Saturday, March 4, 2023

Meet Morocco Jones by Jack Baynes

1957. This book suffers from the dream punch. When you try to punch in a dream but it's like you're underwater. You can connect but the throw has zero force behind it.

The cover boasts, "the toughest guy you ever met- the toughest story you'll ever read." And man, do they remind you of it over and over again. If not with simple fights where he Supermans the fuck out but also with every character verbally acknowledging it. I get it, he's tough. He's a recently retired super spy. The "General," his spy boss, let's him know that his arch nemesis, Bardo, is still alive and in Chicago. Alot is eldued to backstory. Morocco hunted down Bardo, whom he wasn't even sure was Bardo and killed him. No one has seen Bardo except one witness, a young lady who is now hiding out in Chicago where Morocco can check in on her.Obviously, Bardo is coming after the only person who can finger him. Attempts are made to get her. Bardo is also a commie who is bringing in commie heroin and having the Mafia distribute it for him.

Mafia and European spy assasins are killed with the greatest of ease. Morocco solves the case after everyone else does. There are all these different factions involved; mafia, black gangsters, spies, FBI, police etc. Morocco continually shows up after shit goes down and then has everything explained to him. Basically, he's just the vehicle for the explanations of the crime unfolding naturally. Sherlock Holmes he is not. Ok, I guess he puts some stuff together at the end but come on, he's our star.

For all the colorful characters you'd figure it would be more fun. Also, the twists were really obvious. I've read better and worse.

Crest Book- 1957

\\\\\\Review by Nick Anderson. Instagram: next_stop_willoughby

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