Millie Henshawe—intrepid, smart-talking, gay ex-GI—is the field agent (read: hired gun, assassin) for Continental Removals, LLC, in Boston, a niche firm catering to a very special clientele. When a removal in Kansas City goes wrong, Millie's well-honed skills are tested and the hired gun becomes the target.
Assessment:
Plot: Masinton’s whip smart, dynamic heroine is the driving force behind Wrong Man Down, the first book in the Millie Henshawe series. The compellingly twisty, nicely measured storyline ultimately reads more like a detective story than one of a hired gun, effectively delivering a high energy, character-driven work of crime fiction.
Prose: Masinton’s prose is top-notch, with succinct, polished descriptions, a balanced approach to exposition, and page-popping dialogue.
Originality: The morally ambiguous nature of the heroine’s profession is a stand-out quality in Masinton’s novel, while the cat-and-mouse dynamics of the story lead to unexpected developments.
Character/Execution: Millie Henshawe—gay, self-assured, and with a crackling wit she never hesitates to assert—is an immediate draw for readers, while additional characters like Mary Mike, are esoteric and eminently enjoyable.
Date Submitted: May 31, 2020
