Bill Fitzhugh crafts his distinctive comic novels drawing on his experiences working in FM rock radio during the 1970s and 1980s. His writing is characterized by keen observation and a humorous take on human nature. Fitzhugh's style is lighthearted yet insightful, with his narratives often exploring themes of freedom and the search for identity. His works offer an entertaining and intelligent read for those who appreciate original American humor.
After the tragic loss of his wife to a serial killer, Eddie Long channels his grief into songwriting, resulting in a hit country song that skyrockets to number one. However, this newfound fame brings unexpected challenges and turmoil into his life, complicating his journey from struggling musician to a star. The story explores themes of loss, resilience, and the darker side of success in the music industry.
Facing a mid-life career shift, Rick Shannon, an unemployed FM rock DJ, contemplates selling his cherished record collection. However, an unexpected job offer from a small Mississippi radio station alters his plans, as they seek a replacement for a missing DJ. This opportunity may lead Rick to rediscover his passion for music and broadcasting while navigating the challenges of a new environment.
The story unfolds as Lollie Woolfolk enlists private investigator Rick Shannon to locate her estranged grandfather, blues producer Tucker Woolfolk. After Rick successfully finds Tucker, he is soon murdered, followed by the death of Tucker's former partner. As Lollie mysteriously vanishes, a woman claiming to be her reappears, prompting Rick to unravel the truth behind the murders and the identity of the enigmatic Lollie. The narrative blends mystery with elements of Southern culture and the blues music scene.
The story follows Spence Tailor, a principled lawyer deeply devoted to his mother, Rose, who is battling advanced cardiomyopathy and requires a heart transplant. As Spence navigates the complexities of medical challenges and familial bonds, the narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the moral dilemmas faced in desperate situations. The emotional weight of Rose's condition drives Spence to confront both personal and ethical challenges as he seeks to secure her future.
Bob Dillon can't get a break. A down-on-his-luck exterminator, all he wants is success with his radical new, environmentally friendly pest-killing technique. So Bob decides to advertise. Unfortunately, one of his flyers falls into the wrong hands. Marcel, a shady Frenchman, needs an assassin to handle a million-dollar hit, and he figures that Bob Dillon is his man. Through no fault - or participation - of his own, this unwitting pest controller from Queens has become a major player in the dangerous world of contract murder. And now Bob's running for his life through the wormiest sections of the Big Apple - one step ahead of a Bolivian executioner, a homicidal transvestite dwarf, meatheaded CIA agents, cabbies packing serious heat... and the world's number-one hit man, who might just turn out to be the best friend Bob's got. Reviews for the Assassin Bugs series 'One of the funniest, most off-beat thrillers... an action-packed plot stuffed with streetwise lines and larger than life characters.' The Times 'Wild and clever fun.' Carl Hiaasen 'Does for beetles what Jurassic Park did for dinosaurs... within its fascinating pages is a cast of creepy crawlies whose murderous methods put human predators to shame. Perfect holiday reading.' Liverpool Daily Post
Given a terminal diagnosis, Miguel Padilla decides he must accomplish something meaningful before death. He seizes on the idea of donating a kidney to save someone's life. Then decides: why stop there? Why not donate... everything?
Entitlement drives Dan Steele, a high-flying ad executive who is willing to live beyond his means to maintain his lavish lifestyle. His fortunes appear to change when he steals a potentially award-winning idea for a lucrative account. As he navigates the pressures of creditors and the corporate world, Dan's quest for success raises questions about morality and the lengths one will go to achieve their dreams.
Bill Fitzhugh strikes again! Following his widely acclaimed debut novel, Pest Control (The [London] Times called it "one of the funniest, most off-beat thrillers in years"), Fitzhugh turns his satirical eye to the merging of medical science and big business - with hilarious and outrageous results. Paul Symon is an environmentalist who's out to make the world a better place, but he faces too much disjointed information, public apathy, and self-serving talk. Not to mention greedy despoiler Jerry Landis, a venture capitalist dying of a rare disease that accelerates the aging process. Landis cares only about making more money and finding a way to arrest his medical condition. That brings him and his fortune to the wild frontier of biotechnology, where his people are illegally experimenting with cross-species organ transplantation in California while breeding genetically altered primates at a secret site in the piney woods of south-central Mississippi. There's also an eco-terrorist on the loose, bent on teaching hard lessons to people who think the Earth and its creatures are theirs to destroy. These forces, together with fifty thousand extra-large chacma baboons, collide in an explosion of laughter and wonder that Bill Fitzhugh's growing league of admirers is coming to recognize as his very own.