Customer Reviews

Bird Dog (A Car Noir Thriller)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book jacket on this little gem describes it as a "car noir thriller", and this is one of those rare instances when the cover blurb nails it. If you want cars, this story is dripping with Mercedes and Maximas and Fords and GMC's and Integra's, even an Escort (!?). If you're into noir, you'll love the seedy downtown LA settings, the bodies in the trunk, the femme fatale seeking revenge -- and an ending that does the genre justice. Finally, it is a non-stop thrill ride through wrecked lives and double-dealing and the law on your tail no matter which way you turn. The hero (always a relative term in noir) is Harold Dodge, who falls hard for a babe in spike heels who's been hoodwinked on an automobile transaction and wants him to "unwind the deal" for her. Unable to resist those killer legs, he agrees. Before Dodge knows it, he's in trouble up to his neck, winds up in jail, almost gets himself killed and manages to get laid like he's never been before, though not necessarily in that order. If you like Elmore Leonard and Jim Thompson, you'll like Phil Reed, too.

I'm not used to the thriller genre. The book was emotionally draining. It reminded me of a friend's comment about the movie "Blue Velvet": "Some of the characters are such scum you don't want to be on the same planet with them." Whew. I don't know how I'll ever be able to buy a car again! At least they by and large eliminated each other, eventually, but not as painlessly as one might wish. When it's over, how does the occasionally introspective, moralizing hero, Harold figure he stands with God? He's quite a mensch, hard not to like. No wonder his magnetism affects enough women to complicate things for him. Great job setting up for a sequel, too. It 's just that "Bird Dog" leaves so much scorched earth that I can't imagine how Harold can possibly set foot anywhere near LA ever again. Which is perfect, of course, because I have to read the next book to find out. Something tells me that glowering cop Gammon was just warming up in "Bird Dog." Harold had better stay under his radar. Note on irritating speech mannerisms mentioned in previous review: Harold's the only character in the book who peppers his conversation with "i.e." I've known people with at least equally irritating tics, and my impression was that that's all it is: i.e., characterization.

"Bird Dog" opens with a glimpse of killer-Mex, Mariana, a raven-haired beauty with red lips and flashing teeth, in stiletto heels. She's out to buy a car, a simple task that leads to mayhem when she is taken advantage of by an unscrupulous car dealer. Enter Harold Dodge, a work mate of Mariana's at an aerospace company. It turns out that Harold has written a book on how to buy a used car, which is based on his previous life as a car salesman, a.k.a. "bird dog," for the car lot where Mariana purchased her car. The fun begins when Harold accompanies Mariana back to the car dealership, then back into the maze of the LA underbelly of chop shops, corruption and greed.

Harold, a quirky but loveable, bear of a man, with fifty in his rear view mirror, can't say no to a beautiful woman. Through tough negotiation, fast action, and sometimes just dumb luck, Harold manages to extricate himself and Mariana from some very hairy situations.

Reed brings his offbeat characters to life and makes the reader a part of their hapless ride through danger. He has a knack for showing the best and worst of his characters, making them real and sometimes tragically funny. Believe me, you'll never look at that nondescript man at the office in the same way again, after you've met Harold Dodge.

"Bird Dog," Reed's first book, is a fast read about a fast ride. If you liked "Bird Dog," read on. The chronicle of Harold Dodge continues in "Low Rider." Don't miss the fun.

Philip Reed's Bird Dog introduces us to former car salesman turned engineer Harold Dodge. Aptly described as a "car noir" thriller, Bird Dog offers readers a thrilling ride with Harry - one of the most interesting characters I've come across in quite some time - at our sides.

Harry Dodge seems to have two joys and weaknesses in his life - cars and women. So it's no surprise that he lands in hot water after sexy Marianna Perado walks into his life, the victim of a car deal gone sour. Marianna's experience at Joe Covo's car dealership has left her feeling ripped off and cheated. Dodge knows all about car dealers cheating their customers, and he knows about Joe Covo's activities from personal experience. By agreeing to help Marianna unwind the car deal, Harry finds himself in the middle of an elaborate plot of revenge, crosses and double-crosses that play out in the streets of Los Angeles.

There is a little bit of everything in Bird Dog - hot cars, hot women, vengeance, seedy characters, and a plot with as many twist and turns as you might expect in L.A. It's a great thriller, and a different kind of thriller than I've come across. Give this Edgar Award nominated novel a try and get acquainted with Harry Dodge.

I really give _Bird Dog_ a 9 out of 10... just good enough to inch up to the 5-star level.

Take a dash of Chandler, mix in a spoonful of Leonard and add a pinch of Hiassen... the result is pure Philip Reed. When a 50-ish, overweight, former car salesman named Harold Dodge attempts to assist a ripped-off auto buyer, he unwittingly sets off a chain of events that leads to murder, mayhem, high-dollar crime and (of course) sex.

A wonderful first novel that rated a 9 in my list only because the story briefly lagged in a few places. Reed's _Low Rider_ is next - and it continues the saga in seamless fashion.

Harold Dodge is a reformed 'bird dog' who knows a cream puff when he sees one. This quiet man agrees to help a co-worker unwind a deal for a new car and get her trade in back. But everything goes wrong. Each time Harold turns around, something else happens to him. But it's sure a pleasure to see him wiggle his way out of trouble!

Phillip Reed's first novel is a success. Harold Dodge, womanizer wannabe, friend to the down-trodden, and bumbler extraordinaire, tries to correct a friend's bad business deal and ends up in a deep pile of trouble. Of course, he can't do this alone, he takes those close to him down with him. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does and the book ends. Harold Dodge is definitely the everyman of the genre. Were it not for the writing being a little rough in some places I might rate this a 10. Phillip reed has indicated he is working on a sequel to clean up Harold's mess. Fortunately, I doubt one book will be enough to do that and I'm sure a 10 is just around the corner.

In his youth, middle-aged aerospace engineer Harold Dodge was a Bird Dog--a person who sent the unsuspecting pigeons into his boss's used car lot to be 'shot out of the sky' by the sales staff. this expertise attracts the bodacious Marlanne to ask Harold's help in unwinding her car deal with his former employer. When Marlanne steals back her car (and a few other suprises) Harold finds himself in a high-speed mess with one deadly turn after another. This assured first novel is of the Hiassen/Leonard/Thomas school--don't miss it

If you're an Elmore Leonard fan, you're in for a treat. Reed takes us on a no-holds barred tour of the seamy side of the auto business. complete with fraud, hoaxes, and mayhem.

Bird Dog is Get Shorty on 4-wheels. Once it starts, it just doesn't stop.

Reed is sure-handed writer with obviously great knowledge about the world of auto dealerships. Not only will you be fascinated, you'll learn a few tricks of the trade for next time you have to buy a car!

Only question I have is why isn't Bird Dog already a movie? But I won't worry--one day it will be.

What a book! Came across this book in my local shop and couldn't put it down. Reminded me of Elmore Leonard--only better. Who is this phenom Philip Reed and where has he been all my literary life