Trouble Brewing

by Edward Winslow

Dave's no superhero, even if he does have a very unusual talent. But when a major New Zealand crime lord comes looking for two million dollars that Dave's wife embezzled, he needs to learn to act like one.

Genres: Action, Crime

Nook

First published September 4, 2011

Reviews

[Craig Sisterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book surprised me: a self-published novella about a pretty ordinary guy who hates his job and has a bizarre tea-related 'superpower' that he ends up using while trying to survive the criminal underworld his incarcerated wife has pissed off.

I really didn't know what to expect, but what I found was something delightful, quirky, and very readable.

Winslow does a terrific job bringing us into Dave's world, quickly setting things up and populating it with interesting characters and lurking danger, so that it's easy to suspend our disbelief and just enjoy the ride, even when things get a little loose or farcical. Dave's a likable if wimpy guy in a miserable situation - largely thanks to his imprisoned wife Belinda's actions, but perhaps he was just fooling himself all along about their good life together, and his obliviousness and lack of spine has played a part too.

When some dangerous people Belinda bilked in a Ponzi scheme demand their money back, Dave has to find some backbone, otherwise his shitty life could get a whole lot worse. With some help from new friends, the tough-as-guts ex-con Liza and her flamboyant friend Jean, Dave discovers that his ability to heat or freeze tea may actually be far more useful than just a weird party trick.

Can Dave recover the missing money and save himself from a fate worse than death?

This is a self-published book, and there are moments here and there where that shows (it could have done with an editor to just tweak or tighten little things up), but overall I came away pretty impressed, and with I largely had a big smile on my face while reading. Winslow had me turning the pages, wanting to know what would happen to Dave, and just how he, Liza, and Jean would get themselves out of a series of sticky situations. It's just a fun wee story.

The short length of the tale perhaps explains the way the plot leaps a little at times, and Dave goes through a fair character transformation in a short period, but for me at least Winslow did enough to keep me engaged and suspending disbelief that I was happy to go along with it all to the end.

Overall, a fun, leaning-to-farcical novella that flows along smoothly, with some interesting and memorable characters and a nice tone - light-hearted, almost comic crime.

3.5 STARS

This review was first published on Crime Watch: http://kiwicrime.blogspot.com

Craig Sisterson is a features writer from New Zealand who writes for publications in several countries. He has interviewed more than 150 crime writers, discussed crime fiction at literary festivals and on radio, and is a judge of the Ned Kelly Awards and the founder and Judging Convenor of the Ngaio Marsh Awards. Follow him on Twitter: @craigsisterson

[Persephone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a refreshing read because as serious as it could be, it was a really lighthearted story. Dave is the protagonist and he really doesn’t have much of a backbone but he does grows into it later in the book. Dave is just down on his luck and appears to be a really miserable man because of his current situation. He works at a job he hates and not only did his wife, Belinda, pulled a Ponzi scheme but the people she ripped off are looking for their money back. They want it from Belinda or Dave one way or another.

I really like the supporting characters. Jean was hilarious with his flamboyant personality. Liza was rough around the edges but she was really cool. She completely decided to help out Dave and all he did for her was helped her gather her stuff from her ex-girlfriend’s place. She was somewhat of a selfless character and the brains of the operation to gain two million dollars. The plan is to steal a diamond necklace worth that much money. (I would have never about that, I think I would have rob a casino or a bank. Where else am I going to get two million dollars). The way he robs the necklace is pretty sweet.

I thought the power to heat up and cool down tea as a power was a little lame that it was funny. “I’m a superhero but I can only work with tea.” Umm, okay. Winslow showed that Dave could be badass using tea only, he totally prove that controlling tea is not a lame power but very useful.

My one problem with this book is the second diamond heist. The first diamond heist is committed by Dave in order to pay off the two million dollars. The second diamond heist is committed by Dave (again) because he doesn’t want Crowley to use the diamond he (Dave) stole to seal a deal with another major criminal. For a guy with no backbone, he is sure hell bent on retrieving that diamond. I’ll suspend disbelief in this area for now but man, it’s a 180 degrees from the weakling Dave was.

Overall, it was a funny contemporary story about a guy who uses his tea heating ability to steal a diamond necklace.

[. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quirky read that held my interest even with its somewhat bizarre "tea superhero" concept. Main character Dave was likeable and although the the plot was not without its holes, in the end, I enjoyed the story as a whole. And for a free read through kindle/amazon, I'd say its worth the effort and the price.

[Melissa Sewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dave has an odd talent... not sure if the implausibility factor of that will make this one hold my attention for long. I like the story though, and wish there was a more believable way to make it happen.

[Randall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite endearingly interesting up until the end which was unfortunately just plain stupid. It seemed like the writer got tired and didn't feel like finishing. That lost this otherwise decent read a star.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

An OK book. Got it as free for my Kindle.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly but entertaining