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The Case of the Running Bag
It Began with a Simple Accident, or was it an Attempted Murder?
A femme fatale. Her missing husband. A dead private detective. And a dangerous game of mistaken identity...
It all started when Jonas Watcher found a business card along with some keys – curious... some money – a really good thing... and a gun...
It's the nineteen thirties and Jonas Watcher must solve the mystery of the dead PI if he wants to stay alive.
“The Case of the Running Bag” is the first novel of the Jonas Watcher Detective Adventure series. It features a traditional P.I. dealing with extortion, kidnapping, and murder. Author Gene Poschman brings back the hard-boiled detective novel, featuring the romance and humor reminiscent of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler.
Pick up a free copy of the first book in the Jonas Watcher series and step into the exciting age of the 1930s gumshoe.live.
A femme fatale. Her missing husband. A dead private detective. And a dangerous game of mistaken identity...
It all started when Jonas Watcher found a business card along with some keys – curious... some money – a really good thing... and a gun...
It's the nineteen thirties and Jonas Watcher must solve the mystery of the dead PI if he wants to stay alive.
“The Case of the Running Bag” is the first novel of the Jonas Watcher Detective Adventure series. It features a traditional P.I. dealing with extortion, kidnapping, and murder. Author Gene Poschman brings back the hard-boiled detective novel, featuring the romance and humor reminiscent of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler.
Pick up a free copy of the first book in the Jonas Watcher series and step into the exciting age of the 1930s gumshoe.live.
184 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2014
169 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Gene Poschman
8 books17 followersCurrently living in the San Francisco Bay area, and working on the fifth book in the Jonas Watcher series. "The Case of the Dead Detective " took precedence over "The Case of the Looking Glass Mirror". Jonas and Betty have to wait before they work their first case together,
Agatha Wingate has interrupted the Jonas Watcher series with "In Her Majesty's Service." It is a new series, but don't worry, Jonas still has at least another dozen adventures coming up.
I was on hiatus for a little more than a year because of the death of my wife. She'll be angry I have stopped writing, so I am sending Jonas Watcher back to New Orleans. Georgette gets kidnapped.
Agatha Wingate has interrupted the Jonas Watcher series with "In Her Majesty's Service." It is a new series, but don't worry, Jonas still has at least another dozen adventures coming up.
I was on hiatus for a little more than a year because of the death of my wife. She'll be angry I have stopped writing, so I am sending Jonas Watcher back to New Orleans. Georgette gets kidnapped.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 25, 2018
First Sentence: I was just waking up.
Jonas Watcher's day isn't starting off well. He's coming off the DTs, decides to give up drinking, wakes up on a dock in San Francisco, is immediately attacked and ends up in the water. Tangled in a net along with him is a large bag whose contents include a business card, keys, money…and an old Navy Colt forty-four. In a story of kidnapping, extortion, and murder, Watcher is reminiscent of the 1930's noir PIs of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett.
The opening is a bit awkward and contains redundancies, but the story picks up very quickly from there.
Although Poschmann does not provide much initial backstory, Watcher and his history are developed as the story progresses and it soon becomes very clear as to why he is perfectly suited to the role into which he has stepped. Although set in the 1930's, Watcher refreshingly has more of a contemporary sensibility in that the character has laid off liquor, prefers capability to looks in his receptionist, and develops a good relationship with the police lieutenant.
It is interesting seeing how Watcher builds his team of informers. Coining the term "the invisibles" is sadly true as it is the perfect description of how most people never really notice the cab driver, the hotel maid, or the many providing shoeshines.
The San Francisco setting creates a strong sense of place and time. However, one does tire of the various references to the "sisters of fate." It would have been nice to have and Afterword or Author's Notes at the end providing a bit more information on some of the historical details such as the ability to do ballistic testing during this time, and the existence of military MPs in the 1930s.
Despite there being a lot of coincidences; understandable in a book of fewer than 200 pages, the plot is well done, and the story holds one's attention.
"The Case of the Running Bag" is a quick read and an enjoyable first effort. Enough so, one may consider reading more of the series.
THE CASE OF THE RUNNING BAG (Hist/PI-James Watcher-San Francisco-1930s) - Good
Poschman, Gene – 1st of series
Gene Poschman – 2016
Jonas Watcher's day isn't starting off well. He's coming off the DTs, decides to give up drinking, wakes up on a dock in San Francisco, is immediately attacked and ends up in the water. Tangled in a net along with him is a large bag whose contents include a business card, keys, money…and an old Navy Colt forty-four. In a story of kidnapping, extortion, and murder, Watcher is reminiscent of the 1930's noir PIs of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett.
The opening is a bit awkward and contains redundancies, but the story picks up very quickly from there.
Although Poschmann does not provide much initial backstory, Watcher and his history are developed as the story progresses and it soon becomes very clear as to why he is perfectly suited to the role into which he has stepped. Although set in the 1930's, Watcher refreshingly has more of a contemporary sensibility in that the character has laid off liquor, prefers capability to looks in his receptionist, and develops a good relationship with the police lieutenant.
It is interesting seeing how Watcher builds his team of informers. Coining the term "the invisibles" is sadly true as it is the perfect description of how most people never really notice the cab driver, the hotel maid, or the many providing shoeshines.
The San Francisco setting creates a strong sense of place and time. However, one does tire of the various references to the "sisters of fate." It would have been nice to have and Afterword or Author's Notes at the end providing a bit more information on some of the historical details such as the ability to do ballistic testing during this time, and the existence of military MPs in the 1930s.
Despite there being a lot of coincidences; understandable in a book of fewer than 200 pages, the plot is well done, and the story holds one's attention.
"The Case of the Running Bag" is a quick read and an enjoyable first effort. Enough so, one may consider reading more of the series.
THE CASE OF THE RUNNING BAG (Hist/PI-James Watcher-San Francisco-1930s) - Good
Poschman, Gene – 1st of series
Gene Poschman – 2016
June 7, 2018
This is a book I read because the local author gave copies to the F2F book club I attend. It's also short so I figured it wouldn't be much of a time investment. The Case of the Running Bag is the first novel in a historical mystery series.
It was an entertaining read. I really liked the receptionist that the PI protagonist hired. She was my favorite character.
Protagonist Jonas Watcher stumbles into his job and the murder case in highly unusual circumstances that cause the reader to underestimate him. He turns out to be a credible investigator with a background to match his skills.
Since this is a book taking place in the early 1930's, I couldn't help comparing it to another book that I recently read. The Fairfax Incident took place during the same period, had a great deal more period detail and was very interesting from a thematic perspective. See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... . I admit that it wasn't fair to The Case of the Running Bag to compare the two books. The Fairfax Incident is the most recent book of an experienced author. This novel was Gene Poschman's first book. It was published in 2014. Three other books in the series have appeared since then. It's certainly possible that Poschman has grown as a writer. I am willing to give him another chance to impress me.
The next book in the series takes place in New Orleans. I am inclined to read books that take place in NOLA. So I probably will pick up Jonas Watcher: The Case of the Bourbon Street Hustler.
It was an entertaining read. I really liked the receptionist that the PI protagonist hired. She was my favorite character.
Protagonist Jonas Watcher stumbles into his job and the murder case in highly unusual circumstances that cause the reader to underestimate him. He turns out to be a credible investigator with a background to match his skills.
Since this is a book taking place in the early 1930's, I couldn't help comparing it to another book that I recently read. The Fairfax Incident took place during the same period, had a great deal more period detail and was very interesting from a thematic perspective. See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... . I admit that it wasn't fair to The Case of the Running Bag to compare the two books. The Fairfax Incident is the most recent book of an experienced author. This novel was Gene Poschman's first book. It was published in 2014. Three other books in the series have appeared since then. It's certainly possible that Poschman has grown as a writer. I am willing to give him another chance to impress me.
The next book in the series takes place in New Orleans. I am inclined to read books that take place in NOLA. So I probably will pick up Jonas Watcher: The Case of the Bourbon Street Hustler.
