Mark Orr’s Howling in the Park features a hard-boiled Dashiell Hammett-style private detective, a victim’s mother who is a hot babe in her own right, an amiable lummox named Big Stoop, and a bisexual werewolf. If that isn’t enough to intrigue the reader, Mr. Orr makes liberal use of Nashville scenery, with which he is extremely familiar.
The old advice “write about what you know” serves the author well. It lends authenticity that cannot be achieved by visiting a place once, and writing about it weeks or years later. If an author researches a location, and gets some detail wrong, a local will know it.
Our hero, Harvey Drago, meets Sonja Sherrill, the mother of the female Vanderbilt student brutally slain by the werewolf, when she comes to town to find out what happened to her daughter, and hires him to investigate. Harvey is the type of character who would make himself at home among the reporters at the Billy Goat Bar & Grill on Lower Michigan, stepping over the bums by the door.
The only thing that I found somewhat annoying is that the love scenes between Harvey and Sonja seem a bit forced.
Mark does a very good job of setting scenery, mood, and nailing characterization. His dialog is anything but flat. Some of the best dialog is between Harvey and Jeff Morgan (the werewolf). It’s quite clever, and shows a wicked sense of humor.
“Quite so. I’d appreciate it if you’d not invite them to our little soiree. That wouldn’t be cricket.”
I laughed. “Jesus, I thought I was a walking cliché. Who writes your dialogue, P.G. Wodehouse? No, I don’t plan on inviting those goons. They couldn’t find their asses with both hands and a compass, anyhow.”
I read a lot of Wodehouse when I was in high school in London, and still love it for its hoity-toity, upper-crusty take on pre-war British society. Wodehouse’s writing is just plain funny! Mr. Orr infuses his story with that same sense of humor.
A wonderful example of Mr. Orr’s ability to set a scene realistically can be found in his description of an Episcopal church and mass.
I was safe in a pew near the back when someone slid in beside me. I glanced over at Sonja. The Lord might not have been any more impressed by her attire than he was of mine,but I sure was. She looked cool and sharp and ready to hear a good sermon. I gave her a “What are you doing here?” look. She leaned over and whispered, “I’ve never been to anEpiscopal church before.”
“Don’t let anyone see you panic,” I whispered back. “Do what I do and no one will be any the wiser.”
I showed her how to operate the Book of Common Prayer, how to juggle it with the hymnal, when to stand and sit and how to keep your feet out of the way of the kneeler hinged to the pew in front. She never did quite cross herself as convincingly as a cradle Episcopalian, but I didn’t critique her style too severely since I wasn’t one either. She followed me to the rail when it was time for Communion. I steered her around to my left, so she could see me receive first and pattern her motions after mine. It worked out all right, although she jiggled the chalice a bit. The wine inside sloshed but didn’t escape over the rim and onto her collar.
Anyone who has ever been to an Anglican mass knows the drill. Orr nailed it with aplomb.
The plot moves along at a nice clip. It kept this reader interested from start to finish. The ending was satisfying, but leaves open the possibility for a sequel.
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Thanks for the very kind review, Rusty. I completely agree with your assessment of the love scenes. That’s not something I’ve ever done well. Hopefully I can fix the problem in future editions, if there are any.
The first sequel is indeed done, unless my editor at RenBooks has some suggestions. It’s in her hands now. It’s called DEAD WOMEN IN LOVE. Harvey is hired by a vampire pimp to find out who’s leaving the ladies of the evening out after sunrise, which is unhealthy for the undead.
I did indeed grow up in Nashville, and worked downtown not far from the main setting of the yarn for a dozen years. A number of the settings in Howling are actual places. The old Acme Feed Store is a real building, still vacant about ten years after the owners went out of business. The District is very much as I described it, although I’ve never noticed any vile aromas in the back staircase. Mulligan’s is real, as is the Pancake Pantry. I heartily endorse both as fine eateries. Jimbo’s coffee shop is not real, but the tobacconist’s briefly mentioned is, and is owned by a good friend of mine.
I’m glad you enjoyed the review, Otter. I certainly look forward to the sequel.
that is cool, Otter.
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