After a couple of wonderful side ventures into post-apocalyptic science fiction and horror, Victor Gischler returns to the kind of neo-noir fiction for which he’s known and loved. THE DEPUTY is a dark, dusty, full-bore blast of nonstop violence and corruption. But we’re talking Gischler here, so that means it’s also a hell of a lot of fun, too.
Toby Sawyer, a part-time deputy for the local police department in his small hometown of Coyote Crossing, Okla., is dragged out of bed one night and leaves his wife and baby son in their trailer with just enough time to pin his badge on his Weezer T-shirt and strap his revolver belt to his sweatpants. Luke Jordan, a local whom Toby remembers as a high school bully, has been found shot in his pickup near the center of town.
Being the low man on the force’s totem pole, Toby is assigned to babysit the body while the chief and the rest of the small force process the case. It’s the kind of grunt work he’s used to, and because he’s hoping to eventually get the bump up to full-time employment, he reluctantly accepts.
But being the slacker that he is, Toby is soon bored and decides to leave the dead body where it is while he puts the high hard one to his underaged girlfriend. It doesn’t take long, but by the time he returns to the scene of the crime, he discovers that Luke’s body has disappeared.
Toby panics. This could surely cost him his job, and things are tense enough back in the trailer between him and his wife. In his desperate search for the corpse, Toby discovers that Luke and his brothers were part of a smuggling ring bringing Mexican illegals across the border. And that’s just the beginning of the longest night imaginable where Toby learns how deep the scam is entrenched in his hometown, while trying to stay alive with every truth he discovers.
Before the first chapter is over, Gischler has the pedal to the floor and doesn’t let up until the epilogue. Toby’s night is breathlessly full of burning rubber, bullets, fire and just enough energy drinks to keep him going.
Amazingly, the author finds moments where Toby reflects on his past, his failed attempt to leave Coyote Crossing behind, and the memories of the people with whom he grew up. So while we are busy keeping up with Toby as he gets himself deeper into life-threatening trouble, we also come to know about him and the stifling life to which he is resigned. As if all this weren’t enough, Gischler includes many moments of insightful humor that keep us smiling while turning the pages.
This kind of story fits Gischler like a favorite pair of Levis. Possibly due to his two novels prior, he returns to contemporary crime fiction with a renewed vigor and a take-no-prisoners attitude that’s a downright joy to behold. Go get THE DEPUTY, but be prepared to put a few hours aside exclusively for it. It’s that kind of book. —Alan Cranis
Buy it at Amazon.
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE by Victor Gischler
• PUNISHER: FRANK CASTLE — WELCOME TO THE BAYOU by Victor Gischler and Goran Parlov
• SHOTGUN OPERA by Victor Gischler
• VAMPIRE A GO-GO by Victor Gischler
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This was good stuff. Should be on every shelf.