Broad Headlights
After years on the murder desk, Detective Roman Hollandaise couldn’t be more hard-nosed or jaded. But even he’s surprised when the governor’s enigmatic trophy-wife seeks him out to repossess an ancient Egyptian talisman. He can’t help but notice that her wild story and dubious motives place her squarely at the center of the most gruesome murder he’s ever investigated.
He vows to bring her to justice, but it won’t be easy. She’s dripping with raw political power. Just to get within striking distance he has to steal a surveillance van, throw a dozen innocent strippers in jail, make war on the Bunco Squad, and bargain to keep her sleazy ex-husband out of prison. In short, when he’s not breaking every law in the book, he’s curb-stomping his very own moral code and drinking really bad coffee.
But will any of that be enough to stop her from seizing long dormant mystical powers, and using them to destroy mankind?
REVIEWS
Mahdi Qhurbani / March 31, 2026
Broad Headlights is a brilliantly offbeat ride that combines absurd humor, fast-paced action, and a surprisingly lovable hero. The idea of a used car dealer going up against the Queen of the Zombie Apocalypse is as entertaining as it sounds ,and the execution is even better!
Cowtown Clown / March 1, 2026
It’s an eye-catching title … the used car salesman and a zombie apocalypse. Was looking forward to that conversation. … Martin’s voice as Detective Roman Hollandaise is front row center, coming through in spades. He is Mickey Spillane drunk on punch lines — the wit and humor spew forth paragraph after paragraph. Much appreciated. But, too much of a good thing maybe? That would be my only criticism. It’s a minor one. In a couple of places, I found the sarcasm and simile lathered on so thick it almost hid the bread and butter story. No matter. The fast pace to the story clocks in as a page-turner. The reader will find plenty of intrigue, seamless plot twists, good cop work and an ending that begs for book #2 in the series. A big thumbs up!
Manuella Schrager / February 26, 2026
What a fun novel! Just reading along, sampling the goods and all of a sudden it turns into a NOIR detective story complete with just the right tone, cynical detective and bottled blond temptress that is not yet hitting her notes correctly. Then a heist and a pile of cash show up and an opening to SO MUCH MORE. If that is your cup of tea, this is a fun read.
Sugdos / February 23, 2026
“Broad Headlights: Introducing Roman Hollandaise delivers a genre-bending blend of hard-boiled detective noir, political satire, and supernatural chaos, anchored by a cynical yet oddly compelling protagonist. Equal parts gritty mystery and absurd dark comedy, the novel thrives on sharp humor, escalating stakes, and an unapologetically unhinged tone that keeps readers entertained from start to finish.”
TCAT / February 21, 2026
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Renalyn Rosario / February 20, 2026
“Watching the detective blur his own boundaries made me question how far anyone should go for justice. The fact pace and outrageous turns kept me entertained, but it also showed how quickly lines can disappear when ego and fear take control. It left me thinking about integrity in messy situations.”
Robert Martin / February 20, 2026
“Dark Power and Dirty Politics. A hardboiled detective faces corruption, murder, and ancient mysticism in a gritty thriller blending noir crime with supernatural stakes.”
Rastin / February 19, 2026
I genuinely didn’t know what to expect from a story about a cynical, hard-boiled detective going up against the literal Queen of the Zombie Apocalypse, but it ended up being a brilliantly mad mash-up of film noir and supernatural chaos. The banter is absolutely spot-on and properly funny, keeping the pace moving nicely as Roman throws his moral compass straight out the window to steal police vans and battle a corrupt, magic-obsessed political elite. To be completely fair, the plot does get a bit messy with its timeline and historical details, and the ending suddenly shifts gear into something out of The Mummy, which feels a bit stitched together. Still, even with its flaws and a heavy dose of colourful language, it never takes itself too seriously; if you’re after a quick, gritty, and completely unhinged read, you’ll definitely have a good laugh with this one.
Sienna / February 19, 2026
What a delight! I was not ready for how much I would enjoy this book… Hollandaise is an amazing character, and how the author mixes crime and zombies is absolutely refreshing. I want more!
Sheila / February 18, 2026
“I started reading this book since it sounded different from the usual crime stories I pick up. as i got into it, I realized it’s not only about sloving amurder, but also about power, secrets, and how far someone will go to win. The main character isn’t perfect at all, which actually made the story feel more real. The mix of crime and strange mystical stuff keeps things interesting without being confusing.”
