Mystery Writers of America honor local author

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Local author Dan Bronson has been getting widespread recognition for his latest novel, "Shout at the Devil." The Southern California chapter of the Mystery Writers of America recently published the first sentence of his book in "The Last Word," the concluding feature of its journal in which the editor showcases a single sentence from one of its members, members who include Michael Connelly, Walter Mosley, Laurie R. King, Nicholas Meyer and many other best-selling authors.

Bronson made this the unofficial kick-off for what he calls a mini-book tour to promote "Shout at the Devil." It began in Palm Springs with NoirCon, a convention of dark mystery writers and enthusiasts. Bronson opened the conference by introducing and commenting on a screening of "Chinatown." He also appeared on a panel and read from "Shout at the Devil "at Noir at the Bar. Then it was off to The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he appeared in a video chat with New York Times best-selling mystery novelist Phillip Margolin. Up next? A review and interview on the popular podcast, The Movie Guys.

What is the book that's created all this excitement about? The second in Bronson's series of Jack Shannon mysteries, it takes place in Hollywood in 1951, and in it, Jack attempts to help a beautiful star fend off a blackmail attempt only to end up the prime suspect in the blackmailer's murder.

Phillip Margolin has called it "spellbinding." Actor/writer Jameson Parker has said it's, "the very definition of a page-turner." Stephen Galloway, the former executive editor of The Hollywood Reporter and himself the author of two Tinsel Town biographies has compared Jack to Phillip Marlowe, Lew Archer and Harry Bosch. And Malcolm Brooks, acclaimed author of "Painted Horses" and "Cloudmaker," describes "Shout at the Devil" as "propulsive, atmospheric, spot-on in its period detail."

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Dan Bronson.

Bronson is thrilled with the wide recognition "Shout at the Devil" is receiving, but his greatest hope is that his friends and neighbors here in Tehachapi will be intrigued enough to take a look at it themselves, so by way of a teaser, he's offered the answer to the following question. What is that opening sentence showcased in the SoCalMWA journal?

"I died three times that day."