Gritty and intense with a side of playfulness, The Debt Collector is a captivating story set in New Jersey’s dark underworld of bookies, hoodlums and organized crime. Steven Max Russo has delivered a novel filled with fascinating characters and dangerous liaisons.
Abigail Barnes is an attractive young woman who leverages people underestimating her to thrive as a collector, seeking out and intimidating people to pay their debts to bookies and loan sharks. Now in New Jersey and in need of work, she gets an introduction to a couple of low-level thugs who hook her up with a job collecting for a local bookie. After successfully completing the job, the bookie is found murdered in his office with all signs pointing to Abigal as the main suspect. But she didn’t do it and believes it’s either the thugs behind the killing or possibly their boss, mobster Ronnie “Slacks” Falcone. Now being hunted by criminals, the mob and the police, she needs to figure out who took out the bookie before she goes on the run…or is caught and thrown in jail…or winds up swimming with the fishes.
Following Abigail’s journey through this labyrinth of crime is entertaining as hell. She’s intelligent and tough as nails, able to hold her own in a physical confrontation with men twice her size. Her calculating nature allows her to see various angles and pick the best path forward. And she’s able to use her appearance and the prejudice of others to her advantage. Simply put, Abigail’s a pro’s pro who gets the job done, doesn’t take things personally and wins over those who initially doubt her capabilities.
And in The Debt Collector, she’s in the deep end facing off against powerful and dangerous forces out to get her. Forcing a grand battle of wits between law enforcement, crooks and herself where the losers are certain to end up dead or in prison. No higher stakes than that, leading to an exceedingly engaging entanglement that thrills, delights and results in multiple “oh shit” moments. It’s a great read!
Perhaps we’ll see more of Abigail in the future as there are more stories that can be told while she continues to navigate the illicit collections business. Would be a highly entertaining series if Steven Max Russo is so inclined to go that route. I for one hope that’s the case.
Follow Steve on Twitter or contact him via the site.
Purchase The Debt Collector
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)
Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
