Created by Richard Helms
In Holy City (2024), the ever-prolific Rick Helms drops yet another private eye: Forty-something Charleston, South Caroline-based WHITLOCK.
He used to be a vice cop. With a temper.
Now he isn’t. A cop, anyway. The jury’s still out on the rest.
He has a sweet gig now, though–he’s landing a job working mostly for the richest and most powerful family in the state, thankyouverymuch, tracking down a long-lost heir.
It’s a little episodic, with each potential heir her own full-blown backstory, and pulpy as Hell, full of sex and violence and head-smacking coincidences, but readers will probably have as much fun reading it as I suspect the author had writing it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Helms has a slew of novels and short stories under his belt, featuring a variety of private eyes, and has been nominated numerous times for awards from the Private Eye Writers of America Shamus, the Short Mystery Fiction Society and the International Thriller Writers. His private eyes include Big Easy musician and part-time P.I. Pat Gallegher, San Francisco gumshoe Eamon Gold, 1950s Miami eye Cormac Loame, and 1840-s thief-taker Vicar Brekonridge. Helms has also been an actor, a racing car driver, a college professor and (now a retired) forensic psychologist. An expert on sex crimes, he’s served as president of the North Carolina Association for Management and Treatment of Sex Offenders.
UNDER OATH
- “Seasoned mystery pro Helms (Doctor Hate) demonstrates his mastery in blending genres as the narrative seamlessly transitions between mystery, suspense, and family drama, creating a rich and multi-dimensional story powered by crisp prose, sharp-edged dialogue, and an eye for the killer detail. Helms’ skillful pacing and scenecraft will keep readers on the edge of their seats.”
— PW Booklife - “Helms’ writing is engaging and amusing, artful in its wordplay and dialogue. The mystery is satisfying and leaves room for more intrigue in later installments of the series.”
— Kirkus Reviews
NOVELS
- Holy City (2024) | Buy this book | Kindle it!
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- Whistlin’ Dixie
Southern-Fried Eyes, including Alabame, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Mississippi.
Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
