The Takedown

by: Patrick Quinlan

Published by: St. Martins

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

Quinlan, the author of Smoked, has again delivered a breathlessly fast-paced thriller.

Small-time marijuana dealer Dick Miller is living a calm, stoned life on the coast of northern California, when he is arrested and sent to jail. He returns to New York when he gets out of jail, and is hired by Dot Racine of Feldman Real Estate for his excellent typing skills, which he picked up in prison.

Soon Dot appreciates some of his other skills, saying he looks like James Dean. Dot and Dick are out one winter night in his old car driving home after being out drinking. Dot is driving when she realizes that she is being followed. Dick is nearly unconscious–much more than he should have been for the amount he drank that night.

Dick wakes up the next morning feeling horrible, and when he goes outside, he discovers his car has a broken window, blood on the seat, and a body in the trunk–Dot’s body. Did he kill her? He has no idea. He tries to investigate and finds out that Dot and her secretary Lydia were involved in a scam, and had nearly a million dollars of their employer’s money.

Who could have killed Dot? Was it Nestor Garcia, her scary and violent gangster ex-boyfriend? Or was it crazy Andrew, who had been “investigating” her? And who exactly is the tough, dangerous and manipulative Cool Breeze? Plot twists and deceptions abound as the bodies pile up.

This one you won’t be able to put down; it would make a fantastic movie. However, be aware that the action is good, but if you like good character development and interesting characters, realize that none of these characters were remotely interesting. It is ALL action.

Armchair Interviews says: Twists and turns, action, action, action.

Author’s Web site: http://www.PatrickQuinlan.com