Tuesday 11 February 2020

ANDREW DAVIE - PAVEMENT (2019)


Synopsis/blurb....

McGill and Gropper are unlicensed private investigators who operate out of a diner and do whatever it takes to get a job done.

When a trucker attacks a prostitute, her pimp turns to McGill and Gropper for protection.

But taking the job means crossing dangerous and well-connected criminals who will stop at nothing to settle the score.

Another top read from All Due Respect, with Andrew Davie's one sitting read - Pavement.

Our two main men - McGill and Gropper encountering pimps, prostitutes, a head sick trucker getting twisted kicks, illegal loads, a family business expanding in a new direction, a new player in town making some noise, and a Miami-based Cuban old-timer trying to set things straight for his boss with some tasty consequences for all involved. Mostly Gropper the do-er and McGill with his butt welded to a chair and stuffing his face with fast food.

Not a lot to say really. Fast-paced and my kind of book. Outsiders crafting a living on the wrong side of the tracks, which in my opinion makes for more interesting reading than ordinary Joes. Enjoyable setting - an unnamed location off the I-95 south (unless in my haste to turn the pages I missed it) and a splash of Miami.

Action, violence, and plenty of victims along the way, some deserving of their fate, some unfortunately not. Ticks in all the boxes. I especially liked the references to the Millwall brick, harking back to the 60s and the terraces.

My cup of tea.

4.5 from 5

I'm definitely interested in what this author does next.

Pavement's been saved for a re-read when I need to blast away some cobwebs in the not so distant future when my reading hits a wall.

Read - December, 2019
Published - 2019
Page count - 114
Source - purchased copy
Format - paperback



4 comments:

  1. The premise of this one is really interesting, Col. And I agree; that location is the right setting for this sort of story. There is something about the wrong side of the tracks that can make for well-crafted characters, too. If the violence level isn't overly gory and graphic, it sounds like something I might like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margot, this type of book is right up my street. I don't think the violence is overplayed, just appropriate for the characters and the story.

      Delete
  2. This one goes on the list. Thanks, Col.

    ReplyDelete