About the Book
Dennis Gimmel’s latest Jake Brown book, Beach
Bum, is a fast paced ride from
Wilmington, North Carolina, to the heart of Myrtle Beach. From rural
Georgia to the coastal wilderness of North Carolina. Nursing buddies, Maggie
McLeod and Bonnie Osborn, travel to Myrtle Beach as seminar speakers at
the annual convention. Unbeknown to the women, Eric Rourke, an evil man
for hire, has been contracted to kidnap Maggie and hold her for ransom.
She is the daughter of wealthy textile magnet, Carlton McLeod. The kidnaping
of his beloved daughter, reek havoc on the old man’s health, plus the huge
monetary demand could ruin the company.
Jake, by chance, had met the nurses prior to the abduction while having
breakfast at the Beach Deli. Jake’s good friend, retired police Sargent
Rudy Rogers, suffered an apparent heart attack while devouring a biscuit.
Sitting in the adjacent booth, Maggie and Bonnie’s timely intervention
saved Rudy’s life.
The Myrtle Beach and Wilmington Police Departments, in conjunction with
the Postal Inspection Service and the FBI, join forces in pursuit of the
missing woman and her abductor. Jake and Bonnie work the case in an unofficial
manner, uncovering clues and trying to stay at arm’s length as their feelings
toward each other intensify.
The story turns when an unlikely character, a local hobo by the name
of Barney Meyer, witnesses a seemingly unrelated murder in Myrtle Beach’s
Chafin Park. Due to past problems, the little man could not contact the
police, instead he finds Jake Brown’s Strand Private Eye listing in the
Yellow Pages. The unlikely due team up for surprising and often comical
results.
Be sure to check out Dennis’ first two books in the Jake Brown series,
Dog
Lot and Sand Trap.
About the Author
Dennis Gimmel’s first novel, Dog Lot, and his second novel, Sand
Trap, were an overwhelming success. The author has established
Jake Brown as the Carolina coast’s most lovable and bumbling private eye.
Dennis, an Ohio native, has called High Point, North Carolina home for
almost thirty years. Retired from the post office, Dennis stays busy with
writing, driving a school bus, and traveling with his wife Rosemary to
visit children and grandchildren.
Excerpts
The little hobo wasn’t prone to exaggerations. They
gazed at the two story cement block structure before them. It wasn’t exactly
the Cracker Barrel. Dirty yellow paint, torn screens in the windows, and
a crooked rusted sign greeted would-be diners. A large gravel parking lot
extended to a sleepy two-lane highway. Two antiquated gas pumps, a rusted
out Dodge van, and a lazy brown dog completed the front view. Southern
Living would not be calling for a photo shoot today.
“They serve food here?” Jake asked, hoping that
Barney would say no.
“Used to,” Barney said. “I don’t remember it looking
this bad.”
“You were young and in heat. I don’t smell anything
cooking.”
“Who would he be cooking for, the dog?”
Score one for the bum.
They pushed their way through the squeaking screen
door and stepped into the 1960's - the dirt poor 60's. The counter top
was well worn green Formica bordered by three red pedestal seats, the cushions
concaved and dulled with use. To the right, a rusted out Nehi cooler and
crates of sodas and oil. A brown ceiling fan stirred pungent air. The sound
system, a dust covered GE radio, reported the day’s obituaries. Jake and
Barney pulled up a seat.
Behind the counter stood an ancient man, his teeth yellow and
one eye looked to be dead. Pappy Breyer had to be ninety. The glimmer in
his good eye revealed fire still smoldering.
Pappy stared at them like they had just arrived from the moon.
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