From Publishers Weekly
An ex-con tries to make good while an old flame tries to make trouble in this smart, gritty and gripping 10th novel by bestseller Dickey (
Naughty or Nice, etc.). "[S]ix-two and dark as an open road," Driver spent two years in lockdown to spare his gay albino brother, Rufus; these days he's a chauffeur. Driver likes to hang with his boss, Wolf; they drink beer, have a laugh, do the crossword, shoot pool. It's all cool—as long as Wolf doesn't find out about Driver's affair with Lisa, Wolf's wife. Even worse, Lisa gave Driver 15 large to kill her husband. Driver couldn't do it, but he spent the money on his mother's funeral; Lisa will forgive the debt if Driver keeps "dicking her down." When he won't, she tries to run him down with her Hummer. Next trick? An ugly pair of thugs who stalk and threaten him. Meanwhile, Driver must drive a visiting celebrity author—notorious for inflammatory race-related statements and for wearing the silver briefcase containing his next million-dollar book handcuffed to his wrist—all over L.A. Steamy sex scenes alternate with mayhem and vandalism; the lively, truncated dialogue is filled with literary references, product placements and newsworthy names. Urban melodrama, gorgeous grifters, a tough but likable hero and sharp takes on racial politics add up to another winner.
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From Booklist
Another novel with a cliched title--but with an atypical backdrop. The famous Dickey love-story formula here begins with intrigue, but it turns into what may be his best novel to date. Driver, an ex-convict, accepts $15,000 to kill Lisa's husband, Wolf, but is unable to do the deed. In a twist of fate, Wolf hires Driver as a chauffeur at his limousine company. Lisa is so irate at Driver's audacity--for accepting a job with her husband and keeping the money--she begins to stalk him. Arizona, a beautiful con artist, offers Driver an opportunity to make a lot of money fast if he is willing to take some risks. Panther is a stripper with whom Driver spends time, and she becomes the only woman he can trust. As all three women put forth their best efforts, Driver becomes crazed and caught in the middle--there's the woman who loves him, the woman who has been scorned, and the woman who lusts for him. Similar to the work of Donald Goines, this page-turner will appeal to the same audience.
Lillian LewisCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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