Scoundrels & Cocktails

Reid Franco is a rough-around-the-edges private investigator with a heart of gold. Once a baseball player and stuntman, now a reluctant hero with personal demons, Reid’s business is helping people solve their problems—though he struggles to fix his own. Reckless, stubborn, and a bit of a drinker, he dives headfirst into dangerous cases, from dismantling sex trafficking rings to confronting gangs. The narrative features intriguing episodes that are delivered with wit and humor, beginning with Reid stuck in traffic, pondering the idea of adding “Raconteur” to his business cards, which leads into a series of adventures involving crime, deception, and personal reflection. Reid's skill set includes chasing down abductors, uncovering political scandals, and navigating complex relationships—all set against the backdrop of Greenville, South Carolina, with flashbacks to his past as a Major League Baseball pitcher and stuntman.

Scoundrels & Cocktails by Joe Newell was a great and engaging read for me, and the quirkiness in the narrative voice had me turning the pages. Newell’s sharp characterization makes each barfly, crook, and client not only believable but memorable, from the legendary Sluggo to the sleazy Glickman. The plot takes you through scenes of kidnapping, political scandals, and romantic mishaps with humor and grit, all flavored with Franco’s sardonic wit. The storytelling is rich with humor, and Newell’s knack for character development makes even the most crooked characters memorable. Franco’s dry, self-deprecating narration keeps the tone light, even when chaos erupts. The book explores the idea that life is a series of chance encounters, sometimes leading to trouble but often culminating in unexpected positive outcomes—an insightful reflection on karma and human strength. This is a fun read that features an unforgettable hero — deeply flawed, elaborately drawn, and one who feels like the neighbor with unusual quirks. The story skillfully melds crime, comedy, and heart to deliver a compelling read about a flawed hero’s chaotic but heroic journey—a must-read for fans of humorous crime fiction.