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Sin & Nicki #1
Sin Walks Into The Desert
"Sin Walks Into The Desert is a taut, suspenseful tale without a wasted word or scene. IndieReader Approved. Five Stars." - IndieReader.com
Where’s the line between psycho and hero? Twelve-year-old Anderson Kenfax was spending his afternoons prowling the Wyoming prairie, longing after his big sister, and plotting a school bus massacre. Then his distraught parents called in Anderson’s uncle, el Viejo. The old man dropped Anderson in the middle of the Arizona desert and taught him to move, think and kill like a predator. Slowly, Anderson became Sin.
Ten years later, Sin gets a call from one of el Viejo’s shadowy government contacts. The old man’s disappeared in the wastelands. So Sin straps on his guns, grabs his go-bag, and hikes out to find him.
Sin Walks Into The Desert is violent desert noir. But it’s also a haunting story about lonely people wandering through barren spaces, searching for understanding and grasping at their humanity.
Where’s the line between psycho and hero? Twelve-year-old Anderson Kenfax was spending his afternoons prowling the Wyoming prairie, longing after his big sister, and plotting a school bus massacre. Then his distraught parents called in Anderson’s uncle, el Viejo. The old man dropped Anderson in the middle of the Arizona desert and taught him to move, think and kill like a predator. Slowly, Anderson became Sin.
Ten years later, Sin gets a call from one of el Viejo’s shadowy government contacts. The old man’s disappeared in the wastelands. So Sin straps on his guns, grabs his go-bag, and hikes out to find him.
Sin Walks Into The Desert is violent desert noir. But it’s also a haunting story about lonely people wandering through barren spaces, searching for understanding and grasping at their humanity.
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2014
14 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Matt Ingwalson
19 books43 followersI write all sorts of thrillers - police procedurals, occult horror and absurdist noir. Where to start?
If you're into tricky mysteries without too much violence, give the Owl and Raccoon detective series a try. If you'd prefer to dive into something darker, try Sever and Camille. These two books together tell a nostalgic story full of witchcraft and serial killers. Mary Monster is my most challenging book, a stylized, literary take on gothic noir.
If you're into tricky mysteries without too much violence, give the Owl and Raccoon detective series a try. If you'd prefer to dive into something darker, try Sever and Camille. These two books together tell a nostalgic story full of witchcraft and serial killers. Mary Monster is my most challenging book, a stylized, literary take on gothic noir.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 4, 2018
Sin Walks into the Desert by Matt Ingwalson Sin Walks into the Desert by Matt Ingwalson, (Sin & Nicki Book 1) is an unusual story. Sin is off into the desert to find his mentor, el Viejo who is missing. Sin received the news from Catrina, aka la Calavera, who is an ex-federal agent living in a retirement home near the border. I gave it five stars.
El Viejo had saved Sin's life, when he was a 12-year-old kid. Even though diabetes and arthritis have crippled him, el Viejo had been bad and brave.
When Sin met Petr, la Calavera's husband he was thin enough to look like an aspen. He told el Viejo: "'Thought you said he was stone cold Viking killer.' 'No, I said Petr was Swedish intelligence, Sin. Not everyone who works in MLE pulls triggers for a living. I believe he analyzed satellite imagery.'
'Whatever,' Sin said, because that was what he always said when he wasn't saying nothing."
Sin further describes Petr: "Petr reached one hand out past her shoulders. His fist had thick blue veins tunneling all across it, as brightly colored, in their own way as the tattoos on Sin's hands."
Sin describes when the first met la Calavera: "If she didn't have the plastic tube pumping little bursts of oxygen into her nose, she would've been about the most beautiful woman Sin'd ever seen....She was an old woman and her skin showed it, but her eyes were so bright and hard that they sparkled like stars magically visible in daytime skies."
El Viejo is talking to La Calavera and Sin as he brought their dinner: "'We'd best dig in. The sun goes down quickly when you're in a valley,' he said. La Calavera nodded, 'But the stars, they will shine so bright.'"
Regret Things is a new novel about Nicki and Sin that I look forward to reading.
This is Book 1 in a series of three books. I received a free kindle copy of Sin Walks Into the Desert by Matt Ingwalson in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Walks-Into-Des...
El Viejo had saved Sin's life, when he was a 12-year-old kid. Even though diabetes and arthritis have crippled him, el Viejo had been bad and brave.
