The Bashful Vampire Murder / The Comic Book Murders
Double your pleasure, double your fun with a Frank Callahan Mystery Twofer
Frank Callahan is the gay LAPD detective who first appeared in the free-for-all mystery, The DVD Murders. He and his long-term friend and partner, Detective Barry Jennings, are back in two contemporary crime fiction stories that will keep you guessing all the way.
The Bashful Vampire Murder begins where most vampire tales end: in the apprehension of a vampire hunter right after he has driven a stake through his quarry’s heart. The defense attempts to prove that vampires exist and the homicide was justified. To Callahan’s horror, the trial ends in a hung jury. Only the resourcefulness and savvy of the tough cynical detective stand between justice and the killer being allowed to walk.
In the Comic Book Murders, the two flatfoots run the gamut of superhero and villain suspects, from Captain America and the Caped Crusader to the Joker and Firebug until outstanding police work and dogged persistence lead them to the unlikely killer. On the way, we get to visit a kinetic comic book convention, the backstreets of Hollywood, and a firebombing in Westwood on Halloween eve.
Entirely Riveting!
“Bob Frey's tagline "double your pleasure, double your fun with a Frank Callahan Mystery Twofer" is certainly met in The Bashful Vampire Murder & Comic Book Murders, continuing the saga of mystery readers' favorite LAPD detective, Frank Callahan, who made his first appearance in 2009's The DVD Murders. Frank Callahan is back on the beat again to solve two curious cases: one involving a man claiming to be a descendant of the Van Helsing family, and the other that involves our favorite comic book characters.
“The first story chronicles the investigation of a dentist who drove a stake through a civilian's heart, claiming that he was a vampire, continuing in his "family vocation" of killing "lamias," a European word for vampires. The dentist claims to have come from the Van Helsing family, the renowned vampire hunters. Callahan's department cannot help but wonder why "all the crazies always wind up in our playpen" as a trial unfolds that attempts to prove the existence of vampires through expert witness testimony, making a plea not of insanity, but rather of justifiable homicide. Much to Callahan's chagrin, the jury finds the evidence of vampires' existence substantial enough to result in a hung jury, causing him to embark on a personal mission to bring justice to the case and put the murderer behind bars.
“Comic Book Murders opens on the discovery of a victim who has unusual chemical burns on his face, indicating severe frostbite, albeit inconsistent with his dry shirt and lack of any other traces of the chemical on his body; it has all of the hallmarks of a murder by the Dick Tracy character, Mr. Freeze, who froze his victims into a solid block of ice. This bizarre murder is only the first in a series of murders paralleling comic book stories; Frank Callahan must unravel the puzzling murders, which inevitably leads him to the unlikely killer.
“Using witty dialogue, referencing everything from Bette Davis to Twilight, and putting all of the "crazies" in Callahan's "playpen," Bob Frey exhibits a unique and deft ability for interweaving the comical with the morbid. The Bashful Vampire Murder & Comic Book Murders are engrossing”
—bwbatlarge, 5 stars Amazon customer review
Worth reading
“Frey is a very talented writer and he really draws you into his stories. He exhibits a unique and deft ability for interweaving the comical with the gloomy. Frey gives his readers clever, entertaining and humorous novels. This novel really amused me and it really fits in mystery and its perfect reading for people who enjoy the real magic of the television show Castle. Frey's style is the perfect combination of murder investigation and strange murder stories. I like the way he wrote the story and makes people stick in it. I highly recommend people to buy and read it. It is worth spending time and money.”
—Pinu, five stars Amazon customer review
Very Unique !!!
“Frey is a talented writer and he really draws you into his stories and shows diversity and uniqueness that most authors these days lack. The Bashful Vampire Murder & Comic Book Murders is incredibly entertaining. This book introduces you to the other side of vampires and this makes you beginning to understand with them and their troubles. The second story gives a strike performance with his mystery that leaves you eagerly turning page to page to see what happens next and you felt like keep going on and on till you reach to the toe. I highly recommend these stories to other people.”
—Mama, five stars customer review
An Exciting Double Dose of Mystery
“Using contemporary themes and characters in his murder stories (the main character is a gay police detective), Frey gives his readers a clever, entertaining and humorous novels. In this two-for-one deal, we follow the life of LAPD detective Frank Callahan as he uncovers a mystery about a murdered vampire, as well as the murders of comic book heroes. Frey takes relevant, pop-culture images/icons and creates a wildly entertaining novel that is unlike no other. Sure, we all know about the hype around vampires and their teen love angst but what if they were murdered in the beginning of the book and then we had to help the main character solve this problem? Frey intrigues his reader from the very start and these books are a great summer beach read.”
—Nicole80, five stars Amazon customer review
Entertaining and Creative: A New Spin on Murder Mysteries
“Bob Frey's The Bashful Vampire Murder & Comic Book Murders are two stories packed with comedy, revolving around a memorable character in Frank Callahan, a gay LAPD detective featured in Frey's prequel "The DVD Murders." Though the narrative is a crime fiction, there is a strong element of the supernatural. In fact, the Bashful Vampire Murder delves into the world of vampire hunters and the idea of driving a stake through the alleged vampire.
“Frey spins this in a thoroughly humorous way through witty language and a series of mindboggling characters. For instance, the book opens up with the descendant of Van Helsing--a dentist--killing a civilian because he believes that the civilian is a blood-sucking vampire who has attacked innocent bystanders.
“Essentially, the barebones of the plot juxtaposes a jury that feels that the series of killings of supposed vampires are not homicides, but rather justifiable homicides. Professor Von Klotz states, an academic well versed in the vampire world, states, "When a person commits a justifiable homicide, they are not guilty of a criminal offense." Will the jury free the killers, or shall their murderous behavior be rewarded with freedom and approval?
“The Comic Book Murders, like the Bashful Vampire Murder features LAPD detectives Frank Callahan and his partner Barry. Featuring a slew of superheroes and villains, including but not limited to the Joker, Mr. Freeze, Bob, the Galactic Bum, Superman and the Green Hornet, this story is also a murder mystery.
“All in all, this is a must read. Bob Frey's narrative is one-of-a-kind and entertains on many different levels. As the characters are bombarded by constant chaos, readers will laugh their way through Frank Callahan's encounters. The Bashful Vampire & The Comic Book Murders is an easy to read narrative that is aesthetically appealing--a highly recommended text for individuals that enjoy murder mysteries with a twist.”
—Mihir Shah, five stars Amazon customer review