Peter Guttridge, Two to Tango

Two to Tango By Peter Guttridge

On the Amazon freelance journalist Nick Madrid is on assignment to follow the Rock Against Drugs tour. His friend (just friend skeptics) Bridget has accompanied him though traveling by boat is not one of her favorite transportation choices. Nick's target is a former rock superstar making a major comeback Otis Barnes.

However, Nick can't even go to the bathroom without being mugged, eluding spiders that make Daniels' Arachnophobia look a garden variety type or take a helpful dive amongst hungry piranhas. Nick's cool with that as this is the Amazon norm. Barnes is another story as he has fallen off the drug and alcohol temperance wagon in spite of touring against drugs; he is a nasty drunk and Nick is his punching bag. As they head towards Peru for the last concert, someone tries to kill Barnes. Though much of the touring members and staff have motive to harm the nasty superstar, who would murder him remains a question that Nick plans to resolve before the rocker's final curtain call.

As is the norm when Madrid is on a story, readers will finish in a one sitting six-pack as the hero provides his usual amusing asides to the audience and to the antagonists whether they be a mugger, a kidnapper, a deadly fish, or a boxing druggie rocker. The current story line is humorous as the reporter tries to prevent a culprit from killing "Bad News" Barnes (not the basketball great). Fans of the series will enjoy paddling a alongside Madrid while newcomers will want to read his humorous capers (see NO LAUGHING MATTER and A GHOST OF A CHANCE).

Harriet Klausner