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Sonny Hawke Thriller #1
Hawke's Prey
Think: Elmore Leonard meets James Lee Burke. Jeffery Deaver
It s a stunning attack, lightning quick and chilling in its execution. A merciless gang of terrorists seizes the Presidio County Courthouse in the midst of the worst blizzard West Texas has seen in a century. Loaded down with enough fire power to outfit an army, the attackers slaughter dozens, take all survivors hostage, and assume complete control. The nation and the U.S. government are at their mercy.
Or so they think. They don t know that a seasoned Texas Ranger is also inside the courthouse. Sonny Hawke has hauled in some of America s Most Wanted. Now he s up against his most dangerous adversary yet. Sonny likes his chances. The enemy is his to take down one by one. Until he s face-to-face with the ruthless mastermind gunning for our very freedom . . .
Praise for Reavis Z. Wortham and His Novels
The most riveting thriller all year! John Gilstrap
A masterful and entertaining storyteller. Ellery Queen s Mystery Magazine
Entertaining and emotionally engaging. T. Jefferson Parker"
It s a stunning attack, lightning quick and chilling in its execution. A merciless gang of terrorists seizes the Presidio County Courthouse in the midst of the worst blizzard West Texas has seen in a century. Loaded down with enough fire power to outfit an army, the attackers slaughter dozens, take all survivors hostage, and assume complete control. The nation and the U.S. government are at their mercy.
Or so they think. They don t know that a seasoned Texas Ranger is also inside the courthouse. Sonny Hawke has hauled in some of America s Most Wanted. Now he s up against his most dangerous adversary yet. Sonny likes his chances. The enemy is his to take down one by one. Until he s face-to-face with the ruthless mastermind gunning for our very freedom . . .
Praise for Reavis Z. Wortham and His Novels
The most riveting thriller all year! John Gilstrap
A masterful and entertaining storyteller. Ellery Queen s Mystery Magazine
Entertaining and emotionally engaging. T. Jefferson Parker"
449 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published June 27, 2017
About the author
Reavis Z. Wortham
22 books218 followersReavis Z. Wortham retired in 2011 and now works harder than before as the author of the critically acclaimed Red River historical mystery series. Kirkus Reviews listed his first novel, The Rock Hole, as one of their Top 12 Mysteries of 2011. True West Magazine included Dark Places as one of 2015’s Top 12 Modern Westerns. The Providence Journal writes, “This year's Unraveled is a hidden gem of a book that reads like Craig Johnson's Longmire on steroids.” Wortham’s new high octane contemporary thriller from Kensington Publishing, Hawke's Prey, featuring Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke was released in June, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 8, 2017
The first book in the Sonny Hawke series is best described as Die Hard in a Texas courthouse, with a little bit of Rio Bravo thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, it's more like a Hallmark Movie Channel TV Movie starring Kevin Sorbo, than a hard "R" rated theatrical release.
Texas ranger Sonny Hawke tries to help his teacher wife out during a field trip to the courthouse. There's a huge blizzard outside. A group of politically correct, yet still inept terrorists storm the courthouse and take the kids hostage. The town is snowed in, and help is hours away. Sonny Hawke is the kids' only hope.
Fast moving, but a bit tame for this sort of novel.
Texas ranger Sonny Hawke tries to help his teacher wife out during a field trip to the courthouse. There's a huge blizzard outside. A group of politically correct, yet still inept terrorists storm the courthouse and take the kids hostage. The town is snowed in, and help is hours away. Sonny Hawke is the kids' only hope.
Fast moving, but a bit tame for this sort of novel.
July 21, 2017
Another manifesto in book's clothing
This is nothing more than the author's thinly veiled (OK, unveiled) screed about the dangers of illegal immigration. I prefer editorials to be labeled as such.
This is nothing more than the author's thinly veiled (OK, unveiled) screed about the dangers of illegal immigration. I prefer editorials to be labeled as such.
January 3, 2021
Unbeknownst to the good citizens of Ballard, Texas, as Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller by Reavis Z. Wortham begins, terrorists have crossed the nearby border and then violently through a nearby temporary border patrol checkpoint leaving bodies in their wake. While snowstorms and blizzards happen in this part of Southwest Texas, this one is a rare and massive super powered storm. The blizzard is not going to stop them from attacking and seizing the Presidio County Courthouse and taking those who survive the initial assault as hostages.
That includes Kelly Hawke, a teacher, and her civics class from the local school. That also means her own kids are also now held hostage with her and their fellow classmates in the occupied building. A legendary courthouse that is now occupied and full of innocent people, many terrorists, and a local legend in his own right, Sonny Hawke. The Texas Ranger is Kelly’s husband, father of their kids, and the only member of law enforcement in the building. The terrorists do not know that he is inside as he works to let Sheriff Ethan Armstrong know what is going on while doing recon and eliminating a terrorist or two along the way.
This book can pretty much be summed up as taking the concept for the movie Die Hard, making the setting a multilevel courthouse in far southwest Texas, make the terrorists homegrown and domestic with respective agendas, and let chaos ensue. This is a not a deep read nor is it intended to be as the thriller shifts among many points of view. Many of the characters are two dimensional and, as often happens, at least one of the on-site terrorist leaders is certifiably nuts. Of course, many of the foreign terrorists hate America for various sins while the home-grown ones seek to start a revolution that will, somehow, change America to what they believe were the good days back a couple of hundred years ago. This is billed as a thriller so one expects a lot of stereotypes and shallow characters as the focus is on constant action.
One is not disappointed in that as Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller by Reavis Z. Wortham powers along the violence increases and events spiral out of anyone’s realistic control. A plan is only good until first contact with the enemy and that point is taught repeatedly throughout the entire read.
A tad jingoistic and more than a bit simplistic, Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller by Reavis Z. Wortham, despite the negatives for this reader, is an entertaining read. Might make a great movie through Bruce Willis is a bit old now for Hawke. He could easily be Sheriff Ethan Armstrong who is hamstrung by the intense weather and a lack of resources as well as trying to keep the locals from excising their second amendment rights on their own. The next book in this series is Hawke’s War and I am on hold for it at the library.
For another take on the book, make sure you check out Aubrey Hamilton’s review from last August.
Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller
Reavis Z. Wortham
http://reaviszwortham.com/
Center Point Large Print (Thorndike)
https://www.gale.com/thorndike/-/N-5p
October 2017
ISBN# 978-1-68324-535-3
Large Print Hardback (available in audio, eBook, Hardback, and paperback formats)
470 Pages
Material supplied by the Grauwyler Park Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2021
That includes Kelly Hawke, a teacher, and her civics class from the local school. That also means her own kids are also now held hostage with her and their fellow classmates in the occupied building. A legendary courthouse that is now occupied and full of innocent people, many terrorists, and a local legend in his own right, Sonny Hawke. The Texas Ranger is Kelly’s husband, father of their kids, and the only member of law enforcement in the building. The terrorists do not know that he is inside as he works to let Sheriff Ethan Armstrong know what is going on while doing recon and eliminating a terrorist or two along the way.
This book can pretty much be summed up as taking the concept for the movie Die Hard, making the setting a multilevel courthouse in far southwest Texas, make the terrorists homegrown and domestic with respective agendas, and let chaos ensue. This is a not a deep read nor is it intended to be as the thriller shifts among many points of view. Many of the characters are two dimensional and, as often happens, at least one of the on-site terrorist leaders is certifiably nuts. Of course, many of the foreign terrorists hate America for various sins while the home-grown ones seek to start a revolution that will, somehow, change America to what they believe were the good days back a couple of hundred years ago. This is billed as a thriller so one expects a lot of stereotypes and shallow characters as the focus is on constant action.
One is not disappointed in that as Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller by Reavis Z. Wortham powers along the violence increases and events spiral out of anyone’s realistic control. A plan is only good until first contact with the enemy and that point is taught repeatedly throughout the entire read.
A tad jingoistic and more than a bit simplistic, Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller by Reavis Z. Wortham, despite the negatives for this reader, is an entertaining read. Might make a great movie through Bruce Willis is a bit old now for Hawke. He could easily be Sheriff Ethan Armstrong who is hamstrung by the intense weather and a lack of resources as well as trying to keep the locals from excising their second amendment rights on their own. The next book in this series is Hawke’s War and I am on hold for it at the library.
For another take on the book, make sure you check out Aubrey Hamilton’s review from last August.
Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller
Reavis Z. Wortham
http://reaviszwortham.com/
Center Point Large Print (Thorndike)
https://www.gale.com/thorndike/-/N-5p
October 2017
ISBN# 978-1-68324-535-3
Large Print Hardback (available in audio, eBook, Hardback, and paperback formats)
470 Pages
Material supplied by the Grauwyler Park Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2021
June 6, 2018
Great find!
Came across this book on Goodreads. What a thrill ride! I’m a huge Longmire fan & I put this right alongside Craig Johnson’s work. I’ll be back for more.
Came across this book on Goodreads. What a thrill ride! I’m a huge Longmire fan & I put this right alongside Craig Johnson’s work. I’ll be back for more.
September 22, 2021
Nonstop
Never read this author until I purchased the book on Thursday, prompted by reading a blog post on a blog for thriller writers. Started the book Friday night. Stayed up until 2AM to finish the book Sunday night. An absolute seat of your pants non stop ride. Gonna need your heart meds when you go riding with Sonny Hawke, Texas Ranger. Terrorists have taken hostages in the court house of a small west Texas town on the same day west Texas is hit with a blizzard of Buffalo NY proportions. Fed's can't get thru and the local sheriff's department is outgunned. It's up to Sonny Hawke to save the hostages without setting off an even bigger horror than even most of the terrorists know.
Never read this author until I purchased the book on Thursday, prompted by reading a blog post on a blog for thriller writers. Started the book Friday night. Stayed up until 2AM to finish the book Sunday night. An absolute seat of your pants non stop ride. Gonna need your heart meds when you go riding with Sonny Hawke, Texas Ranger. Terrorists have taken hostages in the court house of a small west Texas town on the same day west Texas is hit with a blizzard of Buffalo NY proportions. Fed's can't get thru and the local sheriff's department is outgunned. It's up to Sonny Hawke to save the hostages without setting off an even bigger horror than even most of the terrorists know.
September 24, 2018
Pretty generic action book. A blinding snowstorm. A mixed group of terrorists taking over a courthouse. A hostage situation. A lone Ranger working behind the scenes to fight back. Kind of like a lesser version of Die Hard. I might have gone 3.5 stars but there's a little too much "Texans are great, immigrants are bad" that pops up every once in a while. But I did like Sonny Hawke and I'd consider reading another book with him in it.
February 4, 2018
3.5 Stars. I won this book from Taylor Stevens. This was the first book I read by Mr. Wortham. It is a thriller, which is full of suspense and keeps you at the edge of your seat. For me, I did not care much for the setting of the story in West Texas, which is part of the reason for my rating. Overall, a well written story about a Texas Ranger and his fight to save the town and his family.
March 20, 2019
This is a pretty good start to a new thriller series. I've enjoyed Wortham's Red River mysteries, and this, while less cerebral, is a fine adventure based in the Texas tradition of doing things yourself. A good ensemble of interesting characters I hope to see again.
June 26, 2017
THRILLER
Reavis Z. Wortham
Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller
Pinnacle Books
Mass Market Paperback, 978-0-7860-4176-3, (also available as an e-book and on Audible), 320 pgs., $9.99
June 27, 2017
The Syrian students have been ostensibly studying literature, so the go-signal is, fittingly, Something Wicked This Way Comes. Namely, themselves.
Fictional Ballard, Texas (aka Marfa), in nonfictional Presidio County, is rapidly closing shop in the face of a freak blizzard. With the entire region paralyzed, no outside help is coming when an unholy alliance of “radical Muslims,” Mexican cartel members, and homegrown Texas secessionists (“fans of the original Red Dawn”) strikes the county courthouse.
Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke is in the courthouse when the attack begins. His schoolteacher wife (“who weighs a hundred pounds soaking wet and full of bananas”) and their children are taken hostage along with her students, county officials and employees, and random citizens. Ranger Hawke must channel his inner Bruce Willis and save the day, Die Hard–style.
Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller is the first in a new series from Texas’s Reavis Z. Wortham, author of the popular Red River Mystery series. Hawke’s Prey is an intuitive, creative synthesis of contemporary politics and policy into an original plot. Backed up by a solid, colorful cast of townspeople, leavening humor, and fast-paced action, it has definite promise.
Wortham writes excellent action sequences and knows how to ratchet tension. The fast-paced action takes off on page two and never stops. Aside from Ranger Hawke’s first-person account, the story unfolds in multiple third-person narratives. These alternating perspectives become unwieldy and intermittently confusing as the same action is relayed multiple times. Wortham’s plot is twisty and full of unexpected elements, and his subplots are expertly woven, a weird sexual proclivity of the attack’s mastermind notwithstanding—it’s merely strange, adding nothing to the story.
With pitch-perfect West-Texas flavor (“mean as a rattlesnake and twice as likely to strike”), Wortham paints a complex picture of Ballard, providing good backstories for his large cast of characters. We all know, and secretly love, the Mayo brothers of our hometowns. A disappointment in this roster is very few women in law enforcement, and we read as much about the physical attractiveness of the woman in the citizen-posse as we do her military experience.
Wortham’s details add dimension and personality: his mercenaries use code names from The Wizard of Oz; there’s a “covey of Red Hat women” in the hotel command post; the ranch hand who never learned to swear fluently in English; a terrorist mastermind with OCD. Wortham does a great job juxtaposing mundane details and the shock of an extraordinary intrusion: seconds before the attack begins, the sheriff is complaining about the snickerdoodle-flavored coffee his receptionist is trying out in the office coffeepot.
As in any coalition, different factions have their own agendas, priorities, and prejudices. Wortham uses this to sly effect when a homegrown nut cradling his assault rifle notes, “All of those foreigners with automatic weapons [make me] nervous.” There are some odd word choices (men “squirting” out of a van), and Hawke’s folksy tone during a fight with an armed terrorist (“our little rasslin’ match”) is incongruous. However, the use of local superstition as a determining factor in a climactic scene is inspired.
This first installment of the Sonny Hawke series is uneven, but it is a fun read.
Originally published in Lone Star Literary Life.
Reavis Z. Wortham
Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller
Pinnacle Books
Mass Market Paperback, 978-0-7860-4176-3, (also available as an e-book and on Audible), 320 pgs., $9.99
June 27, 2017
The Syrian students have been ostensibly studying literature, so the go-signal is, fittingly, Something Wicked This Way Comes. Namely, themselves.
Fictional Ballard, Texas (aka Marfa), in nonfictional Presidio County, is rapidly closing shop in the face of a freak blizzard. With the entire region paralyzed, no outside help is coming when an unholy alliance of “radical Muslims,” Mexican cartel members, and homegrown Texas secessionists (“fans of the original Red Dawn”) strikes the county courthouse.
Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke is in the courthouse when the attack begins. His schoolteacher wife (“who weighs a hundred pounds soaking wet and full of bananas”) and their children are taken hostage along with her students, county officials and employees, and random citizens. Ranger Hawke must channel his inner Bruce Willis and save the day, Die Hard–style.
Hawke’s Prey: A Sonny Hawke Thriller is the first in a new series from Texas’s Reavis Z. Wortham, author of the popular Red River Mystery series. Hawke’s Prey is an intuitive, creative synthesis of contemporary politics and policy into an original plot. Backed up by a solid, colorful cast of townspeople, leavening humor, and fast-paced action, it has definite promise.
Wortham writes excellent action sequences and knows how to ratchet tension. The fast-paced action takes off on page two and never stops. Aside from Ranger Hawke’s first-person account, the story unfolds in multiple third-person narratives. These alternating perspectives become unwieldy and intermittently confusing as the same action is relayed multiple times. Wortham’s plot is twisty and full of unexpected elements, and his subplots are expertly woven, a weird sexual proclivity of the attack’s mastermind notwithstanding—it’s merely strange, adding nothing to the story.
With pitch-perfect West-Texas flavor (“mean as a rattlesnake and twice as likely to strike”), Wortham paints a complex picture of Ballard, providing good backstories for his large cast of characters. We all know, and secretly love, the Mayo brothers of our hometowns. A disappointment in this roster is very few women in law enforcement, and we read as much about the physical attractiveness of the woman in the citizen-posse as we do her military experience.
Wortham’s details add dimension and personality: his mercenaries use code names from The Wizard of Oz; there’s a “covey of Red Hat women” in the hotel command post; the ranch hand who never learned to swear fluently in English; a terrorist mastermind with OCD. Wortham does a great job juxtaposing mundane details and the shock of an extraordinary intrusion: seconds before the attack begins, the sheriff is complaining about the snickerdoodle-flavored coffee his receptionist is trying out in the office coffeepot.
As in any coalition, different factions have their own agendas, priorities, and prejudices. Wortham uses this to sly effect when a homegrown nut cradling his assault rifle notes, “All of those foreigners with automatic weapons [make me] nervous.” There are some odd word choices (men “squirting” out of a van), and Hawke’s folksy tone during a fight with an armed terrorist (“our little rasslin’ match”) is incongruous. However, the use of local superstition as a determining factor in a climactic scene is inspired.
This first installment of the Sonny Hawke series is uneven, but it is a fun read.
Originally published in Lone Star Literary Life.
July 14, 2021
This book fits the “Thriller” genre. There is plenty of action and drama. The main character is Sonny Hawke, a Texas Ranger and a family man with a wife and twin children of high school age. The crux of the story is that a diverse group of terrorists take over a small Texas town courthouse while a high school class is there on a field trip. At the time of the terrorist attack, there is a severe snowstorm that has cutoff this West Texas town from any outside help. The citizens and their few first responders must deal with the problem themselves. In my opinion, this results in the author overly stressing the virtues of Texans with guns and the importance of a well-armed citizen population. The terrorists are a diverse group with subsets of Muslims, Mexicans and white American militia men. The reason for their bonding into one combined unit is rather vague as each group quickly focuses on their own agenda. And, there are several agendas here. Once all the players are introduced, there is a steady stream of action and drama. There are no super heroes in this story. Sonny Hawke faces dangerous situations as best he can. None of his actions are unbelievable. All his responses to the evil he confronts seem reasonable and possible. Some dumb terrorist and conflicts among the terrorist do aid Sonny in his actions. All in all, this is a worth while read as you’ll find many heroes who step-up when evil strikes a small town in West Texas.
March 5, 2023
The motto of the Texas Rangers, "One riot, one Ranger," is attributed to Capt. Bill McDonald.
When Capt. McDonald arrived in Dallas to stop a scheduled boxing match, he was met at the train station by nervous city officials who asked, "Where are the other Rangers?" McDonald said,"Hell! Ain't I enough!? There's only one prize fight!"
Captain McDonald also said, "No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that's in the right and keeps on a-coming!"
In this book, Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke proves both the motto and Captain McDonald's creed to be true. When faced with terrorists who are in the wrong as always, Hawke remembers "if you can't be safe, be deadly" and uses Gandhi's quote "speed, surprise, and violence of action" to save the day.
I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
When Capt. McDonald arrived in Dallas to stop a scheduled boxing match, he was met at the train station by nervous city officials who asked, "Where are the other Rangers?" McDonald said,"Hell! Ain't I enough!? There's only one prize fight!"
Captain McDonald also said, "No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that's in the right and keeps on a-coming!"
In this book, Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke proves both the motto and Captain McDonald's creed to be true. When faced with terrorists who are in the wrong as always, Hawke remembers "if you can't be safe, be deadly" and uses Gandhi's quote "speed, surprise, and violence of action" to save the day.
I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
August 6, 2017
Nail-biting, thriller with new character Sonny Hawke
Although I read the first half of this new book sporadically due to my schedule, I read the second half all in one sitting, almost without stopping at all. What a great thriller, with a horrific story of homegrown and foreign terrorism joining forces in an unexpected location. It is believable and very possible, based on what is happening in the world today. Reavis' storylines, settings, and characters are equally captivating, and I highly recommend this book! Once again, Reavis has done a fantastic job, and I look forward to the next Sonny Hawke book.
Although I read the first half of this new book sporadically due to my schedule, I read the second half all in one sitting, almost without stopping at all. What a great thriller, with a horrific story of homegrown and foreign terrorism joining forces in an unexpected location. It is believable and very possible, based on what is happening in the world today. Reavis' storylines, settings, and characters are equally captivating, and I highly recommend this book! Once again, Reavis has done a fantastic job, and I look forward to the next Sonny Hawke book.
August 17, 2021
Hawke is our answer
For those of us, and there are many, who spend 364 days a year waiting between Longmire books, there have been the CJ Box books which are a long quenching draught of water for we thirsty souls and worth their own long, dry 364 day waits between books. Now, discovering Hawke is like finding a canteen of good fresh and satisfying water beside the dry trail.
Thank you Reavis Wortham and CJ Box and Craig Johnson for the good, tough people that you bring into our lives.
For those of us, and there are many, who spend 364 days a year waiting between Longmire books, there have been the CJ Box books which are a long quenching draught of water for we thirsty souls and worth their own long, dry 364 day waits between books. Now, discovering Hawke is like finding a canteen of good fresh and satisfying water beside the dry trail.
Thank you Reavis Wortham and CJ Box and Craig Johnson for the good, tough people that you bring into our lives.
October 28, 2022
3.5 stars rounded to 4. I was entertained by an easy to digest book that did not just present a badass lead character that runs in guns blazing. I appreciated that Sonny is afraid and more human than I expected he would be. The supporting characters in this kind of a series sometimes take a while to take hold, but I like where Wortham is going with some of them. I recommend this book to anyone that wants an entertaining, quick read and I guess doesn't sympathize with terrorists and Mexican gangsters? 😁
July 8, 2017
This is pure action. Wortham has made good use of his Texas setting in this thriller based on a terrorist attack. There was actually a bit too much going on here for me. I liked the various points of view but sometimes it wasn't differentiated enough to make it worthwhile. I also found the combo of bad guys a little over the top. That said, this would make a good movie and if you like plot driven page turners, this one's for you. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.
August 6, 2017
Reavis Wortham really outdid himself with his latest book. This novel is action packed from the first to last page. The main character, Sonny Hawke, is a Texas Ranger who is accidentally thrust into a situation he hadn't planned for. The plot is outstanding, the characters are well-developed, and the pages flow effortlessly. Although I really like the author's Red River series, I have to say that this is my favorite book the author has penned thus far.
February 5, 2018
Think Die Hard except instead of an LA building, it's a county courthouse in Texas, instead if Bruce Willis it's a throwback Texas Ranger. The bad guys are a weird amalgamation of Syrians, Mexicans and psychopath Texans that only would make sense to Ted Cruz. The gun play is often and specific (Mp4's apparently are not that accurate). That said, the bloody action is non-stop, and it is a fun read, as this Texas Ranger Cowboy saves the democracy.
February 5, 2020
I've know the author for over 30 years, so I decided to read one of his books. I'm not a particular fan of westerns, but I like the author.Well, I couldn't put it down. Hawke's Prey is a page turner, and I immediately read the other two. Reavis is like another favorite of mine, Joe Lansdale. He can tell a story that gives you a sense of place, develops characters you care about, and spins a really great yarn. Great fun! Highly recommend.
March 11, 2020
This book was extremely well written. Hawke's Prey is definitely a page turning thriller. i stayed up all night to finish it since I couldn't put it down. Terrorists take over a courthouse in a small Texas town and Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke takes them down one at a time. Loved it when all the citizens came together to fight to get the hostages and their children away from the bad guys. Excellent job Reavis!!!
August 12, 2020
Probably a 3.5 star but I give it a 5 star because I enjoyed it. Guiltily. I actually read the other books in this series first but it was refreshing to read the back stories about several characters who had big roles in the future books. Anyway. A good Texas yarn that was one part Die Hard and another part Walker Texas Ranger. The good guys were righteous and the bad guys were evil incarnate. And they got the justice they deserved. So as corny as it was I read this almost in 24 hours.
November 12, 2023
I've been on a Western & Texas LEO reading tear recently, and had a chance top pick up Reavis Z. Worthman's 1st in his most popular Sonny Hawke series...I did so after reading the very satisfying "Hard Country," featuring a special ranger with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association...Though thoroughly derivative, basically "Die Hard" in a county courthouse, Sonny Hawke is a compelling character and I look forward to reading more in the series...Good Stuff!!!
June 15, 2024
This is a very high-energy action/suspense novel. The main character and the major sidekicks are not beyond the bounds of believability (though there is a bit of strain). The plot tries a bit too hard to add twists, and some of those are unreasonable, but the relentless beat of the action carries the story past those problems fairly well.
This book is very much in the Die Hard vein, and fans of that movie will probably enjoy this book.
This book is very much in the Die Hard vein, and fans of that movie will probably enjoy this book.
June 7, 2017
I've got say this book was non-stop from front to back! The story is of Sonny Hawke, Texas Ranger. The action and the shooting never seems to end, when a group of terrorists take over the small town court house in the middle of a blizzard and a whole passel of town folks are caught in the action. This was a goodread giveaway.
July 17, 2017
This first thriller by renowned Texas mystery writer, Reavis Wortham, is just spot on. Fast, meaningful given today's terrorism climate, and with a great hero and villains. A great statement of Americans' heart and bravery. I also HIGHLY recommend Burrows, the second of his Red River mysteries and reaaallllly creepy.
December 5, 2018
I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this book because it didn’t seem my “type” of the book, a little too macho perhaps? But I ended up thoroughly enjoying the story of a resilient Texas town and even got teary eyed a few times when the citizens worked together to save their own. It really showed the true American (and Texan!) Spirit. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
July 29, 2023
I prelude this by saying I tend to read on the side of action/thrillers, but OH My! This was a first adventure in the Sonny Hawke world of books for me, and hell yeah! Action, action, last page action, you better believe it!
@Reavis z Wortham, I look forward to hearing you in Dallas next week for your hard country release! This is a fine series, and Im off to find Hawkes war
@Reavis z Wortham, I look forward to hearing you in Dallas next week for your hard country release! This is a fine series, and Im off to find Hawkes war
April 21, 2024
What can I say - this is awesome and I could not put it down. Action packed, the pacing is just perfect, giving a bit of a 'breather' between the action, yet keeping the reader engaged. I enjoyed this a whole lot. Sonny Hawke is a fascinating character and all the side characters add support to the story line.
Excellent.
Excellent.
July 11, 2017
Great book! Lots of action and very entertaining. The characters could have been fleshed out a little more. They seemed a little one sided - but I am sure as the series progresses the author will reveal more about Sonny and Ethan Hawke. It's definitely a worth while read.
August 22, 2020
Crazy good!!!
Wow! Action! Suspense! Good guys! Bad guys! I could barely sit still while reading this book. I loved it! I REALLY loved it. Get the idea? Reavis Wortham is on my must read list now. Good stuff!!!
Wow! Action! Suspense! Good guys! Bad guys! I could barely sit still while reading this book. I loved it! I REALLY loved it. Get the idea? Reavis Wortham is on my must read list now. Good stuff!!!
February 6, 2021
Unputdownable!
Excellent! Portrays Texas and her people's spirit for doing what's necessary when it's needed without waiting for someone else to come do it. Highly recommend this tale.
Excellent! Portrays Texas and her people's spirit for doing what's necessary when it's needed without waiting for someone else to come do it. Highly recommend this tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews