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judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
With this exceptional entry, Erik Storey, a natural born storyteller, solidifies his place at the upper end of the literary crime thriller "rural noir" fiction genre, NOTHING SHORT OF DYING —Tenacious Clyde Barr dirt-under-your fingernails, kind of raw, a character you want on your side; rugged, a tough-as-nails hero, we can count on.
The gritty novel begins with a phone call in the Utah wilderness about a week after Clyde Barr had been released from prison. He had hoped for a storybook homecoming; however, in reality, this was not a dream life. He likes the wilderness and living off the grid, with no technology or frills.cds
Jen, his sister called with a desperate SOS- she needed for him to come and get her. Throughout their childhood, they had been through nights of their mom and dad fighting, mom’s boyfriends, drunks, loss of control, fighting, and abuse. Mostly hiding out to ride out the storm. The two of them against the world. They have secrets.
Jen explained in a whispered voice, for Clyde to hurry, he was going to kill her. She was to help, and then he would kill her. She reminded him he owed her. Before she could tell him where she was, Barr heard a male voice and the line went dead.
He was her flesh and blood. She had a knack for finding the wrong people, times, and places. He had left her to fend for herself because he had been selfish. Now he owed her. This was his chance to make up for his mistakes; however, he needed a track to follow, a direction. Barr knows that nothing short of dying will stop him from saving her.
After their dad left, and their mom died, he did something stupid which almost got him killed. Jen did something worse that saved his life. If anyone ever found out what they had done, they would be serving life sentences. Jen kept quiet and he was free. They had been to hell and back. He would do whatever she asked.
Clyde begins his journey for his sister. She was in trouble again and most likely mixed up with somebody very dangerous. From Colorado, outdoorsman, Clyde Barr returns to the states after serving as a gun for hire in Africa and South American. After leaving Juarez prison, Clyde is camping and receives the phone call. He has no clue where she could be. He has had no contact with his family in years.
On his journey, he meets Allie Martin, a bartender. They both are equally stubborn. Soon a relationship develops as they travel deeper into the remote Colorado’s high country. From drug-ring politics, meth houses, and violence. However, despite the challenges, nothing will stop Barr from reaching his sister, and his strong loyalty to family and blood.
What he was dealing with, he had underestimated. In a matter of days, he was dealing with drug dealer gangs, feds, and a girl who started to mean something. So much, for the quiet life. Shortly thereafter, an intense race against time.
Storey, introduces strong female characters, in addition to Barr, for women readers; Allie and Jen, which proves riveting heroes in their own right. Jen is no poor victim. A gal who can handle herself. With a rich cast of characters, an action-packed tale of grit, emotion, desperation, and the resilience of family. From good to evil, the author explores both extremes.
New fans will anxiously be awaiting the next installment of pulp-action hero, Clyde Barr. Stark and gripping, with a strong sense of place in rural rich areas, and bold nuanced characterization reminiscent, of Ace Atkins, Lee Child (Jack Reacher), Craig Johnson, and CJ Box.
As the author mentions in an interview, “The book isn’t a cup of tea at all; it’s whiskey on the rocks.”
Indeed, it is like sipping and savoring the spirit. So grab a glass, pour yourself some whiskey, kick back in your leather man (or woman) chair, and do some taste testing and follow Clyde Bar on his adventure. Feel like kickin’ it old school? Have your whiskey in a tin cup in the great outdoors, a perfect side-kick for Nothing Short of Dying.
I am always fascinated with the inspiration behind books and authors. Thoroughly enjoyed the Interview with Erik Storey.
In addition to the advanced reading copy, also purchased the audio version, narrated by Jeremy Bobb (sexy, edgy, gritty), a perfect match for Storey’s smashing debut, for a full throttle performance ride.
Worthy of the hype, Nothing Short of Dying, equal parts rural country noir and contemporary Western, with a tough hero to stand up and cheer for, and not to be messed with. A rugged guy, the kind you would want to be alone in the wilderness with, for more than one reason.
Storey is an author to follow with many epic-adventures to follow. Sounds like we will visit Clyde next, as he wanders onto a Native American reservation, which mysteriously seems to have been taken over by an outlaw biker gang – and there’s report of terrorist activity in the area. [b:A Promise to Kill|32620347|A Promise to Kill (Clyde Barr, #2)|Erik Storey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498972124s/32620347.jpg|53208030]
Can’t wait. Movie worthy. Awesome cover. Bring it on!
A special thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
The gritty novel begins with a phone call in the Utah wilderness about a week after Clyde Barr had been released from prison. He had hoped for a storybook homecoming; however, in reality, this was not a dream life. He likes the wilderness and living off the grid, with no technology or frills.cds
Jen, his sister called with a desperate SOS- she needed for him to come and get her. Throughout their childhood, they had been through nights of their mom and dad fighting, mom’s boyfriends, drunks, loss of control, fighting, and abuse. Mostly hiding out to ride out the storm. The two of them against the world. They have secrets.
Jen explained in a whispered voice, for Clyde to hurry, he was going to kill her. She was to help, and then he would kill her. She reminded him he owed her. Before she could tell him where she was, Barr heard a male voice and the line went dead.
He was her flesh and blood. She had a knack for finding the wrong people, times, and places. He had left her to fend for herself because he had been selfish. Now he owed her. This was his chance to make up for his mistakes; however, he needed a track to follow, a direction. Barr knows that nothing short of dying will stop him from saving her.
After their dad left, and their mom died, he did something stupid which almost got him killed. Jen did something worse that saved his life. If anyone ever found out what they had done, they would be serving life sentences. Jen kept quiet and he was free. They had been to hell and back. He would do whatever she asked.
Clyde begins his journey for his sister. She was in trouble again and most likely mixed up with somebody very dangerous. From Colorado, outdoorsman, Clyde Barr returns to the states after serving as a gun for hire in Africa and South American. After leaving Juarez prison, Clyde is camping and receives the phone call. He has no clue where she could be. He has had no contact with his family in years.
On his journey, he meets Allie Martin, a bartender. They both are equally stubborn. Soon a relationship develops as they travel deeper into the remote Colorado’s high country. From drug-ring politics, meth houses, and violence. However, despite the challenges, nothing will stop Barr from reaching his sister, and his strong loyalty to family and blood.
What he was dealing with, he had underestimated. In a matter of days, he was dealing with drug dealer gangs, feds, and a girl who started to mean something. So much, for the quiet life. Shortly thereafter, an intense race against time.
Storey, introduces strong female characters, in addition to Barr, for women readers; Allie and Jen, which proves riveting heroes in their own right. Jen is no poor victim. A gal who can handle herself. With a rich cast of characters, an action-packed tale of grit, emotion, desperation, and the resilience of family. From good to evil, the author explores both extremes.
New fans will anxiously be awaiting the next installment of pulp-action hero, Clyde Barr. Stark and gripping, with a strong sense of place in rural rich areas, and bold nuanced characterization reminiscent, of Ace Atkins, Lee Child (Jack Reacher), Craig Johnson, and CJ Box.
As the author mentions in an interview, “The book isn’t a cup of tea at all; it’s whiskey on the rocks.”
Indeed, it is like sipping and savoring the spirit. So grab a glass, pour yourself some whiskey, kick back in your leather man (or woman) chair, and do some taste testing and follow Clyde Bar on his adventure. Feel like kickin’ it old school? Have your whiskey in a tin cup in the great outdoors, a perfect side-kick for Nothing Short of Dying.
I am always fascinated with the inspiration behind books and authors. Thoroughly enjoyed the Interview with Erik Storey.
“I wanted to show off this side of the state,” he continues. “It’s not as visited as Denver. Western Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Idaho — they’re kind of forgotten. People will fly into the cities, but because the population density is so small, they overlook the rest of the region. To a lot of people, the West is kind of an obscure concept. I want to promote this area with my books.
