Reviews

Fadeaway Joe: A Novel by Hugh Lessig

mikefromarkansas's review

4.0

I listen to the audiobook for Fadeaway Joe. It is marketed that if you like S.A. Cosby you will like this book. It does have a vibe similar to Cosby’s books. The characters are all morally gray. There is murder, human trafficking, and violence. Joe and Maxie are like brothers but there is a falling out and they now want to kill each other. Joe is in early stages of dementia. He hitches his fate to Paula who doesn’t have the best home life. Joe’s ex girlfriend, Cathy is spying on him and a neighbor, Donna, quickly becomes an ally. The book takes us on a ride of the challenges their lives take, that don’t seem to be going the way they want. In the end, some end up dead and others carry on. I enjoyed the book. It’s a debut novel for the author. I highly recommend you give this book a try.

I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this audiobook. This review is voluntary and is my honest opinion. I look forward to the release on August 22, 2023.

marcirenee1974's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was a cute book and I love how the characters of the book came together to support Joe, save themselves, and find a solution to their issues! AND the bad guy got his in the end! My fave way to end a book! This was my 1st book by Hugh Lessig but it won't be my last!

#FadeawayJoe
#NetGalley 

romonko's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I received this book as an audiobook from NetGalley.  The book will be out near the end of August.  I highly recommend that you try to get your hands on a copy.  i'm only speaking for the audiobook because that is how I listened to it.  Come meet Joe Pendergast, an ex-enforcer for a local loan shark who has just recently lost his job by his long time friend and boss, Maxie Smith.  Joe has just been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's so he knows his time is limited, and he has one goal; to kill Maxie Smith for firing him after 40+ years of working for him.   To keep himself occupied while he plans this big hit, he operates a food truck in the town where he lives.  During the course of his business he meets a young woman who appears to have many of her own problems.  He determines that this young girl is probably responsible for whatever happened in Joe's boat.  He found it full of blood and a lot of grey hair.  The two conspirators start working together.  Each has their own agenda which is to bring retribution to two separate illegal operations--Maxie Smith and his loan sharking business, and a trafficking ring that Paula Jessop had been inadvertently involved with.  The book is hilarious from start to finish, even if a bit violent.  It is not clear throughout the book whether the unlikely alliance that these two perpetrators forged will succeed in their objectives or not.  I loved the book, and the premise.  A very different crime novel, where I found myself rooting for the lesser of two evils, Paula and Joe. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Book Publishers for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book.   Highly recommended.

rbharath's review

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

There is something to be said about easy reads. They give you a respite from serious stuff which requires a lot of concentration & note taking. This is one such – few but loveable characters and a straightforward story with some out of the usual elements thrown in. 

Joe has worked for Maxie and been friends with him for over 40 years. It was a tough job as a bouncer for most of the period, and Joe was loyal. Joe is diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's and is sacked. Max has however helped a little in setting Joe up with a food delivery service. Joe is sore though, as he has also lost his girlfriend Kathy in the process, who is now with Max. His neighbour Donna is friendly, realizing he tends to get confused sometimes and checks in on him periodically. Joe, one morning, finds blood in his boat and is unsure if he had something to do with it during the night. At work one day, he meets Paula Jessup, who seems to be in danger from some thugs. Joe and Paula are an unlikely pair who team up to see if they can help each other get over their troubles. 

As a person struggling with early-stage dementia and coping with acute disappointment alone, Joe is a very interesting character, and this story is all about him. I liked the tough character Joe is, while also being vulnerable & unsure with being alone and coping from dementia. While there is potentially a good story with respect to Paula, it is not well developed. Donna is a great supporting character in the story. There is not much novelty in the plot and Joe’s rivalry and attempts to get a step ahead of Max are simplistic. 

Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and the author for a free electronic review copy.