The Waterloo Diaries
About
The Waterloo Diaries: The Bedsore Conspiracy is a graphic novel, a murder mystery, set in a fictional Mississippi jerkwater (Bedsore). Its protagonist, Waterloo Clyde, is a contemporary private detective who fancies himself a throwback to the hard-boiled dicks of noir fiction: Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, Mike Hammer, et al. The story is full of the twists, eccentric characters, and droll dialogue you might expect from a guy named Waterloo Clyde. The solving of the crime turns on a single word, in a way you likely won't see coming.
Praise for this book
A delightful romp through the quirky underbelly of small-town Mississippi. The author has crafted a compelling murder mystery with a protagonist who's both endearingly flawed and hilariously self-aware. Waterloo Clyde, a private detective with a penchant for the classics, is a refreshing take on the hard-boiled archetype. He's got the gruff exterior and the sharp wit, but there's also a touch of the absurd that makes him utterly captivating. "The Waterloo Diaries" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a dash of Southern charm and a whole lot of wit. It's a book that will leave you chuckling long after you've turned the final page.
I received this graphic novel as a gift and what a treat it is! I thoroughly enjoyed it. The crime fiction noir genre features hardboiled detectives such as Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. Waterloo Clyde, the protagonist, is cast in that mold with an added dose of snark. This comes out in the snappy dialogue and internal deliberations that drive the story with extra panache. The illustrations are terrific and capture the mood and flavor of the setting and action. Admittedly, this is the best noir detective graphic novel I’ve ever read by virtue of being the only one. But it will be hard to beat unless another Waterloo Clyde adventure is forthcoming. Highly recommended!