Online Guy: THE LONG FALL by Lynn Kostoff

 Online Guy: THE LONG FALL  by Lynn Kostoff. 2003, 978078711659.

I run across Kostoff online and had been intending to read his work for a while. This came out 22 years ago. And, dang it, I cannot recall time period it is set in. I'm thinking it was the 1990s. Anyhoo. 

Slack-ass loser and released convict Jimmy is a self-involved fuckup. He went to prison for stealing Saguaro cacti - a felony in AZ - and now has a big gambling debt to a loanshark. Jimmy got fired from his latest job at a Western themed local amusement park. He figures he can turn his recently inherited property into cash. He just needs his much, much, much more successful brother to sign some papers.

Successful brother Richard tells him to pound sand because he is sick of Jimmy's BS and need for bailouts. The brothers argue. Richard pulls a scam on Jimmy because he knows Jimmy won't read the actual documents he is signing. Jimmy and Richard argue. 

Jimmy is under threat by the loanshark's goons. Jimmy makes stupid decisions. Laughter ensues. Bad Guy has evil background and evil intentions. Jimmy's sister-in-law hates her work and obligations. Jimmy and sister-in-law start sexual affair.

I enjoyed the book. A cover blurb compares to Cark Hiassen. I've not read Hiassen in a long time so I cannot vouch for that. This does fit that humorous noir category of bad guy making bad decisions with little to no way out. Except the category of 'humorous noir' also means it's not really noir because a happy or bittersweet ending is usually included.

Comments:

• Lots of Phoenix and Phoenix area details.
• Gun talk with Bad Guy have an odd assemblage of weapons. One of which is a P239. I used to really want a P239 years ago.
• Ripping on Rotary and stuffed shirt members.
• Hey, man. Rotary does a crap ton of community work. My club is not filled with self-serving a-holes.
• Sister-in-law married Rich Brother and had to join the family business. She wants to go back to the art world and run a gallery. Managing dry cleaning stores is NOT her thing.