Of all the books I review, A.J. Devlin’s “Hammerhead” Jed mysteries are the ones that probably seem the most unlikely for me to read. But, Five Moves of Doom is the third in the series, and I’ve read all of them. “Hammerhead” Jed is an unlikely hero, possibly an antihero. He’s a pro-wrestler turned private investigator in Vancouver, British Columbia, who takes on unlikely cases. He’s looked for a missing snake, searched for missing roller derby manager, and, now he’s hunting for a stolen championship belt. He’s always in over his head until he teams up with his cousin, Declan, a bartender and former member of the IRA. This time, he might really be in trouble.

Or, at least that’s how it appears when Jed is arrested for murder at the opening of the book. He doesn’t even know who he was supposed to have killed. He agreed to look for Elijah Lennox’ stolen UFC Championship belt. The diamonds on that belt put the value at $200,000, and someone broke into Lennox’ gym and lifted it from the showcase. Finding the belt, and getting it back is the simple part of the case. But, when Jed finds his dead client, it all spirals out of control.

When he uncovers a rooftop fight club, Jed learns how vicious the fight world can be. Here he was, enjoying his celebrity, drinking his banana milkshakes, working with his father, a retired cop, in their PI business. Jed has a girlfriend who is a roller derby star, and he’s content in his world. But, when Lennox’ mother asks him to investigate her son’s death, he can’t say no. Now, he’s flying off rooftops in the biggest mistake of his life.

I like these mystery/comedies. Granted, Five Moves of Doom, and the others in the series, are violent and vicious. But, they’re funny at times as well. In this one, Sykes, the dapper bookmaker, is investing in goats for yoga. There are several terrific scenes with the goats. And, Jed’s passion for milkshakes, along with Declan’s passion for women, make me smile.

Five Moves of Doom is violent, as I said. It’s also thoughtful as Jed searches for answers to his own life, with his father and Declan as strange guides to life. There’s love in that family, along with humor, and the ability to pick on each other. It’s an unusual combination in a mystery series. While Devlin says he’s finished a trilogy, he also seems to have other “Hammerhead” Jed stories to tell us. I’ll be waiting.

A.J. Devlin’s website is www.ajdevlin.com

Five Moves of Doom by A.J. Devlin. NeWest Press, 2022. ISBN 9781774390559 (paperback), 272p.

FTC Full Disclosure – The author sent me a copy of the book.