SYNOPSIS

Rolling Thunder continues A.J. Devlin's hard-hitting, award-winning mystery series with its unbeatable one-two punch of over-the-top-rope humour and elbow-to-the-face adventure.

Former pro wrestler "Hammerhead" Jed Ounstead, now a fully-fledged private investigator, is riding high after his first successful case. In this second episode, Jed leaves the wrestling realm to enter a new arena: women's flat-track roller derby. When old acquaintance Stormy Daze seeks his help finding her team's missing coach, Jed discovers that the turnbuckle-and-metal-chair mayhem of the wrestling ring pales in comparison to roller derby's four-wheeled ferocity.

As his search intensifies, Jed is drawn into the criminal orbit of a shady entrepreneur who doubles as a late-night TV personality, a high-class bookmaker with a yen for racing dachshunds, and a kinky painter with a special technique for producing art. When the thunder rolls, Jed finds he needs more than a few of his beloved banana milkshakes to solve this case.

ROLLING THUNDER REVIEWS
  • “Devlin's comic caper has a goofy charm and action aplenty.”

    Kirkus Reviews
  • “The follow up to the Arthur Ellis Award-Winning Cobra Clutch is another action-packed violent mystery.... readers of the first book will enjoy the humor and outrageous antics.”

    Library Journal Reviews
  • Debut Dagger Award Nominated Author of The Killer Trail and The Weight Of Blood D.B. Carew

    "Rolling Thunder is a wildly entertaining story, skillfully crafted by A.J. Devlin, with equal parts humour, suspense and action. Buckle up and prepare for a thoroughly enjoyable adventure, with unforgettable characters, extraordinary settings and pure, unadulterated fun."

    Debut Dagger Award Nominated Author of The Killer Trail and The Weight Of Blood D.B. Carew
  • Melissa Joulwan

    "Strap on your knee pads and buckle your helmet; it’s about to get physical."

    Melissa Joulwan
    StrongSenseOfPlace.com
  • Bill Selnes

    "The “Hammerhead” Jed series is rolling right along. There is a wonderful flow to the book that drew me swiftly through the pages. I enjoy being with Jed on his adventures."

    Bill Selnes
    MysteriesAndMore.blogspot.com
  • Kathleen J. Kaminski

    "Jed is growing as a person and as a character. His horizons are broadening, he takes his mistakes to heart and tries to learn from them, and he genuinely wants to help people. The general decency of the guy makes you root for him, both inside and outside of the ring."

    Kathleen J. Kaminski
    CozyUpWithKathy.blogspot.com
  • Andrew Shaffer

    “Professional wrestler-turned-PI ‘Hammerhead’ Jed is back, and not a moment too soon—trouble is brewing in the Greater Vancouver area on the roller derby circuit. Rolling Thunder is sheer fun. The dialogue is snappy, the action fast-paced. A.J. Devlin is the Canadian Carl Hiaasen. In fact, America will trade you Carl Hiaasen for him. I feel that strongly about this kid’s future.”

    Andrew Shaffer
    New York Times bestselling author and humorist
  • Cat Power

    “Rolling Thunder has everything! Action, humour, mystery, and most importantly pro wrestling. I’m totally invested. Can’t wait for the next one!”

    Cat Power
    Pro wrestler and former ECCW Women’s Champion
  • Jenna Hauck aka "Hydro-Jenna Bomb"

    “Award-winning author A.J. Devlin hip-checks the reader from one captivating clue to the next in this gripping crime novel. Rolling Thunder is a laugh-out-loud mystery with unique and hilarious characters, and a realistic peek at the hard-hitting, counter-culture sport of women’s roller derby.”

    Jenna Hauck aka "Hydro-Jenna Bomb"
    Former Terminal City Rollergirls Star / Multimedia Journalist with the Chilliwack Progress
  • Bob Harris

    “A.J. Devlin scores again as he sends ‘Hammerhead’ Jed on another no-holds-barred romp through the dark underbelly of Metro Vancouver. Brilliantly done.”

    Bob Harris
    Writer, promoter, and archivist of pro wrestling vintage memorabilia
  • Niall Howell

    “A clever braiding of suspense and comedy, wildly memorable characters, and main-event-worthy plot, Rolling Thunder has cemented Devlin's unique niche in the realm of crime fiction. This book was made to be devoured.”

    Niall Howell
    Kobo Emerging Writer Award Nominated Author of Only Pretty Damned
  • Lesa Holstine

    “It's just so much fun, action-packed and non-stop. If you're looking for a fun, violent mystery, check it out.”

    Lesa Holstine
    Lesa's Book Critiques
  • J.P. Cupertino

    "Rolling Thunder features plenty of action, humor, genuine mystery, wiener dogs, gym rats, bunny puns, greasy talk show hosts, and Shakira, and balances it all with precision. It never relies on being offensive to give you a sense of a dangerous seedy underworld, instead sucker-punching the reader when something unexpected happens so the reader feels off-balance along with the character."

    J.P. Cupertino
    Gremlins Online
  • "Rolling Thunder, with its captivating and twisting plot and hilarious characters, is a great pick for fans of private eye novels and readers by Sam Wiebe, Carl Hiaasen, and Janet Evanovich."

    Mystery Tribune
  • Jochem Vandersteen

    "Yeah, this one has everything I love about the genre. Action, laughs, attractive women, mystery. This one proves the first novel (Cobra Clutch) was not a one hit wonder. Can't wait for the third book."

    Jochem Vandersteen
    SonsOfSpade.blogspot.com
  • "Rolling Thunder is wonderful escapist crime fiction. It snakes along like a roller derby skater, and you never quite know who Jed is going to run into next -- or whether he'll slip through to the next stage of his adventure or end up bouncing on his backside."

    CrimeFictionLover.com
  • M.H. Callway

    "Rolling Thunder hits all the marks for a PI thriller. Thoroughly recommended. 5 stars."

    M.H. Callway
    Eat This Book
  • June Lorraine Roberts

    "Get yourself ready for another entertaining read with the second "Hammerhead" Jed mystery. It's the kind of book we need right now."

    June Lorraine Roberts
    MurderInCommon.com
  • Patrick Whitehurst

    "It’s hard to compare “Hammerhead” Jed Ounstead with other fictional detectives – as I’ve not really come across any characters quite like him. He’s got the smoothness of a Phillip Marlowe, say if Marlowe was an ex-pro wrestler with a quirky set of family members and a penchant for banana milkshakes. Or perhaps he’s more like Lana Lee of the cozy Noodle Shop Mystery novels, who deals with a fair share of family drama herself. If you like either of these, or both as I do, you need to meet Jed."

    Patrick Whitehurst
    PatrickWhitehurst.com
  • Caileigh Broatch

    "Devlin utilizes a gut-punch at the end of each chapter. He does this deliciously, so that every chapter starts with a pit in your stomach followed by a smile on your face for the flavour of what's to come. Devlin's work is reminiscent of pulp fiction -- fast paced thrilling stories with bright covers that are as easy to consume as a DQ banana milkshake, but with a spoonful of modern-day grit."

    Caileigh Broatch
    The Ormsby Review
  • Margaret Cannon

    "Funny, smart, readable ... Devlin takes his cues from the likes of Carl Hiaasen and builds the suspense along with the craziness. Welcome back, Hammerhead Jed and company."

    Margaret Cannon
    The Globe And Mail
  • Jeanne “Hollywood” Basone

    “A.J. Devlin’s latest crime novel packs a punch with nonstop action! His witty, entertaining style hooked me quicker than a figure-4 leglock and pinned me to the pages.

    ‘Hammerhead’ Jed’s colourful stable of heels and babyfaces create a suspenseful, romantic, comedic vice. Very entertaining! His rock-star persona makes him the ultimate chick magnet. His story takes me back to my four seasons at The Riviera hotel in Las Vegas with the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling and the words of my trainer, the legendary pro wrestler Mondo Guerrero, come to mind—‘No guts, no glory.’

    Rolling Thunder is a must read for everyone who is a fan of sports, wrestling, suspense … or all three!”

    Jeanne “Hollywood” Basone
    The first Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling (G.L.O.W) girl hired by creator David McLane
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