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Black Cape Case Files #1
Dane Curse
For a guy like me, who can shrug off bullets and lift seven tons, there's no better profession than powered crime, and no greater burg to practice it in than Gold Coast City. But after ten years of tossing Buicks at heroes I wised up, took the black cape off my back, and hung out a shingle. Only instead of Dark Deeds Done Daily, this one reads Dane Curse, PI. Now I work cases for the dark denizens I was once counted among. The problems they got aren't the kind that cops care about, so I do what I can, because sometimes even the unjust deserve a little justice. At least that's how it was before the world's greatest superhero was mysteriously murdered, an act so terrible it threatens to start a war that'll tear my home apart block-by-block, unless I find the killer in five days' time. But getting to the truth won't be so easy. I'll have to contend with black capes whose powers and pulse cannons can shred my hide. An army of technologically advanced armored lawmen led by a power-mad government schemer. And white caped heroes whose abilities and intentions are both less than pure. No simple task for a small time PI, so I'll need every bit of my strength, guts, and powers if I'm going to find the killer, save my city, and maybe even get some justice for the greatest hero the world has ever known. In Dane Curse, Matt Abraham, winner of Pulp Detective's 2015 Newcomer of the Year Award, takes us on our first trip through the powered underbelly of Gold Coast City in a fast paced adventure you'll never forget. If you like white knuckled action, devious dames, and heroic villains then get your copy today, and saddle up with the most exciting detective since Harry Dresden!
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
236 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
September 18, 2015
While I have this on my comic shelf, it isn't a comic book. It's a novel that could easily be made into one, though. I could practically see the graphic art as he thundered his way through this twisty murder mystery (noir detective) full of super heroes & villains (white & black capes). Dane isn't one of the big league, but even they have trouble stopping him when he's on a mission. Besides being incredibly strong, tough, & determined, he has some good friends & some awesome bits of hardware.
This was a lot of fun. Highly recommended.
This was a lot of fun. Highly recommended.
October 18, 2019
What a fun ride. Hard boiled private detective meets superhero genre. This novel is worthy of all its high ratings.
July 18, 2015
I just finished reading “Dan Curse – A Black Cape Case File” and what a ride it was. Author, Matt Abraham has written a spiraling “who-done-it” set in a creative and interesting world of super heroes and super villains.
Background
The story takes place in Gold Coast City, a first world metropolis that is the home to a noble group called the “White Capes” and a not so noble group called the “Black Capes”. White Capes are super heroes that possess a variety of fascinating super powers and patrol Gold Coast City keeping it safe and peaceful for the public. Black Capes are super villains who possess super powers that are right in line with the White Capes but are prone to more dastardly deeds. Dan Curse (great name) received the super powers of invulnerability and super strength when he was a teenager. He used his new found powers to extract his brother from a gang of hoodlums, but ended up joining the gang himself. He realized that his invulnerability and super strength put him levels above the typical street gang member, and he sought to join new and more dangerous groups of villains that tackled more dangerous and lucrative illegal activities. Dane’s mother never approved of his illegal activities and when it is determined she has cancer, he wants to show her that he has made a change for the good. Dane has Gold Coast’s most famous White Cape named Pinnacle tell his mother that he has taken off his black cape and replaced it with a white variety. Dane is ever grateful to Pinnacle for leaving his mother with a positive image of her son before she dies. Soon after, Dane becomes a private detective and finds himself not as a White Cape or a Black Cape but sort of non-denominational.
Storyline
Tragedy strikes as Pinnacle, Gold Coast City’s favorite son, is mysteriously murdered. Dane (who wants to repay his gratitude to Pinnacle) is hired to find the killer within five days and this is where the “who-done-it” story takes off. We are introduced to a variety of characters, technologies and super powers from the creative mind of the author, Matt Abraham. Super powers such as “super-speed”, “time advance”, “telekinesis”, “fire throwing” and super strong villains that have enormous cannons erupt from the ends of their arms all make an appearance in the book. And talk about weaponry! This book has a treasure chest of innovative firearms used throughout the story with extremely cool names… like… “The Kapowzer” (Ka-pow-zer). And like any good detective, Dane gives his firearms pet-names along with his automobile Jane. He has invested more than $100k modifying and updating Jane to be able to morph into different looking vehicles. Dane has also installed gigantic cannons that pop out of the trunk to target and shoot bad guys that might be following just a little too close. And as far as the quality of the who-done-it storyline…let me tell ya… I wasn’t sure who had murdered Pinnacle and who were the good guys and who were the bad guys until the very end.
Conclusion
Kudos to Mr. Abraham for developing an extremely creative story that any person, male, female, young or old will enjoy reading. His writing skills are excellent and the words and wit pour from his fingers like marbles on a skating rink. And with Dane Curse being a private detective, his choice of dialog is always witty and interesting. Phrases like “That makes more sense than a broken cash register” keep the character interesting and the reader entertained. I really enjoyed this book. I read every page and every word right until the end and as I mentioned before… it was quite a ride.
Background
The story takes place in Gold Coast City, a first world metropolis that is the home to a noble group called the “White Capes” and a not so noble group called the “Black Capes”. White Capes are super heroes that possess a variety of fascinating super powers and patrol Gold Coast City keeping it safe and peaceful for the public. Black Capes are super villains who possess super powers that are right in line with the White Capes but are prone to more dastardly deeds. Dan Curse (great name) received the super powers of invulnerability and super strength when he was a teenager. He used his new found powers to extract his brother from a gang of hoodlums, but ended up joining the gang himself. He realized that his invulnerability and super strength put him levels above the typical street gang member, and he sought to join new and more dangerous groups of villains that tackled more dangerous and lucrative illegal activities. Dane’s mother never approved of his illegal activities and when it is determined she has cancer, he wants to show her that he has made a change for the good. Dane has Gold Coast’s most famous White Cape named Pinnacle tell his mother that he has taken off his black cape and replaced it with a white variety. Dane is ever grateful to Pinnacle for leaving his mother with a positive image of her son before she dies. Soon after, Dane becomes a private detective and finds himself not as a White Cape or a Black Cape but sort of non-denominational.
Storyline
Tragedy strikes as Pinnacle, Gold Coast City’s favorite son, is mysteriously murdered. Dane (who wants to repay his gratitude to Pinnacle) is hired to find the killer within five days and this is where the “who-done-it” story takes off. We are introduced to a variety of characters, technologies and super powers from the creative mind of the author, Matt Abraham. Super powers such as “super-speed”, “time advance”, “telekinesis”, “fire throwing” and super strong villains that have enormous cannons erupt from the ends of their arms all make an appearance in the book. And talk about weaponry! This book has a treasure chest of innovative firearms used throughout the story with extremely cool names… like… “The Kapowzer” (Ka-pow-zer). And like any good detective, Dane gives his firearms pet-names along with his automobile Jane. He has invested more than $100k modifying and updating Jane to be able to morph into different looking vehicles. Dane has also installed gigantic cannons that pop out of the trunk to target and shoot bad guys that might be following just a little too close. And as far as the quality of the who-done-it storyline…let me tell ya… I wasn’t sure who had murdered Pinnacle and who were the good guys and who were the bad guys until the very end.
Conclusion
Kudos to Mr. Abraham for developing an extremely creative story that any person, male, female, young or old will enjoy reading. His writing skills are excellent and the words and wit pour from his fingers like marbles on a skating rink. And with Dane Curse being a private detective, his choice of dialog is always witty and interesting. Phrases like “That makes more sense than a broken cash register” keep the character interesting and the reader entertained. I really enjoyed this book. I read every page and every word right until the end and as I mentioned before… it was quite a ride.
