The Blood of Tyrants
A gripping political murder mystery from the co-creator of "Murder, She Wrote"
po box 873
Pacific Grove, CA 92352
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The Blood of Tyrants
Non-series
Peter S. Fischer
Grove Point Press (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-615-32455-X (061532455X)
ISBN-13: 978-0-615-32455-5 (9780615324555)
Publication Date: October 2009
List Price: $15.95
Synopsis (from the publisher): A crowded restaurant in Washington, D.C. A powerful Congressman is lunching with a wealthy contributor who suddenly rises and shoots the Congressman dead in front of a hundred witnesses. Quietly, he resumes his seat, placing the gun on the table as he awaits the authorities. Thus begins ten days of terror, ten days in which the nation teeters on the brink of anarchy.
Inadvertently drawn into this murderous conspiracy is Paul Castle, a once promising newspaper reporter, now the host of a third rate cable show that deals in sleaze and scandal. Castle suddenly finds himself a pawn in a series of bizarre murders that have gripped the nation in fear. Secretly aided by an avuncular New York homicide detective and hounded by an ambitious FBI agent, Castle seeks to get to the bottom of the mystery and in the process, regain his lost self-respect. With the future of the country at stake, he knows he cannot afford to fail.
Review: Peter S. Fischer, the creator/producer of the classic television series Murder, She Wrote, takes on the Washington political establishment in his first novel, the murder mystery thriller The Blood of Tyrants.
Disgraced reporter Paul Castelli has reinvented himself as Paul Castle, host of National Heartbeat, a cable television show that exists less to report the news than to make it. In what can only be described as the story of his career -- any reporter's career -- he inadvertently stumbles into the middle of a political firestorm that will soon rock the nation: the murders, some staged as accidents, of over a dozen of the country's most powerful representatives. Followed by homicide detective Aaron Kovacs and FBI agent Fowler Briggs, Castle tries to keep one step ahead of the authorities in an effort to put an end to the killings that are terrorizing the country.
The plot in The Blood of Tyrants is clearly satirical so it is easy to overlook how preposterous it is. Still, conspiracy theorists among any number of political groups will no doubt find something to pique their interest here. To be sure, the plot moves along rapidly, the characters well-developed without being too much like caricatures, and though the outcome is fairly predictable (the whodunit aspect is never in doubt), the path there is exciting nonetheless. The author, a familiar name in crime dramas, adds a little humor here and there with references to TV shows; here's a passage when Castle hits New York City to learn more about the murders: It all looked so easy on television when Rockford did it, or Kojak or Columbo. Nose around, ask a few questions, wave a few Andrew Jacksons about and the information spilled forth like water over Hoover Dam. Somehow these guys missed the Westin Hotel in midtown Manhattan. The way people were eyeing him, you'd think he was there to steal the silverware.
The reading experience is marred to some extent by rather sloppy editing, mostly typesetting issues, but also numerous misspelled words and missing punctuation. For an experienced screenwriter of this caliber, it seems incongruous in his debut novel.
Special thanks to Grove Point Press for providing a copy of The Blood of Tyrants for this review.
Review Copyright © 2010 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:  Is it fiction......or non-fiction!, February 19, 2010
This review is from: The Blood of Tyrants (Paperback) Reviewing a book?? Are you kidding? All my life I have had that (now described) affliction called ADD or mild dyslexia. I recall reading Moby Dick as a young teen cover to cover and......that was that!! Never again would I torture myself like that! Cliff notes and movies were for me for the next 48 years ......until I was FORCED to read my old neighbor's novel just to keep the peace. I did "FORCE" my way through the first chapter with many moments of drifting. (you ADDs out there know what I mean). Then, there was a shot...........and I needed a little more.......and another death.....and I needed a lot more!! Then there was a connection with medicine and law enforcement and I was hooked. Since I had had a nice career in healthcare and had family in the FBI, I new I could find plenty of factual errors and laughable assumptions. WRONG! The author's knowledge base was spot on and the suspense was driving me crazy. I went from a snail's pace on that first chapter to finishing the last 5 chapters in one sitting! If you knew me you would not believe that. Only one thing left to say............................ "READ THIS BOOK"!! Just Bob |
Release The Id, February 10, 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Blood of Tyrants (Paperback) I loved this book so much I bought several copies and gave them to friends. The writing, fast paced and hard hitting, reminds me of Robert Parker, or John D. MacDonald.It has a plot and several sub plots that twist and turn and finally resolve in a shocking climax. Ten years ago the theme of this book would have been considered outrageous. Given the political climate today, it is not outrageous. All one has to do is release their id and it all becomes possible. I would love to see this book made into a movie by Clint Eastwood......J Vawter |
a little too close for comfort, February 10, 2010
This review is from: The Blood of Tyrants (Paperback) My wife bought this book because she recognized the author's name as the writer of "Murder She Wrote", her all time favorite TV show. I grabbed it first becaause I love political thrillers and the book did not disappoint. I was reminded of "It Can't Happen Here" by Upton Sinclair which came out during the turbulent mid 1930's also as a bit of a protest about the direction of the country. The Blood Of Tyrants may stretch credibility somewhat but not as much as the earlier book. As a concerned citizen regarding the current political direction the book resonated with me but regardless of your political leanings it was a real page turner. The characters were well developed and believable and the Tension never let up. I just hope that if Mr Fischer chooses to turn this into a movie he will do a bettter job than the one that turned "It Can't Happen Here" into a SciFi horror show. |
Blood of Tyrants. Wake Up, Washington!, February 8, 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Blood of Tyrants (Paperback) "The Blood of Tyrants" is a finely crafted novel that holds up the mirror to the angst that plagues our nation today. I couldn't put it down. Most of the stuff that is messing up our country is in the book. It may be fiction, but it's very powerful fiction. Hopefully those people in Washington will read it...and wake up. Very entertaining -- but a little frightening. And it leaves almost as many bodies on the floor as "Hamlet's" final curtain. A must read. Bob Swanson |
The Blood of Tyrants, December 18, 2009
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Blood of Tyrants (Kindle Edition) Great story, met the author by accident in Monterey Ca. played a round of golf with him. He's the real McCoy.One of the writters for Columbo, I thought he was Columbo. Very appropriate story for todays political enviorment, well written. |
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful: Watching the debates in Congress? This is must-read, November 22, 2009
This review is from: The Blood of Tyrants (Paperback) I found this book on one of the discussion groups, which I am new to. What a find! The blood of Tyrants kept me riveted and thinking the whole way through. It is truly scary how quickly this country could change direction with a few highly placed leaders in power. The plot, which involves political assassinations, is also a scary thought but the book had me wanting to know what was going to happen next and how far things would go. The main characters are well-written and I found Paul Castle very interesting. I liked him. If you are watching the current events in Washington closely, most notably healthcare reform and the state of tv news, this book will add to that conversation. I do not condone violence. The book was exciting and makes you think. I would recommend it highly. It is also written by the guy from "Murder, She Wrote". I grew up watching it and have good memories trying to figure the clues out. |
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: a wild Ride, November 18, 2009
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Blood of Tyrants (Paperback) I was recommended this book by a friend and I was not disapointed. Whatever your political affiliation this book is very relevent to the times. I am a mystery buff and thriller addict. This book takes you on a wild ride through the health care reform debate that is clutching the country right now. No matter what side of the fence you are on ( I like to refer to myself as a republicrat) it gets you thinking about where this country is headed and who is taking us there. Great read!!!! |
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Coming mid 2010..............
"The Terror of Tyrants"
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po box 873
Pacific Grove, CA 92352
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