If the dark,noir narrative of A Man Named Doll, tickled your Chandleresque yearnings, you’ll be delighted with this next story in the series. I’ve read the first book so I know the detail of Doll’s backstory.Some of it is dealt with in the second book, but I don’t think it impacts on the readers’ enjoyment not to have read the first. However I’m pretty sure most readers will want to!
The mood created in the first story is maintained and developed here as Happy Doll continues on his rather precarious journey as a private investigator, only here he is unlicensed after the shenanigans he created in A Man Named Doll.
Sometimes I feel Happy could be renamed Hapless as things just don’t work out the way they’re supposed to!! And I marvel at his physical endurance because here again, his poor body is subjected to much abuse, although he does appear to retain all of his major organs this time!
Happy and George continue to present as the perfect couple! 😉 Even when Happy has to leave George with a friend as this book’s action takes place outside LA for much of the time. Who is George, I hear you ask? Aha, have a read of the book to find out! 😉
A NAME FROM PAST
When Mary DeAngelo walked into Happy Doll’s office, she brings with her the scent, sandalwood perfume, a whole lot of cash, and the name of his old flame: Ines Candle.
LURED HAPPY INTO A TRAP
Ines is living rough up in Washington State, and Mary wants her found. Happy hits the streets to track her down, but soon he realises he has been used. Now somebody is hunting them.
CAN HE FIGHT HIS WAY OUT?
Soon, two people are dead, and Happy is in big trouble. But he’s been here before, and he knows that the only way to be safe is to get even…
And that just about sums it up. With a strange paradox of seemingly every day detail yet extraordinary action and seemingly impossible situations, Jonathan Ames has created another entertaining, high octane thriller. Perhaps not for the faint hearted, or those who object to sustained recreational drug use but for those prepared to take the risk this is an exciting and darkly humorous read. A well judged narrative pace with some entertaining characters with Happy always at the centre of everything. You can’t help but like him no matter that some of his actions are questionable. And you find yourself always rooting for him to come through. I can’t wait for the next Happy Doll story,
My thanks to Pushkin Vertigo for a gifted copy of this book.
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