“Difficult to put down and highly recommended.”
“I loved the author’s humor and the way that interpreted into the book. “
“A cast of dynamic characters, dynamic plot, corruption, drama, and twists and turns I didn’t see coming.”
This review from local Cecily B. Kopytchak is special:
Author Rick Outzen has done it again. In his entertaining sequel to “City of Grudges,” Outzen invites the reader into his colorful narrative for an expedited, yet comprehensive, education on Pensacola’s history, politics and influential people.
In this novel, the tenacious-to-a-fault journalist, Walker Holmes, returns with a robust and familiar cast of beloved characters (i.e. Dare Evans, Summer, Gravy, Mal & Teddy, Tiny & Big Boy) to investigate and expose major County corruption surrounding a recent jail explosion.
As the dogged Holmes plunges headfirst into perilous investigations of good old boy politics, often punctuated by bruises and broken bones from drunken brawls, he is simultaneously surrounded by a fun menagerie of characters that help to keep him alive, sober and functional as an ace investigative journalist.
Outzen does an amazing job of fleshing out and differentiating his characters so that they become real to the reader. Holmes’ best friend, Dare Evans, is a returning favorite for me.
As a Pensacola resident, I sometimes drive through the Aragon neighborhood where Dare is said to live, and wonder if there might really be a “Dare” sitting on the porch with Big Boy, awaiting the arrival of Walker Holmes with a smile, a pearl necklace and a warm pot of coffee brewing.
In addition to creating characters with dimension, Outzen does a fabulous job of detailing all of Holmes’ dining experiences in historic Pensacola eateries such as Five Sisters Blues Café, the legendary H&O, Elbow Room, New York Nick’s and the IPC a/k/a Irish Politician’s Club.
Every time I picked up the book to read it, I ended up getting hungry, thirsty and wanting to become a private investigator so that I could join Holmes and his sidekicks at the table to debrief after a dangerous mission.
Whether you are a Pensacola native or a transplant like me, I highly recommend that you pick up a few copies of Outzen’s novels to enjoy and share.