Christopher Meeks is an award winning playwright and obviously visual person. Perhaps that explains his ability to create characters I'll remember for a long time. The lead character is Ian Nash. In the beginning of the story we find Nash being booted out of his Ph.D. program because his work isn't proceeding as it should. He storms out in anger. Driving home he calms down enough to realize he'd better get a job ASAP. He has heard a particular coffee shop chain pays well and even has benefits so he goes into one of their sites. It happens to be in the large, beautiful lobby of a California bank.
As Nash overthinks his answers for the employment application and ruins it, a beautiful woman catches his eye. She pulls out a gun and tells everyone to hit the floor - this is a robbery. The three robbers stay in the bank too long, sirens are nearing, and they take Nash hostage. His response? He throws up on the floor of the getaway car. If you just laughed, you're going to love this book.
The story of Nash, the robbers, four including the getaway car driver, and the FBI agent who heads up the investigation makes for a satisfying read. As I said, Meeks is visual and you are enmeshed in the story and its locations. Aleece Medina, the FBI agent, is competent and has fought her way up in the agency despite her handicap; she's a beautiful Latina woman. Sexist comments from fellow agents and even her bosses are an hourly hassle but she's determined not to let them distract her from her job. Her successes just further irritate less competent members of the agency.
The most brilliant part of this novel is Meeks' wit. I laughed out loud, especially at Ian Nash who is a sort of Walter Mitty. He just knows he can help, by which he means solve the case and get rid of the out of control vicious member of the robbery crew. He can be a pain in the neck, but you can't help liking him.
I can't tell you more without spoiling the book for you, but trust me, this is a winner.
Highly Recommended.
Source: Partners in Crime Book Tours
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this book with us. Sounds like a solid, character-driven mystery, and one worth taking a look at.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably throw up on the floor of the getaway car too! Nash sounds like my kind of character.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara, for your review. I love seeing people's take on the book. Today, Kindle Nation Daily happened to feature BLOOD DRAMA, and so the Kindle version is just 99 cents today, then $1.99 for a few more days, before going back to $3.99 (which is still lower than most mainstream thrillers.) You write well, and I'm glad you found the humor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Lance and Kathy.
ReplyDeleteChristopher, I'm greatly thankful for your comments, particularly for the last sentence.