Just Jennifer

Down Don’t Bother Me by Jason Miller (Bourbon Street Books, March 2015)

Slim, a single father to a twelve-year-old daughter, doesn’t really like his job in the Southern Illinois coal mine called Knight Hawk; his supervisors know Slim is hardworking but still don’t like him, continue giving him the most distasteful assignments.  A reporter is found deep below ground, dead, a notebook stuffed in his mouth and mine owner Matthew Luster isn’t happy.  In addition, Guy Beckett, a photographer who had been working on a story with the reporter has disappeared---oh, and one more thing: Guy is Luster’s son-in-law.  Slim has a reputation for finding people who disappear “blood-hounding: as Luster calls it; Luster promises Slim a secure pension and secure health insurance for Slim and his daughter if he can find Beckett.  Slim is hesitant, especially after his first meeting with Temple, Beckett’s daughter, and a roughing up by someone posing as a cop, but something Temple said stays with Slim and gives him a slight idea of why Beckett has disappeared, but he just can’t quite put his finger on it yet.  If Slim is correct, life for Slim and everyone connected with Knight Hawk will never be the same again.

A gritty atmosphere, both literally and figuratively, defines this first novel and provides a backdrop against which characters struggle to do more than just survive.  Slim’s daughter is a very grown-up twelve and can see beyond her small Illinois town. Slim’s lady friend Peggy is very cautious in her relationship with Slim, but knows Slim is hardworking and honest and adores his daughter, but also knows her limitations and what she can bear.  Slim knows Luster must have his reasons for entrusting the task of finding Beckett to to Slim rather than the police and he grows even more uneasy---but more determined---when he discovers that he may have stumbled into something much bigger than he ever imagined having to handle.  Good instincts, a calm head and a secret weapon from his past help Slim put all the pieces together before it is too late for him and those he loves, even if it is too late for everyone else.