What do you think?
Rate this book
Pigeon-Blood Red #2
The Last Straw
When a teenage girl witnesses a carjacking gone bad, she is marked for death by a crime boss with no apparent motive. After Paul Elliott, lawyer and close friend of the family, begins counseling them, he becomes entangled in the murder plot. Elliott and "Rico," a killer with a conscience and an old nemesis, soon forge an uneasy alliance to protect the girl from a hit man with an agenda of his own. Rico and the hit man already have a troubled history, and as the long simmering feud between the two reaches the boiling point, bodies start to pile up in rapid succession ... and old scores will be settled.
227 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2017
9 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Ed Duncan
12 books51 followersEd is a graduate of Oberlin College and Northwestern University Law School. He was a partner at a national law firm in Cleveland, Ohio for many years. He is the original author of a highly regarded legal treatise entitled “Ohio Insurance Coverage,” for which he provided annual editions from 2008 through 2012.
Ed currently lives outside of Cleveland, OH. He has recently completed The Last Straw and Rico Stays, respectively the second and third installments in the Pigeon-Blood Red trilogy. All three novels are available in hardback and paperback at Barnes and Noble and other bookstores and retail outlets, and as eBooks from Amazon and several additional eBook sellers.
Meanwhile, Mahalo with a Bullet, a podcast based on Pigeon-Blood Red and featuring Dean Norris of Breaking Bad fame, is now available wherever Readers listen to podcasts.
Ed currently lives outside of Cleveland, OH. He has recently completed The Last Straw and Rico Stays, respectively the second and third installments in the Pigeon-Blood Red trilogy. All three novels are available in hardback and paperback at Barnes and Noble and other bookstores and retail outlets, and as eBooks from Amazon and several additional eBook sellers.
Meanwhile, Mahalo with a Bullet, a podcast based on Pigeon-Blood Red and featuring Dean Norris of Breaking Bad fame, is now available wherever Readers listen to podcasts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
February 20, 2018
The Last straw is the second book in the Pigeon-Blood Red series and in my opinion, it is better than its predecessor.
Sandra, a teenager girl, has witnessed a carjacking which resulted in a man being shot and killed. Normally this would be a cut and dry issue where she would testify as to what she saw in court, but her eye witness account has put her under the radar of a crime boss that wants to silence her. The young man who committed the carjacking has no prior arrest history and no ties to organized crime so why does a crime boss want to silence this teenage girl?
Sandra's father approaches Paul Elliott, an attorney, who lives in their building for advice and then Sandra's father is shot and killed in an attempt on Sandra's life. Paul attempts to keep Sandra safe while trying to figure out who is gunning for them, why and how much danger is everyone connected to this case in.
Rico, a hit man/enforcer who has been asked to take Sandra out. He has a code of ethics: he does not believe in hurting women or killing kids. Besides, he has his own fish to fry in this book - a female friend has been attacked and he wants to bring her attacker to justice while at the same time dealing with his nemesis - another hit-man named D'Angelo.
Both story-lines collide brilliantly in this book. Paul Elliot and Rico are not stranger to readers who read the first book in the series. They are back and once again interacting in this book. Both characters are likable and can handle themselves. There is more to both men than meets the eye. Being able to write a likable hit man takes some skill. Barry Eisler did it with his John Rain series and Duncan does it here with Rico. A hit man who has ethics, is likable, cares about other characters in the book and keeps his word.
There are several layers to this book and a couple of plot twists and revelations along the way. I found this book to be a fast read. It's not a secret who the bad guys are in this book and it is entertaining and fun watching Rico and Paul try to keep those they care about safe as well as settle old debts and right some wrongs.
This book moves at a nice pace and although there are killings and deaths, nothing is too graphic, so most readers will be able to read and enjoy this book without being turned off by gore. This book is well written with just a few minor transition issues i.e. one sentence is about Paul and then next sentence has Rico in a new scene. Perhaps a new paragraph would have helped with such transitions. Overall, a very enjoyable book and as I stated, I thought this was much better than the first book in the series. I enjoyed the plot and subplots in this book. The characters are well written, and the dialogue is engaging.
I received a copy of this book from Book Publicity Services and the Author in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Sandra, a teenager girl, has witnessed a carjacking which resulted in a man being shot and killed. Normally this would be a cut and dry issue where she would testify as to what she saw in court, but her eye witness account has put her under the radar of a crime boss that wants to silence her. The young man who committed the carjacking has no prior arrest history and no ties to organized crime so why does a crime boss want to silence this teenage girl?
Sandra's father approaches Paul Elliott, an attorney, who lives in their building for advice and then Sandra's father is shot and killed in an attempt on Sandra's life. Paul attempts to keep Sandra safe while trying to figure out who is gunning for them, why and how much danger is everyone connected to this case in.
Rico, a hit man/enforcer who has been asked to take Sandra out. He has a code of ethics: he does not believe in hurting women or killing kids. Besides, he has his own fish to fry in this book - a female friend has been attacked and he wants to bring her attacker to justice while at the same time dealing with his nemesis - another hit-man named D'Angelo.
Both story-lines collide brilliantly in this book. Paul Elliot and Rico are not stranger to readers who read the first book in the series. They are back and once again interacting in this book. Both characters are likable and can handle themselves. There is more to both men than meets the eye. Being able to write a likable hit man takes some skill. Barry Eisler did it with his John Rain series and Duncan does it here with Rico. A hit man who has ethics, is likable, cares about other characters in the book and keeps his word.
There are several layers to this book and a couple of plot twists and revelations along the way. I found this book to be a fast read. It's not a secret who the bad guys are in this book and it is entertaining and fun watching Rico and Paul try to keep those they care about safe as well as settle old debts and right some wrongs.
This book moves at a nice pace and although there are killings and deaths, nothing is too graphic, so most readers will be able to read and enjoy this book without being turned off by gore. This book is well written with just a few minor transition issues i.e. one sentence is about Paul and then next sentence has Rico in a new scene. Perhaps a new paragraph would have helped with such transitions. Overall, a very enjoyable book and as I stated, I thought this was much better than the first book in the series. I enjoyed the plot and subplots in this book. The characters are well written, and the dialogue is engaging.
I received a copy of this book from Book Publicity Services and the Author in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
May 10, 2018
If you haven’t read Pigeon Blood Red, go read it first. You don’t necessarily need to read it to understand The Last Straw but you will want to because Rico is so freakin awesome.
Rico as cool as a cucumber, hit man for hire, is the best anti-hero I’ve read for a long time. Rico claims he never took out anyone who didn’t deserve it. A motto that left some wriggle room. He doesn’t have friends but he does have respect and Paul Elliot is a man he respects, they are worlds apart but also very similar in many ways. When Paul ends up as a revenge target of one of Rico’s enemies, Rico knows he must step in and protect an innocent man.
Rico always gives his enemies a chance whether they take it or not is up to them. We see a much softer side of Rico when he is with girlfriend Jean. He is protective but not controlling.
’He was a ball of contradictions; as faithful as a cocker spaniel or as vicious as a pit bull’
Duncan gives the reader a deep connection with each character; explaining their background and current circumstances.
The plot was well-rounded with defined characters and excellent pacing. The ending tied up a little too nicely for this realist but this was a minor concern in an overall superb read.
I received a review copy from the author via Book Publicity Services.
Rico as cool as a cucumber, hit man for hire, is the best anti-hero I’ve read for a long time. Rico claims he never took out anyone who didn’t deserve it. A motto that left some wriggle room. He doesn’t have friends but he does have respect and Paul Elliot is a man he respects, they are worlds apart but also very similar in many ways. When Paul ends up as a revenge target of one of Rico’s enemies, Rico knows he must step in and protect an innocent man.
Rico always gives his enemies a chance whether they take it or not is up to them. We see a much softer side of Rico when he is with girlfriend Jean. He is protective but not controlling.
’He was a ball of contradictions; as faithful as a cocker spaniel or as vicious as a pit bull’
Duncan gives the reader a deep connection with each character; explaining their background and current circumstances.
The plot was well-rounded with defined characters and excellent pacing. The ending tied up a little too nicely for this realist but this was a minor concern in an overall superb read.
I received a review copy from the author via Book Publicity Services.
November 10, 2019
One day a girl named Sandy witness carjacking and murder. Soon after that, her father was killed. A renowned lawyer and a friend of Sandy's father, Paul Elliott, caught up in the middle of all this tragedy. He and his girlfriend Evelyn took care of Sandy. But a gangster name Howard wants Sandy dead, and no one knows why?
He picked Rico, but he refused to kill Sandy. He has some rules when it comes to murdering women, plus he shares a history with Paul. Howard gives the work to D'Angelo; a hot-headed guy. He resents Rico and looking for an opportunity to hurt him. In all these dramas, Paul and Evelyn also became the target, and their former reminiscences start affecting their present.
Rico finds out the association between Howard and Jeff, the one who stoles the car, and why he is trying to protect him? But will it be too late for Sandy, Paul, and Evelyn? Will a hardcore assassin like Rico ever be able to repay his debt? What is the relationship between Rico and Paul?
The story hooked me from start to finish. I enjoyed the narrative. The writing style is lucid. There are no grammatical errors. All the characters placed perfectly and thoughtfully composed. Ed Duncan cleverly represents the world of crooks. The author is currently working on the third book, and I loved to read more about Rico and Paul's history. I recommend this book without any doubts to those who love reading a mystery with a lot of action sequences.
