In Review

 

Haskins’ new ‘Nobody Wins’ – NOT!

 

By C.S. GILBERT

 

The title of Michael Haskins’ newest novel, “Nobody Wins,” is bogus.

 

Trust me. The reader wins.

 

To a point, mystery-adventure writer Haskins and I are the same sort of critter—journalist, spokesperson, public relations pro. But he also writes fiction. When his first Mad Mick Murphy novel set in Key West, “Chase the Wind,” was published I enjoyed an entertaining read and tucked the book away somewhere. Looking to refresh my memory in preparation for this review, it was nowhere to be found and, unfortunately, forgettable.

No way am I going to forget this one.

“Nobody Wins” may be an appropriate title for the free-wheeling adventure that careens from Key West to Los Angeles to Ireland and back, but the readers are the winners here. It’s a page-turner, what-the-hell-is-happening-here shoot-’em-up, and the book launch is set for Saturday, Sept. 13, 2 p.m. at the Smokin’ Tuna.

I asked Haskins at the 9/11 commenoration last week why he called his hero “Mad.” By Key West standards, he’s pretty much an ordinary guy, a drinker, who tends to get into trouble—in other words, one of us. Haskins reverted to the old saw about the Irish nickname Mick but didn’t really have an answer. The truth as I see it is that Murphy is another iconic Key West character we can take to our hearts.

This newest novel is a page-tutrner, an attention grabber. Almost every chapter ends with a cliff-hanger. The reader learns a lot about covert ops, fire power and — my favorite — Irish history, particularly the history of The Troubles, Ireland’s centuries long war to win freedom from the domination of the British empire which, heavens help us, may endure till today.

But even beyond this education there are gifts: high-intensity action, humor (often dark) and, perhaps a little surprising in this genre, a lilt in Haskins’ language. It’s not just the Irish brogue; it’s the occasional, surprising, delightful lyrical prose.

There are elements of travelogue in this adventure, with well-researched details to reinforce the realism of the settings. Key West, of course, with spot-on descriptions of Schooner Wharf, the Parrot, Harpoon Harry’s. Los Angeles and New Jersey ring true from the dim recesses of memory; I’m familiar with both, having lived there—for 25 years, heavens help me, in the latter. Never having visited Ireland, this novel rekindled the desire to pay a visit (albein not in winter).

Above all, though, “Nobody Wins” (a pretty awful title, actually) is a heart-stopping, OMG shoot-em-up and a winning read.

I recommend it.

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