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on March 6, 2015
Gripping. This story grips you around the neck with a couple of stomach punches thrown in. It’s not for the faint of heart, but then again do you really want your life’s tally of intellectual thinking to be the sum total of TV sit-coms on week-day evenings. Dive in to Stokes’ life and hang on for the ride.
Hankins, in Shady Cross, develops a despicable character that you are forced to live with. There is nothing redeemable or likeable about Stokes for a third of the book. In fact he is so unlikeable that I put the book down and almost didn’t pick it up again. Sort of like Stokes throwing the phone in the bus station trash and turning to run – only to return to assuage his nascent conscience.
I returned to my kindle to see the struggle through and wound up enjoying the ironic humor and cheering for the gathering strength and determination of our hero. I’m not one to talk you through the plot – no spoilers here. Instead, I send you to the store to buy this fourth great work by Hankins. Stick with it and in the end ask yourself whether you could add a little redemption to your own life and could yours be so pure?
Hankins, in Shady Cross, develops a despicable character that you are forced to live with. There is nothing redeemable or likeable about Stokes for a third of the book. In fact he is so unlikeable that I put the book down and almost didn’t pick it up again. Sort of like Stokes throwing the phone in the bus station trash and turning to run – only to return to assuage his nascent conscience.
I returned to my kindle to see the struggle through and wound up enjoying the ironic humor and cheering for the gathering strength and determination of our hero. I’m not one to talk you through the plot – no spoilers here. Instead, I send you to the store to buy this fourth great work by Hankins. Stick with it and in the end ask yourself whether you could add a little redemption to your own life and could yours be so pure?
VINE VOICEon November 27, 2016
"Shady Cross" took a while to grow on me, as the main character isn't really likeable...until he is. James Hankins did a masterful job of writing this novel, keeping me in suspense until the last pages. I read a lot of mysteries, and can usually figure out "whodunnit" no later than midway through the book. Not so with "Shady Cross", and unlike some novels where random plot devices come out of nowhere, this story made sense from beginning to end, without revealing too much. I enjoyed "Shady Cross" immensely!
For maximum enjoyment, I strongly recommend that you avoid reading any reviews which detail the entire plot! (Why do people do that anyway? These reviews aren't supposed to be an American Lit class book report!)
For maximum enjoyment, I strongly recommend that you avoid reading any reviews which detail the entire plot! (Why do people do that anyway? These reviews aren't supposed to be an American Lit class book report!)
on February 26, 2015
His name is Stokes.....that's it, just Stokes.
And he has choices to make.
But he has options......good or bad.
Stokes also thinks, it is funny, how it changes,
when the same things you wanted to do, become things
you now have to do.
Though kidnapping a cop, is not going to help make his life
any easier.
Now options have changed, and there are no good ones left.
And getting your fingers broken, was not part of the plan.
Oh By The Way......Don't Trust Any One.
And he has choices to make.
But he has options......good or bad.
Stokes also thinks, it is funny, how it changes,
when the same things you wanted to do, become things
you now have to do.
Though kidnapping a cop, is not going to help make his life
any easier.
Now options have changed, and there are no good ones left.
And getting your fingers broken, was not part of the plan.
Oh By The Way......Don't Trust Any One.
Once I turn the first page I'm hooked into a world of uncommon characters I either fall in love with, dislike immensely or love
on August 5, 2015
This is my 4th James Hankins book and that is because it's his 4th too. Settling down with a Hankins book is to abandon all else. Once I turn the first page I'm hooked into a world of uncommon characters I either fall in love with, dislike immensely or love to hate. Stokes however didn't fall into any of these categories which makes him exactly what he is portrayed to be, a nowhere man. He is a selfish fellow who turns selfless. This time he's going to do good even if it kills him. Stokes is gutsy, wise cracking, and ballsy to his own detriment. He's set the bar higher this time. Why? He doesn't know. Each time opposition presents itself to deter his efforts Stokes mutters, "I'm not gong to make it." You'll have to read the book to find out if he does. It's less than 300 pages, carried me swiftly along for the ride. Five stars to Hankins three previous titles, Brothers & Bones, Drawn, Jack of Spades. Shady Cross slips a bit in my opinion but still a noteworthy quick read. OK Mr. Hankins, ready and waiting........
