TKO

The Duffy Dombrowski Mysteries #2

by Tom Schreck

After twenty-five years in prison for the murder of a couple of cheerleaders, a quarterback, and the class president, Howard "Hacker" Reinhart gets discharged. His case is assigned to the Schlitz-drinking, Elvis-loving social worker and amateur boxer Duffy Dombrowski. Soon, local high school VIPs start showing up dead and Howard is nowhere to be found.

Although Duffy has a few other things on his mind — like a huge upcoming boxing match, a new hormonal girlfriend, and the ongoing misadventures of Allah-King, his Muslim basset hound — Duffy throws himself into Howard's defense.

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Fiction

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

Tom is the author of "On the Ropes," "TKO,""Out Cold" and "The Vegas Knockout,"all "Duffy Dombrowski Mysteries". His stand alone thriller, "Getting Dunn" was released in 2012.

The Duffy mysteries chronicle the life of a not-so-social social worker, always on the brink of getting fired, who is a bad professional boxer at night and whose best friends are a collection of lovable drunks.

Duffy is part philosopher, part Robin Hood and all heart as he throws himself into helping those who can't help themselves.

Then there's Al--his obstinate basset hound who prefers cheeseburgers, barking at Duffy and naps. But Al seems to show up exactly when it matters.

Often described as a modern day, hipper and less perfect Spenser, Duffy Dombrowski knows the ghetto street and just how unforgiving they can be.

Reviews

[Bill Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follow-up to On the Ropes, Schreck's first Duffy Dombrowski comedy mystery. Not necessary to read the first one before reading this one, though having done so, the comic brilliance of the first book spoiled this one a little bit for me, as this second book trods much of the same comic territory and the writing at times seems more facile than inspired. The same cast of supporting characters is back, including Al the Bassett hound, providing moments of moral support and ribald comedy as Duffy tries to clear a recently paroled former spree killer of some new murders. The comedy nicely interlaces the mostly "off-screen" violence, Duffy's boxing exploits, his war with the Bureaucratic Boss from Hell and his efforts to help an emotionally lost teenager. The mystery element was secondary to the comedy in the first book and is probably more so in this one. In the first book I was okay with that since the book was so funny; Schreck takes the crimes seriously and in no way minimizes their importance, but this second book sees some of the comedy schtick starting to get old and some of the relationship patterns between characters too familiar to maintain interest. Therefore, as the mystery element is even more downplayed, its resolution seems merely a device to resolve some of Duffy's other problems. I will read at least two more in this series to see if Schreck shakes things up a little or continues to trod the same paths. Both TKO and On the Ropes are worth reading for Duffy's balanced world view, relatively uncommon in today's polarized societal discourse. Transparent PC and SIG pandering may help get a book published today, but the implementation of this by now transparent strategy usually makes a book instantly chuckable for me and I believe will be the object of some scorn for future mystery readers.

[Ronn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more of a "Chet & Bernie" type of story, and it didnt happen. But it was still a pleasant enough book with characters that I liked. Good book for a long plane ride.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t Stop

A fun read. Has everything: mystery, hounding, crazy villains, and the masterful Duffy. Kept me from binging on Netflix. Tom Schreibman has an authentic voice.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duffy Dombrowski is a social worker with a big heart. Paperwork is not something Duffy is noted for much to the dismay of his supervisor, Claudia Michelin. Claudia doesn’t think much of Duffy but that doesn’t seem to be too big a problem for Duffy since he doesn’t think much of Claudia either.

Duffy’s current client Howard Rheinhart is in big trouble. Howard went wild in high school and killed two cheerleaders, a quarterback and the class president. Howard has spent his time in jail and is now free. Duffy thinks Howard has changed but Duffy is the only one believing this. Now more murders are occurring and the police have zeroed in on Howard. Howard is contacting Duffy saying he is innocent but the police are not convinced. Howard is now number one on the “wanted list” and called “Hackin” Howard by the press.

In between calls from Howard and disagreements with his boss Duffy takes on a boxing match and defends a goofy karate kid. Allah-King, Duffy’s Muslim basset hound is still around creating the same havoc he did in On The Ropes but he is so loyal to Duffy you have to love him.

Billy proves to be another wonderful side-kick for Duffy and it turns out he is more valuable than Duffy ever imagined. When push comes to shove Billy is there.

When you combine Duffy, Billy, Allah-King and Elvis on the 8-tracks you have a combination that just can’t be beat. Grab a copy today and delve into Duffy’s adventures. I don’t think you will be sorry you did.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a bit of a slow start (the author puts inmore history than I needed at the beginning) this became a good, fun read. Loved the dog, loved the boxing and loved the detective. I did have trouble accepting Duffy's determination that the suspect, one of his clients in his role as a social worker, was not guilty of the murders that copied the MO of the killings he did years earlier. Nor did I get his conviction that there was some justification for those original killings because the bad-guy had been abused at home and bullied in school. That reasoning seemed to validate every kid who brings a gun to school to punish the bullies, negates the strength of the kids who manage to survive without taking that kind of vengence, and puts down the poor souls who decide to kill themselves instead of taking the lives of others. I just could not see a motive for Duffy to believe in the guy and downplay his admitted crimes and that made it difficult for me to go along with Duffy for the longest time.

Other than that, as they say, the story moved well. It is fast paced, the characters varied and interesting, and the mystery well done. The story never took itself too seriously and each page brought another laugh. I look forward to reading another Duffy Dombrowski mystery.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love great mysteries with a bit of sports thrown in and lots of drama, you'll love the second book in the Duffy Dombrowski series. In the second installment, Duffy has a lot on his plate. His girlfriend broke up with him. He's teaching a teen karate lessons and getting ready for a fight, there's strife at work, and his new client is controversial from his parole. When there's murders happening at the same place his client, Howard Rhineheart, killed four people, thirty years ago, he's under suspicion. Everyone believes it's him, while Duffy believes his innocence, when the world's against him. When he goes investigates the going-ons at the high school, he's closer to the truth and facing danger straight on. Lots of good drama here.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duffy and Al are at it again, getting involved in a murder - make that multiple murders. This is a fun series even if there are only two books in the series! By all rights I shouldn't like this series, after all the main characters boxes and I'm not a boxing fan, he has a basset hound and I like dogs but I'm not a big basset fan, so this series always surprises me. Duffy spends his non-work time either at a bar, boxing or in his trailer with his basset hound, Al. So, how can he get into so much trouble? Read the book to find out - but if you want the background go read On The Ropes first, it's the first in the series.

Highly recommended.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncharistically I'm starting on the second in the series without having read the first, but I received this book at Bouchercon and decided to dive on in to it.

I gave the 4 star rating for the sheer novelness of the "detective" and the lovability of the characters. Funny as all get out. The mystery itself is a little "loose," but does come to an exciting and fulfilling climax.

I even found the boxing to be exciting in places. Just absolutely loved Al (the basset hound), Duffy, and the Brain Trust!

[Sue Jaffarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't discovered the Duffy Dombrowski mysteries by Tom Schreck yet, you're missing out on a good laugh. Duffy is a Schlitz-drinking social worker who is also a boxer. His best friend is a nut-crunching basset hound name Al.

I just finished the 2nd, TKO, and it's even better than the first.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was funny! It reminded me of Stephanie Plum in a way. The man's dog farts, runs around Blue with Duff chasing him, bites the officer! Hilarious! The mystery was okay. I am not usually very good with mysteries until the "tada" moment, but this one I had before tada. I still enjoyed it and would like to read another of Tom's books.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have owned bassets for 20 years, so of course i just loved this read! On the flip side, i once again, did predict the mystery part but because the dog part was so entertaining i was able to stay interested just waiting for the dog parts to make me laugh and be surprised.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Duffy Dumbrowski and Al the Muslim Basset Hound. If you love bassets give Tom a read. He's also very involved with charitable organizations so an all around great guy.

[Ginny Tata-Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basset mystery - what more can I say? These books (3 so far, I believe) are really excellent for Basset lovers or mystery lovers and if you are both, you have hit the jackpot!!!!!