Author: Shelly Frome

Publisher: Boutique of Quality Books (Feb 6, 2024)

ISBN: 979-8886330267


“Soon Bud was weaving through his wake heading down the stairs following each slam of Bud's bag. With only a few steps remaining, Bud lurched forward and grabbed the strap so hard it tore off, sending both him and the deadbeat tumbling over. The next thing Bud knew, the deadbeat sprang up, leaped over a sprawled little old lady at the bottom of the staircase, gave Bud a gap-toothed grin yelling “A couple of days, man, is all you got!” and disappeared through the oncoming commuters.”

The best book I have read so far this year! 'Fast Times, Big City,' by Shelly Frome is an entirely unexpected little escapade through mid-twentieth century New York City with a witty protagonist and an intriguing mystery at it's core. 

'Fast Times, Big City,' is about a man named Bud Palmer, and the difficulties that he faces finding one very specific woman in the huge city. Now, I know what you're thinking, and no, it's not like that. Bud is looking for this woman because she stole something-- a briefcase, in fact. And no, Bud is not a private investigator, his uncle is. But Uncle Rick is not exactly what you would call talented at his profession. 

Rick is a bit of a screw-up, and it is only at the request of his mother who is currently out of the country that Bud agrees to check in on Rick and see how he is doing. It turns out he's not doing well. 

Rick accidentally pissed off a mobster who now wants back the briefcase that he thinks Rick stole. However, the mobster, a man named Escobar, believes that Rick was aided by a woman whose name no one managed to get. 

This woman was blonde, beautiful, and looks like a Marilyn Monroe lookalike-- and now she's somewhere in New York City. Bud must travel to New York to find her, get the briefcase back and get back home to Miami in less than 2 days, a feat that strikes him as nearly impossible but that has to be done. 

I adored this fun, thrilling novel and wanted more the moment I was done. I will definitely be picking up more of Shelly Frome's novels to read! 'Fast Times, Big City,' was a world in and of itself, and I can't wait to see what other worlds he has created! 

About Shelly Frome

Award winning author, Shelly Frome is a member of Mystery Writers of America, a professor of dramatic arts emeritus at UConn, a former professional actor, and a writer of crime novels and books on theater and film. He also is a features writer for Gannett Publications.

His fiction includes Sun Dance for Andy Horn, Lilac Moon, Twilight of the Drifter, Tinseltown Riff, Murder Run, Moon Games, The Secluded Village Murders and Miranda and the D-Day Caper. Among his works of non-fiction are The Actors Studio: A History, a guide to play writing and one on screenwriting, Shadow of the Gypsy is his latest foray into the world of crime and the amateur sleuth.

He lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina. To find out more about Shelly and his books, please visit his website: http://www.shellyfrome.com/