Hopper Garland is good at finding lost girls. When his last target tries to take her life upon being discovered, he begins to rethink his career as a private eye. However, a persuasive offer from a sexy woman has him back on the case, chasing a missing sixteen-year-old pregnant girl from the swampy ruins of post-Katrina New Orleans to the neon grime pf Las Vegas. Along the way he'll have to contend with a rogue's gallery of henchmen, pornographers, and his own incestuous sister. After he makes a del with a sociopathic murderer who believes he's found the secret to eternal life, Hopper will relearn that old saw: some things are better off left alone.
"XXX Shamus is the most transgressive PI novel ever written. It's also one of the best."
- Allan Guthrie
"There are a lot of people that think they like it tough and raw, a lot of hardboiled wannages. Okay, you tough readers. You like it so raw? Time to put up or shut up. Stick your face into the pages of XXX Shamus. Turn away before the last page and I'll kick your fucking teeth out. Take it. Take it all."
- Victor Gischler
XXX Shamus is one I bought seven or eight years ago when it was originally published, and for someone bizarre reason never actually got around to reading until now. Despite the fact that I have enjoyed a few other books from the author.
Well it's probably not one I'll be buying my mum for her birthday...... funny, hilarious, dark, dirty and downright disgusting. It's a PI tale and the hunt for a missing pregnant girl, but it's also pornographic and probably one which will alienate or put off a lot of readers. A lot of the sex depicted is taboo. I kind of felt like I needed a scorching hot bath and a good scrub with a wire brush and dettol after I finished this one. It reminded me a lot of author Tom Leins and his Joe Rey stories. The visceral descriptions of the action kind of ooze off the page and seep into your pores.
If any of the above kind of leads you to believe I didn't enjoy the book, you'd be wrong. I loved it.
It's harsh, brutal, unforgiving and it depicts a world and happenings that a lot of us would be happier ignoring and pretending that it doesn't exist. Pornographic films, minority tastes, exploitation of minors and the vulnerable, with money to be made and desires to be sated.
Interesting main character in Hopper Garland. Deeply flawed for sure, but he's aware of his weaknesses and his failings. Underneath, his heart is in the right place and in some respects he's a victim himself, a subjugate to a much stronger personality. For much of the novel, and in tandem with his investigation, there's a bit of a love story developing and the hope that Hopper can break free and enjoy a happier life and be a better man. There's a case to solve first though.
Very, very good though definitely a minority taste. I'll be keeping hold of this one for a re-read in another ten years or so to see if my reaction has changed.
4.5 from 5
Anthony Neil Smith (aka Red Hammond) has been enjoyed before - Yellow Medicine, The Drummer, Psychosomatic, All the Young Warriors, The Cyclist and To the Devil My Regards (with Victor Gischler). Maybe more - my lists don't go back far enough!
Read - November, 2020
Published - 2013
Page count - 234
Source - purchased copy
Format - paperback
Yeah, this probably isn't one for me, Col. I'm no prude, but, no, just not my style. The main character sounds interesting, but I don't think the rest is for me.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I think I'd be shocked if you told me otherwise! :) I think it is where our tastes definitely diverge!
DeleteThis sounds awesome, Col! I'll have to grab a copy.
ReplyDelete(Thanks for the namecheck too!)
Hope you track it down Tom. I would've sent you my copy but someone else snagged it.
DeleteWell you know I am not going for "dark, dirty and downright disgusting" but I am glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteYes - please steer clear Tracy!
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