Miami Blues

Hoke Moseley, Book 1

By: Charles Willeford

Narrated by: Stephen Bowlby

After a brutal day investigating a quadruple homicide, Detective Hoke Moseley settles into his room at the un-illustrious Eldorado Hotel and nurses a glass of brandy. With his guard down, he doesn't think twice when he hears a knock on the door. The next day, he finds himself in the hospital, badly bruised and with his jaw wired shut. He thinks back over 10 years of cases, wondering who would want to beat him into unconsciousness, steal his gun and badge, and most importantly, make off with his prized dentures. But the pieces never quite add up to revenge, and the few clues he has keep connecting to a dimwitted hooker, her ex-con boyfriend, and the bizarre murder of a Hare Krishna pimp.

Chronically depressed, constantly strapped for money, always willing to bend the rules a bit, Hoke Moseley is hardly what you'd think of as the perfect cop, but he is one of the greatest detective creations of all time.

©1984 Charles Willeford (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Slice of Detective Life

Several odd coincidences put a naive young girl together with a terrible, conscience-less criminal man. The only thing going for her is a dogged detective who makes mistakes, has his own personal problems, and has lost the support of his superiors. It drags on a bit, with the bad guy getting worse, and the detective's situation also getting worse, but then it all works out. And then they are on to another case. It doesn't end. A little depressing thinking that this is really the way people are, but there you go. The Blues sing the blues. It's an interesting, engaging listen, but yes, it is blue.

Excellent Crime Story

This is my first time listening to a Hoke Moseley book. It was excellent. The plot moved along and the characters were well-developed. The narration was very good. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be listening to the other Moseley stories as well.

80's Miami crime story

This 1st in a Series was an excellent but intense crime story set in the early 80's Miami. The criminal and the girl are actually the more interesting and well drawn characters. Hoke Moseley himself not the focus in this first outing. The writing is very good, if a bit explicit in a few instances. Good, old school narration.

miami is not that seedy

characters were excellent and well thought out. miami is not that seedy. love Sanchez. the hotel. unique. narrator excellent.

One of the best crime fiction books I’ve ever read

Love this book! Even better than the movie which was really good. Well worth the credit and a very quick listen that keeps you interested throughout the entire book

Proof it can be done!

Where does Miami Blues rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last. Based on my last few books, I didn't think it was possible for an author to write an engaging and often humorous detective story with out being beat up by crude language. Mr. Willeford uses a few choice words here and there but they are appropriate for the character and the setting; however, it isn't over kill.

What did you like best about this story?

It was enjoyable listen and kept my attention. It was a bit drawn out at the end but not so bothersome I would take away a star.

Stephen Bowlby was brilliant as always. In fact, I found this book because I searched for other books he has narrated.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I don't listen or read any book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I choose all my books based on reviewers comments so I really appreciated the comments about this book.

I’m late to the party but I’m here

How this book made it past this floridaphile for so many years is beyond me. If you grew up in the 80s in south Florida this story is for you and if you didn’t well I’d still recommend you check it out narration was perfect. I know it’s supposed to be detective Hoke’s story but The villain is the star of this show hands down

loved it

Narration was on point. I listened while working and it kept my attention my whole shift.

Really?

I can’t find a good thing to say about this book. How can the reviews be so positive? I love this genre, but I had to fight my way to the end of this one. Repeatedly, medically inaccurate with nearly impossible coincidences. I won’t go on. You get the idea.

Great First Hoke Moseley

Miami Blues is a fine story by Charles Willeford. This is the first in the Hoke Moseley series. The main characters in this story are a career criminal, a hooker and a cop. If you like cops & robbers type books with snappy dialogue and great characters this should be right up your alley.... Stephen Bowlby does a good job of narrating. I had seen the movie with the same name in the 90's starring Alec Baldwin as Junior Frenger and Fred Ward as Hoke Moseley