As Clyde’s quest takes him from small town to small town throughout Colorado — Riverside, Clifton, Palisade, De Beque, Rifle, Meeker, Mack, Leadville, Steamboat Springs — he unearths both the grandeur and grit of life in the high country and on the Western Slope.
What does define Clyde’s character, besides his tenacity and honor, is a deep distrust of cell phones, apps, computers and every other innovation that distracts from the simplicity of humanity’s bond with the land?
In addition to the advanced reading copy, also purchased the audio version, narrated by Jeremy Bobb (sexy, edgy, gritty), a perfect match for Storey’s smashing debut, for a full throttle performance ride.
Worthy of the hype, Nothing Short of Dying, equal parts rural country noir and contemporary Western, with a tough hero to stand up and cheer for, and not to be messed with. A rugged guy, the kind you would want to be alone in the wilderness with, for more than one reason.
Storey is an author to follow with many epic-adventures to follow. Sounds like we will visit Clyde next, as he wanders onto a Native American reservation, which mysteriously seems to have been taken over by an outlaw biker gang – and there’s report of terrorist activity in the area. [b:A Promise to Kill|32620347|A Promise to Kill (Clyde Barr, #2)|Erik Storey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498972124s/32620347.jpg|53208030]
Can’t wait. Movie worthy. Awesome cover. Bring it on!
A special thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
zare_i's review against another edition
4.0
Story of a man who seeks refuge from the rest of the world in order to make peace with his past only to end up in a conflict with drug cartel that abducted his sister.
Clyde Barr is rather melancholic person that tries to redeem himself from his past. He tries to live outside the society, wandering through the wilderness and living his own life in peace. But he has an Achilles heel of sorts - he is prompted to action whenever he sees injustice and oppression, he moves in to help whomever is in distress and this just gets him into deeper problems and conflicts. He goes through everything without a second thought on his well-being, he sees it as a purgatory that he has to walk through to achieve redemption. Literary his word is his bond and when he promises something he will not stray until promise is fulfilled.
This is a fast read, with lots of interesting characters, relationships and lots of action.
Highly recommended to all thriller and action fans.
Clyde Barr is rather melancholic person that tries to redeem himself from his past. He tries to live outside the society, wandering through the wilderness and living his own life in peace. But he has an Achilles heel of sorts - he is prompted to action whenever he sees injustice and oppression, he moves in to help whomever is in distress and this just gets him into deeper problems and conflicts. He goes through everything without a second thought on his well-being, he sees it as a purgatory that he has to walk through to achieve redemption. Literary his word is his bond and when he promises something he will not stray until promise is fulfilled.
This is a fast read, with lots of interesting characters, relationships and lots of action.
Highly recommended to all thriller and action fans.
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
3.0
NOTHING SHORT OF DYING is the debut release from author Erik Storey, which arrived with considerable fanfare. It's flagged as something that will have Lee Child's Reacher watching over his shoulder which clearly flags this is action packed, with a lone hero up against it from all sides central character.
Clyde Barr is a mountain man, hunter and a mercenary. After many years fighting conflicts in Africa amongst other places, and a torrid stint in a Mexican jail he's heading back to his native Colorado, out into the mountains, going bush as we'd say in Australia, looking for a low key sort of life. Which all goes to hell in a hand-basket when he gets a frantic call from one of his sisters, and heads out to save the day. At this point you start to find out that Barr's personal life is anything but uncomplicated, his family is fractured, his younger sister has been a bit of a trial and just about everybody is flat out nasty or at the very least disinterested. Unless you count Allie the barmaid with a sort of heart of gold and taste for adventure, who joins him on quest, serving as companion, love interest and recently arrived conscience or reason to get his act together.
