Joe Newell
Novelist, Screenwriter, Professional Dreamer
Introducing the Reid Franco Series
Solving Other People’s Problems is Franco's Business. Solving his own? That's a different story.
Meet Reid Franco: a middle-aged former baseball player and movie stuntman who has traded the bright lights for the dim neon of a friendly bar. Now a self-styled private investigator, or as he prefers to call himself – ‘problem interceptor’, Franco specializes in the kind of dubious cases and off-beat adventures that usually start with a drink and end with a bruise.
He’s reckless, easily annoyed, and stubbornly refuses to adapt to the modern world. He also drinks too much, and his personal life is a tangled web of self-induced angst. But despite his faults, Franco is the right guy to have in your corner when the chips are down. Whether he’s dismantling a sex trafficking ring or facing off against a neo-Nazi gang, he relies on street smarts, improvisation, and muscle to get rid of the deplorable scoundrels who prey on his clients. Franco regales us with the tales of his cases that include oddball characters, dangerous confrontations, and an unheeded love interest. There’s lots of ups and downs with this guy, and you might even find yourself rooting for a hero who is as broken as he is brave.
In his debut book, Scoundrels & Cocktails, author Joe Newell delivers an entertainment of contemporary fiction, written with wry humor at an easy-going pace. This collection of stories explores a chaotic intersection of small-time crime, comedy, and heart. If you’re a fan of humorous crime fiction and narratives that feel like a conversation with a quirky neighbor at the next barstool, this is a must-read.
What are you waiting for? The first round is on Franco.
Order now on:
Unexpectedly charming and highly entertaining … an excellent example of contemporary American fiction … a series of anecdotes told by the protagonist; some are serious, some take unexpected turns, and others are downright funny … character development is outstanding, pacing is brisk, the easy-to-read prose, along with a clean writing style, elevates the tale as a
whole … a delightful and amusing story that will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction and well-crafted narratives."
Reader’s Favorite
Reviews
The storytelling is rich with
humor … a fun read that features an unforgettable hero – deeply flawed, elaborately drawn, and one who feels like a neighbor with unusual quirks … the plot takes you through scenes of kidnapping, political scandals, and romantic mishaps with humor and grit, all flavored with sardonic wit … explores the idea that life is a series of chance encounters, sometimes leading to trouble but often culminating in unexpected positive outcomes … the story skillfully melds crime, comedy, and heart to deliver a compelling read about a flawed protagonist’s chaotic but heroic journey … a must-read for fans of humorous crime fiction."
Book Commentary
A successful example of a character-driven crime romp … readers looking for a crime detective genre that includes a strong element of humor (like Carl Hiaasen and Robert B. Parker novels) will most certainly enjoy … a series of episodic cases blending crime fiction with comedic noir and Southern barroom
storytelling … Newell’s ability to create both an engaging protagonist and to find the humor in each of Franco’s misadventures adds a flavor to the novel that makes it unique. He has a gift for creating memorable and vibrant supporting characters."
IndieReader