[http://mikedraperinguilford.blogspot.com] "There's no arguing with him, if his pistol misses fire, he knocks you down with the but end." Oliver Goldsmith
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mike draper
Jan 8, 2012, 4:23:58 PM1/8/12
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I'm drawn to the Boston setting and the Irish ex-cop who is the protagonist of "Hard Knocks."
Jack Reilly's brother, Marty, is in jail and Jack is trying to make a living as a P.I.
When the story opens, a former convict and friend of Jack's brother hires Jack for a $20.00 retainer and is gunned down soon after, outside the Irish -cop bar where the two men met.
One of Jack's former academy classmates, Plain View Evans, leads the investigation and doesn't mind letting it show that he believes that Jack is mixed up in a crime, possibly involving the mob.
Reilly had been a former driver for the mayor and is retired from the PD on a stress related disability. As he begins investigating, we cannot help but be reminded of another Boston P.I, Robert Parker's wonderful character, Spencer. The author also seems influenced by Mickey Spillane and, in Reilly, we see a new, and improved Mike Hammer.
Reilly is searching for something that the Mob wants, or at least, doesn't want anyone else to have. He's helped by an attractive reporter, Katy Bemis.
The humorous but complicated plot eventually comes together nicely. The reader is able to follow the action as it speeds up, once the story gets under way.
From the beginning, I was impressed with the realistic dialogue and setting of the Boston area filled with politicians on the take and corrupt lawmen.
The author is a columnist for the "Boston Herald" and has given the readers an interesting vision of the hard streets of Boston and a modern P.I. who knows how to survive within those mean streets.
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Posted By mike draper to http://mikedraperinguilford.blogspot.com at 1/08/2012 01:06:00 PM
Jack Reilly's brother, Marty, is in jail and Jack is trying to make a living as a P.I.
When the story opens, a former convict and friend of Jack's brother hires Jack for a $20.00 retainer and is gunned down soon after, outside the Irish -cop bar where the two men met.
One of Jack's former academy classmates, Plain View Evans, leads the investigation and doesn't mind letting it show that he believes that Jack is mixed up in a crime, possibly involving the mob.
Reilly had been a former driver for the mayor and is retired from the PD on a stress related disability. As he begins investigating, we cannot help but be reminded of another Boston P.I, Robert Parker's wonderful character, Spencer. The author also seems influenced by Mickey Spillane and, in Reilly, we see a new, and improved Mike Hammer.
Reilly is searching for something that the Mob wants, or at least, doesn't want anyone else to have. He's helped by an attractive reporter, Katy Bemis.
The humorous but complicated plot eventually comes together nicely. The reader is able to follow the action as it speeds up, once the story gets under way.
From the beginning, I was impressed with the realistic dialogue and setting of the Boston area filled with politicians on the take and corrupt lawmen.
The author is a columnist for the "Boston Herald" and has given the readers an interesting vision of the hard streets of Boston and a modern P.I. who knows how to survive within those mean streets.
--
Posted By mike draper to http://mikedraperinguilford.blogspot.com at 1/08/2012 01:06:00 PM
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