The Point: Dawn of the Texas Meth War

by N. Lane Akin

Clandestine methamphetamine labs crept into Texas during the latter half of the 20th century, but certain members of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Narcotics Division were hellbent on stopping the malicious tide. Agents Dan Allen and his rookie partner, Kate Starnes, encountered a multi-layered criminal organization operating meth labs in the East Texas piney woods.

Dan, in an undercover capacity, infiltrated to the highest levels of the meth clan, while attempting to balance his home life and family responsibilities. The investigation pulled him into a realm of cash, corruption and malevolence. He struggled to partition his two lives, but the lines became distorted.

Texas Ranger John Wilson, Dan’s former Highway Patrol partner, was called to investigate a double homicide within the same crime syndicate. Forensic evidence lead Ranger Wilson down troubling paths. The Ranger and the Narcotics Agent were about to confront difficult decisions that would forever change their lives.

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In methamphetamine slang, a "point" typically refers to a measurement of about 0.1 grams of the drug, which can be used for various consumption methods, including injection." This novel has implications of the recent tv shows such as Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul and I was in awe of the detailed description of the recipes, temperature, glass ware and explosive dangers that I suppose the author gleaned as an undercover DEA agent in Texas. I have nothing but respect for him as I am an active board member of my local Wise County Texas Crime Stoppers and was such when the author was our local Sheriff and certainly active with the organization also. I am grateful that he came to a local funeral observance when my blessed wife of 58 years passed.
This novel is an entertaining and graphic description of the horrors of the meth subculture and includes many imagined tragic episodes and obscene encounters in Texas.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A facinating walk through a very scary period of Texas Crime/Law Enforcement history told from the view of a man who was there. Texas Ranger and Wise County Sheriff, Lane Akin. The early history of how meth landed a toe hold in Texas and has spread like a cancer.

He did a great job of developing the characters and how their paths crossed leading to a dramatic conclusion.

The more I read, the more I was hooked.

[Lucien Durant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been up and down every major highway in America. I’ve seen the truck stops, the motel parking lots, the kids tweaking behind dumpsters. When Jimbo shot up in that filthy bathroom, I could see it, smell it, feel it. It’s exactly how it is out there.
This book hit me because I’ve watched friends disappear into that life. Some never came back. Meth War doesn’t make anyone a hero or a villain, it just lays it bare. It’s ugly, it’s painful, and it’s the truth we haul behind us every mile.

[Misty Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not my usual read. However Lane Atkin was a friend of my late father and he was once my Sunday school teacher back in middle school days. Therefore, I had to read it. It was a little difficult for me keep all the characters straight be once all the character we introduced I was hooked. Lane Atkin makes math labs interesting.