The Wheel of Doll

A Novel

By: Jonathan Ames

Narrated by: Jonathan Ames

The eponymous and hapless detective Happy Doll returns with a new philosophy and a new case in this second installment of a series "that's a tightly coiled double helix of offbeat humor and unflinching violence" (New York Times Book Review).

Although badly scarred and down to his last kidney after the previous caper, Happy Doll is back in business. When a beguiling young woman turns up at his door, it’s Doll’s past that comes knocking. Mary DeAngelo is searching for her estranged mother, Ines Candle—a singular and troubled woman Doll once loved. The last he’d seen her she’d been near-death: arms slit like envelopes. Although she survived the episode, she vanished shortly thereafter. Now, years later, Mary claims Ines is alive and has recently made contact—messaging her on Facebook and calling her from a burner phone—only to disappear once again. Although his psychoanalyst would discourage it, Doll takes the case, desperate to see Ines again. But as the investigation deepens, there are questions he can’t shake. What’s led the flighty Ines to reappear? Is Mary only relaying half the truth? And who is Mary’s strange and mysterious husband?

In this wholly original follow-up to A Man Named Doll, Happy travels through L.A., Washington, Oregon and back again—a journey that gets wilder and woolier with each turn. An irreverent and inventive mystery, The Wheel of Doll is not to be missed.

Critic reviews

Praise for A MAN NAMED DOLL

"I loved this book - it's quirky, edgy, charming, funny and serious, all in one. Very highly recommended."—Lee Child, #1 bestselling author of Blue Moon

"While the macabre seriousness of the crimes and the narrator’s good-nature and sardonic humor might seem to be at odds, Ames makes it work through assured plotting, superb local color, and excellent prose. Readers will happily root for Doll, a good detective and a decent human, in this often funny and grisly outing."—Publishers Weekly, Starred

“A MAN NAMED DOLL is so fun and propulsive I didn’t just read it in one sitting, I read it in what felt like a single breath. Happy Doll is a tremendously likable main character, and the Los Angeles he inhabits is vibrantly alive in every detail. I hope Jonathan Ames has many more adventures planned for the newest P.I. in town.”—Lou Berney, author of the New York Times-bestselling November Road

“If Elliott Gould’s Philip Marlowe landed in the middle of Uncut Gems, you’d have something like Jonathan Ames’s A MAN NAMED DOLL, which expertly mines the dark humor, mordant wit and dreamy fatalism of great LA noir. And at its center is a detective with a battered heart and bruised conscience. I’d follow him, and his dog George, anywhere.” Megan Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of Dare Me

“Readers expecting action won’t be let down, and the sparkling yet unpretentious language gives the whole an extra kick. Recommend to noir fans, action fans, anyone who likes a good read.” Booklist, Starred review

Nourish humor

Happy is a great character and Ames’ narration is compelling. I’ve read most of Ames’ work.

Another good Doll story

I was anticipating this book and was not disappointed. The story picks up from the first books but would stand alone if you chose to read this one first. This book is not for the weak at heart because of the language, violence and drug use. However none of it is gratuitous. The ending was kind of frustrating because it was left open. Guess we will all see where the next installment takes us. As with the first book, the characters and descriptions are so vivid in the writing and narrating you really feel like you are in LA and other places when listening/reading. Did not discuss plot because you just need to read to appreciate a story that was well done. I will say there are a few twists and turns that you will enjoy.

Another good listen from and by this author

Our hapless hero and first person narrator again seems to lead with his face. Fortunately the face only receives lacerations from multiple sources adding to its scared story. The heavy blunt trauma is directed elsewhere without fatal results. Extra good character development. The story ends abruptly. Maybe to be picked up in the next story. Hopefully the main character will develop some insight and judgment on tactics plus will reap some financial security

A great new series!

Between this one and it’s predecessor, we have a fantastic new series with an extremely memorable protagonist. I hope Mr. Ames will bless us with several more Happy Doll novels. I heard Jonathan Ames on Marc Maron’s podcast a while back and during their conversation, he claimed to have spent a few years reading and rereading the entire Parker series. Judging by the first two Doll books, I would say that was time well spent. Thank you, sir. May I have another?

A real page turner

The perfect dumb book for smart readers. If Raymond Chandler knew what an iPhone was and how to have good time, he might have written something this entertaining.