Patricia Stoltey

Author

Mystery Author: Marshall Karp

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Did you know Marshall Karp has at least one contest going on his website? If you’re the lucky winner of this one, you’ll have a character named after you in a future Marshall Karp book. Now how cool is that?

If you don’t know how cool it is, you probably haven’t been introduced to Karp’s LAPD Detectives, Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs. I was hooked after the first book in the series, The Rabbit Factory. In addition to a fine plot revolving around the fictitious theme park, Lamaar’s Familyland, Karp’s first book was filled with excellent characters and plenty of wise-cracking humor. The title refers to the first victim in a serious effort to bring a company to its knees, the employee dressed up as Rambunctious Rabbit.

Karp’s second Lomax & Biggs mystery, Bloodthirsty, is about the Hollywood set, and the third (released March 2009), Flipping Out, is about a bestselling mystery novelist and her unique promo plan that turns ugly. Flipping Out, which I read earlier this month, has good plot twists as the death of a cop’s wife goes from suspected domestic violence, to suspected serial killer, and on to . . . well, that would be spoiling the story. Mystery writers should get a kick out of this novel. It’s a great tutorial in thinking outside the box for self-promotion (and a solid lesson about unintended consequences).

I’m going to put the link to Marshall Karp’s homepage here, but go there at your own risk. The author’s sometimes irreverent blog appears on this page.

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Comments

  4. Patricia, Did you ever get the feeling that people were talking about you? Apparently I was right. You are, and I’m thrilled. Like the mystery writer in Flipping Out, I’ve been known to self promote. (Often with dignity). Having you discover me is an unintended surprise and a big plus.

    Glad you enjoyed my books. As for your “visit his site at your own risk” caveat, you just happened to show up on a rather sketchy day. In the past I’ve blogged about profanity in my books, and how I’ve evolved into being more sensitive to my readers. But you just happened to visit my website when the most recent blog passes along the news that a new scientific study shows that profanity reduces pain. And while my site is not usually littered with F-bombs, the current blog is not for the reserved and proper among you.

    I’ve already heard from one of your readers and she doesn’t sound like she’d be offended by the 233 F-bombs in The Rabbit Factory. In fact, she may feel short changed when she sees that there are only about 30 in the subsequent books. I guess it takes all kinds, and she is definitely my kind. As are you. Thanks for the review and my apologies if I pushed the envelope.

    And yes, anyone who goes to my site and enters has a chance of becoming a character in one of my future books. True, it’s blatant self promotion. But ironically it only appeals to readers who want to do a little horn blowing of their own.

  11. Sounds like a fun series. And I like your idea of reading it for self-promotion ideas. And I’m wondering what the “unintended consequences” are!

    Today, I awarded you the Humane Award. (It’s not about cats and dogs, which was my first thought when L. Diane Wolfe awarded it to me.) I gave it to you because you seem to take a unique viewpoint on things and it’s always interesting here at your blog.

    Helen
    Straight From Hel