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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Steve Hamilton: The Second Life of Nick Mason Steven Hamilton introduces readers to Nick Mason who is about to start the second chapter of his life, just not quite the second chapter he was hoping for; Nick Mason has spent the past 5 years in prison when an offer comes that he cannot refuse, he can get out 20 years early. For Nick this means h can once again be part of his daughter's life, he can try to be a new man on the outside. Nick doesn't fully understand the terms of his release until the first call comes in, he has to follow the orders, there is no yes or no answer he must do what he is told. He is now being controlled by Darius Cole who is a criminal mastermind and rules his organization from his prison cell. Nick is forced to commit even more serious crimes than the one that he was originally put away for, but he cannot renege on agreement. He wants to go straight but in order to do so he has to risk everything and become ruthless in the process. I really enjoyed this book it was fast paced and gritty with interesting main character. What stands out in this book is that Hamilton did not shy away from the grit that needed to be in this book to make this book not only believable but also unputdownable. This is fully a character driven book, yes there is some mystery as to why Nick is being asked to complete these tasks and who is this Darius Cole guy (he is explained in the book) but it more about Nick readjusting to being outside, trying to stay there and adapting to his new life and the tasks he is asked to complete. Now with many books where the main character is released from prison there are some cliche found here but even though they are cliche I think they hold a ring of real world truth, like the wife divorcing him and wanting to remarry or regretting the choices he made that landed him in prison. Sure similar books have this too but I think this just adds to the realism of the book. Mason is an interesting anti-hero. He is willing do to anything to protect those he loves (he's loyal to a fault) and that includes murder, yep you read that right straight out murder, but he tries to keep to a certain type of rules and code to. Obviously this code/rules is hard to stick to when someone other than himself is giving the orders. The one thing that I did not get out of Nick’s personality was he goes from thief/robber to cold blooded murderer. Maybe Cole saw something in Nick that we as the reader are not aware of but it just doesn’t fit his previous profile. However, it is intriguing to see how much Nick does change from the beginning to the end of the book and it was quite a ride. I’m extremely happy this did not have a cookie cutter ending where everything works out, if it did not only would I have liked the book less but in the scheme of the plot it would not have made sense to be tied up nicely in the end. I’m really looking forward to continuing on with this series. Great start to a series. Nick is an awesome character who really is the main focus of this book and Hamilton does him justice in his development and story. I will unqestionalby be picking up the second book in this series. Enjoy!!!!
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Another great book by Steve Hamilton. I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Nick Mason and wonder if he will continue in another book. So glad Steve stood up to his non-supportive publisher, and that he was picked up by another one so quickly. If you have not read Steve Hamilton before, please make him a top priority.
Really excellent.
My first book by this author, and I definitely will be reading his others.
A unique perspective and reflections balanced by action---this somewhat short little book packed in a lot.
My first book by this author, and I definitely will be reading his others.
A unique perspective and reflections balanced by action---this somewhat short little book packed in a lot.
Read the full review on http://www.talesbetweenthepages.comThe Second Life of Nick Mason is an unconventional crime thriller that asks the audience to trust Nick Mason, long-time thief released from prison twenty years early. He returns home to Chicago as another kind of prisoner---slave to the whims of Darius Cole, a man who runs an empire from his prison cell and is responsible for Nick's release. In exchange for a lavish lifestyle, all Nick has to do is answer the phone when it rings and carry out the job instructions given to him. When he's forced to kill a man (the one thing he swore to himself he'd never do), Nick faces a crisis like no other. He's forced to balance ethics and responsibility with the second life Darius Cole has given him. While this is a solid start to a new series, The Second Life of Nick Mason isn't without its problems. The book is too short for the story it needs to tell. Hamilton truncates two story lines, leaving the story itself feeling rushed. The female characters are largely superficial and under developed, especially Nick's love interest. Nevertheless, Hamilton's well-written unconventional hero is enough to keep this reviewer sticking around for the next book. Verdict: Borrow it, but don't quit the series just yet. Steve Berry's Cotton Malone books started off rocky too but has grown into a series worthy of the thriller genre. This reviewer has faith that Hamilton will do right by Nick Mason and is willing to wait it out.This review was originally posted on Tales Between the Pages
Read the full review on http://www.talesbetweenthepages.comThe Second Life of Nick Mason is an unconventional crime thriller that asks the audience to trust Nick Mason, long-time thief released from prison twenty years early. He returns home to Chicago as another kind of prisoner---slave to the whims of Darius Cole, a man who runs an empire from his prison cell and is responsible for Nick's release. In exchange for a lavish lifestyle, all Nick has to do is answer the phone when it rings and carry out the job instructions given to him. When he's forced to kill a man (the one thing he swore to himself he'd never do), Nick faces a crisis like no other. He's forced to balance ethics and responsibility with the second life Darius Cole has given him. While this is a solid start to a new series, The Second Life of Nick Mason isn't without its problems. The book is too short for the story it needs to tell. Hamilton truncates two story lines, leaving the story itself feeling rushed. The female characters are largely superficial and under developed, especially Nick's love interest. Nevertheless, Hamilton's well-written unconventional hero is enough to keep this reviewer sticking around for the next book. Verdict: Borrow it, but don't quit the series just yet. Steve Berry's Cotton Malone books started off rocky too but has grown into a series worthy of the thriller genre. This reviewer has faith that Hamilton will do right by Nick Mason and is willing to wait it out.This review was originally posted on Tales Between the Pages
I am such a sucker for these crime novels. I found out about this book at a public librarian conference. Great characters, great storyline, really fast-paced. If you're looking for a really great story that'll take your mind off of the rest the world for just a few hours, check out this fantastic piece of crime fiction.
The Secret Life of Nick Mason by Steve Hamilton is a 2016 G.P. Putnam’s Sons publication.
I’m always curious when an author steps away from his bread and butter series and starts a new one or writes a stand alone. I know Steve Hamilton from his Alex McKnight series, which is very enjoyable, so I felt confident the author would meet those standards no matter how far off the beaten path this story was by comparison.
Nick Mason receives a ‘get out of jail free’ card, but it comes with a hefty price. Five years ago, Nick was sentenced to a twenty-five year prison sentence. He soon finds he has been singled out by a long timer, Darius Cole, who runs a thriving business outside the prison walls, in Chicago. Darius needs someone on the outside to do his bidding and feels Nick is the best man for the job.
Suddenly, Nick finds his conviction overturned and his freedom restored. Not only that, he’s been provided with a plush Lincoln Park apartment, a nice car, and a big fat wad of cash which is replenished on a monthly basis. The catch? He must do whatever he is told, when he’s told to do it. When his phone rings, he must obey and perform the task assigned to him, no questions asked…
I don’t know why I was under the impression this was a stand alone novel, but it would appear it is the first book in a series.
Nick is one of those anti-hero types, a man who tries to live a clean and straight life, but keeps getting sucked back into the criminal element, each time worse than the last. This time, despite the loathing he has for what he is being forced to do, he has no choice but to make the best of a bad situation.
I think Nick makes an interesting character study, and is a person you feel bad for and even like, but who also commits horrible crimes, with only a modicum of remorse. The scenes with his daughter are especially poignant, but his attempts to lead a regular life are futile, even though he continues to delude himself into thinking he can still pull it off.
The Chicago setting is perfect for this stylish crime novel that employees a slight noir atmosphere, and is packed with nefarious characters from both sides of the law. There is plenty of action, violence, emotional conflict, and even a little romance, to cap things off, although this part felt slightly forced.
It’s too soon to tell how well the series will develop from here on out, and I will confess, I’m on the fence about this one. I liked it, but I wonder if this lead in is strong enough to build upon, but at the same time, I feel the series has a vast amount of promise. It will all hinge on that all important second book. As it stands right now, based on the momentum of this book, it could go either way.
Overall, this is a pretty big departure from the Alex McKnight series and fans of this author may be a bit surprised by it, but if approached with an open mind, I think you’ll find this is a pretty interesting crime drama, and I do recommend giving it a try.
3.5 stars
I’m always curious when an author steps away from his bread and butter series and starts a new one or writes a stand alone. I know Steve Hamilton from his Alex McKnight series, which is very enjoyable, so I felt confident the author would meet those standards no matter how far off the beaten path this story was by comparison.
Nick Mason receives a ‘get out of jail free’ card, but it comes with a hefty price. Five years ago, Nick was sentenced to a twenty-five year prison sentence. He soon finds he has been singled out by a long timer, Darius Cole, who runs a thriving business outside the prison walls, in Chicago. Darius needs someone on the outside to do his bidding and feels Nick is the best man for the job.
Suddenly, Nick finds his conviction overturned and his freedom restored. Not only that, he’s been provided with a plush Lincoln Park apartment, a nice car, and a big fat wad of cash which is replenished on a monthly basis. The catch? He must do whatever he is told, when he’s told to do it. When his phone rings, he must obey and perform the task assigned to him, no questions asked…
I don’t know why I was under the impression this was a stand alone novel, but it would appear it is the first book in a series.
Nick is one of those anti-hero types, a man who tries to live a clean and straight life, but keeps getting sucked back into the criminal element, each time worse than the last. This time, despite the loathing he has for what he is being forced to do, he has no choice but to make the best of a bad situation.
I think Nick makes an interesting character study, and is a person you feel bad for and even like, but who also commits horrible crimes, with only a modicum of remorse. The scenes with his daughter are especially poignant, but his attempts to lead a regular life are futile, even though he continues to delude himself into thinking he can still pull it off.
The Chicago setting is perfect for this stylish crime novel that employees a slight noir atmosphere, and is packed with nefarious characters from both sides of the law. There is plenty of action, violence, emotional conflict, and even a little romance, to cap things off, although this part felt slightly forced.
It’s too soon to tell how well the series will develop from here on out, and I will confess, I’m on the fence about this one. I liked it, but I wonder if this lead in is strong enough to build upon, but at the same time, I feel the series has a vast amount of promise. It will all hinge on that all important second book. As it stands right now, based on the momentum of this book, it could go either way.
Overall, this is a pretty big departure from the Alex McKnight series and fans of this author may be a bit surprised by it, but if approached with an open mind, I think you’ll find this is a pretty interesting crime drama, and I do recommend giving it a try.
3.5 stars
(I received this book as a free ARC in Penguin Random House's First To Read program.)
This book is excellent. I was expecting something a little less dynamic; I read a lot of crime thrillers/mysteries and they can be a little by the numbers. Nick Mason is a criminal with a strong moral center; he committed only non-violent crimes before he was sent to federal prison (for a crime that seems like a set-up). He makes a deal with the proverbial devil a few years into his quarter of a century jail sentence and ends up back home in Chicago. The deal comes with a one very long string- Nick's gotta be the devil's handyman for the rest of his aborted jail sentence. Although he's grateful for the second chance, the string tangles around Nick with every one of the devil's orders, until Nick's sure he may end up with that string around his neck.
I genuinely can't wait for the next book in the Nick Mason series.
This book is excellent. I was expecting something a little less dynamic; I read a lot of crime thrillers/mysteries and they can be a little by the numbers. Nick Mason is a criminal with a strong moral center; he committed only non-violent crimes before he was sent to federal prison (for a crime that seems like a set-up). He makes a deal with the proverbial devil a few years into his quarter of a century jail sentence and ends up back home in Chicago. The deal comes with a one very long string- Nick's gotta be the devil's handyman for the rest of his aborted jail sentence. Although he's grateful for the second chance, the string tangles around Nick with every one of the devil's orders, until Nick's sure he may end up with that string around his neck.
I genuinely can't wait for the next book in the Nick Mason series.