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They have all the money, all the muscle. But they’ve picked on the wrong guy.

Tom Rollins has been hanging low, working a security job in Davenport, Mississippi.

One night, there is trouble in the bar where he covers the door, and when he gets involved, Tom finds himself pitted against Du Lac Chemicals, a billion-dollar corporation with some very nasty skeletons in the closet.

Campaigning ecologist Laila North is determined to expose them, going toe-to-toe with their ruthless head of security who will do whatever it takes to protect their secrets.

Tom is drawn into the battle. And finds that his old enemies, the fearsome biker gang Forever Road Dogs, are also working for Du Lac. And they have something big planned.

As Tom grasps the true scale of Du Lac’s evil plans, he knows there’s only one way to stop them – all-out war.

Sudden Impact - Book 13 in the superb Tom Rollins action thriller series. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, Jason Kasper & David Archer.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2024

1297 people are currently reading
80 people want to read

About the author

Paul Heatley

56 books150 followers

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5 stars
1,190 (59%)
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167 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Abibliofob.
1,641 reviews107 followers
May 29, 2024
Sudden Impact is another example why I read books by Paul Heatley. Tom Rollins is only trying to live a peaceful life. This time we find him in Davenport, Mississippi where he works both at a fishing boat and as a bartender / bouncer. When trouble comes to the bar he can't look away and finds himself pitted against a big corporation. Soon it is clear that ghosts from his past in the form of a biker gang also is in the mix and Rollins has a lot to work out. The book is well written of course and the characters and setting are as usual great. I am so glad I found this author a few years ago, yes that is right he produces several books a year when he isn't occupied with finding old records. I strongly recommend that you try some of his work. I must thank Netgalley and Inkubator Books for keeping me supplied with these books.
Profile Image for A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews.
689 reviews81 followers
May 29, 2024
Paul Heatley's Sudden Impact is a high-octane action thriller that delivers relentless suspense and intense confrontations, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. The novel combines a gripping narrative with well-developed characters, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last.

The protagonist, Tom Rollins, is a character who embodies resilience and raw strength. Working a low-profile security job in Davenport, Mississippi, Rollins is suddenly thrust into a perilous battle against Du Lac Chemicals, a powerful corporation with deep, dark secrets. Heatley’s portrayal of Rollins as a reluctant hero who is drawn into a larger conflict is both compelling and believable. Rollins’ transformation from a bar security guard to a determined fighter against corporate corruption adds depth to his character, making him more than just a typical action hero.

The plot kicks into high gear when Rollins gets involved in a bar brawl that pits him against Du Lac Chemicals. Heatley masterfully escalates the stakes as Rollins teams up with Laila North, an ecologist committed to exposing Du Lac’s environmental crimes. North’s character is a strong and principled counterbalance to Rollins, and their alliance forms the emotional and moral core of the story. Their shared determination to uncover and thwart Du Lac’s malevolent plans drives the narrative forward with relentless momentum.

Heatley excels in crafting intense action sequences that are both vividly described and strategically placed within the story. The confrontations between Rollins and the various antagonists, including the fearsome biker gang Forever Road Dogs, are adrenaline-fueled and expertly choreographed. Each fight scene not only serves to heighten the tension but also reveals more about Rollins’ tactical prowess and resourcefulness.

The inclusion of the Forever Road Dogs biker gang, who have their own sinister agenda linked to Du Lac Chemicals, adds another layer of complexity to the plot. The gang's involvement raises the stakes even higher, pushing Rollins to the limits of his abilities. Heatley’s ability to intertwine multiple antagonistic forces against Rollins showcases his skill in maintaining a high level of suspense throughout the novel.

What sets Sudden Impact apart from other action thrillers is Heatley’s attention to the overarching themes of corporate greed and environmental destruction. The depiction of Du Lac Chemicals as a ruthless entity willing to go to any lengths to protect its secrets is chillingly realistic. This thematic depth gives the novel a contemporary relevance, resonating with readers who are aware of similar real-world issues.

Fans of action thrillers will appreciate the fast pace and non-stop action of Sudden Impact. Heatley’s writing is crisp and engaging, with a plot that moves swiftly from one high-stakes scenario to the next. The novel’s suspense is not merely derived from physical confrontations but also from the strategic mind games between Rollins and his adversaries. The blend of physical and psychological challenges faced by Rollins keeps readers thoroughly engrossed.

