Saturday 18 June 2016

SARAH M. CHEN - CLEANING UP FINN (2016)



Synopsis/blurb....

Life is a constant party for restaurant manager, Finn Roose. When he seduces an underage woman on one of his booze cruises and loses her—literally, it sets off a massive search involving the police, her parents, and a private investigator. Finn is an expert manipulator but his endless lies only tighten the screws on himself and his unsuspecting best friend. Finn scrambles to make things right which may be too much to ask from a guy who can’t resist a hot babe and a stiff drink.

Finn Roose is a restaurant manager and player; a man with his brains firmly housed south of his trouser belt. If you’re female and under forty and you land in Finn’s place, you’re getting appraised and rated and if you pass muster hit upon.

Ronnie with her fake I.D. passes the test and a date follows the following night. Best friend, Porter – still in hock to Finn for an event that happened when both were young and impulsive, for which Finn took the rap – reluctantly provides his car and boat for Finn’s latest assignation.

The inevitable almost happens – blame the booze (or with hindsight thank it) – but Finn and Ronnie pass out. Finn comes to, panics and flees the scene. Ronnie’s on her own.

A day or two later and the cops show up and the missing and underage Ronnie’s face is plastered on TV. A dogged PI soon starts asking some awkward questions. Finn’s starting to sweat, Porter’s got the hump and a blackmailer starts putting the squeeze on.

You feel like your sympathies shouldn’t really rest with our main man, but somehow in the hands of Sarah Chen, they do. Can Finn clean up his act, get out from under and find some measure of redemption? Or is he doomed to repeat the mistakes of his past?

Short, smart, funny, fast, great plot, great characters, a breath of fresh air! My kind of book. I’m looking forward to what she does next.

4.5 from 5        

Sarah M. Chen has her blog/website here.

Catch her on Twitter - @sarahmchen


Cleaning Up Finn is her debut offering. Published by All Due Respect Books

Thanks to Mike over there for the copy.

Read in June, 2016

16 comments:

  1. That really does sound like an interesting premise, Col. And I know what you man about an author who can make you feel sympathy for a character, even though you wouldn't think you would. I'm glad you thought this was a good 'un.

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    1. Margot, thanks. Really enjoyable and a great debut.

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  2. This sounds like tremendous fun. Off to check if it's available in this country . . .

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    1. I think All Due Respect are US based, so you should be ok. Hope it works for you!

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  3. This does sound very good, Col. A pity I have too many books to read. I will keep it in mind though. Maybe someday.

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  4. Thanks for the thoughtful review, Col. And to the folks who commented. Much appreciated! :)

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    1. Sarah, you're more than welcome. One of the highlights of my reading month so far!

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  5. If Col says so, it must be so. Gotta go get this one. :-)

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  6. Sounds like she fitted a lot into a short book, and I'm always in favour of female authors.

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    1. I really liked it and I don't think you could guess the author's gender from the writing. One of my too few female reads!

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  7. Col, I'd like to know how the "dogged PI" solves the mystery and traces Ronnie. I'm assuming the PI is not the main protagonist though I can't picture Finn Roose as one.

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    1. No spoilers mate, but the PI dogs Finn as Finn seeks Ronnie. The PI is important but not our central focus. It's kind of an interesting role reversal I suppose.

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  8. Col - If you liked it, I'm getting it. Thanks.

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