“As dark and twisted as anything Hammett or Chandler ever dreamed up….” Kirkus, Starred Review “Approaching the level of Lawrence Block is no mean feat, but Goldberg succeeds with this engaging PI novel.” Publishers WeeklyHarvey Mapes is a 26-year-old security guard who spends his nights in a guard shack outside a gated community in Southern California, reading detective novels, watching … novels, watching reruns, and waiting for his life to finally start… which happens when Cyril Parkus, one of the wealthy residents, asks Harvey to follow his beautiful wife Lauren.
The lowly security guard jumps at the opportunity to fulfill his private eye fantasies and use everything he’s learned from Spenser, Magnum, and Mannix. But things don’t exactly go according to the books…or the reruns. As Harvey fumbles and stumbles through his first investigation, he discovers that the differences between fiction and reality can be deadly.
With the help of his mortgage broker neighbor and occasional lover Carol, Harvey uncovers a blackmail plot that takes a sudden and unexpectedly tragic turn…plunging him into a world of violence, deception and murder… and forcing him to discover what it really takes to be a private eye.
(This book was previously released under the title “The Man With the Iron-On Badge” and nominated for Best Novel by the Private Eye Writers of America)
CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR “WATCH ME DIE”
“A wonderfully fresh voice in the mystery genre, Goldberg will delight fans of Janet Evanovich and Robert Crais,” – Rick Riordan, author of “Percy Jackson & the Olympians”
“Lee Goldberg bravely marches into territory already staked out by some fierce competition–Donald Westlake, Lawrence Block, the early Harlan Coben–and comes out virtually unscathed.” The Chicago Tribune
“Goldberg has a knack for combining just the right amount of humor and realism with his obvious love for the PI genre and his own smart ass sensibilities. […]A terrific read. Goldberg is the real deal and should be on everyone’s must read list.” Crimespree Magazine
“A quick, fun read with a satisfying and unexpected ending. Harvey Mapes is a hero I hope we see in a sequel.” — Phillip Margolin, author of “Gone But Not Forgotten”
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Having read and immensely enjoyed Lee Goldberg’s “True Fiction,” I wandered back to his earlier “Watch Me Die.” It’s another of his witty, plot-twisty thrillers involving a likable schlub, a guy way over his head in crime, intrigue, and danger. In “True Fiction,” it was writer Ian Ludlow. In “Watch Me Die,” it’s hapless (and horny) Harvey Mapes, …
This one is out of left field and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A security guard living the dream or fantasizing.
I’ve read a number of Lee Goldberg’s books but found this one kinda tedious.
Best read in months! Suspense and a can’t-put-it-down read. Stayed up way too late to finish. Told my husband that he had to read it. I know he’ll like it as much as I.
(Originally titled THE MAN WITH THE IRON-ON BADGE)
At twenty-nine, Harvey Mapes has largely resigned himself to having little in the way of a life. Having been a security guard in an exclusive Southern California community since he was in college, he spends from midnight to eight a.m. six days a week in a stucco shack outside the gates of the Bel …
Excess of bad language that was totally unnecessary. I do not recommend it to anyone who would rather not be subject to so much profanity.
Unexpectedly good, different from most crime or detective novels. Dark but not too dark, interesting characters.
I really enjoyed this book. It was different, and I liked the humor about his “idol” Travis McGee. I’ve read those books, so I could identify with the character, and I liked that he was just an ordinary person who wouldn’t let go.
Our main character is a twenty-something, ambition-less security guard who lives in a P.I. fiction fantasy world. What could possibly make him an interesting character? Answer: Plenty. Original and witty.
Good summer beach read
Pretty good, liked the references to one of my favorites- Travis McGee
Did not care to read about this guy jerking off on every other page. Goldberg is a better writer than that.
Somewhat amusing but kind of annoying too. The “hero” is a caricature but after the fourth or fifth time it gets annoying. Throw in the gratuitous sex scenes and it is probably not worth your time. But it isn’t long either.