Downforce
A STOCKCAR Thriller #2
by Steve Eubanks
Construction of a combination casino, museum, and the world’s largest race track in an economically depressed
area would seem to be a good thing, right? But when just such a plan is devised for a small barrier island near
the mainland of Mississippi, environmental organizations object to the damage the development will cause to
ecologically pristine Dabearer Island. Over-zealous activist Stanford Lichwich is not content with mere petitions
and decides that a judicious placement of explosives under the connecting bridge is the best way to protect
Dabearer Island, not to mention a great way to turn himself into a living legend. Poor Stan. He can’t be blamed
for failing to destroy the bridge -given that he was murdered before the explosives detonated- but the media
doesn’t even get his name right when his body parts start washing up on shore.
The FBI can handle the investigation into Stan’s death, but development investors -including some popular
STOCKCAR drivers- are more interested in preventing a public relations fiasco. Naturally they call on Robert
"Redball" Redding to put a homeboy spin on the nefarious shenanigans. Redding is a former driver and Salem Cup
champion turned Department of Justice prosecutor. He’s gained even greater celebrity status since we first met
him in Steve Eubanks’s debut novel, Hot Laps. Redding’s fictional exploits in that book are the basis
for an equally fictional movie starring Dennis Quaid as Redball Redding. The smart, wise, and personable Redding and his team
-assistant prosecutor Ty Johnson and federal court investigator John Paul Westport- expect their trip to
Mississippi to be a pleasant Sunday drive. Instead they find themselves running four wide on a short track
loaded with quirky characters and cold-hearted killers.
While racing knowledge isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying this new offering from Steve Eubanks, race fans will
enjoy puzzling over the fictional drivers who may or may not be based on NASCAR stars. Eubanks keeps the action
at full throttle, with threats and puzzles popping up in every scene. It’s the depiction of the distinct
personalities, though, that sets Downforce apart from other thrillers. From the sharp-witted assistant
prosecutor, to Redding’s hearing-impaired teen daughter, to the genteel bed-and-breakfast owner, Eubanks draws
each character with a keen eye for mannerisms and subtleties. With every element perfectly executed,
Downforce is a wild and breathless ride from start to finish. |
The Book |
HarperCollins |
August 2007 |
Mass Market Paperback |
978-0-06-079277-0 |
Mystery Thriller |
More at Amazon.com |
Excerpt |
NOTE: Protagonist’s teen daughter is hearing-impaired. Eubanks handles the dialogue-through-signing so well
that Katie’s conversations fit seamlessly into the rest of the story.
|
The Reviewer |
Deborah Adams |
Reviewed 2007 |
NOTE: Reviewer Deborah Adams
is the Flair and Macavity Award winning author of the Jesus Creek Mystery Series: All The
Great Pretenders, All The Crazy Winters, All The Dark Disguises, All The
Hungry Mothers, All The Deadly Beloved, All The Blood Relations, and All
The Dirty Cowards. She was also an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. |
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