Book Review: Shooter's Point

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Shooter's Point     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Gary Phillips
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Ethnic   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Martha Chainey # 2
Kensington, Oct 2001, $22.00, 240 pp.

In Las Vegas, mob courier, African-American Martha Chainey watches the heavyweight championship-boxing match between Joaquin Muhammed and Tyler Jeffries. When Joaquin throws a phantom jab reminiscent of Lewiston, the champ goes down. The surprised referee starts the count only to quickly realize that someone shot and murdered Tyler.

Riverhead Casino owner Victoria DeGault hires Chainey to find the missing five million dollars in bets that she was holding that was stolen while the champ was killed. Chainey begins making inquiries on the Strip and soon finds friend and under card winner Moya Reese dead too. Though she stands to make $250,000 if she finds the missing cash, the investigation is now personal.

The second Chainey tale (see HIGH HAND) is a delightful action-packed novel that goes the full fifteen rounds with plenty excitement throughout the tale. The story line moves faster than the speed of Leonard and the punch of Foreman. Chainey is quite a character as she nukes laws when she wants to accomplish something, especially if money is involved. Along with Chainey and a strong secondary cast, the who-done-it and why of SHOOTER’S POINT showcase Gary Phillips (see the Monk novels) ability to tell a knockout of a story.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner