Ghostman Roger Hobbs
Roger Hobbs is a talented writer and, after reading this book, I can't help but wonder if he's got other skills sharpened in the criminal underground. He has a forceful and authoritative style and pace of writing, almost noir-like, that draws you in and keeps the story moving at an urgent pace. His grasp of the criminal underground and the details he writes about with such authority makes me think that either he has an incredible imagination or has great criminal advisors (or has been there himself). Take that talent and combine it with a fascinating story of a casino heist gone bad and the mysterious identity-shifting "Ghostman" sent in to clean up the mess and retrieve the money--and you've got this book. It's a fascinating and enjoyable read and highly recommended for those of you who enjoy gritty crime thrillers. You won't be disappointed.
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Wow! What a rollercoaster ride! Ghostman is an A1 thriller by newcomer Roger Hobbs, a recent graduate of Reed College in Portland Oregon. This is a book I did not want to put down from the moment I read the first sentence. The protagonist, who hasn't used his real name since attending College at St. John's in Annapolis, is the quintessential anti-hero. There are no heroes or heroines on Ghostman. The major characters exist on the underbelly of society, the wrong side of the law, and with unrelenting resistance to honor.
BalasHapusGhostman, aka Jack Delton, is a chameleon, a thief with no fingerprints who lives off the grid and achieves his thrills by participating in high-risk but well-choreographed robberies. He has an aversion to killing unless it is necessary. In his spare time he translates Homer, Virgil and Ovid into English. He is a loner who travels light, always at the ready to morph into another persona. After my recent visit to the International Spy Museum and the exhibit devoted to disguises, I am convinced this is entirely possible.
Following a botched robbery in Atlantic City in which the money disappears, Jack receives a contact from Marcus, who had arranged the robbery ostensibly to pay for a shipment of drugs. This is payback time for Jack, whom Marcus blames for a botched heist in Kuala Lumpur that cost him millions and his reputation as a premier jug-marker. Marcus enlists Jack to clean up the mess in Atlantic City and retrieve the money in exchange for not killing him. If only it were that simple!
The tightly woven plot moves at the pace of an episode of "24". The writing is straightforward, clean and intelligent. The Ghostman is the criminal world's answer to Lee Child's Jack Reacher - aloof, alone, alert, aware, prepared, methodical, and intriguing.
I hope Roger Hobbs writes more novels with the Ghostman as the main character. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was a good story with a unique character. People who like mystery thrillers will like Ghostman without a doubt. I am glad a friend recommended this book to me. Hobbs has a talent for creating an interesting story with lots of action. Lots of travel from one local to another. Buy this one for sure.
BalasHapusFirst of all, I read several books a week and am always thrilled to find a new author who not only has a terrific story to tell, but tells it well. This is one of the few books I've read that makes me want to tell everyone to be on the lookout for it. If you like Jack Reacher, you'll like Ghostman. If you like a plot that's intricate, yet followable; clever without being cute; compelling; just plain compulsively readable... this satisfies the bill! I'll preorder a copy of Hobb's next novel you betcha, and am glad to know he's a fellow Portlander. In addition, this book is proof that today's fiction, especially when there are lots of bad guys in the picture, does not have to be gratutiously erotic or peppered with the repetitive cruddy language that seems to run rampant in most current fiction. No, I'm not a prude, but it's refreshing to find a change of pace. More power to you, Mr Hobbs. Two thumbs up!
BalasHapusRoger Hobbs is a talented writer and, after reading this book, I can't help but wonder if he's got other skills sharpened in the criminal underground. He has a forceful and authoritative style and pace of writing, almost noir-like, that draws you in and keeps the story moving at an urgent pace. His grasp of the criminal underground and the details he writes about with such authority makes me think that either he has an incredible imagination or has great criminal advisors (or has been there himself). Take that talent and combine it with a fascinating story of a casino heist gone bad and the mysterious identity-shifting "Ghostman" sent in to clean up the mess and retrieve the money--and you've got this book. It's a fascinating and enjoyable read and highly recommended for those of you who enjoy gritty crime thrillers. You won't be disappointed.
BalasHapusEvery occupation has its specialists, and its own lexicon. Welcome to the world of high-stakes heists, with all the various specialties, from wheelmen, to our character, the ghostman. This is a story written with twin tracks, the current story, with its twists and turns, and the back story, which fills us in on the background, and sets the stage for the current events. I can't describe much without giving away great parts of the book, but suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will look for basically anything Mr. Hobbs writes.
BalasHapusA well written, engaging tale is becoming harder and harder to find. Others here have given you the story line. This book really entertains. It is enjoyable to a degree unmatched by the last 8 books we have put on our Kindles, most from major authors. I hope to heaven this man keeps writing. I read a book a day. This one was deliberately paced in our house to last longer. That is a rare compliment to any writer. We wish this author every continued professional success. We will be waiting for his next book (and the inevitable movie of this one).
BalasHapusThis novel was engrossing to the point where I looked for time be able to read a little more of it. The storyline was different, the main character shouldn't have been likeable but he was! There were lots of plot twists and unexpected plot devices. A very good read if you like complex characters and don't mind switching back and forth between the present and the past.
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