Signwave

April 27, 2015
In Vachss’s entertaining third Aftershock novel (following 2014’s Shock Wave), the deadly Dell, who’s put his career as an assassin behind him and retired to the Oregon coast, where he lives off the grid, once again comes to the rescue of Dolly, the great love of his life, who is as active in their community as he is reclusive. Dolly has drawn the ire of a local businessman, George Benton, who is up to something nefarious involving a big land purchase. George’s intentions are baffling, but figuring out the mystery has little to do with the fun of this series. Dell’s protective instincts when it comes to Dolly are beyond obsessive, and it becomes obvious that anyone who crosses Dell is going to die, usually in a very bad way. Lots of assassin lessons and killing lore make turning the pages a learning experience in the dark arts as much as a riveting read. Agent: Lou Bank, Ten Angry Pitbulls.

April 1, 2015
Former mercenary Adelbert Johnson, still living in retirement at an Oregon village with his wife, Dolly, finds that the world just won't leave a man alone to ruminate in peace. Not that Dell's ruminations are peaceful. The opening pages of his third adventure recall the death of his fellow legionnaire Olaf, who's probably more thunderous, and certainly more long-winded, about the rules of engagement for his trade as he lies dying than he ever was when he was actually in the mix. But Dell calms down enough to be truly outraged at the thinly veiled threat Dolly receives after she drops a tip to the blog Undercurrents about the stealthy doings of moneyed gay businessman George Byron Benton, who's been quietly buying up adjoining parcels of land for some dark purpose. Tapping the expertise of his usual co-conspirators-Dolly's friend Mack, softhearted giant Franklin, nursery owners Johnny and Martin, the mysterious online correspondent he call the ghost-Dell soon confirms that Benton is up to no good. For one thing, he's not really gay; his partner, Roger Mason, isn't his partner at all. For another, he's somehow involved with Undercurrents staffer Rhonda Jayne Johnson. And as if that weren't enough, his deep-laid plans involve a pricey arts center, financed entirely by himself, that will bring jobs and tourists to the area. Fans of the series (Aftershock, 2013, etc.) will lose sleep waiting to find out whether the mystery will be further elucidated (spoiler alert: don't hold your breath) and whether Dell will engage the enemy directly (altogether more likely). As so often in Vachss, the story is less notable as a story, or an exploration of characters in conflict, than as an extended meditation on what Dell aptly calls "the zen of violence."

May 15, 2015
Dell used to be a mercenary; later, he was an assassin. His partner, Dolly, was a battlefield nurse. Their collective pasts contain enough nightmares for a thousand lives. Together they've carved out a quiet life in an Oregon small town where the timberland and the ocean meet. Occasionally, Dell's old skills are needed, but he has to be careful not to let his paranoia determine his actions. When former hedge-fund director George Byron Benton seemingly directs a threat toward Dolly, Dell does a deep background check. Benton is not who or what he seems, and he is a genuine threat to Dolly and to anyone else with whom he comes in contact. Dell is determined to take Benton out in such a way that no suspicion will ever be directed at Dolly or him. This third in Vachss' Aftershock series again draws strongly on the appeal of the two lead characters. Dell is a formidable, dangerous man, but he's no match for Dolly's indomitable spirit and fiery temper. Less bleak than Vachss' other work, this series could attract more than a straight-noir audience, similar in that way to Max Allan Collins' Quarry novels.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)