Shock Wave (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "He took deep breath, not only to calm down, but in response to the Latina in a red bikini crossing Ocean Avenue..." (more)
Key Phrases: bill tasker, derrick sutter, alicia wells, Jimmy Lail, Camy Parks, Bernie Dashett (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An eccentric cast and a credible plot lift Born's second Florida-set crime novel (after 2004's Walking Money). Bill Tasker, agent in Florida's Department of Law Enforcement, is recovering from his divorce as well as from nearly being set up for arrest by a rogue FBI agent. He comes up against the usual local lowlifes when he busts the would-be seller of a black market Stinger missile. He suspects others might be involved, at first believing Daniel Wells, a repairman with a beautiful wife, to be in on the business. When evidence turns up that suggests otherwise, Wells is released—after which it is revealed that he might have been responsible for a recent deadly bombing and could be planning something even bigger. With the help of his friend, Miami cop Derrick Sutter, and the limited assistance of ATF agent Camy Parks, Tasker starts to dig. Wells has an uncanny ability, however, to stay just ahead of his pursuers. Brisk if a little confusing at the beginning as the plot threads are worked into place, the narrative picks up considerable speed and comes to a satisfactory, if open-ended, conclusion. Agent, Peter Rubie. (Apr. 21)
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Review

Born mixes believable characters, a fast-moving story, crisp dialogue, and a nice blend of humor... -- Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult; 1st ed/1st printing edition (April 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399152636
• ISBN-13: 978-0399152634
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,130,497 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from this Born talent!, April 27, 2005

By	David Montgomery "Book Critic" (davidjmontgomery.com) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Bill Tasker had a bad experience working with the FBI in last year's Walking Money. His career and reputation, not to mention his life, were nearly ruined by a crooked government agent.

As Shock Wave begins, Tasker is again working with the feds and he's not very happy about it. He doesn't have much choice, though, as he teams up with the G-men in pursuit of a hillbilly arms dealer with a stolen Stinger missile.

The FBI thinks they've got the case all wrapped up, but Tasker isn't sure. Over the objections of the federal agents, he continues to investigate and finds that the intrigue runs much deeper than anyone suspects.

At the center of that mystery is a terrorist bomber planning the biggest "event" of his life. Somehow, though, he manages to stay just one step ahead of the authorities. Tasker begins to wonder: is the killer that smart of is he just lucky? Or is somebody on the inside helping him?

Aided by his best friend, Miami cop Derrick Sutter, and ATF agent Camy Parks, Tasker has to catch the bomber before time runs out. If they fail, numerous lives will be lost, possibly including their own.

In the character of Bill Tasker, Born has created a winning protagonist. A dedicated cop and committed father, Tasker struggles to balance the demands of his job with his obligations to his family. Like the rest of us, he doesn't always make the right choices, but his heart is in the right place and he earns our respect for his efforts.

The plot of Shock Wave is tremendously entertaining, combining edge-of-your-seat action and suspense, an intriguing game of cat and mouse, and occasional passages of laugh-out-loud humor.

After a career in law enforcement stretching nearly two decades, James O. Born knows the way cops think, act and talk, and he draws on that experience to write with the insight and authenticity that few authors can match.

That expert knowledge wouldn't be enough, though, to create such a winning book. Doing that takes serious writing chops, the kind of ability that most folks can't muster. Born is the exception, though. With both street cred and talent to spare, he is ideally positioned to write top-notch crime fiction, something which Walking Money promised and Shock Wave confirmed.

James O. Born is the best thing to happen to Florida crime writing since Elmore Leonard hit the Sunshine State. This guy is the real deal.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars James Born Scores Again!!!!, June 6, 2005

By	Anthony J. Chapman "Big Time Reader" (Staten Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

James O. Born has scored another winner with Shock Wave. His first book was a huge success and this one is even better. Mr. Born brings characters to life that everyone can relate to in a setting and story that will have you on the edge of your seat. The underlying humor by the members of law enforcement in his book will have every law enforcement member who reads this book laughing till they cry.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great police thriller, April 27, 2005

By	C.J. (US) - See all my reviews

Shock Wave is the second novel from ex-cop James O. Born and it is dynamite, both figureatively and literally. This book moves so fast and smooth that I really hated to put it down.

State cop Bill Tasker must move quick to fix his own mistake and he doesn't find much help from the FBI. The bad guy is fresh and interestingand somehow Born makes us root for him at one point.

I believe this is my favorite book so far this year.