Lover Man by Dallas Murphy
Nominated for the Edgar Award
Artie Deemer lives off his dog Jellyroll, the most famous canine in the country, star of movies, TV, and dog-food advertising. Artie hangs around the apartment, smoking a little pot, listening to jazz, trying to keep the world away. But then his ex-lover, Billie Burke, is murdered and he receives a note from her: “I’m dead, darling. Get out of your chair and look in the ice tray.” And so begins the wild, unpredictable ride. Artie becomes a reluctant sleuth, dodging hoods, blackmailers, killers, and crazy combat pilots as he struggles to uncover Billie’s murderer—without joining her in the morgue.
Books by Dallas Murphy
The Complete Deemer
All three of Dallas Murphy's Artie Deemer novels, hailed by Publishers Weekly as an "outstanding series," now in one volume for the first time.
Lover Man
The first mystery in Dallas Murphy’s acclaimed Artie Deemer series is a wild ride filled with blackmailers, killers, and crazy combat pilots. An Edgar Award finalist, Publishers Weekly called it one of best novels of the year. You’ll agree.
Don’t Explain
Follow Artie Deemer and his dog Jellyroll on a road trip to Maine where “getaway” takes on a new meaning as they’re tracked by a serial killer in this outrageously-inventive third novel in Dallas Murphy’s acclaimed mystery series.
Lush Life
Artie Deemer and his celebrity dog Jellyroll are back in this rollicking sequel to Dallas Murphy's acclaimed Lover Man. This time, Artie’s in love – and in trouble – in a wickedly-funny adventure that will leave you wanting more.
Reviews For Lover Man
Lover Man is a first novel of unusual skill. It combines a potpourri of elements—the murder, World War II ace fighter pilots, missing persons, organized crime, and a good deal of humor, satire…and even a bit of farce. The writing is flip and sophisticated
Lover Man is a bouncy, quirky, funny mystery with racy dialog. The story line makes more twists and turns than a New York cabdriver running up the meter
Artie Deemer is definitely an original….One of the most appealing new mystery-series heroes to debut in some time….Let’s hope it won’t be long before Artie takes to the streets again
Clever, intriguing, shocking, touching and funny, this first novel from Dallas Murphy inaugurates what should be an outstanding series. Murphy writes with clarity and power; the prison and morgue are shockingly good. His characters are fascinating and unique….One of the year’s best
In a genre of gimmicky heroes, Arthur Deemer is a true original….The frantic, antic humor…carries along characterization and narration like twin runaway locomotives….Murphy moves his novel along scene by vivid scene….Most of these scenes are achingly funny—but some are shocking, for Murphy is very good at setting up, then blindsiding his reader….I’m looking forward to the next Artie Deemer novel
