Book Review: The Comic Book Detective
Book cover image from Anderson Bookshop
Alex Carter, owner of The Comics Clubhouse, was a master detective when finding a particular comic for a client. He would call various stores, go online, do whatever it took to find that one comic book that would finish a comic nerd’s collection.
Aficionados of comic books tend to be collectors. This means that they like to have every comic in a particular series run. Alex‘s store is the place to frequent if you need a certain comic. It also made his store one that I would have loved to visit. (If it was real)
Alex had a tendency to slide in and out of a dreamworld, he envisioned he was a top Noir Detective with a woman/dame waiting on his desk, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and that he could move in and out of the shadows, hiding in the dark night. A dreamworld he was called out of frequently to attend to actual business.
Alex’s life takes an exciting turn when a woman asks him to sell her late husband‘s comic book collection. Not just any comic book collection, but the find of a lifetime. Will he be able to sell that collection? Will he live to see that collection sold, and make a small fortune?
I was excited to read this book. Not only do I enjoy Noir Detective stories, such as Sam Spade, but I also love comic books. Score!
I spent many a day in the local comic book store, trying to find that one perfect comic to make my collection complete.I am old enough to have received a “vintage” Superman comic as a gift when I was a child.(It wasn’t vintage then) I still remember the cover. .
Al Glover’s, The ComicBook Detective, was believable and fun. I am sure the peoplet I purchased comics from in my local store had their own imaginary lives. I know this because I played in some of their RPGs, and they revolved around Noir Detectives so this was a very authentic storyline.
Naomi, the woman selling her late husband’s comic collection immediately caught my attention.
Actually, her husband’s comic book collection caught my attention when they started mentioning what was on the shelves. I began to do the math.
The author did a wonderful job of characterization. His characters were well fleshed out, and engaging. I adored his shop, and his Mom. The world he created was extremely believable, and the comic shop was realistic to the point that I could visualize every corner of the store in my mind.
I enjoyed the fact that the author introduced the Noir Fantasy World immediately. It made the immersion into Alex’s world seamless. If you enjoy Noir Detective stories, comic books and an exciting read, this book is a must for you.
Still wondering about my Superman comic, that I mentioned earlier? It met a tragic end. I colored all over it. What can I say? I was three years old. My parents didn’t realize the price it would garner in the future. Alex would have cried
I know. It makes me sick too.
Looking for more Detective novels and mystery reads? Check these out:
- The Book Spy
- Murder Always BarksTwice
- The Vinyl Detective: Written in Dead Wax
- The Cat Who… Mystery Book Series
Sue Cook lives in Freeport, Illinois with her husband Randy and two dogs. Her passions include assistance dogs, rescue dogs, music, acting, theater, poetry, and Doctor Who. She’s been in both film and theater and is a regular cast member of the podcast Doctor Who’s Line is it….Anyway? Sue is an advocate for the use of Service Dogs to assist their disabled handlers to maintain their independence. Quigley’s Quest, her first children’s book, addresses how a dog becomes a Service Dog.
Promo images from IMDb
4 Comments
Hi Sue,
Thank you so much for your kind and awesome review of my book The Comicbook Detective. Very glad that you enjoyed the story. In case you were wondering The Comics Clubhoue (Alex Carter’s comic store) was based on a real comic store that I managed in the 1990s in Seattle, Wa. So, I was happy to hear you could visulize the interior from my description. Thanks again.
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