Duke City Split by Max Austin (4 stars) -- Review & Giveaway

About Duke City Split

Publisher: Alibi (April 8, 2014)
Sold by: Random House LLC

A cool, calm, and collected bank robber—with two kids at home—heads a fascinating cast of characters in Duke City Split, the first in a trilogy of white-knuckle thrillers from Max Austin.

Bud Knox isn’t your average bank robber. He’s happiest fixing a nice lunch for his wife on her lunch break or watching his two young daughters play soccer. He leaves the boldness and brawn to his partner, Mick Wyman. In the past fourteen years, they’ve hit nearly thirty banks all over the West—everywhere but “Duke City,” their hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

So when Mick calls him about the perfect job, Bud is less than convinced, because the target is on their own turf. But with the potential to haul in millions, Bud simply can’t say no. If they do this job right, Bud may never have to work again.

As it turns out, the heist is the easy part. Holding onto the money while evading everyone from the FBI to the Mafia to the low-life criminals who want a cut will be the hardest thing Bud Knox has ever done—and it might just cost him his life.

Purchase Links

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Review

Sometimes the perfect job is the very one you should walk away from; a lesson Mick and Bud quickly learn when a too-good-to-be-true robbery has dangerous implications. Pulling off the heist goes off without a hitch, but enjoying the money proves a challenge.  

And they aren't just trying to evade the cops or the FBI investigation, because many people end up wanting to be cut in on the action. Mick and Bud face more trouble than simply figuring out a way to start enjoying their money. They are in a fight for their lives.

Exciting from start to finish, this story is non-stop action. Bud, in particular, is a character you are rooting for regardless of the fact that he's a thief. He has kids and a wife, and they need the money. I definitely related most to his character. Mick comes across as the more traditional criminal, but he looks out for Bud--very big brother. 

With every turn of the page, a new person was after Bud and Mick. Bad guys, good guys, and everything in between. It's a well-written, high intensity read.

Why, you might ask, did I give it 4 stars? Up until the last page, this was a 4.5-5 star read. But endings matter, and this one simply left too much hanging. I didn't need some wrap-it-all-up happy ending--that wouldn't have been realistic--but I need an ending. Instead, I felt like I was missing chapters. I understand the idea of a cliffhanger (since this is the first of a trilogy), but this felt rushed and too abrupt.

However, please consider, I felt passionate--like hopping mad--about the ending. That shows just how much I was enjoying the book. So give Duke City Split a chance, and let's hope book two comes out soon and makes up for this one's ending.

Rating: 4 stars

About Max Austin 

Max Austin is the pseudonym of writer Steve Brewer. He lives in New Mexico.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

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