True Grift

By: Jack Bunker

Narrated by: Harry Dyson

A shrewd, darkly-funny, wildly unpredictable crime novel that marks the dazzling debut of Jack Bunker, a bold new voice in crime fiction.

A bankrupt lawyer and a greedy insurance adjuster concoct a personal injury scam involving a runaway grocery cart and recruit a half-wit golf course greenskeeper as their fall guy. But the plan goes horribly wrong, and as it spirals into a murderous fiasco, the grifters must deal with betrayals, shakedowns, bombs, and mobsters to avoid prison...or worse, an early grave in a Southern California landfill.

©2015 Jack Bunker (P)2017 Brash Books LLC

Critic reviews

"A fast and funny chronicle of a seemingly simple scheme to scam an insurance company...its participants would be at home in any of Donald Westlake's Dortmunder novels. Harry Dyson, who presents the novel at an effectively breezy pace, slows down only near the end when payment for the crimes comes due with results that are as satisfactory as they are surprisingly moral." ( Mystery Scene Magazine)

"Jack Bunker's debut crime novel is the study of a surefire insurance scam that goes horribly and hilariously wrong. Reader Dyson reports on the action with a rich, almost comforting voice flexible enough to underline Edwards’s sarcastic, mean-spirited criticisms of his team while simultaneously exposing him for the arrogant bully he is. Dyson keeps it light and smart for much of the book, but has no problem turning tough when the game is almost done and blood is spilled." ( Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)

get ready to lol.

I was gifted this audio ARC for a honest and unbiased review from the author/narrator.
Jack Bunker has written a story that was a little out in left field and had me laughing out loud.
Harry Dyson was a good narrator, he kept the story line alive.
I feel that I can recommend this audio book to anyone who loves a good book.

An entertaining and fun story

Any additional comments?

3.5 stars

Even though it took me a while to really get pulled into the story, overall this turned out to be an very entertaining, enjoyable and engaging listen. Once the story is set up and the plan is put into action the story pulls you in and keeps your attention. It's on the lighter side of a mystery legal thriller that is also a comedy of errors, blunders and misadventures.

A cast of characters were everyone is a little (or a lot) corrupt. A story where even though everyone is shady in some way your still rooting for the underdog "likable" slightly less shady guy.

What starts out as an insurance scam to earn some quick money by a soon to be laid off insurance claims adjuster and a bankrupt attorney rapidly spirals into a much larger tangled and twisted web of deceit, lies, murder and betrayal with large doses of humor.

Harry Dyson did a good job with the narration. This is the first time I have listened to a book he has narrated according to my records. Even though his voice sounds familiar. Nice voice. Easy to listen to for long periods of time. Perfect for narrating audiobooks. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Really good character voices. There were a couple of times the narration didn't quite flow smoothly but it wasn't enough to detract from the story. He was able to bring the characters and story to life. I would definitely listen to him narrate other books in the future. Very enjoyable.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.

Incredible read !!

OOMMMGG!! Talk about a twisted web they weave! If you want twists, passion, suspense, drama, love, hate, angst, and above all humor.. then you HAVE to read it!!
Twists & turns at every page! This book was more like a twisted web ..The characters were really strong which I like!
You WONT be disappointed! That's my only complaint is there are so many stories & characters that it's a bit confusing at times!! Amazing job! I can't wait for the next one!
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

So much fun

Any additional comments?

A little bit of mystery, a little bit of suspense, a little bit of romance and a whole lotta hilarious. This is one crazy ride . The characters are engaging and funny the scenarios are outrageous. Purely comic situations and politically incorrect humor are the basis of this book . I highly recommend it. I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.

pretty tawdry

to much cussing for me. not the easiest story to follow either. I guess it just depends on your taste

Entertaining Listen!!!

This story was so far fetched I was laughing out loud! The saying "Pigs get fat, Hogs get slaughtered" kept coming to mind. Some of the characters in this book seemed so far out there and crooked, while others were likable. I enjoyed all of the unexpected twists this book had. The ending was so good. The narrator did a fantastic job with the various characters. The author was new to me, while I have listened to other performances by the narrator. I was voluntarily provided with this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher.

Entertaining Tale

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review through Audiobook Boom!

This was a very entertaining story of bad plans turned worse and people unable to see the error of their ways. Of course, it's dark humor, with elements of noir and double-cross, and it's actually pretty well done.

I've had my eye on the publisher, Brash Books, and this is the second book I've had the opportunity to read or listen to (Koreatown was the first, which was also very good). I'm definitely going to find more from this imprint!

Tort Fraud and Penile Fracture Just Good Fun

Would you consider the audio edition of True Grift to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the e print or paper and ink version. The audio book version is hilarious, irreverent and a darn good listen.

What did you like best about this story?

Just to warn people, if politically incorrect bothers you, racial humor bothers you, then this is not for you.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are many! The injury made me cringe! The humor made me laugh out loud and to be honest it made me cringe a bit too! Lol

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

It was unique, it made me laugh many times, I'm just a bit ashamed to admit! And above all, it was entertaining and fast moving.

Any additional comments?

Was I entertained? Yes, I was. A quick listen. Noir-ish. Low life lawyers.

Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

A review copy was gifted to me at no charge. In return, I am happy to provide an honest review. Also at no charge.

Just an OK book, at most.

What did you like best about True Grift? What did you like least?

It was actually kinda boring for most of its length, with a few rare good laughs in between. The writing is so basic. I lost interest after some time and couldn't be bothered to finish the book.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

A Really Fun Listen

True Grift by Jack Bunker is a delightful adventure featuring a cast of characters who, while doing wrong, get the laughs right.

JT is a down on his luck lawyer who has an idea for an Insurance scam. Yet he calls upon someone not too bright to serve as the victim. Soon an insurance attorney and be mob are involved.

This book is well plotted and excellently narrated by Harry Dyson. I frequently laughed out loud and did not want the story to conclude. My hope is that a sequel / continuation exists because this work is that good.