I always appreciate Kevin R. Tipple’s contributions to this blog. He tries to add some variety. His comment about Private Eyes: Mystery, Crime and Mayhem was “This is one of those hybrid deals where it is a magazine, but the print version is more like a paperback. Sort of an anthology and yet sort of not. “
Oh, and there have been times Kevin apologized about the formatting. That’s strictly my fault. I bought a new laptop just before the move, and I”m still working on the ins and outs. Not enough time, and not computer adept with the format. Don’t blame Kevin. (And, Kevin, don’t blame yourself.)
Private Eyes: Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem: Issue 1 opens with a brief introduction by Publisher
Leah R. Cutter. In her essay titled, “Why Start A Mystery Magazine, she details her reason for
starting the magazine and includes links to the various resources she used to bring the project to
life.
That is followed by “Life of a P.I. – Just the Facts on Private Investigators” by Geoff Symon.
This essay details the differences between private investigators and police detectives for those
new to mysteries, and in general, crime fiction. The piece details some of the differences for
P.I.’s across various states, their various roles in fiction, and how what they can and will do in
real life is far different than fictional portrayals.
Then is on to the short stories. Those tales begin with “A Longshot Worth Betting On” by David
H. Hendrickson. Operating out of a seedy bar, maybe the seediest in town, is Private Investigator
Mick Flanagan. His latest client is one Gino Lombardi, salesperson, and somebody quick to say
he is no relation to Vince Lombardi. He comes to hire Mr. Flanagan to deal with a problem that
his son, soon to enter college football and ultimately the NFL, is having with a certain
blackmailer. Tony Lombardi is a junior in high school. He is captain on his football team because
the linebacker has skills. Flanagan had his own brief pro career so he understands that any hiccup
between now and his pro career could end his football future. He also knows that the kid has
enough problems without his jerkoff dad making things worse. The kid needs help regardless of
dear old dad. The real question is how to go about it and end the blackmail threat.
Publisher Leah R. Cutter is up next with “Going Deeper” where Heather works in an
underground bunker. She is a forensic account and reviewing the books of Quintekon,
Incorporated. The books are perfect. In fact, too perfect. Everybody makes mistakes, computer
systems are not perfect, etc., and yet these accounting records are absolutely perfect. Her fiend,
Chelsea, agrees that something is not right. She also has a plan for Heather to be forced out of
her comfort zone and become, at least for a little while, an amateur detective.
While the main character of the previous story was an amateur in terms of working as a private
detective, Helen Hartsock is no amateur. She has been a private investigator for many years. Her
current case has taken her to a certain laundromat in “The Definition of Crime” by Kari Kilgore.
She is back in the place and again working undercover while awaiting the arrival of Martha
Phelps. She isn’t the only one awaiting the arrival of somebody.
Readers are taken to the future in “The Fish” by Nicole Givens Kurtz. In this time, the beat cops
are known as District Regulators and technology has made massive advances. Murders still
happen and Inspector Regulators Fawn Granger and Briscoe Baker are chasing a psychotic killer
known as “The Fish.” They are in a race to save lives as he kills and kills again.
This is a futuristic police procedural tale reminiscent of the Eve Dallas Mystery Series though
there is no romance angle at work here. These are cops going about their jobs and both are glad
to be off of patrol and working cases as investigators. While there is a refence to Granger having
walked away from police work quite some time earlier, that reference is in regard to the street
patrol. This is clearly not a private investigator story. It is also a good one.
Dottie Lundegaard is used to being ignored and shuffled aside despite the fact that she notices
things others don’t. It is the times she lives in as the Depression was not that long ago. Being
ignored and marginalized is a way of life that extends to her brother who does not want her
involved in his latest case. She soon is and that is a good thing too as there is a child involved in
“A Resourceful Girl” by Cate Martin.
It is back to contemporary times in “Buster” by Juliet Nordeen. Lady private investigators can be
tough too and the woman known to all as “Buster” fits the bill. Her latest client is Mrs. Alyssa
Trotter. It is March 2020 and Covid-19 is just starting to rear its ugly head. Mrs. Alyssa Trotter is
facing what very possibly is the end of her marriage. She has been married a little over three
years to her doctor husband and she is sure he is stepping out on her. She needs help and has the
money to pay though it is clear that some surveillance alone is not going to solve her problem.
It is the early 80’s and Miss Missy LaForce needs a private investigator. She found one in Amelia
Pepper in “Comparison Shopping” by Michele Lang. It could also be said that Amelia Pepper
found her. Missy LaForce is dealing with a stalker, but there is a lot more going on and at stake
in this tale that brings the issue to a close.
While one story does not fit the stated private investigator premise and there are a few typos
throughout the read, overall, this is an interesting and enjoyable issue. Set across various time
periods, the tales in the issue are almost all told from the view point of the female main character.
A notable exception is the opening story by Mr. David H. Hendrickson. That tale also entails a
classic private detective setup and situation though the subject matter of the case is not at all
common.
Overall, Private Eyes: Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem: Issue 1 is an enjoyable read and well worth
your time. The tales involved are complicated as are the characters and their situations. Plenty of
action and adventure where nothing is straightforward or easy. While the language might be, on
occasion, too graphic for some as curse words are used in a few instances, graphic violence does
not happen in the read. It is an interesting issue and this reader enjoyed it. You just might as well.
Material picked up to read and review late May 2022 by way of funds in my Amazon Associate
account.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2022, 2023
Pretty sure the format problem is solely my fault. Sorry about that.