On the Ropes (A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery) [Paperback]

Tom Schreck (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery | Publication Date: September 8, 2007

Duffy Dombrowski is not your average social worker. When he's not counseling sex addicts and drug users in a town outside of New York City, you can find him crooning Elvis tunes, getting "Schlitzed" with his quirky friends, or fighting ex-Olympians in the boxing ring. Our less-than-perfect hero occasionally uses his mean left hook on pimps and other lowlifes, too. But at least he cares about his clients.

When Walanda, a schizophrenic, crack-addicted prostitute, is murdered, Duffy pledges to take care of her basset hound "Allah King" and find her missing stepdaughter, Shony. He's horrified to discover the teenager is ensnared in a web porn ring–a vile enterprise that enslaves crack-addicted women and their children.

On the verge of losing his job–and his life–Duffy also gets mixed up with a creepy doctor with ties to Pakistani extremists. Still, nothing will stop this conflicted Robin Hood from trying to save Shony and foil a terrorist plot.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An Everyman with a big heart and a wicked jab, Duffy Dombrowski may well be the new Spenser. I can't wait for Round Two." -- Marcus Sakey, author of THE BLADE ITSELF, A New York Times Editor's Pick

"It won't take long to realize Duffy doesn't run to type...occasionally over the top, but warmhearted, tough, funny Duffy makes a promising debut." --Kirkus Reviews

"An Everyman with a big heart and a wicked jab, Duffy Dombrowski may well be the new Spenser. I can't wait for Round Two." --Marcus Sakey Author of THE BLADE ITSELF, A New York Times Editor's Pick

"Fresh, intense and funny, Schreck's second mystery to feature unrepentant Elvis fan and dog lover Duffy Dombrowski packs a knockout punch." --Publishers Weekly

"It'll put you down for the count with laughter. Tom Schreck is a contender for funniest author working in the crime genre today." --William Kent Krueger author of Thunder Bay

"This is one hell of a debut novel. ON THE ROPES is easily one of the best five books I've read this year." --Jon Jordan, Crimespree Magazine

Review

"This is one hell of a debut novel. ON THE ROPES is easily one of the best five books I've read this year."

"If you like underdogs, colorful characters, a fighter who never quits and a canine with more bite and heart than Jake LaMotta-- a unanimous winner."

"Refreshingly iconoclastic."

"If you like underdogs, colorful characters, a fighter who never quits and a canine with more bite and heart than Jake LaMotta--a unanimous winner."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (September 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738711144
• ISBN-13: 978-0738711140
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,304,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tom Schreck graduated from The University of Notre Dame and has a master's degree in Psychology. He lives in Albany, New York. He has written on topics as broad as boxing, business, pets, fitness, psychology, relationships, golf, diners, drive-ins and prison for publications that include The Business Review, Fightnews.com, Westchester Magazine, American Health and Fitness, Professional Counselor and Catfancy, among others.

A former director of an inner city drug clinic and now a world championship boxing official, Schreck has combined his varied experience and created his first novel. On the Ropes is the story of a drug counseling professional fighter, his Black Muslim basset hound, and their pursuit to save a kidnapped little girl while foiling a terrorist plot to blow up Yankee Stadium.

He is the author of Duffy Dombrowski Mysteries. Publisher's Weekly called them, "Fresh, intense and funny...Duffy delivers a knockout punch." Kirkus said they were "Refreshingly iconoclastic." Crimespree Magazine said, "One of the five best books I read this year."

Read more about Tom on his blog at http://tomschreck.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Debut, September 24, 2007

By 

J. A. KONRATH "Thriller Author" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Ropes (A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery) (Paperback)

I read a lot of crime novels. This is one of the best debuts I've ever read.

It's laugh out loud funny, plus it's crammed full of action, suspense, and a wonderfully complex mystery.

Duffy is a terrific character. Those who enjoy Robert B. Parker, Robert Crais, or newcomers like Jeff Shelby and Harry Hunsicker will feel right at home here. But beneath the wiescracks and fist fights is some real heart, written in a wonderfully readable style.

It's really that good.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta love Duffy and his sidekick Al (basset hound ), January 1, 2008

By 

W. Kowalewsky (Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Ropes (A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery) (Paperback)

The Amazon shorts whetted my appetite for "On the Ropes" by Tom Shreck. While reading the short stories I found myself with lots of questions and wanting to know more about the characters. I wanted to know more about the kind of person Duffy was, how he got Al, what made the Fearsome Foursome tick and if they had more in them than crazy conversations. "On the Ropes" answered all my questions and more. This book is action packed with mystery, terrorism, porn, child abuse, sex, drugs and Elvis tunes!

Duffy is a likeable character. He doesn't try to hide, make excuses for, or sugarcoat his faults. His belief in the human race endears him to you. He sees the good in people and he doesn't judge those who are down on their luck for what they've done or who they've become. Duffy sees both sides of the coin. But on the other hand, when it comes to bad guys he doesn't hesitate to act on his beliefs. Right or wrong Duffy acts on those beliefs and he doesn't let little things like the law or protocol get in his way, even if that means putting his boxing skills to the ultimate test.

My emotions ran the gamut with this book. I laughed, I was frustrated/cried, I was angry and I was elated. I couldn't stop turning the pages as I had to find out what happened next. Can't wait to find out what happens with Duffy and Al next!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely entertaining, November 21, 2007

By 

Fan of Fiction - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On the Ropes (A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery) (Paperback)

Normally I stick to sci fi and fantasy books but, this book kept me entertained and was an easy read from start to finish. I will buy the sequels when they come out. Heres to hoping that another up and coming author can make it big.