Ringer

Morty Martinez #2

by Brian M. Wiprud

Charged with recovering a sacred relic for his La Paz diocese, Morty Martinez hunts down a gold ring that rests on the finger of New York City billionaire Robert Tyson Grant. The holy quest lands Morty squarely in murderous cross plots between the billionaire and his tabloid-prone stepdaughter, Purity. Grant’s conniving girlfriend, a decapitation-happy hit man, and an avaricious fortune teller have their own agendas that put Morty at the center of a sensational murder trial in Mexico. All as told by Morty the night before his execution.

Genres: Crime

352 pages, Hardcover

First published July 19, 2011

About the author

A New York City writer, Brian Wiprud is the award-winning and multiply nominated author of fifteen novels. His current series features the adventures of Boone Linsenbigler, dashing and jinxed pitchman for a multinational beverage company.

Reviews

[M. Sprouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read seven of Brian Wiprud's novels. I've always found them good but not great. Well forget that this one for me, was an unequivocal five star masterpiece. The writing is clear, concise and very witty. The characters are interesting and the ending is superb.

[Gloria Feit · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ringer” is a sly tale revolving around an encounter between a 65-year-old billionaire and a Mexican man of less than savory background. A caper novel with a plot arising out of a stew comprised of an ancient ring which may or may not be blessed and/or cursed, a spoiled and willful 19-year-old girl, a Greenwich Village palmist and her assorted relatives, and a smattering of several truisms purportedly from the mouth of Abraham Lincoln, among many other things, make up this consistently delightful concoction.

The protagonist is Morty Martinez, introduced to readers in the author’s “Feelers,” Brooklyn native and former house cleaner, who now considers himself as La Paz gentry now that is living in Mexico again and he has a few million in the bank. The aforementioned teenager is [ironically] named Purity Grant, who has a mutually hateful relationship with her stepfather, the billionaire. Their toxic dynamic fuels thoughts of murder as the easiest way out of matters financial and emotional, by both parties, and somehow Morty becomes the designated hit man of each. The mantra invoked from time to time, by each of the major players, is Earn Destiny, and they all go about trying to achieve that end in a manner which seems most logical to those involved, as opposed, perhaps, to anyone in the ‘normal’ world, such as, e.g., the reader.

Purity’s speech is regularly peppered with acronyms, as though her mind is permanently in text-speak. [Being in the minority that is not thoroughly conversant with that particular mind-set, I have to admit to being unable to decipher them all. Typing this, it only just dawned on me, e.g., that “ITWYT” means “if that’s what you think.” “NHNF” and “YGAGA m9” still elude me, as does in general the concept of people actually using these in everyday, that is to say verbal, speech. Hopefully there is nothing profane in any of that.] But that only contributes to the enjoyment of this zany tale, which had me smiling or laughing aloud throughout. I have to admit I have not yet read “Feelers,” but will try to correct that without much further ado. Recommended.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morty Martinez, having ending "Feelers" a rich man, is enjoying his life in Mexico when the local priest asks for help. A photograph of mogul Robert Tyson Grant shows him wearing a precious ring, stolen from the Church years ago. Will Morty go back to New York and ask Grant to return the ring? But Grant and his Southern belle girlfriend are waiting for quite a different visitor from Mexico--someone who will take care, once and for all, of Grant's celebutante, scandal-bait stepdaughter Purity. Meanwhile, Purity has decided she may have to take more aggressive steps to get rid of her hated stepfather--her antics are not giving him a heart attack, as she'd hoped. Add a gypsy fortune teller and her family, a hit man and a tabloid journalist, and no one knows what's going on.

[Rabid Readers Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual with Wiprud, you have to stick with the book for a bit to get over how oddly it begins. This book brings back Morty Martinez, a character from an earlier novel, sent on a religious mission to recover a ring from a mogul who is expecting a Mexican hitman...and the obvious there ensues. What is not obvious is Wiprud's grace and craft in making not a lot a big to do that ends in an unexpected way.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ringer may not be as exceptionally wacky as Wiprud's Feelers, but if you’re looking for a comical crime novel to read poolside, it’s a pretty good choice.

Read the full review at http://www.nightsandweekends.com/arti...

[Mary George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morty Martinez is a wonderful character. I fell in love with him in Feelers, and now, in Ringer he proves once again that he is a hero worth cheering for, even if he doesn't always know what's going on around him.

[Christee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Wiprud, but after this I plan on reading all I can find. The narrator, main character, has a quirky way of seeing things, and wrote this one like a screen play with production suggestions that are pretty funny. I really enjoyed it!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is SO funny! I havent laughed out loud like this so much while reading a book in a long time. Don't forget to read the last 4 pages, though. (my husband thought they were ads until I made him read past the bikini-clad girl.)

[John McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last few chapters have you hanging off the edge of your seat but the conclusion will leave you laughing !