THE LOST ONES, by Ace Atkins

Ace Atkins
THE LOST ONES (Quinn Colson #2)
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2012
368 Pages
Suspense / Thriller / Crime

Quinn Colson is back. The former Ranger is now sheriff of a small Mississippi town. He stepped up after the death of his uncle, and now wears the badge.

In THE LOST ONES, Sheriff Colson has his hands full. Family first. His sister Caddy is back in town. She's had it rough. Drugs. Exotic dancing. A single mother. Only thing is, she doesn't take care of her own kid. Their mother, Jean, does. At least, she didn't take care of her own kid. Being back, she swears she's turned her life around. She is not going to walk away, not going to leave her son again. Problem is, Colson don't believe a word of it.The kid deserves more, deserves better. If they don't get things straight, Colson's hand may be forced.

An abused baby is brought to the hospital. Near death, the broken bones, and cracked skull are life threatening. Colson and his loyal deputy, Lillie, are trying to get to the bottom of it all. What they have is a couple who adopt a bunch of Mexican kids. With over ten in their place, they learn abuse is the norm. They make a living selling off the kids they adopted. The rotten couple is on the run, and have the young kids with them. There are additional rumors about what happens to the children. Physical abuse isn't the only horror the kids suffer.

Additionally, ATF is in town. Someone is running guns. Lots of guns. A contact in town is pushing stolen military weapons to a Mexican gang to fuel a cartel war south of the border. The joint investigation uncovers clues that leave both the ATF and the sheriff's department playing cards close to the chest.

Everything comes to an explosive head when an ATF informant points the finger. Outmanned, and outgunned, Sheriff Colson, Lillie, and the other deputies have their work cut out for them!

Badass Ranger Quinn Colson is a cross between Jack Reacher and Walt Longmire. The mix is a perfect blend. The novel covers a lot of ground, giving plenty of background, and character development. The series is shaping up nicely! With THE RANGER, Ace Atkins piqued my curiosity. With THE LOST ONES, he sold me, I am a fan!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: THE RANGER, by Ace Atkins

Ace Atkins
THE RANGER (Quinn Colson #1)
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2012
368 pages
Thriller / Suspense / Crime

Love when I find a new series that captures my interest right from the opening page! While I've only read the one Ace Atkins novel, it already has a Jack Reacher / Walt Longmire feel. Not complaining. Two great fictional characters --one a military badass, and the ladder, a hard-nosed Wyoming sheriff-- blended into one. Quinn Colson.

In THE RANGER, Colson is headed home for his uncle's funeral. The small, backwoods town, is nothing if not filled with secrets. It's been over six years since Quinn was last back. The old cliche holds true. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The problem comes during the funeral. Quinn is informed that his uncle didn't have a heart attack. It was in fact a suicide. Uncle Hamp was the man stood as the make role model. Quinn loved and respected him. Learning that his uncle left him all of his property, it seemed only right to look for answers. What would have caused the town sheriff to kill himself?

Deputy Lillie Virgil knows something's not right. Teaming up with Quinn, the two launch their own investigation. What they uncover is trouble with a capital "T." There are backroom land development deals going on, meth makers, drug sales, and a Nazi-Aryan Nation Group in the woods.

The acting sheriff, the local judge, and family have Quinn coming and going. Getting to the bottom of the conspiracy is becoming dangerous. If Quinn isn't careful he could pay for the truth with his life!

Ace Atkins writes terse, compact chapters. It kept me turning pages. I like 'em short. Feel like I read more, read faster that way. Might just be me. The dialogue is crisp, stunted. It feels authentic, and sharp. The action comes in bursts, and sprays like bullets from a machine gun, but it is the constant tension, and building suspense that just keeps me gasping for air!

THE RANGER was a two thumbs up kind of read for me. (I do have the others in the Quinn Colson series -- so check back for more reviews).

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series
and The Vaccination Trilogy