Grinder

Wilson Mystery #2

by Mike Knowles

A dangerous mobster’s nephews are missing and the only suspects are his lieutenants. Wilson is pulled back to once again work under the radar — to quietly find out who is responsible, so it can be settled with screams. Wilson is back to being what he was. He’s a grinder again. All bets are off and before he’s done — everyone will pay.

Genres: Crime, Canada, Mystery, Fiction

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grinder by Mike Knowles is the second novel involving the character known only as "Wilson." By mutual agreement, Wilson left the employ of his former mob boss Paolo and has been hiding out in a small village working on a fishing boat. After two years of his new and secret life, Paolo locates Wilson and summons him home for another task.

Against his will, Wilson does return to find out what happened to two of Paolo's missing relatives so Paolo can dole out the required punishent if need be. What follows is pulp-like carnage.

Grinder is recommend for those that enjoy novels like the Quarry series by Max Allan Collins and Parker by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake).

[Viva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead:

Wilson is an independent criminal contractor, who basically kills people or breaks their legs (but only other criminals). He's retired and has tried to hide himself. Unfortunately a chance news article photograph accidentally exposes him and his old an employer (a mafia boss), tasks him to find who killed his nephews and won't take no for an answer.

There isn't any subtlety in this series. Wilson uses his street smarts to find his culprits and then uses his fists or gun to subdue his victims or to obtain information. There aren't any deep thoughts or political moralizing (copied from another review). I enjoyed one or two in this series but I won't continue.

Why? Because there isn't any real character development. I read books because I like the protagonist or because the writing is smart. Wilson does have street smarts but he is basically the blunt instrument of the author who uses him to smash down or kill opponents. The Malko series is somewhat similar in that it's also simply written and action packed but for some reason the Malko series has smarter writing. I think maybe the Wilson character is too blunt for this own good. Anyway, if you like violence and don't want any frills to go with it, you may like this book.

[Mark Zodda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quick-read, featuring a violent, amoral "hero." Enjoyable and usually fast-paced though most of the first third of the book was spent recapping the events from book 1. Looking forward to reading the next book.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good; Continuing character: Wilson; after a two year hiatus, Wilson's whereabouts are discovered by his former boss, who blackmails him into one more job; after a slow start, Wilson regains his propensity for violence and works his way through suspects

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard boiled noir novel, competantly written. But I never really engaged with the protagonist. If you like noir, give Knowles a try.

[J. Kent Messum · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, gritty little story about a former criminal dragged back into the life he tried hard to put behind him. Hard-nosed characters and tough predicaments make some of the story enjoyable. The writing has promise, but suffers greatly from a lack of good editing, though I don't fault the author for that.

[Hella Comat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in this series by Hamilton author MIke Knowles. I love his references to local streets and points of interest. Wilson is again involved in the local crime scene despite his best efforts to abandon it.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two years ago, Wilson was working for Paolo, a mobster in Hamilton, ON. He was a grinder ... he did what he had to do to get information out of people. Some stuff went down and Wilson took off to start a new quieter life in Prince Edward Island. He ended up getting a job on a fishing boat and kept his head down. Two years later, two of Paolo's nephews have been kidnapped and he suspects it was done by someone within the "family". Paolo sends for Wilson (not giving Wilson much choice) to find out who kidnapped his nephews.

This is the second (of six) in the Wilson series ... the first one apparently covers what happened two years ago that made Wilson run. This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked the story. It's the first time I've read a book set in Hamilton (I spent three days there a couple weeks ago).

It works as a stand alone ... though I haven't read the first one, there was enough information provided to get the gist of what had happened in it. I'd like to read the first one to get caught up and then move onto the rest.

I liked the writing style. It was blunt and to the point. As a head's up, there is swearing and violence. Despite his occupation and the characters he encounters, I found Wilson likable.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2017/04...