Customer Reviews

Dead Ringer (A Jacob Asch Mystery)

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This is my first reading of Mr. Lyons' work. His clean prose style and understated humor for the P.I. Jake Asch protagonist are marvelous. A great stylist and storyteller to boot.

This entry in Arthur Lyons' Jacob Asch series finds Asch embroiled with the seedy world of
professional boxing. He is hired by the aging wife of a brothel owner to find out who has been
making threatening calls to her - she believes it is her estranged husband. Of course, it isn't
that simple.

The opening to the book lags somewhat, but the pace picks up in short order. Unfortunately, the
resolution isn't as strong as it could be and felt a little rushed. The book is impressive,
namely due to Lyons' considerable talents as a stylist, but some of the characterizations are
weak, though Asch is presented as a full-bloodied, three-dimensional creation. He remains one
of the finest realized series characters from his era.

I would recommend other titles in the series over this, but it is a book well worth your
time.