled Shoes," set in the 1930s and chronicling the mystery-solving talents of Alexander Brass, a columnist for the New York World. A couple of his books, notably "The Last President," and "Button Bright" fit tenuously into that nondescript category known as "mainstream."

The next Moriarty novel, tentatively titled "Who Thinks Evil," is in the works.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This enthralling Great Depression mystery is a winner, March 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Too Soon Dead (Hardcover)

In 1935 New York City, Alexander Brass is the star columnist of "Brass Tacks", a syndicated daily column that provides insight into the nightlife, and the movers and shakers of Manhattan. In March, a nameless man provides Brass with pictures of several important people engaged in sexual activities. Brass decides to have the man followed, but the tail is killed with his body found in the office of an anti-Nazi group located in the suburbs. ...... Brass, his assistant Morgan DeWitt (who tells the story), and his research assistant Gloria Adams start to investigate the case. As the follow the trail through a US Senator (whose face is on one of the photos) and other famous historical personage, the trio get closer to the truth and realize that this case is more than a simple game of blackmailing the rich and famous. However, in spite of freedom of the press and their credentials, if the newspaper trio do not break this case wide open soon, they may become the next victims of a deadly conspiracy. ...... Michael Kurland writes a brilliant period piece that fans of the classic thirties mysteries will simple devour. The inclusion of famous people from out of the history books such as W.C. Fields adds a humorous but authentic touch to a fabulous who-done-it. The lead threesome are all unique and lovable, but TOO SOON DEAD makes for a great reading experience because of its thirties decor. Hopefully, there will be more "Brass Tacks" novels in the future. ......Harriet Klausner

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A NEW "GOLDEN AGE" MYSTERY, May 10, 1998

By 

Gregory W. Vleisides "GWV" (Kansas City, Mo.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Too Soon Dead (Hardcover)

Michael Kurland's TOO SOON DEAD recreates the atmosphere and ambiance of the great "Golden Age" mystery novels of the 1920's and 1930's. His character, Alexander Brass, ranks up there with Philo Vance and Thatcher Colt of that period and is reminicent of the early Ellery Queen novels.

For afficianados of that period, this book is highly recommended. I cannot wait for more adventures of Brass and his crew.