Author Tony Piazza

Mystery Author and Movie Historian

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Tom Logan Speaks!

July 1, 2015 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

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WANT TO LISTEN TO A GREAT MYSTERY TONIGHT?

 

“Anything Short of Murder” read by Broadway actor James Romick has been released on Audible. In the days to come it will be available on Amazon and i-tunes.

IF IT’S ANYTHING SHORT OF MURDER, LOGAN’S INTERESTED!

The minute the dame walked up to Logan, he smelt trouble. A real looker, with tons of money and a daddy who liked to spoil her. She asked him to investigate a threatening note whose message was clear, keep your mouth shut or die. The first day on the job its fatal warning comes true, and the woman is murdered, or so it seems. Very shortly he discovers that it wasn’t the woman at all, but someone who looked very much like her .Twists and turns abound as Logan’s investigation leads him through a labyrinth of blackmail, mobs, and of course murder!

Anything Short of Murder is a mystery written in the style of the pulp detective thrillers of the 1930s. It follows the investigation of a former LAPD cop who sets up shop in Hollywood during its golden era, when movies began to talk and studio heads were kings.

Link to a sample of the audio book:

http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_mn_mt_ano_tseft__galileo?advsearchKeywords=Tony+Piazza&x=14&y=17

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NewAuthorPhoto2 4-12-13

Tony Piazza is a mystery writer, film historian, and veteran storyteller renowned for his passion for writing and movies. He is the author of three mystery novels and a non-fiction work. Actor and stand-in for movies and television, Piazza has appeared in such notable films as Magnum Force and The Streets of San Francisco. From Clint Eastwood to Steve McQueen, Piazza’s stories read like a who’s who of Hollywood. He is also a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and SLO Nightwriters.

 

ABOUT THE PERFORMER

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Born in Warren, Ohio, Jim earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. While attending college, he appeared in numerous university productions as well as on stage at the Youngstown Playhouse.

Some of the many roles Jim has taken on include that of the title character in Lil Abner (his first high school production); Jesus in Godspell; Curley, Will Parker and Judge Fry inOklahoma!; Edward Rutledge and Thomas Jefferson in 1776; Lancelot in Camelot; Lt. Cable in South Pacific; El Gallo in The Fantastiks and Perchick in Fiddler on the Roof. He has performed in various productions for regional, stock and dinner theatres.

The most prominent aspect of Jim’s career thus far has been his Broadway debut in February of 1990. He joined the New York cast of The Phantom of the Opera as a swing/understudy and has since performed the roles of The Phantom, Raoul, Andre, Firmin and the rest of the male ensemble.

As a swing, Jim must be prepared to take on any character at any given moment, often with little or no advance notice. He steps into whatever character necessary without hesitation and has continued to be an integral part of the cast, delighting audiences in New York City.

Jim has been seen as The Phantom in the ‘I Love New York Theatre’ commercial, filmed in Times Square on September 28, 2001, as well as on the Rosie O’Donnell Show finale. He has also performed at Giants Stadium as part of the half time entertainment.

 

Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged With: Anything Short of Murder, Classic Hollywood, Detective books, Hard-boiled detective mysteries, Hollywood, Hollywood mysteries, James Romick, Los Angeles, The Phantom of the Opera, Tom Logan, Tony Piazza

Bestselling Mystery at Bargain Price- $1.99

November 10, 2014 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

ON SALE- LIMITED TIME.  The bestselling novel that started it all is now available on Amazon for Kindle at the incredible price of just $1.99 !

MainEventConceptSepia copy

 

HERE’S A TASTE from Chapter 1.
“I was getting a quick bite at one of those high profile delis on
Hollywood boulevard; you know, one of those places
reputed to cater to the stars. Of course, the only star I ever saw
go into this joint was usually attached to the uniform of a beat
cop. Anyhow, I was biting into my pastrami, sitting in my usual
spot at the counter, when a rather slinky blonde cozies up to my
side and whispers something rather encouraging in my ear. It
isn’t what you think, but something equally tempting; she
offered me fifty dollars in cash. A commodity I have recently
been short of. I responded, “Lady, if it’s anything short of murder,
I might be interested.”

REVIEW:
Anything Short of Murder is a great book! It reminds me of the great hard-boiled detective novels of the first half of the twentieth century… and reads like it too! Tom Logan is a private investigator who finds himself in the middle of Hollywood (during its illustrious 1930s Golden Age). On the surface level, everything is glamorous and cinematic, until Logan gets deeper and deeper into the corruption and disillusionment of its gritty realism. Anything Short of Murder is a book for any classic film lover, any classic mystery “Whodunit” lover, and any lover of pure fun entertainment! I highly recommend if you want to get thoroughly sucked completely into a book.

Please consider adding it to your Kindle library.

http://www.amazon.com/Anything-Short-Murder-L…/…/ref=sr_1_6…

—————————————————-

Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was next released early 2012, and in July of this year, his latest Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels” was published and is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden.  His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites,  or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” on Amazon’s Kindle at a new, low price of $2.99. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.

CofD

 

ASofM

Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels . 

Find them all on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available for $2.99 on Kindle.

 

amongstangelsfront cover 3

Filed Under: Media Appearances Tagged With: Amazon, Anything Short of Murder, Author Tony Piazza, Bestselling mystery, Hard-boiled, hard-boiled detective, Hollywood, Hollywoodland, Kindle mystery, Tom Logan, Tom Logan mysteries, Tony Piazza

Tony Piazza Interview with Stan Weisleder

July 7, 2014 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

 

Tony Piazza interview with Stan Weisleder and Malcolm Burman on “The View From Over Here” CRN radio.  6/24/14. Link below.

 

Stan 2

Filed Under: Media Appearances Tagged With: Celebrities, CRN, Hollywood, Malcolm Burman, Movies, mysteries, Mystery books, Stan Weisleder, Talk radio, The View from Over Here, Tony Piazza

A Murder Amongst Angels: A New Tom Logan Mystery

July 17, 2013 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

 

 

Finally available! The sequel to the bestselling mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder.”

This time Logan tackles a case based partly upon a real Hollywoodland mystery which occurred in November of 1935!

amongstangelsfront cover 3

This Angel Had a Tarnished Halo!

Sexy, platinum blonde movie siren, Gertrude Hurd had it all- fame, men, and riches. But now she was dead. A fallen angel, whose broken body and tarnished halo was lying on a hillside behind her beach front café. It’s 1931, and private detective Tom Logan is back, once again immersed in a perplexing mystery, that has him racing against time to track down a merciless killer. As the body count grows, so do the suspects, as his investigation soon has him bucking against corrupt city officials, the mob, and the Hollywood studio system. Packed with mystery, action, romance, humor, and characters you won’t easily forget, this fantastic sequel delivers everything promised from the first novel and more. A Murder Amongst Angels is an nostalgic, hard-boiled detective mystery that takes readers back to the era of Chandler and Hammett, while creating a niche all its own.

Available by following link below to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Amongst-Angels-Tony-Piazza/dp/1482344386/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374084257&sr=1-7&keywords=tony+piazza

Filed Under: Media Appearances Tagged With: A Murder Amongst Angels, Anything Short of Murder, Author Tony Piazza, bestseller, bestselling, detective, hard-boiled detective, Hollywood, Hollywood History, mystery, scandals, Tom Logan, Tom Logan Mystery, Tony Piazza

Early Hollywood: Will Rogers Park. By Tony Piazza

February 12, 2013 By tonypiazza 10 Comments

Rodgers 3

WILL ROGERS was an extremely popular celebrity of the 1920s and 30s. He was a film actor, cowboy trick roper, vaudeville performer, humorist, and social commentator. His political wit was widely read through the syndicated columns he wrote for national newspapers.

“I never met a man that I didn’t like.”
―
 Will Rogers.

Will Rodgers 2 Early Will Rogers photograph

I  recently visited his home and grounds, which included a polo field in Pacific Palisades as part of my research for my upcoming book- a new detective mystery starring once again that hard-as-nails,  Hollwood(land) P.I., Tom Logan.

“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.” 
―Will Rogers

Tracy & Disney 1938

 Spencer Tracy & Walt Disney at Polo Fields 1938

1931 Pacific Palisades:

Logan will be making an appearance to question a suspect at a charity polo match hosted by Will Rogers. Even though my story is fiction, Rogers did open his field to the public and was supportive of fundraisers. Celebrities were not uncommon at his polo matches, and one wouldn’t be surprised to see such figures as WALT DISNEY, HAL ROACH, or GARY COOPER. Perhaps one will even be around when Logan stops by!

“You know horses are smarter than people. You never heard of a horse going broke betting on people.” 
―Will Rogers.

 Walt-Disney-

Walt Disney

Gary_Cooper_1937.tif

Gary Cooper

The State runs the park now- a gift from the Will Rogers Family. It was well maintained when we visited it, although I’ve heard that during the State’s financial problems there was a period when it wasn’t in such fine shape and the family was considering stepping in and taking over.

 “There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.” 
― Will Rogers.

Rodgers home 1

The Rogers Home- Piazza photo

One humorous incident occurred when we’d visited. There was no state employee on duty at the entrance, and the parking fee was on the honor system- a slot and envelope where you could record your car’s license and drop in the fee. I was standing at the entrance dressed in dark green slacks and an a olive colored military shirt filling out my envelope when I felt a presence from behind. I turned to see a car full of young people, the driver reaching from his window trying to hand me twelve dollars in bills! No, I didn’t take it, but explained to them how the system works.

“Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else.” 
― Will Rogers.

 Rodgers 2

Road alongside Polo Field- Piazza photo.

The polo field has been in movies. One that comes to my mind is “Star Trek: The Voyage Home” (1986). In this forth entry in the original film series it doubled as the Polo Fields in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Remember Kirk’s line, “Everyone… remember where we’d parked.”

 “The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has.”
― Will Rogers.

 Rodgers3

Polo Field…”Remember where we parked”- Piazza Photo.

Will Rogers home is a must. We had a wonderful docent that spent the better part of an hour going through the property which looked as if the family was still living there. The docent had been on the property since she was a girl, and her love and enthusiasm really shined forth in our tour. I’ve visited many famous person’s sites, but none had ever drawn me so much into the life of its’ famous owner as this one did.

“Buy land. They ain’t making any more of the stuff.”
― Will Rogers.

Rodgers 4

Will Rogers original ranch house- Piazza photo.

As an example; chills went up my spine as I saw a globe standing next to his desk with the route drawn out in black ink of his ill fated 1935 flight with Wiley Post. They both crashed and died in Alaska during that flight. He drew that just before he left. I also felt a thrill when I saw the typewriter in which he wrote all his wonderful columns.

 “All I know is just what I read in the papers, and that’s an alibi for my ignorance.” 
― Will Rogers.

Post and Rogers

Will Rogers and Wiley Post

The home was very modern for its’ day, with kitchen appliances not yet common in the average home. Electric stove, freezer that makes ice cubes…he loved gadgets!

“Too many people spend money they earned..to buy things they don’t want..to impress people that they don’t like.”
― Will Rogers.

 Rodgers 5

Another angle of ranch house- Piazza photo.

He was a very generous man, and gave of himself and his finances to help the less fortunate. Recently I talked with my lovely niece, Jennifer who happened to take polo lessons at the State Park. Her instructor was Will Rogers’ grandson. The charges for lessons were adjusted such that all children could afford to take them. The family’s aim was not to make money, but bring the sport to as many young people as possible; an admirable policy and one that fits perfectly with his grandfather’s philosophy.

 “Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.” 
― Will Rogers.

Rodgers4

I highly recommend this tour. If you enjoy history (both film and Americana), and interested in western artifacts…Indian baskets and rugs, original western paintings, furniture, and sculptures- then this is for you. FLO ZIEGFELD– of Ziegfeld Follies fame (of which Rogers was once a performer) paid for (as a gift) the installation of a bay window on the property- perhaps the first of its’ kind in California. These are some of the surprises you’ll find on this tour.

“The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it in your back pocket.” 
― Will Rogers.

willrodgers 7

The historic stable

Until you get a chance to visit this place in person, I hope you’ll consider seeing it through Logan’s eyes in his next upcoming thriller due out this year and published through Amazon!

“If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.” 
― Will Rogers.

Rodgers 6

———————————-

Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was next released early 2012, and in July of this year, his latest Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels” was published and is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden.  His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites,  or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” on Amazon’s Kindle at a new, low price of $2.99. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.

CofD

ASofM

Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels . 

Find them all on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available for $2.99 on Kindle.

amongstangelsfront cover 3

Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged With: Anything Short of Murder, Author Tony Piazza, Bullitt Points, Captain Kirk, Flo Zeigfeld, Gary Cooper, Hal Roach, Hollywood, Pacific Palisades, Polo, Star Trek, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, The Curse of the Crimson Dragon, Walt Disney, Wiley Post, Will Rodgers, Will Rodgers State Historic Park, Zeigfeld follies

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