A review by vkemp
The Last Refuge by Chris Knopf

3.0

Sam Acquillo lives in Southhampton, the part the summer people never see. He sits on his porch, watching the Peconic River, drinking himself to death. He punched out a lawyer at his previous job as an industrial engineer and destroyed his house while his wife and he were divorcing. Court-mandated psychological counseling did not help too much and his daughter lives in Manhattan and no longer speaks to him. He doesn't want to feel anything, anymore. Feelings get you into trouble. Sam keeps an eye on his next-door neighber and finds her dead in her bathtub one day. The only problem is, Regina has terrible arthritis and did not use the tub at all. So, why was she there? Sam uncovers a conspiracy dating back years and gets shot at and beaten up and along the way discovers he might have some feelings left over. He also finds some friends in unexpected places.
There were many things I did not like about this book, but I read it all and I will definitely read the next one to see how Knopf develops as a writer. I liked the character and want to see him succeed so will be rooting for him.