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Jim Knighthorse #4
Clean Slate
Written in the tradition of Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe, the Jim Knighthorse series introduces a new hard-hitting, wise-cracking hero with a modern twist.
Private investigator Jim Knighthorse returns in book 4 of the series when he's hired to find out if Freddie Calgary, a popular movie and TV star, really overdosed and died two years ago, or if he is still alive. The investigation turns into a big road trip as Jim follows the clues to L.A., Sedona, and San Antonio. There is plenty of action and danger as the dark side of Hollywood spills its blood, secrets and scandal over three cities.
**Acclaim for the novels of J.R. Rain**
"Gripping, adventurous, and romantic - J.R. Rain's The Lost Ark is a breakneck thriller that traces the thread of history from Biblical stories to current-day headlines. Be prepared to lose sleep!"
-JAMES ROLLINS, international bestselling author of The Eye of God and Altar of Eden
"I enjoyed this immensely. The protagonist, Samantha Moon, is a female vampire with a husband and children. Those predate her condition; six years ago she was attacked by a vampire and rendered into one. Now she's trying to carry on with family and private eye business, and she's a feisty, skilled person, so is doing mostly okay. It is not a horror story; she buys animal blood to eat and doesn't generally prey on humans. But her husband has an increasing problem with her coldness - not of spirit, but of body. 'You sicken me and scare the hell out of me,' he tells her. 'And when I touch you it's all I can do to not gag.' She replies, 'Words every wife wants to hear.' I love this! What makes it special are her character and nature."
-PIERS ANTHONY, New York Times bestselling author of A Spell for Chameleon and On A Pale Horse
"Dark Horse is one of the best books I've read in a long time! A great classic detective story with a modern twist. Unique and interesting characters (I think I'm half in love with Jim Knighthorse now!), a great plot that kept me guessing until the end, and some of the funniest lines I've read anywhere."
-GEMMA HALLIDAY, author of Deadly Cool and Play Dead
Private investigator Jim Knighthorse returns in book 4 of the series when he's hired to find out if Freddie Calgary, a popular movie and TV star, really overdosed and died two years ago, or if he is still alive. The investigation turns into a big road trip as Jim follows the clues to L.A., Sedona, and San Antonio. There is plenty of action and danger as the dark side of Hollywood spills its blood, secrets and scandal over three cities.
**Acclaim for the novels of J.R. Rain**
"Gripping, adventurous, and romantic - J.R. Rain's The Lost Ark is a breakneck thriller that traces the thread of history from Biblical stories to current-day headlines. Be prepared to lose sleep!"
-JAMES ROLLINS, international bestselling author of The Eye of God and Altar of Eden
"I enjoyed this immensely. The protagonist, Samantha Moon, is a female vampire with a husband and children. Those predate her condition; six years ago she was attacked by a vampire and rendered into one. Now she's trying to carry on with family and private eye business, and she's a feisty, skilled person, so is doing mostly okay. It is not a horror story; she buys animal blood to eat and doesn't generally prey on humans. But her husband has an increasing problem with her coldness - not of spirit, but of body. 'You sicken me and scare the hell out of me,' he tells her. 'And when I touch you it's all I can do to not gag.' She replies, 'Words every wife wants to hear.' I love this! What makes it special are her character and nature."
-PIERS ANTHONY, New York Times bestselling author of A Spell for Chameleon and On A Pale Horse
"Dark Horse is one of the best books I've read in a long time! A great classic detective story with a modern twist. Unique and interesting characters (I think I'm half in love with Jim Knighthorse now!), a great plot that kept me guessing until the end, and some of the funniest lines I've read anywhere."
-GEMMA HALLIDAY, author of Deadly Cool and Play Dead
Unknown Binding
First published December 22, 2013
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About the author
J.R. Rain
686 books1,727 followersJ.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 17, 2014
I read the first three books in the Jim Knighthorse series before my Goodreads days, so I have never documented how much I enjoyed them, but I do remember devouring all three in one weekend and Clean Slate was much the same!
