Review: Whimsical, light-hearted, and fun
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 10, 2013
Yes, it could benefit from some editing - that's why the 5th star is missing.It's not realistic, but then it's not supposed to be.  It's called fiction for a reason, and I don't understand why so many reviewers seem hung up on the facts that he's 30 and dreams of being a pro football player, and he can't "get over" his mother's murder of 20 years before.  There are some things that stay with us for life.  He spent years expecting and being expected to play pro football.  An injury took that dream away, but 30 isn't 60, and why shouldn't he go for it? Also, if you've ever lost a parent, you know it's a pain that you never "get over".  It's something that haunts you for the rest of your life. Some pretty harsh reviewers on this page!Jim's a bit cocky, but it's in the way of someone who's insecure and posturing so people don't realize how insecure he really is.  I found his character believable in most ways.  The disregard for danger and nonchalance regarding the hit man after him was taking the arrogance a bit far, I have to admit. I also thought he was needlessly violent at times.  For instance, the wife beater could have been sent to jail rather than having his butt kicked.The language didn't bother me in the least. This is a book for adults, not children or YA, so why the outrage over language? I don't blame the author for having fairly realistic dialogue. In fact, I found the dialogue refreshing after reading so many robotic/stilted conversations in kindle books lately.God in McDonald's was hilarious!  I'm an atheist, and even I loved those mysterious, often prophetic chats.  What a great, creative touch! Without those talks, it would be virtually indistinguishable from many other PI action novels.  Kudos to Mr. Rain for originality!Not many characters were realistic.  Mostly, they seemed like parodies of stereotypes.  The nosy yet dignified lady gardening and offering iced tea, pretending to be put off about the murder but secretly enjoying the attention.  The black kid from an all-white school who tries to speak like a tough guy to hide his fear.  The uppity lawyer, Charlie Brown, was fantastic. The hit man was very outlandish, a great parody of white trash criminals. The cold, calculating villain. I could go on but there's no point.  Maybe some of the readers just didn't get it.  I didn't find it shallow at all.  It had all the classic types of characters we love and love to hate.With some editing, I would recommend this book to any adult who wants something light-hearted and whimsical to distract them from reality for an afternoon.