Customer Reviews

Black Light

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With the recent publication and release of "Hot Springs", a story about Earl Swagger in his early years of law enforcement, I thought I would reread "Black light" to reacquaint myself with him in the time leading up to his death. I'm glad I did.

"Black Light" is the powerful, hard-hitting story of Bob Swagger's investigation into the death of his father, Earl. As he investigates the murder of his father, Bob becomes a target himself as he uncovers the secret past of some powerful men.

As I read this book with the knowledge of the specifics of why and how Earl was killed, I still was held in the grip of this action-packed, cleverly written suspense novel. I continue to be impressed with the breadth of knowledge Mr. Hunter possesses and with the writing style he uses to convey it. Especially effective is the way Earl and Bob ask themselves questions and the reader follows their thought processes until they come to a solution. Hunter also has a talent for develping real-life and believable characters that the reader develops a strong feeling for. One character I hope will move within "Hot Springs" is a younger Sam Vincent, the Polk County prosecutor who helped Bob as an absent-minded but intelligent 80 year old.

I strongly endorse all of Stephen Hunter's books. He is the best kept secret of action and suspense fiction.

In 1955 Arkansas state trooper Earl Swagger dies in a shootout with Jimmy and Bub Pye, two armed robbers. At least for forty years that is what Bob Lee Swagger, son of Earl and decorated Marine sniper believes. Reporter Russ Pewtie's family has also been traumatized by the Pye family when Jimmy's son Lamar almost kills Russ' father who is an Oklahoma state trooper. Russ wants to write a book about the connection and talks Bob Lee into returning to Arkansas to help him research. But when they get there they find that someone is stalking them and trying to prevent them from digging into Earl Swagger's death.

I've been reading Stephen Hunter novels for years and have yet to find a bad one. His characters are interesting and well drawn. And he really knows his weaponry. I've really enjoyed the Bob Lee Swagger books and would recommend all of them. To really enjoy this series it would probably be best to start with Point of Impact and then read Dirty White Boys and finally this one. However they're all good and capeable of standing on their own.

Stephan Hunter is at the top of his form with this book and series. The book starts off fast and just keeps going. Lots of interesting details and a good story drive the book. There is always the interesting character of the story lead for you to fall back on and become comfortable with. This is a very smart book, the pieces fit together and you never think the author is forcing the items - they work like you are being told a true story. I have always been surprised that this author has not become a bigger name. This is a quality book that you will be glad you invested the time to explore.

Stephen Hunter has done it again. He has brought back Bob Lee Swagger. A sniper who can be a killing machine. Black Light and Point of Impact are my two favorites of his books. I did not want to put the book down. Bob Lee goes back to Blue Eye, Arkansas to find out about the death of his daddy. His dad, Earl, was a state trooper and killed in the line of duty or was he murdered????? When Bob starts asking questions people come after him and his friends. A lot of action and an ending that will surprise you. A great finish!!!!!!! If you like a lot of action and suspense you will like this book.

Stephen Hunter's final novel in his "Bob Swagger" series is a riveting and satisfying finale that gives the avid fan a sense of closure. It is action-packed with the added gem of a last-minute surprise. Hunter alters his writing style subtly with each series installment: "Point of Impact" is a real page-turner that hooked me on the Bob Lee Swagger character; "Black Light" was told with a few flashbacks to the past; and "Time to Hunt" has MAJOR flashbacks to the Vietnam Era that occupy hundreds of pages! At first, I thought the lengthy flashbacks disrupted the pace of "Time to Hunt", but I soon found that they provided necessary information in order to appreciate Swagger's present-day predicament, and gave this reader a hearty dose of suspenseful sniper warfare. All the flashback information doesn't take away from the action, and it helps tie everything together and doesn't leave the reader wanting more answers. A VERY satisfying ending to a great series!!

This is the only book I have read (or rather listened to) by this author, and I loved it. It changed my opinion of murder mysteries entirely. I have read a few, from such authors as Michael Connelly, Johnathon Kellerman and Patricia Cornwell, and this was easily the best, especially in terms of believable plot twists and fast-paced action. The story takes place in a small town in Arkansas, jumping seamlessly between the 50's and the 90's, focusing on the plights of a state trooper and his son, a highly-decorated marine sniper. The characters are realistic and engrossing. The best thing Steven Hunter brings to this book are the seemingly effortless twists throughout. He frequently adds a twist to the plot not by introducing new evidence, but through a subtle change to the view on existing elements. Beau Bridges read this story, and did an excellent job supplying the wide range of voices.

The ending surprised me, even though I thought I had everything figured out. Hunter's characters come alive, and Bob Swagger becomes the type of guy you would like living next door to you. His American machismo is bold and refreshing. My only problem with the book came in the precious detail paid to gun and firing accessories. I had no idea what he was talking about, even though I probably should have. I suppose much of it was important to the plot, but all the background on the black light and those who perfected it probably bogged down the plot, rather than aided it. All in all, powerfully written and a great read--especially for a man.

After reading Point of Impact (the first book on which the Shooter movie is based) I had really high expectations for this novel. In fact, I would say that Impact could be the best book I've read in a while. I couldn't wait to tear into this one. While I'm not as crazy about Black Light as I was about the first book it still did not disappoint.
In this book about half of the action takes place in the past. The reader parallels Bob Lee's investigation in the present with what Earl Swagger went through in the past. It's actually really interesting and Hunter is able to make the characters come alive with his use of authentic dialogue and honest portrayals of Arkansas attitudes in the 50's.
Ofcoarse, there are the requisite action scenes where Bob Lee Swagger takes on a boat load of goons and dispaches them with ease. I actually was hoping for more of those moments but in this book you really only get two. If there was one thing that I could change than that would be it.
All in all though, this is a great read which you will not be disappointed with.

I had gotten into Stephen Hunter from the movie "Shooter". This was one of the first books of his I read and I have to say I was not dissapointed in the least. It keeps you wanting more and is almost IMPOSSIBLE to put down. Bob Lee is a true baddass in this book and it will not dissapoint readers at all. And if you like movies about snipers and sniper scenes then this is a must read! The showdown at the end is by far the BEST sniper scene I have EVER read in a book or scene on a movie or tv. The ending alone is worth reading this book.

very typical hunter - good shoot-em-up. well paced and interesting with good twists, fairly predictable plot line and outcome -but still a definate page turner, and very enjoyable-the only negative is a propensity towards totally gratuitous cursing -which serves no purpose except to offend needlessly.