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Nick Reid #2
Beluga: A Crime Novel
A few months ago in Ranchero, Rick Gavin's much-acclaimed Delta noir novel, Nick Reid and his compadre Desmond liberated some money from a nasty meth dealer, and now they need to launder it. After lending out a couple thousand dollars here and there, with hopes of getting a small return, all kinds of "investment opportunities" are coming out of the woodwork, and one of them has trouble written all over it.The brother of Desmond's ex-wife wants a small sum to set up a scheme involving a trailer full of stolen tires. Which sets off all kinds of alarm bells for Nick, but Shawnica insists that Nick and Desmond help her brother out. In the next few days, they're set upon by a ninja schoolgirl assassin and a couple of Delta gangsters, and soon all thoughts of recouping their investment go out the window. They'll settle for just staying alive.The twists and turns and the dry wit that made Ranchero a delight are all on full display once again in Beluga, Rick Gavin's latest.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2012
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198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 26, 2016
4.5 stars
This is such a fun series! Noir set in western backwoods Mississippi and eastern backwoods Arkansas, complete with all of the insane backwoods characters you could ever imagine.
The dialogue is perfectly crafted, the settings are described perfectly, and overall, it was a perfectly plotted book.
This is such a fun series! Noir set in western backwoods Mississippi and eastern backwoods Arkansas, complete with all of the insane backwoods characters you could ever imagine.
The dialogue is perfectly crafted, the settings are described perfectly, and overall, it was a perfectly plotted book.
October 10, 2012
Rick Gavin is a great author! His characters are so alive with personality that they practically jump off the page. He has a flair for comical conversation and observation. The story of a tire heist gone wrong and a group of guys who are somewhat clueless while somewhat well intentioned is peppered with crazy, sweet side characters who have a life of their own. Rick Gavin keeps his story fun and interesting right from the start and clear to the end. Well before finishing, I had decided to read his first book - Ranchero - and I look forward to reading him in the future!
September 21, 2012
Anyone who comes up with a new genre, like this Delta noir, has my respect. That is exactly what Rick Gavin has done, and the storyline he creates is rich and unpredictable! The characterizations are original and will keep you fascinated. For example, a ninja school girl assassin and some gangsters all make an appearance in the novel. I love reading a book that has the thrill of a mystery and the adventure of suspense. This book is that and more!
December 7, 2012
4.5 stars. Love the characters, the setting and damn can he do conversations. hoo-whee. Hope Rick Gavin is writing more and hanging sheetrock less. And he's still my boyfriend.
Read
December 9, 2012Mr. Gavin-if you read these things-please write faster!!! Thank you!
October 26, 2012
You may read my review at Crime Fiction Lover here: http://www.crimefictionlover.com/2012...
In Rick Gavin’s 2nd novel, after Ranchero, featuring former cop Nick Reid and his quiet (yet very tough) partner Desmond, the duo have decided to invest a little of their ill-gotten gains in a scheme to buy a load of Michelin tires that are hotter than Deep South asphalt in summertime, and unload them for a profit. The problem is, the person in charge of procuring the tires is Desmond’s former brother in law Larry, now officially Beluga S. LaMonte, who’s right out of prison. The only thing of any consequence that Larry did in prison was legally change his name to Beluga, and that pretty much sets the tone of Larry’s character. The heist of the tires by man-child Larry and his “friend” Skeeter doesn’t go without a hitch, and soon the gang discovers that the stolen goods are connected to a vicious family of cons and psychopaths that won’t hesitate to put Larry and Skeeter down, permanently, and are also happy to take Nick and Desmond with them.
Beluga is told in Nick’s wry, matter of fact voice and it’s his observations about the people around him that make this book stand out. Nick and Desmond’s cool-as-cucumber demeanors temper this story of rednecks run amok and Nick’s laugh out loud narrative highlights some really nasty scenarios. Nick has to fight his way out of more than a few situations and does so while maintaining a cool head and an eye for detail. It saves his ass more than once. What Nick didn’t count on is the upper crust plantation owner with his fingers in all manner of unlawful pies, and his schoolgirl ninja assassin with a penchant for torture (pleated skirt, white shirt, patent leather maryjanes, and a whole lot of mean) that adds a whole new dimension to creepy. Nick’s elderly landlord Pearl is the embodiment of southern hospitality, and although she can’t cook worth a lick and has a habit of talking your ear off, she adds quite a bit of charm to the hot mess of homicidal creeps that populate Beluga.
The fight scenes are fast and furious, and the southern setting is a perfect backdrop for this clever, sometimes laugh-out-loud-funny Delta noir. While the action just keeps coming, and Nick is tested time and time again, he does give us a hint of possible romance to come in the form of whipsmart cop Tula Raintree. She’s a single mom who doesn’t suffer fools or take crap from anyone, least of all Nick, and this is what makes the two of them so much fun.
The style of Beluga reminds me quite a lot (and fondly)of JA Konrath’s Jack Daniels series, with a dash of Stephanie Plum on steroids, but it’s a world all its own. The ability to take some pretty horrifying situations, and people, and make you laugh at the complete and utter absurdity of it all is not an easy thing to pull off, but Rick Gavin does it, and does it well. This is a series not to be missed!
In Rick Gavin’s 2nd novel, after Ranchero, featuring former cop Nick Reid and his quiet (yet very tough) partner Desmond, the duo have decided to invest a little of their ill-gotten gains in a scheme to buy a load of Michelin tires that are hotter than Deep South asphalt in summertime, and unload them for a profit. The problem is, the person in charge of procuring the tires is Desmond’s former brother in law Larry, now officially Beluga S. LaMonte, who’s right out of prison. The only thing of any consequence that Larry did in prison was legally change his name to Beluga, and that pretty much sets the tone of Larry’s character. The heist of the tires by man-child Larry and his “friend” Skeeter doesn’t go without a hitch, and soon the gang discovers that the stolen goods are connected to a vicious family of cons and psychopaths that won’t hesitate to put Larry and Skeeter down, permanently, and are also happy to take Nick and Desmond with them.
Beluga is told in Nick’s wry, matter of fact voice and it’s his observations about the people around him that make this book stand out. Nick and Desmond’s cool-as-cucumber demeanors temper this story of rednecks run amok and Nick’s laugh out loud narrative highlights some really nasty scenarios. Nick has to fight his way out of more than a few situations and does so while maintaining a cool head and an eye for detail. It saves his ass more than once. What Nick didn’t count on is the upper crust plantation owner with his fingers in all manner of unlawful pies, and his schoolgirl ninja assassin with a penchant for torture (pleated skirt, white shirt, patent leather maryjanes, and a whole lot of mean) that adds a whole new dimension to creepy. Nick’s elderly landlord Pearl is the embodiment of southern hospitality, and although she can’t cook worth a lick and has a habit of talking your ear off, she adds quite a bit of charm to the hot mess of homicidal creeps that populate Beluga.
The fight scenes are fast and furious, and the southern setting is a perfect backdrop for this clever, sometimes laugh-out-loud-funny Delta noir. While the action just keeps coming, and Nick is tested time and time again, he does give us a hint of possible romance to come in the form of whipsmart cop Tula Raintree. She’s a single mom who doesn’t suffer fools or take crap from anyone, least of all Nick, and this is what makes the two of them so much fun.
The style of Beluga reminds me quite a lot (and fondly)of JA Konrath’s Jack Daniels series, with a dash of Stephanie Plum on steroids, but it’s a world all its own. The ability to take some pretty horrifying situations, and people, and make you laugh at the complete and utter absurdity of it all is not an easy thing to pull off, but Rick Gavin does it, and does it well. This is a series not to be missed!
October 27, 2014
Hilarious!
December 16, 2020
I have to admit I am a fan. Love Rick Gavin and his alter ego, T.R. Pearson. The writing style is unique and hilarious, and I keep all his books for those lonely days. This one is the second in a series - Ranchero is the first These characters are all so unique, never gonna be copied.
July 4, 2021
I wanted to like this book more, since a reviewer compared the books to the ones written by Carl Hiaasen, but it was filled with too many stereotypes. Some passages led me to think his protagonist was African American, which he did not pull off successfully!
January 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway.
No matter how many times I picked it up, I couldn't finish it.
No matter how many times I picked it up, I couldn't finish it.
August 30, 2018
hilarious.
Read
October 5, 2022Damn good fun
I could read nothing but Nick Reid novels for the rest of my life and I’d be a happy guy.
I could read nothing but Nick Reid novels for the rest of my life and I’d be a happy guy.
January 8, 2024
Really enjoying this series so far!
June 2, 2024
A little dark and violent, but undeniably funny. Good dialog, and hilarious descriptions of very unlovely people (and a couple of lovely ones).
March 6, 2013
Still working my way through the book. If you like rednecks, this book might appeal to you. It seems to mostly be about these guys who have acquired a large amount of money illegally and have it stashed. They end up loaning out money to a girlfriends less than intelligent, brother who has this great money making opportunity-reselling tires that they got a good deal on. Turns out the tires were stolen from the redneck version of a mafia faily-they get beat up by the "ninja" girl enforcer-they keep getting into trouble with the law for various infractions-oh and one of the guys has a thing for a female deputy. They guys who loaned out the money work repoing stuff for a guy who owns a rent to own business, who's clients tend to run toward rednecks who live in the sticks, and use shotguns to run off repo guys, or try to beat them up. Frankly, I can find better ways to spend my time than reading this book, but I keep thinking it has to get better.
October 5, 2012
Beluga by Rick Gavin is the second book by the author about ex-cop/repo man Nick Reid and his group of acquaintances. In Beluga, Nick and Desmond reluctantly invest in a scheme for Larry, now known as Beluga LaMonte. While the idea was to steal and resell tires, Larry gets Nick and Desmond into a mess that only they, with the help of local police buddies, can clean up.
The book is a fast paced Delta noir, which makes for a fast read. The crime and violence in the book are perfectly punctuated by humor. Recommended for anyone that likes a good crime novel with heart.
*Reviewer received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads
The book is a fast paced Delta noir, which makes for a fast read. The crime and violence in the book are perfectly punctuated by humor. Recommended for anyone that likes a good crime novel with heart.
*Reviewer received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads
November 12, 2012
Like RANCHERO, this is another wildly entertaining bout of Mississippi Delta mayhem. With respect, I'm not sure others here have quite done justice to the author's unique, and very funny, voice. I think he's invented redneck wit. Some examples:
- I liked Kendell. He was what I had instead of a stout, unwavering conscience.
- She looked like she wanted me deboned with violence.
- He was hobbled with arthritis and either seventy or two hundred years old. I couldn't tell which.
- (of Nick's own ex-brother-in-law) ...a Lutheran minister and a narcotic in human form.
I'm grateful for Rick Gavin's Mississippi Delta imagination. More, please.
- I liked Kendell. He was what I had instead of a stout, unwavering conscience.
- She looked like she wanted me deboned with violence.
- He was hobbled with arthritis and either seventy or two hundred years old. I couldn't tell which.
- (of Nick's own ex-brother-in-law) ...a Lutheran minister and a narcotic in human form.
I'm grateful for Rick Gavin's Mississippi Delta imagination. More, please.
February 2, 2016
Holy hell, this is redneck! In the vein of Ace Atkins or Joe Lansdale, Ranchero driving repo man Nick Reid finds a unique investment opportunity for his stolen meth lord booty from the previous book: laundering it through stolen tires in West Memphis. Redneck shenanigans ensue with predictable results.
May be the most redneck book I've ever read given the author description. "When he's not writing, Rich Gavin frames houses and hangs Sheetrock in Ruston, Louisiana." That is redneckism in its Aristotelian, purest form.
May be the most redneck book I've ever read given the author description. "When he's not writing, Rich Gavin frames houses and hangs Sheetrock in Ruston, Louisiana." That is redneckism in its Aristotelian, purest form.
July 6, 2014
The 2nd in the Rick again series picks up speed quickly and drops the reader into a warped world of strange and dangerous characters of the Southern Delta. Shark-toothed low life's and deadly Ninja Schoolgirls are par for the course for this ex-cop. Both exciting and hilarious, Gavin's dry humor had be highlighting the dialog that made me laugh out loud as I raced through the pages. Terrific read by a the alter-ze go of one of America's great authors, TR Pearson.
February 22, 2013
i want to say that i won this book on goodreads. and i think this book is a fairly good read as far as it is a good crime novel.it contains very believable and gritty charecters that pop right off the page. the setting is perfect for the charecters and the story moves right along. it will make a great weekend read.
September 28, 2012
This review was written for Goodreads First Reads.
This is just a fun rollicking ride through the Mississippi Delta, even better than his first novel, Ranchero. With a group of memorable and somewhat twisted characters it strikes a fun chord with readers. It may be a bit violent for some, but who doesn’t like a good fight scene at Wal-Mart.
This is just a fun rollicking ride through the Mississippi Delta, even better than his first novel, Ranchero. With a group of memorable and somewhat twisted characters it strikes a fun chord with readers. It may be a bit violent for some, but who doesn’t like a good fight scene at Wal-Mart.
November 2, 2012
Reading this was like watching my favorite kind of comedy. It's unpredictable but with character flaws that work because it was amusing to read where it would take them and see how they got out of sticky situations. I also think opposites Tula and Nick are perfect for each other!
If Ranchero is even half as entertaining as this one I won't regret purchasing it!
If Ranchero is even half as entertaining as this one I won't regret purchasing it!
February 5, 2014
The characters from Gavin's book Ranchero are back at those good old Southern games of whacking folks all around. Desmond's brother in law steals a trailer load of tires and a load of trouble to go with it. Not quite as fast paced as Ranchero but still a decent read, Also seemed to be missing a bit of the humor as well. Still a decent read.
December 31, 2014
I won this in a Goodreads give away and would rate it as just o.k. I felt like I had to struggle to get through it, unlike the Carl Hiaasen books that I love. Perhaps if I didn't read as many books and authors, I might have enjoyed it more.
December 19, 2012
After Ranchero, I wanted to give Gavin another try and see where he took these characters.
The unceasing violence (of the "cartoonish" variety) turned me off,the main character apparently has redeeming qualities I don't see, and I just don't "get" this book.
YMMV
The unceasing violence (of the "cartoonish" variety) turned me off,the main character apparently has redeeming qualities I don't see, and I just don't "get" this book.
YMMV
November 5, 2012
I won a ARC here on GoodReads. I didn't like this as much Ranchero only because Beluga is a much more charater than the Dubois boys. Everyone wants to hit him -even the reader. The rest of the cast and writing is as fun and charming as the 1st novel. I can't wait to see more from Mr. Gavin.
Read
December 2, 2012Ex cop and buddy are repo men with a $200k nest egg after ripping off meth dealer in previous book. Buddy's ex-wife's loser/con brother needs cash to steal truck load of tires. Psycho who owns the tires is not happy. Set in rural delta Louisiana where certain polite curtsies still apply.
November 20, 2012
Hilarious.
dearly-departed
April 2, 2014Won as part of the Goodreads first reads program. Review to come.
December 7, 2012
While it started slower than his previous book this ending with all the laughs and turns that I had anticipated.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews