Kiss of the Devil's Breath

A Seedy Tale From the Files of Frank Mango #1

by Lawrence Kelter

Here’s the scoop. Once there was Marlow, now there’s Mango, Frank Mango, a new detective doing his job in a very old fashioned way, an unlikely hero in an age of computers, gadgets, and gizmos. Two dead bodies have been discarded along the Sunset Strip, both aspiring actors, women of talent and ambition in a town renown for eating you up and spitting you out. Who really cares about these nobodies? Mums the word—with the Academy Awards just days off, the powers that be are determined to sweep the dead under the red carpet at least until Oscar can take his gratuitous bow. There are, however, wrinkles in this finely crafted plan of deception, most notably the disappearance of yet another woman, a killer whose sniper rifle is trained on the fabled red carpet, and a throwback detective who doesn’t like to get pushed around. "Lawrence Kelter is an exciting new novelist, who reminds me of an early Robert Ludlum," -Nelson DeMille

Genres: Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2011

About the author

Lawrence Kelter is the bestselling author of the Stephanie Chalice Mystery Series. A resident New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn and residing on Long Island. He often uses Manhattan and Long Island as backdrops for his stories. He is the author of three novels featuring street savvy NYPD detective, Stephanie Chalice: Don't Close Your Eyes, Ransom Beach, and most recently, The Brain Vault. Early in his career, he received direction from bestselling novelist Nelson DeMille, who put pencil to paper to assist in the editing of his first book. He was also a member of a private writing workshop led by the late soap opera legend and AFTRA president, Ann Loring. His novels are quickly paced and routinely have a twist ending.

Reviews

[Jim Smallwood]

Fast enjoyable read.

I don’t want to use the term page turner, but I had trouble putting this book down. I enjoyed the way the author spoke directly to the reader, I think that was an interesting tactic. As the book came to a conclusion, I was a little suspicious how we were going to see the end result. I absolutely enjoy the book.

[Aliya DalRae]

I received "Kiss of the Devil's Breath" from Good Reads as a first reads win. I actually had a hard time getting into this book at first. I'm not sure why, it just didn't grab me the way some books do. The main character, Frank Mango, is not your average hero. Well, maybe to say he is less than average would be more accurate. He's, fat, crass, somewhat disgusting, and yet incredibly endearing. Once I got about a third into it, however, I was unable to put this book down. The story built, the characters evolved, and I was extremely disgruntled when I was interrupted with only a couple chapters left! It was nice to read about a PI who didn't rely wholly on technology to solve the case. Other than a cell phone and the occasional search on the internet, Mango pretty much relied on his wits and brass to get the bad guy. Not sure if more Mango is in the works, but I would definitely read it!

[Michele]

I couldn't wait to read this book and was not disappointed! Frank Mango is an old fashioned private investigator. He is trying to find an actress who has gone missing and he feels may be a serial killer's next victim. He may be a little unorthodox in his method, but gets the job done. Things get tangled together and in Kelter's style, plenty of twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't help but smile also at several parts. The book begins with a sniper with his gun poised and ready to target someone on the red carpet...then enters Mango who reminds me of a humorous Frank Cannon from years past. I can't help but picture this book as a movie or TV show. A great read! I definitely recommend it!

[Tristan Robin Blakeman]

Fast-paced and amusing, with a surprise ending.

This very short (156 pages) novella is a modern twist on the hard-boiled detective novel. Though Kelter is no Raymond Chandler, he has created a well-rounded (pun intended) tough and cunning detective. Mango talks like a bad imitation of Humphrey Bogart - but it's all in fun. And it IS fun.

A short one-sitting read. A good "cosy" - which is an unusual genre for a tough-guy hard-boiled detective to fit in. Give it a try - and I bet you can't figure out whodunnnit!

[Shane Cormier]

Looking forward to reading this :) Cant wait for it to arrive

[Diane Dean]

Good Book!

[Shirin Afrasiabi]

Fun

Kind of interesting. The twists were many and kind of plausible. But the deductions had to be explained at the end. No Erika moment for the reader.