Coleman Draws from the Real-life Condit/Levy Case for His Third Hard-Boiled Mystery

Author Reed Farrel Coleman touring west coast for The James Deans

New York (PRWEB) January 30, 2005 -- From the home heating oil business to acclaimed mystery author, Reed Farrel Coleman has done a little bit of everything. And with his latest Moe Prager novel, The James Deans, released from Plume (a member of Penguin Group) on January 25, 2005, he's showing colors he's never revealed before.

The year is 1983, and Moe is asked to clear an up-and-coming politician of suspicion in the disappearance, two years earlier, of a young intern. But the solution to the mystery is far too easy and clean-Moe believes he's being set up, but for what?

Coleman, a Brooklyn native, poet, author and man of many professions, says he "did a stint as a house dad" until he decided he'd never make a living as a writer, and got into the home heating oil business. Almost at that exact moment, Walking the Perfect Square found a publisher, and Moe Prager was born.

In that novel and Redemption Street, Moe has tackled tangible problems, like murder, kidnapping and corruption, as well as more existential worries of life, aging and moral responsibility. And he does so with a voice that is unique and distinctive. No one else is like Moe Prager.

Coleman says his Brooklyn background, coupled with a poet's sensibility, helped to shape Moe and characters in his three other mystery novels. He says the character is not based on the author himself, and lists diverse influences from a real retired NYDP detective to the movie The Producers.

Interviews and review copies available upon request.

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