A Trunk Full of Zeroes (RothCo Press), is a hard-boiled feast for fans of classic noir, and for those new to the genre, a gateway novel sure to whet the appetite for more adventures of ex-cop-turned-vigilante Sonny Haynes.
Sonny is seeking revenge for his murdered wife amid accusations that he himself actually pulled the trigger. Upon returning to L.A. from a stint as a hired gun in Mexico, he’s a man on a bloody mission, with a checkered past and uncertain future. The only ray of light following his check-in at the Elmwood Arms Hotel, is finding Katie, a 16 year-old poker prodigy who's pretty much on her own after being abandoned by her mother. Sonny becomes something of a father figure to her, though that can often be difficult in view of Katie's affectionate nature and developing physique. Lines are there to cross but Sonny appoints himself guardian of those who might, establishing his willingness to abide by a moral code, in spite of a paradoxical tendency to commit acts of violence whenever and wherever he deems necessary.
Townsley's style is cinematic and supple, with descriptions of 1950's Los Angeles so vivid as to conjure the sound of palm fronds flapping against each other in the evening breeze. His flair for period-precise detail brings into sharp focus the stylistic flourishes of mid-century modern cool, such as putting on a hat, or lighting a cigarette. With Sonny Haynes, Townsley has created a real and very memorable noir “hero” (Sonny would hate that description, but if the brass knuckles fit…).
Daring and dangerously outspoken, Sonny has a certain ragged charm, which he deploys with great skill, even in the face of death. He left the south for the west coast to live the American dream, and did for a while, only to see it disintegrate into a nightmare, with all the deception, corruption and violence surrounding him. His dark outlook and thirst for vengeance is tempered only by Katie's youthful optimism and his own deep-seated desire to do the right thing, whatever form that takes.
When Sonny shows up, bloodied and bruised, hat dented, eye blackened, you can usually bet the opposing force looks worse—and that they had it coming.
Highly recommend.