Back Lash

The Sam Acquillo Hamptons, Book 7

By: Chris Knopf

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

As Sam Acquillo tells us in the early part of Back Lash, "Not everyone gets to live their adult lives orbiting a central mystery." But that's how it's been for Sam, whose entire existence has been defined by a single horrific event. Now that event has reached out from the deep past, an unwanted visitor, and Sam is forced to unpack, like a Russian doll, secrets within secrets, each more ominous than the one before. What is revealed would be disturbing enough were it not also so personal - not a welcome development for a man who once said, "Avoidance, rationalization, and denial are highly underrated coping strategies."

The action moves from Southampton to the Bronx, where Sam once prowled in the part-time care of his father, owner of a truck-repair business and of a temper that stood out even on the mean streets. It's here that Sam learns that evil history doesn't only repeat itself, it can improve upon the original; that no matter how things change, the world of cops and criminals, priests, power brokers, wise guys, and even wiser old bartenders stays the same - or gets much, much worse.

©2016 Chris Knopf (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Narrator and author in sync

Narrator is clicking with the story which is excellent. Once again the merge of old characters and new is excellent and the new characters that may become semi regular are great.

Best yet in the series

I’ve experienced 3 others in this series. Love the characters. Having listened to them out of order led to added mystery! I recommend listening to a few of Knopf’s others first to add to the suspense!

Love this series

Chris Knopf never disappoints, and Keith Szarabajka is the perfect narrator for Sam Aquillo books. A thoroughly enjoyable read . . . er listen. Love this series.

Too Many Characters

I liked the book, but not as much as the others. I like spending my time on Long Island and thereabouts. This one mainly took place in the city and was grimier and darker. Also, I had a double overtime driving and trying to remember who was who. There were just too many characters and too many names to keep track of. Somebody would make a casual remark referring to a character and I had no idea who they were talking about. I didn’t know if I should go back and listen again because it was going to be part of the solution or whether it was just a chance remark. Have mercy.

I love the series

I love the series and this narrator. The plot and the dialogue are excellent. I am very disappointed that he has not written another book for this series in years.