Ringer [Hardcover]

First, read the other reviews, then step back and take a breather. Yes, this book starts and continues for a while in the same funny and slightly twisted way of Wiprud's other books, but after a whlle I found myself slogging through the interminable blather by the main character about how to charm women, being La Paz gentry, the ring, etc, etc, etc. Enough already! And the ending--well, I don't want to be a spoiler, so I won't divulge it--all I can say is, "meh". Just sort of wound down and petered out. I was just glad to finish the book, all the time hoping that Wiprud would end with a zinger, or at least a little twist. I kept thinking my copy was missing the final chapter. Maybe the author should have brought in a "ringer" to ghost write the ending! A disappointing product by an otherwise clever and engaging author---so, just "meh" for this book.

"Ringer" is a sly tale revolving around an encounter between a 65-year-old billionaire and a Mexican man of less than savory background. A caper novel with a plot arising out of a stew comprised of an ancient ring which may or may not be blessed and/or cursed, a spoiled and willful 19-year-old girl, a Greenwich Village palmist and her assorted relatives, and a smattering of several truisms purportedly from the mouth of Abraham Lincoln, among many other things, make up this consistently delightful concoction.

The protagonist is Morty Martinez, introduced to readers in the author's "Feelers," Brooklyn native and former house cleaner, who now considers himself as La Paz gentry now that is living in Mexico again and he has a few million in the bank. The aforementioned teenager is [ironically] named Purity Grant, who has a mutually hateful relationship with her stepfather, the billionaire. Their toxic dynamic fuels thoughts of murder as the easiest way out of matters financial and emotional, by both parties, and somehow Morty becomes the designated hit man of each. The mantra invoked from time to time, by each of the major players, is Earn Destiny, and they all go about trying to achieve that end in a manner which seems most logical to those involved, as opposed, perhaps, to anyone in the `normal' world, such as, e.g., the reader.

Purity's speech is regularly peppered with acronyms, as though her mind is permanently in text-speak. [Being in the minority that is not thoroughly conversant with that particular mind-set, I have to admit to being unable to decipher them all. Typing this, it only just dawned on me, e.g., that "ITWYT" means "if that's what you think." "NHNF" and "YGAGA m9" still elude me, as does in general the concept of people actually using these in everyday, that is to say verbal, speech. Hopefully there is nothing profane in any of that.] But that only contributes to the enjoyment of this zany tale, which had me smiling or laughing aloud throughout. I have to admit I have not yet read "Feelers," but will try to correct that without much further ado. Recommended.

Ringer is a great sequel to Feelers. Mr. Wiprud easily transports the reader from La Paz, Mexico to the streets of New York to the coast of the Hamptons and back to Mexico for a complete and page turning novel. Morty the womanizer is awesome and the women he encounters in the story make for a most enjoyable read. This novel has the silver screen written all over it and I can't wait to line up to buy my tickets for the premiere.