NOTHING SHORT OF DYING is really quite the roller-coaster ride, and in that I'm not just referring to the action packed, race to find and free the sister. There are many highs and lows in dealing with Barr to navigate as well. The action here is bloody and violent, there's a feeling of the wild west about the pace, and the free-wheeling bash, crash and killing spree. Whilst it's obvious that those who have taken Jen are definitely the black hat wearers, Barr's not so easy to pigeon-hole. There are times when he feels like part of the problem - with a tendency to wipe out anybody who even looks like they are going to get in his way, and times he's haunted by memories of things that have gone wrong in the past, people who he's failed to save, bodies he's left in his wake. And of course, there's a budding romance with Allie - who is carting around more than a few issues of her own.
There were points where I absolutely loved NOTHING SHORT OF DYING, and points where I'd cheerfully have flung it across a room. Whilst there are aspects of Barr's characterisation that rang true, that has to balanced up against the constant concept of anything can be solved if you shoot it, hit it hard enough, or drive around it fast enough. All of which has been done - to death - before, although undoubtedly that doesn't sound particularly fair as the same could be said of lots of thrillers. It's all going to come down to a question of connection with Barr and even with Allie. If, as a reader he's somebody you instantly feel you can barrack for, or even just understand a bit, then the quibbles will disappear. If he's somebody you're struggling with, then the lack of subtlety, and the constant bang bang, shoot 'em up, loner out to save the day, getting it wrong, getting it right and the extreme violence is going to be less successful.
NOTHING SHORT OF DYING is definitely one for readers to make their own minds up about.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-nothing-short-dying-erik-storey
Clyde Barr is a mountain man, hunter and a mercenary. After many years fighting conflicts in Africa amongst other places, and a torrid stint in a Mexican jail he's heading back to his native Colorado, out into the mountains, going bush as we'd say in Australia, looking for a low key sort of life. Which all goes to hell in a hand-basket when he gets a frantic call from one of his sisters, and heads out to save the day. At this point you start to find out that Barr's personal life is anything but uncomplicated, his family is fractured, his younger sister has been a bit of a trial and just about everybody is flat out nasty or at the very least disinterested. Unless you count Allie the barmaid with a sort of heart of gold and taste for adventure, who joins him on quest, serving as companion, love interest and recently arrived conscience or reason to get his act together.
NOTHING SHORT OF DYING is really quite the roller-coaster ride, and in that I'm not just referring to the action packed, race to find and free the sister. There are many highs and lows in dealing with Barr to navigate as well. The action here is bloody and violent, there's a feeling of the wild west about the pace, and the free-wheeling bash, crash and killing spree. Whilst it's obvious that those who have taken Jen are definitely the black hat wearers, Barr's not so easy to pigeon-hole. There are times when he feels like part of the problem - with a tendency to wipe out anybody who even looks like they are going to get in his way, and times he's haunted by memories of things that have gone wrong in the past, people who he's failed to save, bodies he's left in his wake. And of course, there's a budding romance with Allie - who is carting around more than a few issues of her own.
There were points where I absolutely loved NOTHING SHORT OF DYING, and points where I'd cheerfully have flung it across a room. Whilst there are aspects of Barr's characterisation that rang true, that has to balanced up against the constant concept of anything can be solved if you shoot it, hit it hard enough, or drive around it fast enough. All of which has been done - to death - before, although undoubtedly that doesn't sound particularly fair as the same could be said of lots of thrillers. It's all going to come down to a question of connection with Barr and even with Allie. If, as a reader he's somebody you instantly feel you can barrack for, or even just understand a bit, then the quibbles will disappear. If he's somebody you're struggling with, then the lack of subtlety, and the constant bang bang, shoot 'em up, loner out to save the day, getting it wrong, getting it right and the extreme violence is going to be less successful.
NOTHING SHORT OF DYING is definitely one for readers to make their own minds up about.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-nothing-short-dying-erik-storey
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
It had an interesting premise but wasn't able to grab me. Just wasn't hooked or thrilled by the story as I had hoped, but it wasn't bad by any means. It was an okay read just didn't interested me enough
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
RATING: 3.5 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
I have given up on Lee Child's Reacher series. It started to feel like the same book as I got further into the series. I've decided to abandon the series...so when I read this one is like Reacher but grittier, I debated about starting this one. I can never resist a suspense book, so I decided to try it. I am glad I did. This is a promising series. Clyde Barr is an interesting character and I cannot wait to see if we get more on that rather than just action.
(Review Not on Blog)
I have given up on Lee Child's Reacher series. It started to feel like the same book as I got further into the series. I've decided to abandon the series...so when I read this one is like Reacher but grittier, I debated about starting this one. I can never resist a suspense book, so I decided to try it. I am glad I did. This is a promising series. Clyde Barr is an interesting character and I cannot wait to see if we get more on that rather than just action.
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
3.0
Modern day cowboy story.
Clyde Barr is fresh out of prison when his sister calls for help. He has to use all the skills he has gathered during his adventures around the world to find her and rescue her from a drug load who is trying to use to commit a robbery. There is no way he can say no to someone seeking help and it's why he has always found himself getting into life threatening situations. This time is no different and he has to put his life on the line and those of the people around him to get his sister back.
This is an enjoyable read but there is nothing that grabs me and makes me want to know more about the characters. There it nothing wrong, but just not hugely exciting.
Clyde Barr is fresh out of prison when his sister calls for help. He has to use all the skills he has gathered during his adventures around the world to find her and rescue her from a drug load who is trying to use to commit a robbery. There is no way he can say no to someone seeking help and it's why he has always found himself getting into life threatening situations. This time is no different and he has to put his life on the line and those of the people around him to get his sister back.
This is an enjoyable read but there is nothing that grabs me and makes me want to know more about the characters. There it nothing wrong, but just not hugely exciting.
alexcarbonneau's review against another edition
4.0
Action-packed, straight to the point, in your face thrill ride.
And that's basically it for first installment of what anyone could predict of many in the Clyde Barr series.
Don't go looking for literary, lengthy descriptions. What you got here is straight as an arrow exploding action from the tenth word of the novel until the acknowledgments. No big plot twist, although at one point, the author takes the reader by surprise by stepping outside the clichés a little bit - something I personally enjoyed - but then again, complex and spider webbed story isn't the goal of this novel.
Nothing Short Of Dying doesn't reinvent the wheel but it is one of the most effective novel in it's genre that I have read in a while. It manages to be a refreshing one when nearly every "action novels" are about rogue military of secret agent or CIA asset. It doesn't step outside the format but still has the effect of a breath of fresh air, probably the result of writing a whole thriller without - almost ever - using technology in a modern world.
Made me think of Ace Atkins' The Ranger and Steph Post's Lightwood at some point.
All in all a very nice summer read that could go in a single serving. Will definitely go for #2, A Promise To Kill.
And that's basically it for first installment of what anyone could predict of many in the Clyde Barr series.
Don't go looking for literary, lengthy descriptions. What you got here is straight as an arrow exploding action from the tenth word of the novel until the acknowledgments. No big plot twist, although at one point, the author takes the reader by surprise by stepping outside the clichés a little bit - something I personally enjoyed - but then again, complex and spider webbed story isn't the goal of this novel.
Nothing Short Of Dying doesn't reinvent the wheel but it is one of the most effective novel in it's genre that I have read in a while. It manages to be a refreshing one when nearly every "action novels" are about rogue military of secret agent or CIA asset. It doesn't step outside the format but still has the effect of a breath of fresh air, probably the result of writing a whole thriller without - almost ever - using technology in a modern world.
Made me think of Ace Atkins' The Ranger and Steph Post's Lightwood at some point.
All in all a very nice summer read that could go in a single serving. Will definitely go for #2, A Promise To Kill.
berthe33's review against another edition
3.0
Received from netgalley for honest review.
Not terrible for a first effort...less description may have worked better for an action thriller; most of main characters were well developed....most of peripheral characters seemed ...peripheral. Barr relationship with sisters seemed real enough; perhaps more info re: childhood with sister Jen. Hope second installment is better.
Not terrible for a first effort...less description may have worked better for an action thriller; most of main characters were well developed....most of peripheral characters seemed ...peripheral. Barr relationship with sisters seemed real enough; perhaps more info re: childhood with sister Jen. Hope second installment is better.
btpierce13's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a quick one but it’s because it lacked a lot of description or imagery for each of the scenes. The story progressed quickly and the character seemed too omnipotent. Each fight scene was more ridiculous than the last.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing Short of Dying by Erik Storey (July 2016) On NetGalley, publish on Amazon on 16/8/2016)
‘Sometimes the universe has other plans.’
Clyde Barr has seen a lot in his life. He left his home in Colorado at a young age, and he’s been away for sixteen years. Clyde has spent time as an adventurer, a hunter, and as a soldier of fortune. He’s also spent some time in jail. Right now, he’s happy to spend time in the mountains. He knows how to survive. As the novel opens, Clyde is sitting by a campfire. His ‘phone rings. It is Jen, the youngest of his three sisters, making a frantic call for Clyde’s help. Jen has been abducted and her life is in danger, she tells Clyde. And then the ‘phone goes dead. Clyde had sworn to protect Jen when they were both children: there’s no way he’s not going to search for her.
‘All he knows is that nothing short of dying will stop him from saving her.’
This is the beginning of an action-packed story, as Clyde tries to find Jen. How do you find someone with so little information? Early on Clyde is joined on his mission by a young woman called Allie. Allie, a bartender, has her own reasons for joining Clyde. To try to find Jen, Clyde needs to go back into his own past. He knows it won’t be safe. Clyde and Allie make a good team, and as they travel together we learn more about each of them. And, as Clyde tries to find out where Jen is and who has kidnapped her, he’s going to need all of the help he can get. It’s not always easy to differentiate friend from foe.
I enjoyed this novel, kept reading to find out what would happen next. Would Allie and Clyde find Jen in time? Just why was Jen kidnapped? There’s a struggle going on to control aspects of the drug trade, and Clyde and Allie find themselves caught up in this.
This is Mr Storey’s first novel, and while a couple of aspects didn’t work well for me, overall the story held my attention. Clyde Barr is an interesting character, and Allie complements him perfectly. I’ll be interested in reading Mr Storey’s next novel (a series is planned) to see how Clyde develops.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
‘Sometimes the universe has other plans.’
Clyde Barr has seen a lot in his life. He left his home in Colorado at a young age, and he’s been away for sixteen years. Clyde has spent time as an adventurer, a hunter, and as a soldier of fortune. He’s also spent some time in jail. Right now, he’s happy to spend time in the mountains. He knows how to survive. As the novel opens, Clyde is sitting by a campfire. His ‘phone rings. It is Jen, the youngest of his three sisters, making a frantic call for Clyde’s help. Jen has been abducted and her life is in danger, she tells Clyde. And then the ‘phone goes dead. Clyde had sworn to protect Jen when they were both children: there’s no way he’s not going to search for her.
‘All he knows is that nothing short of dying will stop him from saving her.’
This is the beginning of an action-packed story, as Clyde tries to find Jen. How do you find someone with so little information? Early on Clyde is joined on his mission by a young woman called Allie. Allie, a bartender, has her own reasons for joining Clyde. To try to find Jen, Clyde needs to go back into his own past. He knows it won’t be safe. Clyde and Allie make a good team, and as they travel together we learn more about each of them. And, as Clyde tries to find out where Jen is and who has kidnapped her, he’s going to need all of the help he can get. It’s not always easy to differentiate friend from foe.
I enjoyed this novel, kept reading to find out what would happen next. Would Allie and Clyde find Jen in time? Just why was Jen kidnapped? There’s a struggle going on to control aspects of the drug trade, and Clyde and Allie find themselves caught up in this.
This is Mr Storey’s first novel, and while a couple of aspects didn’t work well for me, overall the story held my attention. Clyde Barr is an interesting character, and Allie complements him perfectly. I’ll be interested in reading Mr Storey’s next novel (a series is planned) to see how Clyde develops.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith