Neck Deep: A Louis Vila Novel

by Miles Ballard

Louis Vila, a twice-fired cop in Jacksonville, FL, finds the funeral card of a man who may or may not be dead inside the only suit he owns. The trouble is he doesn’t know the man or how the card got there. His curiosity and a timely job offer from the Florida State Bureau of Investigation lead him into an investigation where suspects keep getting killed. Along the way, Louis collects characters like a retired intelligence operative, a mentally unstable heir, an Elvis-loving ex-con, and an innocent tag-along gardening genius, all who help him uncover the puppet master behind all the murders.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2024

Reviews

[Michelle Farnsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner right to the very end.

Everything about this book was witty, smart and left me wanting more. The writer painted a picture 1 with words so much that I could see myself watching this as a series on a streaming app. I can't wait to read book 2.

[Sandy Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would never have guessed this was a debut novel had I not known going in. The narration was confident, the characters were memorable, the pace was crisp, and the dialogue was organic. Welcome to the pantheon of Florida detectives, Louis Vila. A terrific beach read.

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louis Vila, known to many as “Slugger” thanks to his parents’ endearing name choice, is unorthodox in his methods. Having been fired from two separate police forces he holds a PI license and works along the fringes. However, when old friend, Anna, reads him in on a Florida State Bureau of Investigations (FSBI) case, he jumps at the chance to have some real credentials and action.

With two intersecting events occurring in Louis’ life the curious nature of his character comes out. On his way to put on the only suit he owns, Louis discovers the dry cleaners gave him the wrong garments back, this suit contains an interesting funeral card of a stranger. Tracking down the suit owner, who has his only fitting suit, serves to further intrigue him as to who this dead stranger may be. Concurrently, Anna of the FSBI has Louis assisting on the death of an accountant at a construction site. An accountant that found himself several stories up on the exposed beams and fell to his death – certainly an odd place for an accountant to be.

Mafia, murder, family businesses, and lively characters are abundant throughout author Miles Ballard’s Louis Vila Series kick off. Introducing readers to an unconventional investigator with a slew of friends and untraditional methods along the way. Louis Vila is quite the personality, bold and brazen, he certainly lives up to his unique name. Alongside Louis is an entertaining cast of support, from Rollo to Anna and her chef wife, to Chevy, Sherman, Leon, and the seedy players within.

“Neck Deep” is the ideal read for lovers of crime, suspense, action, and thrills. Ballard does a phenomenal job setting this series up for more excitement and Vila antics. The woven connections throughout come together seamlessly, with a touch of romance and a whole lot of action.

[GW · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fairly good read. It moved along at a good speed.