Fiddle Game

Richard A. Thompson
Poisoned Pen Press (2008)
ISBN 9781590584552
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (8/07)


Richard A. Thompson’s “Fiddle Game” is a nicely nostalgic read. Although it is set in 1996, it resembles the vintage detective stories in many ways – and I mean it as a compliment. The hero, Herman Jackson, might have a spotted past and has to keep looking over his shoulder at all times, but he also has a refreshingly old-fashioned sense of what is right and what is wrong, as well as an unshakeable code of honor. His secretary, Agnes, is indispensable to his operations and can even manage a computer – not a mean feat back in 1996. Together they run a rather sedate, low-profile bail bond operation. 

Life gets immensely more animated after a young woman, Amy Cox, brings in a priceless antique violin as a security for her brother’s bail bond. Shortly after she leaves the office, Amy is murdered and Herman is believed to be the prime suspect. So Herman is on the run, being helped from afar by Agnes and a couple of very interesting characters from St. Paul, named Wide Track Wilkie and Proph. While on the road, he picks up an interesting traveling companion, Rosie. Rosie is a truly mysterious dame, sizzling hot and able to do a bunch of unexpected things. She also carries quite an arsenal…

The search for the truth about the “cursed violin” takes Herman and Rosie into some very wild waters, meeting quite a few members of Rom people, who are better known in the USA as Gypsies. When the reader thinks all has been revealed already, there is anther twist – and then another. Who are the good guys? And are the bad guys really bad?

I found “Fiddle Game” an immensely entertaining read, one that had to be finished in a single night. There was violence and romance, a lot of intrigue, vivid descriptions of chases of every kind and tons of deception, dead bodies and sweet deeds, all of it nicely balanced out with enough humor not to be too gruesome.  Very believable characters, well-controlled writing and an exciting plot all contributed to my enjoyment of this book.

 “Fiddle Game” is a brilliant, engaging book. I highly recommend it to any lover of a good detective story with solid characters and fast-moving action.

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