Tue 25 Aug 2015
A Review by Barry Gardner: MICHAEL Z. LEWIN – Called by a Panther.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[5] Comments
MICHAEL Z. LEWIN – Called by a Panther. Albert Samson #8. Mysterious Press, hardcover, 1991; paperback, June 1992.
Albert Samson, it has been noted before, isn’t your typical hard-boiled, punchem inna nose, kickem inna crotch private eye. He’s middle-aged, low-key, laid-back, and not terribly successful; perilously close, actually, to being one of life’s losers. In this, his eighth appearance overall but first in eight years, he is trying to change his style. He is actually going to advertise on television; cable access, granted, but still —
That’s just one of the threads running through the story. There’s a poet who wants to marry his rich benefactress, but needs Samson’s help in murdering his wife, first. Well, sort of, anyway. But the real problem is that terrorism has come to Indianapolis, yes, Indianapolis. The Scum Front, an environmentalist group, have planted several bombs recently, though taking great pains to not have them go off.
Now the S. F. have had one of their bombs stolen after they planted it, and want Albert to find it for them. Given that the Indianapolis police are practically frothing at the mouth over the terrorists, he is naturally somewhat reluctant to become involved with the anonymous group. Does he? Well, of course.
The ending, I think, will surprise you, as well as raise questions as to where the series goes from here. It’s an interesting if not too terribly believable story, and told in Lewin’s usual witty and enjoyable style. Samson’s exploits are a welcome change of pace from the typically gritty, angst-driven private detective story. I recommend them, and Panther, highly.
August 25th, 2015 at 7:12 pm
I know I purchased this one in paperback when it came out, but that big gap that Barry mentions between this one and the previous one did me in. I’d gone on to other PI’s and other writers.
So I wish I knew what Barry meant when he wondered where the series was going from here.
It must have significant. There wasn’t another book adventure for Albert Samson until EYE OPENER came along in 2004 from Five Star Mystery.
August 26th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
You can find out more about Lewin at his website.
http://www.michaelzlewin.com
There were eight Samson books.
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION
THE WAY WE DIE NOW
THE ENEMIES WITHIN
THE SILENT SALESMAN
MISSING WOMAN
OUT OF SEASON
CALLED BY A PANTHER
EYE OPENER
A short story “Extra Fries” with PI Samson appeared in ELLERY QUEEN magazine in 2014 and was nominated for a Shamus.
He has written series featuring other characters including the Lunghi Family and Lt. Leroy Powder.
I enjoyed the Samson books back in the 80s but didn’t like his latest EYE OPENER (2004). I need to reread one of the old ones.
August 26th, 2015 at 4:10 pm
Michael
I believe your list is the canonically correct one. There is a book that is sometimes credited to Samson, and this may be why Barry’s count is off:
Excerpted from Al Hubin’s CRIME FICTION IV:
Night Cover (Knopf, 1976, hc) [Lt. Leroy Powder; Albert Samson; Indianapolis, IN] “Samson’s role is minor, also with Adele Buffington in a minor role. Buffington also makes brief appearances in other Albert Samson novels.”
Or in other words, Powder is the major protagonist in the story. I read this one some time ago, and I’d agree with Hubin’s assessment. In fact, I may be the one who helped him formulate it.
I wonder if EYE OPENER was a book that Lewin couldn’t sell to a major publisher earlier. At the time Five Star was manufacturing books that sold directly to libraries.
August 26th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Steve, I got the list from Lewin’s own website (see link in #2). EYE OPENER was written in the 2000s. He has some interesting stuff on the website.
August 26th, 2015 at 9:11 pm
This is another writer whose work just petered out for me. Suddenly mid book I just didn’t care what happened or for Samson and when you reach that point it is pointless to keep reading.