alexcarbonneau's review against another edition
4.0
Action-packed, straight to the point, in your face thrill ride.
And that's basically it for first installment of what anyone could predict of many in the Clyde Barr series.
Don't go looking for literary, lengthy descriptions. What you got here is straight as an arrow exploding action from the tenth word of the novel until the acknowledgments. No big plot twist, although at one point, the author takes the reader by surprise by stepping outside the clichés a little bit - something I personally enjoyed - but then again, complex and spider webbed story isn't the goal of this novel.
Nothing Short Of Dying doesn't reinvent the wheel but it is one of the most effective novel in it's genre that I have read in a while. It manages to be a refreshing one when nearly every "action novels" are about rogue military of secret agent or CIA asset. It doesn't step outside the format but still has the effect of a breath of fresh air, probably the result of writing a whole thriller without - almost ever - using technology in a modern world.
Made me think of Ace Atkins' The Ranger and Steph Post's Lightwood at some point.
All in all a very nice summer read that could go in a single serving. Will definitely go for #2, A Promise To Kill.
And that's basically it for first installment of what anyone could predict of many in the Clyde Barr series.
Don't go looking for literary, lengthy descriptions. What you got here is straight as an arrow exploding action from the tenth word of the novel until the acknowledgments. No big plot twist, although at one point, the author takes the reader by surprise by stepping outside the clichés a little bit - something I personally enjoyed - but then again, complex and spider webbed story isn't the goal of this novel.
Nothing Short Of Dying doesn't reinvent the wheel but it is one of the most effective novel in it's genre that I have read in a while. It manages to be a refreshing one when nearly every "action novels" are about rogue military of secret agent or CIA asset. It doesn't step outside the format but still has the effect of a breath of fresh air, probably the result of writing a whole thriller without - almost ever - using technology in a modern world.
Made me think of Ace Atkins' The Ranger and Steph Post's Lightwood at some point.
All in all a very nice summer read that could go in a single serving. Will definitely go for #2, A Promise To Kill.
berthe33's review against another edition
3.0
Received from netgalley for honest review.
Not terrible for a first effort...less description may have worked better for an action thriller; most of main characters were well developed....most of peripheral characters seemed ...peripheral. Barr relationship with sisters seemed real enough; perhaps more info re: childhood with sister Jen. Hope second installment is better.
Not terrible for a first effort...less description may have worked better for an action thriller; most of main characters were well developed....most of peripheral characters seemed ...peripheral. Barr relationship with sisters seemed real enough; perhaps more info re: childhood with sister Jen. Hope second installment is better.
btpierce13's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a quick one but it’s because it lacked a lot of description or imagery for each of the scenes. The story progressed quickly and the character seemed too omnipotent. Each fight scene was more ridiculous than the last.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing Short of Dying by Erik Storey (July 2016) On NetGalley, publish on Amazon on 16/8/2016)
‘Sometimes the universe has other plans.’
Clyde Barr has seen a lot in his life. He left his home in Colorado at a young age, and he’s been away for sixteen years. Clyde has spent time as an adventurer, a hunter, and as a soldier of fortune. He’s also spent some time in jail. Right now, he’s happy to spend time in the mountains. He knows how to survive. As the novel opens, Clyde is sitting by a campfire. His ‘phone rings. It is Jen, the youngest of his three sisters, making a frantic call for Clyde’s help. Jen has been abducted and her life is in danger, she tells Clyde. And then the ‘phone goes dead. Clyde had sworn to protect Jen when they were both children: there’s no way he’s not going to search for her.
‘All he knows is that nothing short of dying will stop him from saving her.’
This is the beginning of an action-packed story, as Clyde tries to find Jen. How do you find someone with so little information? Early on Clyde is joined on his mission by a young woman called Allie. Allie, a bartender, has her own reasons for joining Clyde. To try to find Jen, Clyde needs to go back into his own past. He knows it won’t be safe. Clyde and Allie make a good team, and as they travel together we learn more about each of them. And, as Clyde tries to find out where Jen is and who has kidnapped her, he’s going to need all of the help he can get. It’s not always easy to differentiate friend from foe.
I enjoyed this novel, kept reading to find out what would happen next. Would Allie and Clyde find Jen in time? Just why was Jen kidnapped? There’s a struggle going on to control aspects of the drug trade, and Clyde and Allie find themselves caught up in this.
