IQ by Joe Ide (Mulholland Books, October 2016) Trade paperback, 352 pages. ISBN #0316267732 / 9780316267731 Winner of Anthony Award for Best First Novel, Shamus Award for Best First P.I. Novel, and nominated for Barry Award for Best First Novel + Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author.
Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .
East Long Beach. The LAPD is barely keeping up with the neighborhood's high crime rate. Murders go unsolved, lost children unrecovered. But someone from the neighborhood has taken it upon himself to help solve the cases the police can't or won't touch.
They call him IQ. He's a loner and a high school dropout, his unassuming nature disguising a relentless determination and a fierce intelligence. He charges his clients whatever they can afford, which might be a set of tires or a homemade casserole. To get by, he's forced to take on clients that can pay.
This time, it's a rap mogul whose life is in danger. As Isaiah investigates, he encounters a vengeful ex-wife, a crew of notorious cutthroats, a monstrous attack dog, and a hit man who even other hit men say is a lunatic. The deeper Isaiah digs, the more far reaching and dangerous the case becomes.
My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
Absolutely first-rate and deserving of the awards that it earned. Original. Street smart. Clever. Engrossing.
To classify main character Isaiah Quintabe (a.k.a. IQ) simply as a detective is a bit misleading. He's an astute investigator with serious perception and applied knowledge skills that enables him to solve puzzles/mysteries and help the community at the same time.
Once readers get a grasp of what he's all about, it'll be a love affair with this young man on a mission to make amends for past errors and give back to his community in many ways.
Joe Ide displays his masterful skill at character development here, and tells a street-level crime story of a rap artist following an attempt on his life. The music business, success and the limelight are juxtaposed against the backdrop of the lower-income level, feast or famine lifestyle of IQ and friend/accomplice Dodson.
There are two stories being related here, in alternating chapters occurring in 2013 (main story) and 2005 (back story). Both are page-turners, and shed light on IQ's early days and the development of his skills along with the current storyline that clearly defines his current mindset and mission.
Along with the thrills are comedic moments and heart-warming scenes - - all with a little social commentary in the mix. Recommended.
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