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Philo Trout’s past isn’t coming back to haunt him...it’s coming back to kill him.
Former Navy SEAL Philo Trout has retired from the military and is now a crime scene cleaner in Philadelphia. When a series of vicious killings takes the city by storm, only his past can give him the clues to stop them.
It starts with a grisly crime three dead bodies in an armored car, one of them beheaded. Then several drummers are brutally slaughtered while practicing for the New Year’s Day parade. Somebody is targeting the city’s beloved Mummers string band performers—but when Philo discovers multiple victims were former Navy SEALs, he thinks he might be next on the hit list.
The scale of damage at each crime scene points toward crime family involvement, and soon a full-blown mob war erupts in the streets of Philly. As the bodies pile up, Philo must dig through his past to track down the masterminds behind the massacres…unless they find him first.
Former Navy SEAL Philo Trout has retired from the military and is now a crime scene cleaner in Philadelphia. When a series of vicious killings takes the city by storm, only his past can give him the clues to stop them.
It starts with a grisly crime three dead bodies in an armored car, one of them beheaded. Then several drummers are brutally slaughtered while practicing for the New Year’s Day parade. Somebody is targeting the city’s beloved Mummers string band performers—but when Philo discovers multiple victims were former Navy SEALs, he thinks he might be next on the hit list.
The scale of damage at each crime scene points toward crime family involvement, and soon a full-blown mob war erupts in the streets of Philly. As the bodies pile up, Philo must dig through his past to track down the masterminds behind the massacres…unless they find him first.
- GenresThriller
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2022
8 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Chris Bauer
9 books18 followers“The thing I write will be the thing I write.”
Chris wouldn’t trade his northeast Philly upbringing of street sports played on blacktop and concrete, fistfights, brick and stone row houses, and twelve years of well-intentioned Catholic school discipline for a Philadelphia minute (think New York minute but more fickle and less forgiving). Chris has had some lengthy stops as an adult in Michigan and Connecticut, and he thinks Pittsburgh is a great city even though some of his fictional characters do not. He still does most of his own stunts, and he once passed for Chip Douglas of My Three Sons TV fame on a Wildwood, NJ boardwalk. He's a member of International Thriller Writers, and his work has been recognized by the National Writers Association, the Writers Room of Bucks County (PA), and the Maryland Writers Association. He likes the pie more than the turkey.
You can find Chris online at www.ChrisBauerAuthor.com.
Also writes as C.G. Bauer
Chris wouldn’t trade his northeast Philly upbringing of street sports played on blacktop and concrete, fistfights, brick and stone row houses, and twelve years of well-intentioned Catholic school discipline for a Philadelphia minute (think New York minute but more fickle and less forgiving). Chris has had some lengthy stops as an adult in Michigan and Connecticut, and he thinks Pittsburgh is a great city even though some of his fictional characters do not. He still does most of his own stunts, and he once passed for Chip Douglas of My Three Sons TV fame on a Wildwood, NJ boardwalk. He's a member of International Thriller Writers, and his work has been recognized by the National Writers Association, the Writers Room of Bucks County (PA), and the Maryland Writers Association. He likes the pie more than the turkey.
You can find Chris online at www.ChrisBauerAuthor.com.
Also writes as C.G. Bauer
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 18, 2022
I was fortunate to read part of this book in its earliest iterations, and later in ARC form. I've read every novel in the Chris Bauer "canon" -- SCARS ON THE FACE OF GOD, JANE'S BABY, HIDING AMONG THE DEAD, BINGE KILLER, ZERO ISLAND, and AIR RACE -- and have loved them all. 2 STREET is possibly my favorite because of how well Bauer captures the essence of my hometown, Philadelphia (South Philly in particular). In 2 STREET, protagonist Philo Trout -- retired Navy SEAL and bare-knuckle brawler -- returns for the third book in Bauer's crime-scene cleaners series, and it might be the best. Trout faces viciousness, corruption, and mounting threats to his survival amid a brutal street war, but he always seems to maintain his humanity. He's a perfect encapsulation of Philly -- resourceful, resilient, and as gritty as a certain Flyers mascot. Another plus: cats!
October 12, 2022
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with Frank, a numbers runner, walking in a snowstorm when he comes accross an Armor Tuck. The rear doors open and two bodies are thrown out. Later a third body is thrown out along with a bag of money. Frank leaves and returns with his car and takes the money.
Philo and Rhea are together when she receives a call and she asks Philo to take her. She is a detective who has been asked to the report to the scene of the Armor Truck killings. This is just the start which will result in more killings that relate to Mummers as well as a team of Seals that performed many years ago. The individuals responsible appear to be attempting to get to crime gangs into a war against each other.
As time goes by these individuals are continuing their killing of individuals as well of performing acts that try to bring the crime families to a war. Eventually Philo learns the reasoning behind the Seal murders and then takes steps since he might be the next victim.
Follow Rhea and Philo as they attempt to discover who is doing the killing as well as learn what activities this unknown group did to provoke the crime gangs. The ending wraps up the story quite well.
The story begins with Frank, a numbers runner, walking in a snowstorm when he comes accross an Armor Tuck. The rear doors open and two bodies are thrown out. Later a third body is thrown out along with a bag of money. Frank leaves and returns with his car and takes the money.
Philo and Rhea are together when she receives a call and she asks Philo to take her. She is a detective who has been asked to the report to the scene of the Armor Truck killings. This is just the start which will result in more killings that relate to Mummers as well as a team of Seals that performed many years ago. The individuals responsible appear to be attempting to get to crime gangs into a war against each other.
As time goes by these individuals are continuing their killing of individuals as well of performing acts that try to bring the crime families to a war. Eventually Philo learns the reasoning behind the Seal murders and then takes steps since he might be the next victim.
Follow Rhea and Philo as they attempt to discover who is doing the killing as well as learn what activities this unknown group did to provoke the crime gangs. The ending wraps up the story quite well.
October 17, 2022
This third installment in the Blessid Crime Scene Cleaners series is filled with characters (and an ornery cat) that you want to root for, plenty of action, potential mob feuds, white supremacists and domestic and foreign terrorists. There’s enough action and murder and mayhem to satisfy any adrenaline junky. This is a well written, multi layered story that will hold your interest until you turn the final page.
October 25, 2022
I'm a fan of Chris Bauer's work, and for my money this is his best book yet. Someone is fomenting discord -- violent discord -- between rival South Philadelphia gangs. At the same time, members of the Mummers, Philly's longtime parade group, are being marked for death. But the gangs and the Mummers seem to have nothing in common. Once again former Navy Seal Philo Trout is drawn into the conflict along with his girlfriend, police detective Rhea Ibanez. Now working for the Blessid Trauma Crime Scene Cleaners, Philo soon finds himself up to his neck in intrigue, lies, and mayhem. Frankly, I couldn't out it down. Bauer's prose is clean and effective, and his characters come alive on the page. The story is fast-moving. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.
January 30, 2023
“2 Street” is a gripping crime thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows former Navy SEAL Philo Trout as he navigates the grisly crime scenes in Philadelphia and uncovers a string of vicious killings that may be connected to his past.
The plot is well-crafted and filled with twists and turns that keep the readers guessing. The characters are well-developed and bring depth to the story.
The author does a great job of building tension and creating a sense of urgency that keeps the story moving at a fast pace.
Overall, "2 Street" is a must-read for fans of crime thrillers, and it's a great addition to the genre. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for this copy
The plot is well-crafted and filled with twists and turns that keep the readers guessing. The characters are well-developed and bring depth to the story.
The author does a great job of building tension and creating a sense of urgency that keeps the story moving at a fast pace.
Overall, "2 Street" is a must-read for fans of crime thrillers, and it's a great addition to the genre. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for this copy
October 18, 2022
Mummers are being massacred. Beheaded bodies surface. Is it a gang war? Philo Trout is trying to prevent a bloodbath but someone wants to kill him - someone from his past. A fast-paced thriller with a surprising ending. I like the strategy employed by the protagonist to solve the crime
September 4, 2022
If you love lots of action - here it is.
If you love fantastic characters - here they are.
And if you love a book that you can put down
until it is finished - here you have it.
I look forward to reading Chris Bauer's next novel
Brilliantly written. Very Highly Recommended.
Give to me as an ARC this is my honest review.
If you love fantastic characters - here they are.
And if you love a book that you can put down
until it is finished - here you have it.
I look forward to reading Chris Bauer's next novel
Brilliantly written. Very Highly Recommended.
Give to me as an ARC this is my honest review.
August 11, 2022
I thought it was great.
November 23, 2022
Strolling east on Mifflin Street pushing my grandson in a stroller, I am in the heart of the Mummers South Philly. Roast Pork, broccoli rabe, margarita pizza, Eagles. Suddenly, I’m pulled into author Chris Bauer’s world—trucks rumbling above on I-95, Mummers rehearsing under the trellises to shield from a blizzard, banjos and glockenspiels drown out the engine of an armored truck, the back doors kick open and two dead bodies are thrown out, followed by a third, decapitated, a banjo with a face drawn on it where a head should be. Sensational? Not on Chris Bauer’s 2 Street.
In Bauer’s world the protagonist Philo Trout, former Navy Seal, bare-knuckle brawler and owner of a crime scene company is only the beginning. Throw in a mob war between Philly’s traditional Italian family and newly arrived Hawaiian family trying to squeeze in on the action. Philo’s girlfriend, Detective Rhea Ibanez is on the case trying to get to the bottom of who is murdering recently recruited minority Mummers for a diversity improvement program. Just when you think there is enough suspense to deal with, Philo has a target on his back from a Special Operation he was part of when he was on active duty.
All the action takes place in the backdrop of authentic South Philly Italian restaurants, bakeries, bars and hangouts. The novel is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts, not to mention any self-respecting resident of South Philly’s 2 Street, if not for the backstabbing, gore and murder, then for an appreciation for the landmarks and understanding of the tradition and history of the Mummers.
In Bauer’s world the protagonist Philo Trout, former Navy Seal, bare-knuckle brawler and owner of a crime scene company is only the beginning. Throw in a mob war between Philly’s traditional Italian family and newly arrived Hawaiian family trying to squeeze in on the action. Philo’s girlfriend, Detective Rhea Ibanez is on the case trying to get to the bottom of who is murdering recently recruited minority Mummers for a diversity improvement program. Just when you think there is enough suspense to deal with, Philo has a target on his back from a Special Operation he was part of when he was on active duty.
All the action takes place in the backdrop of authentic South Philly Italian restaurants, bakeries, bars and hangouts. The novel is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts, not to mention any self-respecting resident of South Philly’s 2 Street, if not for the backstabbing, gore and murder, then for an appreciation for the landmarks and understanding of the tradition and history of the Mummers.
January 3, 2023
call the cleaners
Unbelievably fast faced story full of twists and turns. First, which ones are the bad guys? Who did the killings? Who can we call to help figure this out?
I suggest you take time out, and start reading. Be sure you block out enough time to get to the last page.
Unbelievably fast faced story full of twists and turns. First, which ones are the bad guys? Who did the killings? Who can we call to help figure this out?
I suggest you take time out, and start reading. Be sure you block out enough time to get to the last page.
May 2, 2024
Well, I can see that I'm going to have to read #s 1 and 2 in this series. I loved the authentic Philly scenes, the characters so bad they are funny, and of course, the beloved Pakistani cat. Full of surprises, this kept me wondering until the end, if Philo Trout will survive - and his cat, too. Not for the squeamish, this is a thriller I'll long remember.
October 3, 2022
2 Street by Chris Bauer was of interest to me since it is located in Philadelphia and I am familiar with the areas depicted in the novel. The book has a great start with the murder of two armored car employees and the theft of cash. There are many characters and I found it difficult to remember who they were and their. connections. There is a plethora of action in the book with mob rivalry, murders, racial violence, etc.. However, this reader felt that it dragged on too long and lost interest in it very quickly.
I thank NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.
I thank NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews