Big Flies by Keith Hirshland

Publisher: CreateSpace  (August 9, 2016)
Category: Mystery/Thriller, Hard-Boiled Detective
Tour Dates: October/November, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-5327-1936-3
Available in: Print & ebook,  238 Pages

After Chester Daniel David, highly celebrated travel writer and hospitality critic, dies in an automobile accident, his son, Leland, is the heir to his prosperous estate. Among the late writer’s possessions are stacks of magazines hidden in an attic that suggest that his stories about his world travels were less than authentic.

As Leland grew up, it seemed as if his father was never home. If he wasn’t at the exotic locations depicted in the various publications, then where was he? And what was he doing?

In a witty mystery that simultaneously follows the lives of the father and son, clues that Chester leaves behind point to notorious unsolved crimes committed within a fifteen-year span:

• The D. B. Cooper plane skyjacking and ransom demand in the Pacific Northwest
• The theft from a Caribbean museum of a twenty-four-carat-gold cross recovered from a sixteenth-century shipwreck
• The inexplicable vanishing of $1 million from the Chicago First National Bank
• The theft of a collection of priceless artifacts from a Mexican anthropological museum

As Leland unlocks the mysteries surrounding his father’s true life, he finds himself with even more unfathomable questions that he never anticipated asking about his family—and himself.

Reminiscent of Michael Connelly, Nelson DeMille, Nick Hornby, and Terry Pratchett.

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Praise for Big Flies by Keith Hirshland

“This is an engaging story well told. The plot hinges on the power of secrets and secrets revealed but Keith fully understands the heart of the story is the unfolding of relationships fulfilled or not. Can we ever really know who we know? While this novel works beautifully as a nostalgic and fun caper tale it’s all wrapped up in fathers and sons, true and lasting friends and of course intriguing women. Keith is aiming high here. Really, really well done.”- David R. Hill, Amazon Reviewer

Praise for Cover Me Boys, Were Going In by Keith Hirshland

“I really wanted to read this book because I have become a real fan of The Golf Channel as well as ESPN. I have also found that biographies can be very interesting, and the broadcasting industry is of special interest.
I was very pleased with my reading of this book. It was everything I hoped it would be. Keith grew up the son of a local TV broadcasting executive, and was steeped in the inner workings of the industry his entire life. This up-bringing permeates every day of his life. I highly recommend this.”-William Smith, Dr. Bill’s Book Bazaar

“Mr. Hirshland does an excellent job grabbing the reader’s attention and not letting go. The writing is crisp and the book flows seamlessly from beginning to end.”- Financially independent wannabe, Amazon Reviewer

“This book is a great read. Quick chapters take you through the author’s life (The good times and bad). Along the way the reader gets an insider’s view of the local and national sports television world. It is a crazy ride through the trials and tribulations of being a part of two networks starting up (ESPN2 and Golf Channel) as well as hanging out with some of the best golfers and television executives in the country. If you are remotely interested in television sports, how local television works or just a golf fan this is the read for you.”- TraceySue, Amazon Reviewer

Author’s Bio

Keith Hirshland is a sports television producer with more than three decades of experience and an Emmy award under his belt. He produced shows that aired on ESPN and ESPN2. Hirshland later was among the first forty people hired by The Golf Channel in 1994. He was in the middle of the action when it premiered in 1995 and provided his talents for the all golf network for close to two decades.

Big Flies is Hirshland’s second book and first novel. He is the author of Cover Me Boys, I’m Going In (Tales of the Tube from a Broadcast Brat), a memoir about his experiences in the television industry. Hirshland lives in New Jersey with his wife and Bernese Mountain Dog.

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My Review

5 stars

 Leland David is trying to write his first book. Since his father, Chester Daniel David. Chester was a famous travel and food critic. But when Leland finds a stack of magazines in the attic he learns that he father faked the articles. But this opens up more questions, if he father was not out traveling and writing, where was he?

This story bounces back and forth between Leland and Chester’s stories. Each chapter starts with a header so you know whose story you will be reading. I really enjoyed following along with each person as you discovery more about each one along with how four unsolved mysteries may be linked to everything.

I admit that the beginning was a touch slow as you start learning about Chester and Leland, but then the story takes off like a flash. I couldn’t figure out how the robberies fit into the story for the life of me. But everything wraps up well in the end.

This is a great adventure and one that I recommend you check out. You will not be disappointed.

I received Big Flies from Teddy at Premier Virtual Author Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

Excerpt

 THESE DAYS

Leland stared at the contents inside the open case. He didn’t blink as his eyes went from one item to the next and back again. He couldn’t speak; he could barely breathe. Denny whistled one long, lingering note.

“For fuck’s sake.” Leland had finally found his breath and his voice.

“This is unbelievable!” Denny added, post whistle. Leland hated that particular superlative, felt it was almost always overused, but he found himself agreeing that this was one of those rare times that the five-syllable word was apropos. They were looking at what appeared to be a march through the history of his father’s life, one special piece of memorabilia at a time. The first thing that captured both Leland’s and Denny’s attention was a brightly colored LP jacket, mostly yellow, featuring the four familiar faces of Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and, with hatchet in hand, the Tin Man. Above the pigtail-coiffed girl’s head were the words in yellow, blue, green, and red: The Wizard of Oz. Denny reached into the case with her right hand and pulled the keepsake out for a closer look.

“I think it’s an original,” she said, looking up from Frances Gumm, aka Judy Garland’s face, to Leland’s. In the upper right-hand corner, Leland noticed the MGM logo above the words, “Long Playing 33⅓ rpm Recorded.” Denny added, “The actual record is inside.” Her voice bristled with anticipation.

The recording was still in its original packaging, apparently never subject to the prick and sting of a record player’s needle. The song list on the label indicated this particular recording featured a combination of music and dramatic selections from the 1939 motion picture. The year 1956 was stamped on the A-side label.

“Put it back,” Leland said softly. Denny obliged and grabbed a small, browning manila envelope in its stead.

“I wonder what this is?” she asked as she pinched what was inside the envelope with her thumb and forefinger and gently pulled it clear. Leland recognized it immediately and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so he did neither. B. D. Beck Elementary School—read the bold, black letters at the top of the thick, once-white and now yellowing transcript. “Grade: 1st. Teacher: Mr. Conley” was also printed above a list of subjects with a letter grade assigned to each. They both noticed a slightly faded handwritten capital A in each box except the two marked Citizenship and Attendance. Each of those earned an S.

“Kudos, genius,” Denny said sarcastically.

“My first straight-A report card,” Leland said, the words with a mix of embarrassment and pride, “and maybe my last,” he added with a smile. “Why would you hang on to that?” he asked his father’s memory, already guessing the answer.

“What else do we have in here?” Denny asked, refusing to engage in Leland’s reverie. What else they had was a two-inch cotton-and-polyester black belt—the kind owned and worn by people who had mastered various martial-arts disciplines, and three, obviously old, certainly original, more than likely very valuable, baseball cards. One was a 1909–1911 Christy Mathewson T206 Piedmont Portrait, another was a Cy Young 1911 D304 General Baking Company Bruners Butter Crust SGC 84 7, and the third was a seemingly brand-new, mint-condition 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card that pictured the New York Yankee great holding a yellow bat and resting it on his right shoulder. His eyes appeared to gaze up and off to the right, perhaps looking at a pretty girl in the stands, or maybe seeing the hall of fame career ahead that would make him one of baseball’s most famous players.

“Those are worth a lot of money.” Denny stated the obvious.

“Six figures as a starting point,” Leland agreed.

“For the Mantle card alone,” Denny added; Leland was well aware the girl knew her stuff.

The last keepsake was the hardest to identify and explain. It was a clean, crisp twenty-dollar bill, serial number C 13871653 A, encased in clear Plexiglas.

Follow Big Flies by Keith Hirshland Tour

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Holy Smoke (Andi Comstock Supernatural Mystery – 1) by Ann Simas

Smoke doesn’t always mean there’s fire…

Andi Comstock loves her new job, but she can’t figure out why she is the only person in the building who smells the smoke. Not only does she smell it, but each time she does, she hears a voice in her head.

One of those voices suggests she talk to Father Riley at St. Gemma’s Church, “a man of God and a believer in the afterlife.” Stunned and hoping she hasn’t lost her mind or developed a brain tumor, Andi makes the leap back to church. Much to her surprise, she gains a cohort in her effort to track down the source of both the smoke and the voices.

Sometimes, it means murder…

Then comes a voice that belongs to someone Andi went to school with and it’s begging for help. When Andi and Father Riley discover they may have stumbled upon a murder, the priest summons homicide detective Jack Harmon for assistance.

Now if Andi can just figure out why the voice keeps telling her, “Look at my teeth.”

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Author’s Bio

Ann Simas lives in Oregon, but she is a Colorado girl at heart, having grown up in the Rocky Mountains. An avid word-lover since childhood, she penned her first fiction “book” in high school. She particularly likes to write a mix of mystery-thriller-suspense with a love story and paranormal/supernatural elements.

An award-winning watercolorist and a budding photographer, Ann also enjoys needlework and gardening in her spare time. She is her family’s “genealogist” and has been blessed with the opportunity to conduct first-hand research in Italy for both her writing and her family tree. The genealogy research from century’s old documents, written in Italian, has been a supreme but gratifying and exciting challenge for her.

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My Review

5 stars

Andi seems to have everything falling into place for her but when she starts smelling smoke that no one else can smell and hearing voices she has to do something before someone thinks she is crazy, including herself. ­­­­But when she recognizes once of the voices as someone she went to school with that died a couple weeks prior, Andi finds Father Riley and tells him what is happening. After a little research they learn that there is a lot more happening in their little town and Father Riley called detective Jack Harmon. Jack doesn’t believe it at first but the more they go the more trouble they find.

Andi is a great character, she is nice and I feel for her. Jack is great, the hardened detective that doesn’t believe Andi’s story. I love the banter between the two of them. There is definitely sparks there. The mystery was well put together and had me guessing until the end.

This is my first book of Ann Simas’ that I have read but it will not be the last. I cannot wait to see what happens to Andi in the next book and to explore others books of Ann’s.

I received Holy Smoke from Candid Book Reviews for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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The Legend of the Fallen Kingdom by Mikel Wilson and Sherry Gist

A faithful Knight feels trapped by his duties to his king when his world is turned upside down by the meeting of a strange woman in the woods. This woman turns out to be a vampire who they are swore to kill on site. When she tells him a secret that is unknown even to him. Find out if he is able to protect his king or if the secret he has learned will change the way he feels about his kingdom.

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Mikel Wilson and Sherry Gist

Two people from different backgrounds meet and became instant friends. They realized that they were like minded. Others never understood the mind trappings of these two individuals. One day, playing around, they came up with the Hybrid Clan. Henceforth, a stronger friendship and a new book. Hope you all enjoy this book as much as they enjoyed creating it.

Here’s a funny fact for you reader’s out there, Mikel and Sherry meet about 7 years ago and they have been friends every since. They are both very unique individuals and everyone that meets them can plainly see that they have made a lifelong friendship. Mikel, or Kel as a few people like to call him, is a young man from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He now makes his home in Sweet Water, Alabama.  Sherry is a lady from a small town known as Meeker, Oklahoma. She calls Crossville, Alabama home now. They are both family oriented. They have lots in common and yet they are different. These two will dazzle and boggle the mind. Together they hope to bring your imagination alive in a whole new way.

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My Review

4 stars

Alexander is a knight that feels trapped. He goes for a ride and finds Jacklyn, a vampire. He persuades her to bite him and unbeknownst to him, she creates a vampire werewolf hybrid. Although they enjoy their time together, Alex is a knight and has a duty to his king. He returns to the castle and finds that the king and the other knights have been killed.

Alex wakes and finds Jacklyn and learns he has been gone for eight years. In the meantime an evil sorcerer has taken over the land. Alex starts a quest to change everything but returns when the sorcerer attacks Jacklyn. After losing everything, Alex decides to complete his quest. But he is going to tested for something that he doesn’t feel he is fit for. It’s time to see how far Alex will go for love.

This is a fresh take on paranormal knights and quests. I liked the story and how Alex was willing to fight for those he cared for. Conner is pure evil and I enjoyed how he was not going to be easily killed. This is a really good story and one that I recommend for those that like paranormal twist on knights, kings and quests.

