Nailed It - Todd Jones Comic Thrillers, #3

What happens when South Florida's most unscrupulous real estate salesman meets South Florida's biggest con artist? And what happens when they meet on the roof of the Florida mansion belonging to the world's most ruthless scrap dealer? Who knows? But sparks are bound to fly, especially with that hurricane coming straight at them. Another fast-paced Todd Jones comic thriller/caper by bestselling author JR Ripley! Praise for the Todd Jones comic thriller series! ".Joins the growing list of Florida crime writers (Carl Hiaasen, Laurence Shames, Tim Dorsey) who mix capers with comedy.
This lightweight romp stars unscrupulous real-estate salesman Todd Jones, whose wheelings and dealings have landed him a hot Ft. Lauderdale condo and an even hotter girlfriend but who seems to have run out of luck. The story opens with Todd being threatened at gunpoint by his best friend, Dr. Doug Freeman, who is miffed that Todd slept with his wife, Caroline. When Doug is killed in a boating accident, and Caroline is found dead soon after, things don't look good for Todd.
To make matters worse, he has sold a bum property to a mobster and unwittingly involved himself in a drug deal with a surfer dude. Then his mother comes to visit. Readers will fall hard for this lovable loser as he struggles to stay alive while keeping his girlfriend from finding out what he is doing and his mom's pet pig from eating his stuff. Further adventures would be most welcome." Booklist "..
A darkly funny, rip-roaring novel about a fast-talking realtor who is quite possibly the world's worst judge of character. Hunted down by drug dealers, irate customers, a betrayed girlfriend and the husband of a married woman he had an affair with, he has five minutes to live at the opening of the story - perhaps more if he can persuade the angry husband not to point the gun at his head. Then again, perhaps not.
Oh, and his mother has come to live with him and won't take no for an answer. A wildly frantic novel about a ne'er do well whose bad deeds have caught up with him, and his wacky struggle to stay just one step ahead of the trigger, suspenseful to the very last word." Midwest Book Review "It's a comic thriller with a wacky plot. Todd Jones is a hotshot realtor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a hot girlfriend.
The story begins with Todd getting a routine physical from his doctor and friend Doug Freeman. After the physical Todd asks Doug how healthy he is, Dr. Doug tells him he has five minutes to live. Todd laughs and says no, really is there a problem? Dr. Doug repeats that Todd has Five minutes to live. The doctor goes to a cabinet and pulls out a gun and points it at Todd and tells him he has five minutes to live because he slept with his wife.
As Todd is trying to deny everything and stop the madness the doctor is counting down. He does get away and is constantly followed by the obsessed Dr. Doug who continues to try to kill him. Lots of great characters...the last sentence in the book is extremely clever. The book is only 245 pages and is a quick read. I liked it." Just Plum Crazy "As Oliver Hardy used to say" well...here's another nice mess you've gotten me into ".
As a former RE guy myself, luckily, I have never encountered such an obvious set up, but Todd had his thinking mind disconnected when the knockout babe started talking big money. From there it rolls downhill quickly and actually picks up considerable speed at the ending. That all this conniving takes place in South Florida is no surprise... But makes it easier to digest. The love for money is the root of all evil and the roots go very deep in this story.
Great characters brought to life by great and humorous writing (as usual) in any JR Ripley story. I loved Todd's mom...what a hoot....and the addition of Mr. Squeals was icing on the cake. Another triumph!" Eddie D Amazon Vine Voice