The Fall Guy (2011)

There comes a time in every Horror fiend’s life when he or she must step out of the genre and breathe the fresh air of something that doesn’t involve graveyards, monsters, or serial killers. It’s important to have these moments of rest so that we can dive back into the genre with renewed vigor. Comet Press understands this. They understand that we cannot be singularly focused humans and must branch out. The Fall Guy is definitely a breath of high octane gasoline.

Todd Collins is a loser. Pushing 30 and working in a warehouse for minimum wage, his life is going nowhere. Nowhere until he accidentally cracks the taillight of a porsche in a parking lot which leads to the discovery  by law enforcement of a massive amount of drugs being smuggled in said porsche. The owner of the drugs then gives Todd an ultimatum. Drive a car to Texas for him, or be murdered on the spot. Todd wisely chooses to drive the hot car and thus begins his twisty turny life in crime.

Simon Wood is an author I had never heard of despite having released several novels and over 150 short stories before The Fall Guy. And I should have because this book is 130 pages of pure kick ass fun. Honestly I could have read it in one sitting because I had trouble putting it down but as always life got in the way of what I really wanted to do. The book is gripping, funny, intelligent and exciting. We are in the same shoes as Todd. We also know nothing about crime and how to be good at it so we learn as he learns, which is a wonderful way to rope the reader in. The characters are fun and Todd is likable. How can you not enjoy a classic tale of the Hero’s Journey, but the journey is through the underground world of organized crime?

No monsters, no serial killers, just gritty action that never lets up. I can’t wait to get my hands on more books by Simon Wood, and I can thank Comet Press for introducing me to such a strong talent.