Learning
that Johnny Shaw is releasing a new book is akin to learning they have moved
Christmas to whatever month it currently is. Learning that the new book is a
return to the Jimmy Veeder series is akin to having Christmas fall on your
birthday…it’s the gift that keeps giving.
Veeder
is back in a big way in Imperial Valley, the third installment of what will
hopefully be a very long series. In tow for this adventure is his best buddy,
Bobby, and Shaw instills their relationship and banters with some of the best
quips and one-liners this side of Todd Robinson’s Junior and Boo series. The
interactions between the pair of friends-till-the-end are a strength to this
series and this book showcases their growing friendship.
Since
we last saw Veeder, he has been raising his brother, Juan, as his son. When his
old friend, Tomas Morales reaches out to him and informs him as to the
whereabouts of Juan’s grandfather, Veeder decides to travel to Mexico in search
of the man to inform him of his daughter’s (Juan’s mother) untimely demise. In
an attempt to mix business with pleasure, Veeder takes his new wife along in an
attempt to have a honeymoon.
But
not far behind them is Veeder’s aforementioned buddy Bobby, hired thugs looking
to keep Veeder safe, hired thugs looking to do Veeder harm, and a Mexican drug
lord who, upon learning he is the grandfather to Juan decides he will stop at
nothing to find and possess Juan. When Veeder defeats him and his henchmen, but
leaves him alive, it sets off a chain reaction of Veeder always looking over
his shoulder; never knowing if he can keep his family safe or if his decision
to not deliver the fatal blow to his new enemy will end with him losing
everything he treasures.
In
an attempt to keep his family safe, Veeder can turn only to the people who he
treats as family and they answer his call for help. In a battle against the
biggest guns in the area, Veeder and friends must hope against hope that they
can prevail against men who will stop at nothing to get what they seek. In a battle
this big, the most humbling knowledge is the knowledge of knowing the smallest
slip up can lead to the biggest loss.
Ultimately,
this is a story about loyalty, family, and holding onto the bonds we build with
the people we love. It mixes humor with great insight into the many things in
life that leave us vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. There were a
few times in the book in which I questioned if humor was used in spots that
didn’t ring true, but overall Veeder Fiasco novels are shaping up to be one of
the best series going. I am already anxiously awaiting the next in the series.
