1Mark
Last Puffs
Harley Mazuk
2017
New Pulp Press LLC
www.newpulppress.com
ISBN: 9781945734205
293 pages
“Who’s ready for an old-fashioned gumshoe adventure?” Harley Mazuk has done with the novel ‘Last Puffs’. ‘Last Puffs’ is all about two friends Frank and Max and their relationship with Amanda during a time in history right before World War II. Frank is a private eye that tries to care for his family on his meager salary and Max is a public defender and during a particular case they both believe they see their love interest of years ago.
‘Last Puffs’ is a story that is kind of formulaic of most detective stories, but this one by Harley is one where Frank is in the background telling the story, as they did in various detective stories like the ‘Sam Spade’ movies. The story does move along quite quickly and you could call a real page turner. This was a diverse story of cultures and how we all survive the various surroundings and people that we meet through our lives. Harley writes this story and uses snipets from books like ‘Double Indemnity’ by James M. Cain as well as a few others, but that just adds to his story for the passages coincide with what Frank and Max are learning about and dealing with in their lives more understandable.
When I first saw this book ‘Last Puffs’ I thought it was about smoking even though the main character does like his wine and cigars, but it is not about that. This is a book about how friends and relationships change with the facts of the case.
