One Last Hit: A Joe Portugal Mystery

Joe Portugal Mystery #3

by Nathan Walpow

Back in '68 they made killer music … now their music is killing them. Third book in the Joe Portugal mystery series. It's been thirty years since Joe Portugal put his electric guitar away. Maybe that's one reason he's suffering a serious case of the mid-life doldrums. Then Joe stumbles upon a chance to put the band he was in as a teenager back together. And maybe his life too. All he has to do is find the lead guitarist, who hasn't been seen since the 70s. But when he starts to look, it's quickly clear that someone doesn't want to see a reunion tour ... someone who's very handy with a gun.

Genres: Mystery

377 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Nathan Walpow's most recent work recounts the exploits of Logan, who tracks down those who prey on women and children and sees that they pay the price. The novellas Logan’s Young Guns and Logan Shoots First, currently available as e-books, will soon be joined by a third in a trade paper volume from Down & Out Books.

Nathan’s Joe Portugal mystery series consists of four novels, with a fifth and final one in the works. His short fiction includes “Push Comes to Shove,” selected for the Best American Mystery Stories series, and “A Good Day’s Work,” optioned for a movie.

Nathan is a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, past president of the Southern California MWA chapter, and a five-time Jeopardy! champion. His website is at www.walpow.com.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw Nathan Walpow’s latest Joe Portugal mystery, One Last Hit, I wasn’t sure whether the “hit” would be a murder, a puff on a funny cigarette or a song that tops the charts, but knowing Nathan’s easy writing style, liberally laced with humor, I knew I would enjoy tagging along with him on a new mystery.
It turns out that the hit refers to all three, murder, marijuana, and music as Joe Portugal takes a nostalgic journey into his past. As members of his old band begin to mysteriously reappear in his life, he pulls his guitar out of the closet and begins to wonder if it might be possible to put it all together again and search for one last hit. However, his current thoughts and past memories soon plonk out of tune because someone is shooting at all the members of the band.
Joe is forced to put down the guitar and put on the amateur detective hat to protect himself and his friends. Not only does he find the shooter, but he also solves the long standing mystery of what happened to one missing band member. In his trip down memory lane, Joe also realizes that looking backward can sometimes give more painful clarity than joy.
The greatest fun for me as a reader is when a novel can offer me a trip to a time, place, or state of mind I can not, or would not take for myself. Whether you bypassed the rock world, as I did or simply left it in your past, as Joe did, One Last Hit is a fun trip.

[Ben Pashkoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wel, if you do not "get" California in the 60's and 70's , as well as the typical music from that period, a lot of this one will over your head (or through it). Best line ---
..."Sorry. Wrong room."
"You sure you're not the proctologist?"
"I'm sure. But...."

wait for it....

"I've seen my share of assholes."