Harwood gives us a down and out noir hero with a twist—he’s already hit rock bottom and mastered clean living to a boring degree. Jack Palms had his moment of fame when he starred in the action thriller, Shake ‘Em Down, but fell from grace when he developed a drug habit and was falsely accused of spousal abuse. Now he’s got bills piling up and he might lose his house, but he refuses to give up his 1966 Mustang Fastback. He drives it over to meet his old drug dealer friend, Ralph, and his Czech friends, in town to buy a large quantity of cocaine. When Ralph is found dead the next day, Jack jumps in with both feet to track down his killer. He knows it has something to do with the gun-toting thugs who shoot one of the Czechs when they meet a Columbian drug dealer at a trendy nightclub, and he stays involved because he hasn’t felt so alive in a long time. He finds himself in the middle of a bad situation with ex-KGB agents, South Americans, drug dealers, and a huge ex-NFL player…and let’s not forget the femme fatale. He puts all the pieces together between visits to a set of sleazy nightclubs and shoot-outs, and the bodies pile up. This is some quality noir on the streets of San Francisco, with a very likeable hero, and a great ending. If Jack Palms has any more adventures, I’ll go along for the ride. A noir action-thriller that probably would have made a better screenplay than novel. Set in San Francisco, a has-been movie star is tangled in high-stakes drug deals and rival dealers. The plot itself is paced as if it's on cocaine, and the mayhem strains credulity. The characters are tragic in noir tradition, but rather two-dimensional. Still, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this made into a movie someday.
Do You like book Jack Wakes Up Jack Wakes Up (2009)?
interesting book. lots of action. do not look for deeper meaning or purpose in the story.
—Arbie
EXCELLANT BOOK- LOVED IT- FAST MOVING- GREAT CHARACTERS- MUST READ
—Shelly
Fast paced crime novel and edge of the seat entertainment!!
—raven
