cover image The Hard Stuff

The Hard Stuff

David Gordon. Mysterious, $26 (272p) ISBN 978-0-8021-2956-7

In Gordon’s uneven sequel to 2018’s The Bouncer, Joe Brody—strip club bouncer, recovering drug addict, and former elite black ops specialist whose specialty was killing people—is faced with a seemingly impossible task for a coalition of New York City mob bosses: steal $4 million worth of diamonds to pay for a shipment of heroin and then steal the diamonds back again. Assisting him in the risky endeavor is Yelena Noylaskya, a Russian-born master safecracker, burglar, and all around badass. Joe’s shenanigans are highly entertaining, and Gordon has a knack for twisty story lines, nonstop action, and over-the-top sequences, like the memorable diamond heist that occurs on the streets of midtown Manhattan. But some readers may be disappointed that his characters, who tend toward caricature, lack emotional connection. FBI agent Donna Zamora, who played a significant role in The Bouncer, doesn’t get much exposure this time. Still, fans of lighter crime capers will be satisfied. Agent: Douglas Stewart, Sterling Lord Literistic. (July)