The Maltese Meatloaf Mystery and Other Tales: A Phillip Bartlow Mystery Paperback – January 31, 2014

The Maltese Meatloaf Mystery and Other Tales is a splendid debut novel for author Robert OsterWhile reading (and laughing) I kept imagining Oster as sort of an amalgam of Raymond Chandler and Dave Barry, and at other times, as Alfred Hitchcock and James Thurber.The author may have invented a new literary genre that's sure to appeal to a wide variety of readers; Culinary-Detective-Murder Mystery-Humor.It's "a good read" and a fun ride with Phillip Bartlow as he walks the rough streets of a fictional mid-west city (Part One) and travels across the country to San Francisco and Napa Valley (Part Two).I look forward to his next book.

My Oster has created an enjoyable story using some very interesting characters with playfully funny names, that take us through a tongue in cheek, not quite hard boiled detective novel.

You get into the story and the characters right away. As a bonus you learn a lot about different foods. I highly recommend it.

A delightful novella abounding with so many characters and places with laughable names. Brought back losts of Philip Marlowe type mysteries. A great read!

I’ve been a fan of film noir hard boiled detective films from the 1940’s and ’50’s since I was a kid. So, The Maltese Meatloaf Mystery really appealed to me both as a humorous send up and as a real mystery thriller.

The Maltese Meatloaf Mystery and Other Tales is a refreshingly original and enjoyable read. This satirical book is true to the 1950’s genre of detective novels from Mickey Spillane and Raymond Chandler but, with much humor throughout. The characters from Phillip Bartlow, Private Culinary Investigator, his secretary Connie-Louise, and Detective Travis Pincus to Fredrick (Freddy) Wormstucker and Tony the Tongue are right out of the 50’s. The storyline flows and I found myself completely involved with the story, and the characters, while at the same time constantly laughing at Mr. Oster’s comedic talents. It was a nice departure from the everyday mysteries and went all too quickly. I highly recommend this book as a nice escape and look forward to Mr. Oster’s next novel.

Robert Oster has a mind of his own. In fact a 'unique mind' it is. It was a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience from beginning to end. James Patterson watch out. There is another author in town. A little different perhaps, but equally engaging. Vanessa Von Schultz, Boston Bernie, Damon Runster, Tony 'The Tongue' Pendergast, Eddie Uttfly, Dr Benson Wagabbi, Frederick Wormstucker, Fester Adams, Norbert Zylem, Kathy Numtouch and Cecil Slotnick are just a few of the many characters.With that said, read on, you'll love it. IT IS DIFFERENT !