Cobra Clutch

by A.J. Devlin

Overview

Winner of the Best First Crime Novel at the 2019 Arthur Ellis Awards!
Nominated for a Lefty for Best Debut Mystery Novel!
”Hammerhead” Jed Ounstead thought he’d traded the pro-wrestling world for the slightly less dangerous one of a bar bouncer and errand boy for his father’s detective agency, but the squared circle wasn’t quite done with him yet. When his former tag-team partner draws upon their old friendship for help in finding his kidnapped pet snake, Jed finds himself dragged back into the fold of sleazy promoters, gimmicky performers, and violence inside and outside the ring. As the venom of Vancouver’s criminal underworld begins to seep into Jed’s life, a steel chair to the back of the head is the least of his problems.
Cobra Clutch is a fast-paced, hard-hitting debut novel by A.J. Devlin that features an unstoppable combo: a signature move of raucous humour with a super finisher of gritty realism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781988732251
Publisher:	NeWest Publishers, Limited
Publication date:	04/15/2018
Series:	A "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	701,061
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

A.J. Devlin grew up in Greater Vancouver before moving to Southern California for six years where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from Chapman University and a Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from The American Film Institute. After working as a screenwriter in Hollywood he moved back home to Port Moody, BC, where he now lives with his wife and two children. Cobra Clutch is his first novel. For more information on A.J., please visit www.ajdevlin.com.

Read an Excerpt

Excerpt from Chapter One

I pointed at the tattoo of a yellowish-brown python spiraling around one of his sinewy forearms.

“Oh, yeah. I got inked for Ginger’s birthday a few months back. I’ve had her for three years now, Jed. I make my entrances with her around my neck and keep her ringside during my matches and everything. I can’t wrestle without her.”

“Any idea why someone would want to take your snake?” I asked, handing back the photo.

“Christ, I don’t know. You’re the private investigator.”

“I’m a bouncer, Johnny. Not a PI.”

“That’s not what I’ve heard.”

“My old man is the one with the licence. I just help him with some of the leg work from time to time.”

“So do some leg work for me now and help me get Ginger back. You should have seen the cops this morning, man. They laughed at me while I filled out the theft report.”

“I’m sorry, bub,” I replied earnestly. “I can’t help you.”

Johnny gripped my forearm as I stood.

“Baton Rouge, man.”

My heart skipped a beat. “That was a long time ago.”

“You owe me.”

“You sure you want to play this card?”

“I am. I got nowhere else to go.”

Editorial Reviews

"Cobra Clutch masterfully blends humor, mystery, thrills, action, romance, and heart into a hell of a story featuring a lively wrestler-turned-PI hero. The action scenes are intense, the quiet times heartwarming and engaging, and the humor expertly interjected to accentuate characters and breathe realism into the story."
~ John M. Murray, Foreword Reviews

"Set in Vancouver, BC, this intriguing debut offers a fast-paced, graphically violent mystery that pairs well with Glen Erik Hamilton's Past Crimes. Fans of pro wrestling will appreciate "Hammerhead" Jed."
~ Library Journal

"...high-pitched violent action sequences, daring escapes, and a thrilling climax."
~ Stephen Knight, Quill & Quire

"Cobra Clutch uses humor and gritty realism and includes a former tag-team partner, a kidnapped snake, sleazy promoters, and violence inside and outside the ring."
~ BC BookWorld

From the Publisher