Books by Nathan Walpow

Back in '68 they made killer music...now their music is killing them. It's been thirty years since Joe Portugal put his electric guitar away. Maybe that's one reason he's suffering a serious case of the mid-life doldrums. Then Joe stumbles upon a chance to put the band he was in as a teenager back together. And maybe his life too. All he has to do is find the lead guitarist, who hasn't been seen since the 70s. But when he starts to look, it's quickly clear that someone doesn't want to see a reunion tour...someone who's very handy with a gun. Praise for the Joe Portugal mysteries: "I love reading Nathan Walpow books...a solid, intelligent mystery...add Walpow's marvelous sense of humor and you'll see why he's winning new fans ever day." -Jan Burke, Edgar Award-winning author "Snappy Chandleresque dialogue." -Los Angeles Times "Joe's wry sense of humor will convert readers into loyal fans." -Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine "This guy is a hell of a writer." -Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series

Sometimes those who do terrible things to good people slip through the cracks. That's where Logan comes in. He tracks down the guilty and holds them accountable. He specializes in those who mistreat women and children. He works with a team of three young crime-fighters who've benefited from his efforts. And none of the four is above letting a little thing like the law get in his or her way. The Logan Triad includes three novellas: In "Logan's Young Guns," a young woman shows up in the emergency room, and Logan sets out to find the man responsible and make sure he doesn't do it again. In "Logan Shoots First," the team must balance a forced-prostitution ring with a lead on the case that's haunted Logan for seven years. In "Logan Gets Caught," a young woman from Logan's past reappears, insisting he investigate the murder of her mother. Plus the bonus stories "Daughters" and "Johnny and the Warehouse Women."

In a city of fast cars and movie stars, these folks are crazy about cacti. Until a killer joins the club . . . Joe Portugal likes people. But he likes plants better. That''s why the former theater actor turned small-time L.A. commercial star is a prominent member of the Culver City Cactus Club. Unfortunately, so is a killer.The club''s president is dead--a poison succulent lodged into her mouth. With a father who knows a thing or two about murder, and police breathing down his neck, Joe can recognize a jam when he sees one. But when he begins searching through a colorful cast of plant lovers, plant dealers, and even international plant smugglers, he doesn''t find the answers he needs. Meanwhile, the killer has struck again, working his way through the Cactus Club with a garden variety motive--and a very green thumb--for murder. . . . Includes The Joe Portugal Guide to Botanical Nomenclature