The Millionaire Murders by Edmond Gagnon

Long time fan Michael Carter travelled all the way from Cambodia to snag a copy of my latest novel.

Halloween is coming but the Millionaire Murders will be here first. The official release for my latest novel in the Abigail Brown Crime Series is October 1st – you can pre-order online, as a few of my devout fans already have (Thank you!).

This story is set in Detroit, where a new and unusual serial killer preys on Detroit’s elite, challenging Major Crimes Detective Abigail Brown as she never has before.

My first bulk order is being printed as I write this post. I hope to have paperback copies available in Story Tellers in Windsor and River Books in Amherstburg by October 1st.

I’m also working on putting together a local authors Christmas show, showcasing literary talent from across Essex County, giving readers a chance to meet the authors and purchase personally autographed copies of their work. Watch my social media sites for further information. I can tell you now it will be on Sunday, December 11th, so keep the date open.

The Elusive Purple Gang

The Elusive Purple Gang: Detroit’s Kosher Nostra
by Gregory A. Fournier (Goodreads Author)

Edmond Gagnon‘s review Aug 06, 2022  

I’ve always heard about the Purple Gang and their criminal activities in Windsor during the rum-running days of the roaring 20’s, but wasn’t aware of their Detroit roots and exactly how bad-ass the group of thugs really was.
I gave the book 4 stars but feel it’s worth only a 3.5. Where it’s loaded with interesting facts and stories about long ago fabled Detroit mobsters, at times I found it too ‘statistical’ and a bit hard to follow with the numerous gang characters and their affiliates.
But for anyone who’s interested in the Detroit-Windsor booze prohibition connection, I recommend giving this book a read. It also delves into the gang’s connection to Al Capone and government corruption at all levels.

Behind The Badge – Her Story

Behind the Badge: Her Story
by Antoinette M James

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Jul 22, 2022  

I met the author, Antoinette James, at the Detroit Bookfest and purchased a copy of her book, Behind the Badge. After listening to her pitch about her memoir, a true story about her life on the Detroit Police Department, I was sold.
I got fooled on this one. The book is more about the author’s personal life, weighing heavily on events that transpired before her time as a cop.
This woman had a life-long dream of being a Detroit Homicide detective, after watching numerous tv cop shows. Her naivety started at a young age, when she tells us in great detail how she was sexually exploited by her father. By the age of 15 she is pregnant, then hooks up with one wrong guy after another, learning nothing along the way.
The author spent only a few years as a cop and says she left the force because of sexual harassment but openly admits having sex with various men for personal advancement.
Some of my women reader friends might enjoy this book but I don’t recommend it as a must read.

The Detroit Shipping Company

downloadIt seems Cathryn and I don’t get out for dinner as much these days, mostly because we like to cook, and that we expect good food and service for the price we pay. We’ve also been slacking in visits across the border to Detroit, where exciting things have been happening in the restaurant and entertainment scene.

Take the Detroit Shipping Company for example. Some enterprising entrepreneurs took a vacant lot near the Cass Corridor, stacked metal shipping containers in the shape of a square, and added a handful of specialty restaurants to a revitalized neighborhood. The is plenty of room for inside and outside drinking and dining and hanging out.

Continue reading “The Detroit Shipping Company”

Rants, Raves & Reviews – ‘Having Faith’

Finding Hope Author Edmond GagnonThey say having faith keeps you positively motivated, with a great outlook on life. For me, ‘Having Faith’, means my next book, the sequel to ‘Finding Hope.’ Norm Strom fans and readers have pondered the open ending of Hope and asked what happens next, and if there would ever be a sequel.

Finding Hope has been my best-selling novel so far, with Border City Chronicles closing in fast for second place, catching quickly up to Rat. So, for all you murder, mystery, and serial killer fans out there, this next one’s for you. I’m happy to announce I’ve just cracked the 10,000 word mark and am on a roll.

In this story Norm will be joined by the hot black homicide detective from Detroit, Abigail Brown, who was the main character in ‘Knock-Out’, the last story in Border City Chronicles. She will take the reigns again, on her home turf, in the gritty bowels of downtown Detroit, hunting a serial killer. Who will it be this time?

 

Norm is Back! Border City Chronicles

Layout 1Maybe you’ve heard the rumors on Entertainment Tonight, Ellen, or WKRP in Cincinatti. Perhaps you only dreamed and hoped it was true. You’ve probably been wondering what Edmond Gagnon has been up to (besides travelling) and where the heck has Norm Strom been.

Let me make it clear…they are not rumors, you haven’t been dreaming, and Ed has finally finished his latest book, Border City Chronicles. Some of you were test-readers, others voted for the title, and a few may find their names used as characters. The book is three short crime fiction stories from the Norm Strom archives.

News of this upcoming book is receiving a positive buzz on the street. Here’s a few comments about Norm’s new stories:

Baby Shay – “The challenges told in this story are heartbreaking and can make strong experienced officers unable to function. This is one story you will not be able to put down.”

Designated Hitters – “This story provides the reader with a unique insight into police work and the thoughts and emotions cops work through every day. Norm doesn’t regret retirement. After reading his story, you will understand why.”

Knock-Out – “Norm introduces Abigail Brown, a Detroit Homicide Detective. He’s her friend and confidant and relies on his expertise to provide her with a little extra help. This is an excellent story and I’m hoping to read more of her exploits in the future.”

Border City Chronicles is coming to book stores and internet sites across the world very very soon! Feel free to reserve a copy with the author now.

Same but Different

IMG_2572Let’s start with vacation vs. travel. To those inexperienced in the latter, as opposed to the former, you’ll completely understand. Others may think the two getaways are the same, but they are quite different. Vacations tend to be those one-week jaunts to somewhere warm, where you can relax and forget all about work or whatever other crap life throws at you on a daily basis.

Travelling entails extending those sojourns, not only to relax or escape every day life, but to explore new places and perhaps venture off the beaten path. Two weeks at an all-inclusive resort may sound the same as two weeks in Europe, but they are very different. So, the question is do you want everything to be the same as home? If you do then stay at home. One reason to travel is to experience something different, whether it’s the weather, or food or wine or landscape or culture.

Continue reading “Same but Different”

Campus Martius – Heart of Detroit

old“After the great fire of 1805 which destroyed most of Detroit, Judge Woodward was appointed to oversee the city’s rebuild plan to lay out the streets, squares and lots with the assistance of the best surveyors from Canada. They placed their instruments and astronomical devices on the summit of a huge stone from which they viewed the planets and meteors in order to determine “true North.” Today, we still call this the “Point of Origin,” which is located in center of Campus Martius at the junction of Woodward and Monroe. It is from this point that the City of Detroit’s coordinate system was created.

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Nine Lessons I Learned from My Father – Murray Howe

howeNine Lessons I Learned from My Father 
by Murray Howe

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Feb 23, 2018

 

I’ve read books about Darren McCarty, Bob Probert, and Bobby Orr so it was only natural to read about the King himself, Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe. This book is different from his biography in that it’s written by his youngest son, Murray Howe.
It is well written story, told from the heart, more about the man than the hockey player. Trying to explain one without the other would be impossible in the case of Gordie Howe. Hockey and family were equally important to him, but even more than that Murray explains how the respect Mr. Hockey earned was a result of how he treated everyone else in the same way.
Don’t worry sports fans, there’s enough hockey action to keep you interested.