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Charlie Fox Thriller #5
Road Kill
"What you've got in your hands is a rare and special treat. Don't let anyone tear it from your hands without drawing their blood."—Lee Goldberg, award-winning author of the Monk mysteries
Still bearing the emotional scars from her traumatic first bodyguarding job in the States, Charlie Fox returns to her former home to try and work out both her personal and professional future. Instead of the peace for which she's been hoping, Charlie is immediately caught up in the aftermath of a fatal bike crash involving one of her closest friends.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2005
About the author
Zoë Sharp
73 books496 followersZoë Sharp spent most of her formative years living aboard a catamaran on the northwest coast of England. She opted out of mainstream education at the age of twelve and wrote her first novel at fifteen. She became a freelance photojournalist in 1988 and started writing her Charlie Fox crime thriller series after receiving death-threats in the course of her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 26, 2017
3.5 Stars. Good read. It rambled a bit; I do wish the plot had been more linear. I like both Sean and Charlie; but there was more of the same old tension in their relationship, and no forward movement until the very end. Here’s hoping Sharp doesn’t revert to their indifferent relationship in the next book.
September 26, 2013
What a blast for fans of motorbikes, tough women and the north of England. This is Charlie Fox at her best. Relentlessly pursuing the facts behind the near killing of her best friend and uncovering a plot in which a biker's club is involved. The pace is pretty relentless and the price to be paid may be higher than she thought. I could feel the wind in my hair, thrill once more in that feeling of power ready to be unleashed. First class stuff to keeps the fans awake.
August 4, 2019
Charlie Fox is one of my favourite characters - complex, brave and complicated. As with previous books, you have to keep your wits about you to follow the complex plot and large number of interesting characters. The body-count is high, but the scenery lovely. I thoroughly enjoy this series.
March 31, 2020
4.5 Stars
rounded up to 5 Stars.
January 15, 2022
Not as good as the last story but I'm still enamored with this series. Much of the story had me wondering if there was a mystery to solve at all. Things finally got exciting and the pieces fell together with Charlie coming to a better understanding of Sean. On to the next!
September 21, 2014
PROTAGONIST: Charlie (female) Fox
SERIES: #5 of 5
RATING: 4.0
Most accidents don't make any sense, but the one that maimed her best friend, Clare Elliot, is completely incomprehensible to Charlie Fox. Clare has long been in a committed relationship with Jacob Nash; what was she doing with arrogant biker blowhard Sam Pickering? In Charlie's mind, there is no way that Clare would have been cheating on Jacob; unfortunately, Jacob is off on a buying trip to Ireland so she can't check with him to get an idea of what was going on. When Jacob's son, Jamie, shows up, things get even murkier, with some of the local biker gang insinuating that Jamie was messing around with Clare.
Charlie is compelled to investigate what happened with Clare. In order to do so, she needs to infiltrate the biker club that Sam led. They are not a particularly likeable group and not very open to including Charlie in their activities. However, she is able to pass the membership test with flying colors due to her riding skills. And so it's off to Ireland with the group to participate in a biker contest—although some of the group have other plans.
Fast paced and exciting, ROAD KILL is really more a story of relationships than the thrills of motorcycle riding. Charlie's dysfunctional relationship with her cold and manipulative father was an involving thread; her father, being a top-notch osteopathic surgeon, is the one man who can do anything to help Clare. In the past, Charlie worked for Sean Meyer as a bodyguard; when her last assignment ended up in a killing, she left the US and moved back to the UK. Sean returns as a partner, friend and possible long-term love interest; if only Charlie could understand the dynamics of their relationship and make her expectations meet reality.
ROAD KILL is the fifth book in the Charlie Fox series, and the first that I've read. The one weakness of the book for me was that the motorcycle stuff dominated so much of the narrative. At one point, people are dying like so many bugs flying into a bright light. The compelling element of the book is the character of Charlie, a strong and independent female whose loyalty to others is unwavering, even as she struggles to understand herself and those around her. And that's enough for me to want to spend more time with Charlie, but maybe not on the seat of her bike!
SERIES: #5 of 5
RATING: 4.0
Most accidents don't make any sense, but the one that maimed her best friend, Clare Elliot, is completely incomprehensible to Charlie Fox. Clare has long been in a committed relationship with Jacob Nash; what was she doing with arrogant biker blowhard Sam Pickering? In Charlie's mind, there is no way that Clare would have been cheating on Jacob; unfortunately, Jacob is off on a buying trip to Ireland so she can't check with him to get an idea of what was going on. When Jacob's son, Jamie, shows up, things get even murkier, with some of the local biker gang insinuating that Jamie was messing around with Clare.
Charlie is compelled to investigate what happened with Clare. In order to do so, she needs to infiltrate the biker club that Sam led. They are not a particularly likeable group and not very open to including Charlie in their activities. However, she is able to pass the membership test with flying colors due to her riding skills. And so it's off to Ireland with the group to participate in a biker contest—although some of the group have other plans.
Fast paced and exciting, ROAD KILL is really more a story of relationships than the thrills of motorcycle riding. Charlie's dysfunctional relationship with her cold and manipulative father was an involving thread; her father, being a top-notch osteopathic surgeon, is the one man who can do anything to help Clare. In the past, Charlie worked for Sean Meyer as a bodyguard; when her last assignment ended up in a killing, she left the US and moved back to the UK. Sean returns as a partner, friend and possible long-term love interest; if only Charlie could understand the dynamics of their relationship and make her expectations meet reality.
ROAD KILL is the fifth book in the Charlie Fox series, and the first that I've read. The one weakness of the book for me was that the motorcycle stuff dominated so much of the narrative. At one point, people are dying like so many bugs flying into a bright light. The compelling element of the book is the character of Charlie, a strong and independent female whose loyalty to others is unwavering, even as she struggles to understand herself and those around her. And that's enough for me to want to spend more time with Charlie, but maybe not on the seat of her bike!
July 12, 2008
ROAD KILL (Suspense/Unlic. Invest-Charlie Fox-England-Cont) - NR
Sharp, Zoe – 5th in series
Piatkus, 2005, UK Hardcover – ISBN:0749906995
First Sentence: I swung the sledgehammer in a sweeping arc over my shoulder and smashed it downwards into the wall in front of me, allowing the sledge’s own weight and momentum to do half the work.
*** Charlie Fox is trying to figure out her future when a close friend, Clare, is severely injured in a motorcycle where the driver was killed. It appears the accident may have been intentional when Clare mentions a white fan deliberately ran then down. She asks Charlie to look out for her step-son, Jamie, who is joining up with a group of illegal road racers on their trip to Ireland. But there is something else going on when Jamie’s mother is found searching Clare’s house, her boyfriend threatens her life and money has gone missing. Add to that, Charlie finds herself relying on her former boss and lover, Sean, while trying to figure out their relationship.
*** Road Kill is a disappointment for me for many reasons. First, I am not a motorcyclist. While the descriptions of Charlie on her motorcycle added tension to previous books, it really was the focus here. That's fine, but it wasn't of great interest to me. I could understand the character's angst over her relationship with Sean and feel Sharp did a very good job of making the reader understand that angst, but I'm also very glad the character finally seems, in the 4th book, to have made a decision about the relationship. It was bordering on becoming boring. My greatest disappointment, however, was in the plot. The villains, both active and passive, were very obvious to me, as was the motive, almost from the beginning. So, I read the book, I finished the book but I can't really recommend it unless you love motorcycles.
Sharp, Zoe – 5th in series
Piatkus, 2005, UK Hardcover – ISBN:0749906995
First Sentence: I swung the sledgehammer in a sweeping arc over my shoulder and smashed it downwards into the wall in front of me, allowing the sledge’s own weight and momentum to do half the work.
*** Charlie Fox is trying to figure out her future when a close friend, Clare, is severely injured in a motorcycle where the driver was killed. It appears the accident may have been intentional when Clare mentions a white fan deliberately ran then down. She asks Charlie to look out for her step-son, Jamie, who is joining up with a group of illegal road racers on their trip to Ireland. But there is something else going on when Jamie’s mother is found searching Clare’s house, her boyfriend threatens her life and money has gone missing. Add to that, Charlie finds herself relying on her former boss and lover, Sean, while trying to figure out their relationship.
*** Road Kill is a disappointment for me for many reasons. First, I am not a motorcyclist. While the descriptions of Charlie on her motorcycle added tension to previous books, it really was the focus here. That's fine, but it wasn't of great interest to me. I could understand the character's angst over her relationship with Sean and feel Sharp did a very good job of making the reader understand that angst, but I'm also very glad the character finally seems, in the 4th book, to have made a decision about the relationship. It was bordering on becoming boring. My greatest disappointment, however, was in the plot. The villains, both active and passive, were very obvious to me, as was the motive, almost from the beginning. So, I read the book, I finished the book but I can't really recommend it unless you love motorcycles.
August 4, 2012
Being interested in reading series mystery/detectives I ran across Zoe Sharp during my aimless wandering through book worlds online. I admit, reading the reviews I was skeptical as to whether or not I'd like this book for the simple reason that I'm interested in a particular type of hero (principled but tempted by physical violence, alone in the world by choice but always tempted to abandon this lifestyle). Female main characters usually do not fit this model if my previous reads are any indication. And so I considered that books written from the viewpoint of Charlie Fox, a female protagonist, might or might not interest me.
Having said that, the character of Sean Meyer did interest me. And so I dove into the Charlie Fox mystery/thrillers.
Ms. Sharp did a nice job of incorporating my particular interest, not just in the character of Sean Meyer, but also in the female protagonist. Charlie Fox is in the business of security, protection, and self-defense. That too went a long way into my choosing to read this series. Constantly weighing her principles against Sean Meyer vs. the various antagonist you will encounter in this series, Charlie Fox comes across has both hard boiled and vulnerable, hero and unwilling victim, intelligent and driven by desire.
As with all series books, read them in order! And if you've read this review of Charlie Fox than you've read them all. Ms. Sharp remains consistent in terms of interesting plots, depth of character to warrant a blanket review of the entire series.
Having said that, the character of Sean Meyer did interest me. And so I dove into the Charlie Fox mystery/thrillers.
Ms. Sharp did a nice job of incorporating my particular interest, not just in the character of Sean Meyer, but also in the female protagonist. Charlie Fox is in the business of security, protection, and self-defense. That too went a long way into my choosing to read this series. Constantly weighing her principles against Sean Meyer vs. the various antagonist you will encounter in this series, Charlie Fox comes across has both hard boiled and vulnerable, hero and unwilling victim, intelligent and driven by desire.
As with all series books, read them in order! And if you've read this review of Charlie Fox than you've read them all. Ms. Sharp remains consistent in terms of interesting plots, depth of character to warrant a blanket review of the entire series.
January 15, 2013
I'm going to review this particular book, but also discuss the overall series in this review.
One thing I rarely do is spoil in a review, so if you're looking for plot secrets, I have no intention of providing those. Besides, you'll want to fully immerse yourself in this series, and NOT being spoiled is a large part of the fun. Zoe Sharp excels at unexpected and unpredictable plot turns.
This series overall is very thrilling to read, and also the ends of each book is very gratifying from a reader point of view. You never feel cheated, or left out. You participate in caring about the characters to such a degree that their every joy or despair becomes your own.
Another great thing about the Charlie Fox books is their differing locales. Not sure, but I think Zoe Sharp has been at or thoroughly researched the locations so that you feel as if you grew up there, even though the venue changes drastically book to book.
Why this one is one of the best is that the author's love for motorcycles flavors the story with loving detail and packs it with the risk as well as the exhilaration involved in pushing motorcycle riding to its limits. And of course, Charlie Fox's enthusiasm for bikes mirrors the author's.
There is a mystery here, and there is also a strained relationship with old friends. Injuries draw Charlie into the situation and they hover at the edges of the story like barking dogs running alongside.
I highly recommend this book individually, but PLEASE read every book in the series. I don't think you'll be even remotely disappointed.
One thing I rarely do is spoil in a review, so if you're looking for plot secrets, I have no intention of providing those. Besides, you'll want to fully immerse yourself in this series, and NOT being spoiled is a large part of the fun. Zoe Sharp excels at unexpected and unpredictable plot turns.
This series overall is very thrilling to read, and also the ends of each book is very gratifying from a reader point of view. You never feel cheated, or left out. You participate in caring about the characters to such a degree that their every joy or despair becomes your own.
Another great thing about the Charlie Fox books is their differing locales. Not sure, but I think Zoe Sharp has been at or thoroughly researched the locations so that you feel as if you grew up there, even though the venue changes drastically book to book.
Why this one is one of the best is that the author's love for motorcycles flavors the story with loving detail and packs it with the risk as well as the exhilaration involved in pushing motorcycle riding to its limits. And of course, Charlie Fox's enthusiasm for bikes mirrors the author's.
There is a mystery here, and there is also a strained relationship with old friends. Injuries draw Charlie into the situation and they hover at the edges of the story like barking dogs running alongside.
I highly recommend this book individually, but PLEASE read every book in the series. I don't think you'll be even remotely disappointed.
April 29, 2012
Pure reading pleasure with just a hint of the predictable but enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. Road Kill cemented my investment in the series not because of the adventures or mysteries but because Zoe Sharp's skill as a writer made me care about these characters. The intrigue of the mystery held my attention but Ms. Sharp's writing style captures the essences of her characters and brings them to life in the way I as a reader expect from an author.
December 3, 2012
Am really enjoying this series but didn't get into this one so much mainly because it's all about motorbikes and I'm just not that interested, but I liked the evolving relationship with Sean and still plenty of action. The main thing that bugs me is how horrible she is to her parents, when her Dad in particular comes running to help her whenever she calls, and doesn't ask for anything in return, but she still can't bring herself to be nice to him.
January 26, 2009
Another in the Charlie Fox series. Not as strong in the storyline as her earlier books but a quick read.
December 12, 2022
This is the fifth book in the Charlie Fox series. To date, in terms of setting, they've gone from the north-west of England to Germany, then Florida. From a relatively narrow setting, Charlie's world had grown bigger and more exciting. After all, one of the attractions of movie series like Bond and Mission Impossible is their globe-trotting nature. What I was ignoring was that scale doesn't necessarily mean better. (I'm sure I could have phrased that better - but size doesn't matter didn't seem appropriate.)
Anyway, anticipating more globe-trotting, I was surprised to see we were back in England, and back in the north. In some respects, it did feel like the horizons had closed in, but that worked well. Within the setting, there was a real sense of peril, as well as uncertainty, because we really didn't know where the peril was coming from. In that sense, it reminded me a little of some of Alistair MacLean's early novels.
Like HMS Ulysses or Ice Station Zebra, there were a group of people and you knew that one or more of them was responsible for the dastardly deeds taking place, but it wouldn't be until much later in the book that they were revealed. Because of the reveal, it might've been tempting to compare with Agatha Christie, but the MacLean comparison is more appropriate. There's no amateur sleuthing going on here. This is tension and action. Oh, yes, and lots of motorbikes.
If it wasn't for the fact that Charlie Fox is a woman, you'd be forgiven for thinking this is a book about a man's world. In a sense, it is, because there are a lot of men to go along with the bikes. But this is very much a case of Charlie holding her own in a very macho environment (and not for the first time). That doesn't mean she isn't vulnerable. The fact that she is makes it all the more compelling. But she isn't damsel-in-distress vulnerable. She's just human. And that adds to the tension and suspense. Because this doesn't feel like the kind of series where the good guy always comes out on top. This feels very real, and is all the better for it.
Inevitably, I found myself reading it avidly, curious to see where it would take me. And it took me in a direction I hadn't anticipated, especially after the previous novels. Which just goes to show that, just because you're reading a series, it doesn't mean you'll be served up with the same stuff every time.
It'll be interesting to see where Charlie goes next.
Anyway, anticipating more globe-trotting, I was surprised to see we were back in England, and back in the north. In some respects, it did feel like the horizons had closed in, but that worked well. Within the setting, there was a real sense of peril, as well as uncertainty, because we really didn't know where the peril was coming from. In that sense, it reminded me a little of some of Alistair MacLean's early novels.
Like HMS Ulysses or Ice Station Zebra, there were a group of people and you knew that one or more of them was responsible for the dastardly deeds taking place, but it wouldn't be until much later in the book that they were revealed. Because of the reveal, it might've been tempting to compare with Agatha Christie, but the MacLean comparison is more appropriate. There's no amateur sleuthing going on here. This is tension and action. Oh, yes, and lots of motorbikes.
If it wasn't for the fact that Charlie Fox is a woman, you'd be forgiven for thinking this is a book about a man's world. In a sense, it is, because there are a lot of men to go along with the bikes. But this is very much a case of Charlie holding her own in a very macho environment (and not for the first time). That doesn't mean she isn't vulnerable. The fact that she is makes it all the more compelling. But she isn't damsel-in-distress vulnerable. She's just human. And that adds to the tension and suspense. Because this doesn't feel like the kind of series where the good guy always comes out on top. This feels very real, and is all the better for it.
Inevitably, I found myself reading it avidly, curious to see where it would take me. And it took me in a direction I hadn't anticipated, especially after the previous novels. Which just goes to show that, just because you're reading a series, it doesn't mean you'll be served up with the same stuff every time.
It'll be interesting to see where Charlie goes next.
January 2, 2024
Book 5 of a series I remain ambivalent about. I bought seven Charlie Fox mysteries in a job lot, never having read any before, on the strength of the Lee Child cover blurb. I still feel as if I was suckered.
I think the problem for me is that Charlie is very dark; unremittingly dark, it seems. The one bright spot in her life (her friendship with Claire and Jacob Nash) is trashed in this outing, so the books keep getting darker. And Charlie's sexual and emotional ties to Sean Meyer remain problematic for me. She sees it, too, actually, which just makes it a heavier weight.
We learn a ton about riding "crotch rockets" as we Yanks call them, and a bit about diamond smuggling, and a wee bit about Ireland's Troubles. Interestingly both Sean and Charlie's surgeon dad spent time in Belfast during the Troubles. Neither fact turns out to add to the resolution of another brutal, graphic battle for survival.
I'll read the last two books on my stack, but while I admire the terse prose and the author's ability to make me care about the outcome, I still don't like the characters. A good read for people who like hard-boiled stuff, and I think this can be read as a stand-alone, without having to wallow in the rest of the series first.
I think the problem for me is that Charlie is very dark; unremittingly dark, it seems. The one bright spot in her life (her friendship with Claire and Jacob Nash) is trashed in this outing, so the books keep getting darker. And Charlie's sexual and emotional ties to Sean Meyer remain problematic for me. She sees it, too, actually, which just makes it a heavier weight.
We learn a ton about riding "crotch rockets" as we Yanks call them, and a bit about diamond smuggling, and a wee bit about Ireland's Troubles. Interestingly both Sean and Charlie's surgeon dad spent time in Belfast during the Troubles. Neither fact turns out to add to the resolution of another brutal, graphic battle for survival.
I'll read the last two books on my stack, but while I admire the terse prose and the author's ability to make me care about the outcome, I still don't like the characters. A good read for people who like hard-boiled stuff, and I think this can be read as a stand-alone, without having to wallow in the rest of the series first.
December 13, 2024
I like Charlie; she is an interesting character with lots of growth potential. But I had trouble getting into this. Partly, I am not a motorcycle guy and so that part of the story was not interesting. And there was a lot of that! But much more than the motorcycles, the story just took far too long to develop. The first 200, 300 pages meandered and dithered far too much. The last 100 pages or so got interesting as the plot became clearer. That redeems the book, but I am not sure how quickly I'll be to pick up the next book in the series.
The relationship between Sean and Charlie develops a bit here, which is good. And Sean is a good character, but the relationship sometimes takes up too much space for me.
The relationship between Sean and Charlie develops a bit here, which is good. And Sean is a good character, but the relationship sometimes takes up too much space for me.
August 25, 2021
A bit too much motorcycle information in this mystery novel but it sure makes it authentic! Charlie Fox is talked into protecting her friends' son on a bike trip to Northern Ireland and, of course, things get rough. I always love how Charlie can kick butt and it was nice to see her rely a bit on Sean, her on-again/off-again tough guy boyfriend. Sean's eyes smolder about every other chapter as he gives bad guys the stink eye, but I don't tire of reading about it! It was nice to see the couple reunited!
February 1, 2021
A bit slow at the start but picks up two thirds of the way through.
The premise is quite unlikely but the interplay between the two protagonists helped to keep my interest. The characters were life-like and complex, something that is quite unusual in books in this genre. I'm not a motorcycle enthusiast but still enjoyed this novel - which is a testament to the author's skill.
The final outcome was satisfying and I'd be keen to read more from this author.
The premise is quite unlikely but the interplay between the two protagonists helped to keep my interest. The characters were life-like and complex, something that is quite unusual in books in this genre. I'm not a motorcycle enthusiast but still enjoyed this novel - which is a testament to the author's skill.
The final outcome was satisfying and I'd be keen to read more from this author.
August 13, 2019
Another fantastic Charlie Fox affair. The story on this one, maybe because of the closeness to Charlie herself, grabbed me from the beginning. Furthermore, while I figured some of it out, I found myself screaming at the characters to figure it out, so there was some excitement there too. It was a really fun book to read, and I have already started the next.
July 18, 2021
I love this series.
I love this series, but I'm hoping for some new, fresh themes in the future.
Charlie is tough, smart, sexy, and fiercely loyal. What a combination!
I love this series, but I'm hoping for some new, fresh themes in the future.
Charlie is tough, smart, sexy, and fiercely loyal. What a combination!
October 10, 2018
Another gripping Charlie Fox novel. Can't get enough of these. Had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Already started the next one.
February 19, 2019
Good entertainment
One get attach to Charlie and appreciate her inner and outer struggles and fights. Well done. Believable female action hero.
One get attach to Charlie and appreciate her inner and outer struggles and fights. Well done. Believable female action hero.
March 2, 2020
awesome as always!
December 30, 2022
This series keeps getting better!
Non-stop action and strong character development. Twisty plot to keep you guessing. What more could you ask for? Would make a good movie. Enjoy!
Non-stop action and strong character development. Twisty plot to keep you guessing. What more could you ask for? Would make a good movie. Enjoy!
December 7, 2023
Another very good Charlie Fox thriller.
February 25, 2026
Another good entry in the series.
July 18, 2020
🌟🌟🌟🌟½ another not-to-be missed Charlie Fox story
A major theme of Road Kill is parental intervention in their children’s lives meets the law of unintended consequences. In the fifth installment of this fantastic series, Charlie Fox, age 26, faces a fork in the road, career-wise. After her initial assignment as a close protection specialist (aka “bodyguard”) in Florida was shot to hell in First Drop, Charlie returned home to Lancaster, UK, to recuperate and reconsider her future. Her eminent surgeon-consultant father hopes that Charlie will abandon her career path and Sean Meyer, her employer / boyfriend, and has paid for her psychotherapy sessions with that intent. Charlie knows, however, that career options for someone with her lethal skills set are extremely limited, especially if one cares to avoid incarceration.
At the opening chapter, Charlie learns that Clare, one of her closest friends, has barely survived a motorcycle accident and faces the potential loss of both legs. Despite having a powerful Ducati bike, Clare had been riding with Slick, a slimy womanizer, who had been killed. Charlie is utterly mystified by the circumstances of Clare’s accident. At the hospital, a tearful Clare asks Charlie to keep an eye on Jamie, the twenty-something son of her live-in partner Jacob. Charlie is loyal to a fault and had previously saved Clare’s life in Killer Instinct. This pseudo-parental request jumpstarts her return to working as a bodyguard, even for the resentful Jamie. Needing advice and comfort, Charlie contacts Sean, and soon both join the Devil’s Bridge Club in their road trip through Ireland in order to keep an eye on Jamie.
Slick had been the leader of the Devil’s Bridge Club and they had already caught the police’s attention as 12 motorcyclists had recently died. But within days, Charlie and Sean suspect that the club is seeking greater adrenaline thrills and engaging in activity more illicit than road racing. Just as the riders traverse the curves of the Antrim Coast of northeastern Ireland, Zoe Sharp delivers a mystery with twists and turns in a not-to-be missed story.
Although this is the fifth book in a series with number 13 Bad Turn published in 2019, Road Kill can be read as a standalone. Zoe Sharp has a deft hand in dropping hints of Charlie’s background and previous adventures into the story without disrupting the flow. If you want to read a thriller with a woman for whom you can cheer, respect, and admire, then Charlie Fox is the one to know. She is absolutely my favorite female protagonist in the crime fiction genre. The Charlie Fox stories are page-turners, but I didn’t rush this because I know that this would be my last unread one for an unknown time period. Zoe Sharp is currently working on a sequel to Dancing on the Grave so I don’t know when Zoe will return to Charlie Fox. Sigh.
0) Trial Under Fire 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
1) Killer Instinct 🌟🌟🌟½
2) Riot Act 🌟🌟🌟🌟
3) Hard Knocks 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
4) First Drop 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A major theme of Road Kill is parental intervention in their children’s lives meets the law of unintended consequences. In the fifth installment of this fantastic series, Charlie Fox, age 26, faces a fork in the road, career-wise. After her initial assignment as a close protection specialist (aka “bodyguard”) in Florida was shot to hell in First Drop, Charlie returned home to Lancaster, UK, to recuperate and reconsider her future. Her eminent surgeon-consultant father hopes that Charlie will abandon her career path and Sean Meyer, her employer / boyfriend, and has paid for her psychotherapy sessions with that intent. Charlie knows, however, that career options for someone with her lethal skills set are extremely limited, especially if one cares to avoid incarceration.
At the opening chapter, Charlie learns that Clare, one of her closest friends, has barely survived a motorcycle accident and faces the potential loss of both legs. Despite having a powerful Ducati bike, Clare had been riding with Slick, a slimy womanizer, who had been killed. Charlie is utterly mystified by the circumstances of Clare’s accident. At the hospital, a tearful Clare asks Charlie to keep an eye on Jamie, the twenty-something son of her live-in partner Jacob. Charlie is loyal to a fault and had previously saved Clare’s life in Killer Instinct. This pseudo-parental request jumpstarts her return to working as a bodyguard, even for the resentful Jamie. Needing advice and comfort, Charlie contacts Sean, and soon both join the Devil’s Bridge Club in their road trip through Ireland in order to keep an eye on Jamie.
Slick had been the leader of the Devil’s Bridge Club and they had already caught the police’s attention as 12 motorcyclists had recently died. But within days, Charlie and Sean suspect that the club is seeking greater adrenaline thrills and engaging in activity more illicit than road racing. Just as the riders traverse the curves of the Antrim Coast of northeastern Ireland, Zoe Sharp delivers a mystery with twists and turns in a not-to-be missed story.
Although this is the fifth book in a series with number 13 Bad Turn published in 2019, Road Kill can be read as a standalone. Zoe Sharp has a deft hand in dropping hints of Charlie’s background and previous adventures into the story without disrupting the flow. If you want to read a thriller with a woman for whom you can cheer, respect, and admire, then Charlie Fox is the one to know. She is absolutely my favorite female protagonist in the crime fiction genre. The Charlie Fox stories are page-turners, but I didn’t rush this because I know that this would be my last unread one for an unknown time period. Zoe Sharp is currently working on a sequel to Dancing on the Grave so I don’t know when Zoe will return to Charlie Fox. Sigh.
0) Trial Under Fire 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
1) Killer Instinct 🌟🌟🌟½
2) Riot Act 🌟🌟🌟🌟
3) Hard Knocks 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
4) First Drop 🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 6, 2014
Well, it has been far too long since I spent time with Charlie Fox in book 4, and it appears that I even forgot to review it (I know…duh duh duh…shock horror). Anyway, I decided to delve back into Charlie’s world and get back in touch with the all too fierce Charlie and Mr Sean Meyer. For those that haven’t read any of the books in the series, I warn you now DON’T CARRY ON READING! Ultimately there will be spoilers because you have no knowledge of what has gone on beforehand. Also, I might like to point out, if you are one of the few that haven’t read them…why not? You are missing out!
Anyway, the first thing I felt when I opened the book and started was like I was visiting friends that I hadn’t seen for ages. The book starts out ratcheted up to full drama with Charlie’s friend Claire ending up in hospital following a fatal bike accident. With one person dead and her friend being operated on Charlie realises that the ‘accident’ appears to be far more sinister. Of course Charlie decides that she needs to not only help her friend, but get to the bottom of why. Enter Sean Meyer, Charlie’s boss and you have yourself a rather hairy situation that rapidly gets more mysterious.
Before long Charlie is in the thick of a group of illegal road racers and her friends seem to be involved somewhere along the line, she just has to figure out how. The one thing that is glaringly obvious from this book, a lot more than previous ones is Zoe Sharp’s love of bikes. This journey sees Charlie heavily involved in an illegal bike racing gang and by the time I was halfway through, I reckon I could have told you more about riding a motorbike from half this book, than I have known in my entire 30 plus something years on this planet. This certainly wasn’t a negative in my opinion, if anything it just makes you realise how passionate these riders are (as I’m guessing Zoe herself is too).
As with any Sharp/Fox book, Charlie inevitably gets herself into some very dangerous situations, which makes for a pretty tense read. The actual storyline itself maybe wasn’t my favourite in the series so far but was a brilliantly good read as usual. I know that I have over 150 books left in my ‘to read’ pile, but for some reason I think I need to go straight to book 6 in this series (it’s definitely been too long). Zoe Sharp has created a great lead character, and has produced consistently solid reads to date. I’m already looking forward to the next one
Anyway, the first thing I felt when I opened the book and started was like I was visiting friends that I hadn’t seen for ages. The book starts out ratcheted up to full drama with Charlie’s friend Claire ending up in hospital following a fatal bike accident. With one person dead and her friend being operated on Charlie realises that the ‘accident’ appears to be far more sinister. Of course Charlie decides that she needs to not only help her friend, but get to the bottom of why. Enter Sean Meyer, Charlie’s boss and you have yourself a rather hairy situation that rapidly gets more mysterious.
Before long Charlie is in the thick of a group of illegal road racers and her friends seem to be involved somewhere along the line, she just has to figure out how. The one thing that is glaringly obvious from this book, a lot more than previous ones is Zoe Sharp’s love of bikes. This journey sees Charlie heavily involved in an illegal bike racing gang and by the time I was halfway through, I reckon I could have told you more about riding a motorbike from half this book, than I have known in my entire 30 plus something years on this planet. This certainly wasn’t a negative in my opinion, if anything it just makes you realise how passionate these riders are (as I’m guessing Zoe herself is too).
As with any Sharp/Fox book, Charlie inevitably gets herself into some very dangerous situations, which makes for a pretty tense read. The actual storyline itself maybe wasn’t my favourite in the series so far but was a brilliantly good read as usual. I know that I have over 150 books left in my ‘to read’ pile, but for some reason I think I need to go straight to book 6 in this series (it’s definitely been too long). Zoe Sharp has created a great lead character, and has produced consistently solid reads to date. I’m already looking forward to the next one
November 15, 2014
#5 in the Charlie Fox series. A serviceable thriller but it lost a star in my rating due to an overabundance of motorcycle jargon. Granted the book is about motorcycle street racing and perhaps most of the jargon couldn't be written around. If you are a fan, add the star back, and be aware there is nary a Harley in sight - this is the land of the Suzuki, Kawasaki, Ducati and Honda. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to the next series entry.
Charlotte “Charlie” Fox series - Still bearing the emotional scars from her traumatic first bodyguarding job in the States, Charlie Fox returns to her former home to try and work out both her personal and professional future. Instead of the peace for which she's been hoping, Charlie is immediately caught up in the aftermath of a fatal bike crash involving one of her closest friends. The more she probes, the more she suspects that the accident was far from accidental − and the more she finds herself relying on the support of her troubled boss, Sean Meyer, despite her misgivings over the wisdom of resuming their relationship. And Charlie's got enough on her plate trying to work out who suddenly wants her dead. The only way to find out is to infiltrate a group of illegal road racers who appear hell-bent on living fast and dying young. Taking risks is something that ex-Special Forces soldier Charlie knows all about, but doing it just for kicks seems like asking for trouble. By the time she finds out what's really at stake, she might be too late to stop them all becoming road kill.
Charlotte “Charlie” Fox series - Still bearing the emotional scars from her traumatic first bodyguarding job in the States, Charlie Fox returns to her former home to try and work out both her personal and professional future. Instead of the peace for which she's been hoping, Charlie is immediately caught up in the aftermath of a fatal bike crash involving one of her closest friends. The more she probes, the more she suspects that the accident was far from accidental − and the more she finds herself relying on the support of her troubled boss, Sean Meyer, despite her misgivings over the wisdom of resuming their relationship. And Charlie's got enough on her plate trying to work out who suddenly wants her dead. The only way to find out is to infiltrate a group of illegal road racers who appear hell-bent on living fast and dying young. Taking risks is something that ex-Special Forces soldier Charlie knows all about, but doing it just for kicks seems like asking for trouble. By the time she finds out what's really at stake, she might be too late to stop them all becoming road kill.
October 30, 2013
Zoe Sharp has a knack for writing books that incorporate elements of classic mysteries and contemporary thrillers, and manages to pull off both. ROAD KILL has plenty of action, yet Sharp cleverly drops in everything the reader needs to solve what is more or less a puzzle mystery, with neither element detracting from the other.
In Charlie Fox she also has the perfect protagonist. Charlie reminds me a little of the Rene Russo character in the LETHAL WEAPON movies: tough--badass, even--but not Super Woman. She has doubts about what she's doing, doubts abut her relationship with her boss/lover Seam Meyer; in short she could be anyone. She's also military-trained in close protection and can handle herself in most situations; up to a point. Sharp avoids getting Charlie out of situation that defy belief, mainly because Charlie is smart enough not to get into situation without an exit strategy. As with the genre combination, the balance is always deft.
The Charlie Fox stories are thrillers on a more personal level than is often seen today; the Apocalypse will not come if Charlie fails. People will die, and the stakes are higher in practical terms if one character we care about dies than if a million faceless cut-outs are done away with. That, too, is something Sharp understands very well.
In Charlie Fox she also has the perfect protagonist. Charlie reminds me a little of the Rene Russo character in the LETHAL WEAPON movies: tough--badass, even--but not Super Woman. She has doubts about what she's doing, doubts abut her relationship with her boss/lover Seam Meyer; in short she could be anyone. She's also military-trained in close protection and can handle herself in most situations; up to a point. Sharp avoids getting Charlie out of situation that defy belief, mainly because Charlie is smart enough not to get into situation without an exit strategy. As with the genre combination, the balance is always deft.
The Charlie Fox stories are thrillers on a more personal level than is often seen today; the Apocalypse will not come if Charlie fails. People will die, and the stakes are higher in practical terms if one character we care about dies than if a million faceless cut-outs are done away with. That, too, is something Sharp understands very well.
June 11, 2017
I get so frustrated reading these books, I don’t think I have been forced to write so many reviews for a series of books as I have for these, every time I think at last Charlie Fox is going to be given the story she deserves I find myself frustrated yet again.
If I thought the books weren’t any good then I wouldn’t be so frustrated, I would just stop reading them, but I actually think they could be great. I am probably so hard on them because I know they should be a brilliant series.
This book started well, but as usual the story became unnecessarily convoluted, Charlie’s relationship with Sean was yet again in a mess, there’s too much introspection, the story is riddled with minor annoyances and to be honest the whole cast of characters were fairly unlikable incompetents. Having said all this I still kept reading so there is something about the book that I liked, but wish there had been more. I suppose the ending did improve and Charlie showed some of her strengths and as a Biker I did like the motorbikes.
I have now read 5 of these books in a row but I can’t take anymore at the moment, so I will come back to book 6 when I have forgotten how irritated I became with these books.
If I thought the books weren’t any good then I wouldn’t be so frustrated, I would just stop reading them, but I actually think they could be great. I am probably so hard on them because I know they should be a brilliant series.
This book started well, but as usual the story became unnecessarily convoluted, Charlie’s relationship with Sean was yet again in a mess, there’s too much introspection, the story is riddled with minor annoyances and to be honest the whole cast of characters were fairly unlikable incompetents. Having said all this I still kept reading so there is something about the book that I liked, but wish there had been more. I suppose the ending did improve and Charlie showed some of her strengths and as a Biker I did like the motorbikes.
I have now read 5 of these books in a row but I can’t take anymore at the moment, so I will come back to book 6 when I have forgotten how irritated I became with these books.
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