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A Murder Amongst Angels Kindle Edition

by Tony Piazza (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 56 ratings
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Sexy, platinum blonde movie siren, Gertrude Hurd had it all-fame, men, and riches. But now she was dead. A fallen angel, whose broken body and tarnished halo was lying on a hillside behind her beach front cafe. It's 1931, and private detective Tom Logan is back, once again immersed in a perplexing mystery, that has him racing against time to track down a merciless killer. As the body count grows, so do the suspects, as his investigation soon has him bucking against corrupt city officials, the mob, and the Hollywood studio system. Packed with mystery, action, romance, humor, and characters you won't easily forget, this fantastic sequel delivers everything promised from the first novel and more. A Murder Amongst Angels is an nostalgic, hard-boiled detective mystery that takes readers back to the era of Chandler and Hammett, while creating a niche all its own.
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  1. Print length
    448 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    November 26, 2013
  5. File size
    806 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Los Angeles detective Tom Logan investigates the death of a troubled movie starlet in this sequel, his second noir set during Hollywood’s golden age.

It’s 1931, and the City of Angels is in the midst of its most celebrated period: the studio era, which isn’t always kind to young actresses or honest cops. After ruffling too many feathers during a high-profile case, Logan, a no-nonsense gumshoe full of snark, was forced to resign from the LAPD. With Logan now a private eye, one of his newest clients turns into a beautiful corpse overnight—as pretty girls are wont to do in hard-boiled murder mysteries. A security guard discovers the body of Gertrude Hurd, a platinum blonde in the mold of Marilyn Monroe, on the steps outside her Malibu apartment. Logan initially fingers local mob boss Armando Scaparetti, one of Gertie’s many ex-boyfriends; after all, just a few days before her death, she came to Logan looking for protection from the infamous gangster with ties to the movie studios. But in author Piazza’s (The Curse of the Crimson Dragon, 2012, etc.) fresh spin, prime suspect Scaparetti then hires the detective himself to solve the mystery. Aided by his plucky secretary-turned-girlfriend, Rita, and the nearly unintelligible Irish police officer Red Clancy, Logan uncovers Gertie’s secret life behind the camera, including drugs, seedy male acquaintances and romantic rivals. As the web of suspects widens and the evidence of corruption rises all the way up to City Hall, another dead body appears. Earnest and dutiful, the narrative aims for the minimalist prose of Raymond Chandler but often channels the overly procedural narrator of noir B-movies. And though more concerned with nostalgia than invention, the plot hits the right notes as it crescendos toward a well-orchestrated coda.

A sentimental caper that mostly follows the genre formula, with a few refreshingly original flourishes.

About the Author

Tony Piazza is a mystery writer, film historian, and veteran storyteller renowned for his passion for writing and movies. He is the author of three mystery novels and a non-fiction work. Actor and stand-in for movies and television, Piazza has appeared in such notable films as Magnum Force, Towering Inferno, and The Streets of San Francisco. From Clint Eastwood to Paul Newman and Steve McQueen, Piazza's background reads like a who's who of Hollywood. He is also a member of the Sisters in Crime mystery writer's organization and SLO NightWriters.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ECGY1GC
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 26, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 806 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 56 ratings

About the author

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Tony Piazza

Tony Piazza

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Tony Piazza is a Central Coast mystery writer, film historian, presenter, and veteran storyteller well-known for his passion for writing and movies.

He is the author of seven mystery novels, “Anything Short of Murder,” “A Murder Amongst Angels,” “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge,” “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon," "Murder Will Out," "Murder in the Cards," and "A Murder, Well-Scripted," all available through Amazon. Piazza’s memoir, “Bullitt Points,” from SansTree, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the classic Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt” and the involvement of the Piazza family in the production. He is also a contributing author in three anthologies: “The Best of the SLO NightWriters in Tolosa Press 2009-2013,” "Deadlines: Murder & Mayhem on the California Coast" Volume 2; and "Turning Tides- Volume 4," also numerous tales published in other periodicals.

Piazza regularly worked as an extra and stand-in on multiple Hollywood movies and television shows shot in San Francisco during the 1970s, including “Towering Inferno,” “High Anxiety,” “Magnum Force,” and “Streets of San Francisco.”

His inventory of stories reads like a Who’s Who of Hollywood from that era: Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Darren McGavin, Paul Newman, Karl Malden, Michael Douglas, Raymond Burr, Walter Matthau, Fred Astaire, Robert Vaughn, and Leslie Nielsen.

Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, California Writer's Club, and SLO NightWriters.

Mr. Piazza has also done many interviews for television, radio, print, and electronic media.

All of his novels are also available as an audiobook, narrated by Broadway actor James Romick. They can be found on Amazon, Audible, and I-tunes websites.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
56 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

The Sleeve
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Characterization, Great Tale
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
Tom Logan, the detective in Tony Piazza's Murder Amongst Angels, is a character I'd follow to the last page. He is a keen, witty observer of the 30's L.A. scene, a sly man who ferrets out the truth, a good match for the villains confronting him.
His cleverness is apparent early in the when there is a tough-looking lug in his office. Logan enters the office next to his, opens the door, and gets the drop on the thug.
Logan handles most difficulties with great aplomb. When he had a run-in with a corrupt, powerful assistant D.A., I wondered how he'd save himself, but in a name-dropping power-play he gained the upper hand. I learned not to underestimate him.
Other characters are engaging, especially his loyal police officer pal and his secretary/girlfriend. She shows her moxie and intelligence in a contest to see who will be the first to identify the killer. A cast of fascinating Hollywood characters make the tale even livelier.
Logan has his flaws, of course. Sometimes he snaps at people who mean him no harm, and he has a knack for saying the wrong things to his girlfriend. However, the flaws show him as three-dimensional. More important, he realizes his gruffness.
The denouement is a stunner. But Mr. Piazza doesn't simply pack up his story and write "The End." He adds more exciting pages, a gift to those who loved his novel.
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Linda Thompson, Host of The Authors Show
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining story line
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2016
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The only reason Tony's book did not receive 5 stars was because it needs some serious editing. I really enjoyed the story line and the well-developed characters. While reading, it took me back in time to before cell phones, before social media, before thing got so out of control. Murder, yes - but not the outrageous stuff we see today. Almost reminded me of Joe Friday (if any of you remember that show of black & white TV days). Overall, a very entertaining read and I look forward to reading the next one. Good job for the first time.
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Emily
3.0 out of 5 stars Good until the end
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2017
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I liked this story a lot until the end. Being a fan of Classic Hollywood I was looking forward to this book. I liked how the author took the Thelma Tood story and put his own spin on it. I liked the characters and the authors descriptions. However, the girl Friday of the story, Rita could use some work. Her jealously got real old, real fast. I do appreciate the author not having any historical figures as characters. That is a pet peeve of mine in historical fiction.

The end of the murder mystery was a disappointment, not very well thought out, and honestly pretty silly. Also, I could have down without the author explaining the history of multiple buildings and locations in L.A. It didn't jive with the first person narrative.

3 stars because I cared enough to finish.
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L. Irwin
5.0 out of 5 stars A MURDER AMONGST ANGELS
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2013
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I have just finished reading the book, A Murder Amongst Angels written by Tony Piazza.
This is the third book by this author and the second in the series featuring Tom Logan
as a private eye. The story takes place in Hollywood in 1931.

There have been many books written in this era not to mention a few movies. The most
recent one is Gangster Squad although it took place much later in 1949.

The Private Eyes that we have grown familiar with are Mike Hammer, Phillip Marlowe, Sam Spade to name
a few. Tom Logan, in comparison, may be new on the scene, but he ranks right up there with these
guys.

This is a well written story that keeps you on your toes throughout as Tom Logan wades through corrupt
city officials, the mob and the Hollywood studio system.

But don't take my word for it; get your own copy and read it for yourself. It's available on Amazon.com
in the book section. You'll be glad you did.
One person found this helpful
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Jeannie
4.0 out of 5 stars If you like the good old days when coffee was a nickel ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2015
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If you like the good old days when coffee was a nickel this is for you. Was a little silly at times but very entertaining and a great ending.
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Gornell
5.0 out of 5 stars Good story set in a great time period!
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started A Murder Amongst Angels. I was new to Tom Logan and Tony Piazza's writing. Boy, what a wonderful surprise! Enjoyed so many things about this book. Tony's style of writing first off, fit the type of story he was writing and the period it was set in.(even the beginning Dedication was perfect for setting the mood) And actual setting(descriptions and character experiencing) and the characters themselves are important for my enjoyment of a book--and A Murder Amongst Angels is terrific in both areas. The look and feel of LA in the thirties comes through loud and strong. I could see the characters and places in my mind's eye. And I liked Tom Logan. I also liked the end. No gratuitous sex and violence--just an enjoyable book that I read in two sittings. Definitely recommend, especially if what I call "old LA" and a protagonist you can root for are to your liking.
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A. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling mystery, a can't put it down read ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2014
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A thrilling mystery, a can't put it down read. With all of Tony Piazza's books you also get a history lesson as he puts in so much background research on the location and it's setting for the time the story is developing. In this mystery you will learn much about early Hollywood.
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cheryl b
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2013
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A story that entertains & informs. Tony Piazza's best book, so far. Vivid characters, fast paced storyline & one can picture Los Angeles in the 30's. Tom Logan fans should be pleased with his journey. I couldn't put it down. Tony's book is engaging & accessible. Highly recommended.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

davlin
5.0 out of 5 stars A Murder Amonst Angels
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is another Tom Logan murder mystery with so many twists and turns your head will be spinning.
A really fast paced thriller with an ending that will take your breath away.
I'm sure the author wont mind me saying that this is even better than his previous Tom Logan adventures.
Tony Piazza has put all his amazing knowledge ,of 1930's Hollywood era ,into his powerful descriptive style that brings all to life.
A superb trip back in time in a can't put down novel.
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