Review: The Asphalt Warrior

The Asphalt Warrior by Gary Reilly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Humorous mystery
Reading Level: Any that can read it
Recommended for: Those who enjoy a fun story that will make you laugh.

My Thoughts: “Money can't buy happiness—but it can buy beer.” That quote sort of encapsulates Murph. I was just tickled to receive this copy of the first book in the Asphalt Warrior series, so I could read Murph's first adventure.

Gary Reilly had a real gift. He could combine things in such a way as to create a humorous dichotomy. I think the following quote will give you the idea.

“There was a little optometrist shop on south Broadway tucked in between a pizza joint and what amounted to a head shop where you could buy glow-in-the-dark posters, bongs, and whatever else the hippies began marketing after they went commercial in the '70s... I had never visited the optometrist shop. The entrance had a 1930s look that I liked—art deco molded-tin awning over the doorway, and Bakelite tiles on the foyer walls. It looked like the kind of business that would be owned by an elderly optometrist who had serviced families for generations and personally ground lenses in his back room. I liked the look of the shop, but I drove right past it on my way to Sight City!!! where you could buy Two Pair for the Price of One!!! according to the billboards plastered all over Denver blocking every decent view of the Rocky Mountains.”

See what I mean? So, if you like a laugh, you should definitely check out these books. The world lost a real gem when Gary Reilly died in 2011, but we have ten of these books, and possibly ten other books, to look forward to thanks to his friends, who are bringing out these terrific tales. Highly recommended.

Series Information: Asphalt Warrior is the first book in the Asphalt Warrior series (out of a proposed total of 10).
Book 2: Ticket to Hollywood, review linked here where formatting allowed
Book 3: The Heart of Darkness Club, review linked here where formatting allowed
Book 4: Home for the Holidays, release TBA.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. No review was requested, but I'm happy to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Murph has two main goals in life. First, to earn no more from driving his cab than it takes to keep his bohemian lifestyle afloat. Second, never and under any circumstance get involved in the lives of his fares. He's not very good at the first and spectacularly bad at the second.



View all my reviews