Fun & Games, by Duane Swierczynski (REVIEW) — More Pulp Than a Fresh-Squeezed Glass

My earliest exposure to "pulp fiction" was Quentin Tarantino's aptly-named  movie masterpiece.

It never dawned on me, though, that it was a genre I could read.

Until, that is, Duane Swierczynski’s Fun & Games came across my desk, intriguing me with its mix of familiar-enough territory (noir-ish mystery) and the promise of a little extra kapow (over-the-top action scenes in a bizarre-o setting).

And I knew it was time to take the plunge.

____________________________________________________________________________

First, let's do a little drive-by, to make sure all the key ingredients are present and accounted for in the true pulp fashion. 

Hardboiled action hero? Check. Charlie Hardie is an ex-Philly-cop, as tough as old boots, who’s been trying to escape a lot of bad memories by consuming copious amounts of booze. 

Beautiful damsel-in-distress? Check. Lane Madden is a gorgeous young actress, on the run from some very bad people. 

Which brings us to... bad guys? Checkity-check-check. There are at least three extremely-evil guys (well, make that two guys and a gal) who want Lane dead. 

Finally, fantastic locale? Check, if the fabulous homes in the Hollywood Hills count. (Trust me, they do.)

Now, let’s put everyone in motion... 

Charlie Hardie has completely turned his back on his old life, following the brutal murders of his partner—and his partner’s family—during a case gone horribly wrong. 

Recently he's been working as a house sitter, which lets him be a rolling stone, with gigs all over the country (and as far away from Philadelphia as he can get). 

It's a no-brainer kind of job. Secure the property, make it obvious the house isn’t vacant, then spend the rest of the time watching old movies and making his way through as much bourbon as possible. 

He flies into L.A. thinking this latest job doesn’t sound like much of a challenge: watch the house of a famous musician who’s off working on the score for another blockbuster movie. (Huge screens and an amazing sound system at his disposal? What's not to love?)

But there's a problem.

When he enters the house, he’s promptly attacked by a terrified young squatter... who turns out to be Lane Madden, insisting that “They” are out to kill her.

Hardie initially assumes she's just another drugged-up (and dangerous) actress. 

Gradually, though, he realizes there might be some awful truth to the wild tale... especially after the power and phones go out, and unwanted visitors start showing up.

He may not have a clue what's really going on, but one thing's for sure—Hardie’s not about to let another innocent person get whacked while he’s around. 

And he's willing to do whatever it takes, to prevent it from ever happening again.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fun & Games feels like watching a really good horror film... the dread building, as you wait for the boogieman to get in and the blood to flow. 

It's also delivers action-movie thrills, putting readers right in the middle of all the chaos. 

Swierczynski doesn’t just dish up some killer action, though. His characterizations are good, too.

Hardie is hardboiled-with-a-heart (a Bruce Willis character—smart-ass wisecracks included), and Lane is sympathetic (albeit in a Hollywood-actress-who's-been-indulged-too-much kinda way). 

As for the hit squad, well, they’re a nifty blend of all those really nasty movie baddies, and the fact that the leader of this particular group is a very smart and determined woman? Totally cool.

Fun & Games is the first in a trilogy featuring Charlie Hardie, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what other insanity Swierczynski has planned for him.

~GlamKitty