Dark Chant in a Crimson Key: A Mongo Mystery

by George C. Chesbro

Book Overview

Chesbro's dwarf detective Dr. Robert Frederickson--known to his friends as Mongo--was cited by Time as one of the successful challengers to the bruiser class of hard-boiled heroes. In this novel-length adventure, when a world-class philanthropist offers the P.I. what amounts to a free vacation in Switzerland, Mongo becomes suspicious.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892964634
• ISBN13: 9780892964635
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Mysterious Press
• Length: 217 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent escapist fiction....

I like all the MONGO books, but this was certainly a good "dark" one. For my money, Chesbro is a modern ERB, writting thinly "veiled" sci-fi, and I thoroughly enjoy his reality streching plot lines and characters.

Outstanding, entertaining series

This is the first of the Mongo books I read. And it was a wonderful introduction to the world in George Chesbro's head.It has all the elements of a great mystery,thriller and pulp style book.This was my introduction to Mongo, a dwarf, ex circus performer, nad now a detective and sometime profeeser of criminology. His brother Garth, his friend Veil, and the unknown Chant. A wonderful plot involving the theft of huge sums of money, overseas travel and lots of action. I don't want to give too much away, but let me just say that because of this book I went on a two year quest to find all of Chesbro's books. And now, lucky you, they are all in print again.This book means so much to me, I made my wife read it before we could get married.Jon Jordan

Plot and Counterplot

Over the years Robert `Mongo' Frederickson and his brother Garth have built a successful detective agency and a global reputation. Naturally, they are expensive, and Mongo is perplexed when Emmet Neuberger, head of the Cornucopia Foundation decides he wants to send Mongo to Switzerland to follow up on an embezzlement case.An international terrorist and super-criminal known as Chant Sinclair has found a way to trick the Foundation out of ten million dollars. Both the Swiss police and Interpol are already on the case. Because Chant has baffled authorities since defecting from the CIA in Viet Nam, several intelligence agencies are stirring also the pot. To Mongo, there seems to be no benefit in sending him into the mix, just to report on how the other enforcement agencies are doing. He smells a rat, but is lured by the idea of spending some cuddle time with girlfriend Harper in the Swiss Alps.No sooner does Mongo arrive but what seems to be a simple embezzlement turns into a catastrophe of murder and violence. People associated with Chant keep dying horribly. An attempt on Mongo's life turns into the slaughter of countless innocents. The gunman's body is found to have a peculiar tattoo. Mongo, under suspicion himself, decides to hunt down Chant and untangle the layers of mystery that surround him. All of this is just the starting stanza of an incredibly tangle of events.From its beginning, "Dark Chant in a Crimson Key" is pure intrigue, with a high violence quotient. Nothing is quite what it seems. Layers of agencies, foundations and secret organizations leave the reader's head spinning as Mongo tries to discover who is the real villain and who is the unsung hero. This is a tightly told tale that moves quickly. Chesbro's terse style keeps the reader's attention, and Mongo's tongue-in-cheek narration makes it all work.

Another great Mongo novel

Of all the Mongo novels, this one is my second favorite. (#1 is The Beasts of Valhalla.) All the action, suspense and mystery with an exciting fight scene in a castle (which is what really put it over the edge for me.) You will never believe that the hero of the novels is a dwarf with a black belt. And yet after reading just one book, you'll believe it and want more.Stop reading these reviews and buy all the Mongo books now!

lots of action

Mongo along with Spenser are my 2 favorite detectives in fiction, i like the humor and action,this is George Chesbros best book, the charaters are all here, Veil, Garth, Chant and Mongo. I havent heard of any new books from mr chesbro in awhile.i hope he continues to write. but this story has all the action of watching a action movie, its fast paced and you dont want it to end.