Hard Stop.
Knopf, Chris (Author)
May 2009. 264 p. Permanent Press, hardcover, $28.00 (9781579621834).
A brick to the head of ex-boxer, carpenter,
and struggling PI Sam Acquillo does nothing to prevent him
from turning the tables on the thug wielding said brick. It
turns out that Sam’s
former boss, a Hamptons big shot, wants him to do a freelance
job and isn’t taking no for an answer. Despite being none
too pleased about the hard-sell approach, Sam needs to dough
and so agrees to hunt for the ex-boss’ missing lover. At
Same’s side once again are his three best friends: wisecracking
lawyer Jackie Swaitkowski, loyal cop Joe Sullivan, and – best
friend of all – his mutt Eddie Van Halen. Also along for
the ride is Sam’s no-nonsense girlfriend, hottie Amanda
Anselma. Naturally, Sam and the gang meet with all sorts of bad
people and situations, putting Sam in just the sort of danger
that his doctor advised against (for someone nursing a head wound).
Another clever caper in an underappreciated series starring a
hard-boiled curmudgeon.
