Cutthroat [Paperback]

Steve Brewer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2007

Solomon Gage is a "troubleshooter" for billionare Dominick Sheffield and family. When he overhears something he shouldn't have about the "Africa deal," Solomon sets out to uncover the Sheffield sons' dirty dealing in the global uranium market. And that's when mercenaries arrive in San Francisco to protect the interests of the Nigerian government ...

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this undistinguished, straight-ahead thriller from Brewer (Whipsaw), Solomon Gage acts as a murderous jack of all trades for wealthy, powerful Dominick Sheffield. Elderly Dom tries to keep an eye on California-based Sheffield Enterprises, but sons Michael, who heads mining operation Sheffield Extraction Industries, and Chris, a sycophantic wastrel, are weak, greedy and ambitious. Together with Bart Logan, Michael's head of corporate security, they've put together a risky deal involving an unstable African country and uranium ore. The only thing in their way is Gage, whose repeated interference leaves the schemers determined to engineer his downfall. There's never any doubt who the bad guys are, who the good guy is and who will come out on top, so the suspense meter never reaches very high. Gage's unflappable stoicism, whether knocking down a blowhard, shooting a crackhead or punishing a wife-beater, may leave readers equally unmoved. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Solomon Gage, trusted employee of billionaire Dominick Sheffield, has one of those jobs you can't put on a résumé. He's a fixer, an odd-jobber, a go-to guy. Today his assignment is to pull Sheffield's granddaughter out of a crack house, which he does but not before the girl mumbles something that, not too far down the road, will cause Solomon to put his life at risk to save his boss from his own conniving sons. What starts as a fairly standard thriller slowly develops into an intriguing story about personal loyalty, family betrayal, and conspiracy. Brewer, author of the Bubba Mabry and Drew Gavin mysteries, is an experienced genre hand, but the lightly Shakespearean overtones here are something new for him. He makes it work, though, as he does the dark tone, similar to the Parker novels (written by Westlake-as-Stark), but with a more sympathetic lead. The book ends with the promise of a sequel, and that's a good idea: readers will want to continue getting to know Solomon Gage. Pitt, David --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 382 pages
• Publisher: Bleak House Books (September 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932557628
• ISBN-13: 978-1932557626
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,626,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

STEVE BREWER is the author of more than 20 books about crooks, including the recent crime novels LOST VEGAS, THE BIG WINK and CALABAMA.

His first novel, LONELY STREET, was made into a Hollywood comedy starring Robert Patrick, Jay Mohr and Joe Mantegna. BOOST currently is under film/TV option.

Brewer's short fiction appeared in the anthologies DAMN NEAR DEAD, THE LAST NOEL, CRIMES BY MOONLIGHT and WEST COAST CRIME WAVE, and he's published articles in Mystery Scene, Crimespree and Mystery Readers' Journal.

A former journalist and syndicated humor columnist, Brewer now works as a writing coach, book doctor and University of New Mexico lecturer. A frequent speaker at mystery conventions, he was toastmaster at Left Coast Crime in 2011.

Married and the father of two adult sons, Brewer lives in Albuquerque, NM.

More at www.stevebrewer.blogspot.com. Write him at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Introduction to Brewer's books, July 31, 2011

By 

Susan Daugherty - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cutthroat (Paperback)

"Cutthroat" was the first book I read by novelist, Steve Brewer. I had recently met Steve and wanted to check out the "local writer." I was glad I took the time!
I found Cutthroat to be fast paced, intelligent and tightly written. The book held my interest from start to finish and I sped through it.
I knew that the book was a far cry from Brewer's "claim to fame" Bubba Mabry series. Although I had not yet read the series, I had heard enough to know that the series was considered to be a fun romp. There is no such fun romp in Cutthroat. What you get instead is well-written, adrenaline filled scenes.
I finish the book knowing that Steve Brewer was good, really good and that I would be reading all of his books in the future.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars taut, well-written thriller!!!, August 29, 2009

By 

D. Richardson "thegirliestgirl" (Houston,TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cutthroat (Paperback)

Solomon Gage has worked as Dominick Sheffield's right hand man for over a decade. Solomon does whatever Dominick asks him to do, whether it's kidnapping his druggie granddaughter and checking her into rehab or something more. Solomon's mother was Dominick's administrative asst and sort of a "friend with benefits," to Dominick. When she died in a car accident, Dominick took then 14-year old Solomon under his wing as a sort-of surrogate son, paid for his college education and then hired him. Solomon is the perfect employee, loyal, grateful, and he answers only to Dominick. Solomon has come to feel like a member of the family, but is resented by Dominick's two sons who are greedy, vicious, and who can't wait until the day they can fire him. When Solomon inadvertently finds out about secret plans they have to interfere in another country's sovereignty, in order to access that country's scarce resources, he's compelled to act and that's when the real fun begins.

I found Cutthroat a taut, well-written thriller and I sped through it in a few hours. The book surprised me in that, although I enjoyed reading it, I didn't like any of the characters, including Solomon, who basically sold his soul (although he managed to justify it), because of his loyalty and affection for Dominick, who didn't deserve it. Solomon wasn't driven by money, power, or lust, the usual motivations of those who do dirty work for the ultra-rich, but he was almost as morally bankrupt as someone who is. If you like thrillers you'll probably like this one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining, straight-ahead thriller, October 23, 2007

By 

David Montgomery "Book Critic" (davidjmontgomery.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cutthroat (Hardcover)

Solomon Gage is a fixer for a wealthy industrialist, solving all the problems the big man and his family get involved in. When Gage discovers that the industrialist's sons are involved in a dangerous and harebrained scheme to make a fortune, he's faced with his toughest problem yet.

"Cutthroat" is darker and more serious than most of Brewer's books, which is something of a mixed blessing. Although it's a fine and engaging story, I found myself missing the comedic overtones of most of his work. (A lot of authors can write books like this one, but Brewer is one of the few who mixes comedy with suspense and makes it work.)

For readers interested in an entertaining, straight-ahead thriller, however, this is recommended.