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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Read Completed 4/21/23 | I was browsing audiobook narrators and wanted to try something different voiced by Ray Porter. I've really enjoyed crime-related TV dramas like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Ozark, Barry, In the Dark, etc -- and yet, I never read books with the same vibes. I took a chance on this one hoping it would have the same thrilling elements I've enjoyed in TV shows, but it never really took off for me. I did like the characters but aside from some big plot points, there just wasn't much to this book plot-wise. Nick Mason is in a tight spot but it wasn't full of the thrills I had hoped for, and I'm assuming there's more to come in this series with more answers, but it just wasn't enough to hook me and keep me going. Not a bad read but out of my comfort zone and not enough interest for me.
I read the second book of the series first and wondered what I had missed so I went backwards and got this one second. If I had picked up this first book first, I’m not sure I would have continued the series. The narrator, story line and intrigue was much better in the second book. If there is a third, I will give it a try, but only because the second book was good.
Solid start to a new series from one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors. Not surprisingly with a first book, the main character is the most-developed, but there is an interesting cast of supporting folks who I look forward to seeing develop (well, all those who weren't killed off already in this book anyway . . .). Quick pace, and kept me turning pages until I'd finished it in well less than 24 hours.
I liked this book a lot. I haven't read a book by Steve Hamilton that I haven't liked. He is very good at making the setting of the story come alive. Another good book by Steve Hamilton.
A 2016 staff favorite highly recommended by Jo. Read her review on the Cook Memorial Public Library's blog, Shelf Life: https://shelflife.cooklib.org/2016/04/26/the-second-life-of-nick-mason-by-steve-hamilton/
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Ssecond%20life%20of%20nick%20mason%20hamilton__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Ssecond%20life%20of%20nick%20mason%20hamilton__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Nick Mason isn’t a good guy. He is a thief who ended up in prison when one of his partners freaked out during a robbery and killed someone. But, he isn’t a bad guy either. He took the rap and never ratted out his best friend or the jerk who got him in the mess he found himself in. He was a good family guy when he got talked in to one last job and more than anything else he would love to have his family back. When he is offered the chance to be free after only 5 years he can’t refuse but he soon finds himself anything but free. His life is now owned by a bad guy who is truly bad. Thus begins the second life of Nick Mason. This was a great read – Nick is one of the most interesting protagonists I have encountered in quite awhile and I can’t wait to read more of how he balances working for a bad guy and trying to stay alive and out of prison, while at the same time trying to atone for his sins of the past.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was great! Full of action and unsuspecting turns! I'm sure this is going to be a popular series about Nick Mason and I can't wait to see where he goes in his "second life." I don't always like "crime" stories but this is more like, the bad guy is the hero. Nick is trapped in this life where he has more rules to follow than he did in prison but he's going to do the best he can while making sure the real bad guys get punished.
Thanks to First to Read for providing me with and ARC to review.
Thanks to First to Read for providing me with and ARC to review.
Enjoyed this new crime series quite a bit. I will always be a sucker for "Genuinely good person has gotten in over their head" stuff and Ray Porter was literally born to be the narrator for these kinds of audiobooks. Focusing so hard on the specific location (Chicago) the story takes place in is always a plus for me as well. Crime type stories really sing when they have that real strong sense of place.