May 10, 2016
Terrific fun, great mystery, setting, characters, weapons, superpowers, dialogue, atmosphere, vehicles, personas, action, fisticuffs, romance, attitude, evil villains, noir adventure! Perhaps the writing could have been better in a few places, but to be honest the absolute joy I experienced while reading this rushed me right past any hiccups. I bought the only other Dane Curse title available, but I probably would have bought all the series if they'd been around. Nothing deep, other than the pursuit of justice and loyalty, just slam-bam Byronic heroics!
July 27, 2015
Imagine having a name card that goes something like this: Dane Curse-Super Powered Villain-Dark Deeds Done Daily.
WHITE CAPES & BLACK CAPES - Gosh! Being a fan of DC Comics and Marvel, I can honestly say that this book is right up there along with my favourite comics! I got hooked from the start. I mean, a name like Dane Curse is just so freaking cool :-)
So, the White Capes are the superheroes and the Black Capes are the villains. Anyway, while reading, I kept picturing an old black and white detective movie with comic superheroes in it. I was able to see everything in my mind's eye. That says something about the writing. Matt Abraham's descriptions are so vivid and well written that someone as young as 10 would have no problems reading the book. That being said, this book is truly meant for all age groups. I'm positively sure that people in their 70s would enjoy it as much as those in their 20s and 30s and 40s and 50s... oh, you get my point!
This book was a breath of fresh air. I've always been a fan of murder-mystery stories and Matt Abraham didn't fail to deliver. Just when I thought I had figured out things along with Dane, *BOOM*, I'm thrown off-guard along with our back cape hero. The writing was fast paced and never was there a dull moment. I truly enjoyed every bit of it - so much so, that I even read it during work hours! Pick up the book, and I promise you will be entertained from the first page.
What the city needed was a hero. But all they had was me.
I am declaring myself a fan of Dane Curse. Yup! How can I not? He's witty, smart, doesn't not give up and looks like Clark Gable (hahahaha... okay, that's how I pictured him). Superheroes and super villains intermingled in a classic noir genre, Matt Abrahams did a wonderful job at keeping me hooked to the story. I even loved Jane (read to find out) and all the different characters and their super powers. Is it too much to hope for a TV series?
Once again, the writing is amazing. The storyline is brilliant. This book is a must read for all murder/thriller/comic fans especially. But please, even if you are not into those genre, read THIS BOOK! It's super amazing!
WHITE CAPES & BLACK CAPES - Gosh! Being a fan of DC Comics and Marvel, I can honestly say that this book is right up there along with my favourite comics! I got hooked from the start. I mean, a name like Dane Curse is just so freaking cool :-)
So, the White Capes are the superheroes and the Black Capes are the villains. Anyway, while reading, I kept picturing an old black and white detective movie with comic superheroes in it. I was able to see everything in my mind's eye. That says something about the writing. Matt Abraham's descriptions are so vivid and well written that someone as young as 10 would have no problems reading the book. That being said, this book is truly meant for all age groups. I'm positively sure that people in their 70s would enjoy it as much as those in their 20s and 30s and 40s and 50s... oh, you get my point!
This book was a breath of fresh air. I've always been a fan of murder-mystery stories and Matt Abraham didn't fail to deliver. Just when I thought I had figured out things along with Dane, *BOOM*, I'm thrown off-guard along with our back cape hero. The writing was fast paced and never was there a dull moment. I truly enjoyed every bit of it - so much so, that I even read it during work hours! Pick up the book, and I promise you will be entertained from the first page.
What the city needed was a hero. But all they had was me.
I am declaring myself a fan of Dane Curse. Yup! How can I not? He's witty, smart, doesn't not give up and looks like Clark Gable (hahahaha... okay, that's how I pictured him). Superheroes and super villains intermingled in a classic noir genre, Matt Abrahams did a wonderful job at keeping me hooked to the story. I even loved Jane (read to find out) and all the different characters and their super powers. Is it too much to hope for a TV series?
Once again, the writing is amazing. The storyline is brilliant. This book is a must read for all murder/thriller/comic fans especially. But please, even if you are not into those genre, read THIS BOOK! It's super amazing!
July 23, 2015
If Stan Lee and Raymond Chandler co wrote a screenplay for Pixar who then brought Dashiell Hammett in to re-write some of the dialogue then I imagine it might turn out something like Dane Curse.
A streetwise private eye living on the fringe of society (not the usual ex cop but an ex super-villain, a black cape in this instance) with “invulnerability and super strength in the seven ton range” must navigate the super-criminal underworld to investigate the seemingly impossible murder of the greatest and most powerful superhero of all time, Pinnacle.
Along with Jane, his chameleon car and Louis, his Kapowitzer pistol, Curse follows the trail wherever it leads him. Along the way we encounter a series of unique and entertaining characters. One of my favourites was the sky dwelling criminal genius Professor Varius who could easily be an anti- hero in his own novel.
Although very much at the extreme end of the speculative fiction scale the world the author creates nevertheless has a real sense of history and back story which helps to ground the larger than life canvas the narrative is painted on. Gold Coast City has been around for some time.
The writing, pacing and characterizations are all excellent and this is a novel you can just tell the author enjoyed the hell out of writing. When your protagonist goes looking for a lead in a club called the Henchman (founded by Dastard Lee) you know he’s exactly not going for gravitas.
This is an excellent, highly enjoyable read with enough twists and surprises throughout to keep you hooked. An easy five stars.
A streetwise private eye living on the fringe of society (not the usual ex cop but an ex super-villain, a black cape in this instance) with “invulnerability and super strength in the seven ton range” must navigate the super-criminal underworld to investigate the seemingly impossible murder of the greatest and most powerful superhero of all time, Pinnacle.
Along with Jane, his chameleon car and Louis, his Kapowitzer pistol, Curse follows the trail wherever it leads him. Along the way we encounter a series of unique and entertaining characters. One of my favourites was the sky dwelling criminal genius Professor Varius who could easily be an anti- hero in his own novel.
Although very much at the extreme end of the speculative fiction scale the world the author creates nevertheless has a real sense of history and back story which helps to ground the larger than life canvas the narrative is painted on. Gold Coast City has been around for some time.
The writing, pacing and characterizations are all excellent and this is a novel you can just tell the author enjoyed the hell out of writing. When your protagonist goes looking for a lead in a club called the Henchman (founded by Dastard Lee) you know he’s exactly not going for gravitas.
This is an excellent, highly enjoyable read with enough twists and surprises throughout to keep you hooked. An easy five stars.
December 6, 2019
DANE CURSE is the first book of the BLACK CAPE CASE FILES by Matt Abraham. It is the story of the titular detective who is a former supervillain with the powers of the Wrecker but who has since retired to become a private detective specializing in the affairs of "black capes." Dane Curse is a fascinating noir private eye in a seemingly Golden Age of Superheroism city that has the same sort of timelessness as Gotham City.
Dane's business is doing alright but not exceptional when he gets the opportunity of a lifetime: the Sindicate is offering ten million dollars to a selection of the best private eyes in the city to investigate the death of the world's greatest superhero. Pinnacle's death threatens to tear the city apart as he was a figure who kept all of the most violent heroes in check while also intimidated the worst villains into compliance. He has a week before the story inevitably gets out and the Sindicate gets the blame.
I really enjoyed this novel and it's going on my list of top ten recommended superhero novels. Dane Curse has a believable gritty attitude that invokes Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe without actively copying them. He is respectful of criminals and remorseless for his history of villainy but has a moral compass guiding him based more on feelings than the law.
While Dane seems a little too trusting of the various femme fatales in the book, I think we still is great to read the perspective of. Unsurprisingly, he reminds me a lot of Harry Dresden who did a similar thing with wizards that Dane Curse does for superheroes. The book doesn't have the Dresden Files' level of humor or world-building but it is well done in both. It also manages to make a believable and consistent superhero world.
The action is very well done in this book and genuinely exciting. Dane is indestructible and super-strong but he's just one superhuman in a city full of them. He also has a pair of superpowerful super-science/magic guns but even these are no guarantees against his opponents. I appreciated this as it allowed dynamic fight scenes without making Dane overpowered for the setting. Several times he's overwhelmed and even captured during the book.
In conclusion, I strongly recommend this book if you liked the Dresden Files or just detective fiction in general. I also recommend it if you have a fondness for superhero fiction. The book is full of twists and turns, right up until the end. While I guessed who was really responsible for Pinnacle's death early on, that just means it fit the tropes of its genre well. I picked up the sequel immediately after.
Dane's business is doing alright but not exceptional when he gets the opportunity of a lifetime: the Sindicate is offering ten million dollars to a selection of the best private eyes in the city to investigate the death of the world's greatest superhero. Pinnacle's death threatens to tear the city apart as he was a figure who kept all of the most violent heroes in check while also intimidated the worst villains into compliance. He has a week before the story inevitably gets out and the Sindicate gets the blame.
I really enjoyed this novel and it's going on my list of top ten recommended superhero novels. Dane Curse has a believable gritty attitude that invokes Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe without actively copying them. He is respectful of criminals and remorseless for his history of villainy but has a moral compass guiding him based more on feelings than the law.
While Dane seems a little too trusting of the various femme fatales in the book, I think we still is great to read the perspective of. Unsurprisingly, he reminds me a lot of Harry Dresden who did a similar thing with wizards that Dane Curse does for superheroes. The book doesn't have the Dresden Files' level of humor or world-building but it is well done in both. It also manages to make a believable and consistent superhero world.
The action is very well done in this book and genuinely exciting. Dane is indestructible and super-strong but he's just one superhuman in a city full of them. He also has a pair of superpowerful super-science/magic guns but even these are no guarantees against his opponents. I appreciated this as it allowed dynamic fight scenes without making Dane overpowered for the setting. Several times he's overwhelmed and even captured during the book.
In conclusion, I strongly recommend this book if you liked the Dresden Files or just detective fiction in general. I also recommend it if you have a fondness for superhero fiction. The book is full of twists and turns, right up until the end. While I guessed who was really responsible for Pinnacle's death early on, that just means it fit the tropes of its genre well. I picked up the sequel immediately after.
December 1, 2015
Review: Dane Curse (Black Case Files #1) by Matt Abraham Self-Published (February 10th 2015)
ISBN: 978-1518796715
Source: review copy provided by author
Rating: 4*
Description:
If you lose a black cape, and can't go to the cops, then you come to me because that's what I do. I've been in the game for years. I know all the curves and all the angles, and if it gets rough then so be it, I got plenty strength, I'm double tough, and I never quit. And if need be I'll pull my artillery to get you some answers, because I don't care about the mistakes you've made or how you chose to live your life, sometimes even the unjust deserve a little justice. At least that's how it was before the world's greatest superhero was mysteriously murdered. Now I got five days to find the killer before a powered civil war consumes my city. But getting to the truth won't be easy. I'll have to face ruthless black capes with secrets to hide, a powerful government agency bent on national expansion, and even teams of mighty white caped heroes whose intentions are less than pure. No easy task for a small time PI, so I'll need every bit of strength and guts if I'm going to find the killer, save my city, and maybe even get some justice for the greatest hero the world has ever known.
Critically acclaimed Dane Curse is a mix of white knuckled action, dark deeds, and dangerous curves sure to satisfy any fan of DC comics and Mickey Spillane. So buy a copy today, and take a high stakes ride through Gold Coast City with the most original PI since Harry Dresden!
Review:
This action-packed tale narrated by private investigator Dane Curse is a rollercoaster ride with white capes (superheroes) and black capes (super villains) at every turn. You're immersed into this fantasy world of 20 million inhabitants from the very first page, but the characters are believable and complex - once you've got used to the idea that they exist! Different characters posess different powers, such as telekinesis, super strength, fire...
I was pleasantly surprised by Dane Curse; it turns out I vastly underestimated this independent author. I can't wait to read the next book in the Black Capes series.
Thanks to Matt Abraham for proving me with a review copy of Dane Curse.
ISBN: 978-1518796715
Source: review copy provided by author
Rating: 4*
Description:
If you lose a black cape, and can't go to the cops, then you come to me because that's what I do. I've been in the game for years. I know all the curves and all the angles, and if it gets rough then so be it, I got plenty strength, I'm double tough, and I never quit. And if need be I'll pull my artillery to get you some answers, because I don't care about the mistakes you've made or how you chose to live your life, sometimes even the unjust deserve a little justice. At least that's how it was before the world's greatest superhero was mysteriously murdered. Now I got five days to find the killer before a powered civil war consumes my city. But getting to the truth won't be easy. I'll have to face ruthless black capes with secrets to hide, a powerful government agency bent on national expansion, and even teams of mighty white caped heroes whose intentions are less than pure. No easy task for a small time PI, so I'll need every bit of strength and guts if I'm going to find the killer, save my city, and maybe even get some justice for the greatest hero the world has ever known.
Critically acclaimed Dane Curse is a mix of white knuckled action, dark deeds, and dangerous curves sure to satisfy any fan of DC comics and Mickey Spillane. So buy a copy today, and take a high stakes ride through Gold Coast City with the most original PI since Harry Dresden!
Review:
This action-packed tale narrated by private investigator Dane Curse is a rollercoaster ride with white capes (superheroes) and black capes (super villains) at every turn. You're immersed into this fantasy world of 20 million inhabitants from the very first page, but the characters are believable and complex - once you've got used to the idea that they exist! Different characters posess different powers, such as telekinesis, super strength, fire...
I was pleasantly surprised by Dane Curse; it turns out I vastly underestimated this independent author. I can't wait to read the next book in the Black Capes series.
Thanks to Matt Abraham for proving me with a review copy of Dane Curse.
July 22, 2015
Super Hero and villains exchange their roles and everyone becomes the good guys for one novel. But if everyone are good guys and there is still a crime committed, that means someone is hiding behind a mask. And that is where Dane Curse comes in. Dane Curse is a super Villain turned detective for anyone who has an interesting case. And what can be more interesting that to investigate the murder of the city’s beloved White Caped Hero?
The story is interesting and different. The scene setting of the entire book feels right out of Starling City or Gotham City or any other city from comics. The Super Hero – Super Villain fights are constant irrespective of what either of their intentions are. It is like cat and mouse. They are enemies no matter who is doing what. But that adds to the fun element of the story. The language used is nice and humorous. Dane Curse as a character must have been very difficult to create. He is a bad ass villain who is so used to being a bad ass but suddenly becomes good for his mother.
The only thing I felt as a drawback was the length of the novel. Considering super hero and super villains, children or Young Adults would have loved to read it. But the story is a bit too long for young people to maintain attention. Only someone who absolutely adores to read can manage to finish the entire book patiently. The pace of the story slacks at places which diverts the reader’s attention. It could have been shorter and more crisper than the current state.
Other than that, it scored in all the avenues. It is definitely a fun and unique reading experience.
Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
The story is interesting and different. The scene setting of the entire book feels right out of Starling City or Gotham City or any other city from comics. The Super Hero – Super Villain fights are constant irrespective of what either of their intentions are. It is like cat and mouse. They are enemies no matter who is doing what. But that adds to the fun element of the story. The language used is nice and humorous. Dane Curse as a character must have been very difficult to create. He is a bad ass villain who is so used to being a bad ass but suddenly becomes good for his mother.
The only thing I felt as a drawback was the length of the novel. Considering super hero and super villains, children or Young Adults would have loved to read it. But the story is a bit too long for young people to maintain attention. Only someone who absolutely adores to read can manage to finish the entire book patiently. The pace of the story slacks at places which diverts the reader’s attention. It could have been shorter and more crisper than the current state.
Other than that, it scored in all the avenues. It is definitely a fun and unique reading experience.
Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
January 27, 2016
Dane Curse A Black Cape Case File by Matt Abraham is an action packed, suspenseful, and adventurous novel set in Gold Coast City, and is filled with superheroes and super villains, represented by white capes and black capes, and features private investigator Dane Curse, a former black cape.
Hired by the Sindicate, Dane must race against all odds---and some ruthlessly stiff competition---while bringing not only the perpetrators of murder to justice, as he fights to save his reputation---and the city.
Dane Curse is a fast paced and dynamic novel, and jumps right into the story from the very beginning, leading you on a suspenseful and gripping story of good versus evil and superheroes with super guts.
With touches of dark noir, catchy and gripping dialogue, and a suspenseful and tight plot, Dane Curse offers plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and an intriguing story line that won’t let you down!
Hired by the Sindicate, Dane must race against all odds---and some ruthlessly stiff competition---while bringing not only the perpetrators of murder to justice, as he fights to save his reputation---and the city.
Dane Curse is a fast paced and dynamic novel, and jumps right into the story from the very beginning, leading you on a suspenseful and gripping story of good versus evil and superheroes with super guts.
With touches of dark noir, catchy and gripping dialogue, and a suspenseful and tight plot, Dane Curse offers plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and an intriguing story line that won’t let you down!
August 8, 2015
Wow! This book was nothing what I thought it would be. I was positively surprised by the witty dialogues and interesting plot. Dane Curse, an eccentric private detective, is hired to solve the murder case of Pinnacle- the king of superheroes. But he got only 5 days to solve this very intriguing mystery.
Author’s creativity reflects not only on the development of so many characters with amazing powers, but also on how swiftly the story moves from one scene to another. To be honest, I’m not a great fan of sci fi genre and rarely watch superhero movies, but this book was so much more than that. Kudos to author for trying to cross genres and presenting the book, which is vivid and amusing in its own ways.
5 star. Waiting eagerly for other case files.
Author’s creativity reflects not only on the development of so many characters with amazing powers, but also on how swiftly the story moves from one scene to another. To be honest, I’m not a great fan of sci fi genre and rarely watch superhero movies, but this book was so much more than that. Kudos to author for trying to cross genres and presenting the book, which is vivid and amusing in its own ways.
5 star. Waiting eagerly for other case files.
February 17, 2019
Pulp fiction
Look what I found, an author with a lively imagination who creates comic book-like characters and intense action adventure. The story is so unbelievable it's hilarious, but you're having such a great time, you couldn't care less.
Dane Curse is a former black cape, Dirty Deeds Done Daily, who has hung up his cape to become a private investigator. He's been summoned to solve a horrendous crime, the murder of the most popular white cape, Pinnacle. It's an express roller coaster ride from that point. Amazingly, there's a great plot amongst all the deadly shootouts and banging heads together action.
The hilarious names are enough to keep you entertained along with each character's individual powers. With names like Gravel and Glory Anna and Widow and Lynchpin, you may think Dick Tracy has made a comeback
Gotta run, the next installment is waiting to be downloaded.
16
Look what I found, an author with a lively imagination who creates comic book-like characters and intense action adventure. The story is so unbelievable it's hilarious, but you're having such a great time, you couldn't care less.
Dane Curse is a former black cape, Dirty Deeds Done Daily, who has hung up his cape to become a private investigator. He's been summoned to solve a horrendous crime, the murder of the most popular white cape, Pinnacle. It's an express roller coaster ride from that point. Amazingly, there's a great plot amongst all the deadly shootouts and banging heads together action.
The hilarious names are enough to keep you entertained along with each character's individual powers. With names like Gravel and Glory Anna and Widow and Lynchpin, you may think Dick Tracy has made a comeback
Gotta run, the next installment is waiting to be downloaded.
16
December 19, 2018
This is a hard book to review. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't particularly compelling either. I don't feel bad about reading it. But I wouldn't highly recommend it. It was just...okay.
This is a prose super-hero book. The closest analogy is probably Astro City...without as much heart. And upon further review, the protagonist reminds me a bit of Steeljack. Dane Curse was a "black cape" the supervillains of this world. He's mostly turned over a new leaf acting as a P.I. investigating mostly the deaths and disappearances of black capes to bring some closure to their families. But now he has the biggest case of his life. The Sindicate wants him to find out who killed Pinnacle (Samaritan/Superman) before the "white capes" find out he's dead and rain destruction on the black cape community.
Again...it's not a bad book. It just didn't grab me. I've just seen it all before.
This is a prose super-hero book. The closest analogy is probably Astro City...without as much heart. And upon further review, the protagonist reminds me a bit of Steeljack. Dane Curse was a "black cape" the supervillains of this world. He's mostly turned over a new leaf acting as a P.I. investigating mostly the deaths and disappearances of black capes to bring some closure to their families. But now he has the biggest case of his life. The Sindicate wants him to find out who killed Pinnacle (Samaritan/Superman) before the "white capes" find out he's dead and rain destruction on the black cape community.
Again...it's not a bad book. It just didn't grab me. I've just seen it all before.
September 14, 2016
**I was given this book with an honest review.**
The author has approached me for an honest review. And this book has came to me as a surprise. Alright, in all honesty when I first started picking this book out, I wasn't in the mood for Mystery & Thriller. So I put it back down and go on reading something else. Then again, I pick it up and I got myself all interested with the plot line and read it like reading a comic.
I must say, I like how the world building premise setup, and it is enough for me to get around the map in my head. Not too massive and very city based, which I think we're able to relate well especially those who reads comics regularly. I love how writing has taken it's course for readers to get by easily. Nothing fancy in which readers are able to relate with the character faster.
I do not have a strong command in English especially when it comes to grammar, however I only have issues with missing punctuation. It kinda disrupt the reading flow as I have to re-read it a few times to know how the author is conveying the tone of writing. Overall, is not a big deal but it would be smoother with the right punctuation.
Plot wise, I need to applaud the author for the plot. I know it's going to be a big twist but I didn't know it's gonna be that epic. It was really fun with all the non-stop actions flying around the city and buildings. From machine guns to lasers to certain degrees of wave power by throwing people off. Now that was really a fun read. No doubt, the technology of this world seems very advance for our time and it goes off with futuristic advantage to most of the characters.
Now, about the characters, Dane is one person I like. He's groovy and slick. No doubt, he's a Private Investigator but then again he has a sense of style that I really enjoy reading about. Well, he has his way around with girls, I must say.
My personal rant, can we ship him with Fangirl together? I really enjoy their chemistry together. Seriously, put them together and solve the mystery together. That would be so cool!
I wanted to give 4.5 stars due to the punctuation, but hey who's to say my reviews are perfect with or without them. Haha!! 5 stars it is!
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
My Blogspot Review
The author has approached me for an honest review. And this book has came to me as a surprise. Alright, in all honesty when I first started picking this book out, I wasn't in the mood for Mystery & Thriller. So I put it back down and go on reading something else. Then again, I pick it up and I got myself all interested with the plot line and read it like reading a comic.
I must say, I like how the world building premise setup, and it is enough for me to get around the map in my head. Not too massive and very city based, which I think we're able to relate well especially those who reads comics regularly. I love how writing has taken it's course for readers to get by easily. Nothing fancy in which readers are able to relate with the character faster.
I do not have a strong command in English especially when it comes to grammar, however I only have issues with missing punctuation. It kinda disrupt the reading flow as I have to re-read it a few times to know how the author is conveying the tone of writing. Overall, is not a big deal but it would be smoother with the right punctuation.
Plot wise, I need to applaud the author for the plot. I know it's going to be a big twist but I didn't know it's gonna be that epic. It was really fun with all the non-stop actions flying around the city and buildings. From machine guns to lasers to certain degrees of wave power by throwing people off. Now that was really a fun read. No doubt, the technology of this world seems very advance for our time and it goes off with futuristic advantage to most of the characters.
Now, about the characters, Dane is one person I like. He's groovy and slick. No doubt, he's a Private Investigator but then again he has a sense of style that I really enjoy reading about. Well, he has his way around with girls, I must say.
My personal rant, can we ship him with Fangirl together? I really enjoy their chemistry together. Seriously, put them together and solve the mystery together. That would be so cool!
I wanted to give 4.5 stars due to the punctuation, but hey who's to say my reviews are perfect with or without them. Haha!! 5 stars it is!
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
My Blogspot Review
July 27, 2015
There I was, cruising the aisles of the Amazon jungle, my fingers itchy for something different to put on my Kindle, something I hadn't tasted before. I was minding my own business, not looking for trouble. Well, OK, maybe I looked like a girl who was looking for trouble, when along comes this Dane Curse. And that's when the fun began.
Told in first person like all good detective stories should be, with the feeling that your stepping into a black and white film noir, author Matt Abraham transports us into a world of superheroes (white capes), and mega-villains (black capes) who change loyalties with the wind. With a blend of familiar sounding character names like Smiley and Knuckles that make us feel like we know them, and witty, smart-ass dialogue, the overall tone is Dick Tracy meets Sin City. Though the setting is a comic book world, it's easy to see how the story could be told against the backdrop of the wild west, with white hats and black hats as the good against evil markers, and a cowboy's horse taking the place of Jane the car. In fact, Abraham crafts one scene in particular that reminds me of a scene in Lonesome Dove, when the character played by Robert Duvall uses his horse in much the same manner that Dane Curse ultimately uses his beloved Jane. I won't say any more that will give away the details, but it's a great scene.
At the heart of the novel is a well developed plot with enough twists and turns to challenge a contortionist. The main protagonist, detective Dane Curse, former black cape turned white cape turned private eye, is a complicated character, yet one we can identify with. He reminds us that we all have a dark side, we all have a good side, and if we're fortunate, we all have a mom like Dane's who'll point us down the right path.
What I admire the most about Abraham's writing is his skill at creating a cast of characters who involve us in the conflict with hold-on-to-your-seat action and smart, believable dialogue. And speaking of dialogue, some of Dane's one-liners and quippy come-backs are so laugh-out-loud funny, you'll want to read them again. There are no wasted pages. The story is action packed from the get-go, and Dane Curse, though conflicted, stays true to himself, right until the last glass of whiskey is downed.
Told in first person like all good detective stories should be, with the feeling that your stepping into a black and white film noir, author Matt Abraham transports us into a world of superheroes (white capes), and mega-villains (black capes) who change loyalties with the wind. With a blend of familiar sounding character names like Smiley and Knuckles that make us feel like we know them, and witty, smart-ass dialogue, the overall tone is Dick Tracy meets Sin City. Though the setting is a comic book world, it's easy to see how the story could be told against the backdrop of the wild west, with white hats and black hats as the good against evil markers, and a cowboy's horse taking the place of Jane the car. In fact, Abraham crafts one scene in particular that reminds me of a scene in Lonesome Dove, when the character played by Robert Duvall uses his horse in much the same manner that Dane Curse ultimately uses his beloved Jane. I won't say any more that will give away the details, but it's a great scene.
At the heart of the novel is a well developed plot with enough twists and turns to challenge a contortionist. The main protagonist, detective Dane Curse, former black cape turned white cape turned private eye, is a complicated character, yet one we can identify with. He reminds us that we all have a dark side, we all have a good side, and if we're fortunate, we all have a mom like Dane's who'll point us down the right path.
What I admire the most about Abraham's writing is his skill at creating a cast of characters who involve us in the conflict with hold-on-to-your-seat action and smart, believable dialogue. And speaking of dialogue, some of Dane's one-liners and quippy come-backs are so laugh-out-loud funny, you'll want to read them again. There are no wasted pages. The story is action packed from the get-go, and Dane Curse, though conflicted, stays true to himself, right until the last glass of whiskey is downed.
May 12, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great mix of superhero fare and noir detective pulp, which blended together naturally and just worked. The characters were fun and well fleshed out, the dialogue witty and snappy, the action scenes well done, and the plot was tight and fast moving.
Dane Curse takes place in Gold Coast City a place with more superheroes and supervillains, per capita than anywhere else in the world. They inhabit a complicated ecosystem of white cape supers and black cape villains, government regulatory agencies and crime syndicates, in a landscape that's noir in some ways, and futuristic in others.
Dane Curse used to be a black cape. But he's gone straight, sort of. These days he works as a private investigator, skirting the edges of the law, investigating black cape deaths that the police just don't care about. With invulnerable skin, super strength, and a few choice gadgets, he's the guy you want to call if your black cape brother or husband goes missing or gets killed.
But this time, it's a white cape that got killed. Pinnacle, to be exact, the most super of the supers. So super that nobody's even sure what could have killed him. But his death threatens to shatter the fragile peace of Gold Coast City. Curse's employers, the criminal Sindicate, want answers. Curse delves into the murky depths of the black cape underworld, bumping into old friends and old enemies alike as he follows a trail of clues leading to the power (and powered) elites of the city.
Matt Abraham did a great job of honoring the forms of comic book superheroes and detective fiction both, while still bringing something new to the equation. He had me following the plot twists right up until the last page. I honestly don't have anything bad to say. The story was well written, edited, and formatted. There were one or two minor typos, but nothing that distracted me from the story. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
Dane Curse takes place in Gold Coast City a place with more superheroes and supervillains, per capita than anywhere else in the world. They inhabit a complicated ecosystem of white cape supers and black cape villains, government regulatory agencies and crime syndicates, in a landscape that's noir in some ways, and futuristic in others.
Dane Curse used to be a black cape. But he's gone straight, sort of. These days he works as a private investigator, skirting the edges of the law, investigating black cape deaths that the police just don't care about. With invulnerable skin, super strength, and a few choice gadgets, he's the guy you want to call if your black cape brother or husband goes missing or gets killed.
But this time, it's a white cape that got killed. Pinnacle, to be exact, the most super of the supers. So super that nobody's even sure what could have killed him. But his death threatens to shatter the fragile peace of Gold Coast City. Curse's employers, the criminal Sindicate, want answers. Curse delves into the murky depths of the black cape underworld, bumping into old friends and old enemies alike as he follows a trail of clues leading to the power (and powered) elites of the city.
Matt Abraham did a great job of honoring the forms of comic book superheroes and detective fiction both, while still bringing something new to the equation. He had me following the plot twists right up until the last page. I honestly don't have anything bad to say. The story was well written, edited, and formatted. There were one or two minor typos, but nothing that distracted me from the story. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
August 1, 2015
As a lover of superhero stories, I was looking forward to Dane Curse, a man with extraordinary abilities who's hung up his cape and is working as a private detective in a society full of technological advances and superheroes. Hardboiled detective talk combined with a society that has some flashes of a futuristic society--but not quite in the age of spaceships yet--make this an intriguing read.
The premise was thus very interesting, and here I found it got a bit bogged down with the large number of suspects, and especially the large number of superheroes with different powers. The X-Men also had an unwieldy cast, but the old stories focused on a few of them at a time and over the years, we had gotten to know many of them. Here this is a new story--hopefully someday it will progress to the fame of the X-Men so care can be taken to introduce the new characters in the Dane Curse series at this stage. Also, for some of the fights, they seemed so ferocious, yet a few heroes such as Dane Curse survive despite impossible resistance, making the reader wonder if reading about some sense of invincibility needs to be earned along the way. But then again, superheroes comics and movies do tend that way, making me wonder if this would be portrayed better as a graphic book than as a novel.
I also had some trouble following the clues and motives of the mystery, but maybe that is me at fault, not the author.
I really enjoyed the fights at the end, which seemed very intense.
The premise is brilliant, for sure. I would have liked to see this story in a graphic novel, and see what my reaction would have been.
The premise was thus very interesting, and here I found it got a bit bogged down with the large number of suspects, and especially the large number of superheroes with different powers. The X-Men also had an unwieldy cast, but the old stories focused on a few of them at a time and over the years, we had gotten to know many of them. Here this is a new story--hopefully someday it will progress to the fame of the X-Men so care can be taken to introduce the new characters in the Dane Curse series at this stage. Also, for some of the fights, they seemed so ferocious, yet a few heroes such as Dane Curse survive despite impossible resistance, making the reader wonder if reading about some sense of invincibility needs to be earned along the way. But then again, superheroes comics and movies do tend that way, making me wonder if this would be portrayed better as a graphic book than as a novel.
I also had some trouble following the clues and motives of the mystery, but maybe that is me at fault, not the author.
I really enjoyed the fights at the end, which seemed very intense.
The premise is brilliant, for sure. I would have liked to see this story in a graphic novel, and see what my reaction would have been.
July 17, 2015
Pleasantly surprised! What an awesome story! This is not my typical genre, but I have to say I really enjoyed reading this book! Dane Curse is not your typical private eye and the fictional world Matt Abraham has created is anything but your typical good guys/bad guys playground. The story is fast paced, action packed, and full of sayings and phrases that immediately envelop the reader into the plot.
Okay I admit when I started reading Dane had a Cagney voice over in my head, but seriously, it did not take away from the story at all! If anything it enhanced my enjoyment. I really liked the dynamic of the black capes vs the white capes in Gold Coast City which is the perfect backdrop for this world.
Abraham really knows how to write in this classic noir genre, but he brings something entirely new to it. I mean superheroes and supervillains! The closest thing I can think of to it is Dick Tracy or the Dresden Files! Seriously fan-girling here. :-)
Can I just say that I absolutely love Jane, Dane's car! <3
I very highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading mysteries, detective/action adventure stories. I really can't wait for more!
Okay I admit when I started reading Dane had a Cagney voice over in my head, but seriously, it did not take away from the story at all! If anything it enhanced my enjoyment. I really liked the dynamic of the black capes vs the white capes in Gold Coast City which is the perfect backdrop for this world.
Abraham really knows how to write in this classic noir genre, but he brings something entirely new to it. I mean superheroes and supervillains! The closest thing I can think of to it is Dick Tracy or the Dresden Files! Seriously fan-girling here. :-)
Can I just say that I absolutely love Jane, Dane's car! <3
I very highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading mysteries, detective/action adventure stories. I really can't wait for more!
August 12, 2015
How could I not love a book with the line "“Her shoulder length hair was the color of pitch and looked like it only had casual relationships with the brushes it knew”?
The cover is fantastic and completely conveys the feel of this comic book reality brought to life in novel form. It's exactly how I picture Dane, the main character, going about his everyday business. I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in Dane's world. He's a flawed guy who's out there in a city of white and black capes just trying to do what's right. And even though he's unnaturally strong, there are plenty of other superpower enhanced women and men that want him out the of the way or just plain dead.
Dane Curse has well drawn characters, a story line that builds to the finish, and a few surprising twists and turns along the way. Throw in a host of overpowered, handheld weapons, Dane's insanely cool ride, a few good slugs of liquor, and you begin to get the picture. Whether you're still hoarding a comic book stash in a crate under your bed, or you gave it up ages ago, you seriously have to crack this thing open and jump inside.
The cover is fantastic and completely conveys the feel of this comic book reality brought to life in novel form. It's exactly how I picture Dane, the main character, going about his everyday business. I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in Dane's world. He's a flawed guy who's out there in a city of white and black capes just trying to do what's right. And even though he's unnaturally strong, there are plenty of other superpower enhanced women and men that want him out the of the way or just plain dead.
Dane Curse has well drawn characters, a story line that builds to the finish, and a few surprising twists and turns along the way. Throw in a host of overpowered, handheld weapons, Dane's insanely cool ride, a few good slugs of liquor, and you begin to get the picture. Whether you're still hoarding a comic book stash in a crate under your bed, or you gave it up ages ago, you seriously have to crack this thing open and jump inside.
September 20, 2016
Dane Curse is a first-person detective story set in a world of Black Capes and White Capes. When one of the Good Guy White Capes is found murdered in a stash house run by the Syndicate, they call in a few detectives. Dane Curse is one of them.
An ex-Black Cape, Dane looks into situations for people on the wrong side of the law, or people who do not want dirt tracked back to their door. The death of Pinnacle has both. As Dane follows the twists and turns of the case, he crosses paths with the best and worst of humanity while he searches for the person who put a hole through a bulletproof man.
The prose is crisp and the character codenames are so good, I'm a little jealous. Take the weapons merchant named Twiddle who got his name from a botched mechanical arm transplant. Or Mindgame, who might not be as smart as he thinks he is.
There are several slam-bang action scenes and they smell real right down to the brutality of a fist fight between invulnerable combatants.
The one hitch in the story comes when the plot needs to advance, so the detective gets a little stupid for the sake of the story. Aside from that little issue, top notch work.
An ex-Black Cape, Dane looks into situations for people on the wrong side of the law, or people who do not want dirt tracked back to their door. The death of Pinnacle has both. As Dane follows the twists and turns of the case, he crosses paths with the best and worst of humanity while he searches for the person who put a hole through a bulletproof man.
The prose is crisp and the character codenames are so good, I'm a little jealous. Take the weapons merchant named Twiddle who got his name from a botched mechanical arm transplant. Or Mindgame, who might not be as smart as he thinks he is.
There are several slam-bang action scenes and they smell real right down to the brutality of a fist fight between invulnerable combatants.
The one hitch in the story comes when the plot needs to advance, so the detective gets a little stupid for the sake of the story. Aside from that little issue, top notch work.
July 22, 2015
Private Detective Dane Curse investigates the murder of Pinnacle, Gold City's greatest super hero. Dane is an intriguing character, a reformed black cape with a troubled past. The story is told in the first person which helps the reader to get inside Dane's head and reminds me of those black and white detective films from the 1940s where the Private Investigator speaks his thoughts out loud.
This is a well written story with a cast of fascinating characters; some with amazing powers and abilities, but always believable. There are plenty of action scenes which take place in a comic book super hero and super villain world. The writing is fast paced and witty, with unpredictable twists and turns which kept me guessing until the end.
An entertaining and thrilling read.
This is a well written story with a cast of fascinating characters; some with amazing powers and abilities, but always believable. There are plenty of action scenes which take place in a comic book super hero and super villain world. The writing is fast paced and witty, with unpredictable twists and turns which kept me guessing until the end.
An entertaining and thrilling read.
September 18, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had a vintage black & white movie style feel to it that I thought was awesome for this genre of superheroes and villains. The outcome of the mystery took me by surprise & that's all I will say about it because I hate spoilers so you will just have to read it yourself.
I can't wait to read what happens next for Dane Curse. I highly recommend this book to everyone so go get it already! :P
I can't wait to read what happens next for Dane Curse. I highly recommend this book to everyone so go get it already! :P
August 19, 2017
Super hard boiled noir
The premises alone warrants a look. Sam Spade crossed with golden age heroes and villains, what's not to love? As if that's not enough Mr. Abraham brings us an action packed caper with all the elements of a classic noir detective yarn. From dialogue to characters and the town everything is perfect.
Is it clichéd? Check.
Tough guy hero with a soft spot? Bingo.
Classy villains? Of course.
His girl Friday? Oh yeah.
Like I said, perfect.
The premises alone warrants a look. Sam Spade crossed with golden age heroes and villains, what's not to love? As if that's not enough Mr. Abraham brings us an action packed caper with all the elements of a classic noir detective yarn. From dialogue to characters and the town everything is perfect.
Is it clichéd? Check.
Tough guy hero with a soft spot? Bingo.
Classy villains? Of course.
His girl Friday? Oh yeah.
Like I said, perfect.
July 24, 2017
Curses, Not Foiled Again
By Bob Gelms
There I was, perusing books looking for a hot number. My eyes traveled over The Dain Curse and kept going. But my brain skidded to a halt and spilled all this out in a matter of seconds: it was written by one of the great writers of the 20th century, Dashiell Hammett and featured the very first hardboiled detective in the genre who is never named but referred to as the Continental Op (as in operator).
Mr. Hammett invented the “type”, also giving us Nick and Nora Charles, who would drink their way through a murder investigation in the great novel, The Thin Man. Then there was the Holy Grail, the absolute top of the pyramid in detective fiction, published in 1930. Hammett wrote the novel every writer in the genre has been trying to get close to but nobody has. It features a detective who, now, has become iconic: Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon.
My eyes threw it into reverse and they whipped back. I pulled the book out and I was stunned. The cover looked like a comic book featuring a guy holding a revolver the likes of which I had never seen. My brain stumbled just a little bit because it was not The Dain Curse. The name of the book is just Dane Curse, as in a guy’s name. I’m not brain dead. There is a strong connection with Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane, and others. So, I read the first paragraph.
“Nobody sheds a tear when a black cape catches one in the back. In fact, discovering there’s one less villain in the world is how the citizens of Gold Coast City prefer to start their morning. It doesn’t matter if the body is floating in Bittenbach Bay or dumped down Grime Alley, they’ll eat those details up like butter and toast, then head out to face the day like they put some comfort, instead of cream, in their coffee.”
With Dane Curse, Matt Abraham has written the best detective novel in decades. He has taken the idea of super heroes, both good ones and bad ones, and placed them inside a 1930’s noir narrative. It’s a brilliant idea and it works smashingly.
In the world of the book, there are many super heroes. The good ones are called white capes and the bad ones are called black capes. They all seem to be humans born and raised on planet earth. The object of our interest, Dane Curse, is a black cape and a very bad guy both individually and as a member of an infamous gang of black capes. Ten years ago, Dane Curse couldn’t see his way out of the dark alley he had gotten himself into. The end of his story was headed toward a violent death with almost no meaning. But Dane renounced his evil ways and became a private eye. Most of his cases involve illegal and violent crimes, not only to the people of Gold Coast City but also to black capes. Where they were concerned, the law turned a blind eye.
All of the super heroes have an amalgamation of extremely varied super powers. Dane is incredibly strong. His calling card is the ability to pick up an automobile and throw it at you. He is also practically invulnerable to gun shots and all the other weapons possessed by both black and white capes.
Dane gets a call from a guy in the Sindicate, an organized crime outfit with a board of directors. He wants to hire Dane to investigate a murder. The Sindicate hires two other private investigators with a bonus to the one who solves the case. The murder victim is none other than the best of the best white capes, Pinnacle. He is the protector of the city and has been known to save cats caught in a tree. His powers are unlimited, or so everybody thought. Pinnacle had had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at him and nothing did him harm. He was thought to be invincible but there he was on the floor with a hole in his mid-section big enough to put your fist through. The game's afoot.
Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelt; it’s going to be a bumpy ride at breakneck speed. When I say I couldn’t put it down, I actually mean it. I started it on a Friday morning and finished it in the wee hours of Saturday morning. If we had a star rating system for these book reviews I’d give Dane Curse 20 stars. I have to mention that the writing is exceptionally clever, very noir, and creative as hell. Mr. Abraham names all the super heroes alluding to their super powers and it’s about as witty and funny as it gets. Dane Curse is more fun than lying prone on the floor and getting stampeded by a dozen 3-month-old golden retrievers.
By Bob Gelms
There I was, perusing books looking for a hot number. My eyes traveled over The Dain Curse and kept going. But my brain skidded to a halt and spilled all this out in a matter of seconds: it was written by one of the great writers of the 20th century, Dashiell Hammett and featured the very first hardboiled detective in the genre who is never named but referred to as the Continental Op (as in operator).
Mr. Hammett invented the “type”, also giving us Nick and Nora Charles, who would drink their way through a murder investigation in the great novel, The Thin Man. Then there was the Holy Grail, the absolute top of the pyramid in detective fiction, published in 1930. Hammett wrote the novel every writer in the genre has been trying to get close to but nobody has. It features a detective who, now, has become iconic: Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon.
My eyes threw it into reverse and they whipped back. I pulled the book out and I was stunned. The cover looked like a comic book featuring a guy holding a revolver the likes of which I had never seen. My brain stumbled just a little bit because it was not The Dain Curse. The name of the book is just Dane Curse, as in a guy’s name. I’m not brain dead. There is a strong connection with Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane, and others. So, I read the first paragraph.
“Nobody sheds a tear when a black cape catches one in the back. In fact, discovering there’s one less villain in the world is how the citizens of Gold Coast City prefer to start their morning. It doesn’t matter if the body is floating in Bittenbach Bay or dumped down Grime Alley, they’ll eat those details up like butter and toast, then head out to face the day like they put some comfort, instead of cream, in their coffee.”
With Dane Curse, Matt Abraham has written the best detective novel in decades. He has taken the idea of super heroes, both good ones and bad ones, and placed them inside a 1930’s noir narrative. It’s a brilliant idea and it works smashingly.
In the world of the book, there are many super heroes. The good ones are called white capes and the bad ones are called black capes. They all seem to be humans born and raised on planet earth. The object of our interest, Dane Curse, is a black cape and a very bad guy both individually and as a member of an infamous gang of black capes. Ten years ago, Dane Curse couldn’t see his way out of the dark alley he had gotten himself into. The end of his story was headed toward a violent death with almost no meaning. But Dane renounced his evil ways and became a private eye. Most of his cases involve illegal and violent crimes, not only to the people of Gold Coast City but also to black capes. Where they were concerned, the law turned a blind eye.
All of the super heroes have an amalgamation of extremely varied super powers. Dane is incredibly strong. His calling card is the ability to pick up an automobile and throw it at you. He is also practically invulnerable to gun shots and all the other weapons possessed by both black and white capes.
Dane gets a call from a guy in the Sindicate, an organized crime outfit with a board of directors. He wants to hire Dane to investigate a murder. The Sindicate hires two other private investigators with a bonus to the one who solves the case. The murder victim is none other than the best of the best white capes, Pinnacle. He is the protector of the city and has been known to save cats caught in a tree. His powers are unlimited, or so everybody thought. Pinnacle had had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at him and nothing did him harm. He was thought to be invincible but there he was on the floor with a hole in his mid-section big enough to put your fist through. The game's afoot.
Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelt; it’s going to be a bumpy ride at breakneck speed. When I say I couldn’t put it down, I actually mean it. I started it on a Friday morning and finished it in the wee hours of Saturday morning. If we had a star rating system for these book reviews I’d give Dane Curse 20 stars. I have to mention that the writing is exceptionally clever, very noir, and creative as hell. Mr. Abraham names all the super heroes alluding to their super powers and it’s about as witty and funny as it gets. Dane Curse is more fun than lying prone on the floor and getting stampeded by a dozen 3-month-old golden retrievers.
November 2, 2022
There is so much to say about this book I hardly know where to start. It was a wild, wild ride in a very different genre than I normally read. No regrets. In a nutshell, this is a hard-boiled detective mystery in a comic book world.
This book world includes good guy with super powers known as white capes and bad guys with super powers known as black capes. The black capes are the dominant characters. Dane Curse is a PI that has super strength and invulnerability. He also has a car that makes Batman's look like a wooden push toy and amazing weaponry. Weaponry is a vital part of the story line.
When the world's greatest and favorite super hero is found murdered, Dane is hired by the black cape Sindicate to solve the murder before a war breaks out between black and white capes. How the murder of the invulnerable white cape occurred is just as mysterious and almost as important as the who. When Dane gets too close to the answers, all hell breaks loose. There are all the characters you would expect in a hard-boiled mystery and then some plus unrelenting action and fight scenes that will leave you in a state of exhaustion.
I enjoyed this unusual tale of Phillip Marlowe meets the Justice League with all the dark grittiness of a very bloody Batman movie
This book world includes good guy with super powers known as white capes and bad guys with super powers known as black capes. The black capes are the dominant characters. Dane Curse is a PI that has super strength and invulnerability. He also has a car that makes Batman's look like a wooden push toy and amazing weaponry. Weaponry is a vital part of the story line.
When the world's greatest and favorite super hero is found murdered, Dane is hired by the black cape Sindicate to solve the murder before a war breaks out between black and white capes. How the murder of the invulnerable white cape occurred is just as mysterious and almost as important as the who. When Dane gets too close to the answers, all hell breaks loose. There are all the characters you would expect in a hard-boiled mystery and then some plus unrelenting action and fight scenes that will leave you in a state of exhaustion.
I enjoyed this unusual tale of Phillip Marlowe meets the Justice League with all the dark grittiness of a very bloody Batman movie
October 9, 2017
Dane Curse used to be a black hat. Then he gave up the life of a supervillian and became a private detective that specializes in cases for black hats. But when the greatest superhero in the world is killed, Dane finds himself on his most convoluted case yet.
I love the mixing of noir mystery and superhero in this book. At times, it reminded me of Dick Tracy with heroes and villians that are almost caricatures of people with silly names. But the story is never silly, it is played serious throughout.
Some parts will be easy to be foreseen for anyone that is used to noir stories. You know there will be doublecrosses, beautiful women, and thugs to beat on the hero. Still, the story will keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next.
I will definitely read more in this series.
I love the mixing of noir mystery and superhero in this book. At times, it reminded me of Dick Tracy with heroes and villians that are almost caricatures of people with silly names. But the story is never silly, it is played serious throughout.
Some parts will be easy to be foreseen for anyone that is used to noir stories. You know there will be doublecrosses, beautiful women, and thugs to beat on the hero. Still, the story will keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next.
I will definitely read more in this series.
March 27, 2023
I've been reading comics since I was a kid, and I've always loved the hard boiled detective novels from Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler and on. This first book melds the two genres skillfully. Matt Abraham's title character navigates the seamy underbelly of the supervillain (aka Black Cape) world he was once apart of to solve the murder of what's perhaps the greatest superhero (White Cape) of this world.
Abraham hits the right pace for the detective genre and the action could just about hit the pages of a comic book well-nigh seamlessly. It's a great book, I'll picking up the next, and I definitely hope for more. I love the little references to both genres through out (down to Curse's super-science firearm he's lovingly named "Lois") which made things all the more rewarding to read.
Abraham hits the right pace for the detective genre and the action could just about hit the pages of a comic book well-nigh seamlessly. It's a great book, I'll picking up the next, and I definitely hope for more. I love the little references to both genres through out (down to Curse's super-science firearm he's lovingly named "Lois") which made things all the more rewarding to read.
July 30, 2018
Super heroes have become today's popular form of entertainment.
I really had no preconceived notions as what to expect from this novel. However I was pleasantly surprised by the unique pairing of the comic book super hero genre,plus the detective noir type novel reminiscent of Mike hammer or Philip Marlowe type novels. The addition of the main chapter having been one of the black capes at one time makes him somewhat as the anti-hero enabling him to work both sides to be able to solve his cases. I wasn't to sure whether I was going to like it to start with,but I enjoyed the dialogue reminiscent of the hard boiled detective novels. I would say all in all that I ended up enjoying it very much.
I really had no preconceived notions as what to expect from this novel. However I was pleasantly surprised by the unique pairing of the comic book super hero genre,plus the detective noir type novel reminiscent of Mike hammer or Philip Marlowe type novels. The addition of the main chapter having been one of the black capes at one time makes him somewhat as the anti-hero enabling him to work both sides to be able to solve his cases. I wasn't to sure whether I was going to like it to start with,but I enjoyed the dialogue reminiscent of the hard boiled detective novels. I would say all in all that I ended up enjoying it very much.
Read
November 30, 2020This was an entertaining murder mystery set in a world filled with superheroes and villains of varying levels of fame and notoriety. The noir/hardboiled feel was a lot of fun, both in terms of voice and plot. It didn't feel overdone or belaboured. I'm not fond of grim, pessimistic stories, and this one didn't feel too dark for my tastes.
As we'd expect for the genre, nearly everyone's out to double-cross everyone else. I'm not sure I completely followed all the switches in alliances and loyalties as I tagged along to see what trouble Curse would end up in next. Additionally, there seem to be a lot of characters with superpowers, and I didn't always manage to keep track of who could do what. However, I was more than happy to just go along for the ride.
As we'd expect for the genre, nearly everyone's out to double-cross everyone else. I'm not sure I completely followed all the switches in alliances and loyalties as I tagged along to see what trouble Curse would end up in next. Additionally, there seem to be a lot of characters with superpowers, and I didn't always manage to keep track of who could do what. However, I was more than happy to just go along for the ride.
November 6, 2022
It took some time to initially get into the premise: a world of super powered heroes and villains in which the equivalent of Superman is murdered and it comes down to an ex-super villain/now detective to hunt clues and navigate the dangers of super villains, super heroes, and government to solve the murder. It was the overuse of the old timey detective language that made me groan as I started reading it, but the more I read and the more immersed I became in the world, the more I enjoyed it. I liked the variety of characters and their personalities, and I really enjoyed how many of the villains showed respect and admiration towards the murdered super hero. It's a nice detail I don't see often in books and television. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing this turned into a show or movie, but til then, I look forward to reading more of this world and further cases of Dane Curse.
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