Read more reviews here - https://www.bookscharming.com/
He picked Rico, but he refused to kill Sandy. He has some rules when it comes to murdering women, plus he shares a history with Paul. Howard gives the work to D'Angelo; a hot-headed guy. He resents Rico and looking for an opportunity to hurt him. In all these dramas, Paul and Evelyn also became the target, and their former reminiscences start affecting their present.
Rico finds out the association between Howard and Jeff, the one who stoles the car, and why he is trying to protect him? But will it be too late for Sandy, Paul, and Evelyn? Will a hardcore assassin like Rico ever be able to repay his debt? What is the relationship between Rico and Paul?
The story hooked me from start to finish. I enjoyed the narrative. The writing style is lucid. There are no grammatical errors. All the characters placed perfectly and thoughtfully composed. Ed Duncan cleverly represents the world of crooks. The author is currently working on the third book, and I loved to read more about Rico and Paul's history. I recommend this book without any doubts to those who love reading a mystery with a lot of action sequences.
Read more reviews here - https://www.bookscharming.com/
April 12, 2019
The Last Straw by Ed Duncan is absolutely ridiculous! In a good way, of course.
Fear not fellow reader, you don't need to read the first book in this series to understand what's going on in this novel. But if you want to, I totally understand why!
I started this book with low expectations (I started it around exam time and life had been already a ball of stress) and man, did I have no idea what I was in for. This book was far better than I could have expected and was worth every second. I'm almost annoyed with myself for not expecting it to be good, because it was far better than just "good".
This thriller novel is fast paced, easy to read and never has a dull moment. It's not too long, it has a good selection of quality characters to follow and it ends on a good note. The ending makes you feel satisfied if you don't want to continue the series, but it also lets you know another book could be on the way (and my goodness, there better be another book and it better get in my hands ASAP, you feel me?).
Rico, a sweet guy with a "Dexter" like complex, doesn't want to murder a teenager. When another man tries to make the hit and misses (hitting another person instead), the plot gets moving into many twists and turns. Paul and Rico's intertwining story keeps the reader engaged and anxiously waiting to see if the killer will get justice. Along the way, a few side plots keep it interesting too!
Rico and Jean were my favourite duo in the story, but Paul, Beverly, Evelyn and the rest of the crew also have really good material to work with. I really want to read more about the mischievous pair of Rico and Jean in whatever way Ed Duncan can give us, because they are just way more interesting than the regular thriller characters I read about.
If I had to give some negatives about this book, it would be that there is some R rated content. Murders, violence and potential rape are all apart of the pages of this book but they aren't graphic. This might limit the audience though, if the reader has triggers or isn't into the adult book scene.
This book gets two thumbs up from me. I honestly loved this book and I didn't want to put it down. The book helped me get out of a reading slump and actually had me annoyed that it was over so soon! Ed Duncan has a real talent and I hope he continues this series. If anything, I hope more readers find this book because it's excellent quality. I would absolutely read more books like this in the future if I could get my hands on it.
Five out of five stars!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fear not fellow reader, you don't need to read the first book in this series to understand what's going on in this novel. But if you want to, I totally understand why!
I started this book with low expectations (I started it around exam time and life had been already a ball of stress) and man, did I have no idea what I was in for. This book was far better than I could have expected and was worth every second. I'm almost annoyed with myself for not expecting it to be good, because it was far better than just "good".
This thriller novel is fast paced, easy to read and never has a dull moment. It's not too long, it has a good selection of quality characters to follow and it ends on a good note. The ending makes you feel satisfied if you don't want to continue the series, but it also lets you know another book could be on the way (and my goodness, there better be another book and it better get in my hands ASAP, you feel me?).
Rico, a sweet guy with a "Dexter" like complex, doesn't want to murder a teenager. When another man tries to make the hit and misses (hitting another person instead), the plot gets moving into many twists and turns. Paul and Rico's intertwining story keeps the reader engaged and anxiously waiting to see if the killer will get justice. Along the way, a few side plots keep it interesting too!
Rico and Jean were my favourite duo in the story, but Paul, Beverly, Evelyn and the rest of the crew also have really good material to work with. I really want to read more about the mischievous pair of Rico and Jean in whatever way Ed Duncan can give us, because they are just way more interesting than the regular thriller characters I read about.
If I had to give some negatives about this book, it would be that there is some R rated content. Murders, violence and potential rape are all apart of the pages of this book but they aren't graphic. This might limit the audience though, if the reader has triggers or isn't into the adult book scene.
This book gets two thumbs up from me. I honestly loved this book and I didn't want to put it down. The book helped me get out of a reading slump and actually had me annoyed that it was over so soon! Ed Duncan has a real talent and I hope he continues this series. If anything, I hope more readers find this book because it's excellent quality. I would absolutely read more books like this in the future if I could get my hands on it.
Five out of five stars!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2021
It all started with a car-jacking gone horribly wrong. Jeffrey Phillips, an impressionable teen caved in to peer pressure when he is tasked to conduct a car jacking — standard stuff as a loyalty test. However, not being prepared for the worst, Jeffrey is caught up in a scuffle with the driver and the driver is killed by a gunshot from Jeffrey.
Sandra Yanders was there when everything happened. She witnessed the entire ordeal and has a solid testimony.
However, crime boss Howard Forester is not having any of Sandra’s testimony revealed and is determined to eliminate her at all costs. Heaven only knows why. Howard reaches out to Rico Sanders, a trusted hit man, to take on the job. Rico refuses leaving Howard to hire John D’Angelo. D’Angelo could give a “rat’s ass” about the teen as long as the money was good. And if Rico didn’t take the job, D’Angelo was certainly not going to pass on the opportunity to show up Rico.
The Last Straw is the second installment of the Pigeon Blood Red trilogy; and I highly recommend that one reads the series in order. Primarily because the main characters are introduced and developed in the first novel. The second novel builds upon the first as there are a number of references to Rico’s past and how that past affects him in the present.
I didn’t quite enjoy The Last Straw as much as I did Pigeon Blood Red. Perhaps it is because the novelty of that “Soprano-like” feel wasn’t as strong. Or perhaps the narrative didn’t seem that feasible. Some of the decisions made by the actors felt a little far-fetched in my opinion, but The Last Straw was still an enjoyable read. I am still looking forward to reading the last installment of this trilogy. Four admirable stars.
I received a physical copy of the book from Ed Duncan (author) through Book Publicity Services. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Sandra Yanders was there when everything happened. She witnessed the entire ordeal and has a solid testimony.
However, crime boss Howard Forester is not having any of Sandra’s testimony revealed and is determined to eliminate her at all costs. Heaven only knows why. Howard reaches out to Rico Sanders, a trusted hit man, to take on the job. Rico refuses leaving Howard to hire John D’Angelo. D’Angelo could give a “rat’s ass” about the teen as long as the money was good. And if Rico didn’t take the job, D’Angelo was certainly not going to pass on the opportunity to show up Rico.
The Last Straw is the second installment of the Pigeon Blood Red trilogy; and I highly recommend that one reads the series in order. Primarily because the main characters are introduced and developed in the first novel. The second novel builds upon the first as there are a number of references to Rico’s past and how that past affects him in the present.
I didn’t quite enjoy The Last Straw as much as I did Pigeon Blood Red. Perhaps it is because the novelty of that “Soprano-like” feel wasn’t as strong. Or perhaps the narrative didn’t seem that feasible. Some of the decisions made by the actors felt a little far-fetched in my opinion, but The Last Straw was still an enjoyable read. I am still looking forward to reading the last installment of this trilogy. Four admirable stars.
I received a physical copy of the book from Ed Duncan (author) through Book Publicity Services. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
January 11, 2019
Actual Rating 3.5
I received a paperback from the author and Kelsey Butts from book publicity service in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t realize that it is the 2nd book of this series, But it doesn’t make much difference. It is a Mystery Thriller, which is a genre I don’t read much, So I wasn’t expecting much.
This book doesn’t have the main character but many and important characters, Sandra is a 16 years old girl, she is also a witness of a murder…Paul is a lawyer who is a friend of Sandra’s father…Rico is a gangster but with a tiny bit honor…
This book has many elements: family drama, friends, gangster hood, good v/s bad, crime, thriller, and nothing was overloaded. I like the way how some characters stood for others only for the sake of humanity, It is rare in both life and books.
I enjoyed it, It was fun, different, dark but still positive.
I received a paperback from the author and Kelsey Butts from book publicity service in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t realize that it is the 2nd book of this series, But it doesn’t make much difference. It is a Mystery Thriller, which is a genre I don’t read much, So I wasn’t expecting much.
This book doesn’t have the main character but many and important characters, Sandra is a 16 years old girl, she is also a witness of a murder…Paul is a lawyer who is a friend of Sandra’s father…Rico is a gangster but with a tiny bit honor…
This book has many elements: family drama, friends, gangster hood, good v/s bad, crime, thriller, and nothing was overloaded. I like the way how some characters stood for others only for the sake of humanity, It is rare in both life and books.
I enjoyed it, It was fun, different, dark but still positive.
February 23, 2018
*** Note: I received review copy of this book from the author via Kelsey @book publicity services, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author and Kelsey for giving me chance to read this book. ***
The Last Straw was character driven gangster thriller that revolved around Rico, Paul, and Sandy and the case in which she was a witness that again brought both Paul and Rico face to face. Blurb says it all about the book and what’s in it.
Characters-
Rico was professional killer, hit man, a bad guy but had his ethics and principles in his line of work who cared about none but his girlfriend. He was intense and left good impression with least use of words. I loved his crisp dialogues in the book. I’m so happy to see little changes in him because of Jean.
Paul was lawyer and was protective for his girlfriend, Evelyn, who he met a year ago at Honolulu on vacation where both Evelyn’s husband and girlfriend were shot by Rico. Paul was great throughout the novel, I liked his skills and was so practical than Evelyn.