Blossom / February 18, 2026
Broad Headlights is one of those books that makes you pause and think. Scoots Martin throws hard boiled detective noir, political satire, and supernatural apocalypse into a blender and somehow makes it work. Roman Hollandaise is exactly the kind of jaded, sharp tongued detective you expect from a murder desk veteran, but the situations he gets dragged into are anything but standard crime procedural. The story leans into absurdity at times, yet it keeps a firm grip on its gritty tone. There is dark humor woven throughout, and the satire hits especially hard when politics and power start colliding with the investigation. What I appreciated most is that beneath the outrageous premise, there is real tension and strong character work. Roman is flawed, morally compromised, and often operating in gray territory, which makes him feel authentic. The pacing moves quickly, and the stakes escalate in a way that feels both ridiculous and strangely believable. If you like crime fiction with a twisted sense of humor, offbeat supernatural elements, and a detective who is as stubborn as he is reckless, this book delivers a wild ride. It is bold, irreverent, and definitely not your typical zombie story.
Ariel / February 17, 2026
“I went into Broad Headlights: Introducing Roman Hollandaise not really knowing what to expect, and it ended up being a pretty wild ride. It mixes a gritty detective story with some totally over-the-top elements, and somehow it works. Roman is a flawed, sarcastic main character who makes a lot of questionable choices, but that\u2019s part of what makes him interesting, he\u2019s not trying to be a hero, just trying to get through a mess that keeps getting bigger.”
Em / February 16, 2026
Get ready! “Broad Headlights” is a chaotic, genre-bending ride that smashes hard-boiled noir into political satire and full-blown supernatural madness. Detective Roman Hollandaise is jaded, reckless, and darkly hilarious. The tone is gritty, absurd, and completely self-aware. It absolutely goes over the top, but that is the point. Fast-paced, witty, and wildly original, this is noir with teeth and a twisted sense of humor.
Gary&Marina / February 16, 2026
“Initially I was only going to award 4 stars since, as a retired homicide detective, I was taken aback when the female antagonist dumps a bag on money the the Chief of Homicide’s desk. That would never happen…..but then, I realized that the plot was taking place like a Dick Tracy novel and then everything fell in place. If you like police capers taking place in the 1930’s +\/-, you will not be disappointed.
Rene P Vecka / February 15, 2026
The novelette started off with such promise. I loved the snark and wit throughout. Fast pace and an intriguing mystery. But halfway through, the story shifted from mystery to side scenes, delaying the final conflict and mystery resolution. Up to that point, I was ready to give it four stars, but the last scene disappointed. The mystery remains; a sequel is needed.
Nikki / Febryar 15, 2026
“This book was a bit out of my usual comfort zone, but I found myself surprisingly drawn into the world of Detective Roman Hollandaise and the enigmatic trophy-wife at the center of the story. The mix of murder investigation, political power plays, and ancient mystical powers made for a unique and intriguing read. While some parts felt a bit over-the-top, overall the fast-paced plot kept me hooked until the very end. If you’re looking for a fresh twist on the crime thriller genre, give this book a try.”
Aaron / February 14, 2026
“Broad Headlights was definitely an entertaining read with a mix of mystery, fantasy, and humor. The characters were unique and the plot kept me engaged throughout. However, some aspects of the story felt a bit too outlandish and unrealistic for my taste. Overall, a fun read for those looking for a different kind of supernatural thriller.”
Ryan / February 14, 2026
“This book had me hooked from the very beginning with its unique premise and quirky characters. I must admit, I was a bit skeptical at first, but the story really drew me in with its fast-paced action and unexpected twists. The author has a talent for creating a vivid and engaging world that kept me turning the pages. While there were some moments that left me scratching my head, overall I found it to be an entertaining read that kept me on the edge of my seat. If you’re looking for a fun and entertaining book to pass the time, give this one a try.”
David Blumfelt / February 10, 2026
A thrilling detective mystery with zombies to boot. The story moves at a good pace and is filled with plenty of action. Infused with a delightful lead detective, it keeps you thoroughly entertained. Altogether, the author brings together a cast of well-developed, relatable, and likable characters. Special appreciation goes to the nice mix of everyday English and a twist of sophisticated verbiage. Overall, it makes for an enjoyable read.
Phil U Obi / January 30, 2026
Broad Headlights is a thrilling and captivating story. It is like a puzzle that takes one through a blend of crime, mystery, and strange characters. It is a well written book.
James / January 22, 2026
“Broad Headlights surprised me in the best way. Set in Denver, it blends a brutal museum murder with ancient rituals, sharp banter, and noir humor. Detective Roman Hollandaise is a wonderfully odd antihero who made me laugh and lean in. The story feels like a classic detective film drifting into occult chaos. The ending felt abrupt, but the ride was bold, strange, and impossible to forget afterward.”
Brian / January 18, 2026
“Broad Headlights was a fun read, with plenty of action and twists to keep me engaged. The character of Roman Hollandaise was interesting, although some of the scenarios he found himself in seemed a bit over-the-top. I enjoyed the fast-paced plot and the unique blend of mystery, fantasy, and humor. Overall, a good read if you’re looking for something a little different.”
Aaron / January 18, 2026
“Broad Headlights was a wild ride from start to finish. The main character, Roman Hollandaise, is certainly not your typical detective, which makes for an interesting and entertaining read. However, I found the plot to be a bit over-the-top and at times difficult to follow. The combination of mystical powers, political power plays, and gritty detective work seemed a bit far-fetched to me. Despite this, the author’s writing style kept me engaged and eager to see how it all played out. Overall, a fun read for those looking for a unique twist on the traditional detective story.”
Derek / January 17, 2026
“Broad Headlights is a mix of crime, politics, and the supernatural that definitely keeps you on your toes. The main character, Roman Hollandaise, is a hard-nosed detective who finds himself in the middle of a mysterious murder investigation involving an ancient Egyptian talisman and a governor’s trophy-wife with dubious motives. While the plot is intriguing and full of unexpected twists, at times it can feel a bit over the top and chaotic. Overall, if you’re a fan of fast-paced thrillers with a touch of the supernatural, this book might be worth checking out.”
Neal Owens / January 15, 2026
“This murder mystery with a supernatural touch and nostalgia setting is interesting. Roman Hollandise reminded me of Philip Marlowe. If you are looking for a good murder mystery with an orginal plot, I highly recommend this book.”
Claire Harris / January 5, 2026
Broad Headlights is a wonderfully unhinged noir fever dream. A hard-boiled detective grit slammed headfirst into zombie apocalypse absurdity. Roman Hollandaise’s cynical voice drives the book with dark humour as corrupt politics, ancient mysticism and bad decisions pile up fast. It’s very weird (in a good way), sharp and wildly entertaining. It proves that sometimes the strangest combinations make the best reads. Loved it.
Rosemary Asiimwe / December 20, 2025
“A Darkly Funny, Wildly Original Detective Thriller. This book is an absolute blast from start to finish. Detective Roman Hollandaise is the perfect hard-boiled antihero world-weary, stubborn, and morally complicated in the best way. What starts as a gritty murder investigation spirals into something much bigger, blending crime noir with political intrigue and a surprising supernatural twist that totally works. The governors mysterious trophy wife is one of the most fascinating characters Ive read in a while charming, dangerous, and impossible to trust. Watching Roman chase her truth through layers of power, corruption, and chaos kept me hooked. The story is packed with sharp dialogue, dark humor, outrageous situations, and just enough heart to make you care about the people involved. Even with all the wild action\u2014stolen vans, questionable deals, and terrible coffee, the plot never feels confusing. Instead, it builds tension right up to the final showdown, where the stakes become unbelievably as in the fate of mankind. If you love detective stories with personality, grit, and a bold supernatural edge, this one is absolutely worth reading. It\u2019s clever, intense, and refreshingly different. I couldnt put it down!”
WildBlueMonkey / December 29, 2025
This book is wildly original, funny, and unexpectedly clever. From the moment Roman Hollandaise enters the scene, the story takes off with a blend of sharp humor, offbeat characters, and full blown zombie chaos. The contrast between a used car dealer and the Queen of the Zombie Apocalypse creates a premise that’s as ridiculous as it is entertaining. What really stood out is the voice of the book. The writing is fast paced and witty, with dialogue that keeps things lively and unpredictable. Beneath the absurdity, there’s smart satire and surprisingly strong character development, which makes the story more engaging than a typical zombie tale. This book doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s its greatest strength. It’s fun, imaginative, and full of moments that made me laugh out loud.
Acsjk Patrick / December 29, 2025
This fantastic book kick off a fast, chaotic mashup of hard-boiled crime fiction, political satire, and supernatural horror. Roman Hollandaise is a jaded, morally compromised detective who’s as entertaining as he is reckless. In this amazing book the plot is outrageous in all the right ways, piling stolen vans, corrupt power, and mystical threats into a nonstop ride. Beneath the absurdity, the story still delivers sharp humor and real tension. This amazing resource offers a bold, genre-bending read that’s perfect for readers who like their noir weird and unapologetically unhinged.
Full of action. / November 6, 2025
“I like this book. Its very easy to read, and the plot is simple to follow. I enjoy mystery detective stories like those by Jean-Christophe Grang, but this one is lighter and doesnt have as many secrets. Still, it was interesting to follow how the detective solved the mystery involving a museum and the governors wife, who stole important case documents from his desk. It was also fun to read how the detective had to be careful because of the governors involvement. I liked some of the humorous moments, like when the detective tried to get a van for his investigation and discovered that some had been stolen from the police department. That bit of irony made me smile. If you want a relaxing, easy-to-follow detective story, this book is definitely for you.”