Choke Hold

By: Christa Faust

Narrated by: Ann Carver

Angel Dare went into Witness Protection to escape her past - not as a porn star, but as a killer who took down the sex slavery ring that destroyed her life. But sometimes the past won't stay buried. When a former co-star is gunned down, it's up to Angel to get his son, a hotheaded MMA fighter, safely through the Arizona desert, shady Mexican bordertowns, and the neon mirage of Las Vegas...

©2011 Christa Faust (P)2011 Audible Ltd

Critic reviews

"An incisively and stylishly written noir thriller... compelling." (Ramsey Campbell)

"An instant pulp classic." (Rolling Stone)

"The sex industry, bodybuilding drugs, and basic revenge make for a potent cocktail in this eye-popping follow-up to Faust's Edgar Award nominee. She's Hard Case Crime's only female author, and her tough heroine is a welcome addition to the gritty pulp tradition. Snap it up..." (Library Journal)

Angel Dare 2 is good but no Money Shot

The sequel to MONEY SHOT has Angel Dare helping out the son of a famous male porn star who seeks to become a professional MMA fighter. Although the writing is better than the first one, the story falls a little short because even though Angel Dare has several times to walk away, she doesn’t. The ending also falls a little short but hopefully the third book in the series THE GET OFF will give us a clue as to why.

Just as good as her last (small spoiler)

Of course I had to read Choke Hold because I had read "Money Shot" and just like in "Money Shot" while there isn't a happily ever after there is a good story to tell and a good way to tell it. Christa Faust is one of my favorite authors

B-movie film noir set in world of porn and MMA

I needed a quick, fun action book and this fit the bill. It’s pure pulp fiction. Former porn star Angel Dare is waitressing under a fake name in a nowhere diner after confronting a sex-trafficking ring in the series’ first book (“Money Shot”) — when in walks an old boyfriend who promptly gets shot and, as he lays dying, asks her to protect his son. The kid is an up-and-coming MMA competitor involved with bad people. It’s like a B-movie film noir, only sex positive. That said, there’s a creepy sexual encounter — that is emphasized as creepy by the author — that I will never be able to unknow, although I’d like to. Nothing like Mo Hayder creepy but creepy nonetheless. Bechdel test: pass.

Excellent narration.

Another great Angel Dare story!

While not quite as good as the first story, this one does come a really close second for me. Faust holds nothing back in this one and it's a brutal and bleak affair. Looking forward to the next book!

A Different Kind of Heroine

What did you love best about Choke Hold?

edgy and gritty.

What did you like best about this story?

the entire thing, sure its a little 'edgy', rough and graphic. but it is fast paced and keeps you on your toes

Which scene was your favorite?

where angel realizes the connections - when you read it, you will understand, i dont want to spoil it here

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

nothing extreme - just an edge of your seat, fast paced ride. short and to the point with a 'listen in one sitting' flair

Needed two narrators!

I am generally not a fan of multi narrator books but I felt like this one needed it. Ann Carver does a good job with the main character but seems to struggle with the male characters.

Story was a nice continuation of the first book ( Money Shot). Worthwhile.

Narrator made character sound like he was 8

The narrator made the cody character sound like morty from rick and morty. Laughably bad.