IQ

The title of the book, the first in a series by Joe Ide, comes from the initials of its protagonist, Isaiah Quintabe. When the book opens, we learn that IQ is being raised by an older brother who takes any legitimate job he can find to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. When his adored brother Marcus is killed in a hit and run, IQ goes off the rails and drops out of high schools--in spite of his being the smartest kid in school and maybe in the whole of East Long Beach. Marcus had continually reminded IQ that this was a gift he should not waste, that his intelligence would allow IQ to make his own luck in their unlucky world. When the money and the food are all gone and the rent is due, IQ turns to petty crime and takes up with the dubious Dodson, a drug runner, who becomes his roommate. IQ soon figures out smarter ways to steal goods with much less risk by casing stores that sell unusual but highly profitable goods that can be sold on the black market. Things come to a breaking point with Dodson and money is once again in short supply, so IQ agrees to take on a job tipped to him by Dodson--by a 50/50 split of course-- to find the would be killer of a famous rap star. The hunt gets much more complicated and dangerous when the assassin then begins to target IQ himself.

Booklist's starred review gushes that "First-novelist Ide...does here what few first novelists can manage: dexterously juggling multiple styles and tones to create a seamless, utterly entertaining blend of coming-of-age saga, old-school detective story, and comic caper novel...Best of all, though, is Ide's deft touch with his richly diverse cast of characters, all of whom are capable of stealing scenes with just the right mix of bravado, sly intelligence, sparkling wit, and deeply felt emotion. This is one of those rare debuts that leaves us panting for more and soon." 

The New York Times also raved about this debut, saying: "Mr. Ide packs a lot of action and scenery into the book’s investigation scenes. But he has also built and bolstered Isaiah as a fine, durable character for the long run."

Similarly, Kirkus thinks this series will succeed. "Isaiah Quintabe, young, gifted, and nonchalantly brilliant, displays few distinguishable quirks beyond a formidable attention span that misses nothing. Well, having a live chicken named Alejandro wandering around his crib may be a little eccentric. But IQ, as he’s appropriately known, earned that bird for services rendered as a discreet, unlicensed investigator who finds missing people, recovers stolen property, and unravels puzzles..." They conclude, "the roughhousing energy, vivid language, and serrated wit Ide displays throughout this maiden effort make Isaiah Quintabe seem a potential rejuvenator of a grand literary tradition. The present day, with its high-strung social media and emotional overload, could use a contemporary hero like Ide's, more inclined to use his brain than his mouth (or fists) to vanquish evil and subdue dread. " 

You can read the first chapter here. There are now 6 books in the series and I will be getting into number two, Righteous, ASAP.