Grinder: A Mystery (A Wilson Mystery) [Hardcover]

Mike Knowles (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Wilson Mystery | Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Two years ago Wilson left his old boss alive in exchange for a clean slate, keeping up his end of the bargain and staying off the grid. Then, thousands of miles from the city he once escaped, a man comes calling on Wilson with a gun in hand and a woman in his trunk. Wilson is pulled back into his old life as a “grinder” to work under the radar to quietly find out who is responsible for a dangerous mobster’s missing nephews—and this time all bets are off.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Razor-edged prose and a sympathetic antihero lift Knowles's no-holds-barred crime thriller, the sequel to Darwin's Nightmare (2008), which introduced the mob enforcer known only as Wilson. Wilson has left behind the person he was in Hamilton, Ont., where he worked for mob boss Paolo Donati. He's found a new life on Prince Edward Island as a hired hand on a fishing boat. Unfortunately, after Wilson's attempt to aid a dying politician results in his photo being splashed across Canadian front pages, Donati sends a thug to find him. Though Wilson is easily able to dispatch his tracker, he realizes he can't further endanger the people he has come to care for in his new community. He returns to Hamilton to locate those responsible for the disappearance of Donati's nephews. While not for those uncomfortable with gore, readers who like their mean streets really mean will be thoroughly satisfied. (Oct.)
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Review

"Razor-edged prose and a sympathetic antihero lift Knowles's no-holds-barred crime thriller."  —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Verdict: Knowles combines nonstop action with gritty violence to hold the reader's attention. For fans of hard-boiled mysteries."  —Library Journal

"With lots of action and tension and plenty of dialogue, Wilson's story moves along rapidly as he struggles to cut his ties to the past."  —Booklist

"This is a good first novel, particularly as a counterweight to the often flaccid mysteries this country produces. Crime fans will enjoy the book and should watch for [Knowles'] next offering."  —Driven Magazine

"The action is hard and raw and savage, and the characters are about as deliciously nasty as you'd expect."  —January Magazine

"[Knowles] is a good atmospheric writer and he has the lingo down."  —Globe & Mail

"Grinder displays some nascent storytelling chops and a viable future for the Hamilton schoolteacher."  —Winnipeg Free Press

"The action is straight, hard, and fast, and the characters are as sharply etched as this stuff gets."  —Mystery Scene

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: ECW Press; First Edition edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550228951
• ISBN-13: 978-1550228953
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,437,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mike Knowles studied writing at McMaster University before pursuing a career in education. He became an elementary teacher and currently teaches in Hamilton where he lives with his wife and dog. He has written two novels Darwin's Nightmare and Grinder.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great new crime fiction author, February 28, 2010

By 

S. Wolgel (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grinder: A Mystery (A Wilson Mystery) (Hardcover)

Mike Knowles is a fresh new talent in crime fiction. His character, Wilson, is to Lee Child's "Reacher," or Lawrence Block's "Keller," like Superboy is to Superman. He will develop into a superhero character that all will admire. The writing, pacing and character development are all superb; and have a somewhat "hardboiled" tone reminiscent of Max Allen Collin's "Quarry" series. The book left me wanting more of Mike Knowles. I am sure others will feel the same. He is going to become a well-known, successful author. Can't wait to read more.

5.0 out of 5 stars Grinder, January 21, 2010

By 

W. JOYCE - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grinder: A Mystery (A Wilson Mystery) (Hardcover)

Read two of this series and have enjoyed both...Canada background provides a new view for me. Hope there are more to follow... A bit noir and a bit violent but well written...