What do you think?
Rate this book
Hot Sinatra
Moss Cole is a private detective, the kind you thought only existed in old movies and afternoon reruns. He’s smart, talented, sometimes even charming. You’d think he could find a better gig than carrying on his grandfather’s legacy as a ‘Private Dick.’
Cole is out of money, out of ideas, and out of his league. That’s why he’s stuck looking for a stolen Sinatra record… a record that may be just a figment of an old man’s imagination.
Of course, if that were true, Moss wouldn’t have so many people busting down his door.
A vivacious redhead, a foul-mouthed Irish rock star, and a whip-smart little girl only complicate the job, when all Cole wants is a good cup of coffee and some Hot Sinatra.
If only he can stay alive—and in one piece—long enough to find it.
Advance Praise for HOT SINATRA:
“Axel Howerton is one of the best new crime fiction writers out there—hell, one of the best writers, period. Do yourself a favor and settle into Axel’s groove.” – Scott S. Phillips, Author of Squirrel Eyes and Tales of Misery & Imagination, and Writer/Director of Stink of Flesh and Gimme Skelter
“Moss Cole sizzles hotter than bacon.” – Red Tash, Author of Troll, Or Derby and This Brilliant Darkness
Cole is out of money, out of ideas, and out of his league. That’s why he’s stuck looking for a stolen Sinatra record… a record that may be just a figment of an old man’s imagination.
Of course, if that were true, Moss wouldn’t have so many people busting down his door.
A vivacious redhead, a foul-mouthed Irish rock star, and a whip-smart little girl only complicate the job, when all Cole wants is a good cup of coffee and some Hot Sinatra.
If only he can stay alive—and in one piece—long enough to find it.
Advance Praise for HOT SINATRA:
“Axel Howerton is one of the best new crime fiction writers out there—hell, one of the best writers, period. Do yourself a favor and settle into Axel’s groove.” – Scott S. Phillips, Author of Squirrel Eyes and Tales of Misery & Imagination, and Writer/Director of Stink of Flesh and Gimme Skelter
“Moss Cole sizzles hotter than bacon.” – Red Tash, Author of Troll, Or Derby and This Brilliant Darkness
172 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2013
1 person is currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Axel Howerton
20 books102 followersAxel Howerton is a former entertainment journalist, and the Arthur Ellis Award nominated author of the detective caper "Hot Sinatra"; the modern gothic fairytale "Furr"; the zombie novella "Living Dead at Zigfreid & Roy"; and the noir fable "Con Morte". His forthcoming "Wolf & Devil" urban fantasy series for Tyche Books kicks off with "Demon Days" in February 2018.
When he's not on-duty as a "purveyor of literary badassery" and "hometown anti-hero", Axel wanders the foothills of Southern Alberta with his two brilliant sons, and a wife that is way out of his league.
Visit Axel online at www.axelhow.com or seek him out on social media as #AxelHow
When he's not on-duty as a "purveyor of literary badassery" and "hometown anti-hero", Axel wanders the foothills of Southern Alberta with his two brilliant sons, and a wife that is way out of his league.
Visit Axel online at www.axelhow.com or seek him out on social media as #AxelHow
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 5, 2015
**On sale for $0.99 on ebook through Dec. 9 through Evolved Publishing's Holiday Book Sale**
After suffering through some lagging stories of late, Hot Sinatra‘s readability was as exciting as ditching a polka band for a live showing with Sinatra, himself.
My normal genre reading wouldn’t lead me into a crime novel about Frank Sinatra’s lost record, but it’s refreshingly easy-to-read style, and endearing characters really impressed me. Hat’s off to Axel Howerton, and his editing team at Evolved Publishing for producing another book that reminded me why I enjoy reading.
Hot Sinatra starts off with private investigator, Mossimo Cole, visiting an old folks’ home to learn about a stolen, one-of-a-kind Sinatra record. For someone who prefers stories on an epic scale, that shouldn’t have drawn me in as much as it did. The author’s deft subtlety in blending humor with glimpses into Mossimo’s good side, endear us to his imperfect nature, while chuckling at his whit and silly cohorts.
In this opening page, he describes the old folks as “shambling out onto the front lawn like plaid-suited zombies,” but, because of his grandfather’s upbringing, honors him, and them, by taking a second to offer “a lazy wave back and shout, ‘Looks like a nice warm day shaping up there.’ A terrible cliche, but what the hell else did they have to talk about?”
The author’s smooth prose continues to pull you into Mossimo’s experience, and adds more layers onto his smart-mouthed humor as he takes a job from a stubborn old man. Soon after, the action amps up, and we see how Mossimo’s humor gets him into trouble:
The story is vulgar at times with the language and sexual references, but I laughed more than I have at most books, with the worst part of the sexual aspect being dialogue description of hallmark acts of two porn stars you’ll meet later. I could have done without these two elements, but I enjoyed meeting Mossimo Cole, and despite those hangups, really enjoyed the story.
The reason why I enjoyed the story, other than the fact that I enjoyed the author’s style of prose, was because of how he highlighted Mossimo’s character flaws concerning booze, women, and controlling his tongue. He’s a troubled soul who is trying his best, and I enjoyed rooting for him to succeed through his mistakes, cheering when he grew as a person.
Mossimo is a very interesting person, from his way with kids, to his fluency in eight languages and thirty instruments, to a stubbornness of taking on sharks knife to teeth, or three different gangs,(whatever the day calls for in his crazy life), and on top of all that, is he's a smooth talking lady-killer. His cavalcade of qualities seemed a little too fantastic at times, but the author supports each of their origins through Moss’s backstory, making you shrug your shoulders and say, "Dude's just got it going on." You don’t want a dull main character supporting a series of stories, and I enjoyed how the author set up future books in this story’s conclusion–kind of like my favorite TV show, Castle, with the humor to boot.
After suffering through some lagging stories of late, Hot Sinatra‘s readability was as exciting as ditching a polka band for a live showing with Sinatra, himself.
My normal genre reading wouldn’t lead me into a crime novel about Frank Sinatra’s lost record, but it’s refreshingly easy-to-read style, and endearing characters really impressed me. Hat’s off to Axel Howerton, and his editing team at Evolved Publishing for producing another book that reminded me why I enjoy reading.
Hot Sinatra starts off with private investigator, Mossimo Cole, visiting an old folks’ home to learn about a stolen, one-of-a-kind Sinatra record. For someone who prefers stories on an epic scale, that shouldn’t have drawn me in as much as it did. The author’s deft subtlety in blending humor with glimpses into Mossimo’s good side, endear us to his imperfect nature, while chuckling at his whit and silly cohorts.
In this opening page, he describes the old folks as “shambling out onto the front lawn like plaid-suited zombies,” but, because of his grandfather’s upbringing, honors him, and them, by taking a second to offer “a lazy wave back and shout, ‘Looks like a nice warm day shaping up there.’ A terrible cliche, but what the hell else did they have to talk about?”
The author’s smooth prose continues to pull you into Mossimo’s experience, and adds more layers onto his smart-mouthed humor as he takes a job from a stubborn old man. Soon after, the action amps up, and we see how Mossimo’s humor gets him into trouble:
I pulled my hands out from behind me, and half-cartwheeled to throw my still-bound knees and the chair they were tied to into his gut. The chair splintered and I was free, but the big Nazi was up fast, dragging me to my feet.
“Truce?” I winked. “I know some nice Jewish girls I could introduce you to.”
He heaved me up to his eye level and growled like a lazy bear at the zoo.
“Black?”
Headbutt.
“Asian?”
Gut-shot.
“Hispanic?”
He tossed me like a rag doll over a heap of scrapped wooden chairs and table parts, into the corner of the room. As I struggled to my feet, he lumbered forward, hurling debris left and right like Godzilla clearing a path through downtown Tokyo.
The story is vulgar at times with the language and sexual references, but I laughed more than I have at most books, with the worst part of the sexual aspect being dialogue description of hallmark acts of two porn stars you’ll meet later. I could have done without these two elements, but I enjoyed meeting Mossimo Cole, and despite those hangups, really enjoyed the story.
The reason why I enjoyed the story, other than the fact that I enjoyed the author’s style of prose, was because of how he highlighted Mossimo’s character flaws concerning booze, women, and controlling his tongue. He’s a troubled soul who is trying his best, and I enjoyed rooting for him to succeed through his mistakes, cheering when he grew as a person.
Mossimo is a very interesting person, from his way with kids, to his fluency in eight languages and thirty instruments, to a stubbornness of taking on sharks knife to teeth, or three different gangs,(whatever the day calls for in his crazy life), and on top of all that, is he's a smooth talking lady-killer. His cavalcade of qualities seemed a little too fantastic at times, but the author supports each of their origins through Moss’s backstory, making you shrug your shoulders and say, "Dude's just got it going on." You don’t want a dull main character supporting a series of stories, and I enjoyed how the author set up future books in this story’s conclusion–kind of like my favorite TV show, Castle, with the humor to boot.
January 15, 2013
I should start by saying that I got a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
That being said, I devoured this book. For the longest time, I've wondered what happened to the old-school detective novel. I've contemplated the fate of the gumshoe. Hot Sinatra put my mind at ease that those novels can still exist.
"'Watch your mouth, fracicone," he growled with a salacious grin, like he wanted to tear me open with his bare hands and make sweet love to my left ventricle."
Hard and fast like a Viagra thief and just as off-balanced, Hot Sinatra makes you feel like you're rushing through the exciting world of private detectives, mafia justice, Irish rockers and vintage Sinatra. I couldn't put it down because I simply wanted more.
"They turned in synch, like a fifty-limbed sex-bomb cephalopod, to greet us with one uniform of wide, sly smiles and smouldering eyes."
There are very few living authors who have made me literally laugh out loud, and Axel Howerton's witty and sarcastic style promptly placed him into that category. The clever turn of phrase had me reading passages out loud to my wife, who remained thoroughly annoyed that I chose to interrupt her reading with mine.
"She stabbed at the eggs with the spatula. My frying pan had never been happier that I'd bought silicone."
While I respect the author's decision to keep things open for a sequel, I have to call him a jerk because of the ending, which tugged on my heartstrings more than a little. (I might have to admit here, that the author's jerk-ness, might be because he made my eyes water up a bit.)
So, if you're a fan of movies like Payback and Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang or simply love the old style of pulp detective novels or the gritty noir genre, Hot Sinatra is a book I highly recommend adding to your collection. A great read that I plan on actually getting in a paper form as well. This is a book I want on my shelves.
That being said, I devoured this book. For the longest time, I've wondered what happened to the old-school detective novel. I've contemplated the fate of the gumshoe. Hot Sinatra put my mind at ease that those novels can still exist.
"'Watch your mouth, fracicone," he growled with a salacious grin, like he wanted to tear me open with his bare hands and make sweet love to my left ventricle."
Hard and fast like a Viagra thief and just as off-balanced, Hot Sinatra makes you feel like you're rushing through the exciting world of private detectives, mafia justice, Irish rockers and vintage Sinatra. I couldn't put it down because I simply wanted more.
"They turned in synch, like a fifty-limbed sex-bomb cephalopod, to greet us with one uniform of wide, sly smiles and smouldering eyes."
There are very few living authors who have made me literally laugh out loud, and Axel Howerton's witty and sarcastic style promptly placed him into that category. The clever turn of phrase had me reading passages out loud to my wife, who remained thoroughly annoyed that I chose to interrupt her reading with mine.
"She stabbed at the eggs with the spatula. My frying pan had never been happier that I'd bought silicone."
While I respect the author's decision to keep things open for a sequel, I have to call him a jerk because of the ending, which tugged on my heartstrings more than a little. (I might have to admit here, that the author's jerk-ness, might be because he made my eyes water up a bit.)
So, if you're a fan of movies like Payback and Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang or simply love the old style of pulp detective novels or the gritty noir genre, Hot Sinatra is a book I highly recommend adding to your collection. A great read that I plan on actually getting in a paper form as well. This is a book I want on my shelves.
November 23, 2012
I was one of the lucky beta/zeta/theta readers of this book. Looking forward to reading the final once it is published from Evolved in 2013! Moss Cole was the first literary character I ever had a crush on, and that's saying something!
In the meantime, get a feel for Howerton's world in Let It Snow! Two of his Hot Sinatra side characters star in a "Christmas at the whorehouse" story in this offbeat, eclectic collection.
In the meantime, get a feel for Howerton's world in Let It Snow! Two of his Hot Sinatra side characters star in a "Christmas at the whorehouse" story in this offbeat, eclectic collection.
February 13, 2013
Being a close friend of Axel it is sometimes hard to distance yourself from his work and look it at from "I don't know this author".
With this book I was able to do that. I found it started strong in the first chapter. The next few were a little sloppy. As the story progressed it pulled everything together pulling at your heart strings and begging for more.
I'm proud to say Axel is my friend and that this book a solid enjoyable read.
With this book I was able to do that. I found it started strong in the first chapter. The next few were a little sloppy. As the story progressed it pulled everything together pulling at your heart strings and begging for more.
I'm proud to say Axel is my friend and that this book a solid enjoyable read.
July 9, 2013
I loved Hot Sinatra. It's been a long while since I've been so reluctant to put a book down. This is a real page turner, full of colorful characters (especially Danny, Manlove and Kickerdick), brutal fights, deadly danger, sexy encounters, and of course snappy hardboiled banter. Moss Cole is more than worthy to wear his Pops' battered old private dick hat. He takes a beating as bad as any Harry Dresden gets, except without magical healing powers. He feels like an old friend, a fine narrator and hero for the book.
Axel Howerton has made a book that will have you cheering and wincing and thrilling as the chase for the stolen Sinatra record escalates hotter and hotter, while Cole fights to keep his cool and protect people he cares about that are caught in the crossfire.
One of the most fun reads I've had in a year or more, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe and the Big Lebowski. It's a rocking, bang-up good time!
Axel Howerton has made a book that will have you cheering and wincing and thrilling as the chase for the stolen Sinatra record escalates hotter and hotter, while Cole fights to keep his cool and protect people he cares about that are caught in the crossfire.
One of the most fun reads I've had in a year or more, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe and the Big Lebowski. It's a rocking, bang-up good time!
February 9, 2013
The book had some good points, but the gratuitous foul language and weird episodes of violence and side stories about his past slowed the plot down too much for me. The author was trying to give background that made the main character understandable, but it was a distraction from the actual story. Unless, of course, the meaning of his life was the actual story. It just wasn't what I was expecting. The main character stumbled his way to the end, solving the mystery more out of luck than actual detecting.
July 8, 2013
It's dreadfully muggy here. The mosquitos are like giant blood-sucking vampires, and no matter what kind of bug spray, or bug lotion (I buy mine made locally) I wear, they always find a spot. Even if it's my scalp, behind all the crazy corn rows, and through the mass of new growth that is similar to a jungle. At least to a mosquito.
Two things occured to me this morning.
1) I have a day off, and plan to do catch up on things
2) While I"m writing said reviews, I'm pretty sure I should drink something refreshing.
In the first of what is likely to be a few short book reviews, I'd like to share my thoughts on Axel Howerton's Hot Sinatra.
Wait, what are you drinking?
Well, I'll give you a hint, it's Sinatra inspired. You'll just have to wait until the end of the review to find out though.
About the book
Moss Cole is a private detective, the kind you thought only existed in old movies and afternoon reruns. He’s smart, talented, sometimes even charming. You’d think he could find a better gig than carrying on his grandfather’s legacy as a ‘Private Dick.’
Cole is out of money, out of ideas, and out of his league. That’s why he’s stuck looking for a stolen Sinatra record… a record that may be just a figment of an old man’s imagination.
Of course, if that were true, Moss wouldn’t have so many people busting down his door.
A vivacious redhead, a foul-mouthed Irish rock star, and a whip-smart little girl only complicate the job, when all Cole wants is a good cup of coffee and some Hot Sinatra.
If only he can stay alive—and in one piece—long enough to find it.First - new book cover = awesome. (Goodreads)
My thoughts
I liked the old book cover, there's a picture of both at the bottom, but I love this one much more. This is more like how I imagined the book playing in my head. Though in my head, it was black and white.
What do you get when you read this book? Well, you get an amazing story, intertwining mystery, thrills, love and death.
For me, it read like a film noir, and I adore film noir. new, old, classic or otherwise, the genre is one of my favorites, and that made this book my favorite - by about 4 pages in. Considering the author describes the book as a neo-noir book, I'd take that as an absolute success. Not only was it exactly what it purported to be, it was even better reading it.
I'll confess, the only reason I keep watching General Hospital (yes, GASP I watch a horrid Soap Opera that's been on TV for 50 years, aka since Sinatra was big) is for the character Spinelli.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="301"]
Spinelli - General Hospital. Yes, I'm addicted, No, it doesn't matter what you think. I get guilty pleasures too :P[/caption]
He's a detective/PI extraordinaire - in much the same was Mossimo Cole is. There's a picture of him in a detective hat somewhere, but I can't find it. Suffice to say, Spinelli is 'my' Mossimo Cole.
He's nerdy, not what you'd expect, and constantly getting into trouble from all angles. Everyone's out for him, the mob, the girl, the father. You know what I mean. Oh, and he has a bad habbit of getting into all the wrong situations at the exact wrong moment.
The story is intriguing, there even managed to be a few twists and turns I wasn't expecting. Sure, there are always twists and turns, but my memory, and slight obsession with a certain soap opera, and film noir have made me a pro at figuring out plot lines before they're over.
When I read a book like this, I want to be kept guessing, and I was. I'd love to see it made into a screen play, or better yet, a radio show. I hope someone's working on the audio book too because everyone should be able to read this story.
One last thing before my final words. Have I mentioned I'm a music geek, classical nerd, and amused (more than any normal person should be) by the history of music in North America?
Fusion my friends. Sinatra and Fitzgerald - now that would have been something. I have a whole library of music, including Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Holly Cole, Gillespie, Davis, and more. Though my particular love is for jazz piano and vocals, depending on my mood I'll listen to anything.
This book, made me shuffle through Sinatra and Fitzgerald in their entirety, and I'm not sorry for it. Not only did I get to read a great story, I got to listen to some of my favorite music while I read.
I can't wait for the sequel. Axel Howerton - you have your work cut out for you. It had better be amazing :P . I kid, but seriously, new book. NOW.
About the Author
Axel Howerton is the author of the quirky neo-noir novel Hot Sinatra, the mini-anthology Living Dead at Zigfreidt & Roy, and a bevy of short stories and hidden gems. Axel is the co-creator of the annual Coffin Hop author extravaganza and the long-time editor of www.eyecrave.net. His work has recently appeared in Big Pulp, Fires on the Plain, Steampunk Originals, A Career Guide To Your Job In Hell and the holiday anthology Let It Snow: Season's Readings For A Super-Cool Yule.
He is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and lives in the untamed prairies with his two brilliant young sons and a wife that is way out of his league. You can visit Axel online at www.axelhowerton.com
Oh, and if you're still wondering what I drank while roasting and reading....
Rhubarb Zinger
6 cups rhubarb washed and chopped into 3 inch pieces (or so)
3 chunks of ginger root (don't bother skinning or slicing)
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup of honey or 1/4 cup of stevia. (You could also use sugar, but honey is my way of tricking myself into healthy :P )
10 cups water
Combine in large pot, bring to boil on stove, reduce heat and simmer covered for 45 minutes. Strain (I use my spaghetti strainer.)
Drink on ice.
You can also add Gin...Sinatra would like that.
Two things occured to me this morning.
1) I have a day off, and plan to do catch up on things
2) While I"m writing said reviews, I'm pretty sure I should drink something refreshing.
In the first of what is likely to be a few short book reviews, I'd like to share my thoughts on Axel Howerton's Hot Sinatra.
Wait, what are you drinking?
Well, I'll give you a hint, it's Sinatra inspired. You'll just have to wait until the end of the review to find out though.
About the book
Moss Cole is a private detective, the kind you thought only existed in old movies and afternoon reruns. He’s smart, talented, sometimes even charming. You’d think he could find a better gig than carrying on his grandfather’s legacy as a ‘Private Dick.’
Cole is out of money, out of ideas, and out of his league. That’s why he’s stuck looking for a stolen Sinatra record… a record that may be just a figment of an old man’s imagination.
Of course, if that were true, Moss wouldn’t have so many people busting down his door.
A vivacious redhead, a foul-mouthed Irish rock star, and a whip-smart little girl only complicate the job, when all Cole wants is a good cup of coffee and some Hot Sinatra.
If only he can stay alive—and in one piece—long enough to find it.First - new book cover = awesome. (Goodreads)
My thoughts
I liked the old book cover, there's a picture of both at the bottom, but I love this one much more. This is more like how I imagined the book playing in my head. Though in my head, it was black and white.
What do you get when you read this book? Well, you get an amazing story, intertwining mystery, thrills, love and death.
For me, it read like a film noir, and I adore film noir. new, old, classic or otherwise, the genre is one of my favorites, and that made this book my favorite - by about 4 pages in. Considering the author describes the book as a neo-noir book, I'd take that as an absolute success. Not only was it exactly what it purported to be, it was even better reading it.
I'll confess, the only reason I keep watching General Hospital (yes, GASP I watch a horrid Soap Opera that's been on TV for 50 years, aka since Sinatra was big) is for the character Spinelli.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="301"]
Spinelli - General Hospital. Yes, I'm addicted, No, it doesn't matter what you think. I get guilty pleasures too :P[/caption]He's a detective/PI extraordinaire - in much the same was Mossimo Cole is. There's a picture of him in a detective hat somewhere, but I can't find it. Suffice to say, Spinelli is 'my' Mossimo Cole.
He's nerdy, not what you'd expect, and constantly getting into trouble from all angles. Everyone's out for him, the mob, the girl, the father. You know what I mean. Oh, and he has a bad habbit of getting into all the wrong situations at the exact wrong moment.
The story is intriguing, there even managed to be a few twists and turns I wasn't expecting. Sure, there are always twists and turns, but my memory, and slight obsession with a certain soap opera, and film noir have made me a pro at figuring out plot lines before they're over.
When I read a book like this, I want to be kept guessing, and I was. I'd love to see it made into a screen play, or better yet, a radio show. I hope someone's working on the audio book too because everyone should be able to read this story.
One last thing before my final words. Have I mentioned I'm a music geek, classical nerd, and amused (more than any normal person should be) by the history of music in North America?
Fusion my friends. Sinatra and Fitzgerald - now that would have been something. I have a whole library of music, including Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Holly Cole, Gillespie, Davis, and more. Though my particular love is for jazz piano and vocals, depending on my mood I'll listen to anything.
This book, made me shuffle through Sinatra and Fitzgerald in their entirety, and I'm not sorry for it. Not only did I get to read a great story, I got to listen to some of my favorite music while I read.
I can't wait for the sequel. Axel Howerton - you have your work cut out for you. It had better be amazing :P . I kid, but seriously, new book. NOW.
About the Author
Axel Howerton is the author of the quirky neo-noir novel Hot Sinatra, the mini-anthology Living Dead at Zigfreidt & Roy, and a bevy of short stories and hidden gems. Axel is the co-creator of the annual Coffin Hop author extravaganza and the long-time editor of www.eyecrave.net. His work has recently appeared in Big Pulp, Fires on the Plain, Steampunk Originals, A Career Guide To Your Job In Hell and the holiday anthology Let It Snow: Season's Readings For A Super-Cool Yule.He is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and lives in the untamed prairies with his two brilliant young sons and a wife that is way out of his league. You can visit Axel online at www.axelhowerton.com
Oh, and if you're still wondering what I drank while roasting and reading....
Rhubarb Zinger
6 cups rhubarb washed and chopped into 3 inch pieces (or so)
3 chunks of ginger root (don't bother skinning or slicing)
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup of honey or 1/4 cup of stevia. (You could also use sugar, but honey is my way of tricking myself into healthy :P )
10 cups water
Combine in large pot, bring to boil on stove, reduce heat and simmer covered for 45 minutes. Strain (I use my spaghetti strainer.)
Drink on ice.
You can also add Gin...Sinatra would like that.
January 26, 2015
Hot Sinatra by Axel Howerton begins with Moss Cole, a private detective who is interviewing his newest client. Obadiah Stetch is a bad guy, but Cole needs the money and agrees to do the job. He needs to find a Sinatra record that was stolen right off of his wall. Cole soon meets the daughter and grand daughter, Rose and Holly, respectively. Soon afterward, he is kidnapped by a couple of goons, Artie Menlowe and Jurgen Kierkedoek, who generally go by those stage names Manlove and Kickerdick. We find out that they've been hired by the mob. As Cole continues to investigate, things get tougher and tougher.
So, the story of how I came to Hot Sinatra by Axel Howerton is a little bit long. Originally, I made a comment on a post made by the author on the Coffin Hop Press blog. Soon after, I was sent an email from the author offering me a coupon code to A Very Merry Manlove & Kickerdick Xmess. Soon after, I also found that 999 Problems: A Manlove & Kickerdick Trick was available free on Amazon. Manlove and Kickerdick, just to exaplin if you don't know, are two characters who appear in Hot Sinatra and then get there own spin off series, though the few stories so far are very short. I quite liked both of those short stories, because of both the writing style and characters. So I went online to Book Depository and ordered Hot Sinatra. I've given it a read today and the following is pretty much mostly my opinion.
The general plot was fairly original. The majority of private detective novels I've generally read deal with murders, kidnappings and thefts of jewels. So, the fact that a one-of-a-kind record had been stolen and was the main plot device was fairly unique to me. It also allowed for various conversations events between characters that kept the story going, where each character would add their own unique take on what they felt about Sinatra and their own opinions about the record. The speed of the plot seems reasonable, though it does take place over a short amount of time- only several days. I think that the plot and timing work well for the book.
The characters are mostly unique as well. I think that the majority of what made them so special was that the author didn't hold back. Admittedly, I've not read much of his other work, only the Manlove & Kickerdick stories apart from this novel. However, the thing that makes Axel Howerton such a good author is that he makes everything so ridiculous. It's difficult to explain, but he just takes all sorts of quirks and characteristics, giving them to an almost normal character and it makes them all quite interesting. Given so many of these quirks can make some characters extremely interesting, my favourites being Menlowe and Kierkedoek, and those are examples of whom I'd like to see a heap more of. However, in other cases, I don't think some characters work as well. Danny Fox, AKA Foxy Thunders, has been one of Cole's best (and sometimes only) friends for years. He's actually a fairly straight forward character, compared to some of the others; a rock star whom everyone loves and he does the general famous person stuff like drinking and being with lots of women. He's fairly normal, but I don't particularly like the way he appears through much of the story, despite having nothing much to do. I liked Rose; I think her character was fairly believable.
As for the main character, Cole, I found that I sometimes liked him, but not all the time. Many of his thoughts and portions of his back story were interesting, but some could be a bit tiresome. There were a lot of special moments that I really enjoyed with him, some of which when he was thinking about his grandfather, others when he was thinking about Holly. There were a lot of portions that I quite liked.
Overall, I liked the book. I think that Axel Howerton is quite a good author and has a very unique way of writing. I think that reading more investigations of Moss Cole would be interesting.
So, the story of how I came to Hot Sinatra by Axel Howerton is a little bit long. Originally, I made a comment on a post made by the author on the Coffin Hop Press blog. Soon after, I was sent an email from the author offering me a coupon code to A Very Merry Manlove & Kickerdick Xmess. Soon after, I also found that 999 Problems: A Manlove & Kickerdick Trick was available free on Amazon. Manlove and Kickerdick, just to exaplin if you don't know, are two characters who appear in Hot Sinatra and then get there own spin off series, though the few stories so far are very short. I quite liked both of those short stories, because of both the writing style and characters. So I went online to Book Depository and ordered Hot Sinatra. I've given it a read today and the following is pretty much mostly my opinion.
The general plot was fairly original. The majority of private detective novels I've generally read deal with murders, kidnappings and thefts of jewels. So, the fact that a one-of-a-kind record had been stolen and was the main plot device was fairly unique to me. It also allowed for various conversations events between characters that kept the story going, where each character would add their own unique take on what they felt about Sinatra and their own opinions about the record. The speed of the plot seems reasonable, though it does take place over a short amount of time- only several days. I think that the plot and timing work well for the book.
The characters are mostly unique as well. I think that the majority of what made them so special was that the author didn't hold back. Admittedly, I've not read much of his other work, only the Manlove & Kickerdick stories apart from this novel. However, the thing that makes Axel Howerton such a good author is that he makes everything so ridiculous. It's difficult to explain, but he just takes all sorts of quirks and characteristics, giving them to an almost normal character and it makes them all quite interesting. Given so many of these quirks can make some characters extremely interesting, my favourites being Menlowe and Kierkedoek, and those are examples of whom I'd like to see a heap more of. However, in other cases, I don't think some characters work as well. Danny Fox, AKA Foxy Thunders, has been one of Cole's best (and sometimes only) friends for years. He's actually a fairly straight forward character, compared to some of the others; a rock star whom everyone loves and he does the general famous person stuff like drinking and being with lots of women. He's fairly normal, but I don't particularly like the way he appears through much of the story, despite having nothing much to do. I liked Rose; I think her character was fairly believable.
As for the main character, Cole, I found that I sometimes liked him, but not all the time. Many of his thoughts and portions of his back story were interesting, but some could be a bit tiresome. There were a lot of special moments that I really enjoyed with him, some of which when he was thinking about his grandfather, others when he was thinking about Holly. There were a lot of portions that I quite liked.
Overall, I liked the book. I think that Axel Howerton is quite a good author and has a very unique way of writing. I think that reading more investigations of Moss Cole would be interesting.
May 27, 2013
Let me start by saying that this is not my preferred genre. But! Axel Howerton is a fellow Sox National and the name “Mossimo Cole” sounded just too cool to leave un-checked. Boy am I happy I ventured out of my usual (and more perturbed than cool) reading preferences! This is one of the coolest books I have read in a long time (my whole life?). It is super fun, incredibly witty, and though there is perhaps a tad too much swearing it sort of fits.
The characters are a riot! Yet there is depth and emotional baggage to deal with as well. Moss is adorable in his “I am cynical yet have a soft heart” attitude. The foul-mouthed, permanently drunk Irish rock star! The sophisticated madam with that hint of sadness! The Manlove and Kickerdick duo! Axel’s sarcastic and self-deprecating, and super funny and witty dialogue had me laughing out loud through the entire book, sometimes crying at the same time.
If you are offended by brutal violence, excessive swearing, and organized crime, this book is definitely not for you. But trust me when I tell you that somehow, Mr. Howerton makes all this work, and the result is a light, super easy to read story that will make you laugh and cry, and leave you wanting to know more, make friends with the characters, and follow Moss through many more future adventures.
The characters are a riot! Yet there is depth and emotional baggage to deal with as well. Moss is adorable in his “I am cynical yet have a soft heart” attitude. The foul-mouthed, permanently drunk Irish rock star! The sophisticated madam with that hint of sadness! The Manlove and Kickerdick duo! Axel’s sarcastic and self-deprecating, and super funny and witty dialogue had me laughing out loud through the entire book, sometimes crying at the same time.
If you are offended by brutal violence, excessive swearing, and organized crime, this book is definitely not for you. But trust me when I tell you that somehow, Mr. Howerton makes all this work, and the result is a light, super easy to read story that will make you laugh and cry, and leave you wanting to know more, make friends with the characters, and follow Moss through many more future adventures.
January 6, 2014
Moss Cole is a private detective, the kind you thought only existed in old movies and afternoon reruns. He’s smart, talented, sometimes even charming. You’d think he could find a better gig than carrying on his grandfather’s legacy as a ‘Private Dick.’
Cole is out of money, out of ideas, and out of his league. That’s why he’s stuck looking for a stolen Sinatra record… a record that may be just a figment of an old man’s imagination.
Of course, if that were true, Moss wouldn’t have so many people busting down his door.
A vivacious redhead, a foul-mouthed Irish rock star, and a whip-smart little girl only complicate the job, when all Cole wants is a good cup of coffee and some Hot Sinatra.
If only he can stay alive—and in one piece—long enough to find it.
This was a fun easy read with a cast of characters... really colorful characters. I read this very quickly and enjoyed it thoroughly!
Cole is out of money, out of ideas, and out of his league. That’s why he’s stuck looking for a stolen Sinatra record… a record that may be just a figment of an old man’s imagination.
Of course, if that were true, Moss wouldn’t have so many people busting down his door.
A vivacious redhead, a foul-mouthed Irish rock star, and a whip-smart little girl only complicate the job, when all Cole wants is a good cup of coffee and some Hot Sinatra.
If only he can stay alive—and in one piece—long enough to find it.
This was a fun easy read with a cast of characters... really colorful characters. I read this very quickly and enjoyed it thoroughly!
August 1, 2013
Although I am not great at conveying my thoughts, I will try to relay how really great his book is! It has such a great spectrum of characters, I could actually envision how I thought each one looked. I loved the interjections of foreign language in all the right places. The lead character is a new 'old-time' private detective, following in his dad's footsteps at a time that we never see this profession anymore. He is quirky, fast thinking, very humorous, bad mouthed but totally loveable, so much so that I almost cried at the end. (no, he does not die) I cannot wait for more books like this. I am not fond of zombies and the such and thus have not read any of Alex Howerton's other works, but I absolutely LOVED this. I will be telling my book club about this 'fun' read. I hope there is much more to come!!!
May 22, 2015
Down-at-heels PI Moss Cole is trying to make a living in investigations using only some tips and an old hat handed down by his more successful grandfather. It’s the old man’s reputation that gets him the case of the missing Sinatra recording, which leads to the inevitable dame and at least two sets of threatening thugs, all pulling Moss in different directions with plenty of hard knocks and bad language along the way. The trope of the hard-drinking, hard-fisted PI has its unique twists here, lifting ‘Hot Sinatra’ from imitation to heartfelt homage for the Golden Age of the American private eye.
May 20, 2013
This was outside my preferred paranormal/urban fantasy genre- but an excellent read. Great writing, in the style of a Sam Spade novel mixed with a Rat Pack movie. I enjoyed the plot and the characters (well developed with outrageous personalities, in some cases). I highly recommend for people that like the old-style detective novels; although, its just as great a read if you like a well-written book!
July 2, 2013
This book is excellent! It's laugh-out-loud funny with lots of heart. I will be recommending this book to my friends!
Want to read
November 27, 2015Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2015/11/...
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2015/11/...
September 6, 2022
Mossimo Cole is a fast-talking PI who can’t stay out of trouble if his life depended on it, and his life frequently does. He’s hired to find a missing Sinatra record and encounters a colorful cast of characters in his search.
This has everything I love about the genre (PI Noir/Mobsters). Tons of violence. Exciting climax and resolution. The love interest adds an extra layer of depth and stakes to the narrative overall.
Exactly as much swearing/vulgarity as you’d expect in the mobster subgenre (which is to say, a lot), so if that’s not your thing, then neither is this book—but if it is your thing, then you’ll love this.
A fun, exciting, fast-paced, short read. Recommended to lovers of a good PI/mobster noir.
This has everything I love about the genre (PI Noir/Mobsters). Tons of violence. Exciting climax and resolution. The love interest adds an extra layer of depth and stakes to the narrative overall.
Exactly as much swearing/vulgarity as you’d expect in the mobster subgenre (which is to say, a lot), so if that’s not your thing, then neither is this book—but if it is your thing, then you’ll love this.
A fun, exciting, fast-paced, short read. Recommended to lovers of a good PI/mobster noir.
March 31, 2021
This book delivers the true old gangster style that is hard to come by now-a-days.
A private investigator with true swagger takes the reader on a ferocious ride. A mystery unfolds over a stolen Sinatra one of a kind recording. The action is gripping, the events are ferocious, and the twists are unexpected.
The stakes climb until there is no way out. The reader is left gripping the pages, needing to know what becomes of the witty PI that has found his way into their heart.
The writing is luscious. The ride is amazing.
A must read for anyone who loves old school, gangster, and records.
A private investigator with true swagger takes the reader on a ferocious ride. A mystery unfolds over a stolen Sinatra one of a kind recording. The action is gripping, the events are ferocious, and the twists are unexpected.
The stakes climb until there is no way out. The reader is left gripping the pages, needing to know what becomes of the witty PI that has found his way into their heart.
The writing is luscious. The ride is amazing.
A must read for anyone who loves old school, gangster, and records.
January 1, 2022
This was a good story.It seemed to lose the plot every so often,but I enjoyed it!I love Sinatra and the Rat Pack so that probably helped. The grandson of gumshoe Mosimo(?) is also a private dick.Well he is trying to be.He gets a call from an old codger to find a stolen record.Boy is he in for a run! Narration by Mike Michaud was very well done.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 9, 2014
Loved it!. Started reading on a snowy Friday afternoon (in May!) and only stopped reading because it was dark and very late. Next morning picked it back up and finished. Great characters and good flow. Kept me turning the pages. Just when you think you have it figured out, something comes in from left field.
A great fun read. No wonder it is up for an Arthur Ellis award. It should be climbing the charts!
Way to go Axel.
A great fun read. No wonder it is up for an Arthur Ellis award. It should be climbing the charts!
Way to go Axel.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews