On July 12, 2025, Literary Titan published an interview with Nicholas Litchfield titled “Gritty Environments,” delving into the creative process behind his novel, Hessman’s Necklace. The Q&A explores his approach to noir, the thematic depth and literary influences that shape the narrative, and how he balances innovation with tradition.
“A rugged Chicago fixer wrestles with his moral compass as he attempts to tarnish the reputation of a local attorney in The Face of Evil, a gritty 1950s pulp fiction tale, steeped in extortion, corruption, and counter-blackmail.
Originally published as a Gold Medal Books paperback original in 1954, John McPartland’s hard-hitting standalone novel of redemption has resurfaced this month as part of Stark House’s Black Gat mass market editions, having been long out of print.”
Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews John McPartland’s The Face of Evil for the Lancashire Post.
“In this highly engaging collection of short stories, award-winning author Robert Garner McBrearty captivates readers with tales of inner struggle and pivotal moments in life.”
Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews Robert Garner McBrearty’s story collection, The Problem You Have, for the Colorado Review.
Author Mary Donaldson-Evans is set to release her latest nonfiction book, *One Foot in the Grave, the Other on the Treadmill: Reflections from Over the Hill*, later this week. This … Read More ›
In a positive new review published in Indies Today, Nicky Flowers analyzes *Hessman’s Necklace*, the new mystery by author Nicholas Litchfield. Flowers describes the novel as “a snarky crime-noir with a decadent streak,” capturing the essence of its protagonist, Ray Stokes, whose “gruff, lecherous, and rude” personality embodies the gritty aesthetics of the genre.
Highlighting Litchfield’s skillful storytelling, the reviewer notes, “Ray doesn’t call the shots, but he’s still a bad guy—no question.” This nuanced portrayal invites readers to root for a character whose moral compass is as questionable as the schemes he undertakes. As Ray embarks on a dangerous mission to retrieve Hessman’s necklace, the dynamic between him and Merriam Woodcroft adds depth to the narrative, with Flowers remarking that “her character’s secrecy adds another layer to the mystery surrounding the necklace and the church’s dubious sanctum.”
“A feverish story that effectively turns neo-noir conventions on its head. Every detail seems relevant, and not a syllable seems wasted—a tough trick to pull off. It all results in an appealing tale that also upends stereotypical impressions of ’50s Americana,” notes prominent American book review magazine Kirkus Reviews.
Read Kirkus Reviews’ insightful assessment of Nicholas Litchfield’s mystery, Hessman’s Necklace, which cleverly twists neo-noir conventions while drawing readers into a gripping narrative of 1950s Americana. The review emphasizes Litchfield’s sharp prose and intricate storytelling, celebrating the novel’s engaging characters and vivid details.
“Fans of edge-of-the-seat thrillers filled with exotic settings, non-stop action, and a cast of ambitious artistes battling fears, egos, insecurities, and daily disasters, will relish Nicholas Litchfield’s pulse-pounding novel, When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed,” writes Pam Norfolk in The Star, one of the most prominent regional newspapers in England. The Star, often known as the Sheffield Star, is a daily newspaper published in Sheffield, England, from Monday to Saturday each week. The first edition was published on 7 June 1887. Today it features a splendid review of When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed, a Lowestoft Chronicle Press title scheduled for release on April 1st.
In a recent review published in *Indies Today*, Nicky Flowers offers an insightful analysis of *When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed*, the latest release from Lowestoft Chronicle Press. Flowers describes the novel as a raw and unflinching exploration of the dangers inherent in Hollywood ambition. She writes, “With a steady hand, author Nicholas Litchfield peels back the curtain on cinematic glamour to reveal a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at the blood, sweat, and tears involved in making a movie that was doomed from its inception.”
On April 3, 2025, Literary Titan published an interview with Nicholas Litchfield titled “Chaos and Fury.” The Q&A explores the inspiration behind his novel *When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed* and discusses themes such as obsession, power dynamics, and the interplay of fear and ambition within the story.
In her review for Reedsy Discovery, Karen Siddall writes about When the Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed, Nicholas Litchfield’s “riveting story of a struggling Hollywood actor cast as the ‘career-making’ lead in a South American director’s upcoming action/adventure film.”
This review, originally published on April 1, 2025, is reprinted in the iReporter feature on the local news website Park Cities BubbleLife.