A lone private detective who stands up for himself and what he believes in. Jim Knighthorse is quick witted and arrogant, he is a bit of a thug and if he was a real person, could become very frustrating quite quickly with his own self importance but he has charm and a huge heart and I know I would like him in my friendship group!
J R Rain writes a very easy to read book full of quick one liners which made me smile. I speed read my way through and enjoyed every single line and my time getting reacquainted with Jim Knighthorse. There was no great mystery to be solved and I didn't need to use my brain but sometimes that is exactly how I like my books.
A lone private detective who stands up for himself and what he believes in. Jim Knighthorse is quick witted and arrogant, he is a bit of a thug and if he was a real person, could become very frustrating quite quickly with his own self importance but he has charm and a huge heart and I know I would like him in my friendship group!
J R Rain writes a very easy to read book full of quick one liners which made me smile. I speed read my way through and enjoyed every single line and my time getting reacquainted with Jim Knighthorse. There was no great mystery to be solved and I didn't need to use my brain but sometimes that is exactly how I like my books.
August 25, 2018
3.5 stars
It's been awhile since I read "Hail Mary" but Jim Knighthorse is just the same as ever: big, egotistic and ridiculous. This was a fun read, though not as funny as previous books in this series. It's a little repetitive and the characters all sounded the same at instances, which sort of derailed the humor for me.
The case Jim is working on was interesting and not as predictable as it first appears. Hollywood is crazy is a pretty good summary of it. All the dots connect together with no giant leaps of logic, and Jim even gets to solve some other cases along the way.
It does get dark. Jim's not always a nice guy, but only to the bad guys. The resolution of the case is pretty gruesome but thankfully doesn't linger over the details longer than necessary.
I don't think Jim would find the name Christian Grey sexy though. We see in this very book just what Jim does to rapists, and from everything I've heard about the 50 Shades books, Grey is pretty much a rapist, or the next worst thing.
I haven't read any other books by J.R. Rain outside of this series except for "Silent Echo" which I found did not live up to its potential, so this is the first time I saw any indication that all his works are related to each other. At least it's not necessary to read all the other books to appreciate this series, but it does explain the small paranormal subplot with Jack that runs through the series. I wonder if Jack shows up in Rain's other books. I'm not interested enough in vampires to find out though.
It's been awhile since I read "Hail Mary" but Jim Knighthorse is just the same as ever: big, egotistic and ridiculous. This was a fun read, though not as funny as previous books in this series. It's a little repetitive and the characters all sounded the same at instances, which sort of derailed the humor for me.
The case Jim is working on was interesting and not as predictable as it first appears. Hollywood is crazy is a pretty good summary of it. All the dots connect together with no giant leaps of logic, and Jim even gets to solve some other cases along the way.
It does get dark. Jim's not always a nice guy, but only to the bad guys. The resolution of the case is pretty gruesome but thankfully doesn't linger over the details longer than necessary.
I don't think Jim would find the name Christian Grey sexy though. We see in this very book just what Jim does to rapists, and from everything I've heard about the 50 Shades books, Grey is pretty much a rapist, or the next worst thing.
I haven't read any other books by J.R. Rain outside of this series except for "Silent Echo" which I found did not live up to its potential, so this is the first time I saw any indication that all his works are related to each other. At least it's not necessary to read all the other books to appreciate this series, but it does explain the small paranormal subplot with Jack that runs through the series. I wonder if Jack shows up in Rain's other books. I'm not interested enough in vampires to find out though.
August 29, 2019
A JRR. Murder Mystery Action Adventure, the fourth novel, in the (JKB. - 4) (CS)
JRR. has penned the fourth (JOB -4) novel, which involves the search for a missing actor. Once on the trail of the actor he is led out of Hollywood in search of the young actor. He follows the trail through Arizona, New Mexico until arriving in Texas. When he arrived he made a comment to himsrlf about how big the state was. They he picked up other clues and found he was last sighted in San Antonio. He was there as a corpse idolized by his boyfriend who kept his mummified body. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
JRR. has penned the fourth (JOB -4) novel, which involves the search for a missing actor. Once on the trail of the actor he is led out of Hollywood in search of the young actor. He follows the trail through Arizona, New Mexico until arriving in Texas. When he arrived he made a comment to himsrlf about how big the state was. They he picked up other clues and found he was last sighted in San Antonio. He was there as a corpse idolized by his boyfriend who kept his mummified body. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
May 11, 2020
It's a bit disappointing to get to the end of a new series and find a new book hasn't been added in years.
Jim Knighthorse is hired to look into the death of a popular movie star whose agent believes the man might still be alive.
There are some side trips to Sedona and San Antonio as LA's largest PI pursues the case. The most promising page was the one at the end saying there is another Knighthorse book in the works.
Jim Knighthorse is hired to look into the death of a popular movie star whose agent believes the man might still be alive.
There are some side trips to Sedona and San Antonio as LA's largest PI pursues the case. The most promising page was the one at the end saying there is another Knighthorse book in the works.
July 5, 2018
Similarities
This novel’s main character is reminiscent of Robert Parker’s Spencer in Boston. Both tough guys and both private eyes with understanding girlfriends and sympathetic dogs. The storyline is a bit strange but traveling around from LA to Sedona to San Antonio is interesting and plays into the story of a possible psychopath.
This novel’s main character is reminiscent of Robert Parker’s Spencer in Boston. Both tough guys and both private eyes with understanding girlfriends and sympathetic dogs. The storyline is a bit strange but traveling around from LA to Sedona to San Antonio is interesting and plays into the story of a possible psychopath.
December 30, 2018
Jim Knighthorse is hired to find out if an actor actually overdosed to years ago or faked his death and is hiding. As other reviewers have written, Jim is a flawed character who makes mistakes but learns from them and moves on. It has been great to see him grow and I was really sad to find out there are no more books in this series.
March 6, 2020
Good Lord
Can't get enough of Jim Knighthorse at the moment. I will truly be quite sad when I come to the end of his rein (get it?). Chuckles, life lessons, badass bouts & the godly Jack of course, who I'm a firm believer in, who wouldn't be? J.R.Rain you are one of a kind, just because you get me (Joe Public,) Jim and God. That's awesome.
Can't get enough of Jim Knighthorse at the moment. I will truly be quite sad when I come to the end of his rein (get it?). Chuckles, life lessons, badass bouts & the godly Jack of course, who I'm a firm believer in, who wouldn't be? J.R.Rain you are one of a kind, just because you get me (Joe Public,) Jim and God. That's awesome.
July 29, 2020
J. R. Rain's Jim Knighthorse books never let you down!
Entertaining as heck, their pithy dialogue, and flawed but relatable characters make these books a must-read for anyone who was a fan of the late Robert Parker or just likes a great PI story.
I'm waiting on pins and needles for the next one so please hurry, J. R.!
Entertaining as heck, their pithy dialogue, and flawed but relatable characters make these books a must-read for anyone who was a fan of the late Robert Parker or just likes a great PI story.
I'm waiting on pins and needles for the next one so please hurry, J. R.!
May 14, 2021
A good story, an interesting case and conclusion. A surprising confrontation with Jack.
I wonder what would happen if Jack showed up at Samantha Moon's favorite coffee shop (it's the same story world)? But then again, Samantha probably already met him and would recognize him right away despite his ... mm ... incarnation.
I wonder what would happen if Jack showed up at Samantha Moon's favorite coffee shop (it's the same story world)? But then again, Samantha probably already met him and would recognize him right away despite his ... mm ... incarnation.
January 15, 2019
Freddie Calgary, actor,died two years prevously but his agent believes that he faked his own death. He employs Knighthorse to find him. His investigation leads to some surreal/religious moments.
An enjoyable mystery
An enjoyable mystery
January 27, 2022
Excellent reading
Another will written mystery in the series. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story is full of misdirection with lots of twist and turns leading to the conclusion. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys will written mysteries. 2019
Another will written mystery in the series. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story is full of misdirection with lots of twist and turns leading to the conclusion. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys will written mysteries. 2019
July 28, 2025
Very Intriguing!
Very Intriguing and different. Short story again but kept my interest and helped me find out more about Jim and his relationship to God. Because it's so short I can't wait for the next book. Thanks again JR Rain!
Very Intriguing and different. Short story again but kept my interest and helped me find out more about Jim and his relationship to God. Because it's so short I can't wait for the next book. Thanks again JR Rain!
February 26, 2017
Light reading
Not much content other than stereo typical egotistical male jock. The entire story content would have been a chapter at most.
Not much content other than stereo typical egotistical male jock. The entire story content would have been a chapter at most.
January 7, 2018
I love Jim. I love Jack. I even love Cindy and Junior...and Sanchez! Not many books make you laugh and think at the same time.
September 21, 2018
Good book
This is a very good book. Getting to like the way the author puts his story together. I would recommend this book to family members and friends.
This is a very good book. Getting to like the way the author puts his story together. I would recommend this book to family members and friends.
September 24, 2018
Amazing!
I love everything I've read by J.R. Rain but this one was by far the best! The Jim Knighthorse book series could be a great movie series!!
I love everything I've read by J.R. Rain but this one was by far the best! The Jim Knighthorse book series could be a great movie series!!
September 28, 2018
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end.
March 12, 2019
A good book and a good series. Thanks to author.
October 14, 2019
Knighthorse books
I have enjoyed all the Knighthorse books in the series. Funny yet suspenseful, sad but enjoyable read. Love all that I've read so far!
I have enjoyed all the Knighthorse books in the series. Funny yet suspenseful, sad but enjoyable read. Love all that I've read so far!
May 22, 2021
clean
Clean Slate by J.R. rain is written with style and fun. Jim is truly a character. He is good at his job.
Clean Slate by J.R. rain is written with style and fun. Jim is truly a character. He is good at his job.
March 16, 2016
Clean Slate (Jim Knighthorse Book 4)
I have read all of this book series, and when I saw this one come out, I knew I had to download it to be read later. I really liked this character in the first three books. However, either my tastes have changed in the stories, or else this character has become more crass over the years and now is barely recognizable to me. Also, this book has strong religious/metaphysical leanings to it; and at times the protagonist acts like a seven year old with a naughty mind and mouth. As such, I would not recommend it to my Xtian friends. It's much too crass and vulgar to be a true religious mystery. (It also had negative racial and sexual orientation humor in it...not appreciated by this reader at all.) I skipped over all the religious sections. In the end, it did not add to the story as far as I could tell, and took away from the main plot of the story. Very disappointing.
As it is, the book started off in a fashion that I almost stopped reading it on page two. I mean...doing "dips," and going on and on about it more important that finding out a new client's issue...and really what does this have to do with the story? The whole reason I enjoyed this series in the past was the kind, compassionate, yet tough, realistic protagonist. At least, that's the way I remembered the series (it has been several years since I read the last three books.)
However, I kept reading. I was a short enough read that I knew I could get it read in one night, or at least most of it. And I was slightly curious as to this new personality change in the character.
This series has always been pretty straightforward to me, but it felt like it leaned on the paranormal angle a little too heavy this time (the author does write paranormal series, I just never looked at this series in this way.) And it meanders aways from the main plot a little too much. Yeah, I'm sure it's just me, but the protagonist seems to have gotten a lot more snotty from earlier books. Because of this, I know that this will be the last one I read in this series. It made me feel like the author is just going through the motions of writing and to that end, it does not make reading it fun anymore. Interestingly, if I disregarded all these extra scenes in the story, the bare bones plot is very good. Unfortunately, there isn't enough of that, and rests more on the inconsequential scenes.
At least the chapters were short, and it read fast. The dialog was excellent; rapid-fire and enjoyable to read.
In the end, the story is a low three star. Not a two; I liked it, I just didn't LIKE it.
I have read all of this book series, and when I saw this one come out, I knew I had to download it to be read later. I really liked this character in the first three books. However, either my tastes have changed in the stories, or else this character has become more crass over the years and now is barely recognizable to me. Also, this book has strong religious/metaphysical leanings to it; and at times the protagonist acts like a seven year old with a naughty mind and mouth. As such, I would not recommend it to my Xtian friends. It's much too crass and vulgar to be a true religious mystery. (It also had negative racial and sexual orientation humor in it...not appreciated by this reader at all.) I skipped over all the religious sections. In the end, it did not add to the story as far as I could tell, and took away from the main plot of the story. Very disappointing.
As it is, the book started off in a fashion that I almost stopped reading it on page two. I mean...doing "dips," and going on and on about it more important that finding out a new client's issue...and really what does this have to do with the story? The whole reason I enjoyed this series in the past was the kind, compassionate, yet tough, realistic protagonist. At least, that's the way I remembered the series (it has been several years since I read the last three books.)
However, I kept reading. I was a short enough read that I knew I could get it read in one night, or at least most of it. And I was slightly curious as to this new personality change in the character.
This series has always been pretty straightforward to me, but it felt like it leaned on the paranormal angle a little too heavy this time (the author does write paranormal series, I just never looked at this series in this way.) And it meanders aways from the main plot a little too much. Yeah, I'm sure it's just me, but the protagonist seems to have gotten a lot more snotty from earlier books. Because of this, I know that this will be the last one I read in this series. It made me feel like the author is just going through the motions of writing and to that end, it does not make reading it fun anymore. Interestingly, if I disregarded all these extra scenes in the story, the bare bones plot is very good. Unfortunately, there isn't enough of that, and rests more on the inconsequential scenes.
At least the chapters were short, and it read fast. The dialog was excellent; rapid-fire and enjoyable to read.
In the end, the story is a low three star. Not a two; I liked it, I just didn't LIKE it.
March 8, 2014
Jim Knighthorse is searching for Elvis. Well, not really, but close – he has been hired to determine if recent sightings of Freddie Calgary, a former child star, are legitimate. They shouldn’t be valid since Freddie was found dead two years ago. However, no autopsy was performed, the body was cremated prior to family being allowed to view the body and the pronouncing doctor has died in a mysterious auto accident. Therefore, the possibility that Freddie is still alive exists, at least in the mind of Freddie’s agent.
One day after the agent hires Knighthorse, the agent is brutally murdered. Even though Jim accepted a retainer, he legally has no case to pursue now that his client is dead. But because Jim accepted that retainer, he feels morally obligated to finish the job.
J. R. Rain writes a complex character doing a complex job. Knighthorse is physically large, physically fit and has a keen intelligence. He also has one leg held together by six pins and, if he is not an alcoholic already, he is teetering so close to that edge that the barest breath could push him over. And he has good reason to believe that Jack, the homeless man who has coffee with him at McDonald’s, is the physical incarnation of God.
If Rain had just stuck to action suspense with supernatural overtones, this would have been a 5-star entry – and about 30 pages shorter. As written, however, this story is a hodgepodge of current events, memories of past events from previous novels, tie-ins to events written into other Rain novels and series, and general emotional bloodletting. Details of some of the past events are repeated multiple times and several psychological issues are pursued repeatedly.
In the end, it felt as if Rain was using these previously published events and the repetitive browbeating to fill space and add length. Rain has recently, and publically, announced that he will cease writing his series and will concentrate on writing short stories. Perhaps, if he can dispense with the flashbacks and the repetitions, he will succeed.
One day after the agent hires Knighthorse, the agent is brutally murdered. Even though Jim accepted a retainer, he legally has no case to pursue now that his client is dead. But because Jim accepted that retainer, he feels morally obligated to finish the job.
J. R. Rain writes a complex character doing a complex job. Knighthorse is physically large, physically fit and has a keen intelligence. He also has one leg held together by six pins and, if he is not an alcoholic already, he is teetering so close to that edge that the barest breath could push him over. And he has good reason to believe that Jack, the homeless man who has coffee with him at McDonald’s, is the physical incarnation of God.
If Rain had just stuck to action suspense with supernatural overtones, this would have been a 5-star entry – and about 30 pages shorter. As written, however, this story is a hodgepodge of current events, memories of past events from previous novels, tie-ins to events written into other Rain novels and series, and general emotional bloodletting. Details of some of the past events are repeated multiple times and several psychological issues are pursued repeatedly.
In the end, it felt as if Rain was using these previously published events and the repetitive browbeating to fill space and add length. Rain has recently, and publically, announced that he will cease writing his series and will concentrate on writing short stories. Perhaps, if he can dispense with the flashbacks and the repetitions, he will succeed.
August 25, 2016
I have been waiting forever for this fourth book in the series. This series has always been a favorite of mine, Jim Knighthorse always at the back of my mind. He is a lovable ex-football player, not perfect by any means, but doing his best to do his best. Now he has a dog he has adopted that was once abused, a girlfriend who loves him even though he has some issues, and he meets God for coffee at McDonalds. Just can't forget a book like that.
Knighthorse has grown a lot since the last book and now he is hired to find an ex-child TV star who was dead but might not be dead. But then other people end up dead. Got it? Even though his client is now dead (seeing a trend, are you?), Knighthorse carries on with the investigation and finds a lot of confusion to untangle. Along the way he helps people out, he meets with God (who seems to be following him now), has his own miracle performed, and figures out the mystery of the dead/not dead ex-child TV star. And what a crazy ending it is. Never in a million years would have seen that one coming. I just love it when that happens!
This is definitely J.R. Rain at his best. He just keeps getting better and better. His books seem to fly by. Yes, they are shorter than the typical ebooks, but there is none of the flowery, detailed, descriptions that just add boredom to your reading. Who needs that? Action and adventure and intrigue is what the reader wants. We want to be swept up into the story and not let go until the very last page. With Rain, that is what we get every time. Never a dissappointing book from him for me. I see he has the next book listed at the end of this one, and I can't wait for that one to come out. Gotta love Knighthorse and Rain!
Knighthorse has grown a lot since the last book and now he is hired to find an ex-child TV star who was dead but might not be dead. But then other people end up dead. Got it? Even though his client is now dead (seeing a trend, are you?), Knighthorse carries on with the investigation and finds a lot of confusion to untangle. Along the way he helps people out, he meets with God (who seems to be following him now), has his own miracle performed, and figures out the mystery of the dead/not dead ex-child TV star. And what a crazy ending it is. Never in a million years would have seen that one coming. I just love it when that happens!
This is definitely J.R. Rain at his best. He just keeps getting better and better. His books seem to fly by. Yes, they are shorter than the typical ebooks, but there is none of the flowery, detailed, descriptions that just add boredom to your reading. Who needs that? Action and adventure and intrigue is what the reader wants. We want to be swept up into the story and not let go until the very last page. With Rain, that is what we get every time. Never a dissappointing book from him for me. I see he has the next book listed at the end of this one, and I can't wait for that one to come out. Gotta love Knighthorse and Rain!
May 19, 2015
Clean Slate, Jim Knighthorse, Book #4
by J.R. Rain
This is the first book I've read in the Knighthorse series, although I am a big fan of the Rain Samantha Moon series. I enjoyed this novel very much. I liked that, although I'm coming in well after Knighthorse's first adventure, there is enough backstory to help me understand and appreciate this character. He has also appeared in the Moon series, so he was not completely unfamiliar to me even though I'm new to the series.
I enjoy Rain's writing style. If flows easily, reads smoothly, and rarely contains an editing or proof reading error to stop my involvement in the storyline. In this adventure, Knighthorse is hired to investigate whether a rock star, who purportedly died two years earlier, might still be alive. Shortly after his client, the star's agent, announces publicly that he has hired Knighthorse, the agent turns up very dead. As he's already been paid, Knighthorse decides to continue the investigation and finds that almost every witness to the star's death has also died mysteriously. The plot thickens when he discovers himself being followed by two hired thugs. Is that rock star really dead?
Rain does a very good job of balancing the Knighthorse dichotomy: on one hand, a man wanting to live a pretty normal life with normal relationships, and on the other, a man with definite anger and impulse control. Part of that balancing act includes the character Jack -- is he real or a figment of Jim's imagination? If he's real, is he God? It was an interesting way to include a bit of theology into the plot.
In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. So much so, that I purchased the first three novels in a compilation set for a very low price (Gotta love BookBub).
by J.R. Rain
This is the first book I've read in the Knighthorse series, although I am a big fan of the Rain Samantha Moon series. I enjoyed this novel very much. I liked that, although I'm coming in well after Knighthorse's first adventure, there is enough backstory to help me understand and appreciate this character. He has also appeared in the Moon series, so he was not completely unfamiliar to me even though I'm new to the series.
I enjoy Rain's writing style. If flows easily, reads smoothly, and rarely contains an editing or proof reading error to stop my involvement in the storyline. In this adventure, Knighthorse is hired to investigate whether a rock star, who purportedly died two years earlier, might still be alive. Shortly after his client, the star's agent, announces publicly that he has hired Knighthorse, the agent turns up very dead. As he's already been paid, Knighthorse decides to continue the investigation and finds that almost every witness to the star's death has also died mysteriously. The plot thickens when he discovers himself being followed by two hired thugs. Is that rock star really dead?
Rain does a very good job of balancing the Knighthorse dichotomy: on one hand, a man wanting to live a pretty normal life with normal relationships, and on the other, a man with definite anger and impulse control. Part of that balancing act includes the character Jack -- is he real or a figment of Jim's imagination? If he's real, is he God? It was an interesting way to include a bit of theology into the plot.
In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. So much so, that I purchased the first three novels in a compilation set for a very low price (Gotta love BookBub).
December 30, 2013
This series just keeps getting better and better.
In the 4th (long awaited) installment of this series, Jim Knighthorse takes on a case investigating the possible faked death of a former Disney star. The case takes some surprising turns, but it is the spiritual development of Jim himself that really grips the reader. I have always been a fan of Jack and he plays heavily in this installment.
Not only are the exchanges between Jack and Jim captivating, but Jim's tap dance with his inner dark side is what really pulled me in and made me consider this installment the best in the series. Yes, he's still a lovable smartass and the laughs keep coming, but there is a darkness inside Jim Knighthorse that he is starting to really explore, and I love how multi-dimensional this character is.
I can't help cheering for Jim, even when he's crossing the line with the bad guys. I can't wait for more in the series.
In the 4th (long awaited) installment of this series, Jim Knighthorse takes on a case investigating the possible faked death of a former Disney star. The case takes some surprising turns, but it is the spiritual development of Jim himself that really grips the reader. I have always been a fan of Jack and he plays heavily in this installment.
Not only are the exchanges between Jack and Jim captivating, but Jim's tap dance with his inner dark side is what really pulled me in and made me consider this installment the best in the series. Yes, he's still a lovable smartass and the laughs keep coming, but there is a darkness inside Jim Knighthorse that he is starting to really explore, and I love how multi-dimensional this character is.
I can't help cheering for Jim, even when he's crossing the line with the bad guys. I can't wait for more in the series.
February 21, 2014
I love J.R. Rain's books. He's fun to read and so intelligent, emotional & funny. Knighthorse is one of my favorite characters of his. Maybe even my most favorite. I just love that guy...almost as much as he loves himself & Cindy!
Knighthorse returns in a wonderfully interesting mystery that has it all: emotion, wit, intelligence, sarcasm, excitement, suspense, gasps & laughs. This book was so much fun for me. I especially love the interesting ethical issues as well as the laughs. I love that this book made me think as much as it made me feel & laugh. What a fun ride.
I'm always sorry when I finish a Knighthorse book. It's tough to say good bye to my dear Jim. But I'm thrilled to discover that he will return to me in the future. Amen. A life without Knighthorse would be bleak, indeed.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy a fun, exciting, intelligent mystery with ethical issues & lots of cocky sarcasm & humor!
Knighthorse returns in a wonderfully interesting mystery that has it all: emotion, wit, intelligence, sarcasm, excitement, suspense, gasps & laughs. This book was so much fun for me. I especially love the interesting ethical issues as well as the laughs. I love that this book made me think as much as it made me feel & laugh. What a fun ride.
I'm always sorry when I finish a Knighthorse book. It's tough to say good bye to my dear Jim. But I'm thrilled to discover that he will return to me in the future. Amen. A life without Knighthorse would be bleak, indeed.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy a fun, exciting, intelligent mystery with ethical issues & lots of cocky sarcasm & humor!
September 2, 2016
This is the fourth and best Jim Knighthorse story so far. Jim is a gritty, hard nosed, self impressed private investigator who works as hard as he lives and loves. He has been charged in tracking down an aged child star who may or may not be dead. In the journey from California to Sedona to San Antonio, he chases bad guys, tracks murderers, makes some new friends we hope to see in future books, some new enemies and experiences a miracle in the midst of it all. Even the mysterious Jack shows up to throw Jim a curve or two. If you haven't read the other Kighthorse books, this one stands alone with enough back story that you won't miss a beat. It will leave you wanting to read the other three. J. R. Rain is a masterful story teller who writes great dialogue. Never dull.
March 7, 2016
Yet another great story in the Jim Knighthorse series. This time he is hired to investigate the death of an actor. Is he dead? Or has he faked his own death? His agent seems to think so after receiving a silent phone call a few months back.
The investigation leads Knighthorse to another town and the disappearance of a barista at the same time that the actor allegedly died of a heart attack. Once again we see the endearing side of Knighthorse as he helps a female barista who is being bothered by two men - totally unconnected to the case.
Knighthorse also has another encounter with "God" in a totally different place and town where he normally meets him and this time he is witness to a miracle. Or is it magic? Whatever it is, it affects him.
The investigation leads Knighthorse to another town and the disappearance of a barista at the same time that the actor allegedly died of a heart attack. Once again we see the endearing side of Knighthorse as he helps a female barista who is being bothered by two men - totally unconnected to the case.
Knighthorse also has another encounter with "God" in a totally different place and town where he normally meets him and this time he is witness to a miracle. Or is it magic? Whatever it is, it affects him.
January 17, 2014
Love this series!
First of all I love the Samantha moon series and J.R. Rain! He is a wonderful storyteller. This series has it all, strong well thought out characters, mystery and intrigue that keeps you turning the pages. I will not spoil it for the readers who have not yet read this series but there is one aspect of this series that was somewhat hard for me to wrap my head around it at first and that is the character of Jack. Now that I have I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
First of all I love the Samantha moon series and J.R. Rain! He is a wonderful storyteller. This series has it all, strong well thought out characters, mystery and intrigue that keeps you turning the pages. I will not spoil it for the readers who have not yet read this series but there is one aspect of this series that was somewhat hard for me to wrap my head around it at first and that is the character of Jack. Now that I have I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
August 12, 2015
I did not realize until recently that the fourth Jim Knighthouse book had come out. I enjoyed the first three so I picked this one up as well. I liked it but a bit of the charm was missing in my opinion.
Jim is back and this time he is investigating a dead former child actor whose former agent believes has faked his death. Jim is back on the trail with plenty of twists and turns and quite a bit of a twist at the end.
The snappy dialogue is back but I felt something was missing from the earlier books. I will definitely pick up book 5 when it comes out.
Jim is back and this time he is investigating a dead former child actor whose former agent believes has faked his death. Jim is back on the trail with plenty of twists and turns and quite a bit of a twist at the end.
The snappy dialogue is back but I felt something was missing from the earlier books. I will definitely pick up book 5 when it comes out.
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