Revenge of the Jinx - Benjamin Laskin

   2018; 344 pages.  Book 2 (out of 4) in the “Murphy’s Luck” series.  New Author? : No.  Genres : Magical Realism; Cozy Fiction.  Overall Rating : 8½*/10.

 

    The security camera captured the entire sequence.  Murphy Drummer singlehandedly foiled the plans of a pair of gun-toting bank robbers, while simultaneously protecting all the bank patrons and employees from any harm.

 

    He did it in spectacular fashion too, utilizing, among other things, the Heimlich maneuver, a baby bottle, and a seat cushion.  Everyone in the bank appreciated his odds-defying heroics, except, of course, the bank robbers.

 

  His actions also caught the attention of another group.  The FBI.  They’re sending two of their agents to talk to Murphy about a possible job opportunity for him at the agency.

 

    Hmm.  What kind of job would cause the FBI to prefer a civilian operative instead of one of their own experienced field agents?

 

What’s To Like...

    Revenge of the Jinx is the second book in Benjamin Laskin’s four-volume Murphy’s Luck series.  I read Book One last year; it is reviewed here.  Several years have passed between the events of the two books.  Murphy and Joy have married, a daughter is born, and little Phaedra is now five years old.

 

    Murphy is still afflicted by his jinx, but he’s mitigated its effects by living way out in the sticks and rarely if ever being around any outsiders.  Joy and Phaedra, both of whom seem to be immune to Murphy’s jinx, share his solitude.  Phaedra is a happy little girl, and her dad has built his daughter her very own playground called Cloverville.

 

    I liked the character development here.  Two inept FBI agents, Lester McDougall and Milo Lowenstein, provide the comic relief for the story.  The main bad guy, Lucius Valentine, has an excuse for his vileness: a giant wart on his chin.  And his two enforcers, Lamar and Miguel, are a lot less “thuggy” than stereotypical goons usually are.

 

    The storyline moves along at a pleasant pace.  Murphy’s boundless optimism and naivete keeps the jinx at bay, and by now he’s honed his “murphometer” skills to where he can shrewdly discern what disasters are about to befall innocent bystanders.

 

    The ending is appropriately over-the-top, and includes a couple of neat plot twists and dei ex machina.  which is consistent with the storyline.  Good triumphs over evil, of course; but good also smiles upon the baddies to a certain extent.  The last two chapters are of the “Whatever happened to…” ilk.  Chapter 38 covers the fates of various secondary characters; Chapter 39 does the same for Murphy and family.

 

Ratings…
    Amazon: 4.6*/5, based on 150 ratings and 33 reviews.

    Goodreads: 4.41*/5, based on 94 ratings and 17 reviews.

 

Excerpts...

    “What amazed Lowenstein was why two incompetent schlubs like he and Lester McDougall would be assigned to such an important case.

    As if reading Lowenstein’s thoughts, Dunlap replied, “Exactly, Agent Lowenstein.  I can’t think of two worse agents for such a top-secret operation, but this is something we want flying under everyone’s radar—way under.  Subterranean—get it?”

    “Um….”

    “I do!” McDougall blurted.  “You want us to pose as oafs so that no one will suspect we’re up to something!”

    “No posing required,” Dunlap said.  (loc. 625)

 

    “Joy, honey,” Mrs. Daley said, “what about your—?”  She saw Phaedra listening and caught herself.  “Your rhymes with sphinx?”

    “I thought you guys didn’t believe in rhymes with finks.”

    “We don’t,” Mr. Daley said, “but if you believe in rhymes with stinks, then aren’t you acting irresponsibly?”

    “Yes,” Mrs. Daley said.  “Look at all the ‘chinks’ you went through to get here.  If you’re right, then going twice the distance could result in twice the, er, ‘tiddlywinks.’”

    “Leave our kinks to me,” Joy answered with finality.  (loc. 3714)

 

Kindle Details…

    Murphy’s Luck sells for $4.99 currently at Amazon, as do the other three books in the series.  Benjamin Laskin has several other series in e-book format; their books cost either $2.99 or $4.99.

 

Lunch was seafood served up with an assortment of near catastrophes.  (loc. 2646)

    As with the first book, cussing is sparse in Revenge of the Jinx.  I counted just seven instances in the first 25% of the book, all of the mild variety.  A technical term for male genitalia pops up later on, but not in an “adult situation”.  And though we find remnants of past victims of the main bad guy, there’s not really any gore.

 

    There are a lot of conveniently-timed saving graces, but here that’s a plus, not a criticism.  Murphy’s “gift” may be a jinx for everyone else, but for him it’s a source of incredible luck.  Revenge of the Jinx is meant to make you smile and feel good, not keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering whether Murphy and his friends are going to die.

 

    Overall, I thought this was a fine sequel to the opening book in the series.  The tone was heartwarming, there was sufficient action and intrigue to keep the plot moving, and enough witty dialogue to keep the reader smiling.  I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Curse vs. Jinx.

 

    8½ Stars.  One last tidbit.  I loved the inclusion of the lyrics of one of my favorite songs ever, Radar Love by Golden Earring.  I’ve never met him, but I am certain that Benjamin Laskin has fantastic musical tastes!