The Trench Coat Murders

Hack had been working on this book for decades and it’s unquestionably his masterpiece. Unfortunately both the Humphrey Bogart and Dashiell Hammett estates hit him with cease and desist orders as soon as it hit book stores, but it will make a great collectors item if you can get your hands on one of the few copies that hasn’t been burned by court order.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Hack’s cover artist Jonny M. went to a concert that headlined a Chicago tribute band. He had always been indifferent to the Chicago sound; some songs he likes, some songs he doesn’t care for. But one song he despises so much that it actually makes him angry. It’s called “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” in which a dude who is wearing a wristwatch is asked the perfectly reasonable question of “What time is it?” only to respond with the pompous pseudo-philosophical question of the title, adding “Does anybody really care?” Obviously, the guy who asked cares or he wouldn’t have asked.

Anyway, Hack heard Jonny talking about it and went to his van in the Shakey’s parking lot where he lives and wrote this. It’s not a bad read.