Andrew Foley has seen something he was not supposed to see. Now he is fleeing
everything he knows to stay with the uncle he never knew in Oklahoma. Uncle
Mike also has a past that he has run from as a 'problem solver' for the
New York mob and is not to keen to have his nephew show up. But when the
first assassin shows up at Mike's farm, he must face his past head-on and
bring the fight to people who are after his nephew.
Shotgun Opera is the third hard-boiled novel from Edgar-nominated author
Victor Gischler. It is a tight page-turner that has introduced the reader
to a story with characters that range from sideshow freaks that are contract
killers to a family of assassins.
This kind of story in the hands of less-capable authors would be more B
movie filled with self-parody than fiction. But Gischler pulls it off with
style. His characters come to life without falling into the obvious stereotypes
that you would expect with such characters.
As I read the book, I was also reminded of Duane Swierczynski who has a
similar fast paced style.
I particularly found Mike Foley a well-crafted character whose conflicted
past with his brother serves to define his reluctance to protect his nephew
and helps him to find peace with himself in the end. The ending is bittersweet
but satisfying and the epilogue tied it all off nicely.
Shotgun Opera was the first book by Victor Gischler that I have read, but
it won't be the last. His engaging style, fascinating characters and black
humor makes the story an entertaining and enjoyable read to the very end.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Kevin Einarson is the publisher of Spinetingler Magazine. His short
fiction has appeared in Mouth
Full of Bullets, Flashing in the Gutters and Spinetingler.
Return to Spring 2007 Table of Contents ©
2007 SPINETINGLER Magazine - All rights reserved
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