Review of The Girls (Paperback)

Thankfully, The Girls is not one of those books. The main character, Joe Nash, is a first-time novelist with one success under his belt and a crumbling marriage. Looking both for inspiration for his next book and escape from his distant, spiteful wife, he finds himself walking into the only strip club in town. In doing so, he dips his toe into a cold, menacing ocean of trouble, to find himself quickly tugged under by forces beyond his control.

The characters in the book are well fleshed-out and believable, each with their own limitations and imperfections. Nash is smart enough to know he should stay away, and weak enough to create justifications for returning. His friend, Lieutenant Duffy, hides his own secrets behind his gruff manor and dour ideology.

The story unfolds like a shot of espresso on a rickety roller coaster, and before you know it, you're plummeting with Nash into a tailspin of thugs, prostitutes, corrupt clergy and sensationalists.

Hopefully we haven't seen the last of Joe Nash. Like a good roller coaster, his story left me waiting in line for the next ride.

Product Description
Desperate for literary inspiration and seeking refuge from a less than inspirational home life, Joe Nash finds himself lured into the dark world of prostitution and white slavery.

A one time best selling author, Joe is intrigued with the lifestyle of exotic dancers within his own sleepy community in Washington State. Joe convinces himself his interest is only the necessary research for his long awaited second book. Then his association with a young dancer, Sarah Michaels, challenges his middle class, middle-aged attitudes towards sex and relationships.

SarahÂ's body is found on the mud flats of Puget Sound after one of their meetings and then Joe learns that he has been named as a suspect. He is abandoned and accused by his wife, his friends and his community. Determined to defend himself and discover why and by whom Sarah was murdered Joe begins a dangerous journey. Joe once again finds himself drawn to one of the girls and together they enter a realm beyond his imagination. He discovers what is supposed to be a haven, but is instead clearing house where young girls are passed around for profit and from which there is no escapeÂ-a lesson Sarah Michaels learned all too well.

About the Author
Michael Richmond, after completing a tour in the Marine Corps, fought forest fires and fished commercially in Washington State until the industry collapsed in the mid 80s. He was a contractor until he retired. He and his wife live in the Northwest, where he is working on his next book.

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