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Sam McCain #2
Wake Up Little Susie
In September 1957, the Edsel made its long-awaited debut in Black River Falls, Iowa. The local Ford dealership was hosting a baton-twirling celebration to welcome the car of the future.
But the future can't be taken for granted--a fact made all too clear by the discovery of Susan Squires's body in the trunk of one of the brand-new autos. Now P. I. Sam McCain is trying to find out who killed the wife of the win's most prominent lawyer--before the guilty party hits the road...
But the future can't be taken for granted--a fact made all too clear by the discovery of Susan Squires's body in the trunk of one of the brand-new autos. Now P. I. Sam McCain is trying to find out who killed the wife of the win's most prominent lawyer--before the guilty party hits the road...
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
26 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Ed Gorman
468 books122 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 22, 2018
Another great Sam McCain novel. I am really enjoying this series and I look forward to continuing it in the future. Highly recommended.
March 7, 2020
PROTAGONIST: Sam McCain, attorney
SETTING: Iowa
SERIES: #2
RATING: 3.5
WHY: It’s 1957 and the small town in Iowa is alive with excitement, for today is a special day at the local car dealer. Ford is releasing its much touted new car, the Edsel. It’s very festive until a local attorney’s wife, Susan Squire, is found in the trunk of one of the cars. It’s for sure that the local sheriff, “Cliffie”, is going to jump to wrong conclusions, so Judge Whitney has asked attorney/PI Sam McCain to investigate the case. Each character in the book has their own quirks, good or bad. For example, the judge likes to shoot rubber bands at Sam. Having grown up during the time period, I enjoyed the cultural references—the Edsel reaction, the importance of American Bandstand—and was pleased that they were integrated into the plot and not just added for color.
SETTING: Iowa
SERIES: #2
RATING: 3.5
WHY: It’s 1957 and the small town in Iowa is alive with excitement, for today is a special day at the local car dealer. Ford is releasing its much touted new car, the Edsel. It’s very festive until a local attorney’s wife, Susan Squire, is found in the trunk of one of the cars. It’s for sure that the local sheriff, “Cliffie”, is going to jump to wrong conclusions, so Judge Whitney has asked attorney/PI Sam McCain to investigate the case. Each character in the book has their own quirks, good or bad. For example, the judge likes to shoot rubber bands at Sam. Having grown up during the time period, I enjoyed the cultural references—the Edsel reaction, the importance of American Bandstand—and was pleased that they were integrated into the plot and not just added for color.
November 12, 2018
(3) Another romp in the Southern 50's hay with the delightful Sam McCain and his colorful cast of characters. As with the first McCain story, this one is filled with subtle but intriguing twists and turns. Sam is absolutely slighted but certainly enduring, and centering the early part of this story around the debut of that most famous of all automotive lemons, the Ford Edsel, makes it even more fun for those of us who lived through that era. Ed Gorman (not a relative that I am aware of) does a good job of immersing us in the good, bad and the ugly of this time period in America, and we are rewarded with a fun read.
November 19, 2018
I like the ease of reading these books. I like the time period of these books. I like the repartee of the characters in these books. I like the townspeople in these books. And it's in Iowa, to boot. Gorman wrote a lot of books but these are the first I discovered. I've needed these as an antidote to other, somber books I've been reading. I don't know if these are everyone's style, but if you enjoy a "cozy" mystery style--something with enough mystery to play along, but with humor in good supply--you should enjoy these. And sad to learn that Mr. Gorman died a couple of years ago.
November 24, 2018
#128
I really liked this book, but I'm not sure why:
It was easy to read; I liked most of the characters; it seemed realistic & down-to-earth; no gratuitous or graphic violence; the main character (Sam McCain) was real for me and a pretty good/honest guy.
It is a historical mystery centered around the new Ford Edsel; which I did not know came in so many interesting color combinations...
Oh, so the storyline: Susan married her Doctor-lover who turned out to be a wife beater (the kind who knows how to make sure the damage doesn't show). She worked at the Ford dealership and was well liked around town, except for the someone who crushed her skull & dumped her body in the trunk of one of the new Edsels.
Sam McCain works for the Judge who was once the top of society (she's a mean old one but is in the position to make sure justice is served).
Both the Judge & McCain are continually being thwarted by the Sheriff (big, mean, & dumb-as-a-rock) who owes his job to his family taking over the town.
There is the gal McCain pines for, but she pines for her doctor and there is Nancy who loves Sam and is a very good friend...
I liked the book & will read the sequel (which actually was written before this one)
I really liked this book, but I'm not sure why:
It was easy to read; I liked most of the characters; it seemed realistic & down-to-earth; no gratuitous or graphic violence; the main character (Sam McCain) was real for me and a pretty good/honest guy.
It is a historical mystery centered around the new Ford Edsel; which I did not know came in so many interesting color combinations...
Oh, so the storyline: Susan married her Doctor-lover who turned out to be a wife beater (the kind who knows how to make sure the damage doesn't show). She worked at the Ford dealership and was well liked around town, except for the someone who crushed her skull & dumped her body in the trunk of one of the new Edsels.
Sam McCain works for the Judge who was once the top of society (she's a mean old one but is in the position to make sure justice is served).
Both the Judge & McCain are continually being thwarted by the Sheriff (big, mean, & dumb-as-a-rock) who owes his job to his family taking over the town.
There is the gal McCain pines for, but she pines for her doctor and there is Nancy who loves Sam and is a very good friend...
I liked the book & will read the sequel (which actually was written before this one)
March 4, 2024
Üllatuslikult on see esimese McCaini raamatu eellugu, mille tegevus leiab aset kaks aastat varem. Kogu möll algab Ford Edseli presentatsioonist, mis teadagi kujunes nats teistsuguseks kui loodetud.
Eelmise raamatuga võrreldes jookseb Gormanil tekst sujuvamalt ja peatükid on pikemad. Lisaks Edselile on veel hulk häid ajastu vaimus leide nagu arutelu fluorist joogivees, lugu sellest, kuidas pitsa Black River Fallsi jõudis, muusika (The Platters või The Ed Sullivan Show) ja nii edasi. Samas jääb mõne koha peal mulje, et autor on jõudnud eelmisest raamatust üht-teist unustada – kui palju Samil neid kasse õieti oli?
Teises raamatus kordub seesama skeem, mida Gorman on juba kasutanud. Esimese mõrva järel pole süüdlast vaja kaugelt otsida, siis saab tema ka hukka, kõik on segaduses, mölakast šerif Cliffie võtab kinni järgmise, üsna suvaliselt valitud kahtlusaluse… ja lõpuks leiab Sam tõelise mõrvari. Loodetavasti kolmandas raamatus enam nii lihtsalt ei lähe.
Eelmise raamatuga võrreldes jookseb Gormanil tekst sujuvamalt ja peatükid on pikemad. Lisaks Edselile on veel hulk häid ajastu vaimus leide nagu arutelu fluorist joogivees, lugu sellest, kuidas pitsa Black River Fallsi jõudis, muusika (The Platters või The Ed Sullivan Show) ja nii edasi. Samas jääb mõne koha peal mulje, et autor on jõudnud eelmisest raamatust üht-teist unustada – kui palju Samil neid kasse õieti oli?
Teises raamatus kordub seesama skeem, mida Gorman on juba kasutanud. Esimese mõrva järel pole süüdlast vaja kaugelt otsida, siis saab tema ka hukka, kõik on segaduses, mölakast šerif Cliffie võtab kinni järgmise, üsna suvaliselt valitud kahtlusaluse… ja lõpuks leiab Sam tõelise mõrvari. Loodetavasti kolmandas raamatus enam nii lihtsalt ei lähe.
June 20, 2020
An historical from the 50s in Iowa.
At the time of the Edsel release a woman is found in the trunk of the car. Susie isn't going to wake up.
She worked the night before to set up the dealership and was hit on the head. Turns out she was the mother of a local child, the father is the dealership owner, but did he kill her or was he covering for someone?
Very nice small town feel.
The narrator is a new attorney working for the local judge as a PI when time permits, and a friend to all but the local keystone cops.
Fast fun read.
At the time of the Edsel release a woman is found in the trunk of the car. Susie isn't going to wake up.
She worked the night before to set up the dealership and was hit on the head. Turns out she was the mother of a local child, the father is the dealership owner, but did he kill her or was he covering for someone?
Very nice small town feel.
The narrator is a new attorney working for the local judge as a PI when time permits, and a friend to all but the local keystone cops.
Fast fun read.
August 23, 2025
On the day that the latest Ford car (in the 1950s) is about to launch, the garage dealership in a small town finds the dead body of a woman stuffed into the car. The protagonist, being a PI, is asked to look around while the police are called. That seems to be the most valuable work he does. The rest of the book, he is drinking, smoking, sleeping around, making sexist references to women, and associating with people doing all those things.
The times they were a changing in the next decade, I hope they changed a lot.
The times they were a changing in the next decade, I hope they changed a lot.
April 9, 2026
This is the second book in the Sam McCain series, and I plan on reading the rest of the series. Sam is a small-town Iowa lawyer that sidelines as a PI for one of the local judges. He runs into a couple of murders in this small town that is full of secrets. Obviously, this is not a literary marvel, but it is a late 1950s period novel that includes the local dealer debut of the Ford Edsel.
June 25, 2020
A good book with great characters. I love Sam McCain, and the judge. I really want to just shoot the sheriff. I hope Sam starts dating Mary who has loved him for so long. The story line was great and kept me guessing till the end.
June 20, 2020
nostalgia.
August 14, 2020
EXCELLENT STORY
This book had a great storyline and had a very good pace. The characters were all very likable and mostly predictable.
This book had a great storyline and had a very good pace. The characters were all very likable and mostly predictable.
February 1, 2015
This is a very special 'private eye' series built around a lawyer and special court investigator, Sam McCain, in a small town in the midwest (Iowa) in the fifties and sixties. I absolutely love this series for several reasons:
1. the wonderful immersion into a different time, spanning a decade from the late fifties to the late sixties. The descriptions are detailed, evocative, engaging and realistic. They are exceptionally well done.
2. The protagonist is a likeable average joe, who is easy to identify with and tells the stories in the first person. His back story is as engaging and interesting as the murder mysteries he gets involved in, and has become the main reason why I have become hooked on this series.
3. There are plenty of connections to the pop culture of the fifties and sixties, which is a bonus for any lover of music, books, cinema and culture of the period.
4. The mysteries are well crafted and keep you guessing until the end.
5. Every single one of the entries in these series is excellent without exception and well worth the read.
Give this a try, you won't regret it. I read all 9 books in 2 months and can't wait for the 10th entry, 'Riders' on the Storm', that will appear in October 2014! I hope Mr. Gorman gets the opportunity to write several more before he retires.
1. the wonderful immersion into a different time, spanning a decade from the late fifties to the late sixties. The descriptions are detailed, evocative, engaging and realistic. They are exceptionally well done.
2. The protagonist is a likeable average joe, who is easy to identify with and tells the stories in the first person. His back story is as engaging and interesting as the murder mysteries he gets involved in, and has become the main reason why I have become hooked on this series.
3. There are plenty of connections to the pop culture of the fifties and sixties, which is a bonus for any lover of music, books, cinema and culture of the period.
4. The mysteries are well crafted and keep you guessing until the end.
5. Every single one of the entries in these series is excellent without exception and well worth the read.
Give this a try, you won't regret it. I read all 9 books in 2 months and can't wait for the 10th entry, 'Riders' on the Storm', that will appear in October 2014! I hope Mr. Gorman gets the opportunity to write several more before he retires.
February 1, 2016
My 3rd book in this cozy mystery series set in Black River Falls, Iowa and I'm still enjoying them. There's a little question about where this book falls within series order. Some say #2, some say #3 and some call it a prequel to The Day the Music Died which was #1. Just based on some very simple family dynamics, I'm going with that last one. However, except for that one little connection which a lot of folks might overlook anyway, these first 3 books could be read out of order. The owners of Keys Ford-Lincoln have arranged for a showing of the new "Edsel". The appearance of this car has been hotly debated based on the "provocative" nature of the front grill and the two tone paint jobs. But the real show stopper is the body that's discovered in the trunk of one of the cars--the body of a local attorney's second wife. And we're off and running. All our regulars are here, Cliffe--the town sheriff, the irascible Judge Whitney, Pamela--the love of Sam's life and Mary--the girl Sam should marry. I really enjoy this series of cozy mysteries with a story line that is definitely a throw back to a simpler day and age.
November 1, 2010
An enjoyable mystery to read. This second book actually takes place before the first story, but the main characters are all here. Sam McCain, the judge's pet private investigator. Judge Whitney, the rubber band shooting judge who has a running feud with the town Sherriff Cliff Sykes, known as Cliffie to his not so admiring constituents.
A dead body is found in the trunk of a brand new Edsel, and the race is on to find the killer.
The chartacters are interesting, and the end surprised me, not that I'm really good at solving mysteries anyway. I read these books because I like the characters and the story.
A dead body is found in the trunk of a brand new Edsel, and the race is on to find the killer.
The chartacters are interesting, and the end surprised me, not that I'm really good at solving mysteries anyway. I read these books because I like the characters and the story.
March 20, 2014
Sam McCain, part time lawyer and PI, investigates when the wife of a political hopeful is found dead in the trunk of the new Ford Edsel. I really enjoyed this trip back to the late 1950's, although the plotting could have been a little better. I do plan to read more in the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 14, 2013
Another enjoyable entry in the Sam McCain series. This one is set in October '57 when the '58 Edsel is being rolled out. The public reaction to this monstrosity seems to be accurately reported in the book. Of course, there is a murder, and Cliffie Sykes arrests the wrong individual and is proven incorrect by McCain and Judge Whitney. Recommended.
September 24, 2018
Our intrepid detective returns again. The detective solved the murders in The Day the Music Died and everything has been quiet since. Then a young girls body is found in an abandoned car. The detectives investigated and the coroner informs him the girl had been raped before her murder. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
April 22, 2012
Very entertaining. It sent me to the computer to look up the Edsel to see if what he said about it was true (it was). Had a nice enough mix of romantic sparks, intrigue and history to keep me guessing and reading.
June 8, 2015
This was a fun read especially for those who grew up in the fifties. The mystery and murders kept you on your toes and had a few twists and turns. I liked the characters and they fit the fifties time frame.
March 21, 2009
I like tha way this author sets his stories in the past. This one is set in the 50's just as the Ford Edsel came out. It was a fun read.
May 25, 2012
Fun, quick read!
June 1, 2012
Very enjoyable book that kept moving and had me looking forward to picking it up again.
I will read more books by Ed Gorman.
I will read more books by Ed Gorman.
Read
December 5, 2012I hate a detective who is a whimp and idiot
November 14, 2013
I love this series...each one makes me want to spend more time with Sam and his friends....the "mysteries" aren't that engrossing but the recurring characters are good enough to keep me coming back
November 15, 2013
And a half.
April 7, 2014
Excellent story telling. The characters are warmly written, the setting is well described and the mystery kept me guessing. Wonderful.
February 25, 2008
i like this series but quite "light weight".
Want to Read
April 2, 2012$0.0
Read
July 4, 2013Loved the time centric theme will read more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews