cover image Hammerlocke

Hammerlocke

Jack Barnao. Gale Cengage, $13.95 (214pp) ISBN 978-0-684-18683-2

This is a first for author Barnao and bodyguard-protagonist John Locke, aka HammerLocke, an expert in guerilla tactics. The wealthy family of Herbert ""Herbie'' Ridley hires Locke to chaperone the wimpy teenager on a sojourn to Italy, where the tough hero is severely tested. Outnumbered and outfoxed, Locke is helpless when a gang kidnaps Herbie in Florence. A lovely woman, Carla, offers to help him find the boy, and he accepts, although he suspects she may be leading him into a trap. Racing through town after town with Carla, Locke leaves many victims of his machismo behind before reaching the lair where his escort's game plan becomes clear. The denouement is the final electrifying act in a bloody drama, though softened by humor and cynical Locke's fondness for the poor little rich boy. (November 25)