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Mike Romeo #4
Romeo's Fight
”So you’re Mike Romeo. You don’t look so tough.”
All Romeo wanted was to chill by the pool and talk to Zane Donahue, the man who’d summoned him. But trouble walked up to ruin a good day. When Romeo’s around somebody’s always spoiling for a fight.
Dispatching a punk is one thing. Helping an old friend with a murder rap is another. Archie Jennison comes to Romeo when a gruesome and unsolved Hollywood murder is connected to him in a bizarre way. As Romeo begins his investigation, things take on a dark and twisted turn. Hidden secrets cast shadows over Archie’s case, and an open wound from Romeo’s own past threatens to take him down. Suddenly, Romeo is in the fight of his life, and somebody wants to make sure he loses—for good.
Another in the International Thriller Writers Award-winning series that’s been called “sharp as a switchblade” (Meg Gardiner).
All Romeo wanted was to chill by the pool and talk to Zane Donahue, the man who’d summoned him. But trouble walked up to ruin a good day. When Romeo’s around somebody’s always spoiling for a fight.
Dispatching a punk is one thing. Helping an old friend with a murder rap is another. Archie Jennison comes to Romeo when a gruesome and unsolved Hollywood murder is connected to him in a bizarre way. As Romeo begins his investigation, things take on a dark and twisted turn. Hidden secrets cast shadows over Archie’s case, and an open wound from Romeo’s own past threatens to take him down. Suddenly, Romeo is in the fight of his life, and somebody wants to make sure he loses—for good.
Another in the International Thriller Writers Award-winning series that’s been called “sharp as a switchblade” (Meg Gardiner).
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2019
495 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
James Scott Bell
132 books1,035 followersJim is a former trial lawyer who now writes and speaks full time. He is the bestselling author of Try Dying, No Legal Grounds, Presumed Guilty, Glimpses of Paradise, Breach of Promise and several other thrillers. He is a winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Inspirational Fiction, and was a fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine. He has written two books in the Writers' Digest series, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing.
Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.
Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan
Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.
Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 23, 2020
I don't think you can find an action/mystery hero more fun to read than Mike Romeo.
June 17, 2021
Fun and fast reading. This is the third Mike Romeo book I have read. They go quickly, real good page turner writing. All three endings have been less than expected. But I guess its the authors style.
July 15, 2022
Having read the entire series, Mike Romeo is a refreshing protagonist with a brilliant mind, a big heart, and someone who will fight anyone to find the truth. James Scott Bell has created a memorable character whose adventures are always exciting, fast-paced, and full of supporting characters, some of whom are threaded through all six books and some of whom just appear in a single book. Romeo dishes up philosophy to educate, antagonize, confuse, and explain. He uses his brawn to immobilize, punish, and clarify his position. A fascinating mixture of Travis McGee, Mike Hammer, Dirty Harry, and Columbo seasoned with just a touch of James Bond.
January 29, 2019
Sharp tongue Romeo doesn't look for a fight but tends to find it. Archie comes to Romeo when an unsolved Hollywood murder is connected to Archie. Then comes dark and twisted turns.
I like the wit of this book, finding myself chuckling at some of the scenes. One commentator called it, "sharp as a switchblade." I would agree.
The ending was shocking. That's all I'll say. Great characters. Exciting plot. Making this an interesting read. For those who like fight scenes, this one is for you.
I like the wit of this book, finding myself chuckling at some of the scenes. One commentator called it, "sharp as a switchblade." I would agree.
The ending was shocking. That's all I'll say. Great characters. Exciting plot. Making this an interesting read. For those who like fight scenes, this one is for you.
June 9, 2019
I really liked this series. It was intriguing and kept my interest. It was hard to get other things done as I read this series. I appreciate the suspense, the characters and the story line. I appreciate the "clean" book that is free from profanity and sexual content, which is unnecessary to a great book.
October 1, 2023
This is the second Romeo thriller novel I’ve read by James Scott Bell. This time, Mike Romeo, an investigator for Rabbi Ira Rosen, Attorney-at-Law, former Mossad agent is in the midst of trying to help Archie Jennison, an old friend (cage fighter) with a murder rap. Archie is also attached to an old unsolved Hollywood murder in a weird way – his father maybe the killer. While trying to get to the bottom of Archie’s dilemma’s, Mike is also trying to help some other folks: C Dog, the leader of a punk rock band (“Unopened Cheese”) to settle up with a loan shark he owes Twenty grand with penalty and interest, and Artra Murray, a doctor who runs a public medical clinic who is on the verge of closing due to lack of funds.
Zane Donahue, a rich and well connected (not all legal) cage fight promoter could be the key to helping Mike solve the murder cases and help him out financially. But Zane is not a man to be trusted and Mike must use his instincts and intellect to outmaneuver him. Along the way, folks are hurt and Mike escapes from an attempt on his life because he was getting too close to finding out the truth.
Overall, this was a quick and well-written read. I loved the intricacy of the storyline, the snappish dialogue (Mike never misses a beat to perplex folks around him with his intellect – Shakespeare, Kierkegaard, Latin, etc.), well developed characters, and realistic fight scenes. There were many times I laughed out loud and sat on the edge of my seat during tense moments. I enjoyed this novel especially the ending with a twist. I will definitely read another novel showcasing Romeo’s wit, charming personality, and helpful disposition. A great read! Two thumbs up!
Some of my favorite lines:
“Why won’t you consider fighting for me?” Donahue said. “That hundred grand is real cash money.”
“I’m not a violent person,” I said.
Donahue snorted. “I know your cage record. Funny, but I can’t find anything before that.”
“Nothing funny about it,” I said.
“You are apparently a man with a past. And you don’t want anybody to know about it.”
“Life can only be understood backward,” I said. “But it must be lived forward.”
“You come up with that?”
“Kierkegaard.”
He took a languid pull on his cigar and let the smoke issue from his mouth like a genie from a lamp. “A fighter who reads Kierkegaard. You are going to make a lot of money.”
Zane Donahue, a rich and well connected (not all legal) cage fight promoter could be the key to helping Mike solve the murder cases and help him out financially. But Zane is not a man to be trusted and Mike must use his instincts and intellect to outmaneuver him. Along the way, folks are hurt and Mike escapes from an attempt on his life because he was getting too close to finding out the truth.
Overall, this was a quick and well-written read. I loved the intricacy of the storyline, the snappish dialogue (Mike never misses a beat to perplex folks around him with his intellect – Shakespeare, Kierkegaard, Latin, etc.), well developed characters, and realistic fight scenes. There were many times I laughed out loud and sat on the edge of my seat during tense moments. I enjoyed this novel especially the ending with a twist. I will definitely read another novel showcasing Romeo’s wit, charming personality, and helpful disposition. A great read! Two thumbs up!
Some of my favorite lines:
“Why won’t you consider fighting for me?” Donahue said. “That hundred grand is real cash money.”
“I’m not a violent person,” I said.
Donahue snorted. “I know your cage record. Funny, but I can’t find anything before that.”
“Nothing funny about it,” I said.
“You are apparently a man with a past. And you don’t want anybody to know about it.”
“Life can only be understood backward,” I said. “But it must be lived forward.”
“You come up with that?”
“Kierkegaard.”
He took a languid pull on his cigar and let the smoke issue from his mouth like a genie from a lamp. “A fighter who reads Kierkegaard. You are going to make a lot of money.”
April 24, 2021
I received this book, for free (from BookBub).
I was well on my way to giving this book five stars, when the ending was "and... we are done."
Just as I got into it, everything came together fast. This was disappointing.
It wasn't easy to get into the book, either.
Than, it got good... and over.
Any book I receive for free... is a stand alone for me, because I'm not going to hunt down books or pay for a kindle version. I may read kindle version, but I still very much enjoy the feel of reading a real book. The only upside to kindle, is the backlighting (because I often read at night).
The reason I'm giving this book three stars, is because this book markets itself as being a thriller. I did not find this to be a thriller in anyway. This, was a suspense book.
As far a Mike went, he was a likable guy, Disappointing, he didn't seem to have any brief affairs either. Just a little more romance could have went along way. Instead, we had a murdered young lady and her mother placed in the hospital (sad really). There was too much fists flying. I definitely could have done without the Ronda reference. Misha Tate, would have been better (she is wanting to get back in the ring, last I heard).
The whole serum or juice thing reminded me a lot of the Mark Walberg movie, "Max Payne." And, if that's the case... this book just doesn't hold up to it. I think; I would recommend watching Max Payne, over reading this book.
Yes, I realize this is apart of a series. Maybe, the whole series is better than what I caught of it? But, I don't know? So much ground work went into the character description, it made the plot seem ever so brief. At the end of the day, at least this was well written.
I was well on my way to giving this book five stars, when the ending was "and... we are done."
Just as I got into it, everything came together fast. This was disappointing.
It wasn't easy to get into the book, either.
Than, it got good... and over.
Any book I receive for free... is a stand alone for me, because I'm not going to hunt down books or pay for a kindle version. I may read kindle version, but I still very much enjoy the feel of reading a real book. The only upside to kindle, is the backlighting (because I often read at night).
The reason I'm giving this book three stars, is because this book markets itself as being a thriller. I did not find this to be a thriller in anyway. This, was a suspense book.
As far a Mike went, he was a likable guy, Disappointing, he didn't seem to have any brief affairs either. Just a little more romance could have went along way. Instead, we had a murdered young lady and her mother placed in the hospital (sad really). There was too much fists flying. I definitely could have done without the Ronda reference. Misha Tate, would have been better (she is wanting to get back in the ring, last I heard).
The whole serum or juice thing reminded me a lot of the Mark Walberg movie, "Max Payne." And, if that's the case... this book just doesn't hold up to it. I think; I would recommend watching Max Payne, over reading this book.
Yes, I realize this is apart of a series. Maybe, the whole series is better than what I caught of it? But, I don't know? So much ground work went into the character description, it made the plot seem ever so brief. At the end of the day, at least this was well written.
January 26, 2019
Another Fun-To-Read Romeo Mystery: An old friend of Romeo’s, who’s accused of murder, asks Romeo to investigate. Romeo wants to relax and stay out of trouble, but he’s the kind of guy who can’t stand it if justice isn’t done. Once he obliges his friend he’s caught in a web of bad guys and one girl who try to convince him they’re not to blame for any wrongdoing. In spite of going up against a lot of unsavory people in his life, Romeo has a trusting heart, so he’s in a fight to identify the real criminals and save himself and his friend from them. A former cage fighter, he’s also challenged to get in the ring with an unscrupulous boxer, which is something he’d rather not do. But the fight takes place, and it’s as dirty as the man who arranged it. It appears he thought the match would end Romeo’s investigation.
Mr. Bell kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next, and whether or not Romeo could trust the next person he met. Romeo shows the reader how someone who appears rough around the edges can be a person of high character and intellect. The contrast makes him likeable and fascinating. Mr. Bell’s wit, philosophy and fine writing shine in this book. I highly recommend it to all who enjoy suspense and mystery lined with a bit of humor and thoughts on life.
Mr. Bell kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next, and whether or not Romeo could trust the next person he met. Romeo shows the reader how someone who appears rough around the edges can be a person of high character and intellect. The contrast makes him likeable and fascinating. Mr. Bell’s wit, philosophy and fine writing shine in this book. I highly recommend it to all who enjoy suspense and mystery lined with a bit of humor and thoughts on life.
April 16, 2021
Highly Entertaining
Mike Romeo isn’t just another tough guy detective. He’s a highly educated tough guy detective. And this isn’t just another hard boiled mystery. It’s tightly plotted, insightful without being preachy or political, and has enough twists to keep you guessing to the end. My only caveat would be to tell Mr. Bell he should lighten up on all the “I said,” “he said,” and other “said” dialogue tags. He’s an amazing writer and doesn’t need to use even half of them. The story was entertaining enough to keep them from being a distraction, but they were noticeably there. It won’t keep me from reading the next Mike Romeo book, though. I enjoyed this one too much to miss it. Worth noting: excellent writing and story with no graphic sex or offensive language. Worth an extra star for many potential readers.
Mike Romeo isn’t just another tough guy detective. He’s a highly educated tough guy detective. And this isn’t just another hard boiled mystery. It’s tightly plotted, insightful without being preachy or political, and has enough twists to keep you guessing to the end. My only caveat would be to tell Mr. Bell he should lighten up on all the “I said,” “he said,” and other “said” dialogue tags. He’s an amazing writer and doesn’t need to use even half of them. The story was entertaining enough to keep them from being a distraction, but they were noticeably there. It won’t keep me from reading the next Mike Romeo book, though. I enjoyed this one too much to miss it. Worth noting: excellent writing and story with no graphic sex or offensive language. Worth an extra star for many potential readers.
February 5, 2021
Romeo's Fight begins with Mike running into Archie, an old pal from his fight days. Shortly thereafter, Archie reaches out after he has been arrested for killing his girlfriend. Mike agrees to help, but when he confronts Archie after his alibi falls apart, Archie goes crazy and tries to fire him and Ira. Mike needs to know the truth, even if he has been fired.
