Lowertown

Herman Jackson #4

by Richard A. Thompson

Herman Jackson is a former bookie and small-time racketeer from Detroit trying to live down his shady past by running a legitimate bail bond business in St. Paul, but it is January, and definitely the winter of his discontent. Somebody has used his name and license without his consent, or even knowledge, to bail out a vicious killer who immediately disappears. The only solid lead Jackson has is a laptop computer found in the killer's apartment which contains details of vicious crimes, past and future.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

228 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Richard Alvin Thompson is a civil engineer who traded his transit for a laptop and now writes mysteries full time. His first book, Fiddle Game was short-listed for a Debut Dagger Award. The second in the series about bail bondsman and former bookie Herman Jackson, Frag Box, was a finalist in the Minnesota Book Awards. Big Wheat is his first stand-alone historical mystery.

Library of Congress Authorities:
Thompson, Richard A. (Richard Alvin), 1942-

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, quick read for those readers who like mysteries with some action and retribution, as well as friendships and MCs with connections to folks that live in the grey areas of life. Herman Jackson has a not quite squeaky-clean past and now serves as a bail bondsman in St. Paul, Minnesota. When he's asked to assist an accused, most likely guilty, man and turns it down, Herman becomes embroiled in a much more complicated situation with truly bad guys and possibly sketchy law enforcement individuals.

I discovered that this is actually volume 4 of this series (can't remember how I it got on my TBR!). But I enjoyed Herman and his "ensemble," so will begin with volume one now.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Herman Jackson is not the sort of citizen you’d like to see dating your daughter. On the other hand, if she was somehow tangled up with some really evil people, he might just be who you would be looking for to help her out. “Lowertown” is a solid punch of novel that delivers a load of suspense, some serious thrills and a clever plot with enough twists to satisfy the most rabid of crime novel aficionados.

Herman Jackson grew up in a not-very-nice section of Detroit where he learned a number of nasty tricks that serve him well in hot situations. He’s now a citizen of Saint Paul where he plies a legal business as a bail bondsman. That profession brings him into contact with a wide range of citizens who are engaged with the legal system for a variety of reasons. Some of them are solid citizens. Many are not. Jackson doesn’t really care. He guarantees the presence at trial by bonding folks. It’s not his job to assess guilt or innocence, only to calculate if they’ll show up and if the collateral offered is worth the bond. So what does he do when he is implored to bond a guy he knows will skip if released? He refuses to bail the criminal, naturally. So imagine his surprise to discover that a bad dude named Valento has obtained release on a bond that Jackson knows he never signed.

Jackson goes looking for Valento and stumbles into a truly nasty criminal enterprise that is so tangled, Jackson has to travel to the southern shores of Lake Superior more than once and it’s January. Along the way as he journeys to the pleasant community of Bayfield, Wisconsin, he is beset by a growing mob of seriously dangerous people whose entire effort seems to be to do away with Mr. Jackson.

This is a really good story, and Herman Jackson and his small coterie of helpers is up to the task, but the clever way they discover truth, identify miscreants and get themselves in and out of paralyzing danger is the stuff of excellent storytelling. Highly recommended. My copy of the novel was supplied at no cost and with no expectations attached.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the gritty neighborhoods of Minneapolis, the bail bondsman protag Herman Jackson is a former bookie and racketeer. He's honest, good at his job and not afraid to put himself in danger. Jackson also has a crew of folks who complements his skill set, those who have a cell phone, can use a computer, crack proprietary databases. Wonderful mix of hyperlocal writing, dialog and noir. Thompson well deserves his Minnesota writing awards - would like to see more of Herman Jackson.

Picked up Lowertown at the recommendation of the bookshop owner at Once Upon a Crime, in Minneapolis. They've got a really good local author section.

[John Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters drew me in. A classic detective (well, bookie/prvate eye) mystery. Like a lot of well-executed plots, the conclusion isn't surprising because the writer has brought you along nicely. And the writing is top notch. I'll look for more of Herman Jackson.

[Donald Nadreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting characters. I live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, so I enjoy the "local" flavor of the novel. The plot was good, with an interesting ending that I didn't expect. It was an easy and enjoyable read.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the feel of the Twin Cities, some of which doesn't exist any more but I remember. The characters were strong and interesting, some very quirky which is almost always enjoyable. I'll look up the author's other books. I've already recommended it.