*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Recently retired detective Al Quinn gets a call from the Sheriff letting him know that the brother he hasn’t talked to in twenty years is in the hospital under suspicious circumstances. After debating with himself he decides to go see what’s going on with Maury. Al has no idea that his estranged brother has so much more on his plate than even he could believe and now he’s caught right smack in the middle of a shitstorm of Maury’s making. Should the two of them survive, will they bury the hatchet or go their separate ways again?

Hooking me from the beginning, Russ Hall’s writing picked me up by the scruff, stuffed me into a 4x4 truck complete with gun rack, locked the doors, tore off down the road at high speed and didn’t let me go until the ride was over.  I read this in one sitting and while my ass didn’t appreciate it, my brain loved it. The writing is smooth and the characters are interesting. The plot wasn’t beyond the realm of imagination, the mystery was just right and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. I have to say I love Al. I would love to see more books involving him though I’m not sure how since he’s retired. He’d make an excellent PI and he could take only the jobs he wanted since he’s technically retired.

Anyway, Russ Hall is new-to-me and I am now compelled to see what else he has out there. Overall, a great mystery with plenty of suspense as well as some humor, excellent characters and wonderful writing. I highly recommend this one.