January 22, 2022
I received a free electronic copy of this 1930s San Francisco PI mystery novel, the first of the series of four Jonas Watcher Detective series, from the author and publisher Gene Poschman. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Gene Poschman takes us back to those compelling 1930s and 1940s noir novels and movies, those old black and white PI movies and quick read nickel novels of the time that entertained our folks and were shared with us, and we, in turn, exposed our children to that genre in our time. And those 40-something kids are gonna love Poschman. So will you. Check out the YouTube videos for the chapters in this novel. They will really get you in the mood for noir.
Reviewed on January 8, 2022, at Goodreads. Reviewed on January 21, 2022, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo. Not available for review on GooglePlay.
Reviewed on January 8, 2022, at Goodreads. Reviewed on January 21, 2022, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo. Not available for review on GooglePlay.
August 29, 2020
First of a series of post-WW2 mysteries. The story is about a wealthy woman trying to find her husband, and the complications about why he's missing and what he was doing build as the story moves along.
The start of this book is great, very interesting and fresh. I won't spoil it, except to say that the detective in this book starts out not a detective and steps into the role in a series of mistaken identities and confusion.
The theme of a new detective getting started and building up contacts, developing his new agency and office, and so on are entertaining and interesting. The main character is capable and smart, but stumbles a bit as he's not exactly sure what to do.
However, as the story goes on, the main character becomes excessively competent, is revealed to have been an investigator in the war who rocketed up the ranks, and is a crack shot. He builds an entire network of informants and contacts in the city (San Francisco) in one day. He hires the perfect receptionist. He rigs up a sweet modified pistol in two hours with a master gunsmith he just happens to know in town. And he pays for it all with money that just lands literally in his lap.
In other words, the start is very promising, but all limits and drawbacks the character would and should have are erased within hours and the he's a master detective who handles everything, never misses with his pistol, and so on.
So while the story was interesting, the character is so super competent and has such an easy time of everything (including a super helpful, subservient police lieutenant) that there's no real tension in the story or sense of danger. He just steamrolls his way to victory, but several significant plotlines are left dangling at the end.
The start of this book is great, very interesting and fresh. I won't spoil it, except to say that the detective in this book starts out not a detective and steps into the role in a series of mistaken identities and confusion.
The theme of a new detective getting started and building up contacts, developing his new agency and office, and so on are entertaining and interesting. The main character is capable and smart, but stumbles a bit as he's not exactly sure what to do.
However, as the story goes on, the main character becomes excessively competent, is revealed to have been an investigator in the war who rocketed up the ranks, and is a crack shot. He builds an entire network of informants and contacts in the city (San Francisco) in one day. He hires the perfect receptionist. He rigs up a sweet modified pistol in two hours with a master gunsmith he just happens to know in town. And he pays for it all with money that just lands literally in his lap.
In other words, the start is very promising, but all limits and drawbacks the character would and should have are erased within hours and the he's a master detective who handles everything, never misses with his pistol, and so on.
So while the story was interesting, the character is so super competent and has such an easy time of everything (including a super helpful, subservient police lieutenant) that there's no real tension in the story or sense of danger. He just steamrolls his way to victory, but several significant plotlines are left dangling at the end.
August 1, 2022
Summary
The Case of the Running Bag is a historical detective mystery thriller by Gene Poschman, and the first book to the Jonas Watcher Detective series. Set in the 1930s, the story begins when Jonas wakes up cold and wet in a bay underneath a pier. He got kicked out of the bar because he had no money, got arrested for D and D, and then twenty-four hours later, he got tossed out of the drunk tank. He doesn’t remember much after that. When he finds a mysterious bag with men's clothes, a train ticket, a notebook, a passport without a picture, and a gun, his life takes an exciting, but dangerous turn.
Review
It’s fascinating how a man who had hit rock bottom suddenly turned into an assistant to a private investigator! Waking up in a bay with a bag that would change his life was a strong opening that instantly pulled me into the story of Jonas Watcher, a compelling character. I enjoyed reading this book because it was fast-paced and entertaining. Hence, I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars for its entertainment value, and I recommend it to readers who are into noir stories of kidnapping, extortion, and murder.
