The Blurb:
David Brodie, literally once ace reporter, is on a serious downward slide with ex-wife, ex-job and ex-bank balance hanging around his neck. Until he receives a phone call. From a dead man. Soon it could be ex-life.
When the corpse of her ex-husband turns up in dubious circumstances Emily Hollowman enlists ex-KGB and current tramp Konstantin Boryakov to investigate. With stone cold killer, Mr. Lamb in tow the pair discovers all roads lead to disgraced businessman, Gordon Dredge, the man who cost Brodie everything.
But Dredge is in trouble too, in debt to gangland boss Stevie ‘The Steroid’ Oakhill. But Oakhill has his own problems, a Chechen by the name of Adam is trying to take his business.
The hilarious follow-up to bestselling The Fix – gangsters, murder and a multitude of sarcasm await... who will die first?
My Review:
Although I had read Russian Roulette, I haven't read The Fix, but didn't feel disadvantaged by that. I'm Dead Again worked well as a standalone. That said, I will be seeking it out because if this one is anything to go by, I'll love it!
The story is quite complex, with a large cast of double crossing gangsters, bent and straight cops, killers and innocent bystanders with down at heel reporter David Brodie finding himself in the middle of it all.
It was great to meet Konstantin again. He's fab. I fell a little bit in love with him in Russian Roulette and nothing has changed here. I'm not sure what it is about him as he spends half his time filthy and unwashed, he's rude and loves fighting. I think it's the broken English - I have a weakness for that. He and Mr Lamb, who I imagine to be be completely immaculate and well mannered, are the oddest couple, but oh so good together. More of this double act please!
But David Brodie - what a creation! His wretchedness is beautifully written. A man who has lost everything, fallen from grace, living in a dump and driving one too. He doesn't keep clean or care about himself or others. But he is the most vividly described character with the best lines and turns of phrase - his chapters are written in the first person, present tense (the others are written in third person, past tense) which really made them stand out. And he has my favourite line (possibly ever): 'Somewhere in the corner my depression skulks ignoring me after I throw a couple of tinnies, drained of the contents, of course, in its direction.' Brilliant. I must try that with mine. Although I suspect empty wine bottles might make more mess!
I can't go without mentioning Lucy, who is brilliant, ballsy and brave. And Brodie's meeting with her mother is comedy genius. I was laughing out loud.
The pace zips along, with loads of action, but for me this one was all about the characters. They are all brilliantly written, and somehow there was something redeemable in even the worst them, except perhaps for Stevie. And the vein of black humour runs all the way through the book.
The chapter headings are again a triumph, including The U-Bend of Life, A Rather Blunt Missive, Lamb Chops, The Damned Unite and my favourite, The Dildo. Talking of which, I was delighted to see it make a return - although probably not the same one!
It was a joy to read another of Keith's books and I look forward to hearing more of Konstantin and Lamb, and maybe Brodie, if we're lucky. In the meantime, I 'm away to get my hands on a copy of The Fix!
You can buy I'm Dead Again here.
Use the links below to read my reviews of some of Keith's other books:
Russian Roulette
The Corpse Role
Dig Two Graves
Burn The Evidence
Beg For Mercy
The Author:
Keith Nixon has been writing since he was a child. In fact his wife and friends say he's never really grown up. He is currently gainfully employed in a senior sales role meaning he gets to use his one skill, talking too much. He also drinks beer and is a coffee snob.
Keith writes crime and historical fiction novels. His crime books are published by indie house Caffeine Nights and historical novels by Gladius Press. Keith also reviews for Crime Fiction Lover and Big Al's Books & Pals.
You can find out more on his website.
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