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Hotshot #5
Moonlight Dance Academy
Desperate times call for desperate measures!
*Hub Schneider and Val Harwood flee the upper midwest for sunny Florida. They’re unemployed, broke, and basicly, haven’t a clue.
*Hub’s girlfriend had piled his belongings in the driveway and set her sights on someone else.
*Fortunately, Val has come up with a get rich quick brainstorm. UniqueDancing!
*Open a ‘Dance Academy’ and while Val gives lessons to wealthy seniors, Hub can break into their homes and steal precious items they’ll never miss.
*What could possibly go wrong?JUST WAIT!
*Start with J.W. Brooks, head of a criminal enterprise in Atlanta.
Add to that there’s the “little” problem of ‘Crazy Bobby Falconi’ mobster hitman. Lord only knows how things will workout.
*Hub Schneider and Val Harwood flee the upper midwest for sunny Florida. They’re unemployed, broke, and basicly, haven’t a clue.
*Hub’s girlfriend had piled his belongings in the driveway and set her sights on someone else.
*Fortunately, Val has come up with a get rich quick brainstorm. UniqueDancing!
*Open a ‘Dance Academy’ and while Val gives lessons to wealthy seniors, Hub can break into their homes and steal precious items they’ll never miss.
*What could possibly go wrong?JUST WAIT!
*Start with J.W. Brooks, head of a criminal enterprise in Atlanta.
Add to that there’s the “little” problem of ‘Crazy Bobby Falconi’ mobster hitman. Lord only knows how things will workout.
- GenresFiction
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2021
About the author
Mike Faricy
132 books244 followersI was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, I still live there as well as in Dublin, Ireland. I've been a soldier, freelance journalist, tended bar, sold designer cakes, owned a painting and decorating company along with a number of other schemes and scams. If that doesn't offend you I also play bagpipes with the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. All my books stand alone, read them in whatever order you wish. They are filled with the sort of oddballs we are all curious about, but wisely, prefer to keep at a distance. None of my characters will be saving the world from terrorism, international banking conspiracies or coups to take over the government. Rather, they inhabit a world just below the surface of polite society, characters with one foot on either side of the law. The circumstances they find themselves in are usually due to bad decisions, but bad decisions lead to interesting stories. They serve not so much as an example but as a warning to us all. Thanks for taking the time, happy reading.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 1, 2021
Another fascinating story from Mike Faricy! His characters are always flawed and trying to fumble their way through life. You'll enjoy this one!
June 14, 2021
Two ne’er-do-wells, Hub Schneider and Val Harwood, leave the upper Midwest for what they hope will be a life of ease in Florida. Val plans to give dance lessons to wealthy seniors and Hub uses his unique skills to relieve the seniors of items “they’ll never miss”. Sounds easy, right? Uh-uh. Their success rate is plagued by run-ins with a remorseless criminal, a Mafia hitman, and a curvaceous cop with a lot of patience.
This was a fun, traditional detective novel where everyone gets what they deserve in the end. The plot was fast-paced and funny, and the dialogue snappy. Faricy does a good job of setting scenes and fleshing out his characters. “ … He was ‘Hub” to anyone who knew him, built stocky, in a farm boy sort of way, country solid. He stood a shade under six feet with blonde hair worn a little too long but nothing freaky. He had blue eyes, not bright like movie stars, softer, more like a denim work shirt that had been washed too many times. The color the shirt gets when it’s really comfortable, just before you have to throw it away.”
Val’s kind of a weenie, out only for himself, but Hub is a sympathetic character – sure he’s a thief, but a not a greedy one; he’s got a heart of gold and he largely wants to live an honest life, he just needs a little help getting there. Watching him get there was entertaining, and the ending was satisfying.
This is the first I’ve read in this series. It reminds me of the Gregory Mcdonald “Fletch” series. I think the thing that ties the books together is the common plot of likeable low-lifes who are looking for the easy way out and what happens to them along the way. These books can be read out of order with no problem. This is a perfect beach read, or to pass time at the gym. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will read more in this series.
Faricy also writes, among others, the Dev Haskell private investigator series, and the Jack Dublin, U.S. marshal, series. Both of those are quite entertaining as well.
This was a fun, traditional detective novel where everyone gets what they deserve in the end. The plot was fast-paced and funny, and the dialogue snappy. Faricy does a good job of setting scenes and fleshing out his characters. “ … He was ‘Hub” to anyone who knew him, built stocky, in a farm boy sort of way, country solid. He stood a shade under six feet with blonde hair worn a little too long but nothing freaky. He had blue eyes, not bright like movie stars, softer, more like a denim work shirt that had been washed too many times. The color the shirt gets when it’s really comfortable, just before you have to throw it away.”
Val’s kind of a weenie, out only for himself, but Hub is a sympathetic character – sure he’s a thief, but a not a greedy one; he’s got a heart of gold and he largely wants to live an honest life, he just needs a little help getting there. Watching him get there was entertaining, and the ending was satisfying.
This is the first I’ve read in this series. It reminds me of the Gregory Mcdonald “Fletch” series. I think the thing that ties the books together is the common plot of likeable low-lifes who are looking for the easy way out and what happens to them along the way. These books can be read out of order with no problem. This is a perfect beach read, or to pass time at the gym. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will read more in this series.
Faricy also writes, among others, the Dev Haskell private investigator series, and the Jack Dublin, U.S. marshal, series. Both of those are quite entertaining as well.
February 2, 2021
If you have been reading this series, you know that there are no good guys, just bad guys and badder guys. The bad guys are Hub and Val, who open the Moonlight Dance Academy, where Val can keep the vic distracted while Hub robs their houses. These are always very rich people and Hub takes valuables not likely to be missed. Then Val hauls them from Tampa to Atlanta to fence. The only good person we meet, is Macey. She is Hub's girlfriend and is a clerk with the Sheriff's Department. Now the Bad, bad guys include Macey's ex-boyfriend Willy, who doesn't seem to know how restraining orders work, JW The Atlanta fence who thinks Val's stuff should be his stuff, and Bobby, an enforcer for what is left of the New Jersey mafia. Seems one of Hub's jobs netted him a whole lot of illegal loot. I didn't think either Hub or Val were very likeable buffoons'. However, the way the story is woven together, between all of the various really bad guys, made this a very interesting read.
March 14, 2021
Mike Faricy's Moonlight Dance Academy (Hotshot Book 5) is a comedic and wacky novel about low-level con artists, organized crime, and even a little romance. Mix all of these and you have a well-told tale that makes you laugh from beginning to end. Readers may be reminded of the master of this genre, Carl Hiaasen.
Two scheming low lives arrive in Florida to establish a dance studio. Once established, the thieves obtain their clients' addresses, scope out their residences, and burglarize them. It all sounds full-proof until their largest customer decides he wants more of the action. Throw in a well-meaning investigator/girlfriend, a Mafia hitman, and let the crazy ensue.
Mike Faricy's Moonlight Dance Academy (Hotshot Book 5) is a lot of fun. It is a joy to read and easy to imagine yourself in the center of the action. Faricy is always surehanded, and this story will add to his ever-increasing fan base.
Two scheming low lives arrive in Florida to establish a dance studio. Once established, the thieves obtain their clients' addresses, scope out their residences, and burglarize them. It all sounds full-proof until their largest customer decides he wants more of the action. Throw in a well-meaning investigator/girlfriend, a Mafia hitman, and let the crazy ensue.
Mike Faricy's Moonlight Dance Academy (Hotshot Book 5) is a lot of fun. It is a joy to read and easy to imagine yourself in the center of the action. Faricy is always surehanded, and this story will add to his ever-increasing fan base.
February 14, 2024
Its rare I've enjoyed a story more
One criminal wants to open a dance studio and teach people to dance. And he is really good at dancing and moving among the ladies. The purses and coats are stored in a locked room. That there is a secret door that the other criminal comes in and makes duplicates of the house keys. He makes duplicate keys of the dance students that seem to have the jewelry and goods to rob while at their dance lesson. He only takes one or two pieces and their business is booming . Until a third, big, boss criminal wants their business. And sparks fly!
One criminal wants to open a dance studio and teach people to dance. And he is really good at dancing and moving among the ladies. The purses and coats are stored in a locked room. That there is a secret door that the other criminal comes in and makes duplicates of the house keys. He makes duplicate keys of the dance students that seem to have the jewelry and goods to rob while at their dance lesson. He only takes one or two pieces and their business is booming . Until a third, big, boss criminal wants their business. And sparks fly!
March 15, 2025
This is my favorite of all the Hotshot series by Mike Faricy. The whole series contains stand-alone books that follow a theme: the protagonists are pretty awful people. Most of them are schemers, crooks, or trying to live an easy life on the wrong side of the law.
I did see the ending coming about halfway through the book but I didn't care. I enjoyed the three main characters and their interactions so much. It seems to me to have held true, the odd numbered books in the series were definitely the better stories and this was the best of them all.
I did see the ending coming about halfway through the book but I didn't care. I enjoyed the three main characters and their interactions so much. It seems to me to have held true, the odd numbered books in the series were definitely the better stories and this was the best of them all.
February 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book too. A little different from Dev Haskell and Jack Dillon. But entertaining all the same. The characters were funny and I could relate to them. This book is a page turner. Which is what we need right now
Mike, I really enjoy your work. Please continue as we all need to laugh right now. Maybe more of Dev Haskell or Jack Dillon. Thanks Robert
Mike, I really enjoy your work. Please continue as we all need to laugh right now. Maybe more of Dev Haskell or Jack Dillon. Thanks Robert
February 21, 2021
Well, I love what Mike writes, but he out-did himself this time...I was on pins and needles as to how this would end and I NEVER expected what wound up happening...kudos to you Mike!!!! Fantastic, absolutely GREAT, want more books!!!!! I do like Hub and Val wound up right where he at least has a 'keeper' LOL LOL
Thanks for these great reads and will see when the next ones available!!!!
Thanks for these great reads and will see when the next ones available!!!!
October 16, 2021
Another excellent book in this series. Again a stand-alone novel. Dark humour involved in the story, which has other character's stories intermingled into the main story. The whole Hotshot series has been enjoyable and can be recommended. Is this book the last in the series? Who knows, because the author has many other books out there to read.
March 20, 2021
Mike never fails us - Never - Not Ever. His writing is the best and he knows how to keep us laughing and eager to read the next line. His characters are engaging and the pandemonium that stems from these wacky personalities should not be missed. Very Highly Recommended.
June 12, 2022
Marvelous Dance Academy!
An assortment of very clever characters, some good some bad, but All of Them intriguing!
Buy. This. Book.
You cannot read it while you're dancing, but just make sure you read it!
Ok?
An assortment of very clever characters, some good some bad, but All of Them intriguing!
Buy. This. Book.
You cannot read it while you're dancing, but just make sure you read it!
Ok?
October 9, 2025
Freaking Awesome!!!
I read nearly 100 books a year and this one is at the very top of my list for an entertaining read. The storyline had just enough humor and twists to make you want to read on. Mike Faricy, you knocked it out of the park with this one!
I read nearly 100 books a year and this one is at the very top of my list for an entertaining read. The storyline had just enough humor and twists to make you want to read on. Mike Faricy, you knocked it out of the park with this one!
February 26, 2021
Moonlight Dance
I enjoy Mike Faricy novels and this one is a worthy read. His ability to draw you into the storyline by his laid back storytelling makes me want more.
I enjoy Mike Faricy novels and this one is a worthy read. His ability to draw you into the storyline by his laid back storytelling makes me want more.
December 15, 2021
Another great story.
Mike Faricy is such a great story writer. I have enjoyed all of his books. Looking forward to the next one
Mike Faricy is such a great story writer. I have enjoyed all of his books. Looking forward to the next one
December 22, 2021
Remarkable
Liked the author's build up and final interaction of the major and minor characters. Another great job Mike! I am never disappointed.
Liked the author's build up and final interaction of the major and minor characters. Another great job Mike! I am never disappointed.
February 2, 2022
Enjoyable read... finished and now reading a few of the Dev Haskell stories.
March 10, 2023
Moonlight Dance Academy
Good story! Lots of excitement and stuff that made me laugh. Hubs was a good guy and I liked him.
Good story! Lots of excitement and stuff that made me laugh. Hubs was a good guy and I liked him.
Read
July 23, 2024Twister
Mike Ratify did it again. A home run. This is a great read with many surprises and much humour. I love the authors books.
Mike Ratify did it again. A home run. This is a great read with many surprises and much humour. I love the authors books.
July 28, 2024
This was a fun read. Highly recommended.
August 14, 2024
Enjoyable story
Had me laughing. Enjoyable story about 2 guys. The added characters fit the storyline so well. Always stay honest in life.
Had me laughing. Enjoyable story about 2 guys. The added characters fit the storyline so well. Always stay honest in life.
July 31, 2025
I loved this book. I love how everything is going great and then turn sideways quickly. Fantastic read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews