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Better Off Dead #1
Killing Chase
Sometimes second chances can kill you.
From the moment he woke that early March morning, Chase Hampton knew, once he was released from prison later that day, he was never going back. No matter what.
Born into a wealthy but flawed North Carolina shipbuilding family, Chase was somehow immune to the dysfunction. The sky was the limit for the 18-year old football prodigy, until one terrible event changed the course of his life and prison became his new home. Through the highs and lows of his incarceration, there was one person he couldn’t forget, no matter how hard he’d tried: childhood best friend Bailey Masters. For reasons unknown to him, she'd shunned him ever since her mysterious return to Foggy Harbor at the beginning of their sophomore year.
Now, seven years into a twelve-year manslaughter sentence, Chase is given an unusual second chance, one that comes with its own set of rules. Suddenly, he's thrust into a position he's not ready for: the tip of the spear in a quiet war against an American enemy. A war that could cost him his family . . . and his life.
From the moment he woke that early March morning, Chase Hampton knew, once he was released from prison later that day, he was never going back. No matter what.
Born into a wealthy but flawed North Carolina shipbuilding family, Chase was somehow immune to the dysfunction. The sky was the limit for the 18-year old football prodigy, until one terrible event changed the course of his life and prison became his new home. Through the highs and lows of his incarceration, there was one person he couldn’t forget, no matter how hard he’d tried: childhood best friend Bailey Masters. For reasons unknown to him, she'd shunned him ever since her mysterious return to Foggy Harbor at the beginning of their sophomore year.
Now, seven years into a twelve-year manslaughter sentence, Chase is given an unusual second chance, one that comes with its own set of rules. Suddenly, he's thrust into a position he's not ready for: the tip of the spear in a quiet war against an American enemy. A war that could cost him his family . . . and his life.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2013
247 people are currently reading
765 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 5, 2015
3.5* Ben Muse has created a fairly good action thriller, the first in a series. A prisoner incarcerated in a correctional institution is about to walk out the door after spending 7 years of his 12 year sentence, and it’s all thanks to the FBI. Chase Hampton listens intently to Special Agent, Rollin Schmidt who offers him a ‘Get Out of Jail’ free card, with certain strings attached. Schmidt wants answers and he wants them fast using Chase to spy on his father’s company, Aquatic Expeditions. It was a fast, entertaining read.
August 28, 2016
An enjoyable read, although a somewhat abrupt ending! Wasn't expecting that at all. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
March 20, 2019
Overused plot, a Russian oligarch wanting to avenge the way the U.S. treated the USSR. Nothing special to make this one stand out from all of the others written along this line.
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January 1, 2023free ebook
he was in prison for trying to protect the girl he loved when another boy was attacking her. the girl got mad and the boy he hit died
before his time was up the fbi came and got him out early. they wanted him on his dads ships to spy for them
he had no choice
one of the spies got murdered
he found out the girl he defended was his half sister and no one told him
then he found out his dad has 9 mths to live
he was in prison for trying to protect the girl he loved when another boy was attacking her. the girl got mad and the boy he hit died
before his time was up the fbi came and got him out early. they wanted him on his dads ships to spy for them
he had no choice
one of the spies got murdered
he found out the girl he defended was his half sister and no one told him
then he found out his dad has 9 mths to live
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
Weak writing, poor plot development. Extremely predictable. Although there was great potential, the characters never fully developed. This book was highly rated on Goodreads, so we added to our Book Club list, but our overall group consensus was the book was, in short, disappointing.
June 17, 2019
Killing Chase (1)
This is a good read and the adventure is quite simply a good one. The only thing that doesn't ring true is the incarceration (penitentiary) of the main character .
This is a good read and the adventure is quite simply a good one. The only thing that doesn't ring true is the incarceration (penitentiary) of the main character .
July 29, 2019
Great story
Never look back, unless you intend on going that way.
I enjoyed the intriguing story line of this book. Kept my interest throughout the whole book.
Never look back, unless you intend on going that way.
I enjoyed the intriguing story line of this book. Kept my interest throughout the whole book.
February 13, 2017
story line didn't make sense, lots of gratuitous sex
And I really LIKE stories of revenge or rehabilitation.
And I really LIKE stories of revenge or rehabilitation.
November 29, 2015
This is the first in a series of Chase Hampton and the first time read for me for author Ben Muse.
What a great story line and one that will keep you guessing with surprises along the way. Chase is one of the rich kids, but in his "younger" days he meets Bailey who is the opposite. But Chase falls in love with Bailey and wants his Dad to try to help her and her mother.
The next day Bailey is gone, moved away and his own life changes.
Fast forward about 4 years and Bailey is back in their town but she has no time or use for Chase. He doesn't know why or what might have changed.In defending Bailey one night from a group of guys, Chase gets into a fight with one and the guy is left in a coma and dies later.
Chase now has to spend 12 years of his life in prison. But into the 7th year of his sentence, he is approached by the FBI and they will cut a deal with him. Spy on his father and they will let him out early.
His father is a builder of Yachts and extremely rich. He doesn't really want to spy, but it beats staying in jail.
Now begins the suspense that will keep you reading. When he gets back home, he finds Bailey there. She is an executive with his father's firm. Chase also gets involved in a cat and mouse chase with a client of his father's that is set on avenging his country by blowing up ours!
I know you will love this book and great ending..Took me by surprise. I am ready to read the next in the series -Giving Chase to find out what happens next!
What a great story line and one that will keep you guessing with surprises along the way. Chase is one of the rich kids, but in his "younger" days he meets Bailey who is the opposite. But Chase falls in love with Bailey and wants his Dad to try to help her and her mother.
The next day Bailey is gone, moved away and his own life changes.
Fast forward about 4 years and Bailey is back in their town but she has no time or use for Chase. He doesn't know why or what might have changed.In defending Bailey one night from a group of guys, Chase gets into a fight with one and the guy is left in a coma and dies later.
Chase now has to spend 12 years of his life in prison. But into the 7th year of his sentence, he is approached by the FBI and they will cut a deal with him. Spy on his father and they will let him out early.
His father is a builder of Yachts and extremely rich. He doesn't really want to spy, but it beats staying in jail.
Now begins the suspense that will keep you reading. When he gets back home, he finds Bailey there. She is an executive with his father's firm. Chase also gets involved in a cat and mouse chase with a client of his father's that is set on avenging his country by blowing up ours!
I know you will love this book and great ending..Took me by surprise. I am ready to read the next in the series -Giving Chase to find out what happens next!
September 3, 2017
Can an unapologetic ex-con find redemption alongside the FBI?
After serving just over half of his sentence for manslaughter, Chase Hampton has been released on one condition: that he assist the FBI with their investigation into his father’s shipbuilding empire. That investigation, however, may prove more treacherous than he bargained for. And the three women in his life—his childhood crush, a client’s daughter, and an FBI agent—may be more than he bargained for too. Around every turn the web of lies and betrayal becomes more complex as foes become friends, and friends turn out to be more dangerous than Chase could have imagined.
With its state-of-the-art yachts, romance, pursuits, and shootouts, Killing Chase is a thrill ride up and down the eastern seaboard and Caribbean. The plot is captivating and elusive, begging for its sequel, Giving Chase.
After serving just over half of his sentence for manslaughter, Chase Hampton has been released on one condition: that he assist the FBI with their investigation into his father’s shipbuilding empire. That investigation, however, may prove more treacherous than he bargained for. And the three women in his life—his childhood crush, a client’s daughter, and an FBI agent—may be more than he bargained for too. Around every turn the web of lies and betrayal becomes more complex as foes become friends, and friends turn out to be more dangerous than Chase could have imagined.
With its state-of-the-art yachts, romance, pursuits, and shootouts, Killing Chase is a thrill ride up and down the eastern seaboard and Caribbean. The plot is captivating and elusive, begging for its sequel, Giving Chase.
June 28, 2013
So...who is this Ben Muse person? Never heard of him until I get the advanced reviewers club email. Doesn't particularly look like my cuppa tea but what the hey...let's give it a shot, what's say?
Oh EM Gee I got sucked in within the first few pages and then couldn't put it down. I just HAD to know what happened next! I wasn't disappointed or let down, although I wasn't sure how I felt about the ending.
wait...turn the page...there's more! Thank God for epilogues, I say!
I found myself snooping around Amazon to see if there were other books out there by Mr Muse. It's his fault...he's the one that teased me with the first few chapters of "Break It" after all. What did I find? Squee of all squees it turns out that it's going to be part of a series! Yay!
Oh EM Gee I got sucked in within the first few pages and then couldn't put it down. I just HAD to know what happened next! I wasn't disappointed or let down, although I wasn't sure how I felt about the ending.
wait...turn the page...there's more! Thank God for epilogues, I say!
I found myself snooping around Amazon to see if there were other books out there by Mr Muse. It's his fault...he's the one that teased me with the first few chapters of "Break It" after all. What did I find? Squee of all squees it turns out that it's going to be part of a series! Yay!
July 11, 2016
Killing Chase, by Ben Muse, is an excellent read. Story is similar to a Baldacci novel, but a little different.
Chase Hampton is in prison for a terrible mistake he made in high school. And now the FBI will get him out if he will help spy in his father's business. Something is going on with one of Hank Hampton's Russian billionaire clients and Chase can help. Mayhem ensues and some people are not who they seem.
I met Ben at a meeting our wives were attending (we were just arm candy). Surprisingly he said he was not very active on IG. If you get a chance send him a message on Goodreads and tell him what he's missing.
Chase Hampton is in prison for a terrible mistake he made in high school. And now the FBI will get him out if he will help spy in his father's business. Something is going on with one of Hank Hampton's Russian billionaire clients and Chase can help. Mayhem ensues and some people are not who they seem.
I met Ben at a meeting our wives were attending (we were just arm candy). Surprisingly he said he was not very active on IG. If you get a chance send him a message on Goodreads and tell him what he's missing.
July 14, 2015
After winning this book on Goodreads First Reads I was anxious to begin reading. Wow! Not a disappointing page in this book! The characters and plot were well written. I found myself not able to put this book down. I had to know what was coming next. Following Chase on his journey was well worth the time. Very engaging and a book I could read over again. Highly recommend this book!
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October 27, 2015I don't know how to rate this book as of yet.
I enjoyed the story, and the characters but felt they lacked a little in depth.
I hope to get more information from Giving Chase... I may or may not post a full review. I'm unsure at this time.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller without the gore.
I enjoyed the story, and the characters but felt they lacked a little in depth.
I hope to get more information from Giving Chase... I may or may not post a full review. I'm unsure at this time.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller without the gore.
March 12, 2014
3.5 stars. This book was different from what I usually read. I liked the plot, but at times things were a little confusing. There was a lot of information to absorb and the ending was a bit predictable. Overall, I liked it.
September 24, 2013
I won this book in the goodreads giveaway and I was pleased. This was a fun book to read. Chase was a cool character to follow. I enjoyed the writing style of the author. Very easy to read and follow. I'm very easily entertained and this book kept me wanting to see what will happen next.
September 22, 2015
Crime and Killing matchup for a good read
I liked this one. FBI involvement in security risk and murders left and right. Some surprises in the plot but won't give them away. Recommend it and would follow up with the next in the series
I liked this one. FBI involvement in security risk and murders left and right. Some surprises in the plot but won't give them away. Recommend it and would follow up with the next in the series
December 29, 2015
Rewarding book
Hard to say what's my favorite character in this book very fast paced and alwAys a different twist had a hard time when his step sis was involved with the villains but looking forward to reading the second book in thiscseries
Hard to say what's my favorite character in this book very fast paced and alwAys a different twist had a hard time when his step sis was involved with the villains but looking forward to reading the second book in thiscseries
February 29, 2016
Killing Chase
Mystery, murders, romance and surprises at every turn, that describes this hot novel. This one is a have to for true lovers of mystery and it can be satisfying as a stand alone story or an enticing intro to a series.
Mystery, murders, romance and surprises at every turn, that describes this hot novel. This one is a have to for true lovers of mystery and it can be satisfying as a stand alone story or an enticing intro to a series.
June 20, 2013
Fantastic thriller skillfully told by the author. This one kept my attention until the very end.
July 31, 2013
Short chapters and had me wanting to continue reading.
November 13, 2013
I really liked this book. I really liked the character and the fast pace, suspense filled story. I would like to see this character again in a sequal.
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May 19, 2014Killing chase review
I enjoyed the book. it moved quickly and I would recommend it to others. a little predictable in parts but didn't take away from the storyline.
I enjoyed the book. it moved quickly and I would recommend it to others. a little predictable in parts but didn't take away from the storyline.
May 20, 2014
Gripping story with relatable characters & plenty of twists
July 22, 2014
I really liked this book. It was a fast read and kept me wanting more. I also enjoyed the main character's sense of humor. surprise ending. I'd recommend to others.
September 17, 2015
Wonderful thriller! Suspenseful from beginning to end with characters that you want to believe in. A fast-paced, fun-packed read!
September 18, 2015
Killing Chase not so great
Killing Chase is not a book I would reccomend to my friends. I found it mediocre as a mystery or otherwise.
Killing Chase is not a book I would reccomend to my friends. I found it mediocre as a mystery or otherwise.
September 19, 2015
Killing Chase was a page turner keeping me engaged with every chapter. I literally could not put it down until I was finished! Totally blown away by some surprises in the end.
October 7, 2015
Good book..this one I liked. There was a plot..I would like to read the following book because now I am interested in the character.
December 9, 2015
Great flowing book
This is the best just the right amount of curves to make it interesting and not be confusing or boring. Have a great read.
This is the best just the right amount of curves to make it interesting and not be confusing or boring. Have a great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews