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Ferris' Bluff
Ferris' Bluff...the exciting debut thriller from Fred Limberg. Ace is on the run from everyone! The feds want him back in the Witness Protection Program. An international collection of gangsters and arms-merchants he pissed off working undercover are still looking for him. And worst of all—his own scarred self-image and terrifying nightmares haunt him almost every damn day. After two lonely years on the road he risks a short visit with his old friend, Granville Tubbs, who lives in the sleepy small town of Ferris’ Bluff, Arkansas—a town named for a hundred and fifty year old con. Ace hasn’t even had a tingle that anyone has been on his trail for almost a year. What could go wrong in a few days? One big honkin’ hell of a lot, it turns out! A wary suspicious loner, Ace is soon brought under the spell of the quirky small town and its residents. It seems like almost everybody wants to be his friend. Some of the folks are funny down-home characters you just want to hug. And one in particular, Annie Travers, is a pretty widow with scars and tragic mysteries of her own. And some of the people in Ferris’ Bluff are just plain evil—ruthless and crafty and mean as junk-yard dogs.
250 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2011
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513 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 21, 2013
Please note: I originally read this in October 2011. I'm adding formatting, and a disclosure that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. Also? It's currently free on Amazon today, 1/21/13, so hurry and pick up your own copy!
My Synopsis: Ace has been on the run for around 4 years – ever since the Russian mafia killed his wife, his sons, his daughter and her husband, and his father in revenge for something he did while he was working for the government. He has decided to come and visit Granville “Granny” Tubbs, a man who was a friend of Ace’s father, and whom Ace has known his whole life. Coming in to Ferris’ Bluff, AR, Ace discovers Granny is in a critical-care ward in a nursing home after a series of strokes – when Ace comes to visit, he finds out there are restrictions on who can see Granny when. Ace notices other odd things going on in town. However, he likes the town and is immediately accepted into the community; he even earns some money, because he is able to fix almost anything – which gets him in some trouble with Pink Henery, the local mechanic, who doesn’t appreciate Ace horning in on his business. Then there is Annie Travers, the widowed woman from whom Ace rents a room, and her two children – Ace finds himself becoming fond of them, and of many of the people in this quirky little town with whom he is quickly becoming friends. But can he escape the men who may be continuing to search for him?
My thoughts: I’ve probably rambled on too long about the plot, but I’ve tried to avoid any major spoilers. I wanted to try to show something about the story – about the heart, about the action, about how it kept me engrossed and engaged not only with the main plot, but with the many interesting and unique characters with which Limberg has populated this terrific thriller. Even folks who normally aren’t fans of suspense/thrillers should enjoy this book – it has plenty of action and a fast-moving plot, but it also provides wonderful character development and a strong plot. I highly recommend that you get this book and read this book – it’s a terrific read.
My Synopsis: Ace has been on the run for around 4 years – ever since the Russian mafia killed his wife, his sons, his daughter and her husband, and his father in revenge for something he did while he was working for the government. He has decided to come and visit Granville “Granny” Tubbs, a man who was a friend of Ace’s father, and whom Ace has known his whole life. Coming in to Ferris’ Bluff, AR, Ace discovers Granny is in a critical-care ward in a nursing home after a series of strokes – when Ace comes to visit, he finds out there are restrictions on who can see Granny when. Ace notices other odd things going on in town. However, he likes the town and is immediately accepted into the community; he even earns some money, because he is able to fix almost anything – which gets him in some trouble with Pink Henery, the local mechanic, who doesn’t appreciate Ace horning in on his business. Then there is Annie Travers, the widowed woman from whom Ace rents a room, and her two children – Ace finds himself becoming fond of them, and of many of the people in this quirky little town with whom he is quickly becoming friends. But can he escape the men who may be continuing to search for him?
My thoughts: I’ve probably rambled on too long about the plot, but I’ve tried to avoid any major spoilers. I wanted to try to show something about the story – about the heart, about the action, about how it kept me engrossed and engaged not only with the main plot, but with the many interesting and unique characters with which Limberg has populated this terrific thriller. Even folks who normally aren’t fans of suspense/thrillers should enjoy this book – it has plenty of action and a fast-moving plot, but it also provides wonderful character development and a strong plot. I highly recommend that you get this book and read this book – it’s a terrific read.
March 23, 2018
I was uncertain about starting this book. I had read "The Storm Glass" by the same author, and while it wasn't a bad book, the premise was a little far-fetched and bordering on ridiculous. Ferris' Bluff, however, is an entirely different animal.
It's not a mystery or whodunnit. We know the characters and who did what to whom pretty much all the way through. What it has is great characters, a nice balance of humour and action, and a well constructed storyline. Yes, it's written to a well worn formula, but so what? It's a great yarn and a terrific bit of escapism. Damaged ex-agent running from a broken past meets sleepy small-town America with (literally) explosive consequEnces. Will the bad guys get theirs and the good guys get their happy ending? Find out, it's time well spent.
(Reviewed on Amazon December 2013)
It's not a mystery or whodunnit. We know the characters and who did what to whom pretty much all the way through. What it has is great characters, a nice balance of humour and action, and a well constructed storyline. Yes, it's written to a well worn formula, but so what? It's a great yarn and a terrific bit of escapism. Damaged ex-agent running from a broken past meets sleepy small-town America with (literally) explosive consequEnces. Will the bad guys get theirs and the good guys get their happy ending? Find out, it's time well spent.
(Reviewed on Amazon December 2013)
January 14, 2025
Excellent Read!!
March 4, 2017
Great book. Great characters. Great suspense. Great ending. First time read of this author and I like him.
July 11, 2012
I’ve been living in Ferris’ Bluff for a couple of days – at least, that’s what it’s felt like as I’ve been reading the book. The sense of place is beautifully established, as are the characters who inhabit it. At the centre is Ace Evans, and the other members of the cast are introduced in quick succession in the opening chapters. The author sketches them quickly through description but mainly through their actions and the way they speak. On the surface we have the indicators of how they all relate to one another, then there are the hints and undercurrents that are so inescapable in small-town life, but this closed atmosphere never becomes oppressive or claustrophobic. Despite the fact that one focus of the action is a care home for older people, the book has a warmth and humanity which is very affirmative.
It is against this background that we gradually learn of a bigger, as yet unspecified threat which hangs over Ace. There is something of Lee Child's Jack Reacher about him – a loner who must keep moving to avoid being identified. The difference here is that Ace begins to regret that he must move on. As he meets more people and learns more about Ferris’ Bluff and its own secrets, the various threads of the story are brought together into a central narrative drive. The pace never slackens, but it still manages to accommodate occasional violent episodes and their antithesis – those warmer, ‘sitting on the porch with a beer’ moments.
It has humour, pace, action, great characters, warmth, and an artlessness that is very deceptive. A lot of thought has gone into its structuring and creation and it works as all good books do – by charming you, drawing you into its realities and making you want to know (but more, importantly, care about) what happens next. A highly entertaining and absorbing read, thoroughly recommended.
It is against this background that we gradually learn of a bigger, as yet unspecified threat which hangs over Ace. There is something of Lee Child's Jack Reacher about him – a loner who must keep moving to avoid being identified. The difference here is that Ace begins to regret that he must move on. As he meets more people and learns more about Ferris’ Bluff and its own secrets, the various threads of the story are brought together into a central narrative drive. The pace never slackens, but it still manages to accommodate occasional violent episodes and their antithesis – those warmer, ‘sitting on the porch with a beer’ moments.
It has humour, pace, action, great characters, warmth, and an artlessness that is very deceptive. A lot of thought has gone into its structuring and creation and it works as all good books do – by charming you, drawing you into its realities and making you want to know (but more, importantly, care about) what happens next. A highly entertaining and absorbing read, thoroughly recommended.
January 9, 2013
I finished this book in less than two days and that is only because I have kids to take care of! LOL! This was my first time reading one of Limberg’s books, but I can promise it will not be the last. This book was fantastic!
There is not one thing I can complain about with this story. It flowed like a river and I drifted along in the current. The characters were phenomenal and I absolutely cannot pick a favorite – I loved them all! The plot was exciting and the need to know what would happen next kept me up until 3 a.m. There is romance, action, comedy, and small-town life that was described so accurately and with such rich descriptions I felt I was transported Ferri’s Bluff.
I do hope this will not be the last time we hear from Ace and his friends. In my opinion, a sequel would be well-received. I can’t wait to read more from Fred Limberg!
There is not one thing I can complain about with this story. It flowed like a river and I drifted along in the current. The characters were phenomenal and I absolutely cannot pick a favorite – I loved them all! The plot was exciting and the need to know what would happen next kept me up until 3 a.m. There is romance, action, comedy, and small-town life that was described so accurately and with such rich descriptions I felt I was transported Ferri’s Bluff.
I do hope this will not be the last time we hear from Ace and his friends. In my opinion, a sequel would be well-received. I can’t wait to read more from Fred Limberg!
February 14, 2014
I very much enjoyed reading this. It had all the elements of a formulaic thriller: ex Navy SEAL, attractive widow, paraplegic but bright twelve-year-old, greedy lawyer and his sluttish wife, hit man, Russian Mafia and so on, with a steady (but not excessive) level of action. It could have been pedestrian but the writing was good and Art's character was likeable enough to want to follow events. It was a book where you checked to see how much remained to be read because you are enjoying it rather than hoping the thing would finish soon.
My only cavil would be a fairly common one (and robbed the writer of one star): less-experienced action writers treat their heroes far too kindly. In this case, Art is on the run from a bunch of nasties but wins out too easily and probably lives 'happily ever after'. There is no real 'Dark Moment' and a great thriller requires it. Great début though.
My only cavil would be a fairly common one (and robbed the writer of one star): less-experienced action writers treat their heroes far too kindly. In this case, Art is on the run from a bunch of nasties but wins out too easily and probably lives 'happily ever after'. There is no real 'Dark Moment' and a great thriller requires it. Great début though.
August 3, 2011
Ace Evans is running from a troubled past when he finds himself in a small town that seems stuck in another era--and that might to be just what he needs. But, even in the sleepy little town of Ferris' Bluff, Ace can't seem to stay out of trouble. He soon finds himself inextricably entangled with the citizenry, where he's made fast friends with some of the more interesting people who live there.
This is a novel filled with action and a smattering of romance. All the characters have strong, well-defined personalities and readers will find themselves rooting for the good-guys and hissing at the bad-guys.
An all-round good read.
This is a novel filled with action and a smattering of romance. All the characters have strong, well-defined personalities and readers will find themselves rooting for the good-guys and hissing at the bad-guys.
An all-round good read.
August 7, 2011
Enjoyed reading this story of a man that goes to a small town in Arkansas to see a friend and trouble follows him everywhere. There were so many twist and turns that you want to keep reading to find out more about Ace as there are little hints dropped here and there that lead you onward and deeper into the story. You get to know the people and don't want to leave them behind. Along with mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance, there's small town gossip and even a few chuckles. Fred captures the "flavor" of a small town and its people even with a stranger newly among them that leads to lot of unexpected surprises. Hope to see more by this author!
December 21, 2012
A thriller, and it didn’t fail to thrill. But a series of exciting events does not make a good book – maybe 40% of a good book. It also needs a logical and well thought out plot – 70%, and then some good characterisation. The reader needs to be able to feel for the protagonists. There needs to be real people, with real strengths and real weaknesses. Lindberg has this as well – 90% there? And then just a touch of love-story – not a trite romance of beautiful young girl and handsome man, but a real developing love between people the reader can believe in. Then you have all it takes to make a first-class story. 100%. Mr. Lindberg, I congratulate you.
July 25, 2012
Outstanding! I seldom write an actual review for other authors' work for fear that I'm over-critical, but this book is the exception. Great story and the author kept me drawn in all the way through. I had times where I would mutter to myself "Oh, he's going to get hurt" and put my Kindle down and walk away only to pick it up again five minutes later. This is one of the best books I've read in a really long time.
September 28, 2012
I really enjoyed this! The characters really come alive and I can picture the town. A few things bother me - I don't like that Ace never tells Annie about his past, and the ending didn't really work for me. I don't understand exactly why the Russians will think he's dead - won't they know how many of their own were left behind? So when one isn't identified by the police or the press, and instead Ace's "body" is found, won't they know right off that it's a fake?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2012
One of the best I've read in a while. There are several plots happening and things get tied up in the end, but not by conicidence, but the cleverness of the characters, especially Ace. I was pleasantly surprised that a story that has elements of romance, humor, thrillers, small town character study and even capers could work so well. Ace is a great character, very competent and I loved how him coming to Ferris Bluff actually enriched the lives of a lot of the citizens.
January 27, 2013
Entertaining novel about an ex-Navy special ops guy on the run from baddies who finds himself embroiled in the craziness of a small Arkansas town. Highly readable, somewhere between Carl Hiaasen goofiness and a Ludlum-type thriller. One caveat: Use of gender/racial stereotypes and dialect kept annoying hitting my white male privilege obliviousness detector, even though I very much liked the description & dynamics of the small town setting. Free Kindle download.
December 10, 2013
This was a great story! Ace has been running from his past for many years. He comes to town and only plans on visiting his old friend but things get interesting and he is compelled to stay and help. He unravels a nursing home scheme, all the while he is trying to visit his friend who is in the nursing home. And to top it all off the Russian mob is after him. So now he has to bluff his way and fight for the town and the people who make him want to stay.
September 6, 2016
This was a very interesting and fun book to read. The action was in your face along with the subtle undercurrent of trying to do the right thing. The characters were interesting in and of themselves, some of whom you might actually find in a small town. The romance was there, but not the slapping you in the face kind, but the subtle easy kind. The children were put in the mix to make it more believable.
January 8, 2012
It has humour, pace, action, great characters, warmth, and an artlessness that is very deceptive. A lot of thought has gone into its structuring and creation and it works as all good books do - by charming you, drawing you into its realities and making you want to know (but more, importantly, care about) what happens next. A highly entertaining and absorbing read, thoroughly recommended.
July 6, 2012
I got it as a Kindle freebie and I was surprised at how much I liked it. Good storyline and a little mysterious so it kept my interest. The only thing I didn't care too much for was the ending...I felt like it ended suddenly and there was not as much closure with all the characters as I would have liked. But overall a good read.
September 21, 2012
This is one of those books where it is so bad it is good. It was an enjoyable romp that was rather obvious from the beginning and didn't disappoint with unexpected twists. You just sat back and read to the end. Kinda like a term paper in English where the story line is going where you expect it to go, but the author's choice of language and usage intrigues.
January 26, 2013
Great book!! It pulled me in, made me laugh, made me care, made me not want to put it down! This book flowed beautifully from beginning to the the last page. Loved the characters, the story......would make a great movie! Don't start this book unless you have the time to finish it!!
R-rating for language, language, language,
(Military-style)
Minimal sexual references
Some violence
R-rating for language, language, language,
(Military-style)
Minimal sexual references
Some violence
May 18, 2013
Ferris' Bluff is a very good, entertaining novel...one of those that you hate to see end. Great characters, very good storyline, and I loved the setting. The author did a really good job of bringing the characters to life. I would love to see another novel set in this town with some of the same characters.
If the book description sounds interesting to you at all, don't hesitate.
If the book description sounds interesting to you at all, don't hesitate.
March 4, 2014
The writing was good and the characters were very real. As I read about them, I really felt like the book pulled me into their small town lives, along with all of the behind the scenes drama and intrigue. For one book to have action, suspense, and romance, all with a backdrop of humorously portrayed small town life (and gossip) is unusual; Ferris' Bluff was a truly outstanding read.
January 27, 2013
I really enjoyed Ferris' Bluff. I thought the author did a very nice job with developing the relationships between the various characters, particularly Annie & Ace and Frenchy & Leon. I like that what I thought might be a loose end got tied up quite nicely by the author. Will read more by him.
January 27, 2013
Book packs about as much action as anything I have read. Crooked lawyer and judges and an assortment of bad men and women kept our hero busy. I thought it was well written and hard to put down - had to know what was in store for the next chapter. Looking forward to more offerings from Mr. Limberg!
January 23, 2016
This was a first-class read. An ex Navy Seal running from Russian gangsters in the deep south. Great story line, excellent character development, a quirky romance, tricky changes in the plot line and lots of surprises keep you turning the pages. Sure hope there is a sequel or prequel.
August 18, 2011
Fabulous read. Great book and I want more from this author.
March 17, 2012
This was an entertaining book. The characters were fun and well developed. It had suspense, mystery, comedy, etc. A good read for guys and gals. A worthwhile freebie on my Kindle.
April 27, 2012
debut thriller from Fred Limberg. A great read. Enjoyed it!
December 23, 2013
would make a cracking film .. really enjoyed this.....
May 24, 2012
good story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews