Status Updates From Last Dance in Phoenix

I like it, no regrets about taking a chance on it, it reads like a dream, I would read more by the author - all of that…but if I end up at a 3 star rating, not 4 or 5, it will be because the blackmail/adultery/murder plot is not that original. That said, I have a good many pages left and the possibility of great twists that elevate this familiar scenario. We’ll see, I dunno. It has been fun.

Right - so I’m embarrassed. It was about 24 hours ago that I said that it was gonna be all about reading books only from the 1970s. And I got two feet from the starting line…and I’ve reneged on the mandate. All I can say is, this book just came, and I want to make time right away for an author who is actually at Goodreads, and looking for readers. And I did end Feb. with a 1970s pick, so I’ll do one newer book now.

So awesome already. Loving this.

I’m enjoying it

The July 2020 selected read of the “Pulp Fiction” group on Goodreads

This bastard of a thriller has taken off like Sun Ra’s “Rocket #9”.

Lord God - our hero is about to do something awful.
His life has taken a sudden turn for the hellish and he's extracting vengeance for real or imagined double-crosses.

Tyler had come from Dodd's church without any official job opening or announcement. All of a sudden Tyler was just there, ensconced in an office that looked out on the hallway where the employees came and went.
...Kent still didn't have an office, and he'd been marking time in cubicles for years, slogging away while Tyler was still in college, jerking off to downloads of Ann Coulter.

I'm reading this as fast as I can but CNN keeps getting in my way.

But goddamn it, he hated liars, especially when they lied about having served in the military. He'd done four years in the Persian Gulf. There was not one heroic moment about his own experiences and he'd never let on otherwise, but he couldn't fucking stand guys who neither had the time nor the inclination to serve...

The last thing he needed was a guy like Roy in his shit when it came to Valerie.

Thinking about Roy reminded him of Megan.

Guy finds his fuck buddy murdered and does all the wrong things after stumbling upon her gruesome corpse in her own apartment after he shows up for a previously agreed upon shtup session.
Don't drink the Pacifica from the refrigerator, OK?
Don't go through her purse in vain pursuit of her cell phone in an attempt to delete your texts to her, OK?.
What are you?
A friggin' MORON?

Good stuff.
Page turner.
Love it.

Bust ass son of a bitch of writing here.

"He pulled into a spot between a Saab and a silver Escalade and locked the doors. His Honda reminded him of the guy who showed up to a formal wearing cords and sandals."

Bust ass writing, I tells ya!

It was like the music in Valerie's apartment had been a turnkey to allow the ghosts of his past girlfriends in. They'd all have a front row seat to his final dance with Valerie, then they'd welcome her to the ranks.

Kurt Reichenbaugh has created a character that's flawed, but thoroughly relatable. The reader never feel like he's above him.

A good hardboiled novel has to stand out through its themes. Last Dance is about middle-age boredom, professional frustration and loss of meaning. I can relate to that.

Loving this so far - good pace, lots happening etc - one of those books you can't put down - you just want to read 'one more chapter'...

Good stuff. Can't put it down.

Flying through this one. Excellently written. Everyone knows or knew a guy like Roy. I have a feeling things are about to get OUT OF CONTROL. Grab this one as soon as it comes out!