The Name Is Malone

The John J. Malone Series, Book 12

By: Craig Rice

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Ten stories featuring the Chicago attorney-turned-sleuth from “the grand dame of mystery mixed with screwball comedy” (Ed Gorman).

From suburban cocktail parties to music halls to the precarious ledge of a high-rise, Chicago Attorney John J. Malone is willing to take on any case - as long as it’ll pay his bar tab.

In this 10-story collection of murder most offbeat, a wedding anniversary party turns deadly for an unlucky housewife, a client’s supposed innocence hangs by a thread after a suicide attempt, a forlorn ballad may contain the key to a mystery, a relatively harmless lady wrestler gets pinned for cracking her husband’s skull, an old flame’s diary reveals a poisonous past, and a surprising obituary forces Malone to investigate his own suspicious death.

©1958 Craig Rice (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

Engaging, Funny…and a Tad Rushed

P. G. Wodehouse once observed that everyone likes to watch other people eating. I think the rule applies more accurately to people drinking. We like to see others absorb the stuff with no ill effects to the blood pressure or waistline. Of course, this is really only possible with fictional characters like John J. Malone.

But that’s just one reason to love these stories. True, they’re gin-and-beer (and bourbon, brandy, and scotch) soaked, but they’re funny, too. And they’re great mysteries. And, though a little on the rushed side, Johnny Heller’s performance only makes them better. I suggest listening at .09x, to make sure you catch every joke and clue.

Great performance

I love the way Craig Rice writes and Johnny Heller was born to play John J Malone

The brilliant little lawyer

Loved all of the short stories. Craig Rice keeps you entertained and your brain happy. Loved the trip back to the 40s