End of the Line [Hardcover]

Kem Parton (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Book Republic Press (December 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580421903
• ISBN-13: 978-1580421904
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,092,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Incredible!!!, December 30, 2005

By 

C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: End of the Line (Hardcover)

Kem Parton has crafted a phenomenal tale of railway terrorism and heroism which caused me to re-commence that nasty habit of nail biting (drat it!). Every page is another suspence-packed step towards unpredictable and surprising situations, and one humdinger of a conclusion! With no schmaltz and no faking, Parton's original wit and smooth transitions allow the story to flow freely throughout. Clever situations and well-rounded character development mark this volume for classic status on par with other well known suspense/mystery writers whose works are frequently seen lining the bestseller rack in the supermarket. Transcon Railway, the Railway Transportation Union, railroaders Cal Farranger and Megan Langford to name a few are all larger than life representations of the American railroad world. Believable, detailed and accurate on railroad technical matters such as running the engine, switching, dispatching, etc., this novel weaves the railroad world through the story in a way the non-railroading public can understand and railroaders will appreciate. Someone needs to call Hollywood, because if the right director gets a hold of a proper script for "End of the Line", it'll put films like "Speed" and "Runaway Train" out to the rip (repair) track. So put that bottle of eye drops down next to you on the coffee table, and get ready to pull and all nighter--this volume won't let you rest! This railroad Conductor gives "End of the Line" Two Thumbs Up, which is the railway hand sign for tie it down & go home. Parton has hit a home run!!!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On track!!!, December 15, 2005

By 

P. Hammerle "Educator" (Fort Worth TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: End of the Line (Hardcover)

I normally read mystery and legal thrillers (think Grisham), but this was from a local author so I thought I'd give it a go. I've never written a review on Amazon before, but this was so good I simply felt compelled to share.

I first heard about this book in the Fort Worth Star Telegram. The author was a corporate officer for one of the big railroads and got fired because senior management didn't like one their officers revealing tricks of the trade, presumably the Clancy like detail he puts in about trains and train operations.

First, I have to say I was shocked at how much I liked the book, not being a railroad fan. In truth, I can't remember reading a more entertaining or well crafted thriller. But there is something more meaty here too. I'm now convinced that one terrorist or a group of terrorists could literally kill thousands of people using chemical hauling trains as weapons of mass distruction, or "turn the lights out" for our cities by hampering key train routes. This is a fantastic read that makes you think, and is truly something exceptional. It was like the first time I read Grisham (before he got famous).

The writing is first rate, and the villian exceptionally entertaining. This is one of those "how is the good guy going to stop him" books, where once the protagonist (Callahan) figures out some clever way to stop the bad guy (Casey), the bad guy throws something unexpected at him that makes good triumphing seem even more unlikely. Read the first chapter and you are hooked (author put the first chapter on his website, but it looks like he's made some changes and didn't update). The climax is as exciting and as anything I've ever read.

It's back and forth, cat and mouse, where the rear 2/3 of the book is almost non-stop action. You don't have to like or know anything about railroads to enjoy this book. I certainly didn't, but I do now.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars have to have, March 8, 2006

By 

Thomas Brooks - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: End of the Line (Hardcover)

I have tirty five years service on the same class 1 as Kem Parton. The man not only knows railroad,he knows how to write! The scenario is not only plausible,but the way he writes on how things work is very accurate. Yes,there is some license taken to help the story but, he put me in the cab! The characters are right off the railroad. This is a must read,I could'nt put it down! Buy this book!!! Enjoy the advetures of Cal Farranger,and Megan Landford!