***A big thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this upcoming book***
Ahh Lou Berney….you’re always in good hands when you see his name on the cover of a book. I had actually read the 2 previous entries in the Shake Bouchon series years ago and was worried that I’d be lost when it came to the characters in this new entry. Shortly after I started the book, I realized that I had nothing to worry about. Don’t get me wrong, you will get more enjoyment out of this one if you’ve read the previous books, but it is not at all required.

Lou Berney was, and continues to be event reading for me. I get so delighted when I’m searching for upcoming books and see that he has something new on the horizon. I think I’ve said it before in a previous review I wrote about one of his books, but the man was cut from the same cloth as Elmore Leonard. The characters are all hilarious, relatable or a combination of the 2. There are twists, there are turns and the dialog reads like the best noir/action movies.

You can look up the plot summary elsewhere but I won’t get into it for spoiler reasons. I devoured and enjoyed this book and it is a must read for anyone looking for an itch that Elmore Leonard or others of his ilk have previously scratched. 5 honest stars!

World-class storyteller Lou Berney is back with another book with quirky characters, an engaging plot, and nonstop action. Although his NOVEMBER ROAD is my favorite Berney book so far, DOUBLE BARREL BLUFF comes in a close second.

Former organized crime member Shake Bouchon and his wife Gina are living quietly in the midwest when Dikran, a thug from the crime family they once belonged to, tracks them down. It seems Lexy, the mob boss, is missing, and not trusting anyone in the mob, Dikran strong-arms Shake into going to Cambodia to help him find her. Once there, they quickly discover that Lexy is being held for ransom by a couple of men who are unaware of who Lexy is--they think she's a wealthy tourist just ripe for plucking. Amid ransom negotiations, two more members of the crime family show up, but it's unclear if they are there to help free Lexy or have ulterior motives.

I loved the characters. The relationships between Shake, Dikran, and the two kidnappers could not be better. Add a new-age hippy and an angry wife to the mix, and the plot gets more interesting. This is an excellent, action-packed story written with wit and cringe-worthy situations. 5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is November 5, 2024.

This is the third book about Shake Bouchon who was a driver for the Armenian Mafia. He now lives with his wife, Gina, in Bloomington, IN. He keeps a low profile now until Dikran shows up at his house and forces him to help find Lexy, the leader of the Armenian mob. Now it is a race against time to find Lexy before the kidnappers kill her. The book is fast moving with always something new that threatens to change the outcome.
Lou Berney is a good writer that keeps you interested in his stories. There is a lot of action and humor. It's never boring. His characters are well written. Gina and Shake are great together. Dikran turns into a loveable mobster. Mr. Berney is now my go-to author when I want to read something exciting. He keeps you on your toes.
I want to thank William Morrow and Net Galley for my early ARC of this book.


Reading Progress
September 30, 2024 – Shelved as: to-read
September 30, 2024 – Shelved
October 11, 2024 – Started Reading
October 14, 2024 – Finished Reading

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Lou Berney’s Double Barrel Bluff is a thrilling ride through the shadowy underworld of Cambodia, featuring the ever-resourceful former mob wheelman, Shake Bouchon. This third installment in the Shake Bouchon series is a testament to Berney’s skill in crafting intricate plots and unforgettable characters.

The novel plunges readers into a high-stakes hostage rescue mission. Shake Bouchon, who has been trying to live a quiet life, is reluctantly pulled back into the criminal world when an Armenian mobster seeks his help in Cambodia.

Shake Bouchon is a compelling protagonist, blending street-smart toughness with a surprising depth of emotion. Berney’s supporting cast is equally well-drawn, from the ruthless mobsters to the enigmatic locals. Each character adds a layer of complexity to the story, making the narrative rich and engaging.

Double Barrel Bluff explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and the inescapability of one’s past. Berney delves into the moral ambiguities of his characters’ lives, presenting a nuanced view of crime and justice.

Berney’s writing is sharp and evocative, with a knack for vivid descriptions and snappy dialogue. His ability to blend humor with tension makes for a highly entertaining read.


Double Barrel Bluff is a standout in the crime thriller genre, offering a perfect mix of action, suspense, and character development. Lou Berney has once again proven his mastery in creating a gripping narrative that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next adventure of Shake Bouchon. Highly recommended for fans of fast-paced thrillers and intricate plots.

Witty, duplicitous and teeming with lurking danger, Double Barrel Bluff is a captivating thriller that balances violence and opportunistic maneuverings with matters of the heart and emotional moments. Lou Berney delivers yet another highly engaging and suspenseful novel sure to entertain the masses.

Shake Bouchon is a former wheelman for the Armenian mob, now blissfully married to the love of his life and living a quiet, hidden existence in Bloomington, Indiana. But that all comes crashing down when an Armenian thug, who vowed to kill Shake the next time he sees him, shows up at Shake’s home. But the real surprise is he’s not there to kill him, rather he’s hoping to enlist Shake’s help to find Alexandra Ilandryan, the boss of the Armenian mob who has gone missing in Cambodia and a woman Shake had a prior romantic relationship with. Against his and his wife’s better judgement, Shake agrees to get involved and finds himself in a position where he cannot trust anyone, violence waits around every corner, and the relationship with his wife is on the rocks. But the only way out is through, and Shake is highly capable of bringing this fraught situation to a (mostly) positive conclusion.

Double Barrel Bluff is an intense and fun read. The plot is intriguing, the pacing is brilliant, the dialogue is clever, and the outcome is uncertain. All of which grab your attention and force you to turn the pages as quickly as possible. But the main stars of this show are the characters. Wonderfully developed personalities that fit the story perfectly. From an Armenian mob enforcer to a clairvoyant hippie to the double-crossing mob boss wannabe and his sidekick to the over-their-head kidnappers and laid-back mastermind and more, each character has been flawlessly and memorably crafted to fit the narrative and propel the book forward. Throw in an exotic locale and you have a thriller that checks all the boxes.

Enjoyable, vivid and absorbing, Double Barrel Bluff draws you into its richly detailed world and keeps you enthralled from start to finish.

This is a return to form after Berne’s last book which was bad. This is a humorous but character rich crime/caper novel. Well written, fast paced and with a plot which hangs together even though a tad outlandish. Enjoyed it and you will too. Keep writing this kind of book Lou!

Double Barrel Bluff is a fast-paced crime novella that follows Charles "Shake" Bouchon, a former getaway driver turned food truck owner, who is coerced into helping two different parties pull off a heist. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Shake must navigate a tangled web of deceit, danger, and double-crosses in the underbelly of Los Angeles. The story is filled with sharp dialogue, twists, and dark humor as Shake tries to outsmart everyone and come out alive.

Former mob wheelman, Shake has married and settled down in Indiana when his past comes for him. Lexy, his ex, who happens to be an Armenian crime boss, has gone missing on a vacation in Cambodia. Shake teams up with Lexy’s dearest friend, a thug with an outstanding beef with him, to find her. But running off to rescue his ex creates tension in his relationship with his wife.

Killer characterization along with dark humor make this book a winner.

The narrative dips into various characters’ perspectives, giving insight into their motivations. Even the minor characters like Mitch, an aura-obsessed woman Shake encounters in his quest, and Yvette, a girl Gina helps through her non-profit, are fully developed. The settings both in Indiana and Cambodia are vividly created through description and the character’s interactions and perspectives.

Shake’s wife, Gina holds her own throughout the story as she finds her own trouble while Shake is away. I really liked the care with which the female characters were created.

The plot has plenty of twists and turns, leading to a satisfying ending. DOUBLE BARREL BLUFF is a fun, action-packed crime novel.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to HarperCollins for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

Shake is back. This often funny and over the top bad guys make for Barney to show off his great writing skills. Shake often reminds me of Carl Hiiason novels and styles. We are lucky to have Lou writing the great crime novels. Much enjoyment.

Thanks for the ARC! It's the first book by Lou Berney I've read, but I'm glad to see there are more books in the Shake series, will definitely be checking those out. I learned a little bit about Cambodia, and got a great story in the process. I'm traveling for work right now, and fairly busy, but couldn't stop reading it, and got through it quickly. So, two thumbs up (or five stars).

An absolutely terrific novel and great read.

I've lived in Asia for over thirty years now and it is always with some degree of trepidation and extremely low expectations that I approach any novel written by an American that purports to be set here. Very few ring true. Even fewer are any good. Virtually every single one of them reads like somebody was trying to write off the cost of a vacation on his taxes so he did a week or two here, and then rushed home to publish his 'Asian' novel.

Even Nelson DeMille made a mess of it when he tried. So did the great Michael Connelly. Lou Berney does not make a mess of it. Lou Berney doesn't just hit it out of the park, he breaks a window three blocks away.

Highly, highly recommended.

Lou Berney has become a literary giant with books like The Long and Faraway Gone, November Road, and Dark Ride. But, like so many others, I was first introduced to him through his Shake Bouchon books. The combination of action and wit made those books a sensational series. That's why I was thrilled to read the return of Shake in Double Barrel Bluff. The strong series gets stronger with this one. Naturally, no Shake adventure can take place in one zip code or time zone only. This time he finds himself in Cambodia and learns the world can be a small place sometimes. Double Barrel Bluff is a splendid mix of old characters and new characters. It's a whole lot of fun. Bravo Berney! Bravo! Thank you to William Morrow, William Morrow Paperbacks, & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.