In Lucky Linus Logan, David Roy Montgomerie Johnson creates a gripping narrative of crime, suspense, and dark humor that centers on a seemingly ordinary man navigating extraordinary circumstances. Set in 1982 against the rugged landscapes of Ontario and Western New York, the novel follows Linus “Lucky” Logan, a thirty-five-year-old Vietnam veteran and General Motors employee whose life teeters between the familiarity of blue-collar work and the unpredictability of criminal entanglements within his family and community.
Linus is a
relatable hero, an everyman thrust into dangerous situations far beyond the
scope of his normal life. He earns the nickname “Lucky” through surviving multiple
life-threatening events, including combat injuries and a childhood car crash. It
is his resourcefulness, courage, and moral compass that truly define him. His
journey begins with a startling discovery by his father, Abraham “Dishonest
Abe” Logan, a small-time criminal and moonshiner, who finds a fat, dead body on
their property near an illegal marijuana patch. Abe’s solution is to call Linus
and their loyal friend Boomer Csonka to secretly remove the body, launching
Linus into a series of challenges that blur the lines between legality,
morality, and survival.
The tension
escalates as the community reels from the disappearance of fourteen-year-old
Candy Anguish, the daughter of a local Baptist pastor. Linus’ personal
connection deepens when his girlfriend Sunny’s father, Detective Richie
Fortune, urges him to leverage his position within the town to help locate the
missing girl. Linus’ involvement places him in contact with organized crime
figures such as Enzo “The Duke” Mancuso, his foreman with mafia ties, who
subtly nudges Linus into dangerous dealings that ordinary citizens would never
face.
Linus’
investigation uncovers chilling details about a “whore auction” where young
girls are sold to wealthy collectors. With the aid of a biker ally, Ten Ton
Stan, Linus tracks Candy’s red bicycle to his own property, enlisting the help
of a stray dog he names Burr-Head. Fingerprints on the bicycle tie the crime to
Brewster Palmer, a low-level operative connected to organized crime families in
Syracuse and Brooklyn. Father Angelo, who takes the unprecedented step of
breaching confessional secrecy, confirms that Candy has been taken across the
U.S. border into New York.
What follows
is a high-stakes negotiation and daring rescue. Linus successfully trades
$11,000 USD, a Rolex found on the dead man, and a stolen drum kit for Candy’s
safe return at a Buffalo Bills football game. Despite the success, the
emotional toll of the abduction leaves Candy deeply traumatized, and Linus’
moral responsibility weighs heavily on him.
The climax of
the novel sees Linus partnering with New York State Trooper Butch Kincaid to
mount a large-scale sting operation targeting the auction in Naples, NY. In a
uniquely chaotic twist, Linus enlists his “mountain men” relatives from West
Virginia and Kentucky to hijack the criminals’ cash while the police intervene.
The operation results in the arrest of major figures, including a corrupt judge
and billionaire Thomas Loganberry, while Linus and Abe manage to steal $170,000
from the fleeing criminals, blending justice with opportunity in true Linus
fashion.
Linus’
personal life is also tested. Fast Eddy Wiens, a local predator obsessed with
Candy, attacks Linus’ home. With the assistance of his cat Big Red, biker
friend Super Dave, and his father Abe, Linus successfully defends his
household. Abe executes Eddy to protect Linus and Sunny, disposing of the body
in the river. In the aftermath, Sunny leaves Linus, unable to process the
violence she has witnessed. Yet, the story closes with a measure of stability:
Candy begins counseling, Abe takes up golf, and Linus finds solace in his pets
and the fortune he has accrued, while Loganberry meets his ultimate demise in
the Bahamas.
Lucky Linus
Logan
presents Linus as an everyman hero navigating the extremes of human behavior,
from small-town corruption to organized crime, with a blend of dark humor,
grit, and ingenuity. Johnson’s novel challenges the traditional notion of
heroism, showing how ordinary individuals can confront extraordinary
circumstances with courage, resourcefulness, and a touch of luck.
About the Author
David Roy Montgomerie Johnson is known for his ability to create complex
narratives where humor and darkness coexist, and where ordinary protagonists
face extraordinary challenges. His work blends rural realism, crime, and
adventure into stories that are both compelling and thought-provoking.
Contact:
Author: David Johnson
Website: https://davessillybooks.com/
Amazon: Lucky Linus Logan
Email: 19olemiss55@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577351333355
https://www.instagram.com/davidroymontgomeriejohnson/
Comments
Post a Comment