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jarreloliveira's review against another edition
4.0
At first I didn't like Clyde Barr, the battered protagonist of this adventure.
He was too strong. Too good. He was too much of a hero.
But as the story developed, as the characters evolved and the dangers were ever more present I realized Clyde was very much a product of his surroundings.
His pain, his wounds, his brokenness, his hostility in the face of hostility. His resolute character in the face of adversity and disadvantage. His faith in the unseen plan in the sight of the death trap. The uncertain.
All of these prove, that through the harshest seasons, some of us come out bruised, scarred but as champions.
And unlike his antagonist, a monster at heart, Clyde rose out of the ashes a modern day knight.
Would not mind having a Clyde Barr only a phone call away.
He was too strong. Too good. He was too much of a hero.
But as the story developed, as the characters evolved and the dangers were ever more present I realized Clyde was very much a product of his surroundings.
His pain, his wounds, his brokenness, his hostility in the face of hostility. His resolute character in the face of adversity and disadvantage. His faith in the unseen plan in the sight of the death trap. The uncertain.
All of these prove, that through the harshest seasons, some of us come out bruised, scarred but as champions.
And unlike his antagonist, a monster at heart, Clyde rose out of the ashes a modern day knight.
Would not mind having a Clyde Barr only a phone call away.
amberlyswords's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked this book but didn't love it. Both the writing and the paced of plot was okay but it was bit dull. The ending was okay, and the cover of the book was fine also I would like the characters to been flash out bit more.
alice2000's review against another edition
2.0
Casey's Challenge 2017: #37 Doesn't Cost (don't already own)
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eleellis's review against another edition
4.0
Erik Storey's Nothing Short of Dying is a good summer read.
Clyde Barr is a drifting man who receives a cryptic call for help from his sister Jen. His sister is being held at an unknown location by a vicious thug planning some sort of unknown heist. Clyde is compelled to help his sister, fueled by a promise once made to her when the two were younger.
Storey parses out the backstory of Barr and his sister in sprinkles throughout the book and brings in a wide variety of supporting characters - some nasty and others even nastier, while keeping the story flowing and interesting.
Clyde receives help from interesting characters along the way; one of whom is especially troubling.
This is an enjoyable book from a first time author, with apparent plans to base more novels with the Clyde Barr character.
Clyde Barr is a drifting man who receives a cryptic call for help from his sister Jen. His sister is being held at an unknown location by a vicious thug planning some sort of unknown heist. Clyde is compelled to help his sister, fueled by a promise once made to her when the two were younger.
Storey parses out the backstory of Barr and his sister in sprinkles throughout the book and brings in a wide variety of supporting characters - some nasty and others even nastier, while keeping the story flowing and interesting.
Clyde receives help from interesting characters along the way; one of whom is especially troubling.
This is an enjoyable book from a first time author, with apparent plans to base more novels with the Clyde Barr character.
tpaulschulte's review against another edition
4.0
We are really living and reading at a good time especially if you love thrillers. There are so many promising authors coming out at this time that it is hard to keep up. Erik Storey is one of the new breed of thriller writer that shows the genre is in good hands for the foreseeable future.
This is the first Clyde Barr novel and is a surprise. Storey's command of language and setting is impressive. I can see shades of James Lee Burke here who is the master of description and setting. Storey is on the right track.
Our hero, Barr, is a complicated and driven individual. Much like Jack Reacher he is drawn to the underdog and at times this has been to his detriment. Nothing Short of Dying concerns Barr's family, namely his little sister Jen who has fallen in with some bad people. Barr, trying to get away into the wilderness after a stint in a Mexican prison just wants peace, and mountains and space to breathe. Unfortunately, a call for help from his sister sets him back in the places and homes they left behind many years ago. memories that are not pleasant for either sibling. It is through these flashbacks that we see what made Barr who he is. In his quest, he finds a kindred soul in Allie, a great foil for Barr and his go for broke attitude.
Throw in mexican drug lords, bikers, tweakers and assorted ex military types and you have a heck of a book.
