Mystery Author and Movie Historian
IT’S HERE! Now available on Audible. Performed by the talented actor, James Romick.
THE NOVEL TWO FILM PRODUCERS SHOWED AN INTEREST IN!
In celebration, I’ve lowered the price of the e-book to just .99 cents! It’s for a LIMITED TIME, so don’t wait too long. Link to Kindle Edition, below:
If interested in purchasing the audio book, follow this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Curse-Crimson-Dragon/dp/B01BU5TTPU/ref=la_B004K2YN0M_1_4_twi_audd_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455833832&sr=1-4
Ian Fleming- author of the James Bond books
A CAUTIONARY TALE for writers about the importance of visually checking for misspelling.
I was reading a book (The Man with the Golden Typewriter, edited by Fergus Fleming), which has reprinted the letters of IAN FLEMING. In one, he was relating to his publisher an amusing article that had been published in the local Jamaican newspaper, The Daily Gleaner. It read: “The groom in the wedding wore an orchid in his bottom hole.”
Just two letters changed the meaning, and nowadays even spell-check wouldn’t catch it!
I have another one, which hits closer to home. My wife worked for the Gap’s corporate office as a head pattern-maker. In one of the e-mails she received, the China factory was puzzled by an instruction from my wife’s young co-worker. They were asking her what this person meant by the instruction, “The dart is too long and needs to be centered.” However my wife’s co-worker spelled “dart” (a small seam) with an “F.” My wife wasn’t sure how to address this!
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Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)
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 published next in early 2012, and in November of 2013 his second Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels was released.” In July of 2015 his latest Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. All are 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.
Tony Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLO NightWriters.
NEW!
The novels that started it all. The first and second novel in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.
NEW!
The NEW Tom Logan mystery, “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” is available in print, e-book, AND NOW audio book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. For audio- Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.
Also:
My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” and “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” 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.
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.
Since everyone’s on the STAR WARS bandwagon with the release of its’ latest saga: ‘The Force Awakens’. I worked with MARK HAMILL twice. Once in 1975, and again in 1977 on “The Streets of San Francisco.” He was a guest star on the show. The episodes were ‘Poisoned Snow’ and ‘Innocent No More.’ He was a very focused actor, and enjoyed his profession. A serious, no-nonsense guy, that knew his lines, and how to deliver them. He also listened to the directors, and nailed his performance every time.
Mark Hamill in the original Star Wars
Mark Hamill today
I also had a chance of working with HARRISON FORD. My agent offered me a chance to work on “American Graffiti” at the Santa Rosa, CA. location. I turned it down, knowing that I was going to be requested as a stand-in for The Streets Of San Francisco. I don’t regret the decision, but “Graffiti’ would’ve also been great to work on. I was asked recently, “was that a hard decision to make?” Honestly, it would’ve been if I’d even a hint at how much a classic “Graffiti” came to be…and how enormous some of the actors in it had become.
Harrison Ford as Hans Solo (Star Wars 1977)
Harrison Ford today
Another connection I’d like to share, is that years earlier a young film enthusiast used to come down to SF when films were being made. My father being a liaison to visiting film and television companies in the bay area, allowed this young man on location to watch the process. My dad said the young man was a dreamer. His name was George Lucas!
Early George Lucas
George Lucas
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Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)
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 published next in early 2012, and in November of 2013 his second Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels was released.” In July of 2015 his latest Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. All are 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.
Tony Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLO NightWriters.
NEW!
The novels that started it all. The first and second novel in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.
NEW!
The NEW Tom Logan mystery, “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” is available in print, e-book, AND NOW audio book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. For audio- Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.
Also:
My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” and “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” 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.
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.
In a recent radio interview I mentioned the fact that as part of my research for a novel I try to visit the locations that I write about. I walk about the area making notes and taking pictures for latter reference when I begin the manuscript. This was the case for my recent mystery “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge.” Upon my first visit to the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego I came under its’ spell, so when I was seeking out the perfect setting for my murder mystery it instantly came to mind.
‘The Del’ (El Cabana in the novel)- photo by author.
‘The Del’ is an interesting place. Its’ unique Victorian architecture- somewhat out of place in an area known for Early California/ Spanish structures- and elegant ambiance lends to its’ attraction as a location for use in literature and movies. L. Frank Baum used elements of the hotel in his Oz stories, and who could forget Marilyn Monroe in her white swimsuit tossing a beach ball from its’ pristine beachfront in Billy Wilder’s “Some Like It Hot.”
Marilyn on location at ‘The Del’ for “Some Like It Hot.”
Another attraction of ‘The Del’- and one I used as a sub-plot in “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge”- is the supernatural goings on, in, and around room 302. As the story goes, on Thanksgiving Day 1892 an alone and depressed Kate Morgan checked into room 302 of the Del Coronado in anticipation of a male lover who was to join her. After five days had passed without his arrival, she supposedly took her own life by a bullet delivered from a handgun she’d purchased earlier in San Diego.
Door to the haunted Room 302 (today 3327)
I say supposedly because there were some inconsistencies noted by the Coroner. One very important one is that the bullet removed from her head didn’t match the caliber of her weapon.
Inside courtyard of ‘The Del’ – photo by author
Another Del Coronado photo- by author
Kate Morgan was described in the press reports of the time, as “the Beautiful Stranger.” She was young- 24 at the time of her death, with a pale and sickly appearance. Estranged from her husband, and thought to be traveling alone, some witnesses swore that they saw a woman of her description arguing with a man on a train en-route to her destination.
Kate Morgan circa 1886
Today guests of ‘The Del’ feel her presence in the hotel, especially in room 302. Visitors have experienced objects moving on their own, unexplained flickering lights, unusual sounds and scents, dramatic temperature changes, and disembodied voices coming from everywhere and nowhere.
Hotel lobby of Del Coronado
The Crown Room (Royal Room in the novel)
These ghostly goings on intrigued me, and was why I included them in my latest mystery novel, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge.” If you want to feel more of the thrill, the book is available for purchase on the Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites as print, e-book, and audio.
Del Coronado as it would’ve appeared at time of novel (1930s)
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Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)
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 published next in early 2012, and in November of 2013 his second Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels was released.” In July of 2015 his latest Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. All are 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.
Tony Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLO NightWriters.
NEW!
The novels that started it all. The first and second novel in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.
NEW!
The NEW Tom Logan mystery, “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” is available in print, e-book, AND NOW audio book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. For audio- Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.
Also:
My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” and “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” 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.
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.
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
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
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.
A TRUE AND HUMOROUS STORY by Tony Piazza
The story behind this magazine cover photo is amusing. In fact, back in the sixties, S.F. Gossip columnist, Jack Rosenbaum wrote of the incident. It went like this:
My father (who is the police officer on the cover- it was his occupation- and he was also assigned by the city of SF to assist the visiting film companies) was working on the film “Good Neighbor, Sam” with JACK LEMMON. Some tourists that were watching the filming spotted my father on the set and called him over. They asked if he was the same person on the cover of HOLIDAY magazine. He said that he was, and they asked to take a picture with him. He told them sure, although he did mention that he was no big deal. The tourists were thrilled anyway, and quickly searched out someone to take the shot. A gentleman standing by was asked…and after he did the duty and was returning the camera, added, “Oh, by the way, tell your friends that Georgie Jessel took the photo!”
NOTE: For all you young’ums…George Jessel (1898-1981) was a famous comedian, actor, songwriter, and Academy Award winning producer. He was known as “The Toastmaster “general of the United States- hence the humor of the situation. But, perhaps not to Georgie!
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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 2013, his latest Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels” was published and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. A new Tom Logan novel has been completed and is scheduled to be released in 2015. 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.
Tony Piazza is a member of three prestigious writer’s organizations: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the SLO NightWriters.
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.
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.