You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin

Description:


He's come to do a job.
A job that involves a body.
A body wrapped in duct tape found hanging from the goal posts at the end of the football field.

You Killed Wesley Payne is a truly original and darkly hilarious update of classic pulp-noir, in which hard-boiled seventeen year-old Dalton Rev transfers to the mean hallways of Salt River High to take on the toughest case of his life. The question isn't whether Dalton's going to get paid. He always gets paid. Or whether he's gonna get the girl. He always (sometimes) gets the girl. The real question is whether Dalton Rev can outwit crooked cops and killer cliques in time to solve the mystery of "The Body" before it solves him.


Sean Beaudoin (Going Nowhere Faster, Fade to Blue) evokes the distinctive voices of legendary crime/noir authors Dashiell Hammett and Jim Thompson with a little bit of Mean Girls and Heathers throwin in for good measure. This smart, slick, and alluring detective novel that will tease you, thrill you, and suck you in

Quotes:

“Be enigmatic. Be mysterious. Never Explain.”  p. 2

“Eyes open like burning fire. As opposed to the other kind.” P. 20

Wins:

• The concept- Think Agatha Cristy meets Psych.
• Three words: Humor. Mystery. Bittersweet.
• You are practically clueless until the last few chapters. Why would I like this? I love the surprise factor in books. Sit back and just let thing unfold then freak out when the ending plays out.
• Dalton Rev in one word is clever.  He also has guts, even when he is crap-in-your-pants scared he stands brave.
• The Twists and turns might make one dizzy but I love turns and twist. I love when I don’t see them coming! In the end it all wraps up in a neat and the answers to your burning questions seem obvious.
• The privet (uh…) eye hand book was always quite comical and VERY situational.
• I love the fact that one minute he is shooting Mac and Cheese through Turd Unit’s (his little brother) nose and then the next minute he is being beaten up by a person of interest.
• Dalton was always noble; his intentions were like Harry Potter status without all the magic.
• The ending though clean and neat, was slightly sad. It was also like BAM! Everything  in your head that you questioned is answered.
• Dalton’s attire, White shirt and tie, is so different- like Bond.
• I may pick up some of their funky sayings, like Oh My Bob. If I ever say OMB this is why. Blame the book.
• The crazy stereo-types are funny. Pinker Caskets (Rockers), Balls (Jocks), and Pop-u-lahs (self explanatory).
• I am sitting here thinking OMB people need to read this because of *all things crazy and *their results

Fails:

• As I said you are clueless through most of the novel this caused confusion for me along with the insane names.

Overall

I really loved this books like I said (may I emphasize)

 AGATHA CRISTY + PSYCH =

You Killed Wesley Payne

(come close I’ll tell you a secret)

Who killed Wesley Payne you ask?

YOU DID! 

(Nah! but you can find out by reading it)

* Changed to avoid spoilers

***

Interview with Dalton Rev

When arming up what is your preferred weapon?

The left hook, a kiss of the steel-toe, or the perfect insult.

What is the quote you live by?

“Tough guys tend to be only about as tough as you're inclined to let them. A pre-emptive strike of withering humor is often the best stratagem. Always have your hamstrings nice and loose in case you have to run and hide in the woods.”

What is the best thing about being a private eye?

Collecting fees. It’s an easier way to impress girls than folding shirts at Old Navy for three years in order to save up enough to buy a muscle car. Of course, being right is always fun. Especially when the cops and teachers are in the same room, dead wrong, and you explain to them why, just before producing the crucial piece of evidence, like a chicken bone.

Besides Lex Cole (your obvious hero) is there anyone else who inspires you?

Forrest Griffin, Keith Richards, Dave Eggers, Tim Lincecum, Nathalie Portman, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Rock, John Stewart, Dashiell Hammett, Andre Ward, Stephan Curry, and Norah Jones.

 What is your next case? Can you tell us anything about it?

I will spare you saying something like “I would, but then I’d have to kill you” since that stopped being funny like ten years ago. Suffice it to say it involves a certain Foxx, an irradiated journalist, millions in bearer bonds, the history of water rights in Los Angeles county, and two very big guns.

just sayin, 

-Kare