Guest Blog & Giveaway with Alex Hughes

Favorite Detectives
Alex Hughes

Since I write a (somewhat flawed) detective main character, people often ask me about some of my favorite detectives. Here’s a list, in no particular order, of some of them.

1. Sherlock Holmes – the classic detective, I love him in nearly every resurrection including the latest BBC’s Sherlock and CBS’s Elementary. (Also the first season of House, where he’s a medical detective.) What I love about Sherlock is how incredibly talented he is, and how his strengths can become his weaknesses. His inability to tolerate boredom, for example, and his classic cocaine habit along with a terrifying habit of firing guns in the house—one hopes not on the same day.

2. Archie McNally – the hero of a series of books by Lawrence Sanders. Yes, he solves the occasional case, but he does a lot of wandering around rich areas being droll. The way he observes the world I think is hilarious.

3. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson from The Closer – she’s smart, she doesn’t play by the rules, and yet she manages to close cases by the dozens. She also manages to earn the loyalty of some incredibly talented detectives under her. Like Sherlock Holmes, some of her strengths can also be weaknesses—in her case, her obsession and willingness to bend the rules can drive everyone around her nuts. But the way she interrogates her suspects is simply, truly genius.

4. Captain Sharon Raydor from Major Crimes, the successor to The Closer. A completely different kind of strong woman leader, Sharon’s by-the-book approach to crimes can make her results come more slowly than her predecessors’. But, when she and her team get to the answer, it inevitably sticks. And she shares credit and manages all the moving parts without a hitch.

5. Tex Murphy – the hero of a science fiction detective video game in the 90s, he interviewed suspects, studied crime scenes, and fought danger in order to save the day. Very noir, and very awesome.

6. Eve Dallas from J.D. Robb’s Death novels – Eve is obsessive, flawed, broken, and fights tooth and nail for justice for the murder victims she’s assigned to. She uses unconventional resources and the help of a huge cast of friends and allies to hunt down killers and get justice.

7. John Kennex and Dorian from Almost Human – the relationship between this scarred detective and his android partner is interesting and exciting. Plus cool science fiction and good mystery plotting. This show is my new TV obsession.

8. The Big Bad Wolf from The Wolf Among Us (video game based on a series of graphic novels). The wolf is nobody’s hero, but he manages to stick up for the safety of everyone and fight for justice along the way. Love this character and this game.
____________________________________________________________________

Marked
Mindspace Investigation #3
by Alex Hughes
Website | Facebook

FORESEE NO EVIL.

Freelancing for the Atlanta PD isn’t exactly a secure career; my job’s been on the line almost as much as my life. But it’s a paycheck, and it keeps me from falling back into the drug habit. Plus, things are looking up with my sometimes-partner, Cherabino, even if she is still simmering over the telepathic Link I created by accident.

When my ex, Kara, shows up begging for my help, I find myself heading to the last place I ever expected to set foot in again—Guild headquarters—to investigate the death of her uncle. Joining that group was a bad idea the first time. Going back when I’m unwanted is downright dangerous.

Luckily, the Guild needs me more than they’re willing to admit. Kara’s uncle was acting strange before he died—crazy strange. In fact, his madness seems to be slowly spreading through the Guild. And when an army of powerful telepaths loses their marbles, suddenly it’s a game of life or death.…

Mindspace Investigation:
Rabbit Trick (prequel)
Clean
Payoff (novella)
Sharp
Marked

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | iBook | IndieBound

GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Alex I have Clean or Sharp to giveaway (winners choice). Print or ebook in US, ebook only in Canada / UK / South Africa / Australia. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. The winner will be announced April 9th. Good Luck!