Brass Knuckles

by Larry Matthews

Welcome to the world of investigative street reporting. Washington, D.C., power capital of the world, is also home to bums, killers, cops who bend the rules, F.B.I. agents who dole out leaks to reporters like so many dimes to the poor, and layers of lies and misinformation. Dave Haggard thought it was the worst idea he had ever had for a story. He was living in a homeless shelter, sickened by the smells, and feeling sorry for himself when a scuffle in the stairwell and a scream brought him into a terrifying hunt for the serial killer of priests. A sick, sadistic murderer was using a butterfly knife as a Rosary in grisly killings that would bring Dave into the hunt not as a reporter but as bait. The head of Homicide has a plan to trap the killer and it involves Dave and his girlfriend. A hit man for a group of religious fanatics is on the loose and has an agenda of his own. The killer is lost in his lunatic visions and he knows who Dave is and where to find him. What are his plans for Elena?Who to trust? Who to fear? Dave Haggard is a reporter in hiding from his own story.

296 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2012

Reviews

[Douglas Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brass Knuckles by Larry Matthews

The assassination of a federal judge in Washington, D.C. brings together three men from diverse backgrounds. Naturally, the first is Edward Segal, the killer. A Gulf War amputee turned assassin for hire, he is one of the nastiest villains this reviewer has encountered. What makes him particularly nasty is his penchant for killing with brass knuckles, the reason for the title of this second in a series of thrillers by Larry Matthews, the first being Butterfly Knife. The second person is John Prewitt, Jr. a congressman from Tennessee who was part of the case that the judge was to hear next. The third is Dave Haggard, reporter for Now News, whose investigation of the judge’s killing brings him into contact with John Prewitt, Jr. Both of them become targets for Edward Segal. In a tale skillfully woven, the three men are headed toward a violent climax in a region where they all grew up: Oak Ridge, Tennessee. That fact intrigued me especially since I grew up in that town. Once you start this you won’t want to put it down and will eagerly look forward to the third book Detonator.

[Brian Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brass Knuckles is a first rate action packed thrill ride. This Dave Haggard novel kept me reading cover to cover in an afternoon. Matthews has created a winner for us in this his second Dave Haggard thriller. The story could easily have been lifted from today's headlines. Haggard is once again not only involved with reporting the D.C. news, but up to his neck in the story. Political greed, assassinations, and governmental cover-ups, are weaved into a very realistic tapestry by the author. I like Matthews style, and his background in journalism are brought to the fore. Highly readable, realistic, and refreshing. 5 stars...