Dog Beach

July 28, 2014
Fusco (Paradise Salvage) channels Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino in this vivid, action-packed tale of Asian gangsters and Hollywood moviemaking. Louie Mo’s career as the best stunt double in Hong Kong ended with a run-in with the Chinese mafia. Now addicted to painkillers, Louie works in L.A. as an enforcer, breaking the knees of anyone who owes his criminal bosses. His latest case takes him to the house of aspiring filmmaker Troy Raskin and several housemates, which is located on a stretch of Malibu nicknamed “Dog Beach.” There’s a reason why Troy and his friends, who can’t quite finish anything, are called the “Dogs of Entropy.” Troy is behind on the movie he’s working on for producer and gangster Avi Ghazaryan. Before Louie can beat up Troy, however, the young filmmaker recognizes his potential assailant. While Louie at first denies he’s the former stuntman, he winds up getting a role in Troy’s next film project, which Troy may actually finish. Sharp dialogue complements the pitch-black comedy. Agent: Stephanie Cabot, Gernert Company.

August 1, 2014
Louie Mo, an aging stuntman who made the leaps and took the falls for all those buff actors in the old action movies, is the star of this novel. Both Louie and the novel are wise and gently humorous, tougher than they seem, and casual about their mastery of craft. Years ago Louie ran afoul of the Chinese mafia and fled Hong Kong. He makes a glum living in California now, snapping bones of wannabe filmmakers who don't repay investors. He's about to clock one, Troy Raskin, when Troy recognizes him and hires him for his movie. What follows is a fine romp, with sex, drugs, murder, and car chases, but savvy readers will notice the underlying seriousness. Troy is talented and has studied the masters. He hopes to be one, for all the West Coast dizzards he has around him. Battered Louie is loyal to his trade, even though it's given him little but a lifetime achievement limp. And the insider stunt lore is priceless. Learn here how to monkey toe a gas pedal. And why.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)