A mob enforcer is pulled back into his old life in this “terrific read” (Ken Bruen, Shamus Award–winning author of The Dramatist)

“Razor-edged prose and a sympathetic antihero lift Knowles’s no-holds-barred crime thriller . . . Readers who like their mean streets really mean will be thoroughly satisfied.” — Publishers Weekly starred review

Two years ago, Wilson made a deal: he let his old boss live in exchange for a clean slate. He’s kept up his end of the bargain since then and stayed off the grid — working on a fishing boat off the coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Now, many miles from the city he once escaped, a man comes calling on Wilson with a gun in his hand and a woman in his trunk. And Wilson is pulled back into his old life as a “grinder” — working under the radar to quietly find out who is responsible for a dangerous mobster’s missing nephews . . .

All bets are off and before he’s done — everyone will pay.

Mike Knowles lives in Hamilton, Ontario. He is the author of the Wilson Mystery series: Darwin’s Nightmare, Grinder, In Plain Sight, and Never Play Another Man’s Game.

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“Grinder is made of tougher stuff, with a protagonist vaguely reminiscent of Lee Childs’ unstoppable Jack Reacher... This tale of a man trying desperately to atone for his violent past is a stunner, and we can’t help but root for this reformed killer as he loosens the ties that bind. Although there’s much shoot-em-up action here, the story’s real strength lies in the author’s exploration of Wilson’s troubled soul.”
— Mystery Scene

“Razor-edged prose and a sympathetic antihero lift Knowles’s no-holds-barred crime thriller … Readers who like their mean streets really mean will be thoroughly satisfied.” — Publishers Weekly starred review

“Knowles combines nonstop action with gritty violence to hold the reader’s attention. For fans of hard-boiled mysteries.” — Library Journal

“Picture perfect hardboiled writing. Knowles has a real grasp of the underbelly running under society and his characters all breath with authentic boozy cigarette breath. A great read and a great new voice.” — Crimespree

“A dead centre hit […] Read Mike Knowles’ first novel, Darwin’s Nightmare and now, Grinder. They are sharp, focused indications of a fine, new noir talent in our midst. Hang in there for the third.” — Hamilton Spectator