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Quick Fix
Military contractor Kyle Logan’s luck has gone from bad to worse ever since he returned home to Philadelphia following an injury by an IED in Iraq. First, his marriage crumbles, then his career after he’s pushed to the brink and assaults his wife’s lover, who is also her divorce attorney.
When Kyle’s shady best friend turns up and offers him a “once in a lifetime” chance to regain his job and his life, all for just a couple night’s work, Kyle figures he’s got nothing to lose. The police, Philly Irish Mob and a couple of drug cartels all think otherwise.
Now forced to fight for his life, and those around him, Kyle must turn to allies from his old neighborhood in a desperate effort to stay alive and out of prison.
Quick Fix is one man’s fall into a world of unintended consequences that seeks to tread the razor-thin lines between right and wrong, loyalty and treachery.
When Kyle’s shady best friend turns up and offers him a “once in a lifetime” chance to regain his job and his life, all for just a couple night’s work, Kyle figures he’s got nothing to lose. The police, Philly Irish Mob and a couple of drug cartels all think otherwise.
Now forced to fight for his life, and those around him, Kyle must turn to allies from his old neighborhood in a desperate effort to stay alive and out of prison.
Quick Fix is one man’s fall into a world of unintended consequences that seeks to tread the razor-thin lines between right and wrong, loyalty and treachery.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2018
100 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
J. Gregory Smith
38 books9 followersPrior to writing fiction full time, Greg Smith worked in public relations in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. He has an MBA from the College of William & Mary and a BA in English from Skidmore College.
His first novel, Final Price, was selected as a Quarterfinalist in the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Just released as a self-published work, it is now available on Amazon.com, Kindle and select bookstores.
He lives in Wilmington, DE with his wife and son."
His first novel, Final Price, was selected as a Quarterfinalist in the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Just released as a self-published work, it is now available on Amazon.com, Kindle and select bookstores.
He lives in Wilmington, DE with his wife and son."
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 8, 2018
Reviewed via an ARC from the author, for Rosie Amber's Review Team. The fact that it was free has not influenced this honest review.
This book has a great opening. Military contractor Kyle Logan messes up his already messed up life by assaulting his wife's divorce lawyer, who also happens to be her lover. He's then offered a role in the theft of some pieces of valuable artwork, by his friend Ryan. Kyle is also suffering from injuries caused by an IED when he was in Iraq.
I warmed to the characters and the writing style straight away. There's plenty of dark stuff going on, but lots of humour, too - I liked the observations about characters, and often just the way stuff was phrased ('I hated losing her to a puke like Fenster'). The guy-on-his-uppers-with-wife-who-has-moved-on-to-a-more-straight-and-successful-new-man thing is an oft-used scenario in this genre in both books and on screen (I'm currently watching the TV series Get Shorty - there it is again!), but it works every time, and J Gregory Smith has painted all participants most colourfully.
When Kyle realises that involvement in Ryan's criminal schemes means re-acquaintance with childhood chum-turned-gangster Danny 'Iceballs' Sheehan, he knows his life is not going to be easy. Smith has portrayed the atmosphere of the criminal underworld of Philadelphia so well; this book is fast-paced and flows very well, with a convincing plot, and is, basically, a good, solid novel. I haven't got anything negative to say about it. Nice one.
This book has a great opening. Military contractor Kyle Logan messes up his already messed up life by assaulting his wife's divorce lawyer, who also happens to be her lover. He's then offered a role in the theft of some pieces of valuable artwork, by his friend Ryan. Kyle is also suffering from injuries caused by an IED when he was in Iraq.
I warmed to the characters and the writing style straight away. There's plenty of dark stuff going on, but lots of humour, too - I liked the observations about characters, and often just the way stuff was phrased ('I hated losing her to a puke like Fenster'). The guy-on-his-uppers-with-wife-who-has-moved-on-to-a-more-straight-and-successful-new-man thing is an oft-used scenario in this genre in both books and on screen (I'm currently watching the TV series Get Shorty - there it is again!), but it works every time, and J Gregory Smith has painted all participants most colourfully.
When Kyle realises that involvement in Ryan's criminal schemes means re-acquaintance with childhood chum-turned-gangster Danny 'Iceballs' Sheehan, he knows his life is not going to be easy. Smith has portrayed the atmosphere of the criminal underworld of Philadelphia so well; this book is fast-paced and flows very well, with a convincing plot, and is, basically, a good, solid novel. I haven't got anything negative to say about it. Nice one.
November 14, 2018
Fast Moving and Addictive!
Kyle Logan is a down on his luck Iraq vet in the midst of an unwanted divorce. He needs more money than he can earn at his job to return his life to a semblance of order. So, when, Ryan, his best friend from high school, who also served with him in the Middle East, offers him a quick way to make some easy money, Kyle, though a bit skeptical, takes on the job. As one might suspect, within 24 hours the whole situation goes sideways and Kyle finds himself up to his ears in trouble with ancient artifact art thieves, Colombian drug cartels, crooked cops, and the Philly Irish mob. As Kyle unsuccessfully tries to disentangle himself from the mess he's in, his adversaries ramp up the pressure by kidnapping his soon to be ex-wife, Beth. It is the absolute worst thing the bad guys could do, because divorce or not, Kyle loves Beth and he's not going to let anything happen to her. The story's already breakneck pace kicks into overdrive as Kyle and one stalwart friend and one not so stalwart friend, with no place of safety, pull out all the stops to free Beth and themselves from the threat of certain death. Quick Fix has a complex plot that author Smith handles with confidence never allowing the reader to become confused. Over the course of the story, Kyle Logan transforms from a sorry-for-himself sad sack into an every day home town hero, who the reader can feel good about rooting for. An excellent job, Mr. Smith. I'll be keeping an eye out for your next book!
Kyle Logan is a down on his luck Iraq vet in the midst of an unwanted divorce. He needs more money than he can earn at his job to return his life to a semblance of order. So, when, Ryan, his best friend from high school, who also served with him in the Middle East, offers him a quick way to make some easy money, Kyle, though a bit skeptical, takes on the job. As one might suspect, within 24 hours the whole situation goes sideways and Kyle finds himself up to his ears in trouble with ancient artifact art thieves, Colombian drug cartels, crooked cops, and the Philly Irish mob. As Kyle unsuccessfully tries to disentangle himself from the mess he's in, his adversaries ramp up the pressure by kidnapping his soon to be ex-wife, Beth. It is the absolute worst thing the bad guys could do, because divorce or not, Kyle loves Beth and he's not going to let anything happen to her. The story's already breakneck pace kicks into overdrive as Kyle and one stalwart friend and one not so stalwart friend, with no place of safety, pull out all the stops to free Beth and themselves from the threat of certain death. Quick Fix has a complex plot that author Smith handles with confidence never allowing the reader to become confused. Over the course of the story, Kyle Logan transforms from a sorry-for-himself sad sack into an every day home town hero, who the reader can feel good about rooting for. An excellent job, Mr. Smith. I'll be keeping an eye out for your next book!
October 23, 2018
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This book made me think that if anything could go wrong in Kyle's life it did. He just could not seem to caught any breaks. The IED, the divorce, his job, and everything that came after the so-called "Quick Fix." Everything kind of gets worse after this for Kyle and Ryan. There is a lot of reality and true to life description and actions. There were times while I was reading this that my heart was beating so fast. I am even shaking as I post this and I am doing my best to calm down and not tell you the whole story. If you like a wild ride and intense story line this is the book for you. Happy Reading.
December 13, 2018
Greg Smith does a masterful job in this novel, particularly when handling dialogue--reminded me of Elmore Leonard. The character development is also spot on. The growing tension in the plot kept me flipping pages, and the suspense near the end of the novel was well choreographed. Considering the complexity of the plot and the interplay of the various characters, I suspect Greg had fun writing this. And, considering this is The Reluctant Hustler Book 1, I look forward to reading Greg's next venture in the series. Two thumbs up!
October 28, 2018
You wouldn't think that someone who put his life in danger for his country would consider walking the rather thin line between right and wrong to help out an old friend in a dodgy scam. Don't worry, it'll be easy, says Ryan, his friend, to our intrepid ex-military man, Kyle. Nothing can go wrong, you don't have to do much and you'll have a bit of spending money at the end of it. Easy peasy.
Ah, but….there's 80% of the book left, which is a smidge of a hint that it might just all go a little Pete Tong…although, 'little' is a tad euphemistic. From 'nothing will go wrong' things go rather Titanic. Kyle suddenly finds himself at the business end of a ruthless Irish mob, a drug cartel and a gun or two too close for comfort.
I enjoyed this thriller: it's sharp, it's smart, moves along at a good pace, but it's also the range of characters that's appealing. We've got Kyle, the main character, an injured ex-military man, who's very likeable: he's obviously a bit gullible, allowing himself to be sucked into Ryan's antics, but they're old friends and he's loyal. Ryan's a bit of a cheeky rogue whose luck seems to have held…until now. Balancing things out we have greedy ex policemen, drug cartels and Irish villains. The dialogue is snappy, sometimes humorous and witty, but always on point.
This book's subtitle is 'The Reluctant Hustler Book 1' which very much suggests there may be sequels. I do hope so: I want to stick with Kyle for a bit.
Ah, but….there's 80% of the book left, which is a smidge of a hint that it might just all go a little Pete Tong…although, 'little' is a tad euphemistic. From 'nothing will go wrong' things go rather Titanic. Kyle suddenly finds himself at the business end of a ruthless Irish mob, a drug cartel and a gun or two too close for comfort.
I enjoyed this thriller: it's sharp, it's smart, moves along at a good pace, but it's also the range of characters that's appealing. We've got Kyle, the main character, an injured ex-military man, who's very likeable: he's obviously a bit gullible, allowing himself to be sucked into Ryan's antics, but they're old friends and he's loyal. Ryan's a bit of a cheeky rogue whose luck seems to have held…until now. Balancing things out we have greedy ex policemen, drug cartels and Irish villains. The dialogue is snappy, sometimes humorous and witty, but always on point.
This book's subtitle is 'The Reluctant Hustler Book 1' which very much suggests there may be sequels. I do hope so: I want to stick with Kyle for a bit.
October 13, 2018
This book was such a pleasant surprise! It read like an action movie, everytime you thought Kyle was going to have a win something would come up and take him deeper into this world he was so reluctant to get into in the first place.
This is a wonderfully well-written novel, the pace and voice were right on point. Kyle, though maybe rough around the edges, is a very likable and relatable character and you feel for him as bad thing after bad thing happens.
This is a wonderfully woven story of trusting the wrong people and ending up getting the short stick and working your way through it. Kyle is always fighting for those he loves and trying to protect his close friends. He is a mix of good and bad, which makes for a compelling protagonist.
If you enjoy action or thrillers than you will totally enjoy Quick Fix. This book will keep you on edge the whole way wishing for more.
This is a wonderfully well-written novel, the pace and voice were right on point. Kyle, though maybe rough around the edges, is a very likable and relatable character and you feel for him as bad thing after bad thing happens.
This is a wonderfully woven story of trusting the wrong people and ending up getting the short stick and working your way through it. Kyle is always fighting for those he loves and trying to protect his close friends. He is a mix of good and bad, which makes for a compelling protagonist.
If you enjoy action or thrillers than you will totally enjoy Quick Fix. This book will keep you on edge the whole way wishing for more.
October 7, 2018
Quick Fix is an exciting, blood-pumping heist novel with a variety of twists and turns, and I happily absorbed every page. Author J. Gregory Smith displays his thrilling creativity and his knack for spinning a story in the first novel of the "The Reluctant Hustler" series. When I received Quick Fix as a free .mobi file in exchange for an honest review, I was pleased to discover that I couldn't keep my eyes off of it!
To see my full review of the novel complete with a detailed list of pros and cons, visit my book review blog, Bitty Book Nook: http://bittybooknook.blogspot.com/201...
It's been a while since Bitty Book Nook has featured a five-star review, and I am so happy that Quick Fix took the cake! It will be interesting to see how the sequel to this novel plays out, as the setup for a sequel was subtle but not nonexistent. Mr. Smith, thank you so much for the opportunity to review your work. I certainly look forward to seeing more from you in the future!
To see my full review of the novel complete with a detailed list of pros and cons, visit my book review blog, Bitty Book Nook: http://bittybooknook.blogspot.com/201...
It's been a while since Bitty Book Nook has featured a five-star review, and I am so happy that Quick Fix took the cake! It will be interesting to see how the sequel to this novel plays out, as the setup for a sequel was subtle but not nonexistent. Mr. Smith, thank you so much for the opportunity to review your work. I certainly look forward to seeing more from you in the future!
September 23, 2018
Title – Quick Fix
Author – J. Gregory Smith
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Word Count 70,000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No. 35- 2018
Posted 9/23/2018
My Impressions: violent, kidnapping, gullible greedy characters.
Main Characters:
Kyle Logan – ex-soldier, divorced, looking for easy money, gullible.
Ryan Buckly – ex-soldier, hustler, gets in over his head.
Kyle Logan is divorced but still loves his wannabe rich ex-wife and hates the scum-bag lawyer she lives with and is engaged to. His childhood buddy, Ryan Buckly, convinces him to get involved in a shady deal where Ryan will make a bundle of money and Kyle will receive $50,000 just for going along. Of course, everything goes wrong and the pair find themselves in trouble with the local mob, a Mexican drug cartel. and then when they run the scam again, with Bolivian mercenaries. When the thieving pair come up short of the money they owe the crooks they are dealing with, Kyle’s ex-wife becomes involved in the scam and gives him more incentive to straighten things out.
A couple of the sub-characters were interesting and added to the menagerie.
The action is fast and intense
I recommend the story.
The editing is good, but the sentence structure is so, so.
Character Development is detailed and paints a clear picture of the main characters.
Details are adequate
The Plot is interesting and kept me engaged.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – J. Gregory Smith
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Word Count 70,000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No. 35- 2018
Posted 9/23/2018
My Impressions: violent, kidnapping, gullible greedy characters.
Main Characters:
Kyle Logan – ex-soldier, divorced, looking for easy money, gullible.
Ryan Buckly – ex-soldier, hustler, gets in over his head.
Kyle Logan is divorced but still loves his wannabe rich ex-wife and hates the scum-bag lawyer she lives with and is engaged to. His childhood buddy, Ryan Buckly, convinces him to get involved in a shady deal where Ryan will make a bundle of money and Kyle will receive $50,000 just for going along. Of course, everything goes wrong and the pair find themselves in trouble with the local mob, a Mexican drug cartel. and then when they run the scam again, with Bolivian mercenaries. When the thieving pair come up short of the money they owe the crooks they are dealing with, Kyle’s ex-wife becomes involved in the scam and gives him more incentive to straighten things out.
A couple of the sub-characters were interesting and added to the menagerie.
The action is fast and intense
I recommend the story.
The editing is good, but the sentence structure is so, so.
Character Development is detailed and paints a clear picture of the main characters.
Details are adequate
The Plot is interesting and kept me engaged.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
September 24, 2018
I became an instant fan of J. Gregory Smith's novels after reading Final Price, the first book of Paul Chang Mysteries.
J. Gregory Smith has a unique style of intrigue, wrapping unique story lines and plots around the mystery keeping the reader glued, the endings are not easily predictable. Smith has a knack of creating interesting, colorful characters who weaves the unpredictable intrigue into the story lines. His novels would make great movies, as well!
The last novel: Quick Fix follows suit to Smith's style. The characters in this novel are unique and yet everyday persons one may meet on the street or neighborhoods, that have hidden lives and secrets! Quick Fix was enjoyable to read, I finished it in two days, reading it every free second!
I fully recommend this novel and if one hasn't read any of the other novels by J. Gregory Smith I highly recommend them, you will become a fan!
Other recommended novels by J. Gregory Smith:
Final Price
Legacy of the Dragon
Send in the Clowns
The Flame Keepers
Darwin's Pause
The Crystal Mountain
Quick Fix
J. Gregory Smith has a unique style of intrigue, wrapping unique story lines and plots around the mystery keeping the reader glued, the endings are not easily predictable. Smith has a knack of creating interesting, colorful characters who weaves the unpredictable intrigue into the story lines. His novels would make great movies, as well!
The last novel: Quick Fix follows suit to Smith's style. The characters in this novel are unique and yet everyday persons one may meet on the street or neighborhoods, that have hidden lives and secrets! Quick Fix was enjoyable to read, I finished it in two days, reading it every free second!
I fully recommend this novel and if one hasn't read any of the other novels by J. Gregory Smith I highly recommend them, you will become a fan!
Other recommended novels by J. Gregory Smith:
Final Price
Legacy of the Dragon
Send in the Clowns
The Flame Keepers
Darwin's Pause
The Crystal Mountain
Quick Fix
July 29, 2018
Quick Fix by J. Gregory Smith
I guess I didn’t realize I was a fan until I looked at all of his books I have reviewed. I have never found one any less than four stars and most have been five stars. This new book is a step above even five stars. I really enjoyed the book. Action or adrenaline junkies this book will satisfy your lust!
One of the aspects that added to the enjoyment was the recognition of many of the places as the book is set in the Philadelphia area. The gist of the story is two buddies, “contractors” for the military are recovering from their last visit to the “sandbox”. Kyle is the main protagonist and he is recovering from an IED. Kyle is also going through a divorce. His buddy Ryan, has a quick fix for Kyle’s money problems and there is the beginning of the problems.
Smith crafts characters that you actually know. We all have friends like Ryan and Kyle. A loveable rogue whose pranks got you into trouble in high school can lead you down the primrose path to incarceration as an adult. A gullible good guy with a temper and a more robust physic can fall prey to or merely want to believe in a financial panacea having no down side.
These two are not kids but they do have a less than thoughtful approach to the world. Rollie, a bonafide adult, brings some maturity to the story.
This is a “can’t put it down” kind of book. In spite of having a dinner party for 16 and all of the accompanying chores, I finished the book in 48 hours or so.
I highly recommend, Smith is honing his craft to a new and exciting level!
Links to my reviews of more of J. Gregory Smith’s work:
Darwin’s Pause
The Flame Keepers
Heroic Measures
Send in the Clowns
Legacy of the Dragon
A Noble Cause
Final Price
The Crystal Mountain
I guess I didn’t realize I was a fan until I looked at all of his books I have reviewed. I have never found one any less than four stars and most have been five stars. This new book is a step above even five stars. I really enjoyed the book. Action or adrenaline junkies this book will satisfy your lust!
One of the aspects that added to the enjoyment was the recognition of many of the places as the book is set in the Philadelphia area. The gist of the story is two buddies, “contractors” for the military are recovering from their last visit to the “sandbox”. Kyle is the main protagonist and he is recovering from an IED. Kyle is also going through a divorce. His buddy Ryan, has a quick fix for Kyle’s money problems and there is the beginning of the problems.
Smith crafts characters that you actually know. We all have friends like Ryan and Kyle. A loveable rogue whose pranks got you into trouble in high school can lead you down the primrose path to incarceration as an adult. A gullible good guy with a temper and a more robust physic can fall prey to or merely want to believe in a financial panacea having no down side.
These two are not kids but they do have a less than thoughtful approach to the world. Rollie, a bonafide adult, brings some maturity to the story.
This is a “can’t put it down” kind of book. In spite of having a dinner party for 16 and all of the accompanying chores, I finished the book in 48 hours or so.
I highly recommend, Smith is honing his craft to a new and exciting level!
Links to my reviews of more of J. Gregory Smith’s work:
Darwin’s Pause
The Flame Keepers
Heroic Measures
Send in the Clowns
Legacy of the Dragon
A Noble Cause
Final Price
The Crystal Mountain
December 9, 2018
I had a really hard time staying engaged with this story. I only read a few chapters a night. The writing is fine, the characters were well thought out, and the plot is an interesting heist. The pacing just seemed too slow, and I would get bored with it. The suspense and action needed to keep my adrenaline up, and that didn’t happen.
I will have to rate the Quick Fix 3 Boundless stars, and I struggled to finish it. But once I did, I was glad I got through it because Smith is talented and I think if you like a slower paced heist you will like this one. It just wasn’t really for me.
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I will have to rate the Quick Fix 3 Boundless stars, and I struggled to finish it. But once I did, I was glad I got through it because Smith is talented and I think if you like a slower paced heist you will like this one. It just wasn’t really for me.
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
June 21, 2021
Too many people and a confusing line of thought throughout. Couldn't figure out if he was writing a comedy of errors or he thought this was a good detective type story. Only good thing was it brought back lots of fond memories of areas around Philly. I will not be reading the second book in the series as I had to force my way thru this one.
September 23, 2018
Quick Fix by J.Gregory Smith is a fast paced adventure set in Fishtown, a small town in Philadelphia. It’s an exciting yarn with an effective combination of humour, action and tension.
The story is told in 1st person narrative from the perspective of military contractor, Kyle Logan. Kyle has lived his whole life in Fishtown and most of the characters are known to him and played a part in his past which helps to make the plot and its denouement believable. The novel begins as Kyle is recovering from injuries he sustained whilst in Iraq, which have left him struggling both physically and mentally. On top of this he is trying to come to terms with his estranged wife’s new relationship with an antagonistic lawyer.
However, it is Kyle’s relationship with his childhood friend, Ryan ‘Anything for a Buck’ Buckley that leads to him becoming embroiled in a criminal endeavour that threatens to destroy not only him but everyone he cares about. Gregory Smith goes to great pains to show Ryan’s good qualities in that he helped Kyle’s mother when she was terminally ill and his own parents died in tragic circumstances but I found it difficult to warm to him. He is morally corrupt and untrustworthy but Kyle is easily led and seems incapable of seeing his friend as he really is.
The plot centres on the theft of some priceless Aztec statues which Ryan plans to sell to the local bad boy, Danny ‘Iceballs’ Sheehan who is a part of the Irish mob. Typically Ryan tries to double cross Sheehan and he and Kyle end up fighting for their lives as they in turn are double crossed and then robbed. It’s a complicated plot but to Gregory Smith’s credit he asserts full control over the narrative and engaged my interest throughout.
My favourite character is Kyle’s landlord, Rollie, a former marine and lonely widower, advancing in years but keen to get involved in the melee that develops when Sheehan kidnaps Kyle’s estranged wife, Beth. It is through Rollie’s memories of Sheehan’s father that we are shown how dangerous these men are and the violence and cruelty runs parallel to the warm camaraderie that Kyle and Rollie enjoy. There is no attempt to dress up the fact that these gangsters are vicious thugs with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
The tone of the novel, however, is not overly dark due to the conversational style of narrative and the fact that Kyle is not particularly tough or adept at fighting and is basically just trying to keep his head above water. There is something of the everyman in Kyle as his life implodes and he finds himself with little control over the proceedings. Despite this is he loyal to both Ryan and Beth and comes across as a decent person.
The setting of the novel creates a claustrophobic feel which racks up the tension. The area seems familiar to the author as he describes the landscape and small town affiliations with a convincing ease. From the onset where Kyle has an altercation in a local bar, the novel has a filmic, visual quality which I found enjoyable.
I really like the way Gregory Smith chooses to end his novel in a realistic ambiguous way. It is not all tied up in a happy ending but rather people just accepting each other’s flaws and doing the best they can.
Quick Fix is an engaging, exciting novel. The characters are all believable and on the whole likeable and I felt very much invested in them. If you are looking for a bit of escapism and you like action and adventure then I think you would enjoy this one very much.
The story is told in 1st person narrative from the perspective of military contractor, Kyle Logan. Kyle has lived his whole life in Fishtown and most of the characters are known to him and played a part in his past which helps to make the plot and its denouement believable. The novel begins as Kyle is recovering from injuries he sustained whilst in Iraq, which have left him struggling both physically and mentally. On top of this he is trying to come to terms with his estranged wife’s new relationship with an antagonistic lawyer.
However, it is Kyle’s relationship with his childhood friend, Ryan ‘Anything for a Buck’ Buckley that leads to him becoming embroiled in a criminal endeavour that threatens to destroy not only him but everyone he cares about. Gregory Smith goes to great pains to show Ryan’s good qualities in that he helped Kyle’s mother when she was terminally ill and his own parents died in tragic circumstances but I found it difficult to warm to him. He is morally corrupt and untrustworthy but Kyle is easily led and seems incapable of seeing his friend as he really is.
The plot centres on the theft of some priceless Aztec statues which Ryan plans to sell to the local bad boy, Danny ‘Iceballs’ Sheehan who is a part of the Irish mob. Typically Ryan tries to double cross Sheehan and he and Kyle end up fighting for their lives as they in turn are double crossed and then robbed. It’s a complicated plot but to Gregory Smith’s credit he asserts full control over the narrative and engaged my interest throughout.
My favourite character is Kyle’s landlord, Rollie, a former marine and lonely widower, advancing in years but keen to get involved in the melee that develops when Sheehan kidnaps Kyle’s estranged wife, Beth. It is through Rollie’s memories of Sheehan’s father that we are shown how dangerous these men are and the violence and cruelty runs parallel to the warm camaraderie that Kyle and Rollie enjoy. There is no attempt to dress up the fact that these gangsters are vicious thugs with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
The tone of the novel, however, is not overly dark due to the conversational style of narrative and the fact that Kyle is not particularly tough or adept at fighting and is basically just trying to keep his head above water. There is something of the everyman in Kyle as his life implodes and he finds himself with little control over the proceedings. Despite this is he loyal to both Ryan and Beth and comes across as a decent person.
The setting of the novel creates a claustrophobic feel which racks up the tension. The area seems familiar to the author as he describes the landscape and small town affiliations with a convincing ease. From the onset where Kyle has an altercation in a local bar, the novel has a filmic, visual quality which I found enjoyable.
I really like the way Gregory Smith chooses to end his novel in a realistic ambiguous way. It is not all tied up in a happy ending but rather people just accepting each other’s flaws and doing the best they can.
Quick Fix is an engaging, exciting novel. The characters are all believable and on the whole likeable and I felt very much invested in them. If you are looking for a bit of escapism and you like action and adventure then I think you would enjoy this one very much.
February 10, 2019
Quick Fix is a thriller whose protagonist showcases just how many ways trying to get rich quick can go wrong. Kyle Logan is down on his luck and trying to drown his sorrows in a bar when he’s served with divorce papers. Assaulting the lawyer who served them was one of those ideas that sounded better than it turned out to be, and Kyle finds himself reliant for income on an old associate running an art forgery con. Unfortunately, to con the South American Mob and the Irish Mob, you have to either be intelligent or lucky, and it’s remotely possible that Kyle and his associates don’t have what it takes...
While overall this is perfectly readable thriller, I have great difficulty getting into characters whose stupidity is the foundation of most of their troubles, and Kyle, with alcohol-fuelled impulse control issues and lousy judgement, was hard for me to really care about. This is one of those stories where each brilliant idea to fix the mess that the characters have got themselves into goes increasingly wrong, and most of the tension comes from watching them dancing along the disaster curve. That said, the author has a good sense of when to add a touch of detail to add realism to a setting, and one of the strongest elements in Quick Fix was the pacing. The storyline is well put together, and there were very few places where I felt any urge to start flicking ahead.
Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
While overall this is perfectly readable thriller, I have great difficulty getting into characters whose stupidity is the foundation of most of their troubles, and Kyle, with alcohol-fuelled impulse control issues and lousy judgement, was hard for me to really care about. This is one of those stories where each brilliant idea to fix the mess that the characters have got themselves into goes increasingly wrong, and most of the tension comes from watching them dancing along the disaster curve. That said, the author has a good sense of when to add a touch of detail to add realism to a setting, and one of the strongest elements in Quick Fix was the pacing. The storyline is well put together, and there were very few places where I felt any urge to start flicking ahead.
Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
January 10, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book for how it was written. It felt as if I were reading a script and I was an extra observing the whole story. Rollie is a favorite for me. He adds spunk and delight to the on going "We have to make a plan to get out of this mess." Three unlikely guys come together to help another friend make some money while trying not to get killed by the Irish mob. This is the 3rd book I've read by J Gregory Smith. I'm looking forward to reading the next book by him. Finding this wonderful local author at a book and art show has me coming back every year in hopes of getting another autographed book. Thanks for another great read!
July 11, 2021
Definitely an interesting premise for a story. Kyle Logan's life is going down the drain, and he needs a way to make a quick buck. Logan's character development is well done throughout the story and, while he's got his flaws, he's also relatable in a lot of ways.
From the mob to the cartel to a kidnapped ex-wife, Logan deals with it all. Smith crafts an exciting, tense, and fun story with great character development and clever plot developments over the course of the story.
From the mob to the cartel to a kidnapped ex-wife, Logan deals with it all. Smith crafts an exciting, tense, and fun story with great character development and clever plot developments over the course of the story.
July 4, 2023
Light of Details
The enjoyed the book, but a lot of words with not lot cover in action. I thought was the introduction current in a long way of the story. I found the book interesting and stayed but the story seemed to dull. The book is entirely in this book, not created on a lead to more of the story.
The enjoyed the book, but a lot of words with not lot cover in action. I thought was the introduction current in a long way of the story. I found the book interesting and stayed but the story seemed to dull. The book is entirely in this book, not created on a lead to more of the story.
September 9, 2023
Enjoyed this book. It is a quick, easy read. Once I got into it, I stayed up a bit too late several nights in a row! The main protagonist is a relatable, likeable, yet flawed, character. The story took some unexpected turns and kept me engaged. Looking forward to starting the second one next!
March 20, 2024
Quick Fix
It was OK. The story line was good but I didn’t really care about any of the characters. A lot of action wasn’t enough to make it a great read. Not sure if I will read anything else by the author.
It was OK. The story line was good but I didn’t really care about any of the characters. A lot of action wasn’t enough to make it a great read. Not sure if I will read anything else by the author.
June 29, 2019
Surprising story
This is my first read with this author and liked style and ease in reading. It had some intrigue and surprise.Great job with this story.
This is my first read with this author and liked style and ease in reading. It had some intrigue and surprise.Great job with this story.
July 1, 2019
Worth your time
Good story, lots of twists and turns. Interesting characters and pretty good ending. Different kind of story - recommend it, wonder if a sequel is being considered?
Good story, lots of twists and turns. Interesting characters and pretty good ending. Different kind of story - recommend it, wonder if a sequel is being considered?
October 11, 2022
Entertaining and suspenseful at the same tine
A good read. It's very fast moving page turner. The bad guys were truly bad and the hero had a few bad faults of his own.
A good read. It's very fast moving page turner. The bad guys were truly bad and the hero had a few bad faults of his own.
Want to read
January 18, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/18/2023)! 🎁
April 18, 2025
Good Book!
I’m glad I read this one will try a few more by this author. I enjoyed the characters and the ending was good!
I’m glad I read this one will try a few more by this author. I enjoyed the characters and the ending was good!
August 10, 2022
I quite enjoyed this read. Fairly quick pacing, interesting plot, interesting characters, and the ending was great. I would def recommend y'all give it a read.
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