The Jook

Description

Zelmot Raines has slid a long way since his ability to jook, to out maneuver his opponents on the field, made him a Super Bowl-winner, earning him lucrative endorsement deals and legions of women. But Zee hasn't always been good at saying no, so a series of mishaps including drugs, a paternity suit and shaky investments. That is, until a new pro franchise, the Barons, gives him the chance to hit the bog time again. Just as it seems he might be getting back into the flow, he enraptured by Wilma, a leggy lawyer for the team who has a ruthless game plan of her own.

Gary Phillips is a community activist and a writer who has contributed to Los Angeles Times Magazine, the San Francisco Examiner, and the Washington Post. He is the author of the Ivan Monk and Martha Chainey series and the novels Bangers and The Perpetrators. He Lives in Los Angeles.

"Phillips, author of the acclaimed Ivan Monk series, takes elements of Jim Thompson (the ending), black-exploitation flicks (the profanity-fueled dialogue), and Penthouse magazine (the sex is anatomically correct) to create an over-the-top violent caper in which there is no honor, no respect, no love, and plenty of money. Anyone who liked George Pelecanos' King Suckerman is going to love this even-grittier take on many of the same themes." --Wes Lukowsky, Booklist "Enough gritty gossip, blistering action and trash talk to make real life L.A. seem comparatively wholesome." --Kirkus Reviews "Gary Phillips writes tough and gritty parables about life and death on the mean streets--a place where sometimes just surviving is a noble enough cause. His is a voice that should be heard and celebrated. It rings true once again in The Jook, a story where all of Phillips' talents are on display." --Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch books