Night Maze

By: Mark Barnard

Narrated by: Warren Sandwell

Life seemed to be looking up for private investigator R.J. MacKenzie when he left the Molinski Agency to set up a one-man operation. For the first week, it seemed as if things were falling neatly into place. He solved his first case within a few hours and, when the second proved a bit harder, he’d had the moral support of his temporary roommate, his sister’s Scottie, who was aptly named Mac. Then, his former employer developed an annoying habit of dropping by after hours for a little unwanted socialization.

During one of these impromptu visits, Big Sal drops a casual reference to a new case that he wants no part of. Someone has beheaded an ancient Greek statue in the local museum’s statuary garden and a cast iron lawn jockey. It’s all "too weird" for Molinsky to devote time and money to it, but, hey, maybe MacKenzie could use the business?

©2021 Mark Barnard (P)2025 Mark Barnard

Surprisingly Fun

I was unfamiliar with the author and had zero expectations for this going in, but I'm glad I took a chance on it! It was a fun romp! Pulpy noir that flirts with Lovecraft. It's short and sweet and the narrator really brought it to life!