Evelyn was bit irritating compared to first book. She wasn’t over what happened a year ago and was constantly edgy and angst, arguing with Paul regarding his recent habit of carrying gun. The way she argued I was shocked that she wasn’t lawyer. I couldn’t understand her point, why she had a problem if Paul was being hero tried to protect his, her and Sandy’s life! She was totally being silly and got plenty of eye-rolling from me, but what she did for Sandy was remarkable and deserves appreciation.
New characters in the book were great. They all were realistic and likable to an extent and played their part nicely in the story.
What I liked-
Beginning of the book was engaging- attack on Rico’s girl and then his hunt for the man. It was refreshing to see Rico back in action. I loved his style and it was kind of cute to see his caring side in the book.
It was third person narrative from the perspective of all important characters. Conversations and the events were realistic. Switch between the perspectives, flow of the story, and writing was smooth. Book pointed out the prejudice and stereotype nature of people at that time and how it affected life of characters.
I forgot to mention this in characters above. Most admirable character of the book was Beverly– she was strong, independent and influencing lady. I loved the way she carried herself and how she kept her dignity in the past. I totally respect this woman. And another strong character was Sandy, the way she handled the toughest situation of life was remarkable. I would have loved to read her thoughts more.
Most interesting part of the book was the backstory of new characters especially of Beverly and the story Rico told about his history with his arch-enemy, D’Angelo and reason behind their enmity. The small twists in the story were interesting and made me read more in the story. It was not that hard to predict the story and I knew early in the book what will happen but still I wanted to see how it was going to end. What happened to Forester and his wife Diane was surprising. I couldn’t see it coming.
Climax and the turning point was full of action. All the actions were vivid and sounded plausible. I like the end and epilogue.
I couldn’t find any negative point in the book. Predictability never bothered me much and overall I liked the story so it deserves full star.
Overall, intriguing gangster thriller with strong developed characters. I strongly recommend this book to all who love this type of books.
The Last Straw was character driven gangster thriller that revolved around Rico, Paul, and Sandy and the case in which she was a witness that again brought both Paul and Rico face to face. Blurb says it all about the book and what’s in it.
Characters-
Rico was professional killer, hit man, a bad guy but had his ethics and principles in his line of work who cared about none but his girlfriend. He was intense and left good impression with least use of words. I loved his crisp dialogues in the book. I’m so happy to see little changes in him because of Jean.
Paul was lawyer and was protective for his girlfriend, Evelyn, who he met a year ago at Honolulu on vacation where both Evelyn’s husband and girlfriend were shot by Rico. Paul was great throughout the novel, I liked his skills and was so practical than Evelyn.
Evelyn was bit irritating compared to first book. She wasn’t over what happened a year ago and was constantly edgy and angst, arguing with Paul regarding his recent habit of carrying gun. The way she argued I was shocked that she wasn’t lawyer. I couldn’t understand her point, why she had a problem if Paul was being hero tried to protect his, her and Sandy’s life! She was totally being silly and got plenty of eye-rolling from me, but what she did for Sandy was remarkable and deserves appreciation.
New characters in the book were great. They all were realistic and likable to an extent and played their part nicely in the story.
What I liked-
Beginning of the book was engaging- attack on Rico’s girl and then his hunt for the man. It was refreshing to see Rico back in action. I loved his style and it was kind of cute to see his caring side in the book.
It was third person narrative from the perspective of all important characters. Conversations and the events were realistic. Switch between the perspectives, flow of the story, and writing was smooth. Book pointed out the prejudice and stereotype nature of people at that time and how it affected life of characters.
I forgot to mention this in characters above. Most admirable character of the book was Beverly– she was strong, independent and influencing lady. I loved the way she carried herself and how she kept her dignity in the past. I totally respect this woman. And another strong character was Sandy, the way she handled the toughest situation of life was remarkable. I would have loved to read her thoughts more.
Most interesting part of the book was the backstory of new characters especially of Beverly and the story Rico told about his history with his arch-enemy, D’Angelo and reason behind their enmity. The small twists in the story were interesting and made me read more in the story. It was not that hard to predict the story and I knew early in the book what will happen but still I wanted to see how it was going to end. What happened to Forester and his wife Diane was surprising. I couldn’t see it coming.
Climax and the turning point was full of action. All the actions were vivid and sounded plausible. I like the end and epilogue.
I couldn’t find any negative point in the book. Predictability never bothered me much and overall I liked the story so it deserves full star.
Overall, intriguing gangster thriller with strong developed characters. I strongly recommend this book to all who love this type of books.
January 15, 2022
THE LAST STRAW by ED DUNCAN is the second book in the Pigeon-Blood Red Trilogy and in my opinion just as entertaining as the first one, maybe even a tad bit better. I highly recommend starting with PIGEON-BLOOD RED first though as this series has the best characters ever, especially Rico. He is absolutely awesome and so darn entertaining! I honesty couldn't get enough of him and can't wait to read the last book in this series, RICO STAYS.
THE LAST STRAW is a quick, engaging, entertaining, action-packed, and easy straightforward read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The book immediately drew me right back into the characters and I loved the plot and all the sub-plots in this book. It definitely wasn't boring and held my attention right from the very first page.
Sometimes I have a hard time remembering details from previous books in a series but having read the first book months ago, all the characters and plot was still fresh in my mind. It felt like I just continued on with Rico's life and was snap dab in the middle of all of the jobs that came Rico's way. There is lots of killing. But not graphic at all though. I'd say that this book is quite a bit more detailed in the delivery than the first book was.
Trigger warnings: Attempted rape and suicide.
Thank you so much to Book Publicity Services and the author, Ed Duncan for sending me a complimentary copy to read and review.
THE LAST STRAW is a quick, engaging, entertaining, action-packed, and easy straightforward read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The book immediately drew me right back into the characters and I loved the plot and all the sub-plots in this book. It definitely wasn't boring and held my attention right from the very first page.
Sometimes I have a hard time remembering details from previous books in a series but having read the first book months ago, all the characters and plot was still fresh in my mind. It felt like I just continued on with Rico's life and was snap dab in the middle of all of the jobs that came Rico's way. There is lots of killing. But not graphic at all though. I'd say that this book is quite a bit more detailed in the delivery than the first book was.
Trigger warnings: Attempted rape and suicide.
Thank you so much to Book Publicity Services and the author, Ed Duncan for sending me a complimentary copy to read and review.
August 3, 2018
*Many thanks to Kelsey at Book Publicity Services and the author for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Last Straw is a fast-paced crime mystery that begins with an accidental witness and a crime boss's mysterious motive for wanting that witness to disappear. It's a story that pits Rico - a criminal with a conscience - against a second-best hitman with a grudge. And it forces Paul Elliott - a good guy with blood on his hands - back into a world he barely escaped only a few months ago.
Duncan does a great job of making most of the characters either increasingly likable (Rico) or infinitely despicable (D'Angelo). The one exception was Evelyn's character, who I wanted to like but her excessive angst was obnoxious (even under the circumstances). The multiple POVs made for varied and interesting perspectives and contributed to the excellent pacing.
The story is amply layered with highlights being tense shootouts, close calls, and unexpected twists, as well as an undersurface friendship that is budding (albeit grudgingly) between Paul and Rico. Apart from some awkwardly abrupt scene changes, the book was well-written and engaging.
The Last Straw is a fast-paced crime mystery that begins with an accidental witness and a crime boss's mysterious motive for wanting that witness to disappear. It's a story that pits Rico - a criminal with a conscience - against a second-best hitman with a grudge. And it forces Paul Elliott - a good guy with blood on his hands - back into a world he barely escaped only a few months ago.
Duncan does a great job of making most of the characters either increasingly likable (Rico) or infinitely despicable (D'Angelo). The one exception was Evelyn's character, who I wanted to like but her excessive angst was obnoxious (even under the circumstances). The multiple POVs made for varied and interesting perspectives and contributed to the excellent pacing.
The story is amply layered with highlights being tense shootouts, close calls, and unexpected twists, as well as an undersurface friendship that is budding (albeit grudgingly) between Paul and Rico. Apart from some awkwardly abrupt scene changes, the book was well-written and engaging.
January 9, 2022
I throughly enjoyed this book. The first book was okay. I wasn’t captivated like I was with the second book.
This second book really made Rico look I guess more human. Like he actually had emotion and that he actually cares about other people whether he admits it or not.
This book also made Paul kinda seem like a badass. I love how far he is willing to go to protect the people he cares about.
I also really love the relationship/bond that Rico and Paul have. They both do totally different work but they also have so much in common and are very similar to one another.
If you’ve read the first book (Pigeon-Blood Red), I highly recommend you read the second book too.
This second book really made Rico look I guess more human. Like he actually had emotion and that he actually cares about other people whether he admits it or not.
This book also made Paul kinda seem like a badass. I love how far he is willing to go to protect the people he cares about.
I also really love the relationship/bond that Rico and Paul have. They both do totally different work but they also have so much in common and are very similar to one another.
If you’ve read the first book (Pigeon-Blood Red), I highly recommend you read the second book too.
September 12, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from the author and publicist in exchange for an honest review.)
BLURB
When a teenage girl witnesses a carjacking gone bad, she is marked for death by a crime boss with no apparent motive. A black lawyer and a white enforcer with an unlikely history forge an uneasy alliance to protect the girl from a hit man with an agenda of his own.
After they find out that the crime boss is the father of the black teenage carjacker, Paul Elliott - lawyer and close friend of the witness’s family - begins counseling them.
As the long-simmering feud between Rico and John D'Angelo reaches boiling point, bodies start to pile up in rapid succession... and old scores will be settled.
REVIEW
One of the things i liked about Pigeon Blood Red and this book is how the author brings together various unrelated characters with the plotline. The story starts off having two different plotlines until you realize they were moving towards each other from the beginning. It was nice to see the familiar characters like Rico and Paul and then there are new characters like Sandra who do a great job in driving the story forward.
I really liked how there are these amazing plot twists and the authors throws them at you all of a sudden like BAM and you're flipping back the pages to see Okay now how did that happen??
Every character is unique. Rico is one of the best anti-heroes ever written. The author doesn't downplay his dark side but the author doesn't hide his good side either; the one where he takes care of his people and wants to protect an innocent man. Paul Elliott lives in a world apart from Rico's and although they crossed paths in the previous book, Paul is in no hurry to visit Rico's part of the world; the one with the guns and hit-men. When Paul is unwittingly pulled back into this world as he tries to protect Sandra, him and Rico meet again.The awkward friendship growing between the two men was interesting to read about.
It was also interesting to see more of how Paul and Evelyn are working with their relationship and how Rico and Jean interact in their relationship. I always like it when stories are driven by the characters and their relationships with other characters.
CONCLUSION
Ed Duncan has written a thrilling mystery with characters the reader would grow to love. You needn't have read book one to understand this story but it definitely would give you a better understanding of the characters.
BLURB
When a teenage girl witnesses a carjacking gone bad, she is marked for death by a crime boss with no apparent motive. A black lawyer and a white enforcer with an unlikely history forge an uneasy alliance to protect the girl from a hit man with an agenda of his own.
After they find out that the crime boss is the father of the black teenage carjacker, Paul Elliott - lawyer and close friend of the witness’s family - begins counseling them.
As the long-simmering feud between Rico and John D'Angelo reaches boiling point, bodies start to pile up in rapid succession... and old scores will be settled.
REVIEW
One of the things i liked about Pigeon Blood Red and this book is how the author brings together various unrelated characters with the plotline. The story starts off having two different plotlines until you realize they were moving towards each other from the beginning. It was nice to see the familiar characters like Rico and Paul and then there are new characters like Sandra who do a great job in driving the story forward.
I really liked how there are these amazing plot twists and the authors throws them at you all of a sudden like BAM and you're flipping back the pages to see Okay now how did that happen??
Every character is unique. Rico is one of the best anti-heroes ever written. The author doesn't downplay his dark side but the author doesn't hide his good side either; the one where he takes care of his people and wants to protect an innocent man. Paul Elliott lives in a world apart from Rico's and although they crossed paths in the previous book, Paul is in no hurry to visit Rico's part of the world; the one with the guns and hit-men. When Paul is unwittingly pulled back into this world as he tries to protect Sandra, him and Rico meet again.The awkward friendship growing between the two men was interesting to read about.
It was also interesting to see more of how Paul and Evelyn are working with their relationship and how Rico and Jean interact in their relationship. I always like it when stories are driven by the characters and their relationships with other characters.
CONCLUSION
Ed Duncan has written a thrilling mystery with characters the reader would grow to love. You needn't have read book one to understand this story but it definitely would give you a better understanding of the characters.
November 30, 2018
*3 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in this series, and as such we have some familiar main characters. Mainly Rico, Paul and Evelyn. the story is told in such a way, that there are multiple things unfolding at once, and you're left trying to work out how/where, or if they are connected.
I think the story skips between the different characters a little too much, because at times I had to work to remember who and what was going on. Mostly this was at the start of the book though.
There are quite a few twists and turns in this story, between the lawyer character side, and the mobster side. Things I definitely didn't see coming. Whilst this writing style is probably not entirely for me, there are a lot of things that I think other readers who are more into these kinds of stories will enjoy. I did like that we got to see more of Rico and he seems to be growing more of a conscience. Paul is also an interesting character, and we learnt a bit more about him in this one too.
It would be interesting to see where Duncan takes these characters from here.
Review also on my blog - The Last Straw by Ed Duncan
Follow me on:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in this series, and as such we have some familiar main characters. Mainly Rico, Paul and Evelyn. the story is told in such a way, that there are multiple things unfolding at once, and you're left trying to work out how/where, or if they are connected.
I think the story skips between the different characters a little too much, because at times I had to work to remember who and what was going on. Mostly this was at the start of the book though.
There are quite a few twists and turns in this story, between the lawyer character side, and the mobster side. Things I definitely didn't see coming. Whilst this writing style is probably not entirely for me, there are a lot of things that I think other readers who are more into these kinds of stories will enjoy. I did like that we got to see more of Rico and he seems to be growing more of a conscience. Paul is also an interesting character, and we learnt a bit more about him in this one too.
It would be interesting to see where Duncan takes these characters from here.
Review also on my blog - The Last Straw by Ed Duncan
Follow me on:
January 12, 2022
Oh Rico, it's so great to spend some time with you again! How you stay so calm in such intense situations is beyond me.
The Last Straw is the second book in the Pigeon-Blood Red series. Once again Duncan delivers a fast paced and engaging gangster crime novel. Right from page one I was invested in this story and it's outcome.
If you haven't read the book one yet I encourage you to read that one first. It's a great introduction into several returning characters and sets the tone for book two.
I buddy read this with my friend Norma (@readinginthecountry on Instagram) and really enjoyed our discussions. I'm looking forward to reading Rico Stays!
Huge thank you to Book Publicity Services and the author for my gifted copy.
Trigger warning: attempted rape, suicide.
The Last Straw is the second book in the Pigeon-Blood Red series. Once again Duncan delivers a fast paced and engaging gangster crime novel. Right from page one I was invested in this story and it's outcome.
If you haven't read the book one yet I encourage you to read that one first. It's a great introduction into several returning characters and sets the tone for book two.
I buddy read this with my friend Norma (@readinginthecountry on Instagram) and really enjoyed our discussions. I'm looking forward to reading Rico Stays!
Huge thank you to Book Publicity Services and the author for my gifted copy.
Trigger warning: attempted rape, suicide.
January 21, 2019
Sometimes you need to find your self a good honest to goodness crime novel. This is not a whodunnit or killer on trial kind of book. This is the dark and murky world of anti-heroes and men who don't care that what they do is bad as long as they get there cut at the end of the day. What Duncan does is bring us to the other side of Chicago, the one the tourist brochures won't tell you about for fear it would scare you away. And a man who may kill for a living but still has managed to keep a small part of his soul intact. He has a code that rings true for him and while it may have a little wiggle room there are some lines he just won't cross. Think of him as a mix between Leon and ghost dog (Films of the same name ). And for all, he does in this life he has respect for someone on the other side of the line Paul Elliott.
These two work as the odd couple of Duncan's world, while everything would suggest that these two should hate each other with every fiber of there body's, there is some deep knowledge that they share. That more often than not the world is not a fair place, but does that mean you have to step off the line and find a better way to deal with the problems of the world. This is where things get a little murky for at least one of our heroes. But what is to be done when an innocent girl gets caught up in something she can not comprehend. I really enjoyed the dynamic of these characters they are unabashedly a little larger than life in a story that plays well into its genre. coming into this series after it has already started made me wonder whether I would miss valuable insight into them but before I knew it I had a enough of an understanding of them to shed any doubts I might have had.
As for the story It rips along like a .45 bullet rushing past your head, The action keeps on mounting as our heroes try and find a way out for Sandra and themselves before they end up six feet under. These guys crash a path through Chicago's underworld in a way I found refreshingly honest. With the writing of this book, the author knew exactly what he was aiming for. It's a crime novel in a style you don't seem to see too often at the moment. With good versus evil and just about every smeared shade in between. While there are a few twist and turns along the way this is a juggernaut of a story that just won't quit. As you would expect there is a fair amount of violence along the way but even as the blood splashes up the walls it never felt to me to be gratuitous. In the world of these people all their actions flow smoothly and at no point did I think it fell out of place.
For me this book ended up being a fun and enjoyable ride, It's a book that allows you to slip away into its world and have a blockbuster experience between the pages. I'm sure I shall delve into the first installment, and look forward to where the author takes his characters next.
These two work as the odd couple of Duncan's world, while everything would suggest that these two should hate each other with every fiber of there body's, there is some deep knowledge that they share. That more often than not the world is not a fair place, but does that mean you have to step off the line and find a better way to deal with the problems of the world. This is where things get a little murky for at least one of our heroes. But what is to be done when an innocent girl gets caught up in something she can not comprehend. I really enjoyed the dynamic of these characters they are unabashedly a little larger than life in a story that plays well into its genre. coming into this series after it has already started made me wonder whether I would miss valuable insight into them but before I knew it I had a enough of an understanding of them to shed any doubts I might have had.
As for the story It rips along like a .45 bullet rushing past your head, The action keeps on mounting as our heroes try and find a way out for Sandra and themselves before they end up six feet under. These guys crash a path through Chicago's underworld in a way I found refreshingly honest. With the writing of this book, the author knew exactly what he was aiming for. It's a crime novel in a style you don't seem to see too often at the moment. With good versus evil and just about every smeared shade in between. While there are a few twist and turns along the way this is a juggernaut of a story that just won't quit. As you would expect there is a fair amount of violence along the way but even as the blood splashes up the walls it never felt to me to be gratuitous. In the world of these people all their actions flow smoothly and at no point did I think it fell out of place.
For me this book ended up being a fun and enjoyable ride, It's a book that allows you to slip away into its world and have a blockbuster experience between the pages. I'm sure I shall delve into the first installment, and look forward to where the author takes his characters next.
May 14, 2019
I received this book from the author/publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the book.
When I was asked to read ‘The Last Straw’ and was sent a description of the book, I was instantly intrigued. Then when I started reading the book, those first couple of chapters just had me gripped. That first chapter is just so dramatic, it just pulls you into the book and sets you up and gets you excited for what’s to come. You get to know one of the characters instantly and it sets up one of the other characters perfectly, plus that story.
You get introduced to all of these characters throughout the book, all these different storyline and lives that intertwine. I remember reading it and thinking (even making little notes) “these characters have a history, is there something I’m missing?” And that’s when I found out that this was book 2! It was like a flashlight. It doesn’t spoil it once I know, especially as the history does get explained in this book so I don’t feel like eventually I’ve missed anything, but I wish that was made clearer to be before is started this book, as I would’ve have possibly have read that book first.
The way that some of the characters is pure genius. You do see some real development and growth from the start, to the end of the book, which is saying something considering the time span of the book isn’t that long. The two main characters, (who I class as the main characters) are Paul and Rico. Paul is a Lawyer who has been through a few things and Rico is a, let’s just say he’s good at what he does.
There were some parts I didn’t like too much about this book. There was this one section that seemed misplaced and seemed more of a spoiler out of nowhere and took the shock and emotion away from something that came up further along. There were also some random racist remarks that came up out of nowhere and just didn’t seem to fit or just weren’t handled or wrote right.
But I enjoyed the writing, the characters and the style that it was written in. It was easy to read and it kept me gripped and wanting more. Plus, I do want to pick up book one and see how it all started.
When I was asked to read ‘The Last Straw’ and was sent a description of the book, I was instantly intrigued. Then when I started reading the book, those first couple of chapters just had me gripped. That first chapter is just so dramatic, it just pulls you into the book and sets you up and gets you excited for what’s to come. You get to know one of the characters instantly and it sets up one of the other characters perfectly, plus that story.
You get introduced to all of these characters throughout the book, all these different storyline and lives that intertwine. I remember reading it and thinking (even making little notes) “these characters have a history, is there something I’m missing?” And that’s when I found out that this was book 2! It was like a flashlight. It doesn’t spoil it once I know, especially as the history does get explained in this book so I don’t feel like eventually I’ve missed anything, but I wish that was made clearer to be before is started this book, as I would’ve have possibly have read that book first.
The way that some of the characters is pure genius. You do see some real development and growth from the start, to the end of the book, which is saying something considering the time span of the book isn’t that long. The two main characters, (who I class as the main characters) are Paul and Rico. Paul is a Lawyer who has been through a few things and Rico is a, let’s just say he’s good at what he does.
There were some parts I didn’t like too much about this book. There was this one section that seemed misplaced and seemed more of a spoiler out of nowhere and took the shock and emotion away from something that came up further along. There were also some random racist remarks that came up out of nowhere and just didn’t seem to fit or just weren’t handled or wrote right.
But I enjoyed the writing, the characters and the style that it was written in. It was easy to read and it kept me gripped and wanting more. Plus, I do want to pick up book one and see how it all started.
June 6, 2019
The Last Straw: A Tale about Murder, Revenge and Redemption is the second book in the Pigeon Blood Red Trilogy by Ed Duncan.
Paul Elliott, an attorney, offers legal advice to a teen who witnessed a crime, but her father doesn't want her to testify. Who can blame him for wanting to protect his child? Paul also finds himself in the centre of danger, more than expected. Fortunately, he isn't afraid to do what it takes to defend himself, even with a gun.
While searching for the man who abused his girlfriend, Rico Sanders declines a job from crime boss, Howard. It goes to D'Angelo, another contract killer who has a bitter grudge against him. One of D'Angelo plans is to eliminate Paul because of his association to Rico. Although known for his cool attitude in most situations, after discovering which names are on his rival's' hit list, Rico makes a decision that could end his life. Going against Howard's orders can have deadly repercussions.
I liked reading The Last Straw. Rico stands out because he's a hired killer with a conscience, unlike D'Angelo. There were a few touching parts that made me wonder what my reactions would be if placed in them. So I sympathized with specific characters, especially the witness.
The discussions Paul and Rico had with their girlfriends were very interesting ones pertaining to their occupations and how they dealt with their assignments and feelings. Ed Duncan provided enough background history on the main characters who appeared in Murder in Paradise, Book One of the Pigeon Blood Red Trilogy. By all indications, Book One seemed exciting and I'm sure the third book in the trilogy will be just as enjoyable.
Paul Elliott, an attorney, offers legal advice to a teen who witnessed a crime, but her father doesn't want her to testify. Who can blame him for wanting to protect his child? Paul also finds himself in the centre of danger, more than expected. Fortunately, he isn't afraid to do what it takes to defend himself, even with a gun.
While searching for the man who abused his girlfriend, Rico Sanders declines a job from crime boss, Howard. It goes to D'Angelo, another contract killer who has a bitter grudge against him. One of D'Angelo plans is to eliminate Paul because of his association to Rico. Although known for his cool attitude in most situations, after discovering which names are on his rival's' hit list, Rico makes a decision that could end his life. Going against Howard's orders can have deadly repercussions.
I liked reading The Last Straw. Rico stands out because he's a hired killer with a conscience, unlike D'Angelo. There were a few touching parts that made me wonder what my reactions would be if placed in them. So I sympathized with specific characters, especially the witness.
The discussions Paul and Rico had with their girlfriends were very interesting ones pertaining to their occupations and how they dealt with their assignments and feelings. Ed Duncan provided enough background history on the main characters who appeared in Murder in Paradise, Book One of the Pigeon Blood Red Trilogy. By all indications, Book One seemed exciting and I'm sure the third book in the trilogy will be just as enjoyable.
January 25, 2021
A killer with a conscience.
When a young girl is witness to a car jacking and murder she agrees to testify. When her father is killed while walking her home from school it becomes apparent she was the target. With her mother out of town, a couple who crossed paths with Rico in the first book end up taking her in and caring for her. The person responsible for trying to stop the girl from testifying is also Rico's boss. Rico refuses the job so it went to a another hit man, one Rico has history and a problem with.
I found this one to be well written and the characters intriguing. It's not often that an unsavory character like Rico can become the likable protagonist of the story but I found myself pulling for him to come out on top. I also found this to be highly entertaining and easily read in one sitting.
If you're looking for a quick read to escape into then I recommend you give this book and series a try.
.
Thank you to the author and Book Publicity Services for the gifted copy to read, review and enjoy.
When a young girl is witness to a car jacking and murder she agrees to testify. When her father is killed while walking her home from school it becomes apparent she was the target. With her mother out of town, a couple who crossed paths with Rico in the first book end up taking her in and caring for her. The person responsible for trying to stop the girl from testifying is also Rico's boss. Rico refuses the job so it went to a another hit man, one Rico has history and a problem with.
I found this one to be well written and the characters intriguing. It's not often that an unsavory character like Rico can become the likable protagonist of the story but I found myself pulling for him to come out on top. I also found this to be highly entertaining and easily read in one sitting.
If you're looking for a quick read to escape into then I recommend you give this book and series a try.
.
Thank you to the author and Book Publicity Services for the gifted copy to read, review and enjoy.
April 1, 2019
This book was just alright for me. I would classify it as an in the middle book because it was fast paced which I liked but it wasn’t very descriptive and I found it jumped from scene to scene quite quickly.
It was an interesting concept and I haven’t read many novels with hired killers pitting up against each other before so that was fun. There was a lot of conflicts and it showed a part of the underground/black market business side that is not normally viewed by the reader. I’m not sure how to classify Rico. I feel like he is an antagonist with a heart because he kills people for his job but in this book, he doesn’t want to hurt a teenager.
I will say that the book did have some hard-hitting sections of racism and how people dealt with it. It was kind of sad to see how the color of one’s skin affected some of the characters in ways that it really shouldn’t. We are all humans regardless of skin color and I would never judge someone based on that. But I see how the author did this to make some of the characters have that bad moral side to them.
This was the second book in a series but you could read it as a standalone because the author makes sure to catch you up on everything that happened in the first one. They refer to it quite often and it helps with the plot.
Overall, it was a quick read. If you like the crime genre and want a fast read for commuting to work or just a break from some heavier, more intense books then give this one a shot.
It was an interesting concept and I haven’t read many novels with hired killers pitting up against each other before so that was fun. There was a lot of conflicts and it showed a part of the underground/black market business side that is not normally viewed by the reader. I’m not sure how to classify Rico. I feel like he is an antagonist with a heart because he kills people for his job but in this book, he doesn’t want to hurt a teenager.
I will say that the book did have some hard-hitting sections of racism and how people dealt with it. It was kind of sad to see how the color of one’s skin affected some of the characters in ways that it really shouldn’t. We are all humans regardless of skin color and I would never judge someone based on that. But I see how the author did this to make some of the characters have that bad moral side to them.
This was the second book in a series but you could read it as a standalone because the author makes sure to catch you up on everything that happened in the first one. They refer to it quite often and it helps with the plot.
Overall, it was a quick read. If you like the crime genre and want a fast read for commuting to work or just a break from some heavier, more intense books then give this one a shot.
September 26, 2018
Note: This book was sent to me for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I think that this book turned out to be a lot different than I expected, though I'm not entirely sure what I expected. Crime novels can be hard to predict sometimes, and sadly I have not yet read the first installment of this series (Pigeon-Blood Red), so I kind of went in blind. It didn't disappoint.
This reads a lot like a crime show that you might watch on NBC or ION Television. That's not a bad thing. I love crime shows on NBC and ION. I began to think of this book kind of like a season of a very addicting show.
Lets get the critique out of the way first. The one thing that I disliked about this book may not necessarily be a bad thing to others, and even actually adds to the air of properly written crime novels: The characters feel detached and placid. They were all very two-dimensional, and don't get me wrong, it works for this story line. A fast paced, action packed story like this doesn't have much room for willowy characters with sappy stories. So I completely get why they were written this way, and I think that the author ultimately did a really great job with his writing. I guess for me, the dialogue sometimes felt a little robotic because of the way that the characters were built and written. It was never bad writing. I just sometimes felt disconnected from the characters.
The story itself was very enthralling and easy to get caught up in. I consumed this book quickly and I feel like that really says something because I'm not always into the kind of action going on between these pages. I loved the concept and found myself wishing more than once that I had gotten a chance to check out the first book first so that I had a little more context about all of the characters and their relationships with each other. This is definitely an anti-hero story, and you find yourself rooting for the not-so-good guy, and I really enjoy when authors can make me do that. I think it's a skill that not all possess, and I'm happy to see that Duncan does.
Overall, it was a good experience and I plan to check out the third installment when it's published. I'm very curious to see what kind of situation Rico and Paul get themselves into next.
I think that this book turned out to be a lot different than I expected, though I'm not entirely sure what I expected. Crime novels can be hard to predict sometimes, and sadly I have not yet read the first installment of this series (Pigeon-Blood Red), so I kind of went in blind. It didn't disappoint.
This reads a lot like a crime show that you might watch on NBC or ION Television. That's not a bad thing. I love crime shows on NBC and ION. I began to think of this book kind of like a season of a very addicting show.
Lets get the critique out of the way first. The one thing that I disliked about this book may not necessarily be a bad thing to others, and even actually adds to the air of properly written crime novels: The characters feel detached and placid. They were all very two-dimensional, and don't get me wrong, it works for this story line. A fast paced, action packed story like this doesn't have much room for willowy characters with sappy stories. So I completely get why they were written this way, and I think that the author ultimately did a really great job with his writing. I guess for me, the dialogue sometimes felt a little robotic because of the way that the characters were built and written. It was never bad writing. I just sometimes felt disconnected from the characters.
The story itself was very enthralling and easy to get caught up in. I consumed this book quickly and I feel like that really says something because I'm not always into the kind of action going on between these pages. I loved the concept and found myself wishing more than once that I had gotten a chance to check out the first book first so that I had a little more context about all of the characters and their relationships with each other. This is definitely an anti-hero story, and you find yourself rooting for the not-so-good guy, and I really enjoy when authors can make me do that. I think it's a skill that not all possess, and I'm happy to see that Duncan does.
Overall, it was a good experience and I plan to check out the third installment when it's published. I'm very curious to see what kind of situation Rico and Paul get themselves into next.
January 3, 2018
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. Make sure to check out more reviews at Katherine's Book Reviews.
The Last Straw is a mystery/thriller novel by Ed Duncan. It is the second novel in the Pigeon-Blood Red series.
Summary:
When a teenage girl witnesses a carjacking gone bad, she is marked for death by a crime boss with no apparent motive. A black lawyer and a white enforcer with an unlikely history forge an uneasy alliance to protect the girl from a hit man with an agenda of his own.
After they find out that the crime boss is the father of the black teenage carjacker, Paul Elliott - lawyer and close friend of the witness’s family - begins counseling them.
As the long-simmering feud between Rico and John D'Angelo reaches boiling point, bodies start to pile up in rapid succession... and old scores will be settled.
---
The Last Straw is a thriller novel that will excite you from start to finish. The characters and their stories all intertwine to create one massive plot that you won’t want to end. As I did review the first book in this series, I did enjoy seeing Rico’s character again and felt like he stood out compared to all of the other characters. Like the first novel, this is a gangster story on some level but I felt like the thrill became more defined as the story progressed.
Ed Duncan’s writing is great. I especially love the dialogue; sometimes it is quick and to the point and other times it is long and suspenseful. I felt the story’s pacing was just right; it made sense that at times it felt slower than usual because there was supposed to be a build up of mystery. Overall, though, the pacing is fast to pack in the punch of action and mystery which is what makes this book great. This has been an awesome series to get to know and I feel that this book is superior to its first. I suggest this book to anyone who is interested in the life of a gangster, or is in the mood to solve a complicated mystery. This book teaches you that no matter where you come from, you are the only person who can choose how you live your life.
The Last Straw is a mystery/thriller novel by Ed Duncan. It is the second novel in the Pigeon-Blood Red series.
Summary:
When a teenage girl witnesses a carjacking gone bad, she is marked for death by a crime boss with no apparent motive. A black lawyer and a white enforcer with an unlikely history forge an uneasy alliance to protect the girl from a hit man with an agenda of his own.
After they find out that the crime boss is the father of the black teenage carjacker, Paul Elliott - lawyer and close friend of the witness’s family - begins counseling them.
As the long-simmering feud between Rico and John D'Angelo reaches boiling point, bodies start to pile up in rapid succession... and old scores will be settled.
---
The Last Straw is a thriller novel that will excite you from start to finish. The characters and their stories all intertwine to create one massive plot that you won’t want to end. As I did review the first book in this series, I did enjoy seeing Rico’s character again and felt like he stood out compared to all of the other characters. Like the first novel, this is a gangster story on some level but I felt like the thrill became more defined as the story progressed.
Ed Duncan’s writing is great. I especially love the dialogue; sometimes it is quick and to the point and other times it is long and suspenseful. I felt the story’s pacing was just right; it made sense that at times it felt slower than usual because there was supposed to be a build up of mystery. Overall, though, the pacing is fast to pack in the punch of action and mystery which is what makes this book great. This has been an awesome series to get to know and I feel that this book is superior to its first. I suggest this book to anyone who is interested in the life of a gangster, or is in the mood to solve a complicated mystery. This book teaches you that no matter where you come from, you are the only person who can choose how you live your life.
July 25, 2021
It's a rare thing for the second book in a trilogy to be the best of the series, but The Last Straw by Ed Duncan is my favorite. Returning antihero/hitman Rico Sanders (Book 1 was Pigeon-blood Red, previously reviewed here), gets involved with three concerns: a potential hit on a carjacking victim; justice for a friend who was attacked; and a dangerous score-settling rivalry with another hitman.
The Last Straw is an absolute page-turner that can be read in one sitting. The lean prose yields a 211-page gem of a crime novel. I would recommend reading Book 1 first, though you could probably get away with reading this as a standalone. Here's the thing: Book 3, Rico Stays, is also top-notch and you will want to continue reading this masterful modern crime novel series, so take my advice and start from the beginning.
The Last Straw is an absolute page-turner that can be read in one sitting. The lean prose yields a 211-page gem of a crime novel. I would recommend reading Book 1 first, though you could probably get away with reading this as a standalone. Here's the thing: Book 3, Rico Stays, is also top-notch and you will want to continue reading this masterful modern crime novel series, so take my advice and start from the beginning.
February 15, 2018
After a young girl, Sandra, witnesses a carjacking/murder, she is debating about whether to testify. A crime boss, who seemingly has no connection to the crime, puts a hit out on her. Rico, who has turned down the job, finds out that his enemy has taken the job, and Rico takes it upon himself to protect any innocents who find themselves caught up in this, predominantly Paul Elliot, the lawyer who saved his life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was great to see some familiar characters and to be introduced to some newbies. I enjoyed reading more about Rico and his relationship with Jean, and his 'complicated relationship' with Paul Elliot. D'Angelo was the sort of villain that was written so well that you really loathed him from the start, and even when I found out why he and Rico had a dislike towards each other, I still could not like D'Angelo, not even slightly.
There were some twists and turns that I did not see coming, and that is part of the reason I like this book so much, it kept me guessing right up until the very end. I would have liked to find out what happened to Sandra and her mother, but that is my personal opinion, and not finding out did not make me stop liking this book as much as I did.
Thank you to Book Publicity Services and the author for the complimentary ebook copy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was great to see some familiar characters and to be introduced to some newbies. I enjoyed reading more about Rico and his relationship with Jean, and his 'complicated relationship' with Paul Elliot. D'Angelo was the sort of villain that was written so well that you really loathed him from the start, and even when I found out why he and Rico had a dislike towards each other, I still could not like D'Angelo, not even slightly.
There were some twists and turns that I did not see coming, and that is part of the reason I like this book so much, it kept me guessing right up until the very end. I would have liked to find out what happened to Sandra and her mother, but that is my personal opinion, and not finding out did not make me stop liking this book as much as I did.
Thank you to Book Publicity Services and the author for the complimentary ebook copy.
November 13, 2018
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of the book from the author for review but all opinions and thoughts are honest and my own.
My Take
What I Liked: I read it as a standalone and I didn’t feel like I am missing out. The Last Straw is the second book in the Pigeon- blood Red series and here’s the thing, I didn’t know it’s a second book until way after I finished it, so major props to that! The storyline is really interesting with its twists and turns which I quite enjoyed.
The Last Straw is fast paced in that it starts with a bang and it doesn’t let up until the last page. When I say I was hooked from the first page, you guys I was HOOKED!!!
“Brave people are frightened all the time but that doesn’t mean they aren’t brave”
What I didn’t like: there are two things I didn’t like, 1. I didn’t see any character development and that took away a little of my enjoyment of the book and 2. Some twists were really unnecessary and I think they were put there for shock value, I wasn’t shocked.
All in all The Last Straw is a wonderful book and if you love action packed reads, then this is for you.
www.suckerforcoffe.com
My Take
What I Liked: I read it as a standalone and I didn’t feel like I am missing out. The Last Straw is the second book in the Pigeon- blood Red series and here’s the thing, I didn’t know it’s a second book until way after I finished it, so major props to that! The storyline is really interesting with its twists and turns which I quite enjoyed.
The Last Straw is fast paced in that it starts with a bang and it doesn’t let up until the last page. When I say I was hooked from the first page, you guys I was HOOKED!!!
“Brave people are frightened all the time but that doesn’t mean they aren’t brave”
What I didn’t like: there are two things I didn’t like, 1. I didn’t see any character development and that took away a little of my enjoyment of the book and 2. Some twists were really unnecessary and I think they were put there for shock value, I wasn’t shocked.
All in all The Last Straw is a wonderful book and if you love action packed reads, then this is for you.
www.suckerforcoffe.com
February 1, 2018
The little bit that I've read about Beverly Phillips I admire; she seems like one of those classy work-her-way-up type of women; and even though Howard Forester is a criminal, he seems like an otherwise ok guy. One character in this book that has a real thirst for revenge is John D'Angelo. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2019
Find full review here mariesbookboutique.wordpress.com/2019...
The front cover for this book is striking, dark with a white mist and seems perfect for a crime thriller. A silhouette situated at the bottom of a man and inside that you can see a street illuminated by street in which someone holing a gun and another silhouette of someone walking away. The title is thin font in white as is the author's name. Ed's name is situated at the down the right hand side of the title, I would have liked to seen it a bit bigger.
16-year-old Sandra witnesses a carjacking by a young boy in Chicago city. Thinking she's doing the right thing she decides to go to the police accompanied by her father Ben. Her parents have split up and with her mother away travelling and not being contactable Ben is left to deal with this on his own. The police need Sandra as a witness as no one else has a detailed description of the boy, and it becomes apparent that she will have to testify in court. Her father is very worried about what they are getting mixed up in and for his daughter's safety. Harbouring the worried Ben speaks to his neighbour and friend Paul; who is a well-known and respected attorney for some guidance. Paul and his now girlfriend have also been through the mill, seeing their partner's being shot bay a hit man; which then brought them together. Who was the guy who shot them?
Mean while Howard Forster, also well-known for his dodgy dealings and not a man people want to cross. Howard never gets his hands dirty, in turn hiring men like Rico the number one hit man and coming in a close second is D'Angelo. After the carjacking Howard is in a pickle as the young boy is locked up and the young girl becomes the problem in his side. So he contacts Rico to deal with the girl and get rid of her, but Rico refuses to do it. Now he has to reluctantly go to D'Angelo to clear it up. But why is Howard so worried about getting the young boy out of trouble? Will D'Angelo complete the job? Will Sandra and her father be safe? Does Paul have an idea who is involved? And does he already know this person? Where will Sandra hid?
The Last Straw by Ed Duncan is the second book in the Pigeon Blood Red series, but can be read as a standalone. I found this story very gripping in deed; from the very first chapter to the very last page. It is very gritty which you come to expect from a crime/thriller. I felt the plot pulled me in to the degree that I needed to read on after every chapter; which is a good indication this is a really good story. Progressing at a good rate; which kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat at some points!!! The Characters are believable and I found myself fascinated by them and their actions in the story. Ed writes wonderfully intriguing the reader at every turn of the page. It's very clear to the reader that Ed has some knowledge on crime and definitely shines through! I think he has a talent for writing this genre and I can't wait to read more of Ed's books!
The Last Straw is gripping, intriguing, gritty with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes so to speak!!!! Highly recommended!
The front cover for this book is striking, dark with a white mist and seems perfect for a crime thriller. A silhouette situated at the bottom of a man and inside that you can see a street illuminated by street in which someone holing a gun and another silhouette of someone walking away. The title is thin font in white as is the author's name. Ed's name is situated at the down the right hand side of the title, I would have liked to seen it a bit bigger.
16-year-old Sandra witnesses a carjacking by a young boy in Chicago city. Thinking she's doing the right thing she decides to go to the police accompanied by her father Ben. Her parents have split up and with her mother away travelling and not being contactable Ben is left to deal with this on his own. The police need Sandra as a witness as no one else has a detailed description of the boy, and it becomes apparent that she will have to testify in court. Her father is very worried about what they are getting mixed up in and for his daughter's safety. Harbouring the worried Ben speaks to his neighbour and friend Paul; who is a well-known and respected attorney for some guidance. Paul and his now girlfriend have also been through the mill, seeing their partner's being shot bay a hit man; which then brought them together. Who was the guy who shot them?
Mean while Howard Forster, also well-known for his dodgy dealings and not a man people want to cross. Howard never gets his hands dirty, in turn hiring men like Rico the number one hit man and coming in a close second is D'Angelo. After the carjacking Howard is in a pickle as the young boy is locked up and the young girl becomes the problem in his side. So he contacts Rico to deal with the girl and get rid of her, but Rico refuses to do it. Now he has to reluctantly go to D'Angelo to clear it up. But why is Howard so worried about getting the young boy out of trouble? Will D'Angelo complete the job? Will Sandra and her father be safe? Does Paul have an idea who is involved? And does he already know this person? Where will Sandra hid?
The Last Straw by Ed Duncan is the second book in the Pigeon Blood Red series, but can be read as a standalone. I found this story very gripping in deed; from the very first chapter to the very last page. It is very gritty which you come to expect from a crime/thriller. I felt the plot pulled me in to the degree that I needed to read on after every chapter; which is a good indication this is a really good story. Progressing at a good rate; which kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat at some points!!! The Characters are believable and I found myself fascinated by them and their actions in the story. Ed writes wonderfully intriguing the reader at every turn of the page. It's very clear to the reader that Ed has some knowledge on crime and definitely shines through! I think he has a talent for writing this genre and I can't wait to read more of Ed's books!
The Last Straw is gripping, intriguing, gritty with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes so to speak!!!! Highly recommended!
January 7, 2021
thank you to @bookpublicityservices & @ricostays for sending me the second book in the Rico series!!!
•
This is the second book in the series (Pigeon Blood Red is the first one), and I loved this one!!! I found this one a lot easier to follow, more engaging and a lot more entertaining than the first book in the series. Ed’s mind when he writes these are mind blowing. Crime, mystery, mafia & hit men, how much more can you ask for?
•
This was similar to the first one in regards to it taking me a long time to read. I’m not sure if it’s because there is so much detail in his writing style or because I do want to read every. single. word. ed writes!? Either way this is not a bad thing at all, it’s just different then other books i read!
•
I’m currently reading the third and final book in the series (Rico Stays) and i’m very much enjoying it!!!
•
This is the second book in the series (Pigeon Blood Red is the first one), and I loved this one!!! I found this one a lot easier to follow, more engaging and a lot more entertaining than the first book in the series. Ed’s mind when he writes these are mind blowing. Crime, mystery, mafia & hit men, how much more can you ask for?
•
This was similar to the first one in regards to it taking me a long time to read. I’m not sure if it’s because there is so much detail in his writing style or because I do want to read every. single. word. ed writes!? Either way this is not a bad thing at all, it’s just different then other books i read!
•
I’m currently reading the third and final book in the series (Rico Stays) and i’m very much enjoying it!!!
February 23, 2019
The book introduces us to Jean, a part-time prostitute who is with a customer that does not want to pay. Following a scary confrontation between Jean and this man, we are introduced to Richard Sanders, Rico. Rico is Jean's "friend", the book never actually confirms the relationship between Rico and Jean but they are certainly close. Rico is defensive of Jean and goes to find the scumbag that Jean was with that night. One thing leads to another and Rico does what he does best.
Rico is a professional hitman. I think that is the easiest way to describe his profession. He has no friends, no family and no connections. He only allows certain people into his inner circle, Jean being one of these people. Rico is asked to carry out a hit on a particular young lady. A young lady who has witnessed a carjacking gone wrong. However, Rico has one rule, he does not target women.
Sandy, the young lady who has witnessed something atrocious, is trying to do what is right and take her testimony at court, to tell the truth. There are a number of people who do not want her to do this and who are plotting against her. Paul Elliot, a lawyer who is close to Sandy and her dad is helping Sandy come to terms with what she saw and is assisting the family with any legal advice about the case which they may need.
Although Rico says he has no friends he certainly has a number of enemies. Specifically John D'Angelo. D'Angelo is a fellow hitman who has a bone to pick with Rico. As Rico said no D'Angelo is given the challenge of taking out Sandy. However, D'Angelo is convinced that Rico has caused upset in his life and wants to seek vengeance. The author keeps mentioning how there is no one better than Rico but D'Angelo is "the next best man for the job". I am sorry, but D'Angelo is rubbish at his job! If you want things to go wrong and accident to happen then hire D'Angelo.
Throughout the book, I kept asking who behind all of the crime and violence? Who is responsible for the killing of innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Someone more dangerous than Rico? Is there any way these crimes can be stopped and life go back to normal?
The book is only 220 pages long which was a great length to be able to read comfortably and not feel like I was finding it slow paced or like the author was prolonging the inevitable. I was impressed with the knowledge of guns in the story. Something which I never thought I would say. However, the author clearly knew the different types of guns and what they are designed for. Coming from someone from a rural area of the North East of England I know nothing about guns, I could definitely tell someone had done their research about which gun to use and when.
