"Entertaining crime thriller"
Horror novelist Billy Dye needs cash so he accepts the
assignment of interviewing the crime kingpin of Manchester,
England, Malcolm Priest. Surprisingly, the interview goes
quite well as the boastful Priest profanely brags equally
about his life of crime as much as his support to good
deeds charities. Proud of his efforts, especially getting
out with his skin intact, Billy consumes too much alcohol,
which leads to his handing in an uncomplimentary picture of
Priest. Sober, Billy wonders if his knees, elbows, or fingers will
be broken, that is if he lives to feel the pain. However,
Billy gets a break as the editor turns the piece into
friendly fluff. Pleased with the article, Priest hires
Billy to ghostwrite his memoir. However, Billy being Billy
manages to quickly destroy the good will of the article.
Priest casts the die that Dye must die so Billy ends up in
a graveyard facing execution by Raghead the hit man, who
wears a bag over his head to hide his identity from his
customers and victims. However, Billy's luck finally
changes when Raghead turns out to be his closest childhood
friend, who loyally tries to protect his buddy from
Priest's gang of thugs. THE DEATH YOU DESERVE is an entertaining crime thriller
that satirizes invincible hero types defeating armies of
trained killers. The story line never takes itself
seriously, which leads to readers receiving a wild tale
populated by an eccentric cast. Though Billy is the star,
Raghead and Priest make the tale as caricatures of
criminals. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted May 16, 2003
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