on March 29, 2015
I have read all of Mr. Hankins books. This is his absolute best, in my opinion. What a great book! What a despicable...hero...villain, both? Even he doesn't think he's worth much, he knows what he is and he totally accepts his perception of himself. So deep in his belief of his unworthiness, he doesn't understand what the mother of his child sees in him, the capacity he holds. I won't go into plot points, other reviewers have done an excellent job of that, but wow, what an emotional ride. You need to read it for yourself and not lose any of the impact of experiencing this book. I went from being thoroughly disgusted by this guy as a fellow human being, to chuckling at his sarcastic mouth, to enthusiastically cheering him on in his quest to do the right thing for reasons even he doesn't know, to tears when he knows he's made it, he finally understands. Great writing, well defined characters...I can't think of one thing lacking and it keeps you involved at every turn. Good, good guys. Bad, bad guys. Good bad guys, and best of all, leading the pack is a bad, good guy. Convoluted, I know, but read Shady Cross and you'll see exactly what I mean. Stokes, glad you finally saw what your capacity was and what Jenny saw in you.
on May 7, 2015
The plot is engaging. A career criminal, hitman, who had just gotten out of jail and rolled a drunk finds himself in the middle of an accident. The main character, Stokes, is driving his motorcycle. The driver of the other vehicle -- car -- is dead and there is a backpack with 350,000 dollars in it. That is the opener. There is always strings attached. It turns out there is a cellphone in the backpack which eventually starts ringing. Until it started ringing, Stokes had hopes of paying off debts to a town Shylock and having enough money to start a new life away from crime. The cellphone ringing leads to Stokes finding out that the car accident victim's daughter has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. This is the fork in the road for Stokes: new life don't give a damn about anybody or help the young kidnap victim. It turns out that Stokes had abandon his own daughter. He holds guilt over this. You can imagine which road he takes at the fork. Find out where it leads him by reading the book. I give this book good points for the plot and keeping the action moving. Stokes is an interesting character: a criminal with a conscience. The book tells it as it is and lets you develop your own moral interpretations. I gave it a four because the book is a little rough around the edges.
on April 26, 2015
Starts on an interesting note and keeps the reader's interest throughout. It is easy to develop sympathy for the main character, although the author makes it clear by hints and innuendo that his personality and loyalties are much deeper than first suspected. He reveals himself through actions and his own thoughts throughout the book. The plot becomes a morality tale as the story proceeds. The little girl he is rescuing does not have any of the charm or physical attractiveness given to most children in most novels, but your sympathy for her as a victim grows on you, too. She has "pluck" and intelligence and the reader found herself/himself wanting and needing to see her rescued in the end. Lots of twists and surprises.
on April 3, 2017
Well I first started this book thinking it would have a quote on quote "Disney story" (and it was only a dollar so if I did not like it at least I wouldn't have to worry if I didn't like it) by Disney story I mean it would end well and everyone is happy. Well it ended the opposite and had a twist ending. But his writing style was easy enough to read but wasn't meant for children either also this is has quite a bit of course words so I suggest you be ready. I am a relatively fast reader but this book only took me two weeks because it was that gripping!! Another thing I was practically crying at the end because it was sad (I barely cry at books) so I suggest this book for those who want action, thrills, comedy and just a great book in general. This book left me dazed for a few minutes. I mean I just sat there and thought "wow"
Thanks for reading
Murray
Thanks for reading
Murray
on November 16, 2015
A dark tale that draws in the reader as the flawed main character struggles through impossible odds to save a young girl he has never met. Initially the reader finds the flawed anti-hero pathetic, if not downright despicable. However, as he battles his way through a violent world infested with local thugs and crime lords, the reader begins to empathize with the twisted anti-hero, cheering him on to the finish. The ending does not disappoint, and fulfills the title of the novel.
