Bad Men and Wicked Women

April 2, 2018
Dickey (Finding Gideon) infuses his slapdash but exciting erotic action novel with social commentary and cultural references, somewhat to its detriment. L.A. enforcer Ken Swift, a muscle guy for the shadowy gangster San Bernardino, is surprised to hear from his estranged adult daughter, Margaux, and even more shocked when she demands $50,000 without explaining why. Ken and his Ghanaian partner, Jake Ellis, try to investigate Margaux’s situation, but they pause to make a house call on the incredibly wealthy, laughably odious Garrett, who owes money to San Bernardino. A battle royale breaks out at Garrett’s mansion, showcasing Ken and Jake’s superhuman endurance. Dickey pads his scant story with Jake’s lengthy rants on Afrocentrism, an exceptionally prolonged sex scene between Ken and his unhappy girlfriend, and constant rehashing of Ken’s failed relationships. The story provides plenty of thrilling moments, and contemporary references—including kneeling NFL players, Rihanna’s cosmetics line, and President Trump’s tweets—make the work feel fresh, but the frequent insertion of familiar names eventually grates. The book’s clear expiration date and aggressive messaging make it hard for the reader to stay focused on the action. Agent: Sara Camilli, Sara Camilli Agency.

Dion Graham is the perfect narrator for this action-packed audiobook. Eric Jerome Dickey's latest introduces listeners to Ken Swift, a low-level enforcer for the infamous mobster San Bernadino, and his partner, Jake Ellis. All at once, Swift is dealing with the reappearance of his estranged, pregnant daughter--who happens to be blackmailing him for $50,000--along with a complicated love life, the potential reemergence of past questionable acts, and the incredible mess surrounding their latest contract. Listeners will find the current events and social commentary a powerful addition to this dynamic story. As tension and passion escalate, Swift, Ellis, and a dynamic group of secondary characters are forced to navigate the fallout. K.S.M. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine