Synopsis/blurb......
Tommy Ruzzo is a disgraced NYPD cop who follows his coke fiend girlfriend back to her hometown in Florida. She leaves Ruzzo high and dry just before he's named Head of Security at Precious Acres, a beachfront retirement community populated by wisecracking New Yorkers. Ruzzo is stranded among the local losers until the day he discovers a murdered senior citizen on the Precious Acres bocce ball court.
The bodies pile up as Ruzzo uncovers a dangerous trail of clues that brings everybody in his new world under suspicion.
"The suspense starts on the first page and doesn't let up. A unique setting with unforgettable characters."
- Terrence McCauley, author of SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL
The first in a two book series (so far at least) from S. W.
Lauden and featuring an ex-cop Tommy Ruzzo. Ruzzo left New York in disgrace and
is working as security at a retirement community in Florida. Some of his
retirees start getting killed and Ruzzo works with the local law to try and
catch the killer.
In a nutshell, enjoyable but not especially memorable if I’m
honest. It’s quite a busy book. Ruzzo’s ex-girlfriend, Shayna Billups and the cause of his
disgrace flits in and out, still managing to lead Ruzzo around by his pecker.
Her ex-husband is also on the scene, someone with contacts to the top cop involved in the case - Sgt. Badeaux. Ruzzo’s mystery employers also have an agenda of their own.
There’s a crossword clue theme which runs through the book which keeps pointing
to the next victim, I think. This facet didn’t particularly work for me.
I think I was thrown a bit when reading. The publisher Down
and Out Books have a habit of back-loading their editions with extended samples
of other books in their canon. I forgot this, so when the tale ended around the
80% mark it caught me unawares.
Interesting main character and an enjoyable setting. A fair
bit of humour on display and some great scenes involving Ruzzo and Shayna, Ruzzo and Badeaux and Ruzzo and his employers – maybe a case of
some of the parts being more enjoyable than the whole.
3.5 from 5
I have the second in the series – Crossed Bones to get to at some point.
The author also has another series to his name featuring Greg Salem - Bad Citizen Corporation and Grizzly Season are out so far, with Hang Time coming early next year.
Read in July 2017
Published –
Page count – 158
Source – purchased copy
Format - Kindle
It sounds like a decent read, Col, even if not among your top reads of the year. The setting sounds interesting, and I do enjoy some dry wit in my stories. I'm glad you thought it was worth the read.
ReplyDeleteMargot, some books you like more than others. Some you enjoy reading without having your world set on fire - this was one of those. I liked the characters and the author's writing enough to give him another whirl.
DeleteSounds interesting and the length is right.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy it for a lot of reasons, I just got caught out with the timing of the ending I think. I'll be better prepared next time I read one of the publisher's books.
DeleteI like tnensound of this one, the kind of setting and characters I enjoy...
ReplyDeleteAlso, very attractive cover
DeleteI kind of hoped I would have enjoyed it a bit more than I did, but oh well. Agreed - I do like the cover.
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