Ken Allen Super Sleuth

2021 Foreword INDIES Finalist A Mystery Scene Magazine 2021 Editor's Pick The name is Allen. Ken Allen. These days Ken Allen is a nobody. But once upon a time, his name was Brand. Jove Brand. Eighteen years ago, Ken Allen played the famous fictional superspy in Near Death, a movie so bad it was never meant to be seen. Since then, Ken has faded into cult obscurity, but when his celebrated successor is killed in the same ghastly fashion as the villain in Near Death, Ken is cast as the prime suspect. The only way for Ken to clear his name is to go full method and once again play the part of Jove Brand, except this time it's for real. As murder surrounds him, the secrets behind Near Death Ken fought to keep buried for eighteen years begin to surface. Short Summary: In this irreverent action-packed mystery a failed actor who once disastrously portrayed a famous fictional superspy is forced to go full method and play the part for real when he is framed for the murder of his celebrated successor. "Readers will have fun spotting the real-life inspirations for the characters, and the authentically described fight scenes will please martial arts enthusiasts." -Publishers Weekly "J. A. Crawford's debut is a pitch-perfect combination of action, mystery, and humor." -Anthony Award-winning author Gigi Pandian "Witty banter and whiz-bang plotting distinguish J. A. Crawford's rollicking debut . . . Expertly choreographed fight sequences and spectacular set pieces amplify the story's inherently cinematic feel, and the gratifying close will leave readers clamoring for a sequel." -Mystery Scene Magazine, a 2021 Editor's Pick In this irreverent action-packed mystery, a failed actor who once disastrously portrayed a famous fictional superspy is forced to go full method and play the part for real when he is framed for the murder of his celebrated successor.

In his world, everyone wears a mask. When the actors who play iconic superheroes in big screen blockbusters start dying on set, Ken Allen, failed actor and neophyte detective, answers the call after the blame falls on effects expert Ray Ford, Ken's oldest friend. But the deaths are not accidental. Someone is killing heroes. Maybe for love, maybe for money. Maybe for both. Ken Allen finds himself outmatched and outgunned when he learns that Ray Ford's banished apprentice makes weapons that are anything but props. Born near Detroit, J. A. Crawford wanted to grow up to be a superhero, before he found out it was more of a hobby. He's the first in his family to escape the factory line for college. Too chicken to major in writing, he studied Criminal Justice at Wayne State University instead, specializing in criminal procedure and interrogation. Despite what his family thinks, J. A. is not a spy. When he isn't writing, he travels the country investigating disaster sites. Before that, he taught Criminal Justice, Montessori Kindergarten, and several martial arts. J. A. is an alum of the Pitch Wars program. In his spare time, he avoids carbohydrates and as many punches as possible. He loves the stories behind the stories and finds everything under the sun entirely too interesting. J. A. splits his time between Michigan and California. He is married to his first and biggest fan, who is not allowed to bring home any more pets. Short Summary: In Heroes Ever Die, the sequel to Jove Brand Is Near Death, D-list detective Ken Allen investigates a series of murders of superhero actors after the blame falls on Ken's oldest friend. But the deaths are not accidental. Someone is killing heroes. Maybe for love, maybe for money. Maybe for both. "The nicely twisty plot builds toward a logical ending. Crawford's tongue-in-cheek parody of superhero films will delight many." -Publishers Weekly "VERDICT Fans of both superheroes and pulp noir are sure to love Crawford's action-packed dialogue and descriptions." -Library Journal In Heroes Ever Die, the sequel to Jove Brand Is Near Death, D-list detective Ken Allen investigates a series of murders-all actors who play superheroes on screen-after his closest friend is framed by the killer.

A 2024 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Gold Medal Winner A 2024 IPPY Award Silver Medal Winner "A pitch-perfect combination of action, mystery, and humor." -Anthony Award-winning author Gigi Pandian for Jove Brand Is Near Death "Fans of both superheroes and pulp noir are sure to love Crawford's action-packed dialogue and descriptions." -Library Journal, for Heroes Ever Die The King is Dead, and the Game is Afoot. The hit TV show, The Lands Beyond, has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion and baby name trends. Its creator, R. R. Reynard, masterminds the story each season, pitting the cast against each other in a toxic, kill or be killed, environment. But Reynard has even greater ambitions. He's formed a feudalistic society of superfans who are willing to do anything to rise in the ranks and be officially canonized as a character on The Lands Beyond. With the show set to enter its final season, the cast, crew, and superfans attend a convention at the historic Chateau D'Loire. While holding court, Reynard is murdered, and the notebook holding all the secrets, twists, and endings disappears. Enter Ken Allen, former D-list actor turned private eye. As the body count rises, Ken discovers the stakes are far greater than just a television show. And the fantasy neophyte is about to learn that all is fair in love and war in The Lands Beyond. For readers who love fun mysteries like the Spenser Series by Robert B. Parker, the Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich, and the M Murder Series by Anthony Horowitz. Short Summary: D-list detective Ken Allen is called into action when the creator of an immensely popular fantasy television series is murdered, and his notebook-which contains all the secrets, twists, and endings-goes missing. "Crawford's gleeful skewering of obsessive fandom and gift for action sequences make this twisty, frothy whodunit whiz by. Readers will impatiently await the next installment." -Publishers Weekly "VERDICT: Highly recommended for listeners who want a madcap mixture of Stephanie Plum, Veronica Mars, and Magnum, P.I." -Library Journal, audio starred review "An original and fun read from start to finish, King Me showcases author J. A. Crawford's impressive flair for humor and the kind of narrative driven storytelling that makes for a compelling 'whodunnit' mystery populated by memorable characters and a profusion of plot twists and turns that keeps the reader's complete and rapt and compulsive page turning attention from beginning to end." -Midwest Book Review Super sleuth Ken Allen is called into action when the creator of an immensely popular fantasy television series is murdered, and his notebook-which holds all the secrets, twists, and endings-goes missing.

"A pitch-perfect combination of action, mystery, and humor." -Anthony Award-winning author Gigi Pandian for Jove Brand Is Near Death "Fans of both superheroes and pulp noir are sure to love Crawford's action-packed dialogue and descriptions." -Library Journal, for Heroes Ever Die The King is Dead, and the Game is Afoot. The hit TV show, The Lands Beyond, has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion and baby name trends. Its creator, R. R. Reynard, masterminds the story each season, pitting the cast against each other in a toxic, kill or be killed, environment. But Reynard has even greater ambitions. He's formed a feudalistic society of superfans who are willing to do anything to rise in the ranks and be officially canonized as a character on The Lands Beyond. With the show set to enter its final season, the cast, crew, and superfans attend a convention at the historic Chateau D'Loire. While holding court, Reynard is murdered, and the notebook holding all the secrets, twists, and endings disappears. Enter Ken Allen, former D-list actor turned private eye. As the body count rises, Ken discovers the stakes are far greater than just a television show. And the fantasy neophyte is about to learn that all is fair in love and war in The Lands Beyond. For readers who love fun mysteries like the Spenser Series by Robert B. Parker, the Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich, and the M Murder Series by Anthony Horowitz.