From the Publisher

Literary Titan GOLD BOOK AWARD

May 3rd 2021 I received the Literary Titan Award. Here's their comments!

Every character featured in William Lobb’s crime thriller is meticulously sketched and comes to life on the page. Readers will come face-to-face with some of the most vivid and simultaneously terrifying characters in any fiction tale. Lobb is a master of character development and manages quite well to unsettle readers with mere descriptions and simple phrases. Richie is quite terrifying in his own right, but he pales in comparison to the men with whom he associates.

I am in love with the way in which Lobb has chosen to present Richie’s story. It is much more than a story within a story–the manner in which he has his character reminisce is so well thought out and flows naturally from beginning to end. It’s a truly seamless telling of Richie’s story and happens as organically on the pages as if he were sitting beside the reader with his legs propped on the coffee table chatting aimlessly on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Readers Favorite 5 STAR AWARD

September 1, 2021 I received this fantastic review from Readers Favorite!

William Lobb breaks new ground in how crime drama should be written.

The opening is effective in gradually revealing a flawed character, one that you will expect to face insurmountable struggles as the story progresses. There is a compact sense to Richie’s life story that is often lacking in crime novels, reminiscent of the economy of Elmore Leonard’s works, which makes William Lobb an engaging crime fictionist. It is easy to appreciate how much he brings a character to life that is deftly violent and sympathetic when he becomes believable. It is a rare modern crime story that makes me hope there will be a sequel. It works because it values character and plot construction without the trappings of overblown hype typical in today’s crime novels. This is undoubtedly a must-read for the kind of entertainment it brings to the genre.

2021 BEST THRILLER BOOK AWARD

On November 28th 2021 I was thrilled to win the 2021 Best Thriller Book Award Winner award!

At the end of his life, a man is forced to face his past in the cold light of truth.

That’s the official hype, anyway…Richie – a lifelong mob hitman – must come to terms with the death of his best friend, a mounting government investigation into his past, and betrayal, as one of his old buddies decided to testify all he knows.

Living among them for decades of what appears to be a quiet life, is the most inconspicuous guy on the block – the respected and sometimes feared old gangster nobody questions.

He sells them flowers from his girlfriend’s shop. He gets his coffee and newspaper at the corner bodega every morning.

Now, the façade is about to collapse and Richie will tell an explosive story that will bring many of the rich and powerful down with him.

The Three Lives of Richie O'Malley is my third novel. My first, The Third Step, was well received, but I think of it as my training wheels book. A good solid effort where I actually learned how to create and write. The Truth is in the Water is a personal favorite, an examination into the depths of friendship. Water was written solely as a kindle. One day I might publish it as a paperback short story. I'm really excited that my fourth book, The Berry Pickers, is almost ready to publish. That book has been in process for about four years. It took a long time to find the ending.

All the awards for Richie, listed above, were thrilling to receive, but nothing beats the connection I feel when a reader contacts me or writes a review of my work. I am a character-based writer. I think the strength of my characters moves my stories along. The best award I can receive is when I find a reader has really connected with one of these guys.

Thank you for reading and for your kind words and support.

Bill Lobb