Peter Bragg is a San Francisco private eye. He is originally from Seattle, but he left all that behind: the rain, the grey skies, the depression...and Lorna, his ex-wife. Now a case brings him back. He isn't eager to make the trip, but an old friend is in a spot and needs his help. And for the reader, it is a trip indeed, since the story is set in the 1980's, when it was originally published. This established mystery series is now available digitally, and I was lucky enough to jump on Net Galley's offer to read it free. My thanks go to them, and to Brash Books, for the DRC. What a fun romp!

These are modern times alrighty. There's a new Interstate connection to Bellingham; a guy can hop on the I-5 and be there in two hours. Neat!

Those that have been to Seattle lately understand how wry this is, since a person can sit that long in gridlock just trying to get to the outermost suburbs now, at least during rush hour.

In addition to a trip back in time, Lynch serves up all sorts of twists and turns that keep the plot moving nicely, but also keep the game fair for the reader.

When all was said and done, I found myself wishing I could read the whole series. Recommended to anyone that enjoys good detective fiction. You can get a copy for yourself May 5, 2015. And you should!

Pete Bragg is my everyman. I can so relate to the trails and tribulations he faces as he tries to help an old friend. The characters are compelling, the writing is clear and descriptive, and the story keeps you guessing right up to the end. Lynch always provides memorable characters and a story that is fun to read. This book is well worth a read or two..

Loved it!! This was a quick read because I just couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed reading this book. It had me laughing out loud. I definitely recommend this book for all mystery readers. I was sorry to read that the author passed in 2008, so I will be looking for previous books by him.

Former reporter now detective leaves San Francisco for his old hometown of Seattle to help an old buddy who thinks he’s in danger. Then his ex-wife shows up, and he meets a Bohemian painter who wants him to do more than pose nude. . . why must life be so complicated? he sighs.
As it turns out, this is another old novel now being re-released, I assume for the first time in electronic form. As someone who’s spent a lot of time in Seattle, there were some niggling moments of wondering, but when you have the hero be a veteran of the Korean War it’s pretty obvious. Another note later about Hong Kong about to be handed over to the Chinese confirms this took place in the late 90s. On the other hand, for once, this doesn’t really get in the way of the story, which is a pretty good if not great hard-boiled detective novel of the kind I used to devour years ago.

This book so reminded me of the old time detectives without all the techno stuff. Bragg is a great character and although things in his love life don't typically go his way, I still like him. He's an honest man out to get the bad guys and save his friends. Friendship is important to hi and he doesn't take it lightly.

I seriously enjoyed reading this book and wish it was just a little longer because I didn't want to leave the guy. Great read, great characters and a great author. While this was my first book by you, you will be sorely missed. I definitely recommend this book, it's short and packs a whole lot of serious mystery.

I want to think Brash Books and Net Galley for providing me with this opportunity and free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been binge reading this first-rate series of books about Peter Bragg, a San Francisco private eye. Brash Books has reissued this series written by Jack Lynch and they provide an enjoyable read with absorbing plots, plenty of action, and some great characters. Especially recommended for fans of “old school” detectives.

My review was posted on Goodreads.

Tough Stuff!!

Yesterday is Dead is a quite enjoyable look at the docks and dregs of a violent, unsentimental city, peopled by blasé and uncaring cops and sexually aggressive dames, as seen through the eyes of a tough, cynical PI who feels that all is a-kilter as he works his case.

Yesterday is Dead is all about atmosphere. Peter Bragg, a medium-noir private investigator, is not as dark and cynical as Sam Spade, but he's earned his chops and, in this book, continues to earn them. He's dealt with his share of whackos, con men and bad guys, so he packs two handguns when traveling to Seattle to help out his friend, Benny (this is the early 1980s or so, before terrorist plots and cell phones.) Seattle is full-noir: drizzle and drear, dark and venal. Bragg has a continual feeling of wrongness about the city and its denizens - the skyscrapers and high-rises choking the hilly city are just out of whack; he runs into his ex-wife, who wants to rekindle a relationship Bragg would rather leave dead; his mild-mannered friend, a bit of a nebbish, has been threatened with death if he doesn't leave town, but he doesn't have any idea why; a tall, thin, pale, goth-appearing artist wants to paint Bragg, presumably nude. What's a good, clean, all-American boy to do?

Well, he misplaces his guns (called "gats" by his threatened friend), forgets his extra ammo, caroms from one dalliance to another, tries unsuccessfully to avoid whiskey and gin too early in the day, gets shot at and takes a beating that would kill any non-fictional person, still tries to save his friend and, by-the-way, discovers some major fraud perpetrated on the city. Just another day in the life of a medium-noir private eye. Good stuff. Tough stuff. The stuff good detective stories are made of!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is my third Bragg book and I have enjoyed them all. Peter Bragg is an P.I. in SanFrancisco. This is a noire detective story that is sure to appeal to those who love the old-time, hardboiled detectives. His previous life found him as a reporter in Seattle where he met and married Lorna. Several years later they divorced and she returned to Seattle. Peter gets a call from an old friend Benny who needs his help. Benny is a freelance writer who is receiving threatening phonecalls, has had his brakelines cut and been shot at. He has no idea who it is and why it is happening. The police do not seem very interested in helping Benny. Bragg hops on a plane to help out his friend. He runs into his ex-wife at dinner and they pick up where they left off. As usual there is more to the mystery than meets the eye and Bragg ends up following threads that may or may not have ties to the case. Once I started this book, I did not want to put it down until I finished. Brash books is reissuing this series for all the new detective readers out there and it is definitely one they should pick up.

Reviewed on Goodreads, Reading Room, 50 Book Pledge, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

When Bragg returns to his home town of Seattle to help his childhood friend, Benny, he discovers a lot has changed. Benny, a benign freelance writer, cannot figure out what he did to make somebody want to drive him out of town or harm him. The police don't take his complaints seriously and until a bomb is thrown into his office after Bragg has started investigating, they do nothing.
Bragg however is doing a fine job stirring things up. He manages to get entangled with his ex-wife as well as digging into any clue that might solve Benny's problem. Benny's son suggests rather than looking into the published stories, why not check out some of the ones that never made it to print.. That's when things really get heated up and there are plenty of twists and turns before the mystery is solved and those responsible are brought to justice. Oh yes, there is a nice angle with a "retired" mobster and a couple of eccentric society ladies that adds additional spice to the story.
But for me, a story never clicks unless I like the protagonist. Bragg is a decent guy who manages to muddle things up as we all do yet is a guy you would call upon if you needed help. He makes a compelling hero and someone about whom you can care. That is a powerful combination.

YESTERDAY IS DEAD – Jack Lynch

GRITTY DETECTIVE STORY – 4 stars

#7 in the Peter Bragg series

Plot – 4 stars – We meet Peter right at the beginning when he is asked to come back to his home town of Seattle to help a friend. Benny is a small-time free-lance industrial-type writer who has been having death threats and attempts on his life, but he can’t figure out why. Peter faces his past feelings about the town while he’s trying to figure out who has a problem with Benny.

Writing – 4 stars – Lynch writes very easily and clearly. Although this is not my usual genre, I had no problems following the plot and understanding the mystery. I really liked that Lynch spent time making Bragg a well-rounded character with thoughts and feelings in his personal life as well as for his job.

Characters – 4 stars – I really like Peter as a main character. He was once a newspaper reporter who got into the private investigation career, so his attention to detail and ability to research make a lot of sense. He’s personable in a Joe Friday kind of way, which means he’s friendly and nice but with a definitely line drawn between his personal life and his job. His friendship with Benny is warm, and I like that he cares about both him and his whole family. And his dealings with his ex-wife and potential girlfriend Zither created a well-rounded character who struggles with a personal life too.

Title – 4 stars – The title is good, especially if you think of it in a sarcastic way. Because Peter finds that yesterday is not dead as he revisits his home town and reconnects with his friend, his ex-wife, and the setting of his growing-up years.

Cover – 4 stars – Colorful cover, with the Seattle space needle in the background. The bright colors and bold font really caught my attention.

Overall – 4 stars – Very enjoyable story, with likeable characters and an intriguing mystery that kept my interest throughout. This is my first book in this series, and it will definitely not be my last.