Fun and interesting "detective" novel. I picked it up in the library based on the info on the book itself -- it's too bad that it's better than the first in the series (based on Goodreads). I'll be waiting for the next. ( )

Spademan is back for another adventure with his bleak outlook and black humor.
I love the character of Spademan, really enjoy his voice, and this time his clipped sentences and viewpoint seems to lengthen that little bit -- maybe it's the kid and her kid that he rescued from the last book that have mellowed him a little bit.
But while he's more mellow it doesn't mean that he's any less cynical. When he arrives home to find a sort of competitor (since he, himself, is a hitman, a garbageman, as he coins it) nailed to his door "like a cheerful Christmas wreath" he takes it all in stride, his house crowded, not with carnage, but an almost domestic scene.
The book goes quick and you get the feeling that Adam Sternbergh had a great time writing it (I got a kick out of his use of Check-Off's rental van towards the end, could imagine himself chuckling as he wrote that scene), which makes it a super enjoyable read. ( )

Near enemy, a concept I hadn't heard of before reading this book, is the second in a series. I will be reading the first book in the series just as soon as I find it. But not having read book one didn't make book two difficult to follow. The characters were introduced as if this was the first book, with just enough information to let you know that they had history with each other. Near enemy is the idea, that while you have enemies you know about, some people around you are people you should not trust, because they hid evil intentions behind familiar faces. We have all the current problems: terrorism, extremists, bomb plots, mass murder. Into this destruction of New York City is added a new form of virtual computer environment where people can hide for hours, days, or weeks as long as they can afford the support system. Then rumors start, that you can be killed in this virtual space and that death will be real in the real world, making the hiding place no longer a safe hiding place. How our hero fits into this world and what he has to do to keep it safe is the meat of the story. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. ( )

David Spademan is good at one thing, being a garbageman, his father was a garbageman and he followed suit, but seeing how the once great city of New York is now basically a memory that has all been wiped out by a "dirty bomb", he's been reduced to peruse other areas of trash related work. The people that still inhabit the fringe neighborhoods that once surrounded Time Square spend their time locked into a dreamlike virtual reality where anything goes, Spademan still manages to take out the trash, but in the form of a box-cutter to the jugular while creepy perverts who broke an unwritten rule are locked into la la land. Technically there are no rules in this altered reality known as the Limnosphere, so in short, Spademan takes out whomever his clients ask, so long as he's paid in cash.

He likes his job, to a degree. But his latest target, Lesser, a fat sloppy bed-hopping pervert who likes to peek in on other people's fantasies sends Spademan down a weird and somewhat morally educating ride. A ride that will nearly cost his life and the life of those still close to him. A really extraordinary feature of this story is simply the way in which it is written. In short burst. Like an urgent telegram. Quick and to the point. That was very pleasing and made this book nearly impossible to put down. Without divulging too much of this fantastically written story, I'd like to share a few of my favorite quotes.

"Garbageman.
The Real Kind. With Garbage.
My father loved being a Garbageman.
Never minded the old jokes. Even told a few.
Knock-knock.
Who's there?
The Garbageman.
Yeah. I know, I could smell you coming down the block.
ha-ha-ha." [Chapter 18, Page 113]

"Extremists. Drones. Attacks. Counterattacks. Your god. My god. At the end of it all, you're just left with a bunch of rubble. To my mind, there's not much point in sifting through it afterward, trying to find a fingerprint so you can figure out who is responsible. It's still just rubble."[Chapter 21, Page 151]

"There are fingers on triggers in this country, Spademan, and all the need is an excuse to pull. That's what they're born to do, that's what they're trained to do, and that's what they live to do. That's all they are-fingers. And without triggers, these fingers have no meaning. Triggers, and a reason to pull."[Chapter 37, Page 261]

Unfortunately I came in at the 2nd part of the Spademan novels as Near Enemy does reference several parts from Adam Sternbergh's 1st Spademan book "Shovel Ready." But this did feel like a stand-alone novel that even leaves the reader with a cliffhanger at the end. I'm looking forward to reading "Shovel Ready and the next Spademan novel in the near future, so seeing how this year's almost over, we can anticipate a new novel very soon!
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Bravo Adam Sternbergh! A great read from start to finish. This is my first time reading Sternbergh and I came in on the 2nd book. No worries though, he brings you right into the story and gives you enough background that you don’t have to read the first story to enjoy the second. Interestingly, he gives you enough to enjoy it but you are so intrigued by the end of the 2nd book that you want to go back and read the 1st book which is exactly what I intend to do.
In this suspense, action, thriller, I found myself rooting for Spademan, a hired assassin! Then I realize that I am Spademan. Sternbergh’s righting style and reading through Spademan’s eyes draws you right in. You feel like you know Spademan and understand his actions. I found myself wanting to put together the puzzle as desperately as Spademan did. Sternbergh’s development of the other characters in Spademan’s life make you feel like the fly on Spademan’s shoulder looking in, caring as he cares. When Spademan is surprised, you are surprised, when he runs, you want to run through the pages. I am thoroughly impressed.
I almost gave this book 4 stars when I realized my only criticism was that I felt that he gave too much detail, almost painstakingly so at times about various areas in New York and their history. I didn’t want to hold this against Sternbergh as I realize he probably has a deep love for the city as does Spademan and wants the reader to experience the same. It was often very Toni Morrisonesque in detail in regards to New York. However, it does not detract from the story and for those who love New York, I am sure it enhances their experience.
Great Job, Mr. Sternbergh, you have a new fan. I can’t wait until the next book!
I received this book from blogging for books in return for my honest review.
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