ARA Review by Victoria Maangi of Cadillac Hubie

[Victoria Maangi]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, Cadillac Hubie.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Cadillac Hubie by Rad Crews is a wild, exhilarating ride that blends action, adventure, and mysticism into a compelling narrative. Published as part of The Road Trips Series, this novel follows Hubie, a classic car enthusiast whose beloved 1959 Cadillac is stolen by agents of the nefarious Diaz drug cartel.

Unbeknownst to Hubie, the car harbors an ancient relic of immense power, sparking a high-stakes chase across the deserts of Baja, Mexico. Accompanied by his loyal sidekick Bear and the enigmatic Gomez Gomez, a member of the Kumenaay clan, Hubie embarks on a journey fraught with danger, from cartel assassins to a prehistoric beast guarding the relic.

Crews, a retired airline pilot with a passion for classic automobiles, infuses the story with vivid detail and a palpable love for the open road. His prose is unpretentious yet gripping, weaving together a cast of well-developed characters that range from endearing to repulsive. Hubie is a relatable hero—gruff yet determined—while Bear provides a steady, grounding presence. Gomez Gomez adds a mystical layer, his oddball charm and indigenous wisdom elevating the tale beyond a standard action flick. The antagonists, particularly the Diaz cartel, are menacing yet nuanced, their obsession with the relic driving the plot’s relentless momentum.

The novel shines in its seamless fusion of genres. It’s part road-trip thriller, part horror, and part mystical quest, with the dusty Baja landscape serving as a vivid backdrop. The pacing is brisk, with rising action that keeps readers hooked, though some might find the supernatural elements—like the prehistoric guardian—a touch jarring amidst the grounded car-chase premise. Still, Crews handles these shifts with confidence, making them feel organic to the story’s eccentric spirit.

Compared to his debut, "The Longest Road," Cadillac Hubie showcases Crews’ growth as a storyteller, delivering tighter plotting and bolder imagination. Fans of action-packed adventures with a twist of the bizarre—think Robert R. McCammon’s "Stinger"—will find much to enjoy here.

While not without minor flaws, such as occasional over-the-top moments, the book’s infectious energy and heartfelt ode to classic cars make it a standout. This book deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars due to the flaws I mentioned above.

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