I personally really liked Rico and Jean, I also liked Paul Elliott and his girlfriend Evelyn. I thought all of their characters were relatable. I just wanted them to all be okay. I enjoyed how all the lives of the characters were intertwined, from past experiences to shared history. They knew each other but didn't necessarily know it. There were a number of hidden secrets and things which had been buried years before starting to resurface. A number of families and people have been caught up in crimes and mistakes which should never have happened.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to start reading murder and crime books but they do not want anything really gory or scary. I enjoyed the book and I found it had enough excitement to keep me engrossed but not too much detail that I was too scared to carry on reading.
Rating: 7/10
10-Word-Review: Crime rings and revenge all because of secrets and lies.
Rico is a professional hitman. I think that is the easiest way to describe his profession. He has no friends, no family and no connections. He only allows certain people into his inner circle, Jean being one of these people. Rico is asked to carry out a hit on a particular young lady. A young lady who has witnessed a carjacking gone wrong. However, Rico has one rule, he does not target women.
Sandy, the young lady who has witnessed something atrocious, is trying to do what is right and take her testimony at court, to tell the truth. There are a number of people who do not want her to do this and who are plotting against her. Paul Elliot, a lawyer who is close to Sandy and her dad is helping Sandy come to terms with what she saw and is assisting the family with any legal advice about the case which they may need.
Although Rico says he has no friends he certainly has a number of enemies. Specifically John D'Angelo. D'Angelo is a fellow hitman who has a bone to pick with Rico. As Rico said no D'Angelo is given the challenge of taking out Sandy. However, D'Angelo is convinced that Rico has caused upset in his life and wants to seek vengeance. The author keeps mentioning how there is no one better than Rico but D'Angelo is "the next best man for the job". I am sorry, but D'Angelo is rubbish at his job! If you want things to go wrong and accident to happen then hire D'Angelo.
Throughout the book, I kept asking who behind all of the crime and violence? Who is responsible for the killing of innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Someone more dangerous than Rico? Is there any way these crimes can be stopped and life go back to normal?
The book is only 220 pages long which was a great length to be able to read comfortably and not feel like I was finding it slow paced or like the author was prolonging the inevitable. I was impressed with the knowledge of guns in the story. Something which I never thought I would say. However, the author clearly knew the different types of guns and what they are designed for. Coming from someone from a rural area of the North East of England I know nothing about guns, I could definitely tell someone had done their research about which gun to use and when.
I personally really liked Rico and Jean, I also liked Paul Elliott and his girlfriend Evelyn. I thought all of their characters were relatable. I just wanted them to all be okay. I enjoyed how all the lives of the characters were intertwined, from past experiences to shared history. They knew each other but didn't necessarily know it. There were a number of hidden secrets and things which had been buried years before starting to resurface. A number of families and people have been caught up in crimes and mistakes which should never have happened.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to start reading murder and crime books but they do not want anything really gory or scary. I enjoyed the book and I found it had enough excitement to keep me engrossed but not too much detail that I was too scared to carry on reading.
Rating: 7/10
10-Word-Review: Crime rings and revenge all because of secrets and lies.
March 23, 2019
This is a rather dark, crazy story about a young girl who witnesses a murder. The police want her to testify if they get the killer. Her Mom and Dad have split and Mom is traveling the world without itinerary. Her Dad is raising her and the two of them live in an apartment complex where they have becomes friends with the lawyer downstairs. Someone kills the girl’s dad and pretty quickly they all figure out that the bullet was meant for the girl. The killer, a young man, has no previous criminal record and no connection to organized crime, so why is somebody trying to off the witness?
August 26, 2020
Full disclosure, I was provided with a copy of this book by the author or their representative, however, I have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
Family ties complicate business
A teenage girl is an eyewitness to a carjacking gone wrong. As a result, she becomes a target of a hit by a locally notorious mob boss. But why would this random girl raise the ire of the local wiseguys? After an attempt on her life, she finds herself under the protective eye of family friend Paul Elliot and his girlfriend Evelyn. Little does she know, that due to a situation the duo encountered last year they also have an unlikely guardian angel of their own. When Rico starts digging around, he uncovers a family secret as well as a vendetta from a rival enforcer. Using all his means, legal and otherwise, Rico intends to uncover the reason behind the hit on the girl and settle an old grudge before any more innocents are killed.
The Last Straw by Ed Duncan continues the story of hitman Rico approximately one year after the close of Pigeon Blood Red. Paul and Evelyn return as does Jean, Rico, and a few other unsavory characters. As Paul and Evelyn attempt to settle into a semi-normal life they are thrust unknowingly once again into underworld affairs. With a scorned assassin on their heels, Rico makes it his personal mission to save the duo from a rival to settle a year-old score.
I must confess when I read Pigeon Blood Red two years ago, I didn’t love the story. As a matter of fact, my review for this first book in this series was probably one of my most critical to date. Even knowing that, I decided to give the second book in the series a chance to see if my feelings on the overall story had changed. What I found was that characters that I once thought were flat and unlikeable began to grow on me. Rather than feeling formulaic and cliché, The Last Straw felt more detailed and fleshed out, mostly due to Duncan’s references to events in the prior book that provided substance and backstory for The Last Straw. Having Rico act as a reluctant guardian of Paul and Evelyn as they are oblivious to the larger danger around them really helped to endear the main character to the reader in my eyes.
Where in my initial opinion Pigeon Blood Red did not really have any “good guys”, I really can’t say the same for The Last Straw. In the space of two books, Duncan has managed to take my initial opinion and turn it around. I am looking forward to seeing how the series wraps up in the final book in the trilogy “Rico Stays”.
February 22, 2018
The Last Straw by Ed Duncan is a crime thriller filled with suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch the story unfold!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
I said it in my review for Pigeon-Blood Red, and of course I have to say it again here. Ed Duncan's writing style is so fantastic! It's so easy to read and very realistic. The action and suspense is so well done that I struggled to put The Last Straw down!
I just love how well the author organizes his stories; there are various characters and different storylines, but they are all woven together in such a wonderful way!
One of my favorite things about Ed Dunkin’s writing style is that he is able to write these sentences that totally catch me off guard. It happened this time on page 27. It was another instance where I read the sentence, stopped, and immediately had to jump back and reread it.
Because this was the second book, I was really interested to learn more about a few of the characters we had met in book one. We got to see Paul and Evelyn together which stuck in another very intense situation. And while stressful, there were also some really lovely moments. I enjoyed the very tense relationship between Rico and a man named John D'Angelo. I couldn't wait to see how things would turn out there! And I especially loved getting to know Rico and Jean more and seeing a more "normal" look into their dynamic as a couple.
There were some other main characters, but I don't want to discuss too much there because I'll give away too much of the plot! So I'll just say that I thought Sandra was an incredibly strong character, even though her involvement in the actual narrative was on the lighter side. I do wish the story had spent just a little bit more time with her, but the time that was focused on her was very powerful because it was so brief.
All in all, another wonderful crime novel by Ed Duncan! I cannot wait to see what he writes next! If you enjoy crime novels with characters that will stick in your mind, you have to give this one a read!
My favorite passages:
“I’m sorry,” Jean said. “But it’s such a shock to hear you admit that you’re human.”
“Don’t get excited. It’s not that big a deal.”
The last few days he had felt like he was inside of Salvador Dali painting or a Franz Kafka story. It was as though he were wide awake and sound asleep at the same time. He could see all kinds of bizarre things happening around him and to him, but he was powerless to influence or stop any of them.
“You’re very brave young lady,” Evelyn said after Sandy confided in her.
“No, I’m not. I’m scared to death.”
“The two aren’t mutually exclusive. Brave people are frightened all the time, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t brave. What makes them brave is standing up for what they believe in or risking their own safety despite being scared.”
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
I said it in my review for Pigeon-Blood Red, and of course I have to say it again here. Ed Duncan's writing style is so fantastic! It's so easy to read and very realistic. The action and suspense is so well done that I struggled to put The Last Straw down!
I just love how well the author organizes his stories; there are various characters and different storylines, but they are all woven together in such a wonderful way!
One of my favorite things about Ed Dunkin’s writing style is that he is able to write these sentences that totally catch me off guard. It happened this time on page 27. It was another instance where I read the sentence, stopped, and immediately had to jump back and reread it.
Because this was the second book, I was really interested to learn more about a few of the characters we had met in book one. We got to see Paul and Evelyn together which stuck in another very intense situation. And while stressful, there were also some really lovely moments. I enjoyed the very tense relationship between Rico and a man named John D'Angelo. I couldn't wait to see how things would turn out there! And I especially loved getting to know Rico and Jean more and seeing a more "normal" look into their dynamic as a couple.
There were some other main characters, but I don't want to discuss too much there because I'll give away too much of the plot! So I'll just say that I thought Sandra was an incredibly strong character, even though her involvement in the actual narrative was on the lighter side. I do wish the story had spent just a little bit more time with her, but the time that was focused on her was very powerful because it was so brief.
All in all, another wonderful crime novel by Ed Duncan! I cannot wait to see what he writes next! If you enjoy crime novels with characters that will stick in your mind, you have to give this one a read!
My favorite passages:
“I’m sorry,” Jean said. “But it’s such a shock to hear you admit that you’re human.”
“Don’t get excited. It’s not that big a deal.”
The last few days he had felt like he was inside of Salvador Dali painting or a Franz Kafka story. It was as though he were wide awake and sound asleep at the same time. He could see all kinds of bizarre things happening around him and to him, but he was powerless to influence or stop any of them.
“You’re very brave young lady,” Evelyn said after Sandy confided in her.
“No, I’m not. I’m scared to death.”
“The two aren’t mutually exclusive. Brave people are frightened all the time, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t brave. What makes them brave is standing up for what they believe in or risking their own safety despite being scared.”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews