Dennis Lenahan, un especialista en saltos de trampolín, decide cambiar los parques de atracciones por los hoteles y los casinos en su deseo de dar un giro a su vida. Su periplo le llevará a la pequeña localidad de Tishomingo, Misisipí. Pero apenas ha colocado la larga escalera junto al tanque en el que se zambullirá, cuando las cosas se complican: Dennis es testigo del asesinato de un hombre. Y al poco tiempo comprende que no ha sido el único en ver cómo se cometía el crimen: su jefe, Billy Darwin, y Robert Taylor, un amante de los blues algo misterioso, también estaban allí. Sin pretenderlo, Dennis se verá involucrado de lleno en la vida de esta curiosa población en la que conviven mafiosos de poca monta, asesinos patanes y toda clase de peculiares lugareños.

Daredevil Dennis Lenahan has brought his act to the Tishomingo Lodge & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi—diving off an eighty-foot ladder into nine feet of water for the amusement of gamblers, gangsters, and luscious belles. His riskiest feat, however, was witnessing a Dixie-style mob execution while atop his diving platform. Robert Taylor saw the hit also. A blues-loving Detroit hustler touring the Southland in a black Jaguar, Taylor's got his own secret agenda re the "Cornbread Cosa Nostra," and he wants Dennis in on the game. But there's a lot more in Robert Taylor's pocket than a photo of his lynched great-grandfather. And high-diver Dennis could be about to take a long, fatal fall—right into a mess of hoop skirts, Civil War playacting . . . and more trouble than he ever dreamed possible.

Reminded me of a cross between a Carl Hiaasen and Jim Thompson. A pretty decent read. ( )

very shaggy story ( )

Enjoyable, easy-to-read novel, featuring some wacky characters along with the sane ones.

Star of the story is Dennis Lenahan, high-dive performer. He likes to climb to 80 feet and dive into a small tank. Usually does it at fairs but got tired of it, so he talked the owner of the Tishomingo Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, into letting him set up there. While preparing for his first test dive, Dennis is on top of his ladder when he manages to witness something he wishes he hadn't.

It soon becomes clear that others wish he hadn't seen anything also, and convince him that it is best for his health to remain ignorant.

But then he meets Robert, who casually mentions that he was watching out the window when Dennis finally did that test dive. Did he see more? What does he want? The mystery of Robert becomes deeper every day, but one thing is clear: he is an expert at diverting. Dennis listens to Robert with a grain of salt but clearly is interested. He is also interested in various women who happen his way, some of whom are simply drawn to the daredevil in him.

Dennis gets to know a whole slew of interesting folks, many of whom are civil war re-enactors. A new re-enactment is planned and Dennis is pulled into it. It is here that things come to a head.

I found it entertaining and easy to get through. Nice travel book. ( )