Book Review: Cheap Shot

Reviewed By: Gina Metz - RAM

Cheap Shot     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Steve Brewer
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Sports
Series: Drew Gavin # 2
Intrigue Press; 2002; 321 pp

Cheap Shot opens with Curtis White, Sports Reporter for the Gazette, calling his boss, Drew Gavin, when he wakes up next to the dead body of Fontanelle Harper. Fontanelle Harper was a cheerleader for a minor league basketball team, “The Rattlers” who are owned by Scott Cerf, software tycoon. The last thing Curtis can remember is attending an after game party at Fontanelle’s home, that he was attending while trying to find out more information on how Scott Cerf was able to finance “The Rattlers” since his software company is on the verge of collapse.

Curtis is immediately arrested and charged with the murder since he awakens in bed with the dead cheerleader. Drew starts to investigate on his own, since he doesn’t believe the police are going to do a good investigation since they already have Curtis and believe he is guilty. Then others start to die and Drew may be in over his head, especially with Scott Cerf’s thug, Head of Security, Otis Edgewater.

I surprisingly really enjoyed this book. I was somewhat skeptical with the main character being a Sports Editor that the book would have too many sports details for me to enjoy it. However, I was wrong and just as Steve Brewer’s other books, this was a really good read without a lot of sports details. Not only do we follow the investigation into Scott Cerf and his company and their possible involvement in Fontanelle’s death, but he also gives you enough information on Drew’s personal life that you feel like he is someone you know and can identify with. He not only has his father to worry about in a nursing home but also his current love, Teresa, another reporter for the Gazette is being offered a big time job in California and may be leaving him.

Gina Metz - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Gina Metz - RAM