Customer Reviews

Monkey Wrench

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

 

 

The usually simple formula of a detective story has been hopelessly convoluted by dirty reality, and Eva Wylie's slightly twisted perception of it. I've never met a protagonist so ugly, tough, and stubborn, and she's female!

Eva's arms look a lot better than her face; the wrestling fans don't call her Bucket Nut (Bucket Head) for nothing. But underneath her hard-as-nails exterior, she's way more vulnerable than she wants to be. Eva ends up using her muscle and street know-how to try to even up the score in one of the oldest battles known to the city scene. Prostitutes in the area are getting brutally killed, and one of them happens to be the sister of her old sidekick, Crystal. Crystal wants justice for her sister, and she doesn't hesitate to manipulate Eva into helping out. Eva just wants peace - a few good workouts, a wild fight in the ring now and then, and hanging out with her junkyard dogs. But Crystal has the tenacity of a Monkey Wrench, and won't let her be until she feels her sister is avenged.

It's a non-stop ride through the seamiest streets of London, with the most unusual, nasty, oddly laughable and ultimately admirable heroine I've ever read. Go, Bucket Nut!!

Although this book took a bit of getting into -- it's a very strong story told by a very strong main character in a "noir" style of speaking -- once I got into it, I loved it. I thought, "I'll have to read the rest of the series" (this is the second) and learned that there are only three in all. Author, please explain?

The main character, Eva, is a female wrestler in London. She's tough -- very tough -- and very independent. She has attitude and problems with authority. And underneath it all, she's a kind person, despite what she says about herself being so tough and not caring about others.

Eva gets involved with a bunch of streetwalkers. One of them has been beaten to death, and the victim's sister is an old acquaintance of Eva (Eva claims not to be friends with her). Eva agrees to teach them self-defense and more and more gets pulled into their lives.

This book doesn't really focus on "who done it" -- and the ending isn't neat and tidy, like most mysteries. But it's great writing with a strong central female character who is likable despite her extreme roughness and quick temper.

I look forward to reading the other two in the series and wish the author would revive this character.

Just came across this and I'm going to read the next one in the series immediately! The other reviews explain this unique female lead and her environment. I like the book because it is quirky, consistent, a bit of an inspiration, and slyly humorous. Eva Wylie is a contender!

Eva Wylie returns in her 2nd book and once again she's up front about her outlook on life. In fact her philosophy is summed up right there on page 1 of the book when she says:

"What's the point in being nice to someone who can't remember how nice you've been? Tell me that. The only point in doing someone a favour is if they remember and do you a favour back."

She's no saint and is happy to let everyone know. You get a pretty good idea how she came about that philosophy when she actually does a favour for someone and then is promptly plagued by one problem after the other as a result. When a local prostitute is murdered, the girl's sister and a few of the other local prostitutes come to Eva to ask her to teach them self defence. They figure Eva would be a good choice owing to one of her jobs as a professional wrestler, where she fights under the guise of The London Lassassin. Of course, Eva's first response is a resounding "Sod off!!" until the mention of a financial incentive is forthcoming. In a very entertaining chain of events, Eva's life begins to crumble around her.

This second book admirably complements the first (Bucket Nut) with Eva's defiance still the overwhelming emotion. Liza Cody's heroine from her other series of books, Anna Lee, becomes a little more prominent in this book, much to Eva's disgust. Although for the most part, the story is a humorous one, there is an underlying tone of desperation and the beginning of despair. But it doesn't seem to matter what's thrown up against her, Eva still manages to get by with her own unique rationale.

I wish there were more Eva Wylie books. I would read them non-stop if I could! Eva is so loveable and funny even with all of the tragedies of her life. She views life from her own desperate background, and her viewpoints are endearing. Her vocabulary is entertaining, with the London slang.

A jacket quote notes that the LA Times reviewer called this book a tour de force, and I have to agree. Liza Cody does a wonderful job of telling a story from the viewpoint of a lower class, not-very-bright, abused-as-a-child, female professional wrestler in London. The narrator is simultaneously sad, horrifying and funny. I'm sorry the book is out of print. I'd like to read more by Liza Cody, and especially more with the one-of-a-kind character of Eva Wylie. If you want a unique point of view and a good read, keep and eye out for this one.