This is Mr Storey’s first novel, and while a couple of aspects didn’t work well for me, overall the story held my attention. Clyde Barr is an interesting character, and Allie complements him perfectly. I’ll be interested in reading Mr Storey’s next novel (a series is planned) to see how Clyde develops.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
‘Sometimes the universe has other plans.’
Clyde Barr has seen a lot in his life. He left his home in Colorado at a young age, and he’s been away for sixteen years. Clyde has spent time as an adventurer, a hunter, and as a soldier of fortune. He’s also spent some time in jail. Right now, he’s happy to spend time in the mountains. He knows how to survive. As the novel opens, Clyde is sitting by a campfire. His ‘phone rings. It is Jen, the youngest of his three sisters, making a frantic call for Clyde’s help. Jen has been abducted and her life is in danger, she tells Clyde. And then the ‘phone goes dead. Clyde had sworn to protect Jen when they were both children: there’s no way he’s not going to search for her.
‘All he knows is that nothing short of dying will stop him from saving her.’
This is the beginning of an action-packed story, as Clyde tries to find Jen. How do you find someone with so little information? Early on Clyde is joined on his mission by a young woman called Allie. Allie, a bartender, has her own reasons for joining Clyde. To try to find Jen, Clyde needs to go back into his own past. He knows it won’t be safe. Clyde and Allie make a good team, and as they travel together we learn more about each of them. And, as Clyde tries to find out where Jen is and who has kidnapped her, he’s going to need all of the help he can get. It’s not always easy to differentiate friend from foe.
I enjoyed this novel, kept reading to find out what would happen next. Would Allie and Clyde find Jen in time? Just why was Jen kidnapped? There’s a struggle going on to control aspects of the drug trade, and Clyde and Allie find themselves caught up in this.
This is Mr Storey’s first novel, and while a couple of aspects didn’t work well for me, overall the story held my attention. Clyde Barr is an interesting character, and Allie complements him perfectly. I’ll be interested in reading Mr Storey’s next novel (a series is planned) to see how Clyde develops.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
jarreloliveira's review against another edition
4.0
At first I didn't like Clyde Barr, the battered protagonist of this adventure.
He was too strong. Too good. He was too much of a hero.
But as the story developed, as the characters evolved and the dangers were ever more present I realized Clyde was very much a product of his surroundings.
His pain, his wounds, his brokenness, his hostility in the face of hostility. His resolute character in the face of adversity and disadvantage. His faith in the unseen plan in the sight of the death trap. The uncertain.
All of these prove, that through the harshest seasons, some of us come out bruised, scarred but as champions.
And unlike his antagonist, a monster at heart, Clyde rose out of the ashes a modern day knight.
Would not mind having a Clyde Barr only a phone call away.
He was too strong. Too good. He was too much of a hero.
But as the story developed, as the characters evolved and the dangers were ever more present I realized Clyde was very much a product of his surroundings.
His pain, his wounds, his brokenness, his hostility in the face of hostility. His resolute character in the face of adversity and disadvantage. His faith in the unseen plan in the sight of the death trap. The uncertain.
All of these prove, that through the harshest seasons, some of us come out bruised, scarred but as champions.
And unlike his antagonist, a monster at heart, Clyde rose out of the ashes a modern day knight.
Would not mind having a Clyde Barr only a phone call away.
amberlyswords's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked this book but didn't love it. Both the writing and the paced of plot was okay but it was bit dull. The ending was okay, and the cover of the book was fine also I would like the characters to been flash out bit more.
alice2000's review against another edition
2.0
Casey's Challenge 2017: #37 Doesn't Cost (don't already own)
Kindle Lending Library Book
Kindle Lending Library Book
eleellis's review against another edition
4.0
Erik Storey's Nothing Short of Dying is a good summer read.
Clyde Barr is a drifting man who receives a cryptic call for help from his sister Jen. His sister is being held at an unknown location by a vicious thug planning some sort of unknown heist. Clyde is compelled to help his sister, fueled by a promise once made to her when the two were younger.
Storey parses out the backstory of Barr and his sister in sprinkles throughout the book and brings in a wide variety of supporting characters - some nasty and others even nastier, while keeping the story flowing and interesting.
Clyde receives help from interesting characters along the way; one of whom is especially troubling.
This is an enjoyable book from a first time author, with apparent plans to base more novels with the Clyde Barr character.
