Part-Time Criminal by Mark Love is a Shake Off Winter Doldrums pick #mystery #crimefiction #mustread #giveaway
- N. N. Light
- Mar 27
- 5 min read
Title: Part-Time Criminal
Author: Mark Love
Genre: Mystery/Crime
Book Blurb:
“Some people are born criminals. Others are driven to it.”
There could be a kernel of truth to that statement. Perhaps some people, ordinary, regular law-abiding citizens, are doing their part, working their jobs, when something happens that tilts their world.
Consider Simon Ellis. A quiet, steady guy. He keeps his head down, always working in the background, taking care of business.
Until that fateful day.
When something comes to light that changes how he sees the world.
Will Simon just let it go and continue as before?
Will he be driven to something else?
Something criminal.
Excerpt:
The Detroit office was Simon’s base of operations. He was part of the Echelon Services department. Echelon specialized in small to mid-sized companies. He’d been at the job for seven years now. Simon was rock steady, rarely missing a day. He was just about to shut everything down for the day when Brick called him. As usual, Simon took the call through his air pods.
“Hey, do me a favor and bring some of those brochures on the new inventory program,” Brick said. “I meant to grab them but got distracted.”
“Marketing dropped some off earlier. I’ll put them in my bag.”
“Great. See ya Monday.”
That should have been the end of it.
But Brick failed to disconnect the call. He continued talking. It took Simon a moment to realize the account manager was engaged in another conversation.
Brick’s ego shifted into overdrive. He was bragging to two other people. “You guys should learn how to play the game. I can give you pointers. Show you the ropes, if you’re interested.”
Simon knew Brick had gone out for drinks with Gerry and Philip. Gerry was an older employee. He was short and flabby, resembling a baby whale. Philip, the newest recruit hired for an expansion team, looked twelve years old and maybe shaved once a month. Gerry rarely left the office. He preferred to connect with his clients by phone or video conference call.
“Why should we listen to you?” Simon recognized Philip’s voice.
Brick scoffed at him. “I’m one of the company’s top account managers. When we land juicy new business for the Echelon team, they give it to me. I keep clients happy.”
“There’s a rotation. It goes to whoever’s next up,” Gerry said in his soft, whiny voice.
“Keep telling yourself that,” Brick said. “You wouldn’t have lasted one day with Joan at Fun Time Clips. She’s demanding as hell! But I convinced her to upgrade from a basic package to multiple programs and platforms.”
“You’re familiar with all these programs? The functionality?” Philip asked.
Brick gave a harsh laugh. “Of course. I could have written them all! But when it comes to the scut work, it’s never a problem. That’s exactly what I got Simple Simon for.”
“What do you mean?” Gerry asked.
“Simple Simon does the uploads, the data entry and all that daily shit. I understand all the technology and what it takes to create the software. The high-level stuff. But it ain’t easy for me to explain that to the little people. That’s where Simon comes in. He breaks it down in basic terms. Makes it easy for me to pitch the clients. Simple Simon does that. Gives me whatever I need to know. How much it costs, how much the client will save; Blah, blah, blah. I put my name on his reports. Clients think I’m a genius. Upper management loves the results.”
Simon sat frozen in place. This was what Brick had been doing.
“Simon doesn’t mind?” Philip asked.
“Nah. He doesn’t care. I keep him out of the office. He goes from one site to the next. Punching in numbers. He’s in his own quiet little world.”
Gerry piped in. “You take care of him? Bonuses? Credit for the work?”
That brought another bark of laughter from Brick. “He likes it. Gets to visit the clients. Feels important. Explaining things to the customers’ employees. Stays out of the office, away from all the politics and bullshit. Simple Simon prefers it this way. Once a week, I take him to lunch.”
“You’re a real prince,” Gerry said sarcastically.
The rest of the conversation was obliterated by music and barroom noise. Simon listened for another minute but couldn’t make out anything worthwhile. He tapped the air pod, severing the connection.
All this time, Simon had been diligently doing his job. He believed upper management considered him a valuable employee. Now, he doubted they even knew he existed. He rocked back in his chair, eyes no longer focused on the computer screen. Simon kept hearing Brick’s voice. Suddenly, a line from the podcast danced through his mind.
“Some people are born criminals. Others are driven to it.”
Acid boiled in his stomach. Simon was normally a calm guy. He rarely got upset. Anger wasn’t something he experienced often. He wasn’t prone to violence. But right now, a rage was building in his chest. Brick was playing him for a fool. How long has this been going on?
Simon could lash out at him. Although Brick was a bit taller and more muscular, Simon might still be able to give him a beating, under the right circumstances.
But there was a different way to seek revenge.
A better way.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
What’s your favorite activity to shake off the winter doldrums?
If the weather is miserable, I like to watch movies or a series on one of the streaming services. Mysteries and action or thrillers always catch my eye. Sometimes it will be a drama or comedy that’s a good change of pace. I’ll watch Reacher, Castle or White Collar any time. I also enjoy cooking and like to experiment with new recipes.If the weather is tolerable, I prefer to get outside for a bit of fresh air and search for signs of Spring!
Why is your featured book a cure for the winter blues?
This one is a fast-paced read. It’s a novella, so the story moves quickly. While there are some criminal elements at play here, there’s also a touch of romance that readers will enjoy. And intrigue.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs March 1 – 31, 2025
Drawing will be held on April 1, 2025.
Author Biography:
Mark Love lived for many years in the metropolitan Detroit area, where crime and corruption are always prevalent. A former freelance reporter, Love honed his writing skills covering features and hard news. He is the multi-award-winning author of the Jamie Richmond mysteries, Devious, Vanishing Act, Fleeing Beauty and Chasing Favors, along with the novella Stealing Haven. Love also writes the Jefferson Chene mystery series, WHY 319? Your Turn to Die and The Wayward Path.
Love’s first standalone mystery, “Rules of Desperation” was released in 2024.
His latest work is the novella “Part-Time Criminal”
Love resides in west Michigan with his wife, Kim. He enjoys a wide variety of music, books, travel, cooking and exploring the great outdoors.
Social Media Links: