Piece Description

From Publishers Weekly
In this fun, fast-paced first novel set in Athens, Ga., Top Kiernan has two jobs: he's head of Polymath, an Internet research company run from his home-a former elementary school building where his bedroom is located in the old gym, handy for pick-up basketball games with pals-and he works undercover for Shaw's, "the world's leading booking agency for mercenaries, bodyguards, and probably worse." Top not only collects tops but spins like the best of them, an adrenaline addict who takes unnecessary risks for the rush, a buzz monkey on his way to becoming a buzz junkie. And that's his problem. Shaw's won't employ him after he made a mess of his last few jobs. When his best friend, Dee Lane, a dealer in contraband, disappears, a drug baron to whom Dee owes money thinks Top can locate Dee or at least the cash. With two associates killed and a third held hostage, Top has his work cut out for him. Like cartoon characters who get repeatedly smashed to the ground but pop up (mostly) unharmed, Top and his sidekick, Benny, just keep going, as they dodge the assorted lawmen and bad guys in pursuit, usually along Georgia highways and venturing as far as Florida. Those who like a lot of action will enjoy this witty, rollicking debut.
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