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"Hammerhead" Jed Mysteries #2
Rolling Thunder
Former pro wrestler "Hammerhead" Jed Ounstead, now a fully-fledged private investigator, is riding high after his first successful case. In this second episode, Jed leaves the wrestling realm to enter a new arena: women's flat-track roller derby. When old acquaintance Stormy Daze seeks his help finding her team's missing coach, Jed discovers that the turnbuckle-and-metal-chair mayhem of the wrestling ring pales in comparison to roller derby's four-wheeled ferocity.
As his search intensifies, Jed is drawn into the criminal orbit of a shady entrepreneur who doubles as a late-night TV personality, a high-class bookmaker with a yen for racing dachshunds, and a kinky painter with a special technique for producing art. When the thunder rolls, Jed finds he needs more than a few of his beloved banana milkshakes to solve this case.
Rolling Thunder continues A.J. Devlin's hard-hitting, award-winning mystery series with its unbeatable one-two punch of over-the-top-rope humour and elbow-to-the-face adventure.
As his search intensifies, Jed is drawn into the criminal orbit of a shady entrepreneur who doubles as a late-night TV personality, a high-class bookmaker with a yen for racing dachshunds, and a kinky painter with a special technique for producing art. When the thunder rolls, Jed finds he needs more than a few of his beloved banana milkshakes to solve this case.
Rolling Thunder continues A.J. Devlin's hard-hitting, award-winning mystery series with its unbeatable one-two punch of over-the-top-rope humour and elbow-to-the-face adventure.
- GenresMystery
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2020
6 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Devlin
6 books46 followersA.J. Devlin grew up in Greater Vancouver before moving to Southern California where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from Chapman University and a Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from The American Film Institute. After working as a screenwriter in Hollywood, he moved back home to Port Moody, BC, where he now lives with his children.
Cobra Clutch, the first book in the "Hammerhead" Jed professional wrestling mystery-comedy series, was released in spring 2018 and nominated for a Lefty Award for Best Debut Mystery and won the 2019 Crime Writers Of Canada Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel.
The highly acclaimed sequel, Rolling Thunder, was released in spring 2020 and featured in the Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Globe and Mail, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal Reviews, Mystery Tribune Magazine, CrimeFictionLover.com, 49thShelf.com, and CBC Radio's The Next Chapter.
The third book in the series, Five Moves of Doom, was published in September 2022 by NeWest Press and featured on The House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC. It won the 2022 Crime Fiction Lover Editor's Choice Award for Best Indie Crime Novel, was selected by The Globe and Mail as one of the Best Books of 2022, was a finalist for the 2023 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery, shortlisted for the 2023 Crime Writers of Canada Howard Engel Award of Excellence for Best Novel Set in Canada, and nominated for the 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Comedic Mystery.
For more information on A.J. and his books, please visit ajdevlin.com.
Cobra Clutch, the first book in the "Hammerhead" Jed professional wrestling mystery-comedy series, was released in spring 2018 and nominated for a Lefty Award for Best Debut Mystery and won the 2019 Crime Writers Of Canada Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel.
The highly acclaimed sequel, Rolling Thunder, was released in spring 2020 and featured in the Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Globe and Mail, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal Reviews, Mystery Tribune Magazine, CrimeFictionLover.com, 49thShelf.com, and CBC Radio's The Next Chapter.
The third book in the series, Five Moves of Doom, was published in September 2022 by NeWest Press and featured on The House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC. It won the 2022 Crime Fiction Lover Editor's Choice Award for Best Indie Crime Novel, was selected by The Globe and Mail as one of the Best Books of 2022, was a finalist for the 2023 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery, shortlisted for the 2023 Crime Writers of Canada Howard Engel Award of Excellence for Best Novel Set in Canada, and nominated for the 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Comedic Mystery.
For more information on A.J. and his books, please visit ajdevlin.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 3, 2020
Great sophomore entry.
Hammerhead Jed is back wrestling part time, and working with his PI father. Stormy Daze, a woman from the last novel, asks him to find the coach of her roller derby team. He gets on the job, and immediately finds a dachshund racing bookie, an S&M club, a rich Greek TV Show host, and assorted other weirdness. Sets up a love triangle for a while.
Highly recommended.
Hammerhead Jed is back wrestling part time, and working with his PI father. Stormy Daze, a woman from the last novel, asks him to find the coach of her roller derby team. He gets on the job, and immediately finds a dachshund racing bookie, an S&M club, a rich Greek TV Show host, and assorted other weirdness. Sets up a love triangle for a while.
Highly recommended.
August 3, 2020
Rolling Thunder: a theatrical murder mystery set in Vancouver. Absolute mayhem involving banana milkshakes, roller derby, and wrestling. A dream come true.
I was given a copy of A.J. Devlin’s newest book by NeWest Press and the opportunity to review it for Ormsby Review. You can check out the full review at: https://ormsbyreview.com/2020/08/03/8...
I was given a copy of A.J. Devlin’s newest book by NeWest Press and the opportunity to review it for Ormsby Review. You can check out the full review at: https://ormsbyreview.com/2020/08/03/8...
January 2, 2021
I'm a little surprised to see how well-reviewed this book has been.
To be clear, it's a competent mystery. "Rolling Thunder" sews lots of seeds and weaves threads together in a way that the conclusion feels both earned and likely, if not inevitable. I was happy to see the villain get their comeuppance, and the way in which "Hammerhead" Jed cracks the case is appropriate and feels earned. The action - of which there is a surprising amount - is tight and polished, with a good sense of space and some inventive sequences.
But. I found myself halfway through the book and committing to finish it to see the mystery play out in spite of the characters.
The most interesting thing about Jed is his banana milkshake fixation. I say "fixation" because it is tiresome, not charming, how often this quirk comes up. Oh, a banana milkshake, you say? He drinks too many, hm? From Dairy Queen? A chain restaurant about which Jed has many, many feelings? I get it. I got it in the first fifth of the book.
Jed is beloved by everyone he encounters but I'll be damned if I know why. He picks fights, he manipulates people, he's judgemental, he's noncommittal. He uses his fans' appreciation and flashes ringside tickets to advance his case. There's some nice inner conflict that gets explored towards the end of the book relating to an old friend , but it doesn't go anywhere. Forgivable in a series, I suppose, but I would have really liked to get a little bit more self-reflection on Jed's part, because there really isn't a lot of character growth to be found here.
I found Declan more exhausting than a banana milkshake. He is charmingly backwards and for about a half-dozen pages before his brogue started to get grating and the shine wore off. He gets directly called on his behaviour exactly once towards the end of the book, and is rewarded by a fight scene in which he gets to be a hero.
I know who I'm supposed to be rooting for, but I really don't know who I'm supposed to identify with.
The prose is a little uneven, including some overwrought similes that Devlin seemed to grow out of by about the halfway mark of the novel (to paraphrase, "The animal ate the food like another animal would eat another kind of food" was particularly egregious).
I struggle with this review because the pieces are all so interesting. Vancouver feels alive, the world of roller derby is a great backdrop, and the idea of But I simply didn't like the main characters, no matter how much the other characters told me how great they were. And that, unfortunately, made a very well-constructed mystery not a lot of fun to read.
To be clear, it's a competent mystery. "Rolling Thunder" sews lots of seeds and weaves threads together in a way that the conclusion feels both earned and likely, if not inevitable. I was happy to see the villain get their comeuppance, and the way in which "Hammerhead" Jed cracks the case is appropriate and feels earned. The action - of which there is a surprising amount - is tight and polished, with a good sense of space and some inventive sequences.
But. I found myself halfway through the book and committing to finish it to see the mystery play out in spite of the characters.
The most interesting thing about Jed is his banana milkshake fixation. I say "fixation" because it is tiresome, not charming, how often this quirk comes up. Oh, a banana milkshake, you say? He drinks too many, hm? From Dairy Queen? A chain restaurant about which Jed has many, many feelings? I get it. I got it in the first fifth of the book.
Jed is beloved by everyone he encounters but I'll be damned if I know why. He picks fights, he manipulates people, he's judgemental, he's noncommittal. He uses his fans' appreciation and flashes ringside tickets to advance his case. There's some nice inner conflict that gets explored towards the end of the book relating to an old friend , but it doesn't go anywhere. Forgivable in a series, I suppose, but I would have really liked to get a little bit more self-reflection on Jed's part, because there really isn't a lot of character growth to be found here.
I found Declan more exhausting than a banana milkshake. He is charmingly backwards and for about a half-dozen pages before his brogue started to get grating and the shine wore off. He gets directly called on his behaviour exactly once towards the end of the book, and is rewarded by a fight scene in which he gets to be a hero.
I know who I'm supposed to be rooting for, but I really don't know who I'm supposed to identify with.
The prose is a little uneven, including some overwrought similes that Devlin seemed to grow out of by about the halfway mark of the novel (to paraphrase, "The animal ate the food like another animal would eat another kind of food" was particularly egregious).
I struggle with this review because the pieces are all so interesting. Vancouver feels alive, the world of roller derby is a great backdrop, and the idea of But I simply didn't like the main characters, no matter how much the other characters told me how great they were. And that, unfortunately, made a very well-constructed mystery not a lot of fun to read.
July 31, 2020
I'm a sucker for books that read like a movie and as we hunker down through this pandemic, I'm tired of watching the tube. If you're like me and interested in escaping into an action-packed crime novel, then this is a good read.
The interesting part about the author is that he has a way of writing about things I'm not particularly interested in like roller derby and in the previous book, Cobra Clutch, wrestling. But I get immersed in the characters, which are larger than life at times, and the vivid scene descriptions of Vancouver, BC.
Honestly a page turner and at the end, AJ Devlin, leaves you wondering - What's next?! Hoping it won't be long until the next book comes out :)
Well done!
The interesting part about the author is that he has a way of writing about things I'm not particularly interested in like roller derby and in the previous book, Cobra Clutch, wrestling. But I get immersed in the characters, which are larger than life at times, and the vivid scene descriptions of Vancouver, BC.
Honestly a page turner and at the end, AJ Devlin, leaves you wondering - What's next?! Hoping it won't be long until the next book comes out :)
Well done!
August 28, 2020
Rolling Thunder, AJ Devlin’s second novel, is a fun read through the world of professional wrestling, private investigation and sights of Greater Vancouver BC.
Pro wrestler “Hammerhead” Jed Ounstead and his sidekick cousin Declan grapple with a series of events surrounding old school Women’s Roller Derby, bad news characters and murder.
It’s an entertaining read that is actioned packed with never a dull moment, just like those wrestling shows you loved as a kid.
Pro wrestler “Hammerhead” Jed Ounstead and his sidekick cousin Declan grapple with a series of events surrounding old school Women’s Roller Derby, bad news characters and murder.
It’s an entertaining read that is actioned packed with never a dull moment, just like those wrestling shows you loved as a kid.
May 15, 2020
ROLLING THUNDER by A. J. Devlin
The Second "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery
As a former professional wrestler and new private investigator with one murder case behind him, Jed "Hammerhead" Ounstead has seen a lot. But nothing could have prepared him for the world of women's flat-track roller derby. An old wrestling acquaintance has entered the roller derby scene and calls on Jed when her team's coach goes missing. Jed will have to keep his wits and his wrestling moves sharp as he navigates the various venues of Vancouver in search of the missing man.
A. J. Devlin hooked me from his first sentence and never let me go. This second "Hammerhead" Jed mystery leads Jed to some interesting places and the discovery of a new art form that completely captivates Declan. It's Declan who brings the most outrageous situations to life, providing plenty of "oh no he didn't!?!" thoughts to readers. But it's not all grins and giggles, there are action packed fight scenes, romantic entanglements, and serious moments too.
Jed is growing as a person and as a character. His horizons are broadening, he takes his mistakes to heart and tries to learn from them, and he genuinely wants to help people. The general decency of the guy makes you root for him, both inside and outside of the ring.
ROLLING THUNDER is a top notch, laugh out loud, action packed adventure mystery. Filled with laughter inducing escapades there is enough heart to actually make you care about the characters...and crave a banana milkshake.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Second "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery
As a former professional wrestler and new private investigator with one murder case behind him, Jed "Hammerhead" Ounstead has seen a lot. But nothing could have prepared him for the world of women's flat-track roller derby. An old wrestling acquaintance has entered the roller derby scene and calls on Jed when her team's coach goes missing. Jed will have to keep his wits and his wrestling moves sharp as he navigates the various venues of Vancouver in search of the missing man.
A. J. Devlin hooked me from his first sentence and never let me go. This second "Hammerhead" Jed mystery leads Jed to some interesting places and the discovery of a new art form that completely captivates Declan. It's Declan who brings the most outrageous situations to life, providing plenty of "oh no he didn't!?!" thoughts to readers. But it's not all grins and giggles, there are action packed fight scenes, romantic entanglements, and serious moments too.
Jed is growing as a person and as a character. His horizons are broadening, he takes his mistakes to heart and tries to learn from them, and he genuinely wants to help people. The general decency of the guy makes you root for him, both inside and outside of the ring.
ROLLING THUNDER is a top notch, laugh out loud, action packed adventure mystery. Filled with laughter inducing escapades there is enough heart to actually make you care about the characters...and crave a banana milkshake.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
February 23, 2023
A fantastic follow-up to Cobra Clutch that builds on the characters and relationships of the first book, especially with some of the situations Jed has to deal with from his actions. The wrestling content is great but less of a focus as Jed deals with a client from a roller derby league. The addition of the roller derby locale adds a change of scenery while still having the same vibe of hard hitting action and gimmicks that you get from pro wrestling. Overall a great book that just sped by.
July 1, 2022
For me, this book was much better than Cobra Clutch, Devlin's first effort. The author knows a lot about Vancouver, and I really enjoy how he uses that city as the setting for his story. Devlin's work is pure entertainment --- you don't have to really think about the story to enjoy it. It is most appropriate Devlin intertwines roller derby with wrestling in his plot. One day they should make a comic book out of the characters in this book. I used to like the Dairy Queen but I haven't been back there in a long time. Maybe, after reading this book, I'll go back. It might be for a milkshake, but not a banana one, lol.
April 8, 2020
Super fun and funny detective story set in the worlds of flat track roller derby and professional wrestling. Great fight scenes and well-constructed crimes.
December 13, 2022
Heh. What a goshdarn hoot.
October 30, 2022
PI and former professional wrestler Jed ‘Hammerhead’ Ounstead is hired to find the missing coach of a ladies’ roller derby team. The case soon becomes a quagmire of twists and turns that lead Jed into serious danger.
This second installment in the series has plenty of funny moments, especially from his macho cousin and sidekick, Declan. Several quirky secondary characters add plenty of color to this clever whodunit. The romantic angle’s also ramped as Jed finds himself attracted to two very different women. His search for clues and suspects showcases a number of Vancouver locations that enhance the novel’s charm. Best of all, the ending is highly satisfying. Wrestling fans and mystery lovers will definitely enjoy this one.
This second installment in the series has plenty of funny moments, especially from his macho cousin and sidekick, Declan. Several quirky secondary characters add plenty of color to this clever whodunit. The romantic angle’s also ramped as Jed finds himself attracted to two very different women. His search for clues and suspects showcases a number of Vancouver locations that enhance the novel’s charm. Best of all, the ending is highly satisfying. Wrestling fans and mystery lovers will definitely enjoy this one.
May 30, 2020
Devlin’s “Hammerhead” Jed books transport me into a completely different world of Guinness beer, street fights, fringe sports and gritty man-talk.
This book (and the first in the series, Cobra Clutch) elevates the “action” crime genre with well-developed characters that defy their stereotypes, high-level vocabulary (“hellion,” “panacea”) and emotional depth. I love following Jed’s development as a detective, wrestler, romantic partner, son and friend.
Devlin’s screenwriting background is apparent in the cinematic scenes: the image of an ex-IRA bartender humming Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” to a rabbit is one of many unforgettable moments. Not to mention Jed’s visit to a kink club ...
I’ve visited Vancouver enough to feel sentimental when Jed’s investigation brings him to Gastown, Coal Harbour, and other memorable locations.
If you’re up for an immersive adventure through the grittier side of Metro Vancouver, or have a soft spot for roller derby, this book will satisfy you like only a DQ Brazier milkshake can.
This book (and the first in the series, Cobra Clutch) elevates the “action” crime genre with well-developed characters that defy their stereotypes, high-level vocabulary (“hellion,” “panacea”) and emotional depth. I love following Jed’s development as a detective, wrestler, romantic partner, son and friend.
Devlin’s screenwriting background is apparent in the cinematic scenes: the image of an ex-IRA bartender humming Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” to a rabbit is one of many unforgettable moments. Not to mention Jed’s visit to a kink club ...
I’ve visited Vancouver enough to feel sentimental when Jed’s investigation brings him to Gastown, Coal Harbour, and other memorable locations.
If you’re up for an immersive adventure through the grittier side of Metro Vancouver, or have a soft spot for roller derby, this book will satisfy you like only a DQ Brazier milkshake can.
June 3, 2020
Great Series
This is another great roller coaster ride. Building on a great first novel, I really enjoyed seeing more into this world. Love supporting great local authors, and these books bring back many memories growing up as an avid wrestling fan. My biggest criticism is that I have to wait for another one.
This is another great roller coaster ride. Building on a great first novel, I really enjoyed seeing more into this world. Love supporting great local authors, and these books bring back many memories growing up as an avid wrestling fan. My biggest criticism is that I have to wait for another one.
May 27, 2020
Fun. Pure, un-adulterated fun. “Hammerhead” Jed is rolling in this second installment and I can’t wait to read more. Dynamic supporting characters, vivid scenes of Vancouver’s underbelly and a raw humour that makes every page enjoyable.
September 29, 2021
Looking For An Adventurous, Hilarious, and Plot Twist Filled Novel? Look No Further!
And the Adventure continues! “Rolling Thunder,” the second novel in the HammerHead Jed Mystery Series, is a continuation of the life of once pro wrestler, ‘Hammerhead’ Jed Ounstead, turned private detective. This time, Hammerhead is found stepping into the world of roller derby.
From the beginning, this novel had me hooked with its charm and wisecracking wit. Since I enjoyed the first novel, I was excited at the thought of a sequel. Of which I was not disappointed. It had me hooked from the beginning and kept me invested with every twist and turn.
‘Hammerhead’ Jed Ounstead is a great character and how can you not want to read about a retired wrestler turned PI? Its easy for the reader to root for him throughout the novel and watch his character growth, especially as he tries to balance his relationships while also working time consuming and demanding cases. It is also interesting to see the family resemblance as Jed works along side his retired-police officer-turned-private-detective father. While Jed and his cousin, Declan get into some mischief that is not to be missed, but you will have to read about that yourself.
This is definitely a must read if you are looking for a fun mystery novel that involves a fresh take on a sport that is not widely written about, well-written beatdowns, and doing the unexpected. I can’t wait to see where the next novel takes us.
And the Adventure continues! “Rolling Thunder,” the second novel in the HammerHead Jed Mystery Series, is a continuation of the life of once pro wrestler, ‘Hammerhead’ Jed Ounstead, turned private detective. This time, Hammerhead is found stepping into the world of roller derby.
From the beginning, this novel had me hooked with its charm and wisecracking wit. Since I enjoyed the first novel, I was excited at the thought of a sequel. Of which I was not disappointed. It had me hooked from the beginning and kept me invested with every twist and turn.
‘Hammerhead’ Jed Ounstead is a great character and how can you not want to read about a retired wrestler turned PI? Its easy for the reader to root for him throughout the novel and watch his character growth, especially as he tries to balance his relationships while also working time consuming and demanding cases. It is also interesting to see the family resemblance as Jed works along side his retired-police officer-turned-private-detective father. While Jed and his cousin, Declan get into some mischief that is not to be missed, but you will have to read about that yourself.
This is definitely a must read if you are looking for a fun mystery novel that involves a fresh take on a sport that is not widely written about, well-written beatdowns, and doing the unexpected. I can’t wait to see where the next novel takes us.
May 22, 2020
A clever braiding of suspense and comedy, wildly memorable characters, and main-event-worthy plot, Rolling Thunder has cemented Devlin's unique niche in the realm of crime fiction. This book was made to be devoured. Very enjoyable.
May 18, 2020
This mystery is loaded with action. Hammerhead Jed is progressing into his new career as a P.I., and the ups and downs of his investigations are fun to read about. The author - A.J. Devlin - has great credentials as a writer, along with knowledge and experience that combine into a book that really packs a punch. Rolling Thunder is a great read for any fans looking to solve a mystery, and those who enjoy quality pleasure reading.
December 3, 2020
A tough book to put down once you've opened it as AJ Devlin's story, characters and ability to create atypical storylines has struck gold again. Not your typical whodunnit as it's a mix of crime with funny moments and subtext characters that come to life as visually as they do descriptively as the author brings them to life in his own unique way. Even though it's the second in the series like a Seinfeld episode you don't need to have read Cobra Clutch to understand these characters - although I highly recommend others to read both!
As a friend who is not an avid reader mentioned, both AJ Devlin's books appeal for their pace, short chapters and captivating plots.
As a friend who is not an avid reader mentioned, both AJ Devlin's books appeal for their pace, short chapters and captivating plots.
February 10, 2021
Rolling Thunder is a quick paced, fun read. The story picks up seamlessly from the first book and the reader is right back into Jed’s world of mystery, mayhem and comedy. An enjoyable read that holds true to the style of the first book made all the better by character development during the Jed’s current case as well as glimpses into characters past and foreshadowing the future. I can’t wait for book 3!
June 10, 2020
Hammerhead Jed Strikes Again!
This series is such a great find. Ex-WWE wrestler Jed Ounstead is now a full fledged PI, and is out to find a missing roller derby coach. Plenty of wild adventure and sharp humor make this a must for fans of Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiassen. Can't wait for the next one!
This series is such a great find. Ex-WWE wrestler Jed Ounstead is now a full fledged PI, and is out to find a missing roller derby coach. Plenty of wild adventure and sharp humor make this a must for fans of Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiassen. Can't wait for the next one!
December 18, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book- as much or more than I did Devlin’s first novel, Cobra Clutch, which is saying something. The combo of mystery and quirky comedy really works for me! Very entertaining and well written.
September 7, 2022
Can't wait for Book 3 coming this month!
March 28, 2021
A fun second case for Jed fans.
May 1, 2022
A great discovery. Wonderful fresh take on the thriller genre with eponymous ex wrestler hero Hammerhead. Fast, funny, original. Should be a tv series. Read and enjoy
October 10, 2023
I got a quarter of the way in and bailed. The portrayal of roller derby was off, the kink shaming was unnecessary, but what made me put the book down for good was the use of a word. I honestly don't know why no one involved in the publishing of this book objected to the use of that word.
May 23, 2022
Declan just got more and more annoying and then the book ended. Sigh. A lot of the book didn't even pertain to the main storyline, Jed spent a third of the book running errands for a loan shark.....
October 26, 2024
Definitely "hard-boiled" genre, interesting professional wrestler/PI protagonist, with some softer romantic & conscientious sides. 2nd book in series, just read first book in series, after I found out about this series by a review of third book, just published.
July 22, 2020
-“Hammerhead” Jed returns with a hilarious and exciting new adventure far out of his element, but he has the two things he needs to back him up: his Irish cousin Declan and banana milkshakes.-
A couple years ago I wrote a review on the initial entry in the “Hammerhead” Jed mysteries, Cobra Clutch, and how much I loved having a mystery set within the world of Professional Wrestling. It was an exciting and unique take on the mystery concept and author A.J Devlin created a world full of flawed, yet quite likable characters. When I heard that the second book was on the way, I was excited yet very unnerved. You see rather than running around the rainy streets of Vancouver dealing with pro wrestlers, Jed gets mixed up in the Roller Derby universe which is just as over-the-top and bombastic as the WWE ever has been.
Part time pro-wrestler/part time private investigator Jed is tasked with tracking down the manager of a women’s roller derby team, and quickly realizes he is over his head. Sure it sounds vague, but I am refraining from spoiling much because the returning characters and new venues he finds himself within kept me turning the pages and needing to see what happens in the next chapter.
91EwNuVCaBLWhat I will say is Jed manages to get himself and his cousin Declan into some surprisingly…shall we say unique and intimate situations while trying to dig out of the trouble in which he manages to get himself.
There are several new characters and locations that I expect to pop up in future Jed adventures, especially Troy, a surprisingly lovable stoner kid that gets tied up in Jed’s investigations. I think we may even have a bro-tastic antagonist become very valuable as Jed gets more jobs.
We see the return of quite a few characters from the first book, such as Constable Rya Shepard, as well as a couple cameos that keep us grounded and familiar before diving headfirst into the very unusual world of Roller Derby.
This is where I was worried as a reader. I know the world of pro wrestling and the terminology but Roller Derby is a completely alien beast. It is an aggressive sport dominated by personalities that could easily make Macho Man Randy Savage do a double-take, and it may seem out of place, but it works here. A.J Devlin manages to keep the reader on the same page (pun intended) as Jed is. He is as confused by the roller derby folks as we are, but we learn the ropes as he does.
Rolling Thunder features plenty of action, humor, genuine mystery, wiener dogs, gym rats, bunny puns, greasy talk show hosts, and Shakira, and balances it all with precision.
It never relies on being offensive to give you a sense of a dangerous seedy underworld, instead sucker-punching the reader when something unexpected happens so the reader feels off-balance along with the character.
One thing I wanted to bring up is that I noticed the book reads very well if you aren’t familiar with Jed and his family and friends. When characters or events of the previous book are mentioned, they usually are handled in a manner so a newcomer to the series isn’t confused. I still would suggest reading Cobra Clutch first, but it is far from necessary. If this continues through the rest of series, I will be very happy.
Once again the book clocks in at just the right length-around 280 pages and it feels like a breeze.
Getting more of Jed & Declan together was a highlight of this book, we get some real character growth for Jed, and we are left at a point where Jed may have opened up some doors that cannot be closed again. I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get a bit more of Jed’s matches, especially considering some of the people that he runs into are huge fans. I would have liked to see some of the colorful tertiary characters interact at a match myself, but maybe that is being saved for the next adventure.
This is one of the few books I have been given by the author and then purchased digitally as I had to keep reading when I didn’t have access to the paper book.
If that isn’t a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is.
Check out Rolling Thunder and if someone says “They know a place”, they probably are referring to a Dairy Queen.
(A physical copy of the book was given to me by the author, and I purchased a digital copy on the Kindle store)
A couple years ago I wrote a review on the initial entry in the “Hammerhead” Jed mysteries, Cobra Clutch, and how much I loved having a mystery set within the world of Professional Wrestling. It was an exciting and unique take on the mystery concept and author A.J Devlin created a world full of flawed, yet quite likable characters. When I heard that the second book was on the way, I was excited yet very unnerved. You see rather than running around the rainy streets of Vancouver dealing with pro wrestlers, Jed gets mixed up in the Roller Derby universe which is just as over-the-top and bombastic as the WWE ever has been.
Part time pro-wrestler/part time private investigator Jed is tasked with tracking down the manager of a women’s roller derby team, and quickly realizes he is over his head. Sure it sounds vague, but I am refraining from spoiling much because the returning characters and new venues he finds himself within kept me turning the pages and needing to see what happens in the next chapter.
91EwNuVCaBLWhat I will say is Jed manages to get himself and his cousin Declan into some surprisingly…shall we say unique and intimate situations while trying to dig out of the trouble in which he manages to get himself.
There are several new characters and locations that I expect to pop up in future Jed adventures, especially Troy, a surprisingly lovable stoner kid that gets tied up in Jed’s investigations. I think we may even have a bro-tastic antagonist become very valuable as Jed gets more jobs.
We see the return of quite a few characters from the first book, such as Constable Rya Shepard, as well as a couple cameos that keep us grounded and familiar before diving headfirst into the very unusual world of Roller Derby.
This is where I was worried as a reader. I know the world of pro wrestling and the terminology but Roller Derby is a completely alien beast. It is an aggressive sport dominated by personalities that could easily make Macho Man Randy Savage do a double-take, and it may seem out of place, but it works here. A.J Devlin manages to keep the reader on the same page (pun intended) as Jed is. He is as confused by the roller derby folks as we are, but we learn the ropes as he does.
Rolling Thunder features plenty of action, humor, genuine mystery, wiener dogs, gym rats, bunny puns, greasy talk show hosts, and Shakira, and balances it all with precision.
It never relies on being offensive to give you a sense of a dangerous seedy underworld, instead sucker-punching the reader when something unexpected happens so the reader feels off-balance along with the character.
One thing I wanted to bring up is that I noticed the book reads very well if you aren’t familiar with Jed and his family and friends. When characters or events of the previous book are mentioned, they usually are handled in a manner so a newcomer to the series isn’t confused. I still would suggest reading Cobra Clutch first, but it is far from necessary. If this continues through the rest of series, I will be very happy.
Once again the book clocks in at just the right length-around 280 pages and it feels like a breeze.
Getting more of Jed & Declan together was a highlight of this book, we get some real character growth for Jed, and we are left at a point where Jed may have opened up some doors that cannot be closed again. I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get a bit more of Jed’s matches, especially considering some of the people that he runs into are huge fans. I would have liked to see some of the colorful tertiary characters interact at a match myself, but maybe that is being saved for the next adventure.
This is one of the few books I have been given by the author and then purchased digitally as I had to keep reading when I didn’t have access to the paper book.
If that isn’t a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is.
Check out Rolling Thunder and if someone says “They know a place”, they probably are referring to a Dairy Queen.
(A physical copy of the book was given to me by the author, and I purchased a digital copy on the Kindle store)
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