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CHASE THE RABBIT-Gretch Bayonne Action Adventure Series Book #1
From the barrooms of New York City, to the movie studios of Hollywood, Steven M. Thomas has crafted a tale of intrigue that captures the early 1930’s as freelance writer Gretch “Bay” Bayonne attempts to unravel the mystery of why a dedicated family man would abandon his life for no apparent reason. Along the way he encounters movies stars, Nazis, and newspaper tycoons, and barters a banana for a mysterious gold key stolen by a runaway monkey on a walkway atop the magnificent dirigible Graf Zeppelin. This first book in the Bay series is sure to grab readers from the first page and will not let go until the last!
196 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 8, 2019
When I was a kid I used to stay up on Saturday nights watching Hammer House of Horror films with my father. I remember loving Bela Lugosi as Dracula and while I'm lukewarm on other more modern horror movies the old classics have always had a warm spot in my heart.
So meeting Bela Lugosi in Thomas's unique and wonderful story was like meeting an old friend. Chase the Rabbit is an unusual novel. It weaves together a historical mystery with Hollywood and does it extremely well. It's an easy bit of escape just like an old movie.
If you love old Hollywood you'll adore Chase the Rabbit.
Two enthusiastic paws up!
So meeting Bela Lugosi in Thomas's unique and wonderful story was like meeting an old friend. Chase the Rabbit is an unusual novel. It weaves together a historical mystery with Hollywood and does it extremely well. It's an easy bit of escape just like an old movie.
If you love old Hollywood you'll adore Chase the Rabbit.
Two enthusiastic paws up!
December 8, 2015
Gretch Bayonne - universally recognized and universally beloved author of disposable stories for pulp magazines - suddenly falls in love, himself, and is called out of his harried Jack London lifestyle writing on deadline to find a missing person in L.A., a continent away from his comfortable neighborhood of Hoboken.
He's stumped, at first, about how to make the trip. But Fortune smiles on him and he's able to slip aboard the Graf: a giant hydrogen airship that's making a publicity trip to Los Angeles for the 1932 Olympics.
Adventures ensue.
The narrative is reminiscent of the old Tom Swift series of YA novels from the 1960s. Gretch is smart, charming, capable, loyal, brave, and true — and (almost) always comes out a winner. The paradox of the book is that the likely audience for it will have to Google a lot of the famous names that are dropped here, since the names are only “famous” for someone who watches a lot of old movies.
Wholesome entertainment for younger readers — but I doubt that more experienced readers will find it all that interesting.
[Please note: this book was received free of charge in exchange for a fair and honest review - Nate Briggs, The Kindle Book Review]
He's stumped, at first, about how to make the trip. But Fortune smiles on him and he's able to slip aboard the Graf: a giant hydrogen airship that's making a publicity trip to Los Angeles for the 1932 Olympics.
Adventures ensue.
The narrative is reminiscent of the old Tom Swift series of YA novels from the 1960s. Gretch is smart, charming, capable, loyal, brave, and true — and (almost) always comes out a winner. The paradox of the book is that the likely audience for it will have to Google a lot of the famous names that are dropped here, since the names are only “famous” for someone who watches a lot of old movies.
Wholesome entertainment for younger readers — but I doubt that more experienced readers will find it all that interesting.
[Please note: this book was received free of charge in exchange for a fair and honest review - Nate Briggs, The Kindle Book Review]
November 22, 2015
The book is a pulpish novel set in 1932 but written with the modern knowledge of which Hollywood actors would turn out to be worth remembering all these years later, and what that Hitler character would end up doing. Gretch Bayonne is a writer/journalist who gets hired to find some guy in Hollywood, but who travels across the country on a giant zeppelin loaded with stars, Nazis, monkeys, and a magician. The plot is a blast, and reading it is a breeze (I finished the whole thing in three very short bursts over the last 24 hours.) It's sort of a combination Doc Savage/Phillip Jose Farmer/Law & Order SVU with tons of 1930s pop culture references, which is just fine by me. I do think it could have been tightened up a bit - there are some repetitions, some too broadly spelt out summations, and some undeveloped descriptions - but heck, I'm glad to have had the fun of following this first of a series of adventures - there are apparently already two more books written.
August 3, 2016
I love the 1930's genre mystery, and Chase the Rabbit fits the bill. Other reviewers have broken down the plot for you, so I am going to talk about the feel of the 1930's this book exudes.
You have the harried hero, living from case to case (in this instance, freelance story). He has a conscious, he believes in treating a lady like a lady, he conducts business in a bar or at least with a glass of whiskey iin hand. The ladies are always described as gorgeous, and the hero always false for them, or is appropriately dazed by them.
There are Packards and other named (to us) vintage accessories.
The twist in this mystery is the inclusion of a second mystery in the middle of the plot. And of course, the monkeys, the Nazis, and ,to conclude, the movie set.
A fun read, challenging mysteries to consider and great characters.
You have the harried hero, living from case to case (in this instance, freelance story). He has a conscious, he believes in treating a lady like a lady, he conducts business in a bar or at least with a glass of whiskey iin hand. The ladies are always described as gorgeous, and the hero always false for them, or is appropriately dazed by them.
There are Packards and other named (to us) vintage accessories.
The twist in this mystery is the inclusion of a second mystery in the middle of the plot. And of course, the monkeys, the Nazis, and ,to conclude, the movie set.
A fun read, challenging mysteries to consider and great characters.
December 26, 2015
This was an amazing read from start to finish and it is quite well researched and put together. The main character Gretch Beyonne or Bey to his friends is a freelance writer operating/living in the 30's the story follows his exploits as he is hired to find a missing person. I won't go into too many details as it would take away from the experience. It features a rogues gallery of Hollywood and business heroes and Bey weaves through their lives on his journey. The ending is poignant and almost heart wrenching. I would highly recommend this book.
May 9, 2016
Rabbits
Well, what can be said about a story that keeps you spell-bound from beginning to end? A story that features historical figures from a time that is both near and far. Historical figures living in the pages before you in a way never contemplated. From a time that seems familiar, but unknown. Events that seem possible, but unlikely. Pick up this book and immerse yourself. You'll be glad you did. No, Howard Hughes didn't say that. Neither did William Randolph Hearst. Cagney might have, but I don't think so.
Well, what can be said about a story that keeps you spell-bound from beginning to end? A story that features historical figures from a time that is both near and far. Historical figures living in the pages before you in a way never contemplated. From a time that seems familiar, but unknown. Events that seem possible, but unlikely. Pick up this book and immerse yourself. You'll be glad you did. No, Howard Hughes didn't say that. Neither did William Randolph Hearst. Cagney might have, but I don't think so.
November 12, 2015
Outstanding and Creative. I don't beleive I ever read a book with more boldness and genuine love of characters. Read it and I'm sure you'll find it a unique read. A must for any Noir Mystery reader.
December 31, 2015
Interesting outdoorsy written
This novel had an interesting story, but read like a middle school essay. It was poorly planned in how everything just kept happening to the characters, but it was fun.
This novel had an interesting story, but read like a middle school essay. It was poorly planned in how everything just kept happening to the characters, but it was fun.
January 11, 2016
Quick read
Interesting blend of history, private eye, mystery, and fantasy. Quick read , good story. Held my interest. Even got me to google the Graf and the 1932 Olympic games to see how plausible it was
Interesting blend of history, private eye, mystery, and fantasy. Quick read , good story. Held my interest. Even got me to google the Graf and the 1932 Olympic games to see how plausible it was
June 29, 2016
Interested premise, quick read. Most enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews