Reviews

For The Shiver in Her Eyes

Award-winning author Roxanne Dunn writes "...This tale mines the gritty underbelly of Minneapolis and turns up gems: a soulless hit man, a heart-stealing woman, a mob-controlled pornographer, and a tattered but loyal PI. Suspenseful, heart-warming, and wonderfully written, just try to put it down..."

For The Cough of Birds

Award-winning author Terry Persun writes "Reminiscent of Robert B. Parker’s Spencer character, Dahms is antagonistic and smart-mouthed—especially with the authorities—but serious and capable when he needs to be."

"Author Brian Anderson follows up the award-winning The Shiver in Her Eyes, his debut novel in the Lyle Dahms Mysteries with the unlikely but oddly captivating hero who finds himself—more than a little reluctantly—at a Renaissance festival. This is a story that will keep readers’ interest for the sharp, biting dialogue and quirky, fascinating characters—and flavored with all those things involved in the world of Renaissance faires—from the costumes, to the period speech patterns and food options. Dahms himself is a treat. Reminiscent of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser PI, his dry humor and smart mouth are a welcome change in mystery fiction. In short, he’s a keeper.

Based on a scale of 1-5, The Cough of Birds merits an 8."

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

For Soundings in the Dark

“Private Investigator Lyle Dahms bulldozes and wise-cracks his way through a murder investigation of an old friend like a Midwestern Philip Marlowe. The nefarious world of neo-Nazism is explored and condemned; refuting this brand of white supremacy may seem obvious, but given the current social and political winds, it could not be more relevant and timely. The one thing that cannot be refuted or overlooked is the author's razor sharp wit, found so rarely in today's mystery genre where most everything is graphic sex and excessive violence, but few laughs and little humanity. This entertaining and enthralling novel is replete with both. Highly recommended!”

Brett Wallach

The Phil Allman Mysteries

For Yule Tide

“Who knew Christmas had a dark side? When a murky organization called the Company takes over Christmas after Kris Kringle’s death, it closes down the North Pole operation under suspicious reasons and reopens in a new city called Yule Tide. The only thing standing between the evil Company and the true meaning of Christmas being destroyed is a defrocked angel named Harold.

Author Brian Anderson has written a cleverly plotted tale that deftly weaves ribbons of fantasy into a taut plot driven by love, loss, trust, family ties, and the inner strength one must summon to face adversity created by fallibility and fate. The story moves at a fast pace that builds tension with every chapter. The tale is told by flawed, but believable characters who drive the plot. The characters evoke strong emotions in readers right from page one. This reader wanted to hug Harold on one page and throttle him on the next. Anderson creates enough conflict with a backstory to keep readers turning the pages to see how it all turns out.

Part mystery, part thriller, part paranormal, part redemption with a second chance at making things right, Yule Tide will capture the imagination of readers who enjoy a story fueled by a mix of fantasy and reality and believe that things are not always what they appear to be. This terrific book has more than earned the five-star rating this reader has given it."

Susie Black

The Holly Swimsuit Mysteries

For Death's Honesty

"Brian Anderson’s fourth Lyle Dahms novel, Death’s Honesty, takes the reader careening through dangerous encounters with assorted thugs. The perilous train of events for Lyle begins with the deathbed request of his police officer father to check up on a man who, years earlier, was fostered briefly by Dahms’ parents. Again, respect for his father gets Lyle involved with his dad’s former partner, who wants backup to fend off two thugs trying to extort protection money from the partner’s daughter.

Lyle Dahms is a bulldog of a private detective. Not even a savage beating deters him from charging ahead with his investigation. But he has a soft core that is shared with his steadfast friends. Lyle’s hard-boiled demeanor is a cover for actions motivated by a strong sense of obligation and loyalty to friends and family. It is Anderson’s ability to portray these complicated characters so that the reader identifies with and cannot help liking them. This band of intrepid friends draws the reader into the fast-paced action of Death’s Honesty."

Lawrence Rothstein

Author of the Tri-Star Investigations Mysteries

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