2 out of 4 stars
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" 'Bob,' said Karl, 'you can live a hundred years. It won't get any better than this. Today was the very best day of your life. It's all downhill from here.' "
Formerly Bob Deighton, a trucking executive now in the Witness Protection Program, Bob Day is a sixty-one-year-old maintenance worker at the North Florida oceanfront Belle Rive Lodge resort. His "secret sport of nicknaming" the resort guests lightens the monotony of his days. However, after his heroic lifesaving of three guests on the same day, Bob receives his own nickname. Saint Bob Day, by K. C. Wilson, follows his story after his quiet life and low profile are threatened and guests begin to die. Will Bob's past jeopardize his future?
This strength of this 190-page book is the character development, particularly the well-developed and likable protagonist. This is admirable in light of the "eww-factor" that Bob's interest in a reporter who is younger than his daughter evokes; fortunately, he is redeemed by exercising self-control. Many of Bob's witty one-liners are humorous, as is his tendency toward self-deprecation. The "bane of his existence,” Constance, seems to be the only one immune to Bob's pithy comments. However, their relationship transitions slightly over the course of the story. His work sidekick and nickname partner, Karl, is a previously self-employed painter, whose personality clashes with their supervisor, an alpha former Navy Master Chief, Edwin. Another character who stands out is David Moriarty, the resort's tightly wound general manager, whose nicknames include "King David" and "Davidicus Maximus;" he is eventually taken in by the wiles of Ari. As Ari's character evolution is significant to the plot, I won't reveal any spoilers.
Unfortunately, the writing style becomes more crass than witty. I dislike the crude profanity, and I don't appreciate derogatory references to women such as "Thunderthighs" or "That Bitch," which overshadow Bob's supposed discomfort with the labels. While the beginning of the plot is fast-paced and engaging, the portions after Ari's arrival at the resort drag at times.
Additionally, the book needs another round of editing, as the number of grammatical and punctuation errors necessitates the deduction of stars. Overall, I rate the book 2 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to readers who enjoy reading humorous mysteries and don't object to crass humor. On the other hand, it includes profanity, drug use, and gross violence which some readers may prefer to avoid.
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Saint Bob Day
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