It Takes Two to Strangle

Damon Lassard Dabbling Detective #1

by Stephen Kaminski

When the owner of a traveling carnival is strangled—not once but twice—on opening night of the summer fair in Hollydale, the police surmise he was not well liked. As the head of Hollydale's citizens association and local liaison with the carnival, Damon Lassard feels obligated to help his dear friend, Detective Gerry Sloman, solve the crime. Damon is determined to bring the killer to justice, to the fascination of his mother, best gal pal Rebecca, and lovely local weather girl, Bethany Krims. To unravel the threads underpinning this peculiar murder, Damon will travel far from Hollydale as his quest to find a murderer leads to the discovery of long hidden and horrific crimes.

It Takes Two to Strangle introduces Hollydale’s lovable neighborhood leader, Damon Lassard, and twists the dabbling detective through an intricate maze of greed, deception, and murder.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

230 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2012

About the author

STEPHEN KAMINSKI is the author of two cozy mystery series: The Male Housekeeper Mysteries and the Damon Lassard Dabbling Detective series, both published by Cozy Cat Press.

"Corpse & Robbers" is the latest of Kaminski's Male Housekeeper Mysteries. The first installment of the series, "An Au Pair to Remember," was penned in 2019.

Each of Kaminski's Damon Lassard books -- "It Takes Two to Strangle" (2012), "Don't Cry Over Killed Milk" (2013), and "Murder, She Floats" (2014) -- was awarded the Reader Views Literary Award for the Mid-Atlantic Region, and Don't Cry Over Killed Milk was named Best Classic Cozy in the 2014 Murder & Mayhem Awards and was a 2013 Chanticleer Media CLUE Award Finalist.

Stephen is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Law School, and currently serves as the chief executive officer of a national energy association. He lives with his 120 lb Swissie, Siberian forest cat, rescue kitty, and a gaggle of occasionally tolerable but always loveable humans in Bethesda, MD.

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

The carnival has come to Hollydale and as head of the citizen’s association Damon Lassard is the local liaison to make sure that event goes off without a hitch. When one of the owners of the carnival is found dead with two separate and different ligature marks Damon steps in to help his friend Detective Gerry Sloman solve the case and catch the killers.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
This was an interesting debut with quite a few red herrings.

Damon just can’t help himself, he gets right into the middle of the investigation. Detective Sloman gives him an inch and he takes a mile and gets himself in a couple of dicey situations. He is also a very typical man when it comes to women, thankfully his mother is around to point out things that are clear to everyone except Damon himself. Kaminski has written some very likable characters.

The mystery is complex with plenty of suspects and I must say I was surprised by one of the culprits. He was totally off my radar until the evidence was spelled right out for me.

I will be looking forward to more adventures with Damon Lassard and Detective Gerry Sloman. Damon needs Gerry to save him from himself and the criminals.

[Barbara Coast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys and Dolls, I have to say that if I need a mystery solved or a date for my next soiree Damon Lassard would certainly fit the bill. He's savy, smart, and single! Stephen Kaminski's It Takes Two to Strangle proves that a carnival can be fun for some and dangerous for others. One of the owners of this traveling operation is found strangled in his trailer. Damon who is community minded and curious by nature finds himself playing amateur sleuth,and he's good at following the clues that lead to a darker history of those involved in the case. Yours truly is hoping Damon will get a clue about Rebecca who is his "best" friend! Of course it doesn't help that he only has his romantic sights set on local weather girl Bethany and won't even take a hint from his own mother. It Takes Two to Strangle has plenty of suspense, a dash of romance and a loveable cast of characters that I can't wait to read more about! With Detective Gerry Sloman and Damon on the case a girl can't help but feel safe! Bravo Stephen Kaminski!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was almost perfect in my estimation. Straight mystery and a "really want to read on" ride.

[Krissi Charsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

very awesome! the book has a lot of twists and a lot of suspects! just when you think Damon has the killer youre wrong! i definitley was not expecting the ending thats for sure. Even the title of the book had me wondering. How does it take two to strangle? Finding out if two people killed the same man in one night, or was it a duo murder team? I was deeply drawn into thos book from the beginning.

Other reviews said that the book isnt focused on the murder but they must not have been reading it! Throughout the whole book the main focus is the murder, at the right points Kaminski gives further detail of Damons love life between bethany, and rebecca.(i hops they will continue this in the 2nd book im dying to know what happens next!)

This was a page turner that I enjoyed very much. I will be looking forward to the second book of Damon Lassard dabbling into detective mysteries.

Thank you Steve Kaminski for giving me the chance to read you book. Awesome job!
(also posted on amazon.com)

[Rajesh Khanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enlightening tale, suspenseful, interesting, and unique. It will leave readers wanting more. If you enjoy thrillers and mystery novels, you will surely enjoy this book.

[D.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

How refreshing to read a cozy mystery written by a male, with a male protagonist, and strong female characters. Mr. Kaminski has given us a very likeable fellow and we learn of his integrity through his actions instead of merely through exposition and narrative. I like that Damon is not perfect and makes mistakes in his voluntary sleuthing. The author’s law background is evident in Damon’s logical analysis of presented clues and his clean questioning of suspects. Damon’s association with Gerry provides the link to how he is getting into this deliberate dabbling and the women in his life are fun, smart, and easy to like.

My critique of this engaging new author is that his characters’ dialect, dialogue and diction are all so similar that it was imperative to know the names preceding the conversation. A New Yorker in a hurry will speak with a different pace next to a relaxed southerner on the front porch. Likewise, a character with a baseball background or law background will use different word choices than, say, a tailor or a chef. There is melody in my old friend Aristotle’s elements of story and each character’s rhythmic variations can provide an underlying musicality to the conversations.

All in all, Kaminski has created a new face in town and I’m sure more trouble is in store for Damon, et. al. His well-crafted mystery and tidy ending will leave you satisfied and looking forward to more of Hollydale, the Bethany vs. Rebecca saga, and hopefully more of Damon’s most intriguing mother.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters in this book and think the writer achieved an excellent balance. In many mysteries with amateur sleuths, there is an extremely antagonistic relationship with the police, but in this case Damon is invited in by his friend Gerry as a sounding board, reprimanded gently when he goes too far and recognized for his actual contributions. By the same token, there is a little romantic thread in the story but is not overdone to the point of junior high hijinks. And his mother is interested in his life, tries to be helpful, but is not dysfunctional. The plot was interesting and clues well handled. There were a few editing errors.

[Marissa]

Holy hell there sure are a lot of suspects and round about lose ends. And so much driving. For being a "dabbling" detective, Damon sure is amazing at getting information from people.

While a few things, like: Damon's infatuation with Bethany, Mrs. what's her face at the salon, and Damon's mom being pushy, got really old really fast, I found the rest of the book really great.

The seemingly wild goose chase that eventually winds up with a case closed is a pretty good suspense point and it was fun to try to figure things out before being told.

[Kirby Mccauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaminski's debut novel was a fun, page-turning read. His characters are well rounded & believable.
It Takes Two to Strangle is a delightful mystery, every time you think you have it figured out, Kaminski throws you a curve ball.

Admittedly, it could have done with another close editing as there were a few typos and places where names were obviously transposed, and one or two times the jump from one chapter to another seemed a bit awkward.

Even still, I very much look forward to more works from this very promising author!

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this mystery by Stephen Kaminski, with its appealing characters and small-town setting, plot that kept me guessing, and keeping-it-real details like the Dunkin' Donuts mention. It was very easy to keep turning the pages. It's not lurid or bloody - it's a cozy mystery about a murder. I wanted to curl up with this with a cup of tea. (How cozy.) I'm looking forward to future installments to see what Damon Lassard does next.

[Kenzee · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway*

When the owner of a travelling circus is murdered in the community of Hollydale, Damon Lassard finds himself in the unique position of helping the local police solve the crime.

While I thought Damon's curiosity was a little overblown, it was easy to overlook. The book was well written, and had enough twists to keep me guessing until the end.

Overall It Takes Two to Strangle was a quick and entertaining read.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don't like mysteries, but this book captured me and had me guessing from the minute the murder began! The only part I didn't get, was why Damon wanted to figure out the murder and investigate. But the great characters, plot, and settings made up for that. One of my favorite mysteries of all time!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It Takes Two to Strangle is Stephen Kaminski's first novel, featuring amateur sleuth Damon Lassard as the "Dabbling Detective" in this new mystery series.

Former professional baseball player Damon Lassard has recently settled into the small, fictional community of Hollydale in Arlington, Virginia, to be near his single mother. Having no major need for a job after his baseball career left him financially secure, the 31-year-old handsome lothario keeps busy with a number of activities that include volunteering at the local library, serving as president of the Hollydale Citizens Association, and pining over his crush, the beautiful local weather girl Bethany Krims.

When a carnival arrives in town for the 4th of July celebration, Damon, as the head of the local citizen's association, is responsible for overseeing its setup. However, a kink is soon thrown into plans when the carnival's owner is found murdered by alleged strangulation. Feeling concerned for his fellow citizens of Hollydale, Damon takes it upon himself to "dabble" in the midst of the murder investigation alongside his friend Detective Gerry Sloman (who seems to hold a love/hate regard for Damon's assistance) to try and help solve the murder.

Damon's character is mostly modest, but also slightly pompous at the oddest times. Overall, Damon is charming enough to form an attachment to. The interactions between Damon and the other characters are warm-hearted and funny, especially between all the women! Damon actually has his hands full with multiple women in this novel - a component that is sure to be duplicated in future novels of this series, which is quite hilarious to think about.

The mystery in It Takes Two to Strangle is indeed intricate - but could be a bit too complicated and messy to follow while keeping your full attention. I'd like to disclose (without revealing any major spoilers) that the murderer doesn't seem to have a large role throughout the novel, which is disappointing! Part of the fun with reading cozy mysteries is being introduced to all potential suspects up front, and spending time throughout the novel to figure out "whodunnit." The lack of this particular element can make the mystery too difficult, or sometimes even impossible to solve, which is how I felt about It Takes Two to Strangle.

BUT...

Overall, It Takes Two to Strangle is a satisfying debut! It's got all the favorable elements of a cozy mystery: a heroic protagonist who's easy to admire, a cast of characters you can warm up to, the feeling of community that's ever present in a small, close-knit town (along with its notorious busy-bodies and gossips), a love triangle, and more. With these core elements, any shortcomings or flaws in the mystery and crime procedural portion in It Takes Two to Strangle can be easily overlooked. Kaminski has laid excellent groundwork for his new series!

I'm looking forward to Stephen Kaminski's next novel in the "Damon Lassard Dabbling Detective" series! I'm optimistic that the next novel will be even better, especially given we'll have a rapport with the characters and Hollydale community.

For more book reviews, please visit http://dreamworldbooks.com.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Kaminski in his new book, “It Takes Two to Strangle” Book One in the Damon Lassard Dabbling Detective Mystery series published by Cozy Cat Press introduces us to Damon Lassard.

From the back cover: When the owner of a traveling carnival is strangled––not once but twice––on opening night of the summer fair in Hollydale, the police surmise he was not well liked. As the head of Hollydale’s citizens’ association and local liaison with the carnival, Damon Lassard feels obligated to help his dear friend, Detective Gerry Sloman, solve the crime. Damon is determined to bring the killer to justice, to the fascination of his mother, best gal pal Rebecca, and lovely local weather girl Bethany Krims. To unravel the threads underpinning this peculiar mystery, Damon will travel far from Hollydale as his quest to find a murderer leads to the discovery of long hidden and horrific crimes.

“It Takes Two to Strangle” introduces Hollydale’s lovable neighborhood leader, Damon Lassard, and twists the dabbling detective through an intricate maze of greed, deception and murder.

I like mysteries with engaging characters, intriguing plots, but without lots of violence, rough language, or explicit sex. I found a winner in Stephen Kaminski. Mr. Kaminski has delivered one of the most intriguing plots I have come across in quite a while. At a carnival where people generally go to have fun there is a murder, not one but twice–not two individuals, same person just strangled twice. And that is how it begins. From there the plot just rockets along with us guessing “whodunit” every page along the way. In a way Damon Lassard is similar to a male Jessica Fletcher, from TV’s “Murder, She Wrote”. He really is an enjoyable, personable character that is interesting and fun to hang out with. The plot just rockets along and is filled with twists and turns that leave you guessing, unprofitably, all along the way. I am glad I found Stephen Kaminski and look forward to more stories from him about Damon Lassard.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cozy Cat Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot and story line were pretty good, but I was not impressed with the writing. The author seems to have worked with a list of words that he thought would make the story sound more sophisticated or intelligent, but they did just the opposite.

Seriously, who would call a window in an office "an interior aperture"? The main character "remonstrated himself for giving in to temptation" and "castigated himself for the lack of forethought" and at one point his "cogitation was cut off." Much of the dialogue and description is made up of these words and phrases which would never enter into a real-life conversation. And every time the main character's mother is mentioned, he uses her full name. For example: "Damon was pleased Lynne Lassard-Brown had finally come to this realization." Why not say "Damon was pleased that his mother had finally come to this realization" or even "...pleased that she had finally..."? That would sound much more natural and realistic, and the reader does not need to be reminded of the character's full name every time she is mentioned, when we have already been told that Damon is in a conversation with his mother.

We also get a lot of unnecessary details that add nothing to the story, whether it is the orange scented facial wash that Damon uses or the pancake makeup on a waitress in a diner. It's as if the author has ideas and does not know what to do with them, so just throws everything he can think of into this story, whether it adds anything or not.

Maybe some good editing can help with future books by this author. He obviously has a gift for coming up with a good story, but needs to do a better job of telling it.

[Bart Gilbertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen Kaminski has put together a well crafted "whodunit" as we journey along with his amateur sleuth, Damon Lassard in discovering who the killer is. Mr. Kaminski effectively ties up all loose ends and answers all the questions satisfactorily. At the same time, we are introduced to his mother and his friends from Hollydale...all of which are very likeable characters. He has a love triangle brewing with Bethany and Rebecca too. I felt that everything was in good balance here. His characters all have distinctive personalities and are not generic. The story was imaginative and well thought out. It is a solid detective story, great first effort. Nothing jaw dropping here (ie: big twist or "didn't see that coming"), but he throws enough red herrings at you to keep you guessing all the way to the final revelation.

I would certainly read another book from Kaminski, and look forward to the next installment in this series.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I found it to be entertaining. Damon Lassard is a good protagonist who gets overly involved with a murder investigation because it takes place at the county fairgrounds of which he is in charge as the head of the citizen's association. He is also good friends with one of the detectives on the case. So, his interest in the case makes sense in the context of the story. As a first novel, there were quite a few editing issues that in some places were distracting, but the pace of the story was nice and there were enough characters to be interesting and provide twists, but not too many to keep track of. Overall enjoyable, and I would definitely read more from this author.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Well-written and as mentioned in the book, an ode (of sorts) to Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express." Some twists and turns I didn't expect, some romance and a bad ending to a bad guy which made me happy. I would read more in this series.

[Brian Mailer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An thoroughly enjoyable book. The characters are engaging. The plot is well thoughout out and well executed. It's a fast read.

[Christian Belz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moved along quickly, and had a capable, engaging hero. Great plot, good voice. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Amanda]

Won as part of the Goodreads first reads program. Can't wait to read it!