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The Colt Coltrane Series #1
Colt Coltrane and the Lotus Killer
"This city gets to a man. Maybe it's all the busted dreams and the way they seep into the pavement like acid rain, bleaching the color out of things..."
It's 1947, the streets are filthy with grease and empty promises, and private detective Colt Coltrane trolls the city for cheaters and deadbeats with his robotic sidekick Petey. It's all business as usual until a mysterious Japanese woman walks into his office asking him to look into a string of grisly murders along the L.A. River, where the only trace the killer leaves behind, other than a mutilated female victim, is a single white lotus flower. But there is far more to this dame than meets the eye, and Colt's quest to find the Lotus Killer soon leads him to shocking and terrifying secrets lurking beneath Los Angeles.
A pulpy mix of the past, present, and future, COLT COLTRANE AND THE LOTUS KILLER is a non-stop thrill that won't soon be forgotten.
It's 1947, the streets are filthy with grease and empty promises, and private detective Colt Coltrane trolls the city for cheaters and deadbeats with his robotic sidekick Petey. It's all business as usual until a mysterious Japanese woman walks into his office asking him to look into a string of grisly murders along the L.A. River, where the only trace the killer leaves behind, other than a mutilated female victim, is a single white lotus flower. But there is far more to this dame than meets the eye, and Colt's quest to find the Lotus Killer soon leads him to shocking and terrifying secrets lurking beneath Los Angeles.
A pulpy mix of the past, present, and future, COLT COLTRANE AND THE LOTUS KILLER is a non-stop thrill that won't soon be forgotten.
178 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2013
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438 people want to read
About the author
Allison M. Dickson
48 books299 followersAllison M. Dickson is the author of several well-reviewed independently published novels and short stories covering everything from horror and sci-fi to suspense.
Her major debut thriller, THE OTHER MRS MILLER, is due out from Putnam on 7/16/19! Learn more at her work at allisonmdickson.com.
Her major debut thriller, THE OTHER MRS MILLER, is due out from Putnam on 7/16/19! Learn more at her work at allisonmdickson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 5, 2014
I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway. There were many things I liked about it and a few I did not, so I wish the ratings system allowed me to record something between three and four. It's an intriguing blend of hard-boiled noir detective fiction and pulpy-1940's science fiction, told by the titular character. The first person narrative works quite well for the most part, though there were a few instances where I thought the "voice" lapsed; I don't think Colt (or Sam Spade!) would have ever really used words like "harbinger." The story is set in an alternate 1947 Los Angeles where the police have robot partners designed by a Japanese genius who has lost his family in the recently concluded WWII. The setting mostly worked for me, though I think there may been a couple of minor anachronisms that slipped through. (Did police motorcycles have red flashing lights in 1947? Would attics of southern-California homes have layers of insulation?) The only point I had a big problem with was a couple of characters who are tortured and murdered for no real reason with no real consequence or follow-up. It seemed to be a very brutal event than jarred with the rest of the story. The book features some very well-drawn and memorable secondary characters, particularly a desert-rat named Schroeder and the kindly mechanic named, of course, Clutch. The pacing is quite enjoyable; it moves right along, tells it story and ends without an extra hundred pages of padding to make it fit into a more commercially-popular length. I didn't much care for the cover, which struck me as more comics than pulp influenced, but it's a nicely-produced, well line-edited volume. I enjoyed reading it.
October 11, 2014
Allison M. Dickson is full of surprises. For someone who writes primarily in the horror and speculative fiction genres, Colt Coltrane offers the reader another side of Allison’s talent. Set in LA in the late ‘40s, the story follows private detective Colt Coltrane and his robot sidekick, Petey. Yes, a robot in LA in the ‘40s. Immediately, the reader knows this isn’t your everyday police procedural. Colt and Petey are tracking the Lotus Killer through the city and through the sewers. The story is a little scifi, a little mystery, a little bit horror, and a helluva ride.
What I particularly loved about this story was Colt’s background and the way it is revealed to the reader. Allison could have been upfront at the beginning and told you exactly how and why Colt was no longer with the LAPD and exactly what happened to his partner and his wife. But she didn’t. She draws it out, piece by agonizing piece, and this not only adds suspense to the story but helps the reader embrace exactly who Colt is. And who would think you could come to love a bag of bolts like Petey?
With an array of colorful characters, perfect timing, and spectacular character development, Allison M. Dickson draws you in to the world of Colt and Petey. A dark, slimy underbelly of a world.
I was given an advanced copy of this book from the author. And I thank her immensely.
What I particularly loved about this story was Colt’s background and the way it is revealed to the reader. Allison could have been upfront at the beginning and told you exactly how and why Colt was no longer with the LAPD and exactly what happened to his partner and his wife. But she didn’t. She draws it out, piece by agonizing piece, and this not only adds suspense to the story but helps the reader embrace exactly who Colt is. And who would think you could come to love a bag of bolts like Petey?
With an array of colorful characters, perfect timing, and spectacular character development, Allison M. Dickson draws you in to the world of Colt and Petey. A dark, slimy underbelly of a world.
I was given an advanced copy of this book from the author. And I thank her immensely.
October 20, 2017
This is a great retro sci-fi private eye story that is at times fun, at times complex. The insertion of futuristic robots into post-WWII Los Angeles makes for a surprisingly great canvas, and Allison M. Dickson creates amazing characters and scenarios on top of it. The protagonist is difficult yet easy to identify and care about, but the actions of his past make him complex.
Despite being a bit gory in story, it takes a turn for the more visceral near the end, with a surprise twist that leaves you hoping more of this world can be explored.
Despite being a bit gory in story, it takes a turn for the more visceral near the end, with a surprise twist that leaves you hoping more of this world can be explored.
March 28, 2014
I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway. Signed by the author too!
This was a fun little romp. I've been looking for a mix of genres among these lines and robots and crime noir is a great combo. It was creative, suspenseful, and engaging. Our protagonist/narrator, Colt, while a bit of a cliche noir hero, is still a compelling voice and he was the kind of character you wanted to see succeed. Not to mention, he had an awesome robot sidekick. What's not kick ass about that?
My only complaints are that I would've preferred descriptions of many of the characters. If not for the cover, I'd have no clue what Colt looks like (though, I pictured Humphrey Bogart). Is he athletic? Paunchy? Tall? Have short hair? I need to know! That, and I noticed about 10 typos within the books 170+ pages. This is more of a knock at the editor than at the author, though.
Overall, I recommend it. It won't change the world, but you'll have a lot of fun reading it.
This was a fun little romp. I've been looking for a mix of genres among these lines and robots and crime noir is a great combo. It was creative, suspenseful, and engaging. Our protagonist/narrator, Colt, while a bit of a cliche noir hero, is still a compelling voice and he was the kind of character you wanted to see succeed. Not to mention, he had an awesome robot sidekick. What's not kick ass about that?
My only complaints are that I would've preferred descriptions of many of the characters. If not for the cover, I'd have no clue what Colt looks like (though, I pictured Humphrey Bogart). Is he athletic? Paunchy? Tall? Have short hair? I need to know! That, and I noticed about 10 typos within the books 170+ pages. This is more of a knock at the editor than at the author, though.
Overall, I recommend it. It won't change the world, but you'll have a lot of fun reading it.
August 26, 2014
Detective pulp isn't normally my genre, but I had the pleasure of meeting the author at a local event, and the cover and story caught my eye.
I wasn't disappointed - this book is everything it claims to be: it's a quick read that is dark, humorous, creative, and fun. I especially enjoyed the robotic character of Petey. Petey is mysterious and interesting, and I want to learn more about him.
I recommend Colt Coltrane to anyone who likes detective novels, and enjoys a fast, fun, read with some wonderfully quirky elements.
I wasn't disappointed - this book is everything it claims to be: it's a quick read that is dark, humorous, creative, and fun. I especially enjoyed the robotic character of Petey. Petey is mysterious and interesting, and I want to learn more about him.
I recommend Colt Coltrane to anyone who likes detective novels, and enjoys a fast, fun, read with some wonderfully quirky elements.
December 31, 2014
This was a fun read. It was humorous and fast-paced with just enough of a dark side to keep it from being cheesy. It left me wanting to see more of Coltrane and more of Dickson's writing. I only wish that there were a graphic novel adaptation and an audiobook. This would be such a great road-trip listen!
The fusion of noir and scifi was elegantly done. Dickson keeps the bots at a safe distance from Next Gen Data-like development, but with more hints at humanity than K-9.
The fusion of noir and scifi was elegantly done. Dickson keeps the bots at a safe distance from Next Gen Data-like development, but with more hints at humanity than K-9.
September 28, 2015
I really love Allison Dickson's horror but this novel is just as awesome. I'm a total whore for pulp noir and love sci-fi so it was a match made in heaven for me! I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
"Obviously a rookie from the look of innocence dying a slow death on his face."
"Obviously a rookie from the look of innocence dying a slow death on his face."
December 29, 2013
Back in the '50's we all wanted a robot friend of our very own. Colt gets into some tight spots, both figuratively and literally, and he misses his 'partner' when the robot is 'in for servicing'. Read the book and enjoy yourself ! ! !
September 25, 2014
Noir meets Steampunk, plus Dickson mixes in her own twists. Coltrane and Petey are an entertaining team. This was one of those books I didn't want to put the book down and couldn't wait to pick it backup when I had to. I see more Allison Dickson in my future.
March 3, 2015
This was a really fun read.I liked the mashup of old timey detective noir with robots. Fun stuff.
October 30, 2022
Dickson updates the crime noir genre: we get a beautiful heiress, gritty gumshoe, plots, hidden agendas and...an internal-combustion robot sidekick. Fun and entertaining read that jumps off the page in black and white: Humphrey Bogart in the Maltese Falcon updated for the 21st century.
June 27, 2017
I liked this. A nice blend of Detective Noir and Steampunk.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews