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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
3.5 stars really. I liked this one even more than the first in the series. Some parts of this book are as well written as anything I've read. I feel he maybe goes on just a bit too long in some cases and could maybe benefit from some tighter editing? (as if I should be so critical of this really good writer!).
Anyway, need to go put #3 on to my "want to read" list.
Anyway, need to go put #3 on to my "want to read" list.
3.5 stars. literary mystery. would recommend reading the first one first because i feel like i missed a lot by not doing that
Writing reminiscent of James Lee Burke, fully realized characters, and plotting as complex and satisfactory as you will find anywhere. So I do not understand at all why Scott isn't better known. I laughed, I cried, and I read way too late into the night. Highly recommended but do read the first Chris Cherry book, The Far Empty, first.
This was a much more complex story than the first book. It has the same characters but it is a story with a lot of different characters with their own agendas. It is full of action and it makes you think about what might be the right thing to do in the situation.
I recently received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I did not receive it from the publisher and I'm under no obligation to write any review. Having said that...
I loved this book.
It hit all the criteria I need a book in this genre to hit. Real and believable characters that make sense, including (especially) the bad guys... check. Showing me things about "the seedy side of life" that I don't ever experience in my 9-5 job... check. A plausible story that doesn't make me jump through hoops to believe... check. An ending that is satisfying, but still makes you grimace just a bit because not everything went the way you wanted it to, but was still the better, more realistic choice... check. The ability to make me stay up far later than is good for me because I just have to read one more chapter... check. (And isn't that the true litmus test of any book? If it can make you stay up late it's worth the purchase, right?)
As he did in the first book, Scott offers viewpoints from several characters, although differently than before, and it works really well. Readers who may have struggled with the format of the first book should feel more relaxed with this one. I liked the fact that Scott doesn't shy away from telling the story he needs to tell yet still has the restraint to not bloat the book with meaningless, mind-numbing detail or superfluous subplots. Speaking of detail, though- Scott can create a hell of setting with his words, no doubt about it.
No sophomore slump here, folks. J. Todd Scott clearly took every bit of knowledge gained in writing the first book and made his second offering even better.
I can't wait until this is officially released so I can get the hardcover on my shelf.
I loved this book.
It hit all the criteria I need a book in this genre to hit. Real and believable characters that make sense, including (especially) the bad guys... check. Showing me things about "the seedy side of life" that I don't ever experience in my 9-5 job... check. A plausible story that doesn't make me jump through hoops to believe... check. An ending that is satisfying, but still makes you grimace just a bit because not everything went the way you wanted it to, but was still the better, more realistic choice... check. The ability to make me stay up far later than is good for me because I just have to read one more chapter... check. (And isn't that the true litmus test of any book? If it can make you stay up late it's worth the purchase, right?)
As he did in the first book, Scott offers viewpoints from several characters, although differently than before, and it works really well. Readers who may have struggled with the format of the first book should feel more relaxed with this one. I liked the fact that Scott doesn't shy away from telling the story he needs to tell yet still has the restraint to not bloat the book with meaningless, mind-numbing detail or superfluous subplots. Speaking of detail, though- Scott can create a hell of setting with his words, no doubt about it.
No sophomore slump here, folks. J. Todd Scott clearly took every bit of knowledge gained in writing the first book and made his second offering even better.
I can't wait until this is officially released so I can get the hardcover on my shelf.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Two years after the death of Sheriff Ross, Sheriff Chris Cherry has another body on his hands and a gang of white supremacist bikers living in a nearby town...
[b:The Far Empty|27272425|The Far Empty|J. Todd Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448309236s/27272425.jpg|43391749] wound up being fantastic so I scooped this up when it popped up on Netgalley.
The second book set in the sleepy Texas border town of Murfee packs almost as big of a punch as the first. When a man winds up dead outside a bar, Chris Cherry picks up the trail and it leads him to a family of white supremacist bikers in a nearby town. However, nothing is as cut and dry as it seems.
Much like the last book, it's the ensemble cast that powers the story forward. Chris has a mentor in Ben Harper, a widowed lawman that's Chris' right hand and a capable deputy in America Reynosa. The Earl family is a horrible reflection of the makeshift family Chris has in the Murfee PD. Aside from the undercover cop in their midst, that is...
There are wheels within wheels in this one. Lots of people are lying and keeping secrets and more than one person ends up in the ground because of it. Once I got over the 50% hump, it was a hard book to put aside.
Once again, J. Todd Scott did a great job with the scenery and location, making Murfee and the surrounding areas almost a character in the story. Chris Cherry, however, is probably the least interesting character in the book. If the supporting cast wasn't so rich, I don't think I'd rate this or The Far Empty as highly.
The ending wound up being an even bigger trainwreck than I thought. The Murfee PD went through the flames and none of them came out without at least minor burns. While satisfying on its own, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
While I didn't like it quite as much as The Far Empty, High White Sun was quite a read. Four out of five stars.
[b:The Far Empty|27272425|The Far Empty|J. Todd Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448309236s/27272425.jpg|43391749] wound up being fantastic so I scooped this up when it popped up on Netgalley.
The second book set in the sleepy Texas border town of Murfee packs almost as big of a punch as the first. When a man winds up dead outside a bar, Chris Cherry picks up the trail and it leads him to a family of white supremacist bikers in a nearby town. However, nothing is as cut and dry as it seems.
Much like the last book, it's the ensemble cast that powers the story forward. Chris has a mentor in Ben Harper, a widowed lawman that's Chris' right hand and a capable deputy in America Reynosa. The Earl family is a horrible reflection of the makeshift family Chris has in the Murfee PD. Aside from the undercover cop in their midst, that is...
There are wheels within wheels in this one. Lots of people are lying and keeping secrets and more than one person ends up in the ground because of it. Once I got over the 50% hump, it was a hard book to put aside.
Once again, J. Todd Scott did a great job with the scenery and location, making Murfee and the surrounding areas almost a character in the story. Chris Cherry, however, is probably the least interesting character in the book. If the supporting cast wasn't so rich, I don't think I'd rate this or The Far Empty as highly.
The ending wound up being an even bigger trainwreck than I thought. The Murfee PD went through the flames and none of them came out without at least minor burns. While satisfying on its own, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
While I didn't like it quite as much as The Far Empty, High White Sun was quite a read. Four out of five stars.
This was in my opinion the best one so far. Unfortunately have I been reading them in the wrong order. But I think the story and characters in High White Sun were great. I am eagerly waiting for the next one by J. Todd Scott.
Second in the series, a modern day western.
South Texas - The Law, Bike Gangs and Drug dealers combine in a terrific tale.
Like his first it takes a little time to get going but Scott really brings it here.
Loved his first and this is better.
South Texas - The Law, Bike Gangs and Drug dealers combine in a terrific tale.
Like his first it takes a little time to get going but Scott really brings it here.
Loved his first and this is better.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A strong second book in the series, this one centering around the murder of a man and suspects with ties to a white suprematist group and the death of a law enforcement officer years before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol