I happened to be fortunate enough to obtain an ARC from the publisher. I had no knowledge of the writer, but boy am I happy to have had the opportunity to read this fun, hip, and rocking novel.
Nobody compares to Parker, but at times I felt that I was reading a Spenser novel. There is snappy, humorous dialog and cool music. I liked the Boston local because it reminded me of being there a few years ago. There is also Zesty, our hero and protagonist in this cool escapade.
The writer knows his craft and he shares it with us willingly. My hope is that there is another book on its way. Believe me- we will all be better for it.

Zesty is just trying to live his life as a bike messenger. While he is aware of the history that he carries with him (bank robber mother on the lamb, father who was active in criminal activities, and a brother who runs a questionable moving company) Zesty doesn't let it get in the way of his speedy job and kick back lifestyle. Except this world won't let him lose and when he mistakenly takes a fellow messenger's job, Zesty is thrown into the middle of a bank robbery and history coming back to settle several scores. Sometimes the writing seems scattered, but in the end all the various lines come together to form a compelling story that includes several surprising story lines including Alzheimers and adoption.

Boston the city is a character as strong as Zesty. Zesty is a strong character with a clear voice of his own.

Robert Parker re-born! Okay, maybe not quite but a great read here. "Zesty" is a great character and while there is more to him than at first meets the eye just the whole new take or view from the messenger seat, the grunge rock atmosphere made this a unique read for me. "Take the ride" people and enjoy this book!!

This is a page turning thriller with a good "hero" in Zesty, who is more than you expect. The Boston setting is fun and the alternative music scene added quite a bit to what could have been a fairly conventional caper novel. Abramowitz is talented with dialogue (snappy!). and his plotting is precise; this one doesn't wander. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this for a different take on a kid dealing with his father's messes, up to and including organized crime and politicians.

Enjoyed this book for the locale and may have interest to my north of Boston readers.

Posted this review on Goodreads, but was unable to post on Amazon because it has not been released:

Extremely hip urban noir with fast pace and electric dialogue. Alternative music presence so strong it was like a full character. Kept asking myself as I read: Is this a 21st-century, east-coast heir to Elmore Leonard? By the end, though, I missed the heart that always populated Leonard's books. This is glib, facile and ultra-ironic with a glittery surface and no depth. (I was provided a free reader's copy in exchange for a candid review.)