Book Review: Bum Deal by Paul Levine
Janey Mack brings her amazingly funny Maisie McGrane back for a third thrill ride of a novel Shoot ’em Up. In this story, McGrane is, as usual, in over her head. As in the other books in this series McGrane uses her wit, sex appeal, and stubbornness to work the case.
This book picks up basically at the end of the last book. Maisie is working undercover for the Chicago police. She was hurt in a SWAT raid that served in the climax to Choked Up.
Recovering from her injury she is asked to continue her undercover work. Her cover had been she was dating a high-profile crime lord. That crime lord escaped at the end of the last book and is now in hiding. Maisie has an opening to step into his shoes and take over part of the Chicago’s organized crime.
When an assassination attempt on the Chicago mayor points to a drug cartel in Mexico, Maisie ends up on the case. Using her position within the crime world, she starts to broker a deal to bring drugs up from Mexico to Chicago.
Trips to Mexico and events in Chicago provide Maisie multiple chances to nearly blow her cover or otherwise destroy the operation.
Author Janey Mack has a fun way of writing Maisie McGrane. The story is told the first person and includes the thoughts Maisie has as she works. There is a perverse humor in Maisie telling someone one thing but thinking something completely the opposite. Getting inside her head helps to show the stress and pressure working undercover can have on a police officer.
A few parts of the story stray outside the lines of what is considered the acceptable procedure. However, the story is fiction and writers can take some liberties with processes.
I have liked all the Maisie McGrane books. This third one is about the best. If you are looking for a good book, I would suggest picking up a copy of Shoot ’em Up.
A free advanced review copy was provided by the publisher for this unbiased review.
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