Low Rider

Author Phil Reed has come up with a loveable protagonist in Harold Dodge. He's rough around the edges, knows it, struggles with it, never gives in or gives up. He's much like Odysseus (sorry for the metaphor!) in that the winds of the world buffet the heck out of him, but with wiles and a gimlet eye, he keeps battling. It's nice to have a noir-type character who is willing to take burdens on his shoulders, and still dream of finding a perfect life for himself, his Dad and his girl. I look forward to the further adventures of the scraggy-edged charmer, Harold Dodge.

Low Rider gives the reader another look into the life of Harold Dodge, in a page-turner that reads quick and holds you in the grip of suspense. Who knew that the underworld of car dealers had so much going on? The off-the-wall characters add humor and excitement to the story. Through it all, there is the extremely likeable and realistically flawed Harlod Dodge. Will there be a third novel in this series?

Philip Reed's LOW RIDER is the second book featuring reformed car salesman Harold Dodge, who always tries to do the right thing but doesn't mind making a little money on the side. And once again, Reed mires Harold in endless "car noir" calamities. The story is peopled by memorable sleazeballs, con men and women who can resist Harold's odd charms. Reed's books add a much-needed dose of levity to crime fiction that proves humor doesn't have to be over-the-top to be brilliant. I highly recommend LOW RIDER and its predecessor, BIRG DOG.

Phil Reed has created a modern Don Quixote in the unlikely form of Harold Dodge. Dodge is your average, hard-working joe that has become the fodder for the miscreants of our society. He gets mad as hell in BIRD DOG and marches right through into LOW RIDER on a one-man quest to correct the incorrigible wrongs and infidels that have befallen him. In lieu of his trusty steed is a lime green '64 Chevy Impala SS with plenty of horsepower to crusade against the evil gang-bangers, rip-off insurance agents and crooked car dealers. Dodge battles to get a piece of an insurance settlement on a man that he has wrongly been accused of murdering in BIRD DOG. The journey is replete with temptations, brutality, maidens in distress and evil at every stop light. It is a battle that will keep you on the edge of your seat and white knuckled as you race to a climatic conclusion.Phil Reed has created a marvelous world where the good guy fights back and even has a chance at the girls and the fast cars. It is my hope and wish that this is just the begining of a long and exciting career for both Phil Reed and Harold Dodge. Long live the "car noir"!

Vikki Covo offers car dealer Harold Dodge a substantial amount of money if he can get the cause of her spouse's death changed from suicide to homicide so that the widow can collect on the deceased's multi-million dollar life insurance. Seeing an opportunity to make a substantial killing, Harold travels to Santa Barbara to convince the local police department that his former boss Joe was a murder victim. To his surprise, the police buy Harold's theory. To his chagrin, they name him as the prime suspect as he had the means, the motive, and the opportunity. In addition to his problems with the local officials, Harold soon realizes that Joe's many cronies are coming out of the Southern California smog to claim partnerships with the victim, thereby making it even more difficult to determine who, in fact, actually killed the man. Still, Joe with the help of his paramour, begins his own investigation if only to prove that he is innocent. Though not quite on the BMW level of his debut novel BIRD DOG), the second appearance of Harold Dodge is clearly a top of the line read. The characters are all fun, especially Harold, who seems to find a way to not only get in trouble but to condemn occupational groups (from car salespersons to insurance agents). The who-done-it is interesting with non-stop action scenes. Philip Reed sinks the winning FREE THROW with this classy amateur sleuth series.Harriet Klausner