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Black #4
Black to Reality
Black to Reality is the fourth in the acclaimed Black series of noir detective fiction featuring Artemus Black, the world's losingest Hollywood Private Investigator. In this installment, he is saved from financial calamity when he takes a case that requires him to work undercover on a reality television show, posing as an over-the-hill rocker trying for one last shot at success.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 24, 2014
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103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 23, 2021
A satisfying read
This one had a pretty good mix. A bit of suspension of belief for the return of a forty something guitar player after a twenty year hiatus, but it went nicely. Some whodunit, why they do it, romance and some action meshed well. It made me want to buy a Mugsy tee shirt.
This one had a pretty good mix. A bit of suspension of belief for the return of a forty something guitar player after a twenty year hiatus, but it went nicely. Some whodunit, why they do it, romance and some action meshed well. It made me want to buy a Mugsy tee shirt.
August 7, 2021
The whole Black series is just brilliant fun.
The repartee with assistant Roxy is just priceless.
Mugsy the cat has a prominent role; Black's interactions with his shrink are memorable.
The wide range of supporting characters in the series are notably diverse and interesting and generally provide the author with opportunities for black to engage in sparkling dialogue of the wise-cracking P.I. variety. Perhaps a little cliched but chuckle inducing nevertheless.
The plots involve various deaths of both the suspicious and blatantly homicidal variety, with the killer revealed towards the end of each novel - mostly with Black somewhat nonplussed until the climax of each adventure.
I tended to part read and part listen to the audiobooks - R.C.Bray is a narrator I know as peerless in Sci-Fi narration - and his efforts here are no less superlative in these classic, modern-day PI tales
which are reminiscent of the Sam Spade era. Brill!
The repartee with assistant Roxy is just priceless.
Mugsy the cat has a prominent role; Black's interactions with his shrink are memorable.
The wide range of supporting characters in the series are notably diverse and interesting and generally provide the author with opportunities for black to engage in sparkling dialogue of the wise-cracking P.I. variety. Perhaps a little cliched but chuckle inducing nevertheless.
The plots involve various deaths of both the suspicious and blatantly homicidal variety, with the killer revealed towards the end of each novel - mostly with Black somewhat nonplussed until the climax of each adventure.
I tended to part read and part listen to the audiobooks - R.C.Bray is a narrator I know as peerless in Sci-Fi narration - and his efforts here are no less superlative in these classic, modern-day PI tales
which are reminiscent of the Sam Spade era. Brill!
May 29, 2025
Black's money from previous jobs has run out and he is getting desperate for a new job when he is offered the opportunity to take a job as a guitarist in a reality TV band competition. (Trust me, this almost makes sense in Black's world.) Nominally, his job is to find out if there's anything hinky going on, but of course he also needs to help "his" band win the competition.
Surprise! Something hinky is going on.
This might be the best book in the series to date. We get a better plot than in the previous book. We get appearances by all the usual suspects. And there is real progress in most of the continuing characters (particularly Mugsy).
Recommended.
Note that the Audible omnibus edition has one chapter inserted out of order, which is a bit confusing. But the story is understandable in spite of the error.
Surprise! Something hinky is going on.
This might be the best book in the series to date. We get a better plot than in the previous book. We get appearances by all the usual suspects. And there is real progress in most of the continuing characters (particularly Mugsy).
Recommended.
Note that the Audible omnibus edition has one chapter inserted out of order, which is a bit confusing. But the story is understandable in spite of the error.
August 25, 2017
Ayeeeee My Man BLACK!!!!
As always excellently BLACK, this was much different from his other, but the bends and twist was there, I can just live his life over and over again, can't wait to see what he gets into next. Sylvia is starting to get in my nerve's, how can she have so many trust issues, there is a story there ⁉
As always excellently BLACK, this was much different from his other, but the bends and twist was there, I can just live his life over and over again, can't wait to see what he gets into next. Sylvia is starting to get in my nerve's, how can she have so many trust issues, there is a story there ⁉
November 26, 2021
BLACK To Reality is the fourth in the acclaimed BLACK series of noir detective fiction featuring Artemus Black, the world's losing Est Hollywood Private Investigator. In this instalment he is saved from financial calamity when he takes a case that requires him to work undercover on a reality television show, posing as an over-the-hill rocker trying for one last shot at success.
April 24, 2024
This was a really entertaining continuation of the series and Imagines mischief and mayhem associated with a reality tv show involving musical acts. The quirky and amazingly fortunate in coming up with money making schemes of Black's parents really adds to the comedy and I am really enjoying this series.
November 24, 2019
EXCELLENT
Russell Blake has a way that makes you think you are right in the middle of it.
I highly recommend reading this book and the other books in his career.
I am waiting for the next book to be published.
Russell Blake has a way that makes you think you are right in the middle of it.
I highly recommend reading this book and the other books in his career.
I am waiting for the next book to be published.
April 25, 2023
Black goes back to his roots as a musician. Someone is sabotaging music contests to sway the winning outcome. Several murders, a kidnapping, and false leads have Black earning his salary. With all of the Black series there is that touch of humor.
June 17, 2019
Awesome
Great Read. Enjoyable stay awake all night read. Black is the man. You will enjoy this series. Author did it again!!
Great Read. Enjoyable stay awake all night read. Black is the man. You will enjoy this series. Author did it again!!
September 16, 2020
Good one
The book was interesting and enjoyable. The character grows on you. I liked Mugsy's role being increased in the story, it was cute.
The book was interesting and enjoyable. The character grows on you. I liked Mugsy's role being increased in the story, it was cute.
December 11, 2021
Quite an innovative, yet believable storyline, with interesting side characters and a quality mystery. The best of the four so far.
March 12, 2022
Fun series, good humor, short
January 22, 2023
Pretty good!
Very good mystery. Well read story, with nice characters and fun read. Looking forward to reading book 5 in this series.
Very good mystery. Well read story, with nice characters and fun read. Looking forward to reading book 5 in this series.
October 26, 2023
this 📚 series was so bad I do not like his writing at all I'm giving it one star
November 1, 2014
Black is back, broke and down on his luck. The rent’s overdue on his apartment, Roxie’s had no wages and there are no clients beating down his door. Add to that the move to a swanky new office, which unnecessary luxury, according to Black, is taking what little money he has left. Roxie is forced to look for another job until things improve. Then Black gets a call about a possible new client.
Reality shows are in the firing line in this story as Black is assigned to investigate possible shady dealings in a reality TV competition, Rock of Ages. He gets a chance to relive his long-lost fame by joining, as lead guitarist, one the groups who were knocked out last year. Brushing up on his guitar skills and getting a rock star make over, Black is again in the thick of the action. Could he actually have another shot at a career in the music business again?
I just love Black’s character, his decency, generosity and sense of humour, not to mention his relationships with Stan, Roxie and Mugsy, who takes centre stage in this episode and eventually provides something of a life line for Black. Black is an authentic individual with normal, everyday issues in his personal as well as professional life, which most people can relate in one way or another.
Underneath all the humour there’s some serious subject matter, including Black realising he’s reached the age of 43 with not a lot to show for it except ‘an eccentric wardrobe and an old Cadillac’, complex emotional issues and dealing with abandoned and ignored dreams. His character development has advanced and he’s less angry and bitter about the way his life has turned out.
Again, a realistic plot line with any number of suspects and an appreciable amount of Russell Blake’s entertaining and witty dialogue. I really enjoy listening to this series, it’s one of my favourites and RC Bray delivers a first-rate performance, balancing the humorous and the serious and handling the characters in an easygoing and distinct way.
I hope we see a lot more of Black in the future.
http://betweenthelinesbookblog.wordpr...
Reality shows are in the firing line in this story as Black is assigned to investigate possible shady dealings in a reality TV competition, Rock of Ages. He gets a chance to relive his long-lost fame by joining, as lead guitarist, one the groups who were knocked out last year. Brushing up on his guitar skills and getting a rock star make over, Black is again in the thick of the action. Could he actually have another shot at a career in the music business again?
I just love Black’s character, his decency, generosity and sense of humour, not to mention his relationships with Stan, Roxie and Mugsy, who takes centre stage in this episode and eventually provides something of a life line for Black. Black is an authentic individual with normal, everyday issues in his personal as well as professional life, which most people can relate in one way or another.
Underneath all the humour there’s some serious subject matter, including Black realising he’s reached the age of 43 with not a lot to show for it except ‘an eccentric wardrobe and an old Cadillac’, complex emotional issues and dealing with abandoned and ignored dreams. His character development has advanced and he’s less angry and bitter about the way his life has turned out.
Again, a realistic plot line with any number of suspects and an appreciable amount of Russell Blake’s entertaining and witty dialogue. I really enjoy listening to this series, it’s one of my favourites and RC Bray delivers a first-rate performance, balancing the humorous and the serious and handling the characters in an easygoing and distinct way.
I hope we see a lot more of Black in the future.
http://betweenthelinesbookblog.wordpr...
March 22, 2016
My favorite of the series, and since it was such an enjoyable story, I decided to give it an extra star. Loved that it was him getting back into music and the story was quite fun and enjoyable.
It still had the main 3 things I hated ~ bitch of a mother (hate her with a passion), asshole of a therapist and Roxie being just slightly over the top. She was perfect after one point though, after that, it was the perfect amount of sass, with not too much. Sylvia surprised me as being a bitch and I would have had her hitting the road after the first time she flipped out.
I finally realized what one thing about Black I don't like is ~ he's a pussy!! He FINALLY stood up for himself and I wanted to cheer, realizing he does NOT do that. He doesn't stand up to his parents, who are (at least the mother) inconsiderate at best. He doesn't stand up to the therapist who is a creepy ass wipe. He just doesn't stand up for himself at all, so when he finally did, it was great. If there's more of this series, I hope he grows a pair and starts acting like a confidant man, instead of a spineless one.
It still had the main 3 things I hated ~ bitch of a mother (hate her with a passion), asshole of a therapist and Roxie being just slightly over the top. She was perfect after one point though, after that, it was the perfect amount of sass, with not too much. Sylvia surprised me as being a bitch and I would have had her hitting the road after the first time she flipped out.
I finally realized what one thing about Black I don't like is ~ he's a pussy!! He FINALLY stood up for himself and I wanted to cheer, realizing he does NOT do that. He doesn't stand up to his parents, who are (at least the mother) inconsiderate at best. He doesn't stand up to the therapist who is a creepy ass wipe. He just doesn't stand up for himself at all, so when he finally did, it was great. If there's more of this series, I hope he grows a pair and starts acting like a confidant man, instead of a spineless one.
March 30, 2014
Black to Reality is my favorite book in the Black series because Mugsy the cat is prominently featured. I always felt he was the real star, and in this book he becomes one on reality TV. I love how he kept getting all the attention when he did nothing more than eat and sleep and get fatter.
Like the other books in the series, I found myself laughing throughout. Dr. Kelso especially tickles my funny bone. And Stan turned into quite the badass this time. But the story isn’t just humorous. Behind the hilarity a lot of issues are addressed. Like the lengths a person will go to when down on their luck to survive, dealing with aging and broken dreams, and trying to understand and come to grips with complex emotions felt for different people.
As Black went through his ordeal, I found it easy to connect with him. I think everyone has been in some variation of his shoes at some point in their life. What he chose to do in the end proves how much his character has grown since the first book. He makes a tough but smart choice.
Like the other books in the series, I found myself laughing throughout. Dr. Kelso especially tickles my funny bone. And Stan turned into quite the badass this time. But the story isn’t just humorous. Behind the hilarity a lot of issues are addressed. Like the lengths a person will go to when down on their luck to survive, dealing with aging and broken dreams, and trying to understand and come to grips with complex emotions felt for different people.
As Black went through his ordeal, I found it easy to connect with him. I think everyone has been in some variation of his shoes at some point in their life. What he chose to do in the end proves how much his character has grown since the first book. He makes a tough but smart choice.
October 6, 2014
This book knocked my socks off, and I don't even know quite why. So, while I usually reserve 5 stars for novels that deal with issues of social significance, this has to be 5. (Of course, the case could be made that reality t.v. is such a blight on the land that it counts.)
If you read Blake, you know how fabulous his characters are. The relationships between Black, Roxie, and Mugsy, esp. the dialogue between those with speaking parts, make for top-notch, sometimes laugh-out-loud reading. That dialogue covers a wealth of confused and buried emotion, all around. Of course, Black's parents make an appearance. They are just so annoying! Nina, his ex, is less so here that in earlier novels.
In this book, Blake includes it all--characters, reality t.v., rock-n-roll, living and facing (early) middle age, the mob, Mexico, a top-notch mystery, and more. I couldn't put it down, leaving me to ignore my own cats (neither as large or destructive as Mugsy) and much more.
How I wish Blake could write them as quickly as I can read them!!!
If you read Blake, you know how fabulous his characters are. The relationships between Black, Roxie, and Mugsy, esp. the dialogue between those with speaking parts, make for top-notch, sometimes laugh-out-loud reading. That dialogue covers a wealth of confused and buried emotion, all around. Of course, Black's parents make an appearance. They are just so annoying! Nina, his ex, is less so here that in earlier novels.
In this book, Blake includes it all--characters, reality t.v., rock-n-roll, living and facing (early) middle age, the mob, Mexico, a top-notch mystery, and more. I couldn't put it down, leaving me to ignore my own cats (neither as large or destructive as Mugsy) and much more.
How I wish Blake could write them as quickly as I can read them!!!
January 1, 2015
Another entertaining mystery in the Black series. This time there is apparent corruption in a reality TV show for bands and Artemus Black is on the case. Once a famous musician, he is brought in to play guitar for one of the bands while getting to the bottom of problems backstage.
Fun book, last of the series so far (4th of 4), hope there is more to come.
Fun book, last of the series so far (4th of 4), hope there is more to come.
August 10, 2015
As always a fun read. This time the star of the book was Muggsy the cat. It will be fun to see how his character develops when the next book comes out. This is a behind-the-scenes look at reality TV and rock bands.
I read this in 2 days. I find this type of book a cleansing after reading something of a more serious nature. Have fun, good beach read
I read this in 2 days. I find this type of book a cleansing after reading something of a more serious nature. Have fun, good beach read
April 29, 2014
Artemus is all that AND a rock star lead guitarist, and then (spoiler alert!!) he turns his back on fame and fortune.
Please Mr. Blake, if it isn't too much trouble, could you please provide us with the further adventures of our favorite LA PI?
Please Mr. Blake, if it isn't too much trouble, could you please provide us with the further adventures of our favorite LA PI?
August 18, 2015
Black to reality
Continue to enjoy this author's works even though they are not as mystifying as several of others I've enjoyed. They have intricate plots but the hero seems to fall into the solution more than make logical conclusion. Still enjoyable and worth recommendation.
Continue to enjoy this author's works even though they are not as mystifying as several of others I've enjoyed. They have intricate plots but the hero seems to fall into the solution more than make logical conclusion. Still enjoyable and worth recommendation.
August 9, 2014
3.5 rounded up. My favorite of this series. Free prime loan, good palate cleanser. Fun, easy, brisk read.
February 4, 2015
Fun read
Interesting characters, with some good twists and turns. Always some good light humor.
This has been an interesting series. Read them all from the begining.
Interesting characters, with some good twists and turns. Always some good light humor.
This has been an interesting series. Read them all from the begining.
May 18, 2015
Russell Blake at his best.
This book kept me looking to turn the next page,no wander the author has truly risen to the top.
I'm looking forward to his new reads.
This book kept me looking to turn the next page,no wander the author has truly risen to the top.
I'm looking forward to his new reads.
January 21, 2016
This is an engaging mystery with much laugh-out-loud humor and a bit of satire poking fun at reality TV. The characters are great and R. C. Bray nails the
narration.
narration.
October 28, 2016
Good to the end
Another Black read that was good to the end. Looking forward to the next one.
Want to see if he inherits all of his parents money!
Another Black read that was good to the end. Looking forward to the next one.
Want to see if he inherits all of his parents money!
May 4, 2015
A solid 4.5. I will read the earlier books now
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews