The Nudger Dilemmas: A Short Story Collection

Alo Nudger

by John Lutz

NUDGER IS ONE OF THE COOLEST, MOST ACCESSIBLE DETECTIVES IN HISTORY!This collection of 13 previously published stories starring Nudger, Lutz's worrywart St. Louis detective, provides an entertaining introduction to one of the genre's most distinctive private eyes. Nudger, whose ever-present antacids protect a stomach that turns at the mere hint of danger, somehow manages to do his job without resorting to fists or handguns. The well-turned phrase is his most lethal weapon, whether he's seeking justice for an executed man proved innocent after the fact or coming to the aid of his friend Danny, proprietor of Danny's Donuts, who believes that his fellow shipmates from Vietnam are being killed one by one. Lutz, winner of both the Shamus and the Edgar, also holds a lifetime achievement award from the Private Eye Writers of America.ABOUT THE John Lutz's work includes political suspense, private eye novels, urban suspense, humor, occult, crime caper, police procedural, espionage, historical, futuristic, amateur detective, thriller; virtually every mystery sub-genre. He is the author of more than forty novels and over 200 short stories and articles. His novels and short fiction have been translated into almost every language and adapted for almost every medium. He is a past president of both Mystery Writers of America and Private Eye Writers of America. Among his awards are the MWA Edgar, the PWA Shamus, The Trophee 813 Award for best mystery short story collectiontranslated into the French language, the PWA Life Achievement Award, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Golden Derringer Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the author of two private eye series, the Nudger series, set in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Carver series, set in Florida, as well as many non-series novels. His SWF SEEKS SAME was made into the hit movie SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and his novel THE EX was made into the HBO original movie of the same title, for which he co-authored the screenplay.When Lutz isn't writing, he's reading, following baseball, dining out with friends, or going to movies or plays.Lutz and his wife, Barbara, split their time between St. Louis and Sarasota, Florida. His latest book is the suspense novel Mister X.FIND MORE BY JOHN LUTZ FROM CROSSROAD PRESS! His collection SHADOWS EVERYWHERE is available for your Nook. Also from CROSSROAD PRESS, check out mysteries by BILL CRIDER, BILL PRONZINI, ED LYNSKEY, TOM PICCIRILLI - and others, as well as a wide range of novels, short story collections, biographies and more.

300 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Lutz has captivated suspense enthusiasts for over four decades. He has been one of the premier voices in contemporary hard-boiled fiction. His work includes political suspense, private eye novels, urban suspense, humor, occult, crime caper, police procedural, espionage, historical, futuristic, amateur detective, thriller; virtually every mystery sub-genre. John Lutz published his first short story in 1966 in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and has been publishing regularly ever since. He is the author of more than fifty novels and 250 short stories and articles.

His novels and short fiction have been translated into virtually every language and adapted for almost every medium. He is a past president of both Mystery Writers of America and Private Eye Writers of America. Among his awards are the MWA Edgar, the PWA Shamus, The Trophee 813 Award for best mystery short story collection translated into the French language, the PWA Life Achievement Award, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Golden Derringer Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is the author of two private eye series, the Nudger series, set in his home town of St. Louis, and the Carver series, set in Florida, as well as many non-series suspense novels. His SWF SEEKS SAME was made into the hit movie SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and his novel THE EX was made into the HBO original movie of the same title, for which he co-authored the screenplay.

Lutz and his wife, Barbara, split their time between St. Louis and Sarasota, Florida.

Reviews

[Graham Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Alo Nudger series is one of my favorite private eye series, and he's never better than in the short stories. That's no surprise, as John Lutz published dozens and dozens of short stories. This collection rounds up all the Nudger stories through 2001, especially including "Where Is Harry Beal?", my favorite and one of the dozen or so best PI stories ever.

The series' appeal comes from the fact that Nudger is a private eye, but hardly hardboiled. He had to leave the police force because he couldn't handle the stress, and during a tough case he munches antacid tablets like they were candy. But he perseveres, and manages to find his way to the solution.

The tone varies. Some of the stories are outright comedies, and even the serious ones usually have their light moments. Probably the closest comparison would be Loren Estleman's Amos Walker. Highly recommended for PI fans.

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alo Nudger: Ex St Louis cop, turned P.I . Nudger is the consummate PI . Works above a donut shop,struggles to pay his alimony and pops antacids faster than a speeding bullet. In NUDGER DILEMAS; A SHORT STORY COLLECTION BY JOHN LUTZ we gets to see Nudger plod along, sticking his nose into places where most dont want him to go.

I found Nudger wonderfully refreshing. A real down to earth PI , no sex no drugs and no rock n roll. What you see is what you get, a middle aged former cop turned PI eeking out a living trying to solve problems of everyday people . Nudger cares about the people he works for and sometimes that gets him in trouble. I listened to the book as an audiobook and the narration was great. Bob Walter made the characters come alive.

I received this audiobook free in exchange for a honest review.

[Scott Breslove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, and definitely not your typical private eye. Especially not when you’re used to Elvis Cole and Jack Reacher (even tho he isn’t a PI) and the likes. Thoroughly enjoyable, well written and fun. I really liked these stories.