2 more this week from the ranks of the unread masses. We have a Canadian crime fiction author, sadly no longer with us - Michael Van Rooy died suddenly in early 2011 at the age of 42. See linked article.
He published 3 books in total, all of which I have and all of which I'm sure I will enjoy, undoubtedly my pleasure will be tempered with a bit of sadness not just as a reader that there won't be any more, but more for the family he's left behind.
The 3rd title in his series is entitled - A Criminal to Remember.
AN ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL
Not since Jack Reacher has there been such a quick thinking,
hard-edged antihero who readers will root for against all odds
All recovering drug addict and reformed thief Montgomery Haaviko wants to do is settle down with his wife and baby in their new home and work on building a straight life, one free of the day-to-day hustle and danger of being a career criminal. But for a man who's never held down a legitimate job it isn't going to be easy. When Monty foils a robbery in his new home, killing the intruders, he soon finds he has both a small-time crime boss and a star police sergeant looking for ways to ruin him, run him out of town, or kill him. It's going to take all of the tricks this streetwise ex-con has up his sleeves to prove his innocence, protect his family, and avoid the temptation of the life he left behind.
Montgomery Haaviko's Tricks of the Trade:
Be nice. Nice is good. Nice sets a standard. Then, when you get mean, the shock is strongest.
Armored cars are owned by people with guns.
All recovering drug addict and reformed thief Montgomery Haaviko wants to do is settle down with his wife and baby in their new home and work on building a straight life, one free of the day-to-day hustle and danger of being a career criminal. But for a man who's never held down a legitimate job it isn't going to be easy. When Monty foils a robbery in his new home, killing the intruders, he soon finds he has both a small-time crime boss and a star police sergeant looking for ways to ruin him, run him out of town, or kill him. It's going to take all of the tricks this streetwise ex-con has up his sleeves to prove his innocence, protect his family, and avoid the temptation of the life he left behind.
Montgomery Haaviko's Tricks of the Trade:
Be nice. Nice is good. Nice sets a standard. Then, when you get mean, the shock is strongest.
Armored cars are owned by people with guns.
When burglarizing a house move slowly. Then slow down. Now cut it by half. And you've got it.
A couple of drops of crazy glue on the tips of your fingers will eliminate fingerprints.
YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOOD CRIMINAL
The truth frequently hurts and rarely sets you free.Ex-criminal Montgomery "Monty" Haaviko would prefer to be known as the friendly neighborhood daycare provider. Unfortunately, it's his criminal past (and his extensive bag of tricks of the trade) that brings him to the attention of Marie Blue Duck, a Canadian activist who wants Monty to set up a route to smuggle refugees into the US. Monty's skeptical of her offer, but the money is too good to refuse. Even his wife, Claire, who ensures Monty stays on the straight and narrow, thinks he should take the job.
Marry the first person who doesn't publicly ask about the knife in your sock and the pistol in your waistband.
Monty's carefully laid plans quickly go off the rails when he squares off against local thug Samantha Richot, who tries to seize the route. Their power struggle rapidly escalates into kidnapping, torture, and a daring and highly explosive stand-off. Just when Monty thinks he might just have it all under control, his old jailhouse crony, Hershel "Smiley" Wiebe, shows up on his doorstep. Monty is more than suspicious of Smiley's motives, but figures if you should keep old friends close, you should keep old cons even closer.
Smile. If nothing else it makes them nervous.
Not since the bestselling novel Beat The Reaper or the TV show Burn Notice has there been such a quick-thinking, smart-talking anti-hero who will keep you pinned to your seat. A gripping and aggressive thriller, Your Friendly Neighborhood Criminal shows just how far a man will go to protect his family, home and neighborhood.
Col, it is sad Michael Van Rooy died so young. He seemed like a very promising crime writer. A fitting tribute would be to read his books.
ReplyDeletePrashant there's a Canadian reading challenge that runs July to June, so I think it would be one for me. I can read Van Rooy, some more John McFetridge and Giles Blunt for starters.
DeleteI need to clear my Net Galley backlog and make some dents in my other commitments first though!
Col, I need to read some Canadian and Scandinavian fiction this year. I've been putting it off every year. Perhaps, I ought to begin with the Stieg Larsson trilogy from my daughter's collection though I find the size daunting. They are big books.
DeleteI have read 2 of the 3 and will return for the finale at some point. I think you need a fairly clear schedule or at least need to have a few uninterrupted hours to make a dent in a big book. I may avoid longer books until weekends and holidays as I get bogged down at times. Go for it!
DeleteI still have the last Stieg Larsson book to read, too. They read fairly fast I think but they are long. I think the first book was longer than the second.
DeleteAs for this post, sorry to hear he died and at such a young age. His books look interesting. Thanks for the write-up.
Keishon, hopefully no.3 isn't too much like a house brick!
DeleteMVR - definitely want to get at least 2 of these under my belt this year.
Col - I hope you'll like Van Rooy's work. It is such a shame that he died so young. I'll be interested in what you think of trhese.
ReplyDeleteMargot thanks. I'll report back later in the year!
DeleteI like the skull cover better than the tattooed body. As ever, I will wait till you have read them and given your verdict.
ReplyDeleteHard pressed to choose between the two myself. I think there are other editions with alternatives to the body art.
DeleteCol: I enjoyed an Ordinary Decent Criminal. I thought Monty was a unique character. When I learned Van Rooy had spent time in jail I understood the vividness of his character, Monty. It was a tragedy he died so young. I believe he was on the verge of great success
ReplyDeleteBill, thanks for stopping by, and the affirmation that I'm in for a treat with ODC and Monty. I was unaware of his time spent in jail. To be honest, I know little about him other than his early passing.
DeleteI liked Ordinary Decent Criminal too...the humour balances out the violence and like Bill says Monty is a very well drawn character
ReplyDeleteMore affirmation! Cheers Bernadette.
DeleteI am very, very envious. That is a wonderful skull cover. I have that book and my cover is very plain. Glad to hear that so many people like his books, since I will be reading that one.
ReplyDeleteTracy, sorry to hear you didn't have the same cover as me. Hopefully the story makes up for it in some way!
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