One good deed
Author
Series
Aloysius Archer novels volume 1
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
2019.
Language
English
Description
In this fast-paced historical thriller, the #1 New York Times bestselling author introduces Archer, a WWII veteran forced to investigate a small-town murder -- or risk returning to prison.It's 1949. When war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of do's and a much longer list of don'ts: do report regularly to his parole officer, don't go to bars, certainly don't drink alcohol, do get a job -- and don't ever associate with loose women.The small town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than Archer's years serving in the war or his time in jail. Within a single night, his search for gainful employment -- and a stiff drink -- leads him to a local bar, where he is hired for what seems like a simple job: to collect a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman.Soon Archer discovers that recovering the debt won't be so easy. The indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay; Hank's clever mistress has her own designs on Archer; and both Hank and Archer's stern parole officer, Miss Crabtree, are keeping a sharp eye on him.When a murder takes place right under Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison . . . if he doesn't use every skill in his arsenal to track down the real killer.
More Details
Contributors
ISBN
9781538750568
9781538750575
9781549151965
9781538750551
9781538750575
9781549151965
9781538750551
Similar Series From Novelist
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Historical mystery fans looking to be entranced by criminal cases of the 1950s (Aloysius Archer) and 1940s (San Francisco mysteries) will delight in these hard-boiled fiction series. These books feature well-crafted prose and vivid settings reminiscent of 40s noir. -- Andrienne Cruz
Both historical mystery series set in the 1950s feature big-hearted yet tough World War II veterans and ex-prison inmates who get roped into dangerous investigations that involve missing persons and blackmail. Interesting characters and plots will thrill hard-boiled fiction fans. -- Andrienne Cruz
World War II veterans trying to put their past behind them become an Australian police officer (the richly detailed Charlie Berlin) and a U.S. private detective (the noir-inspired Aloysius Archer). Both feature tortured yet well-meaning characters in suspenseful and atmospheric settings. -- Andrienne Cruz
Set in 1930s Sweden (Swedish noir Kvist) and 1950s America (L.A. noir Archer) these atmospheric series feature ex-cons and wannabe detectives. Kvist features a bisexual protagonist and gruesome scenarios that Archer lacks but both will appeal to hardboiled fiction fans. -- Andrienne Cruz
Both hardboiled fiction series set in the 1950s feature World War II veterans turned police detective (Michael Cassidy) and private eye (Aloysius Archer). Both feature rich details, well-developed characters, and an electrifying atmosphere that adds to the mystery and suspense. -- Andrienne Cruz
These richly detailed and atmospheric series follow the gritty adventures of World War II veterans working as state troopers (thriller Earl Swagger) and private detectives (mystery Aloysius Archer). Both feature well-developed protagonists who readers will love to root for. -- Andrienne Cruz
These series have the appeal factors gritty and bleak, and they have the genres "historical mysteries" and "hardboiled fiction"; the subject "private investigators"; and characters that are "likeable characters."
These series have the appeal factors gritty, bleak, and evocative, and they have the theme "wartime crime"; the genre "historical mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation" and "world war ii."
These series have the appeal factors gritty and evocative, and they have the genres "historical mysteries" and "hardboiled fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators" and "former police."
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NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors gritty and well-crafted dialogue, and they have the subjects "murder suspects," "postwar life," and "women murder victims"; and characters that are "likeable characters."
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These books have the appeal factors gritty and evocative, and they have the subjects "murder suspects," "murder," and "suicide investigation"; and characters that are "brooding characters" and "complex characters."
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NoveList recommends "San Francisco mysteries" for fans of "Aloysius Archer novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Earl Swagger novels" for fans of "Aloysius Archer novels". Check out the first book in the series.
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The novels of Stuart Woods and David Baldacci use themes of politics, corporate secrets, and espionage to advance their breakneck plots rife with suspense and power-hungry characters. -- Tara Bannon Williamson
Screenwriter Stephen Cannell's adventure, suspense, and thriller novels may be told in more blunt prose than David Baldacci's, but there are often similar themes -- conspiracy and corruption -- and the pacing is every bit as page-turning. -- Kim Burton
Though David Baldacci pens thrillers while Jeffrey Archer writes suspense, both authors are known for their fast-paced, intricately twisted plots filled with political skullduggery. They're also alike in their use of good versus evil, black-and-white characters, and engaging heroes. -- Ellen Guerci
Just like David Baldacci, Brad Meltzer sets his page-turning thrillers against diverse high-power backgrounds -- financial, political, law enforcement, legal. He also offers action-filled plots and sympathetic protagonists battling powerful and deadly opponents. -- Krista Biggs
Readers who enjoy the fast-paced, atmospheric suspense stories of David Baldacci might also enjoy the novels of Richard Doetsch, who writes suspense novels that are intricately plotted, fast-paced, and plot-driven. -- Nanci Milone Hill
Stephen W. Frey and David Baldacci pen edge-of-your-seat suspense novels featuring ruthless businessmen, trained assassins, and FBI agents. Both writers maintain fast-paced, intricate plots punctuated by intrigue, double-crosses, and violence. -- Mike Nilsson
David Baldacci and Kyle Mills both craft suspenseful conspiracy-based thrillers in which their characters (and readers along with them) are unsure whom to trust, and where it will all lead. -- Kim Burton
Like David Baldacci, James Grippando writes high-energy suspense stories featuring corruption and conspiracies, although Grippando's are more violent. Likeable characters put in difficult situations fill his complex, intricately plotted novels. -- Kim Burton
It's hard to believe that anyone who has read David Baldacci has overlooked John Grisham, but for such a reader Grisham's tense, fast-paced, suspense-building stories will appeal -- especially if less graphically violent content is also welcome. -- Kim Burton
These authors' works have the genres "political thrillers" and "spy fiction"; the subjects "conspiracies," "assassins," and "international intrigue"; and characters that are "likeable characters."
These authors' works have the genres "political thrillers" and "hardboiled fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "international intrigue," and "twins."
These authors' works have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "assassins," and "fugitives."
Published Reviews
Kirkus Book Review
Thriller writer Baldacci (A Minute to Midnight, 2019, etc.) launches a new detective series starring World War II combat vet Aloysius Archer.In 1949, Archer is paroled from Carderock Prison (he was innocent) and must report regularly to his parole officer, Ernestine Crabtree (she's "damn fine-looking"). Parole terms forbid his visiting bars or loose women, which could become a problem. Trouble starts when businessman Hank Pittleman offers Archer $100 to recover a '47 Cadillac that's collateral for a debt owed by Lucas Tuttle, who readily agrees he owes the money. But Tuttle wants his daughter Jackie backshe's Pittleman's girlfriend, and she won't return to Daddy. Archer finds the car, but it's been torched. With no collateral to collect, he may have to return his hundred bucks. Meanwhile, Crabtree gets Archer the only job available, butchering hogs at the slaughterhouse. He'd killed plenty of men in combat, and now he needs peace. The Pittleman job doesn't provide that peace, but at least it doesn't involve bashing hogs' brains in. People wind up dead and Archer becomes a suspect. So he noses around and shows that he might have the chops to be a good private investigator, a shamus. This is an era when gals have gams, guys say dang and keep extra Lucky Strikes in their hatbands, and a Lady Liberty half-dollar buys a good meal. The dialogue has a '40s noir feel: "And don't trust nobody.I don't care how damn pretty they are." There's adult entertainment at the Cat's Meow, cheap grub at the Checkered Past, and just enough clichs to prove that no one's highfalutin. Readers will like Archer. He's a talented man who enjoys detective stories, won't keep ill-gotten gains, and respects women. All signs suggest a sequel where he hangs out a shamus shingle.Archer will be a great series character for fans of crime fiction. Let's hope the cigarettes don't kill him. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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