It’s obvious from page one that Reece Germaine is a woman (not a lady, please) to be reckoned with. First off, she’s carrying the child of Raygene Price, pro football player, whose hobbies include making poor investments and walking out on women he’s had affairs with. Secondly,
she holds a betting slip—given to her by Raygene—that will make her a millionaire if the Cardinals win the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, Raygene has problems of his own, the largest being that Trip, a former friend, is ready to pin a murder on him unless Raygene can come up with a sizable sum. Raygene, however, can’t lay his hands on the money Trip demands, unless

Remember the classic movie It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World?  The comedy in which a host of memorable characters race around, trying to beat each other to a treasure? Well, the cast of FIRECRACKER may not be quite that big, but you get the idea.

As for the characters, well, there are a number whom I wouldn’t care to meet in a dark alley—or even in a crowded, well-lit room for that matter. But while I wouldn’t like to emulate them, I must confess to a grudging admiration for one or two, especially as the novel progresses. This is a credit to Mr. Shannon’s skill in creating memorable heroes (or perhaps anti-heroes).

Most of these people either want to get their hands on the betting slip or prevent others from doing so. With the help of a P.I., Aeneas Charles, and her own wits, Reece manages to stay one step ahead. But then something happens that makes that slip even more desirable.

The novel starts at a fast pace and accelerates from there, leaving the reader a bit breathless at the end. The climactic Super Bowl game doesn’t do much to calm the nerves, either. This review may be a little late for the Fourth, but FIRECRACKER is still a great summer read. Just be forewarned: this firecracker is more like a stick of dynamite.