I don't know what I expected, but at least some change from the previous books in the series since the word 'New' is prominent in the series title. I guess that's just a publishing thing, because it really should just be #146 of the series. Same formula, same over-done humor that's fun in short doses. Two books in 2 days was pushing it, I guess. ( )

I was privileged to obtain an Advance Review Copy of Choke Hold. Warren Murphy and James Mullaney's second New Destroyer published by Tor delivers on the promise of The New Destroyer: Guardian Angel and is a worthy continuation of the series.

This time around, they're taking on the tobacco industry. Edgar Rawly is an eccentric villain in true Destroyer tradition: 90+ owner and CEO of Cheyenne Tobacco, lifelong smoker and fervent defender of cigarettes even as he's hacking up a lung. There's a great running gag throughout the book. Rawly keeps mentioning people (smokers all), only to have his aide tell him that they have passed away from lung cancer or emphysema. Rawly angrily snaps after each new disclosure how this must have been caused by drinking or overeating -- anything but smoking.

The secondary characters -- from Mrs. Z, Rawly's equally ancient secretary to Aphrodite Janise, president of Campaign for a Smoke Free World and reluctant ally of Remo and Chiun -- are sharply drawn and fully realized characters. Choke hold also has a few of the celebrity lampoons readers have come to expect and a chapter two that takes on an issue which angers the authors (and readers too!).

The relationship between Remo and Chiun has all the father-son bickering and love that we've come to expect. Smitty is his lemony self. Mark Howard, his assistant, doesn't have as much to do in this book as usual. Although he's the latest addition to CURE, I would have welcomed more of him.

If you're a Destroyer fan and you're on this page, you're probably buying it already. If you're new to the series, each book is a self-contained adventure, so there's no problem picking this one up first. Though I'd recommend buying The New Destroyer: Guardian Angel also. And scrounging Amazon Sellers, eBay, and used bookstores for the first 107 books plus Jim Mullaney's 111 through 131. ( )