The Secret Cabal

Ben Casey, a fired crime reporter, stumbles upon the story of a life time. A story that illuminates who is responsible for all the evil acts that take place in the world. He discovers a conspiracy that puts his life in jeopardy, but he is determined to see it to the end and write his story.

Making an appearance in this story is private dick, Harvey Valentine, who helps Ben Casey reach his destination and get his story.

No one is above THE SECRET CABAL.

The Secret Cabal (Hardboiled)

By R. Archer

Hardboiled

ISBN #978-1515130611

Price $10.99 (paperback)

152 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

Fired from his newspaper job, Casey is looking for something to do when he chances upon a drunk in a bar hitting strangers up for drinks by telling them a weird story about his downfall from politics by a secret organization once known as the Illuminati, now calling themselves the Secret Cabal. Since this looks like a story Casey might sell to another newspaper he buys the man drinks and gets leads that he can follow up on.

The trail leads Casey to an island where he finds an underground complex with a mystifying entrance. Finding the mysterious bunker empty, he leaves, but spots a black helicopter en route to the island as he departs. The chopper was unmarked. Did they see him? Deciding he needs help collaborating his story he brings in private detective Harvey Valentine. Casey takes Valentine to the island, but they now find the compound occupied – by armed men dressed as clowns.

This was a fun story, as only R. Archer can spin a tale. Although there were some editing problems, my only complaint is a personal one. I wish the author would tone down the profanity a bit. I’ve always thought an author was a master of words, not mastered by them. I appreciate good dialogue, and an overuse of profanity will ruin the dialogue for me. I view profanity as a weakness, and I want strong dialogue between the characters. Hardboiled fiction refers to tough detectives with a rough attitude towards the establishment, but the original writers could show that toughness in words other than profanity. But for the fun of the story, and as an admirer of the author’s work, I highly recommend this for the hardboiled fiction lovers.

Tom Johnson

Author of CARNIVAL OF DEATH

The Mad Money Caper

The Mad Money Caper (Hard Boiled Detective)

By R. Archer

Hard Boiled Books

ASIN #BO154X7II4

Price $1.99

17 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

“A Fun, Quick Read.”

Sam Hill, private detective, receives half of a thousand dollar bill, and a promise of the other half if Sam will meet the sender. Despite his secretary’s advise against taking the case, Sam makes the meet. He learns from Alex Anders that someone is threatening to kill him, and wants Sam to guard him. Sam takes the case, and prepares to protect his client, but then everything turns upside down, and Sam may be in front of the gun.

This was another fast, and fun, read. There is profanity in them, though, so be warned. These short hardboiled tales help kill thirty minutes of otherwise wasted time, so I highly recommend them to the old style hardboiled mystery fans.

Tom Johnson

Author of PARTNERS IN CRIME

Eye of The Lyon

Jeff Regan Private Investigator was originally aired on CBS radio, debuting in 1948. Jack Webb played the part of Jeff Regan Private Investigator, working for Anthony J. Lyon of the International Detective Bureau in L.A. Relive the Hard Boiled adventure of Old Time Radio, told by Hard Boiled Author R. Archer in this first of an exciting new series of Kindle Short Reads from Hard Boiled Books.

Regan takes the case of a beautiful widow only to end up lucky he is not dead.

Eye of The Lyon (Hard Boiled Short)

By R. Archer

Hard Boiled Books

ASIN #B00Z96P3VQ

Price $1.49

11 Pages

5-Stars

“A Quick, Fun Read.”

With nothing to do, Regan is sitting at his desk with the phone rings. It’s his boss, Anthony J. Lyon of International Detective Bureau. After a few pleasantries, Regan is told that a Mrs. Cartright will be coming to his office, and to take care of her. Sure enough, just as he hangs up the phone, a beautiful woman walks in. She’s a recent widow, and believes someone is trying to kill her. Regan accompanies her home as a bodyguard, where he meets the beautiful maid. It’s not long before he’s knocked over the head, and when he awakes hears his client in danger.

This is another quick, fun read, from this hardboiled author, bringing back old radio drama in the form of short stories. They are so quick in fact you seldom notice the little typos. And who cares, the reader is enjoying the story too much the story ends before you are aware of anything else. Highly recommended to old time radio fans and hardboiled detective readers.

Tom Johnson

Author of CARNIVAL OF DEATH

Shayne's Revenge

Michael "Mike" Shayne is the creation of Brett Halliday. Shayne's private investigator character debuted in 1939. Halliday wrote over 50 Shayne novels. The character appeared in over 300 short stories, dozens of films and television shows, as well on the radio from 1944 to 1953. The author became acquainted with Michael Shayne through old time radio shows and a few of Halliday's novels. The character Michael Shayne is now in the public domain. Many of the old Black & White Michael Shayne TV shows are in the public domain and are available on Youtube. The Shayne stories settings seem to bounce from Miami to New Orleans. Please enjoy this hard-boiled short of the red headed fighting Irishman, Mike Shayne as told by hard boiled author R. Archer.

Michael Shayne as in many of the Old Time Radio shows, begins this story with himself taking a beating. But this time, Shayne gets revenge.

Shayne’s Revenge (Hard Boiled Short)

By R. Archer

Hard Boiled Books

ASIN #BOOZM0407C

Price $1.49

11 Pages

5-Stars

“A Quick, Fun Read.”

Mike Shayne wakes up, to discover he had been slipped a Mickey by a beautiful woman. Pretending to still be out, he listens as the woman tells her companion that “the Doc” wanted the private eye brought to him. It doesn’t take long for the detective to turn the tables and discover an old enemy who wanted him dead.

These little 10 and 11 page short stories are quick, fun reads. Though the author could use a proofreader, I’m wondering if it even matters. The story is over before you can blink. Highly recommended for the many Mike Shayne and hardboiled readers out there.

Tom Johnson

Author of CARNIVAL OF DEATH

A Dollar Short Short And A Day Late

Johnny Dollar was a radio show appearing on CBS radio in 1949. The character was a freelance insurance investigator, with the show in the tradition of a hard-boiled private detective. The author has revived this character for a series of short reads. We hope you enjoy them. The character Johnny Dollar is now a part of the public domain.

A Dollar Short And A Day Late (Tongue-In-Cheek Noir)

By R. Archer

ASIN # B00ZK8XYHS

Price $1.49

10 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

“Light-Hearted Tongue-In-Cheek.”

Johnny Dollar, a freelance insurance investigator is so busy he needs a secretary to take care of the bookwork, filing, and answering the phone. He can’t believe his good luck when sexy Rita Longmire shows up to interview for the job, claiming to know all about a secretary’s duties. But within only a few days, it appears that beauty may be all the talent she has.

This was a fun read, though Johnny doesn’t have a case to investigate, he does learn that finding a good secretary may not be as easy as he imagined. Growing up listening to radio drama, YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR was one of the best dramas on the air. It’s great to see him back, and we look forward to his next case from the author. Short stories have almost disappeared from mainstream literature, and we no longer have the many genre magazines available for short story format at the local newsstand. The author is bringing them back with a bang, and we love it. I read this one while drinking my first cup of coffee. Highly recommended.

Tom Johnson

Detective Mystery Stories.