Everyone knows someone who appears to be nothing but a screw up. Somebody that has never been able to catch a break or do anything right.

Don Winslow’s “The Death and Life of Bobby Z” is a novel that focuses on this type of person.

In this fast-paced tale, “born loser, three time screw-up” Tim Kearney makes the ultimate mistake and kills a Hell’s Angel while he is incarcerated in prison.

On top of serving time for breaking and entering, Kearney is now sentenced to life in prison for murder.

It quickly becomes evident to Kearney that his life sentence will turn into a death sentence when the other gang members, who are bent on revenging their fallen comrade, get a hold of him.

This is where the Feds come in and make Tim a deal.

He will go free if he volunteers to impersonate Bobby Z, who is a legendary drug lord and surf god. That seems simple and harmless enough, but there’s a hitch.

Kearney must allow himself to be traded for a kidnapped agent who is being held by a Mexican kingpin.

Kearney sees the elaborate plan as his only option in avoiding death at the hands of the Hell’s Angels.

He takes the bait and is thrown into the wild, dangerous, luxurious world of Bobby Z. He is forced to deal with Bobby’s girlfriend and child, and soon discovers that Bobby has plenty of people out to kill him.

I have read a lot of books and this is one of the best novels to come my way in quite awhile.

Winslow’s first book is quite a masterpiece. Vivid, evil characters captured my attention and refused to let go.

I found myself rooting for the underdog (Kearney) more than I ever have for any other character before, hoping that he would escape his assailants and win in the end.

Though not a good choice for the weak willed, “The Death and Life of Bobby Z” is ultimately impossible to put down.

All the essential elements of a great story (action, romance and adventure) are woven into a complicated and unique plot that is always shocking and surprising.

Perhaps the best element of the book is its sense of humor. Winslow has a flair for the sarcastic, making even the worst situation somehow laughable.

So take a chance and skip the television set for a night. Pick up a copy of “The Death and Life of Bobby Z” instead. Trust me, the last thing you will be is bored.

4 1/2 Stars out of five

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Kelsey Foutch is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Waterloo