With its gritty, fast-paced plot, and unapologetically over-the-top cast of seedy ne'er-do-wells who inhabit its pages, 101 is classic Tim Pitts writing. Marijuana may be on the cusp of being legalized in California, but that doesn’t keep book linchpin Jerry from managing to get sideways with everyone from a San Fransisco biker gang to a pair of hitmen to a Russian drug tycoon, all while also popping up on the radar of a SFPD detective who’s been on the hunt for Jerry’s (seemingly) one ally, Vic, over a twenty-year-old multiple homicide case. Buckle up for a wild ride up and down Highway 101 though the Emerald Triangle.

Having not heard of this author before nor read his work I was amazed at the description and characterisation that really stood out as having been written from an exceptionally talented author. I really enjoyed this book.

another very good , fast paced action story from Tom Pitts. When Jerry rips off some drug dealers in CA and attempts to hide out with Vic, a friend of his mother, things go from bad to worse at an accelerated rate. lots of characters and action in this one, plus a bit of insight into the pot industry as it tries to adapt to the reality of legalization. lots of perspectives in this one including a couple of cops on the case. Not quite as good as American Static as we don't have too many likable characters in this one, but I was rooting for the mother and Vic's back story is pretty harrowing. good writing and the pages fly. thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy. easy 4 stars.

The 101.....Remember that title..Tom Pitts has outdone himself with this latest book. I started reading and could not stop until the wee hours of the morning, until I finally had to sleep and go to work, but the whole shift all I could think about was getting back to The 101. That's how engrossing and good it is. The most exciting and best by Tom Pitts so far in my humble opinion.

A whole cast of characters going up & down Highway 101 from San Fransisco to Humboldt Co. in CA, happening prior to the vote for legalization of marijuana....a tough, illegal group of gangs/bikers/crooks/thieves/killers....& some good people too.....after money stolen from a gang enterprise. Lots of guns & shootouts. The author does a great job of developing a bunch of different/competing groups & showing how they will converge together, unbeknownst to all of them!
I received this e-ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for my own honest review.

Got an advance copy from Netgalley. What a great ride this one is. Great characters, although most of them were sleazebags, you couldnt help but be glued to the pages to find out what each of them would do next. Awesome story line, pretty fast paced with plenty of action. Really liked Vic, hope to see more for him in the future? Easy five star crime noir that leaves me wanting more of this story.
if Pitts wants to could keep this story going easily. would love to see what happens next.......

Humboldt County before recreational pot legalization

It is May of 2016 - six months before the California voters legalize recreational marijuana - and this story takes us to the heart of Humboldt County, prime pot growing country.

Two young adults steal money from a biker gang and head to Humboldt County to Vic, a man who is indebted to one of their mothers.

The action heats up quickly with pot growers, Russian gangsters, bikers, and a cop who's been on the trail of Vic for years.

This is a dark look at the marijuana growing industry before legalization and at the people involved in it.

The story moves quickly along with some skanky characters and some that you'll actually be cheering on.

I received this book from Down and Out Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

Plot point certainly wasn't for me once I got more into finding out what this book was about however I could see how some people might enjoy this book but sadly I had to DNF it.

Being a native of California, I was interested in reading a novel in which our state is a main character. But. I’m from SoCal, and NoCal is a different world. Mr. Pitts does a good job of creating a fast-paced thrill ride of a novel with gangs, alliances, and betrayals.

Kudos to Mr. Pitts. I was expecting a worn out ride on a two-seater but this book read like a jet! I have not been on the left coast since the 80's but I was transported and not only did it read with a realistic "Feel" but it did get lost in the "Hey dude" THAT IS TYPICAL WITH CALI CRIME THESE DAYS.

Great job of menace writing that keeps you reading. Good job here.

If you like your crime fiction, raw, gritty, nasty, and fast-paced, then 101 is your ticket. The title comes from the 101 Highway that starts as a giant freeway in Los Angeles, but becomes a narrow two-lane Highway filled with monster logging trucks, twisting and turning around Redwood groves as it hits Marijuana growing country, Garberville in way Northern Cal, Humboldt County. This is the land of Rasta dreadlocked tweakers where Jerry Garcia’s name is revered and where criminal elements intertwine with live-as-you-want but-leave-me-alone hermits with shotguns. It’s where Jerry flees after he manages to piss off the leader of the East Bay’s biggest biker gang, reminiscent of the Redwood Original Sons of Anarchy.

The set-up for this crime thriller - a decent guy on the run from a whole tribe of bad guys isn’t new. Countless novels have rigged on this theme. But, Pitts manages to make it feel fresh and original.

This novel is well-paced, slowly bringing the reader into the situation, and raising the stakes over and over. A terrific read.

Many thanks to Down & Out for providing a copy for review.