Matthew Worth is a man with problems. Living in the shadow of his dead hero
brother, his career as a cop hits a new low when he demoted to night patrol
at a supermarket with a history of robberies. He lost his wife to a hotshot
homicide cop; his commanding officer has almost written him off, his fellow
officers think he is a joke. His only moments of happiness are when he works
with Gwen, the troubled cashier who he thinks he might be in love with. One
night though, she begs him to come over to her apartment and help her with
her now deceased abusive boyfriend. Worth decides to help cover up the crime
and starts a series of events that could cause him to lose everything that
matters to him.
This book came to my attention a few months ago when it was recommended by
a number of people I knew. I decided to check it out to see why they were
so excited about it. When I finished the last page, I knew why.
The Cleanup is a well-crafted thriller that introduces the character of Matthew
Worth, an every man whose poor decision one night turns his life upside down.
Doolittle has created a main character that was realistic and authentically
flawed and a cast of well-developed interesting supporting characters. The
story twisted and turned up to the end with the classic elements of noir yet
with warmth to the characters that adds an additional dimension to the story.
Doolittle has created a top-notch and mature novel that is well worth checking
out. Who knew Omaha could be so nasty?
If you have not heard of him yet, you will soon enough with work of this caliber.
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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