William Ard’s Shakedown and The Blonde and Johnny Malloy

As the author of the introduction to this new double volume from Stark House Press, I am pleased to see William Ard’s legacy continue to thrive. Ard, a Brooklyn native, distinguished himself through a prolific output of character-driven mysteries and westerns, publishing more than three dozen books under various pseudonyms. Though his career was cut short, his ability to blend hard-edged suspense with emotional depth has ensured a dedicated following and critical praise over the decades.

With the arrival of Shakedown / The Blonde and Johnny Malloy, readers are treated to a pair of novels that showcase Ard’s versatility and skill. In my introductory essay, “Ben Kerr and the Two Johnnies,” I trace Ard’s journey through the genre and examine the qualities that make his protagonists so enduring.

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Featured book cover image of Hessman's Necklace in The Yorkshire Post

Reedsy Discovery Reviews ‘Hessman’s Necklace’

In the 4-star review of the novel ‘Hessman’s Necklace,’ Rachel Deeming for Reedsy Discovery, a platform dedicated to reviewing new independent books, writes: “I had high hopes for Hessman’s Necklace from the outset and I wasn’t disappointed. It was fast-paced, descriptive, with a tight plot and convincingly drawn characters throughout. The beginning of the book and the way we meet [Ray] is comic and there is a wryness of humour throughout which permeates the text; however, as Ray gets deeper into his mission, it is clear that this is no simple task and that he is going to have to have his wits about him and Litchfield infuses the book with more tension and less humour, leading convincingly to a surprising climax. I would recommend – good story, well delivered.”

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Image of Roadside Night by Edwin N. Nistler and Gerry P. Broderick

Litchfield Reviews Roadside Night by Edwin N. Nistler and Gerry P. Broderick for the Lancashire Post

Lancashire Post book review by Nicholas Litchfield: In this moody, hard-edged noir – teeming with deception and sexual tension – a battle-weary ex-Marine is drawn by a beguiling stranger into a spiral of robbery and murder along the California coast where each shadow harbours treachery
and every promise comes at a price.

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Book cover image of The Squeeze and And the Girl Screamed by Gil Brewer

Litchfield Reviews The Squeeze and —And the Girl Screamed by Gil Brewer for the Lancashire Post

Lancashire Post book review by Nicholas Litchfield: In two tumultuous stories set in 1950s Florida, a jobless accountant burdened by debt becomes entangled with a seductive femme fatale in a plan to steal her family’s fortune… and a former cop finds himself the prime suspect in a murder he witnessed and must track down the real killer to prove his innocence. The Squeeze and —And the Girl Screamed are notable works by the late American author Gil Brewer, a master of gripping crime thrillers.

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Literary Titan Gold Book Award icon

Hessman’s Necklace Honored With Literary Titan Gold Book Award for Fiction

I am grateful to share that my noir novel, **Hessman’s Necklace**, has received the Literary Titan Gold Book Award in the Fiction category. Literary Titan conducts impartial evaluations through a team of editors, writers, and educators who review a broad range of books and engage with authors via thoughtful interviews. Being recognized with this award by Literary Titan is an encouraging experience for me.

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Image of The Face of Evil by John McPartland

Litchfield Reviews The Face of Evil by John McPartland for the Lancashire Post

Lancashire Post book review by Nicholas Litchfield: A rugged Chicago fixer wrestles with his moral compass as he attempts to tarnish the reputation of a local attorney in The Face of Evil, a gritty 1950s pulp fiction tale, steeped in extortion, corruption, and counter-blackmail.

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Image of The Problem You Have by Robert Garner McBrearty

Litchfield reviews The Problem You Have by Robert Garner McBrearty for the Colorado Review

My latest review for the Colorado Review centers on Robert Garner McBrearty’s new collection of short stories, *The Problem You Have*. Here’s a glimpse of what I wrote:

“In this highly engaging collection of short stories, award-winning author Robert Garner McBrearty captivates readers with tales of inner struggle and pivotal moments in life. McBrearty, whose acclaimed narratives have appeared in the prestigious Pushcart Prize anthology and have been widely published in literary journals like the North American Review, StoryQuarterly, and the Missouri Review, has previously authored four story collections and a novella titled *The Western Lonesome Society*. His latest work features fifteen stories, some of which are previously unpublished, presenting a diverse array of characters who find themselves at significant crossroads in their lives.”

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Literary Titan Interview

Yesterday, Literary Titan published a new interview with me titled “Gritty Environments,” which delves into the background of my novel, Hessman’s Necklace. In this Q&A, I discuss the early versions of the story, including a pivotal graphic scene of violence that required significant rethinking. Additionally, I explore themes of homage and originality, as well as the influence of writers like Dashiell Hammett, John D. MacDonald, and F. Scott Fitzgerald in shaping dialogue, characters, and literary style.

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Indies Today Gives Hessman’s Necklace a 4-Star Review

In a glowing review featured today, Nicky Flowers at Indies Today praises *Hessman’s Necklace*, calling it “a snarky crime noir with a decadent streak.” Flowers notes that the story offers “punchy storytelling, fully embracing the grit, grime, and sleazy charm that defines the retro thriller genre,” ultimately declaring, “Classing up crime and giving noir a bold new gloss, *Hessman’s Necklace* is a thrilling ride with a polished 1950s flair.”

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Review of Hessman’s Necklace in Kirkus Reviews

“A feverish story that effectively turns neo-noir conventions on its head. Every detail seems relevant, and not a syllable seems wasted—a tough trick to pull off. It all results in an appealing tale that also upends stereotypical impressions of ’50s Americana,” praises Kirkus Reviews, a distinguished American book review magazine established in 1933.

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