Customer Reviews

Slay Ride

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The publication of SLAY RIDE, Chris Grabenstein's third novel, raises an interesting question: is there anything that this author cannot do well? Grabenstein seemingly burst from out of nowhere onto the mystery and suspense scene with what has become known as the John Ceepak/Jersey Shore mysteries: the award-winning TILT-A-WHIRL and MAD MOUSE. Ostensibly a stand-alone work, SLAY RIDE in some ways is a more ambitious endeavor for Grabenstein. Certainly, if his intent was to tell a story that would keep the reader up all night, he has succeeded admirably.

SLAY RIDE centers on Christopher Miller and Scott Wilkinson, two very different yet driven men whose lives come to intersect briefly but meaningfully. Miller is an FBI agent, a specialist in kidnapping cases and a legend in the agency. Wilkinson is a wunderkind in the advertising industry who sees the world in terms of seconds and minutes, causes and effects. Both men value only one thing above their jobs: their families. Wilkinson's life, though, is dramatically changed when he complains to his car service about his driver's erratic behavior. Nicolai Kyznetsoff, the driver in question, is a dangerous, rabid wolf with the ability to wreak havoc and revenge at whim. He slowly and methodically begins researching Wilkinson's life, plotting a dark and final retaliation with a number of bloody rewards.

Meanwhile, Miller, riding a desk job since incurring the displeasure of a superior, finds his path intersecting with Wilkinson and Kyznetsoff as the result of a seemingly innocuous strong-arm burglary of a Russian immigrant's apartment. Kyznetsoff is indirectly tied to it, and it has attracted the attention of a number of people. Kyznetsoff, the hunter, finds that he is the hunted as well --- by more than one party and for more than one reason. Nothing, however, will prevent Kyznetsoff from carrying out his revenge against Wilkinson, even as Miller races against time and distance to keep Kyznetsoff from destroying not one but two families.

SLAY RIDE is a thriller best read on the edge of your seat. Kysnetsoff is an unforgettable villain --- Grabenstein does for Santa Claus and limo drivers what Stephen King did for clowns --- whose danger quotient is exceeded only by his animal cunning and intellect. The plan that Grabenstein constructs for the climax of the book is nothing short of amazing, all the more so because it's so workable. The author, however, does not give his characters short shrift either; Miller is an immensely and immediately likable protagonist. SLAY RIDE is supposed to be a stand-alone work, but Miller is too good a character to limit to a single novel. Hopefully we'll see more of him in the very near future.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

I have been a fan of Chris Grabenstein's work since I read his first Ceepak/Boyle Jersey Shore novel - Tilt-a-Whirl Tilt-a-Whirl. Having read my way through that series (including the new Rolling Thunder Rolling Thunder: A John Ceepak Mystery), I was looking for another Grabenstein fix. Enter Slay Ride. The story starts with a wild ride from a crazy limo driver and ends with a huge explosion and close combat shoot out. In between, we have crisp dialog, fast paced action and a lot of scary moments. The main bad guy (there are a couple) is so bad, you want to blast him yourself but know that he's so well trained as a killer that he probably would get the drop on you.

Since this is not a series (yet?), the author has the luxury to kill of anyone he wants and as a result, you turn the page expecting one of the heroes to get picked off in one of the shoot outs. A fear that isn't 100% unfounded!

This is perfect summer time reading - exciting and well written - a novel that leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended...

SLAY RIDE is, as they say, a real page turner. Chris Grabenstein creates another stellar character in Chris Miller in the same mold as Detective Ceepak. In taking a ride with a psychotic driver, Grabenstein hooks the reader into an engaging tale of personal vendetta, international intrigue and crack police work. Fast paced. Well crafted. Excellent read...and, I'll be careful about whom I complain...

What a ride this is. I could not put the book down from the very first page. The characters jumped off the page. I could even hear the accents as I read it. This could be the book that puts Mr. Grabenstein over the top. His talent doesn't seem to have any limits. I wish that he would write a young adult book so that my children could experience his award winning writing.

a definite new hero on the horizon from Chris Grabenstein!! An astounding new entry for an entirely different type of series from a very

talented writer, who has actually made a most successful venture from the light-hearted seriousness that belongs to Ceepak and Danny into a dark place with an equally wonderful character in Chris Miller. Although I am an avid fan of Ceepak, et. al, it in no way interferes with the new series beginning with "Slay Ride".

For those fans of Mr. Grabenstein, I say go for it, but don't expect the guffaws offered by his prior books...This is serious business and I must admit that I am not a fan of violence so my eyes just skipped over what disturbed me. But neither would I be happy skipping over this book.

I'm also delighted to see the immense talent I think Mr. Grabenstein shows in his ability to so successfully write in what I believe to be two completely different genres. Susan

I specifically waited for the holidays to read this book, and I was not disappointed. What a great gift I received with this story. Chris Grabenstein has quite a talent for using words to paint a picture, shock your senses, and then make you wallow in the after-affects. With every horrible act, you feel for the victims and spend the next chapter trying to get out of the darn villains mind.

Excellent development, excellent pacing, and excellent writing. Just plain excellent! You might not want to wait for next Christmas to read this one!

Great story with twists, turns, dark in places and in all highly entertaining. Chris writes the Ceepak mysteries too but this thriller is a totally different story in style and tone, yet just as good. Excellent read.

Chris Grabenstein has created a new and intriguing hero in SLAY RIDE.

This novel is QUITE different from his first two (they were funny and wonderfully different!)

SLAY RIDE is a wild ride, literally, with an edge to it that makes it nearly impossible to put down. A young successful business man disappears after his plane lands in Newark. His worried wife, pregnant with their second child knows that something is wrong, but she can't get the authorities to take her seriously. Chris Miller, an agent with the FBI, known for not "going by the book" is her last hope.

This is an hypnotizing tale involving a former KGB sociopathic cab driver, the Russian mob, corrupt officials, intense, vivid imagery (not for the faint-hearted!!) and an innocent child. Kidnapping, terror, murder, diamonds, and a turbulent plot draw all these elements into a dangerous web confirming Chris Grabenstein as one of the most talented fiction/thriller authors to emerge.

Scott Wilkerson is a high-powered exec with a picture-perfect life. Christopher Miller is a legendary FBI agent who is one of the good guys...and relegated to desk duty. The two collide in an unpredictable manner...Scott Wilkerson's life is dramatically altered with he complains about his chauffeur to the car service, and Chris Miller's (dubbed Saint Chris) changes course when he nabs a serial killer. Scott's taken hostage, Chris uncovers an unscrupulous superior, and at the core of it all is the Russian Mafia---and one sociopathic ex-KGBer in particular. With dramatic twists and turns, this tale is not quite what I had anticipated....but it jingled all the way.

DYB

Scott Wilkinson has a business meeting right before Christmas. His firm has hired him a driver for the trip to the airport, and he is not happy when his driver is late. He expected his ride three minutes ago. When the driver finally shows up, the ride is a wild one, weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, tailgating, the works. Scott is thrilled to arrive safely. He immediately calls the driving service and complains about his driver.

That was a huge mistake.

Nicolai Kyznetsoff is former KGB and pure evil. When he is fired as a result of Scott's phone call, Nicolai immediately begins plotting his revenge. He is well trained. He is patient. When he strikes, Scott may not survive.

Meanwhile, FBI agent Christopher Miller has been benched. In his glory days, he was one of the agency's top agents. Now, as the result of an off duty investigation, he's stuck behind a desk doing paperwork. He's dragged back into the field when a routine looking robbery begins to involve more.

Yes, these two plots intersect. But I'll leave it for you to discover how if you read the book.

After reading and enjoying the first two books in this author's other series, I decided to give this one a try. I was in for a shock. While the story grabbed me early and moved along quickly, I found the contents to be disturbing. The story is more gruesome then I bargained for. Furthermore, the foul language, especially from the villain, turned me off.

If you are looking for a thriller set a Christmas time, this is the book for you. There's a good story here. And anyone who isn't as squeamish as I am should enjoy it. I, on the other hand, will stir clear of this series and stick with the author's other efforts.