Clyde Barr is a drifting man who receives a cryptic call for help from his sister Jen. His sister is being held at an unknown location by a vicious thug planning some sort of unknown heist. Clyde is compelled to help his sister, fueled by a promise once made to her when the two were younger.
Storey parses out the backstory of Barr and his sister in sprinkles throughout the book and brings in a wide variety of supporting characters - some nasty and others even nastier, while keeping the story flowing and interesting.
Clyde receives help from interesting characters along the way; one of whom is especially troubling.
This is an enjoyable book from a first time author, with apparent plans to base more novels with the Clyde Barr character.
tpaulschulte's review against another edition
4.0
We are really living and reading at a good time especially if you love thrillers. There are so many promising authors coming out at this time that it is hard to keep up. Erik Storey is one of the new breed of thriller writer that shows the genre is in good hands for the foreseeable future.
This is the first Clyde Barr novel and is a surprise. Storey's command of language and setting is impressive. I can see shades of James Lee Burke here who is the master of description and setting. Storey is on the right track.
Our hero, Barr, is a complicated and driven individual. Much like Jack Reacher he is drawn to the underdog and at times this has been to his detriment. Nothing Short of Dying concerns Barr's family, namely his little sister Jen who has fallen in with some bad people. Barr, trying to get away into the wilderness after a stint in a Mexican prison just wants peace, and mountains and space to breathe. Unfortunately, a call for help from his sister sets him back in the places and homes they left behind many years ago. memories that are not pleasant for either sibling. It is through these flashbacks that we see what made Barr who he is. In his quest, he finds a kindred soul in Allie, a great foil for Barr and his go for broke attitude.
Throw in mexican drug lords, bikers, tweakers and assorted ex military types and you have a heck of a book.
Looking forward to catching up with Clyde Barr again and hopefully for many years.
This is the first Clyde Barr novel and is a surprise. Storey's command of language and setting is impressive. I can see shades of James Lee Burke here who is the master of description and setting. Storey is on the right track.
Our hero, Barr, is a complicated and driven individual. Much like Jack Reacher he is drawn to the underdog and at times this has been to his detriment. Nothing Short of Dying concerns Barr's family, namely his little sister Jen who has fallen in with some bad people. Barr, trying to get away into the wilderness after a stint in a Mexican prison just wants peace, and mountains and space to breathe. Unfortunately, a call for help from his sister sets him back in the places and homes they left behind many years ago. memories that are not pleasant for either sibling. It is through these flashbacks that we see what made Barr who he is. In his quest, he finds a kindred soul in Allie, a great foil for Barr and his go for broke attitude.
Throw in mexican drug lords, bikers, tweakers and assorted ex military types and you have a heck of a book.
Looking forward to catching up with Clyde Barr again and hopefully for many years.
bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
4.0
You know when you have a cover quote from Lee Child that you’re onto a winner!
This was one of the books that I read while I was trying to rest my back and I absolutely tore through it!
I love a good action book! Like, really love them! Manly, testosterone-fuelled books are super fun for me. In the same way that I love Die Hard and so on, it’s the same with these kinds of books.
Nothing Short of Dying was brilliant! It had loads going for it. An interesting main character (a definite pretender to the Jack Reacher throne but excellent all the same), some intriguing side characters and a banging plot. The bad guys were baaaaaaad, the violence was plenty, and it was just a thrill ride!
Erik Storey is definitely one to watch as regards an action thriller author. You can tell he’s been an outdoorsy, wilderness kinda guy. It translated well in the knowledge of outside stuff (clearly, I do NOT do outdoorsy as I don’t even know how to describe it!) and it worked well with the plot.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Highly recommended!
This was one of the books that I read while I was trying to rest my back and I absolutely tore through it!
I love a good action book! Like, really love them! Manly, testosterone-fuelled books are super fun for me. In the same way that I love Die Hard and so on, it’s the same with these kinds of books.
Nothing Short of Dying was brilliant! It had loads going for it. An interesting main character (a definite pretender to the Jack Reacher throne but excellent all the same), some intriguing side characters and a banging plot. The bad guys were baaaaaaad, the violence was plenty, and it was just a thrill ride!
Erik Storey is definitely one to watch as regards an action thriller author. You can tell he’s been an outdoorsy, wilderness kinda guy. It translated well in the knowledge of outside stuff (clearly, I do NOT do outdoorsy as I don’t even know how to describe it!) and it worked well with the plot.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Highly recommended!