FADE TO BLONDE
Max Phillips
5/11/2011
Hard Case Crime
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis

Hello fans of speculative fiction, it’s your old pal Skull with a selection from Hard Case Crime written by the imprint’s co-founder Max Phillips, Fade to Blonde.  I enjoy a good detective/mystery/crime novel now and then. They help one to escape tedious reality for a few hours and take a walk on the wild side. Maybe even have a few “aha moments” or make a run for your life without leaving your easy chair. You know, that whole “portable magic” deal that another writer for Hard Case Crime, a real cool cat by the name of Stephen King spun in his book On Writing. Anyhow, enough gabbing from me. This ain’t King’s novel, it’s one by Max Phillips. Let’s go check out Fade to Blonde!

When we first see narrator Ray Corson, he’s doing odd jobs in Hollywood California, working on a housing development to be specific. Nothing points to his true love, which is writing screenplays, but he’s got a typewriter stashed back at the shack and knows how to use it. Things get interesting when a flashy dame with a pair of 45’s drives up in a cool car and asks Ray for help with a delicate matter. In his heart, Ray knows it’s probably a bad idea. But his wallet is thinner than a Band-aid, she’s got cash, and he hasn’t had a decent meal in a week. Plus, she’s got those amazing Dagmars pointing at him. So, he jumps straight into trouble with both feet. Don’t worry though, Ray’s an ex-boxer who’s over 6 feet tall and hauling 245 pounds of muscle around under his duds. Just in case that’s not enough, he carries a friend in a holster. Not the usual hit first and ask questions later, type, Ray’s a good investigator with some good friends in tinsel town who help keep him in the know about important matters. Unfortunately, some knowledge and too much confidence can get a guy in trouble faster than a Studebaker going full tilt. Especially when said guy has a conscience and isn’t a fan of cheesy creeps or liars. Things get too hot, and it looks like Ray Corson is about to get iced. Will this be the last time he works in Hollywood, or ever? Find out all about it when you read Fade to Blonde by Max Phillips!  

Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer rates Fade to Blonde FOUR STARS. It’s a swell, fast moving read that has some nice twists and turns. The book does a pretty good job of transporting readers back to a time that did not include smartphones or google. A time when actual people had to work together and there were certain individuals in every big city, who knew a lot more than they should and were willing to share for the right amount of green or favors in return. As a bonus the ending surprised even your old pal Skull. This book made me think of the Perry Mason series by Earle Stanley Gardener, which I happen to enjoy. I couldn’t really decide if I liked Ray Corson or not by the time Fade to Blonde wrapped, but perhaps that was Max Phillips’ intention. Bottom line: This story was a fun read and I encourage you to grab a copy!  

About my mortal:

Brian James Lewis is a disabled poet and writer with PTSD who finds writing to be vastly important to his recovery. Working class to the bone, he writes inclusive, real-world prose and poetry that hits home. Brian’s work has appeared in anthologies from Smoking Pen Press, No Bad Books, and HellBound Books. He’s also appeared in online publications like The Sunlight Press, the Hook of A Book Poetry Project, and The Sirens Call e-Zine. Most recently issue #26 of Trajectory Journal included his short story, “Going to be a Long. Cold, Winter.” Besides writing, Brian enjoys bringing old typewriters back to life, including a Royal KMM formerly owned by Rod Serling. Visit him at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com for news and independent book reviews, or on X/twitter@skullsnflames76. Your old pal Skull also lurks around on Facebook, so follow him there and help more writers get exposure.