Reviewer:
Jon Michaelsen
Publisher:
Cleis Press
Pages:
288
Loose
zippered, tough talking and violent ex-Marine Dan Stagg is a likeable character
If
you have read author James Lear before, you know he is a prolific erotica
writer, and you also have come to know is how effortlessly Lear can reach out,
grip you buy the neck and pull you into his story before you have a chance to
realize what is happening. THE HARDEST THING: A DAN STAGG MYSTERY proves no
different, and if I may dare say, one helluva thrilling ride.
The
novel has all the elements a good mystery, suspense/thriller should have; a
hard-ass, down on his luck ex-Marine with violent tendencies robbed of a
stellar twelve year career because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, an
well-connected organized crime connection abled by dirty cops and even shadier
men, an extraordinarily sexy and talented boy-toy, a bunch of ready cash…and
lots of sex!!
Did
I say lots of sex? THE HARDEST THING is the first Dan Stagg mystery to be
released featuring the hardened ex-marine, and Lear has done a superb job
developing such a damaged character readers will quickly fall for, and
cheer on as he batters his way through brutal circumstances to stay alive,
and keep his human “package” breathing. Only thing he didn’t count on ever
again, never hoped for again was to fall in love.
But
for all the loose zipper, tough talking, heavy handed bravado, Stagg is a very
likeable protagonist, one that reminded this reader on more than one occasion
of more mainstream hetero heroes like Lee Child’s “Jack Reacher”, Barry
Eisler’s “John Rain”, or David Baldacci’s “Lee Adams”.
One thing
is sure, this reader is eagerly awaiting the next Dan Stagg mystery.
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