Even Dead Men Play Chess
by Michael Weitz
Lachesis Publishing
ISBN-10 1-897370-93-8
ISBN-13 978-1897370933
$14.95
Also available in multi-book formats
www.lachesispublishing.com
________________________
Review by Robert Berryhill
Do you want to create a readable mystery?
Michael Weitz of Arizona cleverly crafted his debut novel Even Dead Men Play Chess by creating
- an unusual method of murder not used in mysteries
- a low-key lead character who can grow into a series of future exploits
- sharp descriptions that jump off the page
- a supporting cast both interesting and likeable
Novice authors are often well advised to write about what they know. Michael Weitz does this with skill by spicing his novel with tidbits about his favorite pastime, the game of chess which provides the title of his work.
The main character of Even Dead Men Play Chess is Ray Gordon, a chess master in Seattle who ended his career as a cop after he fatally shot a suspect. Ray Gordon volunteers his chess skills at a youth center and also teaches adults the finer nuances of the game.
You are grabbed from the first page of the novel with the death of Erica Minor on her seventh birthday. She was a girl who needed help long before her death. Her parents were meth heads who made, used and sold the drug that is so dangerous you can become addicted on first use.
Ray Gordon travels to Yakima to visit a fellow chess player who is making Ray a chess board in his wood working shop. But he has unexpectedly died in his shop. Police assume it's an accident.
Ray however, doesn't buy it. His friend was 65 with only two addictions, chess and woodworking. Using his skills of analyzing chess games, Ray starts to unravel the mystery of how dead men play chess.
Author Michael Weitz cleverly builds up tension with realistic nail-biting fight and chase scenes that race to the final pages.
Clues are artfully placed throughout his book, but the author keeps the identify of the killer hidden until the end. That's where everything about chess and meth come together in an exciting climax.
I hope Michael Weitz is busy crafting a second novel. He has a lot to contribute to the mystery field.
BOOK REVIEWS
Book Reviews will be published here beginning this month.
The book review will also be submitted to your publisher's website, and Amazon and Barnes & Noble if they list your book.
To submit for a Book Review, please send to
Robert Berryhill
280 28th St. #613
Oakland, CA
94611
email bengirwb@yahoo.com
Please include
Name of book
Name of the author
Name of illustratorName of publisher and date of publication
ISBN Number
E-mail address of author for correspondence purposes
Websites for the book, author, or publisher
The book review will also be submitted to your publisher's website, and Amazon and Barnes & Noble if they list your book.
To submit for a Book Review, please send to
Robert Berryhill
280 28th St. #613
Oakland, CA
94611
email bengirwb@yahoo.com
Please include
Name of book
Name of the author
Name of illustratorName of publisher and date of publication
ISBN Number
E-mail address of author for correspondence purposes
Websites for the book, author, or publisher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
