Hugh Lessig’s debut crime novel, Fadeaway Joe, introduces an unlikely duo, and an unreliable narrator not easily forgotten. In fact, it’s an entire cast of suspicious characters.

At sixty-four, Joe Pendergast isn’t willing to give up his career working for Maxie Smith. He’s been a bouncer for Maxie, broke a few limbs for people unable to pay their poker debts. Maxie even taught him how to box. But, Maxie’s ready to open a casino, and Joe is now a liability. When Maxie fires Joe, Joe hits him. When Joe ends up in the hospital, Joe’s diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

Joe’s ex, who still works for Maxie, sets him up with a food truck, Joe’s Takeaway. It gives him a schedule, something to do, and might keep him from forgetting so quickly. And, Joe’s noisy neighbor Donna keeps an eye on him, and recognizes quickly that he has dementia. She’s caught him wandering and forgetting a time or two.

Joe’s really given up on life, so he hatches a plot to take down Maxie. It’s not well-developed, and it won’t have a good end, but what does Joe have to lose? Then, he does have something to lose when Paula Jessup runs into his life.

Paula’s twenty-two, and has her own hard luck story. Raised by her grandfather after her single mother’s death in a car accident, she has no ambition other than to work on cars. Then, she accidentally stumbles on a labor trafficking ring that uses illegal immigrants as labor. She rescues one young woman, but she’s discovered. Now, one man is dead; two are following Paula, and she might have just found a protector in a food truck.

Joe can’t always keep track of his thoughts, and his anger might explode at times, but he’s not likely to leave a young woman as a target for thugs. Yes, Paula seems to be able to take care of herself. Yes, she might need to save Joe at times from himself. But, together Joe and Paula come up with an outrageous idea to foil Maxie’s plans. While doing that, they may have to set a path for Paula’s future.

Fadeaway Joe isn’t quite a caper. It’s a crime novel with an unusual cast of characters. It starts slow, and the reader isn’t sure it’s worth rooting for Joe and then, Paula. Eventually, this unlikely duo steals your heart. Give Fadeaway Joe a chance.

Fadeaway Joe by Hugh Lessig. Crooked Lane Books, 2023. ISBN 9781639104369 (hardcover), 288p.

FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher allowed me to read a galley through NetGalley, with no promise of a positive review.