Sudden Impact by Paul Heatley is a thrilling addition to the action thriller genre. With its dynamic protagonist, intense action scenes, and timely themes, the novel offers a gripping and thought-provoking reading experience. Heatley’s storytelling prowess ensures that readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to see how Rollins will overcome the formidable obstacles in his path. For those seeking an action-packed adventure with depth and heart, Sudden Impact is an excellent choice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for J Kromrie.
2,596 reviews48 followers
June 13, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the thirteenth installment of the Tom Rollins series, Paul Heatley delivers a gripping narrative that is both a testament to his mastery of the thriller genre and a thrilling ride for fans and newcomers alike. “Sudden Impact” is a novel that encapsulates the essence of action-packed storytelling with a protagonist who is as resilient as he is relatable.

Tom Rollins, a character who has become synonymous with strength and tenacity, finds himself in Davenport, Mississippi, seeking a quiet life away from the chaos of his past. However, tranquility is short-lived when he is embroiled in a conflict with Du Lac Chemicals, a corporation whose influence is as toxic as the secrets it harbors. The addition of the ecologist Laila North, determined to expose the corporation’s misdeeds, adds a layer of complexity and urgency to the narrative.

Heatley’s writing is sharp and focused, with a pace that mirrors the quickening heartbeat of the reader as they turn each page. The settings are vividly described, immersing the reader in the sultry atmosphere of the South, while the plot twists are unpredictable and satisfying.

The return of the Forever Road Dogs biker gang introduces a familiar threat to Rollins, raising the stakes and ensuring that readers keep reading. Heatley expertly weaves past and present storylines, creating a rich tapestry that rewards long-time followers of the series while remaining accessible to those picking up a Rollins book for the first time.

“Sudden Impact” is a high-octane experience that showcases Heatley’s ability to craft a story that is both explosive and introspective. It is a reminder of why the Tom Rollins series has endured and why Heatley’s name is often mentioned alongside giants of the genre like Lee Child and David Archer.

“Sudden Impact” is a must-read for those who crave a thought-provoking thriller. Paul Heatley continues to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with in the thriller landscape, and “Sudden Impact” is a shining example of his talent.
1,839 reviews13 followers
June 16, 2024
I received an ARC through "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story has Tom Rollins currently in Davenport, Miss. where he is working part-time on both a fishing boat as well as a bartender. Once he finishes his shift on the boat, then in a short time it is his time to work at the bar. Yhis night he is working and two women working as ecologists come in. Later two men enter and Tom gets suspicious and waits to assist the women when they leave. Tom drives them home and discovers someone following them. Tom waits around, and early morning these two men begin to try and get in where the two women are. As a result, Tom winds up in a fight protecting them. As a result of his actions, later he visited by thugs who rough him up and give him a warning.

Tom later learns that there is chemical company planning to build and them women are testing the area around. This chemical wants these women and Tom both gone. Tom and the women are seen leaving, but Tom discovers someone is following them. Tom eventually is able to trick them and winds up fighting this group once more. After Tom drops Emma off at her parents, they return back when Tom discovers that a motorcycle club that he has a run in with is in the area. Deciding to follow them, he discovers the group meeting up with representatives of the chemical company. Now Tom has to worry about the chemical company as well as the motorcycle club.

After Tom and Laila, the other woman, meet up with someone in Natchez, they are captured by the motorcycle. Neither Tom nor Laila is killed because the group, FRD, has plans for Tom.

To discover what plans are in store for Tom, what happens at the event, how the two groups wind up facing off and how everything works out in the end, then you need to read this book.
93 reviews
June 22, 2024
Tom Rollins is just trying to get along. Hard worker, looking out for others. A boy scout who was twisted by his governmental service. Looking to right wrongs and protect the innocent from the evils of this world. This chapter in his life has everything but foreign terrorists seeking to do harm. It is fast paced and full of adventure. Having never read any of the series(this is number 13)there is information that has probably been doled out over the course of the series that would fill in some of my HMMM moments but i will start the series from the beginning as i am a sucker for this type of character in the vane of the $1000 man, John Milton, Tanner and jack Reacher. Throw in a little Scott Harvath and i am hooked.
i am more of a first person story reader and this rides along as a third person view from afar, protecting reader from some of the intimate thoughts that Tom Rollins might have in first person.
All this being said it is worth the read. Blew it up in an afternoon sitting, running all over the south from Mississippi to Memphis. Best recommendation is i will read the series to hopefully get the back story!!!
Reviewed this title at request of the publisher and received a free copy. This is my honest and forthright thoughts on this title.
149 reviews
August 10, 2024
I didn’t love this book but I didn’t dislike it, either. A biker gang, a chemical company, meth labs, the drug’s distribution, and an environmental group studying the pollutants in the run-off of the drug’s creation... In the middle of these seemingly disparate parts is Tom Rollins, tough ex-army good guy who is trying to live a quiet post-military life. Past altercations with the biker gang catch up with him in Sudden Impact and he is thrust into the very center of where all these groups connect. The book is an action-packed thriller where Tom Rollins is trying to protect the innocent, right the wrongs, and defeat the bad guys.

Sudden Impact is book 13 in the Tom Rollins thriller series. I had not read books 1-12, and if I had I think I would have enjoyed a different reading experience as I am sure there is a lot of helpful backstory in the earlier books that would go to inform the reader when taking on #13.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ricki.
1,460 reviews14 followers
September 27, 2024
So thirteen books in and Tom is still roaming around righting wrongs and getting sucked into situations that are just not normal. Is he looking for it or does it find him. The usual lots of action.

He's currently working as a bartender at night and fisherman's helper during the day in Mississippi.
He encounters two ecologists doing water testing and gets drawn into their fight with DuLac Chemicals-a billion dollar company leaving a lot of destruction in their wake.

Their ruthless head of security is also connected with some former enemies of Tom's - bikers Forever Road Dogs. He's of course beaten, kidnapped but turns the tables on them all.

I am always harping on the editing in these books (realise? should be realize but then noticed the author is English and they may spell it differently)- but there are also a few noticable instances where a few words are missing from a sentence)
153 reviews
June 5, 2024
You can always count on Tom Rollins to find trouble - he's a magnet for it. But once he digs into a problem, there's no stopping him.

This time around, he smells something fishy down by the river, so to speak, and it leads to non-stop thrills, chills and spills. Not only is a biker gang he previously crossed paths with out for revenge, but corrupt city officials and a corporation hiding their true intentions add to the challenge of keeping the little town he's in from becoming the next environmental disaster.

There's plenty of action and intrigue to keep you interested throughout. We always know Rollins' persistence, despite any lumps he takes along the way, will win out in the end.

I highly recommend Sudden Impact - hang on for a raucous ride!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,362 reviews45 followers
May 29, 2024
Tom Rollins is continuing his (hopefully) never-ending travels. In this episode, we find him working as a bartender and fisherman in a small town along the Mississippi River. He comes to the rescue of a pair of ecologists and finds himself in the middle of an illegal operation being run by a huge corporation. Also involved is a biker gang which carries out some dirty work for the company. Tom has a history with the bikers, so he now has lots of enemies. Avoiding and tormenting his enemies is what he does best, and as the story progresses, the action never stops, eventually involving local police, the FBI, and the US Army.. As usual: LOTS of action! I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
1,570 reviews30 followers
June 15, 2024
This is another high octane thriller from this excellent author. Tom Rollins just seems to attract trouble. He is working as a bartender and bouncer in the evenings at a local bar in a small town and helps on a fishing boat during the day. When two members of a biker gang start to make trouble towards two women, that starts Tom off on a road involving dealing with this gang, ecologists and meth development and dealing.

It's fast, it's furious and it's a totally addictive read. I always feel like I'm there and I totally get an adrenaline rush when reading it. Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
55 reviews
June 25, 2024
Haven't read the other books in the series yet but this is a fine standalone book. I liked the characters, and the book culminates in plenty of action and giving the bad guys their comeuppance. Only took 2 days to read as had me interested in what was going to happen next and how the Protagonist was going to get out of the situations, he found himself in. Guess I will have to start reading the series from Book 1 now.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for patrick Lorelli.
3,798 reviews39 followers
June 26, 2024
Tom is working at a bar and during the day on a fishing boat. He notices two women taking samples from the water near a plant that is going to be built, he also sees guys watching them. Later he finds though same guys at the bar and after helping the two women this sets off a change of events that has him going up against a chemical company and his old friends the Road Dogs from a previous book. Full of action and a fast-paced story I was able to read this book in a few hours it kept me gripped to the pages. Excellent characters.
861 reviews12 followers
June 26, 2024
I am in love with all the Tom Rollins books. They are all amazing and grab your attention and draw you in from the very beginning. Tom has decided to hang low and just cover the door at a bar in Mississippi. Everything has been going pretty smoothly until he finds himself in trouble with a huge chemical company. As Tom discovers the horrible things the chemical company is up to and he feels like he has to stop them.
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
842 reviews9 followers
July 2, 2024
whoopee! Tom is at it again. Wonderful mayhem, great people, bad bikers, environmental issues

Tom the protector is at it again. He has made friends and had a rest now the friends are in trouble and Tom steps in and takes on a new nemesis that is connected to the old bike group he has had a run-in with before. There is lots of murders and beatings and everything you can expect of a book about Tom Rollins.
3 reviews
August 8, 2024
The Tom Rollins series... a great read.

Binge read the whole series... 13 books. Mr. Heatley sucked me right in. His antihero, Tom Rollins, is badass, smart, clever, experienced, and is a man who. knows right from wrong, way beyond the rigid
protocols of the law. Action, suspense, adventure, thrills, romance, combat knowledge, survival skills... this series is very entertaining, has it all, and is an easy read. Kudos Mr. Heatley.
Profile Image for Jim Cerone The Perfect Host DJ MC.
388 reviews7 followers
September 7, 2024
Formulaic But Solid

Although this series follows a formula, the writing and action are always solid. Tom’s going to get into trouble, get out, then get pulled back in. This book brings back some shady characters, so longtime readers have extra context. Some of the dialogue is hokey (especially at the end) and don’t expect much depth to Rollins’ relationships. But 13 books in, the series keeps delivering.
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
3,004 reviews22 followers
June 26, 2024
So incredibly intense. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time waiting to the other shoe to drop. I realized early on that this was not the first book in the series so immediately purchased all the other books and can’t wait to catch up on what I missed.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
25 reviews
June 29, 2024
Another Great Tom Rollins Thriller

What can I say… I’m a fan. Can’t stop turning the page once I start, and it appears that sleep is not necessary to read cover to cover.
This is another fun read in the series, and I’m looking forward to the next one.
Thanks for the great entertainment!
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,025 reviews48 followers
July 2, 2024
Thriller that keeps you hooked until the end. There are so many twists and turns and unexpected things happening that you cannot believe. Powerful and strong lead character that is fun to follow along as he is thrown up against many obstacles that he has to overcome. Edge of your seat reading. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
113 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2024
Not Heatly's best work.

I've read all thirteen books in the series. Maybe Heatly's style is getting g stale for me. I saw more typos and weird wording than I remember was in past books. What dropped my ratinrg from a four star to three is the jankey ending. SPOILER ALERT... Tom literally kills the bad guy by stuffing j ammo in he is mouth to suffocate him...REALLY?
1,277 reviews30 followers
June 14, 2024
Fast and easy to read book, full of action and very good characters, except that I prefer a hero that's clever and capable rather than lucky. Still, a very entertaining book that can be read as a standalone.
Profile Image for Alvara.
42 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2024
Another fast paced, action packed thriller featuring Tom Rollins. An enjoyable read where Tom needs to help a pair of ecologists who are in danger, whilst new and old enemies try to hunt him down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kira.
300 reviews
June 24, 2024
Wow this is a really great book to read I enjoyed this story a lot it is a very well written page turner I very much enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
49 reviews
June 26, 2024
Tom Rollins did not disappoint

Looked forward to this next book in the series. As I said, it did not disappoint. Plenty of action, bad guys, good guys and me wondering how he was going to get out of trouble.😊
Profile Image for  Sophie.
2,092 reviews
June 29, 2024
I loved the action of this story. The author sets the reader up for an entertaining time. I liked the characters. It was a good fight between good and evil.
I received a complimentary copy of this story and I freely left this review.
Profile Image for Scott Madere.
71 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2024
Explosive

Suspenseful and thrilling! Action packed. Terrific series and looking forward to more from this series! Tom Rollins is one tough guy who doesn't shy away from the bad guys! Can't wait for more adventures from Tom Rollins!
215 reviews2 followers
July 10, 2024
Quick read. Read this series every time a new one is released. Action adventure with an interesting main character who never stays in one place long but always finds someone who needs help. He gets involved. Very good writer.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,087 reviews50 followers
July 17, 2024
As always lots of actions, great characters and lots of good vs. evil. If you like action and good guys with the win you'll love this series. I do.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
6 reviews
September 9, 2024
I like TR.

Great series. Have read 12 and had to keep reading the next book in the series. Looking for #14!! The hero keeps getting injured. It would be nice to have him a little less hurt.
5 reviews
October 9, 2024
Tom kicks it again

Tom Rollins once again finds himself neck deep in the middle of bad news. Tom kicks and scratches his way , life and limb to save his life and the life of a pretty girl and his own. Where is Tom going to next?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews