Review: Discovery Channel Ain't Got Nothing On Lamendola!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 7, 2011
I'm not usually into "hard boiled" mysteries or "noir" fiction, but I couldn't resist Michael Lamendola's Thrift Store Bounty Hunters after Michael started following me on Twitter.  When I checked out his profile and saw the title of his latest book, and then read the description above, I knew I had to read this for myself.It's the story of two losers who are out to make a quick buck wherever they can, and luck seems to always be on their side.  Unfortunately, trouble seems to be on their side too. Our nameless narrator, otherwise known as Buddy Boy (but he hates when you call him that), is drinking his broken heart away when in walks his ole pal Sal who talks Buddy into joining him at the race track to serve some divorce papers on some old rich guy. But when the suit pulls a gun on them in the men's restroom, things are about to get messy.With papers served, it's time to do some drinking, flirting, and time to lose some money.  But remember what I said!  Luck is on their side.  Buddy Boy cashes in big on the first pick for the glue factory, and just when he's about to buy dinner and drinks, in walks the suit's soon-to-be ex-wife with another proposal that the two buds just can't pass on. But when the tables are turned and the bad guys start playing our guys like puppets on a string, it's time to sober up and get down to business!Thrift Store Bounty Hunters is a Discovery Channel Repo, Intervention, Cops, Thrift Store reality show gone terribly wrong!  And you can't turn the channel because you are loving every minute of it. Buddy and Sal's wry brassy humor will not only have you snorting out loud, but at times, they will make you blush!Here are a few of my favorite quotes from early on.At the race track:"To my surprise, none of the horses have their names written on them, just a bunch of numbers. There aren't even any sponsors or flame decals... that's what these horses need: dozens of sponsor logos strewn across their body, saying things like "Follow Me to Big Al's Chop House."At the bar:"I glance at my watch and can't tell what time it is. Maybe that's because I'm not wearing one. Yeah, that could be it.""I take a swig of beer and stare at the ceiling. I could be out blowing a good chunk of my winnings on cheap booze and fine women, or maybe fine booze and cheap women, but instead I'll be buying muscle to protect me in lock down from thugs named Bubba who are looking for a new wife."Filled with fresh dialogue tha moves the story along at an awesome pace, and enough belly-laugh one liners to make happy hour a lot more fun, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a light and entertaining read, and if you like dead bodies, adult beverages and hot women, Elvis impersonaters, tattoo joints, and don't mind being (mildly) offended.