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Missing Persons
HELP Wanted follows a private detective who takes on a variety of cases ranging from infidelities to murder, exploring the darker aspects of human nature. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Numerous News stories about missing persons.
Your novelette focuses on the darker side of human nature and what people are capable of. What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
When you worm your way back to most things human, it comes down to MORE, as in money.
I felt that HELP Wanted delivers the drama so well that it flirts with the grimdark genre. Was it your intention to give the story a darker tone?
When you hear about all the missing people who are never found, you begin to wonder where they ended up.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
PHOENIX GUM SHOE is two more episodes (massage and high stakes) of private detective, Max Baer.
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HELP Wanted
Help Wanted is a modern novelette that skillfully transports the essence of classic noir detective films into the contemporary era. The narrative follows Max Baer, a private investigator and former police officer, as he tackles an array of cases, from commonplace marital infidelities to the more intense scenarios of missing persons. This story mainly focuses on the latter, weaving a complex plot around organ trafficking and kidnapping triggered by seemingly innocuous online advertisements.
The novelette intriguingly melds the atmosphere of vintage detective movies with contemporary themes, creating a darker, more intense experience. Author Rockey adeptly captures the spirit of these classic films, making them accessible and relatable to today’s readers. Fans of old-school detective stories will find familiar ground here, while newcomers to the genre are smoothly introduced to its conventions, updated for 2024.
At a concise 43 pages, the story offers a snapshot view into the characters’ lives, providing an intriguing glimpse into their world. This brevity and effective worldbuilding lend a certain charm to the narrative, inviting readers to imagine beyond the pages. While the story presents a striking contrast between the positive and negative aspects of relationships, this approach adds a layer of depth and realism. The detailed exploration of more challenging events enriches the narrative, offering a thought-provoking experience for readers. Rockey doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker aspects of human nature. The narrative is laden with grim events, from murder-suicides to sexual violence, all described with a chilling detachment that underscores the bleakness of the story’s world. This relentless focus on the morose aspects of life suggests a universe where joy is fleeting and overshadowed by ongoing horror.
Help Wanted masterfully encapsulates the essence of a hard-boiled detective story in a literary format. With its unique quirks, including some playful spelling variations, it provides an immersive experience reminiscent of a captivating film. This novelette is a perfect match for aficionados of intense, dark detective tales.
Pages: 43
LITERARY TITAN 