Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jonathan Ames’ "Karma Doll" is a masterful continuation of the "Doll Series", plunging readers into the chaotic yet oddly introspective world of Happy Doll, a detective whose life is as battered as his body. This third installment is a thrilling blend of noir, dark humor, and existential musings, making it a standout in the genre.

The story begins with Doll seeking solace on a remote Mexican beach, recovering from his previous brushes with death and immersing himself in Buddhist philosophy. Ames paints this idyllic setting with a deceptive tranquility, as trouble inevitably finds its way to Doll. Witnessing a murder for which he is framed, Doll is thrust back into a world of violence, corruption, and moral ambiguity. The narrative follows his desperate journey to clear his name, evade the Mexican authorities, and confront the ghosts of his past.

What sets *Karma Doll* apart is Ames’ ability to juxtapose gritty action with moments of profound introspection. Doll’s struggle to reconcile his violent tendencies with his yearning for spiritual peace adds a layer of depth rarely seen in detective fiction. His internal conflict is as gripping as the external threats he faces, from the Jalisco Cartel to his own haunted memories.

Ames’ prose is sharp and evocative, laced with a dark wit that keeps the narrative buoyant even in its bleakest moments. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, and the characters—whether allies or adversaries—are vividly drawn. Doll himself remains a compelling anti-hero, a man who is deeply flawed yet deeply human.

The pacing is relentless, yet Ames finds time to explore themes of karma, redemption, and the cyclical nature of violence. The title itself is a clever nod to Doll’s journey, as he grapples with the karmic consequences of his actions and seeks to tip the scales in his favor without further bloodshed.

For fans of noir and thrillers, "Karma Doll" is a must-read. It’s a testament to Ames’ skill as a storyteller that he can weave such a complex tapestry of action, humor, and philosophy without losing the thread. This is a book that will leave you pondering long after the final page—a rare feat in a genre often defined by its transience.

In "Karma Doll", Ames doesn’t just tell a story; he crafts an experience. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and it’s utterly unforgettable. If you miss and enjoy the old time pulp crime fiction novels, you will love this book.

I love everything Jonathan Ames writes, but this series is the best thing he’s ever done and this entry manages to be the strongest of a very strong series. Ames manages to mix a short pulpy mystery with a beautifully rendered story and characters. I really hope there are more to come in this series.

Ames is successful humor writer, probably best known for Bored to Death which got made into an HBO show in the late 2000s. His Happy Doll series is pretty pitch black noir stuff, well written but nasty and about as far away from something like Carl Hiassan as it gets. This is the third book of the series and Doll is recovering from the events of the second book in Mexico, and gets drawn back into ugly business. I read the first two Doll books while visiting LA and really enjoyed their sense of place. Ames is clearly inspired by Hammett and Chandler and this has that same caustic violent feel.

In this third novel featuring Happy Doll, our protagonist struggles with his knowledge that he must quit taking lives. It is incompatible with his Buddhist beliefs. This is especially hard, because he frequently finds himself in position where he has to kill, either in immediate self-defense or to prevent worse things being done to innocent people in the future. He does it, of course, but he’s worried about karma.

Happy is thoughtful, big hearted, loyal, and while he gets in all kinds of tough spots, pretty darn lucky most of the time. His inner monologues are deep and frequently funny. He loves his dog, and he cares about what passes for his friends. He just can’t seem to get out of the cycle of death. All the better for us, because we get to enjoy his misery.

Happy’s hard-boiled tales are both thought-provoking and fabulously entertaining. You can tell the author loves Los Angeles, as the city is an honorary character in these novels. The Happy Doll books are worthy additions to the LA noir canon.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was an interesting read! The themes of suspense, thrills, sneaking around, and detective for a murder was a good mix of all these different topics. I think the writing was good, and the characters were well developed. There were a bunch of funny parts in the book too so that kept it entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!