The Case of the Running Bag is a historical detective mystery thriller by Gene Poschman, and the first book to the Jonas Watcher Detective series. Set in the 1930s, the story begins when Jonas wakes up cold and wet in a bay underneath a pier. He got kicked out of the bar because he had no money, got arrested for D and D, and then twenty-four hours later, he got tossed out of the drunk tank. He doesn’t remember much after that. When he finds a mysterious bag with men's clothes, a train ticket, a notebook, a passport without a picture, and a gun, his life takes an exciting, but dangerous turn.
Review
It’s fascinating how a man who had hit rock bottom suddenly turned into an assistant to a private investigator! Waking up in a bay with a bag that would change his life was a strong opening that instantly pulled me into the story of Jonas Watcher, a compelling character. I enjoyed reading this book because it was fast-paced and entertaining. Hence, I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars for its entertainment value, and I recommend it to readers who are into noir stories of kidnapping, extortion, and murder.
June 1, 2024
Jonas Watcher's journey begins with a dramatic twist- a running bag hits him as he plunges into the depths of the water. This unexpected start, reminiscent of classic noir, immediately drew me in. Despite my initial surprise, the rest of the story was a thrilling ride, a perfect treat for fans of noir movies and books.
I gave this book a VG because Jonas was a perfect shot and happened to be an MP in the Army. The story was too perfect for Jonas. However, I read it in a few hours because it was captivating. I can hardly wait to find the next one.
Jonas Watcher
** 1. The Case of the Running Bag (2016)
2. The Case of the Bourbon Street Hustler (2016)
3. The Case of the Jade Dragon (2016)
4. The Case of the Dead Detective (2017)
I gave this book a VG because Jonas was a perfect shot and happened to be an MP in the Army. The story was too perfect for Jonas. However, I read it in a few hours because it was captivating. I can hardly wait to find the next one.
Jonas Watcher
** 1. The Case of the Running Bag (2016)
2. The Case of the Bourbon Street Hustler (2016)
3. The Case of the Jade Dragon (2016)
4. The Case of the Dead Detective (2017)
March 6, 2025
#1 in the 1930's San Francisco Jonas Watcher Detective series featuring an unconventional private investigator getting back on his feet. Jonas wakes up cold and wet underneath a pier. He had been kicked out of a bar because he had no money, got arrested for D and D, and then twenty-four hours later, he got tossed out of the drunk tank. He doesn’t remember much after that until he finds a mysterious bag with men's clothes, a train ticket, a notebook, a passport without a picture, and a gun, his life takes an exciting, but dangerous turn.
July 9, 2020
New Orleans tale
Great writing (but could use fine tuning editing) with effective plot and brilliant cast of characters. No loose ends and satisfying conclusion. Strong recommendation.
As I am a gatherer of books, I collect books and ebooks from a variety of sources: Goodreads wins, Bookhub, BookFunnel, emails from authors and publishers, and others. I do lose track of their sources. But, as a reader, I feel I should give an honest, unencumbered review for all I read.
Great writing (but could use fine tuning editing) with effective plot and brilliant cast of characters. No loose ends and satisfying conclusion. Strong recommendation.
As I am a gatherer of books, I collect books and ebooks from a variety of sources: Goodreads wins, Bookhub, BookFunnel, emails from authors and publishers, and others. I do lose track of their sources. But, as a reader, I feel I should give an honest, unencumbered review for all I read.
May 12, 2019
Great start that holds your attention.
When I start a book, I want the first chapter to grab me. Mr. Coachman did this for me not in the whole chapter, but in the first few paragraphs! Thanks. I was kept interested throughout the entire book. Wasn't able to guess about Parrish until I read about it ( didn't want a spoiler here). Thanks again for the adventure.
When I start a book, I want the first chapter to grab me. Mr. Coachman did this for me not in the whole chapter, but in the first few paragraphs! Thanks. I was kept interested throughout the entire book. Wasn't able to guess about Parrish until I read about it ( didn't want a spoiler here). Thanks again for the adventure.
April 12, 2021
Very good!
Very good! Very, very good! Very, very good, indeed! I enjoyed this read immensely. I only hope the author will get an editor to fix the few typos. And by the way, "then" is not "than". Look it up.
Very good! Very, very good! Very, very good, indeed! I enjoyed this read immensely. I only hope the author will get an editor to fix the few typos. And by the way, "then" is not "than". Look it up.
December 16, 2021
Easy to follow from the beginning
Normally when beginning a new book it takes a while to follow and get interesting. This was easy to follow and a real page turner from the first paragraph.
Normally when beginning a new book it takes a while to follow and get interesting. This was easy to follow and a real page turner from the first paragraph.
March 8, 2024
“I was just waking up…”
First in the Jonas Watcher P.I. series. The author says it’s in the Chandler and Hammett school but lighter. That’s a fair description, has that era feel, plenty of dialogue rather than description and cracks along at a good pace.
First in the Jonas Watcher P.I. series. The author says it’s in the Chandler and Hammett school but lighter. That’s a fair description, has that era feel, plenty of dialogue rather than description and cracks along at a good pace.
September 12, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It started off a bit shaky for me but once I got into it, I could not put it down. I look forward to reading more like this from Mr. Poschman.
March 1, 2023
very good story line-kept you guessing
June 1, 2024
Honestly I was bored I had to dnf
November 21, 2016
( Format : Audiobook )
""... a woman laughing in the background.""
I loved this book. When it first started, I was uncertain about the narrator's voice: the deep, gravelly tones suited the story well. But there were odd little pauses here and there ... it didn't sound like the smooth performances more usually heard. But as the tale progressed, I realised how wrong I was and how perfectly the whole production suited the character.
For this is the story of how Jonas Watcher, an ex soldier, now full time drunk, literally falls into (or was hit by) his first job and becomes a private eye. Told as if by Watcher himself, Philip Marlow style, this might not be literary genius but is certainly a well written and often wry humoured detective noire. And Pete Ferrand simply becomes Jonas in the reading. O.K. his other character voices can be surprising but they are distinctive in conversation and all add to the enjoyment of the story.
My deep thanks to the right's holder who gifted me a copy of The Case of the Running Bag. Good mystery story, great characters with depth and personality and an enjoyable narration. And even funny, too. Yes, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Plus I will be looking out for more in this Jonas Watcher series
""... a woman laughing in the background.""
I loved this book. When it first started, I was uncertain about the narrator's voice: the deep, gravelly tones suited the story well. But there were odd little pauses here and there ... it didn't sound like the smooth performances more usually heard. But as the tale progressed, I realised how wrong I was and how perfectly the whole production suited the character.
For this is the story of how Jonas Watcher, an ex soldier, now full time drunk, literally falls into (or was hit by) his first job and becomes a private eye. Told as if by Watcher himself, Philip Marlow style, this might not be literary genius but is certainly a well written and often wry humoured detective noire. And Pete Ferrand simply becomes Jonas in the reading. O.K. his other character voices can be surprising but they are distinctive in conversation and all add to the enjoyment of the story.
My deep thanks to the right's holder who gifted me a copy of The Case of the Running Bag. Good mystery story, great characters with depth and personality and an enjoyable narration. And even funny, too. Yes, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Plus I will be looking out for more in this Jonas Watcher series
November 2, 2016
The publisher's blurb is interesting, but not in the same ballpark as this mystery. The woman is not Brigit from the Maltese Falcon, and she does not do the come on. The Lieutenant is a stand up guy, and the PI turns his life around right quick and shows more smarts than the opening pages might indicate. And yes, the three sisters/fates have an excellent sense of humor. Well written in the noir style, this is a book not to be missed. No spoilers.
I got the audio, and Pete Ferrand is good for this one. He has the kind of gravelly baritone that is well suited, and the odd pauses sometimes, but they do seem in character with the personages. Great read!
I requested and received this audiobook free from the publisher, author, or narrator courtesy of AudioBookBOOM.
I got the audio, and Pete Ferrand is good for this one. He has the kind of gravelly baritone that is well suited, and the odd pauses sometimes, but they do seem in character with the personages. Great read!
I requested and received this audiobook free from the publisher, author, or narrator courtesy of AudioBookBOOM.
September 1, 2016
I discovered this book through an Omnimystery emailing. Try the first book in the series for free. If you like period settings and hard-boiled writing, this fits the bill nicely. I enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews