Beginnings
On Sundays, we’ve been doing beginnings, taking a look at the start of a Peter Abrahams novel, including those written under the Spencer Quinn moniker™. How about Oblivion, my first actual private eye novel (all the Chet and Bernies are P.I. novels, but rather different from Oblivion – although I bet you can find similarities, too).
[“Exciting and out of the ordinary… full of funny, touching and alarming surprises… His funny and stout-hearted dogs (like Buster, who becomes Petrov’s assistant for a few hours) are unmatched by anyone’s, including Dashiel Hammett’s and Robert B. Parker’s… Peter Abrahams is a wonderful writer.”
– L.A. Times (Tom Nolan)]
Nick Petrov, in the witness box, waited for the next question. The lawyer for the accused looked up from his yellow pad and fastened his skeptical gaze – familiar to millions of cable talk show viewers – on Petrov’s face. The lawyer had eyebrows like Einstein’s, resembled him in general, Petrov thought, but with a better haircut. Perfume from the previous witness still hung in the air.
“Been quite the career,” said the lawyer, “hasn’t it, Mr. Petrov? So far.”
Tags: beginnings, Oblivion, Tom Nolan
This entry was posted on Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 at 8:26 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
8:58 am on May 23rd, 2021
Good morning to everyone!
We here enjoy the PA SQ books, But are always concerned that a character or an animal will be harmed.
9:23 am on May 23rd, 2021
Greetings!
Love how each beginning hooks you in immediately!
Very hot and humid again in this neck of the woods.
A good Sunday to all!
11:41 am on May 23rd, 2021
Good day to all.
11:54 am on May 23rd, 2021
Hello everybody. Let me introduce myself. My name is Franklin (according to my papers, which I tend to use for something else, my official name is Kisamore Franklin Delano, but you can just call me Franklin). I am almost eight weeks old now and have just come to live in my forever home here in Chevy Chase with my forever maw and paw. I am really excited about getting to know all of my new friends on this here blog. I know that I have some pretty bid paws to fill from two who preceded me here (and I understand that I am even related to one of them on my doggy dad’s side), but I promise to try my very best to live up to the very high standards that they have set.
11:55 am on May 23rd, 2021
One more picture of me settling into my forever home here in Chevy Chase.
12:17 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Welcome Franklin. You are a very fortunate puppy to find such a wonderful forever home. Mom actually got goosebumps when she heard your good news. And you are adorable!
Rio, we’re thinking about tackling the book you recommend. Science Fiction usually isn’t our choice. We trust you.
Have a good Sunday Everybody.
1:04 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Franklin, you are welcomed to this group and Herd thinks you are one good looking dude. We know your parents have excellent taste since you are on a purple rug! You lucky dog you.
1:12 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Welcome Franklin! I am so happy that you have found your forever home in Chevy Chase! Personally speaking, your maw and paw are the bestest folks ever! I hope that someday Grizz and I can meet you personally. You are so very adorable!
1:24 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Welcome Franklin! You are a cutie.
1:33 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Rio. I plan on getting the book too. Thanks for the recommendation. Not sure how quickly I’ll be able to read it, as I think I will be busy with other things for a while, although perhaps I could read it to Franklin.
2:18 pm on May 23rd, 2021
I am so happy for Franklin and his maw and paw. A story with a good ending indeed. I am looking forward to seeing more photos as you grow an go.
It is a sunny day so I hope to do some yard work. My backyard had to be poisoned last year due to chickweed that had completely overtaken it. I hope to be raking up the last of the lawn to see if it can be replanted this year or not.
Good day all.
5:38 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Franklin, Grizz thinks that your name is a very good name.
I keep seeing a commercial about Alaska that features the governor on TV. There is a scene of a musher and his team on a glacier, and I am wondering if it is the Giant.
6:48 pm on May 23rd, 2021
WATP: We would be happy to enroll Franklin in Pancho & Lefty’s Academy of Manners and Wotnot. Howie, our top pupil, can show him the ropes. Can we barter his tuition for bail?
7:40 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Oblivion!…I remember this book as one of the first I read of the Charming Mr Abrahams…snort!snort!…What a great and gifted writer he is….wheeze!
Book!…Oh this is wonderful news! I have 2 volunteers to read the book I finished yesterday. I had pug-tears in my eyes when I set the book down….snuffle!…I definitely cannot tell youse if they were tears of joy or sadness…heh!
7:47 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Blu-Kat!…Just pretend you don’t know that Andy Weir is a SciFi writer…snort!… This isn’t some wacky story set way in the future. It is a very plausible story which makes it all the more incredible. Mr. Weir takes great pains to make sure everything he writes is scientifically correct. And he has a great sense of humor too…chorkel!
7:50 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Franklin!…So glad to have you aboard the blog!…chuffle!…You have some big paws to fill so youse better grow quickly!!…yeeep!
7:54 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Cards vs Cubs!…We are watching this game right now. There is one of THEE loudest umpires I have ever heard during a game at home plate…gah!
9:56 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Welcome, Franklin!! Yes you have big paws to fill but I am sure you will be up to the task (especially with the help of the Thieves hehheh!). You are a very handsome dude.
Hmm, I wonder if your dad will change his call name to WTAFP?
9:59 pm on May 23rd, 2021
I downloaded the Andy Weir book and will start it this evening. I loved the Martian –both the book and the movie. I also downloaded the first 3 books of the Sydney Rye series by Emily Kimelman who I haven’t read before. There is an advertising tagline that says that the dog doesn’t die in the books.
BBL
10:22 pm on May 23rd, 2021
Franklin, don’t be surprised if you end up being “Kissy” or “Kiss me”or even Kissy Face.
Diana pawPrints would love to play but unfortunately you are on the other side of the country and she is not allowed to travel alone. Or drive the car, which she can’t do anyway, having no opposable thumbs and all, although she might just manage to reach the pedals and see over the steering wheel at the same time. You’ll learn about cars soon enough. Watch everything they do. Especially where they keep the car keys. (Don’t bury them)
Be good to your adopted Mom and Dad. Try to behave. You will never understand what a very lucky puppy you are to have such a wonderful home and such a wonderful family. No dog can. It is beyond comprehension. Just love your life, love your family and love everything you meet. (Except maybe skunks and porcupines. Stay away from both. And bees. Don’t eat bees.)