Crashed (Junior Bender, #1) by Timothy Hallinan

Crashed (Junior Bender #1) by Timothy Hallinan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

INTRODUCING JUNIOR BENDER, THE FAVORITE BURGLAR-TURNED-PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR OF HOLLYWOOD CROOKS

Junior Bender is a Los Angeles burglar with a magic touch. Since he first started breaking into houses when he was fourteen years old, he’s never once been caught. But now, after twenty-two years of an exemplary career, Junior has been blackmailed by Trey Annunziato, one of the most powerful crime bosses in LA, into acting as a private investigator on the set of Trey’s porn movie venture, which someone keeps sabotaging. The star Trey has lined up to do all that’s unwholesome on camera is Thistle Downing, America’s beloved child star, who now lives alone in a drug-induced stupor, destitute and uninsurable. Her starring role will be the scandalous fall-from-grace gossip of rubber-neckers across the country. No wonder Trey needs help keeping the production on track.

Junior knows what that he should do—get Thistle out and find her help—but doing the right thing will land him on the wrong side of LA’s scariest mob boss. With the help of his precocious twelve-year-old daughter, Rina, and his criminal sidekick, Louie the Lost (an ex-getaway driver), Junior has to figure out a miracle solution.

My Review:

Bender, a professional "crook". A well (self) educated "crook". A "crook" with a heart, and a good head on his shoulders.

I liked Bender immediately. He was funny, quick on his feet, thought outside the box, and I could tell immediately that he loved his daughter and the idea of a functional and happy family. Turns out he went to college, but learned more by reading a book. I won't explain it further, you'll have to read to understand, which I recommend for that aspect alone. I would love to give this self-education theory a try, if I had the time to analyze the way he does.

This book has adventure, tugs on the heart strings, makes you think, and keeps you entertained. There are ups and downs, sometimes you can't quite figure out who the bad guy is, it's great.

Despite enjoying the story so much, and reading it continually, it seemed like it took me forever to get through it. I don't think the book is excessively long, nor do I think it was too slow to lose my attention. I honestly can't say why is seemed to take so long. It's one of those times when you look at the clock after what seems like hours since you last did, and it has only moved a few minutes. So, don't let that be a deterrent, read this book!

Favorite Quote:

“She gave me the slow nod women use to indicate that they understand our pain, they admire the courage with which we handle it, and they're absolutely certain that it's all our fault.”

Read from January 06 to 13, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery/Crime, Thriller, Thriller/Mystery Thriller
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

View all my reviews