Looking forward to catching up with Clyde Barr again and hopefully for many years.
This is the first Clyde Barr novel and is a surprise. Storey's command of language and setting is impressive. I can see shades of James Lee Burke here who is the master of description and setting. Storey is on the right track.
Our hero, Barr, is a complicated and driven individual. Much like Jack Reacher he is drawn to the underdog and at times this has been to his detriment. Nothing Short of Dying concerns Barr's family, namely his little sister Jen who has fallen in with some bad people. Barr, trying to get away into the wilderness after a stint in a Mexican prison just wants peace, and mountains and space to breathe. Unfortunately, a call for help from his sister sets him back in the places and homes they left behind many years ago. memories that are not pleasant for either sibling. It is through these flashbacks that we see what made Barr who he is. In his quest, he finds a kindred soul in Allie, a great foil for Barr and his go for broke attitude.
Throw in mexican drug lords, bikers, tweakers and assorted ex military types and you have a heck of a book.
Looking forward to catching up with Clyde Barr again and hopefully for many years.
bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
4.0
You know when you have a cover quote from Lee Child that you’re onto a winner!
This was one of the books that I read while I was trying to rest my back and I absolutely tore through it!
I love a good action book! Like, really love them! Manly, testosterone-fuelled books are super fun for me. In the same way that I love Die Hard and so on, it’s the same with these kinds of books.
Nothing Short of Dying was brilliant! It had loads going for it. An interesting main character (a definite pretender to the Jack Reacher throne but excellent all the same), some intriguing side characters and a banging plot. The bad guys were baaaaaaad, the violence was plenty, and it was just a thrill ride!
Erik Storey is definitely one to watch as regards an action thriller author. You can tell he’s been an outdoorsy, wilderness kinda guy. It translated well in the knowledge of outside stuff (clearly, I do NOT do outdoorsy as I don’t even know how to describe it!) and it worked well with the plot.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Highly recommended!
This was one of the books that I read while I was trying to rest my back and I absolutely tore through it!
I love a good action book! Like, really love them! Manly, testosterone-fuelled books are super fun for me. In the same way that I love Die Hard and so on, it’s the same with these kinds of books.
Nothing Short of Dying was brilliant! It had loads going for it. An interesting main character (a definite pretender to the Jack Reacher throne but excellent all the same), some intriguing side characters and a banging plot. The bad guys were baaaaaaad, the violence was plenty, and it was just a thrill ride!
Erik Storey is definitely one to watch as regards an action thriller author. You can tell he’s been an outdoorsy, wilderness kinda guy. It translated well in the knowledge of outside stuff (clearly, I do NOT do outdoorsy as I don’t even know how to describe it!) and it worked well with the plot.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Highly recommended!
daniellekolleen's review against another edition
1.0
Got to chapter 9 and the main character was proud of himself for “not taking advantage” of the “beautiful maiden” he “defended” and that was the final straw. Bye.
psalmcat's review against another edition
3.0
Set in and around Grand Junction and the western slope. Basically, Jack Reacher as a mercenary-parolee-from-Mexican-jail. Moves along very fast, a little too fast. But the character is interesting. May have to keep an eye out for future Clyde books.
giantsdancefarm's review against another edition
4.0
If you like a rougher than Jack Reacher character and the CO mountains, check this one out. Some pretty violent scenes, but I'll be checking to see if my library has other Erik Storey books.
amothersmusings1's review
5.0
This is an excellent debut novel that I enjoyed from start to finish. It is an action packed page turner that I could not put down and eagerly await the next chapter in Clyde Barr's life - as I am sure there is more to come. He can be likened to Lee Child's Jack Reacher and Noah Boyd's The Bricklayer that I read recently. He's tough, intelligent, scared of no one or anything, he has strong family morals in keeping his family safe and protected and with his awful childhood history it makes you feel sympathy and respect for him. Thank you Goodreads Giveaways for the opportunity to read this book, one I would surely have missed out on had I not won a copy.