What do you think?
Rate this book
Getting Ugly
A young FBI star (Leon) is sent to hunt down a most dangerous man - a terrifying legend hated and feared by both the law and the criminal underworld alike. A man called Big Ugly.
Leon and Big Ugly engage in an epic struggle, but unlike the poor souls before him, Leon lives…barely. Big Ugly disappears like a ghost leaving Leon a broken man with only a scrambled head full of bad memories.
Years later, a degenerate criminal stumbles upon Big Ugly’s hidden compound. A raving band of nasty individuals are assembled. Leon gets the call to go undercover and join this team of psychopaths to ensure Big Ugly is brought to justice…but nothing is what it seems.
A breakneck pulp action thriller, GETTING UGLY will twist your head like a pretzel leaving you struggling to guess what will happens next, but so much fun you won't want it to end.
Leon and Big Ugly engage in an epic struggle, but unlike the poor souls before him, Leon lives…barely. Big Ugly disappears like a ghost leaving Leon a broken man with only a scrambled head full of bad memories.
Years later, a degenerate criminal stumbles upon Big Ugly’s hidden compound. A raving band of nasty individuals are assembled. Leon gets the call to go undercover and join this team of psychopaths to ensure Big Ugly is brought to justice…but nothing is what it seems.
A breakneck pulp action thriller, GETTING UGLY will twist your head like a pretzel leaving you struggling to guess what will happens next, but so much fun you won't want it to end.
150 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2013
14 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Mike McCrary
28 books77 followersMike McCrary is the bestselling author of Someone Savage, Relentless, and the Remo Cobb series. He's been a waiter, a dishwasher, investment analyst, and an unpaid Hollywood intern. He's quit corporate America, come back, been fired, been promoted, been fired again. Currently, he writes stories about questionable people who make questionable decisions. Keep up with Mike at www.mikemccrary.com.
"Mike McCrary is definitely a writer to watch." - John Rector, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Ridge, Already Gone, and The Cold Kiss.
"It's almost inhuman how frequently and effectively this book ups the ante on the reader." - Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse
“… a Hollywood action film in print form.” – Austin Statesman
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 28, 2015
This was quite a bit rougher around the edges than Mike McCrary's subsequent novel REMO WENT ROGUE, but it was pretty enjoyable nonetheless. McCrary is not the kind of writer to pull punches and write layered stuff, but his prose has a strong identity nonetheless. GETTING UGLY was wild and breathless and the cast was a little too crowded for my taste, but McCrary's God-given abilities to likable scumbags and breakneck action scenes are enough to keep the reading fluid and fun.
GETTING UGLY is a bit overcrowded and underdeveloped, but it's an entertaining and quite successful debut for a unique and ridiculously readable author.
GETTING UGLY is a bit overcrowded and underdeveloped, but it's an entertaining and quite successful debut for a unique and ridiculously readable author.
May 8, 2014
Wow. An ultra violent, thrilling, and fun to read tale of revenge. A damaged man has a chance to get get some of his pride,and life back when he is at his lowest. I don't want to say much more. If you want to read a story that will make you laugh, squirm, and maybe barf in your mouth once or twice, give this one a spin. Definitely going to pick up Remo Went Rougue (another book by McCrary), next week! Might not be for everyone, but I had a blast reading it!
August 20, 2014
Mike McCrary's first novel is fantastic. Super violent, terribly funny and really over the top, McCrary knows how to keep the pages rolling.
Simply put, this book is really entertaining. It could easily be made into a film. The characters are memorable and there's certainly shit you'll wish you hadn't read or seen in your head, but it's totally worth it.
My one big gripe about this book though, is that it needs some serious editing. I fully get being independently published and not having big publishing house editors, but this book could really use a healthy dose of editing. I did find that distracting.
This likely puts me in the category of annoying Yelpers who bitch about dirt on the floor, but in books, these things can be very distracting.
Regardless, I look forward to McCrary's next novel or short story.
Simply put, this book is really entertaining. It could easily be made into a film. The characters are memorable and there's certainly shit you'll wish you hadn't read or seen in your head, but it's totally worth it.
My one big gripe about this book though, is that it needs some serious editing. I fully get being independently published and not having big publishing house editors, but this book could really use a healthy dose of editing. I did find that distracting.
This likely puts me in the category of annoying Yelpers who bitch about dirt on the floor, but in books, these things can be very distracting.
Regardless, I look forward to McCrary's next novel or short story.
June 29, 2013
Loved it! Very gritty and reminiscent of Tarentino's "Desperado". In fact, I would love to see him make a film out of this book.
September 29, 2015
This is a fast novella you can read in a sitting with some of the best action scenes I've read in a while. Get your popcorn out people, McCrary's the real deal.
June 30, 2018
Relentless - I was clueless about the storyline, so I really didn't want to read Relentless after I read the first couple of chapters. I don't care about LA, designer clothes and fancy cars; you got em, great but so what. But I've read a few books by Mr. McCrary and love his work, so I hung in there. Glad I did because the pace picked up, the plot turned intriguing and suspenseful, and the characters ranged the gamut from weak to pure evil, with plenty of manipulation from several directions. I figured out a few things, except one thing: what was actually wanted in the end by the bad guy. I want to say more, but I don't do spoilers; this is a review, not a book report. Another well written, well thought out story. 5*
Getting Ugly - Action packed, fast paced suspense with interesting characters. The plot kept me immersed in the story. Ugly is a fun, good character. Well written, but vulgar language happy.
Steady Trouble #1 - Action packed, fast paced with an interesting plot and characters. Of the three books, I've read, this is the best, with Getting Ugly second (fun, good character). Cowtown, yes; A-Town?, must be near NYC or Chi-Town. Standalone, but there's definitely more in the future. Well written with believable characters and plot. Do want to see more of Teddy. This book is different from the Remo series, but just as enjoyable.
Steady Madness #2 – Picks up where Steady Teddy ended. Another well written, action-packed, suspense filled book. The characters from Steady Teddy #1 have growth and you either love em or hate em. You’re definitely rooting for the good guys even when they’re bad. Even the new additions are interesting. There’s a surprise at the end of the story that’s heartwarming, actually a couple of em. I had to laugh when I saw BAD WORDS INC. on the title page, since Mr. McCrary is always reviewed for his vulgar language. He has a sense of humor as you can see in his books. I volunteered to review his books many books ago. He is one of my favorite new authors.
Remo Went Rogue #1 - Action packed, fast paced suspense with a cast of characters typical of this type of novel. Cut n Shoot ain't that little any more. Well written, but too much vulgar language, although that's typical for these characters. If you like Elmore, you'll like this book.
Remo Went Down #2 - Great! Another action packed, fast paced thriller full of suspense, characters that keep getting better and a twisting plot. Better than Rogue, still with the vulgar and the violence works. I couldn't put the book down, it wouldn't let me until I finished. Do read Rogue first, and then hang on for the ride with Down.
Remo Went Wild #3 - I couldn't stop belly laughing or put the book down. The descriptions are just poetry, vivid. Remo 3 is the best of the lot, so far. Well written, intense, suspense filled, with humor over the top. Mr. McCrary has a good thing going here with Remo. It seems he's cut the vulgar language some, but what's there, just belongs - these are real thugs who haven't been to church in awhile, if ever. LOL. (Since in the Amazon reviewing community, non Christians and real people curse.)
The characters are getting stronger with each book and the plot still remains twisting and engaging. Any more folks, and we're talking spoilers. I'll let you discover the adventure on your own. With over 50K books in my possession, not counting the local library, I don't reread many books. When Remo Went Berserk comes out, I'll be rereading the first three just to get into the mood to savor Berserk. McCrary goes on my bookshelf with Ludlum, my favorite author.
Remo Went Off #4 - Wow, Remo's story comes to a close - maybe? This book is just as action packed, fast paced and intriguing as the previous volumes. Well written plot; realistic characters; realistic and appropriate dialog; just the items that make a good story.
You must read these books in order to get the most out of this series. But if you can't, don't let it stop you from reading this or any other book. Once you get started, you'll have a difficult time putting these books down. Some folks will get offended by the vulgar language, which ranges in frequency usage thorough out the books, but the characters are criminals and this is their norm. I contacted the author to review his books.
Getting Ugly - Action packed, fast paced suspense with interesting characters. The plot kept me immersed in the story. Ugly is a fun, good character. Well written, but vulgar language happy.
Steady Trouble #1 - Action packed, fast paced with an interesting plot and characters. Of the three books, I've read, this is the best, with Getting Ugly second (fun, good character). Cowtown, yes; A-Town?, must be near NYC or Chi-Town. Standalone, but there's definitely more in the future. Well written with believable characters and plot. Do want to see more of Teddy. This book is different from the Remo series, but just as enjoyable.
Steady Madness #2 – Picks up where Steady Teddy ended. Another well written, action-packed, suspense filled book. The characters from Steady Teddy #1 have growth and you either love em or hate em. You’re definitely rooting for the good guys even when they’re bad. Even the new additions are interesting. There’s a surprise at the end of the story that’s heartwarming, actually a couple of em. I had to laugh when I saw BAD WORDS INC. on the title page, since Mr. McCrary is always reviewed for his vulgar language. He has a sense of humor as you can see in his books. I volunteered to review his books many books ago. He is one of my favorite new authors.
Remo Went Rogue #1 - Action packed, fast paced suspense with a cast of characters typical of this type of novel. Cut n Shoot ain't that little any more. Well written, but too much vulgar language, although that's typical for these characters. If you like Elmore, you'll like this book.
Remo Went Down #2 - Great! Another action packed, fast paced thriller full of suspense, characters that keep getting better and a twisting plot. Better than Rogue, still with the vulgar and the violence works. I couldn't put the book down, it wouldn't let me until I finished. Do read Rogue first, and then hang on for the ride with Down.
Remo Went Wild #3 - I couldn't stop belly laughing or put the book down. The descriptions are just poetry, vivid. Remo 3 is the best of the lot, so far. Well written, intense, suspense filled, with humor over the top. Mr. McCrary has a good thing going here with Remo. It seems he's cut the vulgar language some, but what's there, just belongs - these are real thugs who haven't been to church in awhile, if ever. LOL. (Since in the Amazon reviewing community, non Christians and real people curse.)
The characters are getting stronger with each book and the plot still remains twisting and engaging. Any more folks, and we're talking spoilers. I'll let you discover the adventure on your own. With over 50K books in my possession, not counting the local library, I don't reread many books. When Remo Went Berserk comes out, I'll be rereading the first three just to get into the mood to savor Berserk. McCrary goes on my bookshelf with Ludlum, my favorite author.
Remo Went Off #4 - Wow, Remo's story comes to a close - maybe? This book is just as action packed, fast paced and intriguing as the previous volumes. Well written plot; realistic characters; realistic and appropriate dialog; just the items that make a good story.
You must read these books in order to get the most out of this series. But if you can't, don't let it stop you from reading this or any other book. Once you get started, you'll have a difficult time putting these books down. Some folks will get offended by the vulgar language, which ranges in frequency usage thorough out the books, but the characters are criminals and this is their norm. I contacted the author to review his books.
July 17, 2018
CRAZY CRAZY FRIGGIN HILARIOUSLY THRILLING AND CRAZY!!!
July 20, 2020
Leon, a rising FBI star is sent on a mission to capture the great, white whale of the criminal world: Big Ugly. A man feared by lawmen and the criminal world alike. Unaware of his reputation, Leon sets his sights on Big Ugly and hunts him relentlessly all over the globe, to the detriment of his professional and personal life.
“What have I ever done to you? How long have you been on me?”
“Two years, five months, eight days.”
“Seriously, when are you going to cease with the sh*t?”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“But not today?”
“Unlikely.”
Leon is captured by Ugly and tortured for a time before finally being released a broken man. A shadow of his former self, he resigns from the FBI, leaves his wife, and lives a meagre existence as a security guard, drinking himself into a stupor once his shift ends to chase away the nightmares.
Years later, when his ex-boss comes to him with Ugly’s location and the chance to get even, Leon takes it, joining a ragtag team of criminal degenerates that are combining forces to bring Ugly down, and recover the millions taken from criminal overlords over the years.
"We have to move. We have hours, not days. To put it mildly, Big Ugly is a flight risk.”
But of course, schemes like this are rarely simple, and hardly ever go to plan. The showdown at Ugly’s compound or as I like to call it, house of horrors is nothing short of epic.
This novella is quite Tarantino-esque: over the top, full of violence, gore, and things you can’t unsee. The assembled bad guys planning to take down Big Ugly are working together, but not really. They remind me of the psychotic bad guys from Smokin’ Aces, each with their own agenda. If you’re a fan of action - heavy on the blood and violence, this book is well worth the read.
“What have I ever done to you? How long have you been on me?”
“Two years, five months, eight days.”
“Seriously, when are you going to cease with the sh*t?”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“But not today?”
“Unlikely.”
Leon is captured by Ugly and tortured for a time before finally being released a broken man. A shadow of his former self, he resigns from the FBI, leaves his wife, and lives a meagre existence as a security guard, drinking himself into a stupor once his shift ends to chase away the nightmares.
Years later, when his ex-boss comes to him with Ugly’s location and the chance to get even, Leon takes it, joining a ragtag team of criminal degenerates that are combining forces to bring Ugly down, and recover the millions taken from criminal overlords over the years.
"We have to move. We have hours, not days. To put it mildly, Big Ugly is a flight risk.”
But of course, schemes like this are rarely simple, and hardly ever go to plan. The showdown at Ugly’s compound or as I like to call it, house of horrors is nothing short of epic.
This novella is quite Tarantino-esque: over the top, full of violence, gore, and things you can’t unsee. The assembled bad guys planning to take down Big Ugly are working together, but not really. They remind me of the psychotic bad guys from Smokin’ Aces, each with their own agenda. If you’re a fan of action - heavy on the blood and violence, this book is well worth the read.
April 24, 2013
Horrible, violent for the sake of being violent. No redeeming factors that some other authors of ultra-violent style books can given to there characters. And the whole main joke of the story involves gay panic rape.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews