If you like a crime story hard enough to be used as a blunt instrument by itself then Money Shot may be for you. Be aware, the narrator is an ex-porn star and her descriptions of the industry are explicit but not in a way that will make you want to head to that room behind the curtain at your local video store.She is unapologic and matter of fact about what she did and others still do.

Angel Dare left the front of camera at the height of her career and opened a high-class adult modeling agency, Daring Angels, representing women still in the business. One day an old friend, Sam, calls her. New talent he had lined up for a shoot got cold feet at the last minute and he needs an actress. The male star wants her. will she come out of retirement for one little job. As a favor for Sam, she agrees but upon arriving at the set finds herself tied up, threatened, and tortured. Some very bad men think she has briefcase belonging to them.

From there, the comfortable life Angel made for herself starts to fall apart.She escapes the attempt on her life and with the help of Malloy, an ex-cop who had been in her employ, Angel tries to figure out what is going on.Ultimately, all she wants is revenge on those who destroyed her life.

Money Shot is a terrific hardboiled crime story and I liked everything about it. Angel is a strong female character who succeeded in a tough industry. She isn't willing to see what she built up, torn down without a fight. There is also a bit of sacrifice and redemption at the end.The supporting characters like Malloy and her friend Didi are also well drawn. The action is well written and, like most heroes in hardboiled stories, Angel get beaten up but never down. The backstory on the porn industry is fascinating and lurid but essential to the story.

Money Shot is published by Hard Case Crime. If you are not familiar with this publisher and you like hard boiled crime stories then you need to check these folks out. They publish both older, vintage stories and well as new novels by current authors. Their books are easy to pick out on the shelf because of the distinctive logo with an automatic pistol, a crown, and Hard Case Crime superimposed over a yellow background. I've started buying their book regularly. Their website is here.