Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May
25 2008
MYSTERIES
Head Wounds
By Chris Knopf
(Permanent Press, $28)
Sam Acquillo, the protagonist in Knopf's fast-paced
mystery, reads philosophy, plays pool, has a degree from MIT,
is an ex-boxer, a skilled carpenter and an equally skilled
drinker. He's witty and self-deprecating, but "better at
resignation and denial" than "bucking up."
Halfway into this novel, I wanted to have a beer
with Acquillo. Maybe even two. Acquillo lives in a dilapidated
cottage in the Hamptons, where he's trying to live simply with
his mutt, Eddie Van Halen.
Acquillo is a modern Marlowe with a
humanistic code of honor, but a physical fatal flaw. If Acquillo
takes one more serious blow to his head, he'll die.
Of course, this doesn't stop Acquillo from defending his damsel
when she's in distress and, as a result, getting caught in a
brawl. When the guy Acquillo decked is found murdered, Acquillo
becomes the prime suspect.
Characters surrounding Acquillo are
as interesting as he is, and Knopf gives all of them depth and
distinction.
—Carole
E. Barrowman, Special to the Journal Sentinel
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