“[An] amazing thriller . . . [Richard] Hawke’s dialogue is sharp and snappy and the plot moves with all the energy of New York City.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer A child of Hell’s Kitchen and the bastard son of a beloved former police commissioner, Fritz Malone is all too familiar with New York City’s rougher side. So when a gunman opens fire at the crowded Thanksgiving Day parade, Fritz steps into action, giving chase. He then learns that someone dubbed “Nightmare” has been taunting the city’s leaders for weeks—and there’s more carnage to come, unless the city meets the madman’s impossible demands. The nervous police need an outside man, and Fritz fits the bill. Racing furiously against time, Fritz finds himself confounded by Nightmare’s multiple masks and messengers. But the dark story behind the story soon begins to emerge, and when Fritz zeroes in on the terrible truth, the killer retaliates by making things personal. Now Fritz must grapple with his deepest fear: Sometimes nightmares really do come true. Praise for Speak of the Devil “Hawke razzle-dazzles us with . . . bada-bing narration and quirky, well-drawn characters.”—The Boston Globe “[Packed] with a breathless pace and hairpin turns.”—South Florida Sun Sentinel “Fast-moving, first-rate . . . Hawke’s plot grabs us by the throat. . . . He keeps the suspense mounting.”—The Washington Post Book World “Solidly entertaining . . . Hawke makes a big splash on the thriller scene with his debut novel.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer “[Speak of the Devil] tours the city with unusual streetwise panache . . . but this isn’t a book that coasts on its urban geography. It lives by its wits, and its wits would work anywhere.”—The New York Times “A bang-bang thriller . . . We are absolutely powerless to stop reading.”—Chicago Tribune “[A] deftly paced debut that crackles and pops from page 1.”—Booklist (starred review) “Thrill-a-minute pacing and inspired plot twists.”—Newsday “A rare combination of intrigue and intensity.”—Michael Connelly
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"I really enjoyed Mr. Hawke's writing style. He reminds me of Robert Crais -- sarcastic, witty, yet enough action to keep it interesting. He wrote another series of books (Hitchcock Sewell was the protagonist) under the name Tim Cockey. Those were enjoyable, too."
— Pat (5 out of 5 stars)
" Um thriller alucinante! "
— Babete, 2/19/2014" Looking for more Hawke to read - loved the humorous stream-of-conciousness thoughts of the main character. "
— Pat, 1/10/2014" Read this for book club. Not bad. Doesn't read like the first book in a series. There's alot of 'hints' of other stories. I guess the author has more planned. "
— Michelle, 1/8/2014" Enjoyed it. Easy reading. I enjoyed the relationship between Fritz and his girlfriend Margo. Good twists in the plot. "
— Kathy, 12/24/2013" A very good story. Very well-written and exciting. Left me totally wanting more. I will be starting the second one soon. I really like the character Fritz Malone, he was so believable. "
— Janet, 10/28/2013" great listening, but disappointing ending "
— Sandy, 10/24/2013" Fritz Malone comes to the city's leaders rescue when a killer dubed "Nightmare" begins adding up the body count. "
— Jo, 2/10/2013" Enjoyable detective story. I liked this author's other books (written under what I presume is his real name) and this one is an interesting change in characters but not voice, which is good, because I like the humor with which he writes his detective stories. "
— Dianne, 12/3/2012" Well written.This may be telling a bit to much about myself but I did not see the ending coming. Can not wait to read his next book. "
— ScottK, 8/15/2012" I've been away from the detective novel for too long. I try to stay faithful to Archie Goodwin, but ah Fritz Malone, he could sway me. Step aside Spencer; this guy's just as smart and doesn't wear it on his sleeve. "
— Julie, 6/25/2012" Very Good! I enjoyed this very much although I really miss the character (Hitchcock Sewell) from his other books that he wrote under the name Tim Cockey. "
— Marty, 1/30/2012" Maybe not a real five star book, but so much fun I'll give it 5 anyway. An easy read with a funny, wry voice. "
— Kurt, 11/4/2011" this is a great first book. I will read further by Richard Hawke. He is reminiscent of Lawrence Block with the edge of humor. It's a good read. "
— Tim, 7/28/2011" Good detective yarn. Different. "
— Mike, 6/28/2011" Maybe not a real five star book, but so much fun I'll give it 5 anyway. An easy read with a funny, wry voice.<br/><br/> "
— Kurt, 3/10/2011" Um triller alucinante! ( A Pele Do Diabo ) "
— Babete, 3/5/2011" A very good story. Very well-written and exciting. Left me totally wanting more. I will be starting the second one soon. I really like the character Fritz Malone, he was so believable. "
— Janet, 11/17/2010" Looking for more Hawke to read - loved the humorous stream-of-conciousness thoughts of the main character. "
— Pat, 11/16/2010" Enjoyed it. Easy reading. I enjoyed the relationship between Fritz and his girlfriend Margo. Good twists in the plot. "
— Kathy, 7/6/2010" I've been away from the detective novel for too long. I try to stay faithful to Archie Goodwin, but ah Fritz Malone, he could sway me. Step aside Spencer; this guy's just as smart and doesn't wear it on his sleeve. "
— Julie, 3/20/2010" Very Good! I enjoyed this very much although I really miss the character (Hitchcock Sewell) from his other books that he wrote under the name Tim Cockey. "
— Marty, 1/13/2010" great listening, but disappointing ending "
— Sandy, 2/17/2009" A great read. It is an inense mystery that follows a PI working with the police who knows he's not being told the whole story by anyone. <br/> <br/>I picked it up because Charlaine Harris recommended it. Otherwise I might never have noticed it. "
— Katy-Del, 10/20/2008" Enjoyable detective story. I liked this author's other books (written under what I presume is his real name) and this one is an interesting change in characters but not voice, which is good, because I like the humor with which he writes his detective stories. "
— Dianne, 5/28/2008" Well written.This may be telling a bit to much about myself but I did not see the ending coming. Can not wait to read his next book. "
— ScottK, 8/18/2007Richard Hawke is the author of Speak of the Devil and Cold Day in Hell. He lives and writes in New York City.
Paul Michael, winner of several Earphones Awards, has also won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has acted on stage, radio, television, and in feature films in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. He has had leading roles in series and made-for-television movies and has guest starred in such series as VIP and Alias. He has been nominated for a Canadian Emmy and has recorded over 150 audiobooks, including the international bestseller The Da Vinci Code.