There's a cage fight (finally), another nasty scar, more philosophy and sarcasm, and a large yacht. Mike continues to work with CD, to help him get clean and learn to think.
This is a mostly clean novel with genre-expected violence. You may need a dictionary and Google to follow some of the quotes and philosophy discussions. But it's a fun read.
There's a cage fight (finally), another nasty scar, more philosophy and sarcasm, and a large yacht. Mike continues to work with CD, to help him get clean and learn to think.
This is a mostly clean novel with genre-expected violence. You may need a dictionary and Google to follow some of the quotes and philosophy discussions. But it's a fun read.
March 30, 2024
Of the four Mike Romeo books I've read so far, I think this one is the best. The plot is tighter and more focused. Previous installments have sometimes got a bit convoluted and involved too many plotlines. This one is more straightforward, though with some twists and turns. It's a fast, fun read with some interesting characters. Romeo is a hard hitting, philosophically-minded detective and knight-errant. His dialogue is peppered with quotations from philosophers, artists, and authors. I think the books could be improved if the philosophical ideas worked themselves a bit more into and where reflected in the plot. They are fun and helpf characterize Mike, but don't serve anything more substantive in the books.
July 29, 2019
My vacuum cleaner called to me today, so I did what I normally do to put off the inevitable, I searched for a book (to read later of course). But later became now. I read the book in one sitting. I guess the moral to story is - if you don’t want to be distracted don’t buy the book. I gave one star for the great snappy dialogue. One for a fast paced plot. One for great written characters (I’d even go on a date with Romeo). One for the plot. I took one off for distracting me from the vacuuming... then put it straight back up because let’s be honest- who doesn’t want to be distracted from housework? All in all an enjoyable read! *muttering to self as the vacuum calls to me again.*
August 19, 2020
Another great book
James Scott Bell does such a great job with the Mike Romeo series. These are fun to read, they have plenty of plot changes and if you’re trying to figure them out? Well, you can get some of it but not all. The characters come to life and really work. Highly recommend these books!
James Scott Bell does such a great job with the Mike Romeo series. These are fun to read, they have plenty of plot changes and if you’re trying to figure them out? Well, you can get some of it but not all. The characters come to life and really work. Highly recommend these books!
August 26, 2020
Because I don't write spoilers, I don't get into plots. All the Romeo novels by James Scott Bell are highly unique, very well-written, and worth reading. I can't wait for the next one, but I guess I'll have to. My reviews of Romeo's novels 2 through 5 will be this one, no changes. All the Romeo novels get five stars.
April 22, 2021
Amazing
What a story continuing the unique adventures of Mike Romeo. I laughed out loud while being drawn in to this intricate life of the main character. I'm in awe of the talent of James Bell. He's one of my top favorite authors, and I always trust his novels to draw me in without offending me in any way.
What a story continuing the unique adventures of Mike Romeo. I laughed out loud while being drawn in to this intricate life of the main character. I'm in awe of the talent of James Bell. He's one of my top favorite authors, and I always trust his novels to draw me in without offending me in any way.
April 23, 2021
Another Great Read
I love the character of Mike Romeo. Intelligent, humorous, philosophical, compassionate, don't-mess-with-me former cage fighter tries to mind his own business but always ends up fighting for justice in unusual circumstances. Every book in this series is a new thrilling adventure.
I love the character of Mike Romeo. Intelligent, humorous, philosophical, compassionate, don't-mess-with-me former cage fighter tries to mind his own business but always ends up fighting for justice in unusual circumstances. Every book in this series is a new thrilling adventure.
May 26, 2021
A modern hero
Mike Romeo is a new era hero. He is smart beyond comparison, well read, philosophical and a little cynical. He is also physically strong, an old cage fighter, who at present fights for truth and justice with the help of a retired mosad agent, now a lawyer. I read his story, books 1 thru 4 and I couldn't put them down. What a thrill for the mind. Thanks
Mike Romeo is a new era hero. He is smart beyond comparison, well read, philosophical and a little cynical. He is also physically strong, an old cage fighter, who at present fights for truth and justice with the help of a retired mosad agent, now a lawyer. I read his story, books 1 thru 4 and I couldn't put them down. What a thrill for the mind. Thanks
December 19, 2021
The hardboiled philosopher detective
Mike Hammer is a philosopher. Simultaneously he is a part of the L.A. under culture and an antagonist. His dialogue is replete with silly puns and references to classic works of philosophy. These novels are entertaining and the works referenced are worth a first or second read.
Mike Hammer is a philosopher. Simultaneously he is a part of the L.A. under culture and an antagonist. His dialogue is replete with silly puns and references to classic works of philosophy. These novels are entertaining and the works referenced are worth a first or second read.
February 11, 2023
This is my first book that I have read in the Romeo series. I guess I should have started with the first one in the series, nevertheless I was not as impressed with this one as I was with the Ty Buchanan series. I rated all of those five stars, but I could only give this one a four. It just didn’t captivate me like the Buchanan series did.
January 12, 2019
Twists & turns
This thriller by James Scott Bell is among his best. I couldn't put it down. In Romeo's Fight, we discover what in his background makes him do what he does. He does battle mentally and physically against the bad guys, and wins, of course. Excellent book.
This thriller by James Scott Bell is among his best. I couldn't put it down. In Romeo's Fight, we discover what in his background makes him do what he does. He does battle mentally and physically against the bad guys, and wins, of course. Excellent book.
January 13, 2019
This was not his best, but for the most part I enjoyed it. Mike was a MMA fighter and they are trying to get him back into that—there are drugs and murder involved in what is happening around him. I especially like his character and his friend Ira, who is a rabbi and seems very solid.
January 10, 2021
You have to read Mike Romeo's Thrillers
Great mix of mystery, action and philosophy. You will get involved in Mike's life and want happiness for him regardless of the situations he gets involved in.
Great mix of mystery, action and philosophy. You will get involved in Mike's life and want happiness for him regardless of the situations he gets involved in.
April 13, 2021
An enthralling book! At first I was overwhelmed by all the literary references, thinking it was overdone, but as I got to know Mike Romeo, I realized that was who he was. Now I look forward to reading more about him. It’s obviously a page-turner since I read it in less than a day.
July 24, 2021
Gangsters and Literature
A great mix; Mike Romeo can wind his wisecracking felons in and truss them up with lines from some of the greatest writers. (Shakespeare would be impressed). Oh yeah, and he can fight.
A great mix; Mike Romeo can wind his wisecracking felons in and truss them up with lines from some of the greatest writers. (Shakespeare would be impressed). Oh yeah, and he can fight.
October 19, 2021
Looking backwards
Very interesting weaving of creative mini thriller plots.Main character was great keeping readers interest with mix of literary quotes to match the situations. Page turner with great plots twists to the ending. Looking forward to next book.
Very interesting weaving of creative mini thriller plots.Main character was great keeping readers interest with mix of literary quotes to match the situations. Page turner with great plots twists to the ending. Looking forward to next book.
April 27, 2022
Love the Mike Romeo Series!
James Scott Bell has created a thoughtful protagonist that's not afraid to get his hands dirty but would rather solve problems using intellect. As with all of the Mike Romeo books, a wonderful story, and a satisfying conclusion. Do yourself a favor and read this series!
James Scott Bell has created a thoughtful protagonist that's not afraid to get his hands dirty but would rather solve problems using intellect. As with all of the Mike Romeo books, a wonderful story, and a satisfying conclusion. Do yourself a favor and read this series!
June 12, 2022
Best one yet!
All the Mike Romeo Thrillers are good reads but for me this is the best yet. Complex characters, surprising plot twists, and a satisfying ending keep the pages turning and you up at night.
All the Mike Romeo Thrillers are good reads but for me this is the best yet. Complex characters, surprising plot twists, and a satisfying ending keep the pages turning and you up at night.
April 7, 2023
Good thriller
This book kept you on your toes until the end. The main character was really quirky. Not sure if I would read more if the character was going to keep quoting literature.
This book kept you on your toes until the end. The main character was really quirky. Not sure if I would read more if the character was going to keep quoting literature.
April 23, 2024
Fantastic Series!!!!
Finished Round 4 of Mike Romeo's adventures and had a fantastic time. I absolutely loved everything about them. Will be 📖 reading everything by James Scott Bell....Bravo!!!
Finished Round 4 of Mike Romeo's adventures and had a fantastic time. I absolutely loved everything about them. Will be 📖 reading everything by James Scott Bell....Bravo!!!
January 9, 2019
Disappointed
Have enjoyed this author and Mike Romeo, but this book just fell flat. Instead of wanting more at the end, I was just happy it was finished.
Have enjoyed this author and Mike Romeo, but this book just fell flat. Instead of wanting more at the end, I was just happy it was finished.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews