Whiplash River: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Like Carl Hiaasen, Berney delights in the cartoonish. Like Elmore Leonard, he can drive a plot. What sets him apart is how well he evokes love, making the romance...as compelling as the mystery.
Boston Globe

Lou Berney immediately earned a seat of honor at the mystery masters table with his crackling caper novel, Gutshot Straighta lightning-fast, fiendishly clever suspenser that screamed for a sequel. And here it is. Former professional wheel man Charles Shake Bouchon is back, living in the Caribbean paradise of Belize with his lawless past far behind himuntil a gunshot tears through his beachside restaurant and hes on the run again. A twisting tale filled with lawmen, con men, and hit men; a beautiful but deadly FBI agent; and a murderous thug named Baby Jesus, Whiplash River recalls the best of the off-the-wall crime fiction impresariosElmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, James W. Hall, Robert Ferrigno, Tim Dorseywhile establishing its own unique orbit in the noir universe.

Reviews

Berney takes his rightful place as heir to Elmore Leonard with this witty and nimble comedic thriller . . . the exotic locales are vibrant, the supporting cast larger than life, and the plot hums along without a wasted page. Publishers Weekly (starred review) Berneys plot makes as many sharp turns as San Franciscos famously curvy Lombard Street. His characters . . . are brilliantly drawn . . . the dialogue is crisp and often funny . . . Whiplash River should be a contender for this years [Booklists Best Crime Novels] list. Booklist (starred review) In this entertaining sequel to Gutshot Straight, Berney has a great time tweaking the familiar . . . featuring a number of great set pieces, snappy dialogue, and colorful characters, the plot hums along like a mosquito cloud over a puddle. Publishers Weekly, staff pick for Best Summer Books 2012 Berney blends equal parts action and humor, topped with the right amount of romance, for a summer read thats a firecracker . . . fun, clever and well-written fiction with protagonists you can really root for. Oklahoma Gazette A non-stop comedy-thriller-romance that Elmore Leonard would proudly keep on his nightstand . . . Shake gets entangled with a mysterious older character, his former girlfriend Gina, a persistent FBI agent and a gunman youll root for -- all with dialogue that ricochets faster than the bullets. Cleveland Plain Dealer Some writers can make me laugh and some can make me gasp, but Lou Berney can make me do both at the same time, and then get me all misty, too. Whiplash River belongs at the very top of the bestseller list. Timothy Hallinan, author of The Queen of Patpong Slick, sleek, and wildly entertaining, Whiplash River is pure pleasure. Im a snob for prose, and these words sing, managing to be at once lean and evocative, confident and wry. Lou Berney is that kind of annoyingly skilled stylist who makes everything look easy. Marcus Sakey, author of The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes and host of the Travel Channel's Hidden City A delirious caper in the spirit of Hiaasen and Leonard. The Barnes & Noble Review You dont have to have read GUTSHOT STRAIGHT to thoroughly enjoy WHIPLASH RIVER, but youll want to, simply to savor more of Berneys work and characters while youre waiting for what hopefully will be next years installment. Bookreporter.com Whiplash River is nonstop action, filled with humor, plot twists and even romance . . a hilarious crime caper spanning the globe. Shelf Awareness Wonderfully flawed characters . . . Berney keeps you guessing until the very last chapter. Fun, exciting and deadly, Whiplash River is not to be missed. SheKnows.com If you like crime fiction, do yourself a favor and read Lou Berneys thrilling, funny and whipsmart novel Whiplash River. Then, if you havent read its predecessor, Gutshot Straight, Berneys debut novel, read that one too. Virginian Pilot This witty, comedic tale is filled with romance, mystery and intrigue. A good caper with well-developed characters, Whiplash River is a winding adventure. Express Milwaukee This is pure breezy reading a fun little crime novel that will pass the time as you lounge out on beaches or by pools this summer. Bookgasm Fast, furious, with characters that spike higher than the scatterbrain action, Berney has a hit on his hands with Whiplash River. Ferociously funny, endearingly romantic, annoyingly buzzed, slapstick and chaotic. The Review Broads blog Whiplash River recalls the best of the off-the-wall crime fiction impresarios - Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, James W. Hall, Robert Ferrigno, Tim Dorsey - while establishing its own unique orbit in the noir universe. Iron Mountain Daily News

Author Bio

Lou Berney is the author of two previous novelsWhiplash River, nominated for an Edgar Award, and Gutshot Straight, nominated for a Barry Award-as well as the collection The Road to Bobby Joe and Other Stories. A television and film screenwriter, he also teaches writing at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University.