I received The Legend of a Fallen Kingdom from the author for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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Seed of Control: Generations to Execute by Lawrence Verigin

Seed of Control is the explosive sequel to the award-winning, high-concept thriller Dark Seed. Journalist and author Nick Barnes is back, finding himself quickly thrown into a chain of events which uncovers a plot so beyond moral comprehension that it will affect Earth’s entire population. The plot has taken generations to develop and in on the cusp of being fully implemented.

Agri-industrialist Dr. Hendrick Schmidt and media baron Davis Lovemark lead the villainous plot with the unerring belief that they are the stewards of humanity and that they alone have the right to decide the fate of the masses.

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Author’s Bio

Lawrence Verigin is the author of the award winning novel DARK SEED and the just released sequel, SEED of CONTROL. He is currently writing the third book in the “SEED” series.

His goal is to entertain readers while delving into socially relevant subjects. Lawrence and his wife, Diana, live in Vancouver, Canada.

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My Review

5 stars

Nick Barnes receives a call from an old colleague, Summer Perkins. But when he meets her, he finds that she has been murdered. Nick looks into what she was reporting on and finds Naintosa, a company known for genetically engineering crops. But they don’t really have humanities best interest in mind. Nick goes on the run to try and stay one step ahead of the killers hired by Naintosa. Will he survive long enough to get the conspiracy out to the public?

This is a great, action filled thrill ride. Nick is trying to start over when he gets a call and can’t help but step up and help but this makes him a target. The minute Nick seems to get ahead and continue investigating, he finds himself in the cross-hairs once again. The really scary thing is hoe this could easily happen in real life?

This book is for you. Just so you know, it is the second book in the series. I didn’t have a hard time figuring out what was happening but I will definitely be checking out Dark Seed. \If you are looking for a great thriller/mystery with lots of actions, explosions, a greed corporation, and a great conspiracy theory, look no further.

I received Seed of Control from Sage’s Blog Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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Bound to the Truth (Dreamslippers – 3) by Lisa Brunette

What if you could ‘slip’ into the dreams of a killer?

This family of PIs can. They use their psychic dream ability to solve crimes, and that isn’t easy.

Especially when your client thinks she knows who the killer is, but you don’t believe her.

Did Nina Howell really fall under the spell of a domineering, conservative talk show host–as her wife claims?

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Author’s Bio

Lisa was born in Santa Rosa, California, but that was only home for a year. A so-called “military brat,” she lived in nine different houses and attended nine different schools by the time she was 14. Through all of the moves, her one constant was books. She read everything, from the entire Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mystery series to her mother’s books by Daphne du Maurier and Taylor Caldwell.

A widely published author, game writer, and journalist, Lisa has interviewed homeless women, the designer of the Batmobile, and a sex expert, to name just a few colorful characters. This experience, not to mention her own large, quirky family, led her to create some truly memorable characters in her Dreamslippers Series and other works, whether books or games.

Always a vivid dreamer, not to mention a wannabe psychic, Lisa feels perfectly at home slipping into suspects’ dreams, at least in her imagination. Her husband isn’t so sure she can’t pick up his dreams in real life, though.

With a hefty list of awards and publications to her name, Lisa now lives in a small town in Washington State, but who knows how long that will last…

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My Review

5 Stars

Robin and Nina are a married couple with an adopted little girl. Nina is a successful architect and Robin is the stay at home mom. When we start the story, Robin is craving something more than just being at home. You also get the feeling that there is more to Nina’s side of the relationship. But then Nina is killed and Robin hires Cat and Grace to find the killer.

This is a great mystery with lots of action. Robin and Nina seem to have a perfect marriage from the outside but inside there are cracks. I loved Cat, she is a strong woman and I loved following along as they had to dig deep to find the killer.

I will warn you, there is a lot about the sex scene in Seattle, almost more that I really wanted to know. It did really bother me but I can see how it might be TMI for some people.

This is the second book in the Dreamslippers series that I have read. You can find my review for Framed and Burned here. Now I just need to go back and read Cat in the Flock. This is a great series and one that I recommend check out.

I received Bound to the Truth from Sage’s Blog Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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