Monday 3 May 2021

Book ~ "Blacktop Wasteland" (2020) S.A. Cosby

From Goodreads ~ Beauregard “Bug” Montage is an honest mechanic, a loving husband and a hard-working dad. Bug knows there’s no future in the man he used to be: known from the hills of North Carolina to the beaches of Florida as the best wheelman on the East Coast. 

He thought he'd left all that behind him but as his carefully built new life begins to crumble, he finds himself drawn inexorably back into a world of blood and bullets. When a smooth-talking former associate comes calling with a can't-miss jewelry store heist, Bug feels he has no choice but to get back in the driver's seat. And Bug is at his best where the scent of gasoline mixes with the smell of fear. 

Haunted by the ghost of who he used to be and the father who disappeared when he needed him most, Bug must find a way to navigate this blacktop wasteland ... or die trying.

As a younger man, Beauregard had gotten into trouble but did his time.  Now he's a married man, father of three and owns a garage.  Unfortunately another garage recently opened, part of a chain, who is able to charge lower fees and Beauregard is feeling it financially.  He's desperate so looking for a score for some quick cash.  Against his better judgement, he hooks up with Reggie to break into a jewelry store and steal some diamonds.  Reggie has some insider information so it can't fail and Beauregard will walk away with almost $90,000, which will get him back on his feet again.  But it doesn't go as planned and Beauregard is forced to get involved in another scheme with Reggie to keep his family safe.

I thought this book was just okay.  It's written in third person perspective from various points of view (it depends on where the action is).  I think the writing could have been tighter ... the car chases are very detailed and I didn't need that much.  I liked Beauregard ... he's a good man trying to provide for his family who is getting sucked back into his past.  I wasn't buying his analysis of himself towards the end that he's just like his father and has no choice for his actions and desires ... yet he assumes his kids will have better options (then wouldn't he?).  As a head's up, there is swearing and violence.

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