Ranchero by Nick Gavin


Jun 18, 2012

If you like the Stephanie Plum series written by Janet Evanovich, you might like Ranchero, written by Rick Gavin. It’s a similar story-type but written from a man’s perspective.  The cover of the book says it’s a crime novel, but I think it is a number of humorous things that happen to Nick during his job, which brings us back to its similarity to the Plum series.

Instead of being in Newark, N. J., it is set in Indianola, Miss., where Nick Reid is a repo man rather than a bail bondsman like Stephanie.  They both have a rather overweight friend who helps them out. Stephanie’s friend is an ex-hooker named Lula while Nick’s friend is a fellow repo man named Desmond; both are African American.

Nick gets hit over the head with a fireplace shovel when he is out on a collection, and the mint condition 1969 coral-colored  Ford Ranchero borrowed from his landlady is stolen. The thieves also take the flat-screen TV that Nick had come to repossess. This is the beginning of a chase to get both the Ranchero and the TV that started the whole thing.  The pursuit takes them all across Mississippi and up against a very mean meth cooker. Will Nick get the Ranchero back unblemished?  You will only find out if you read the book.

Reviewed by Library Staff