BLACK, Michael A. 1949-

(James G. Dancer)

PERSONAL: Born 1949.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Five Star, 295 Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville, ME 04901.

CAREER: Author and law enforcement officer.

WRITINGS:

Tanks: The M1A1 Abrams (juvenile), Children's Press (New York, NY), 2000.

Volunteering to Help Kids (juvenile), High Interest (New York, NY), 2000.

A Killing Frost ("Five Star First Edition Mystery" series), Five Star (Waterville, ME), 2002.

Windy City Knights ("Five Star First Edition Mystery" series), Five Star (Waterville, ME), 2004.

Author of short stories under the pseudonym James G. Dancer; work represented in anthologies and collections.

SIDELIGHTS: Michael A. Black wrote short stories under pseudonym James G. Dancer for a decade before penning his first novel, the mystery A Killing Frost, under his own name. Booklist critic Jenny McLarin wrote that "Black's novel rings with the authenticity of an author who is also a full-time Chicago-area policeman."

The novel, set in Chicago, features Ron Shade, who also served on the force and is now a private investigator and champion kickboxer. As the story begins, Ron is getting over a failed relationship and preparing for a professional full-contact karate championship fight when an old friend, social worker Maria Castro, seeks his help on behalf of Juanita, whose illegal Salvadoran boyfriend Carlos has disappeared. What Ron discovers in visiting Carlos's employer is corruption and cover-ups, but his investigation is slowed when his Camaro Z-28 is stolen. A romance with Maria adds to the story.

Harriet Klausner reviewed the debut for Booksnbytes. com, calling it "an exciting private investigation tale because the lead protagonist is an intriguing All-American hero." A Kirkus Reviews contributor called A Killing Frost "a brawny debut so foursquare in its characters and prose that you can hardly wait till Shade finally gets to put those kickboxing skills to use."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 15, 2002, Jenny McLarin, review of A Killing Frost, p. 209.

Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2002, review of A KillingFrost, p. 1174.

Library Journal, October 1, 2002, Rex E. Klett, review of A Killing Frost, p. 131.

ONLINE

Booksnbytes.com,http://www.booksnbytes.com/ (April 28, 2003), Harriet Klausner, review of A Killing Frost.*