Hammer Spade And The Case Of The Missing Husband

Hammer Spade and the Case of the Missing Husband
by E. B. Alston

Hammer Spade is a small time private investigator and bail bondsman in Durham, North Carolina. One morning a famous international model pays him a call because she believes something has happened to her husband. She hires Hammer to find him. There is an air of mystery about her and soon Hammer becomes involved with her equally mysterious family who are exiles from their home country. They are unbelievably rich and seeds are planted for some dramatic changes in Hammer’s life. But first, he must locate an eccentric writer named Bernard Hatcher.

Reviews :

Hard luck was private investigator Hammer Spade’s constant companion until the day a gorgeous model named Alonia Lockheart retained him for a mission. The case sounded straight forward enough: locate a husband who is a known recluse and return him to his wife.

What Hammer did not bargain for was the vast difference in the sophistication between husband and wife. Alonia and her family are extremely well to do and enjoy the life style that accompanies the wealthy. Bernard Hatcher, the missing husband, feels more at home with people who think that anyone who drives a 1993 Chrysler Town and Country Mini Van is as wealthy as you can become. As Hammer solves the mystery, he is bounced back and forth between these two worlds. He adapts quite well to the cultural extremes and the reader gets some very good laughs while the plot twists and turns.

E.B. Alston’s descriptive powers come into full force as he subtlety plays off “red-necked” vs. “ultra suave” in personal appearance, places of residence, choice of vehicles, and financial attitudes. Alston does not neglect the geographical setting. He paints an excellent picture of the back roads of Georgia and their attributes, both good and bad. A just for fun activity is to keep in mind the name of all the eating establishments mentioned.

This is a captivating story with an up beat plot that does not include malice, jealously, or bloodshed. The characters are all somewhat eccentric, but they harmonize well together. Hammer Spade enjoys who he is, adapts to the current situation as needed and pulls off his manipulations with a touch of finesse. The groundwork is nicely laid for his next adventure, and one can eagerly anticipate the future activities of Hammer Spade.

Judy Jacobs, Literary Critic, June 10, 2006, St. Joseph, MO