When Sin met Petr, la Calavera's husband he was thin enough to look like an aspen. He told el Viejo: "'Thought you said he was stone cold Viking killer.' 'No, I said Petr was Swedish intelligence, Sin. Not everyone who works in MLE pulls triggers for a living. I believe he analyzed satellite imagery.'
'Whatever,' Sin said, because that was what he always said when he wasn't saying nothing."
Sin further describes Petr: "Petr reached one hand out past her shoulders. His fist had thick blue veins tunneling all across it, as brightly colored, in their own way as the tattoos on Sin's hands."
Sin describes when the first met la Calavera: "If she didn't have the plastic tube pumping little bursts of oxygen into her nose, she would've been about the most beautiful woman Sin'd ever seen....She was an old woman and her skin showed it, but her eyes were so bright and hard that they sparkled like stars magically visible in daytime skies."
El Viejo is talking to La Calavera and Sin as he brought their dinner: "'We'd best dig in. The sun goes down quickly when you're in a valley,' he said. La Calavera nodded, 'But the stars, they will shine so bright.'"
Regret Things is a new novel about Nicki and Sin that I look forward to reading.
This is Book 1 in a series of three books. I received a free kindle copy of Sin Walks Into the Desert by Matt Ingwalson in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Walks-Into-Des...
June 19, 2015
I like it. Then again, I wrote it. I'd love to know what you think.
June 4, 2018
Sin Walks into the Desert by Matt Ingwalson, (Sin & Nicki Book 1) is an unusual story. Sin is off into the desert to find his mentor, el Viejo who is missing. Sin received the news from Catrina, aka la Calavera, who is an ex-federal agent living in a retirement home near the border. I gave it five stars.
El Viejo had saved Sin's life, when he was a 12-year-old kid. Even though diabetes and arthritis have crippled him, el Viejo had been bad and brave.
When Sin met Petr, la Calavera's husband he was thin enough to look like an aspen. He told el Viejo: "'Thought you said he was stone cold Viking killer.' 'No, I said Petr was Swedish intelligence, Sin. Not everyone who works in MLE pulls triggers for a living. I believe he analyzed satellite imagery.'
'Whatever,' Sin said, because that was what he always said when he wasn't saying nothing."
Sin further describes Petr: "Petr reached one hand out past her shoulders. His fist had thick blue veins tunneling all across it, as brightly colored, in their own way as the tattoos on Sin's hands."
Sin describes when the first met la Calavera: "If she didn't have the plastic tube pumping little bursts of oxygen into her nose, she would've been about the most beautiful woman Sin'd ever seen....She was an old woman and her skin showed it, but her eyes were so bright and hard that they sparkled like stars magically visible in daytime skies."
El Viejo is talking to La Calavera and Sin as he brought their dinner: "'We'd best dig in. The sun goes down quickly when you're in a valley,' he said. La Calavera nodded, 'But the stars, they will shine so bright.'"
Regret Things is a new novel about Nicki and Sin that I look forward to reading.
This is Book 1 in a series of three books. I received a free kindle copy of Sin Walks Into the Desert by Matt Ingwalson in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Walks-Into-Des...
El Viejo had saved Sin's life, when he was a 12-year-old kid. Even though diabetes and arthritis have crippled him, el Viejo had been bad and brave.
When Sin met Petr, la Calavera's husband he was thin enough to look like an aspen. He told el Viejo: "'Thought you said he was stone cold Viking killer.' 'No, I said Petr was Swedish intelligence, Sin. Not everyone who works in MLE pulls triggers for a living. I believe he analyzed satellite imagery.'
'Whatever,' Sin said, because that was what he always said when he wasn't saying nothing."
Sin further describes Petr: "Petr reached one hand out past her shoulders. His fist had thick blue veins tunneling all across it, as brightly colored, in their own way as the tattoos on Sin's hands."
Sin describes when the first met la Calavera: "If she didn't have the plastic tube pumping little bursts of oxygen into her nose, she would've been about the most beautiful woman Sin'd ever seen....She was an old woman and her skin showed it, but her eyes were so bright and hard that they sparkled like stars magically visible in daytime skies."
El Viejo is talking to La Calavera and Sin as he brought their dinner: "'We'd best dig in. The sun goes down quickly when you're in a valley,' he said. La Calavera nodded, 'But the stars, they will shine so bright.'"
Regret Things is a new novel about Nicki and Sin that I look forward to reading.
This is Book 1 in a series of three books. I received a free kindle copy of Sin Walks Into the Desert by Matt Ingwalson in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Walks-Into-Des...
July 12, 2014
I received this book free from the author, via the Goodreads First reads Giveaway program. The author even included a handwritten note, a nice touch.
This book starts out slow, w. 2 stories that tie together thru flashbacks. The present day story is of a man, Sin, searching for his uncle and mentor, El Viejo, who has vanished. Flashbacks show how Sin was heading down a self destructive path because of bullying at school. El Viejo rescues him and teaches him to be a man.
There are elements of a noir, hard boiled murder mystery, here, reminiscent of Chandler. It took me 3 days to read it.
This book starts out slow, w. 2 stories that tie together thru flashbacks. The present day story is of a man, Sin, searching for his uncle and mentor, El Viejo, who has vanished. Flashbacks show how Sin was heading down a self destructive path because of bullying at school. El Viejo rescues him and teaches him to be a man.
There are elements of a noir, hard boiled murder mystery, here, reminiscent of Chandler. It took me 3 days to read it.
July 8, 2014
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Now that the legalities are over, my review (no spoilers).
I really enjoyed this book, would rate 4 and a half stars. Interesting characters, good story line, and easy to follow along with, even with the shifting timeline. The ending tied up loose ends quite nicely. If you like mysteries with plenty of action mixed in, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you Mr. Ingwalson, I look forward to reading Regret Things when it is published. I understand it is a prequel, so I have one request: please please please write a sequel also!
I really enjoyed this book, would rate 4 and a half stars. Interesting characters, good story line, and easy to follow along with, even with the shifting timeline. The ending tied up loose ends quite nicely. If you like mysteries with plenty of action mixed in, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you Mr. Ingwalson, I look forward to reading Regret Things when it is published. I understand it is a prequel, so I have one request: please please please write a sequel also!
October 31, 2014
Really enjoyed the book, Matt! You have a gift for the crime drama genre, my friend. I would have liked even more delving into Sin as a person, IMO, and and into his relationship with his uncle. But that's minor stuff. It was a blast to read and the characters are really well developed. Good on ya, sir!
May 4, 2017
fun little mystery
February 15, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book and found myself fully invested in the story. and couldn't stop reading until I was finished. I am definitely looking forward to read more of Sin adventures with El Viejo.
July 6, 2014
I received a complimentary copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but I promised only to read the book, and give an objective review. This is quite the sleeper novel, no big fanfare, but it's a high quality work. We start out with a protagonist who's got a self-closen name, like Indian warriors used to do at his age. He's bullied in "6 to Senior School," and we clearly learn how this kind of continued abuse can lead to our current rash of school shootings. Then he becomes a mercinary, fluent with firearms and living in a constant "state of orange" alertness. The uncle who pulls him away from his home at age 12 to save him from a bad situation raises him, teaching him skills worthy of any special forces soldier. Eventually that uncle is assassinated at age 70, revenge for some old grudge. What's tricky is connecting the dots to see how that murder ties to Sin's own former life, and his extended family and current associates. Colorful cast of characters, vibrant descriptions of landscapes, situations, and munitions applications. I found myself involuntarily getting an adrenelin high as the author's descriptions of stealth tactics and firearms fluency in the face of evil forces brought back long-forgotten memories. It's not wrong to have part of you harboring a reptilian brain, as long as you call upon your better angels to seek a path for self-redemption. Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
February 28, 2016
What a good book! I have never read anything from this author before and found the writing excellent.
The book centers on Sin (Anderson). Chapters take you through his life in the 6th grade—all the bullying, etc. Then after an error of judgment with a gun and another teen, Sin goes to live with his uncle. His uncle teaches him about guns, surveillance anything that he will need to survive. Now he finds out his uncle is missing and he sets off into the dessert to find him. While there he is beaten up and does some great beatings himself. The uncle is believed dead and he must find out what happened and who did it. The chapters take the reader back to the 6th grade and slowly learning things from his uncle to Sin’s present day search. I’m usually good at figuring out ‘who did it’ before the end of the book, but not this time. The book is short and the end leaves the reader wanting more. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out.
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
The book centers on Sin (Anderson). Chapters take you through his life in the 6th grade—all the bullying, etc. Then after an error of judgment with a gun and another teen, Sin goes to live with his uncle. His uncle teaches him about guns, surveillance anything that he will need to survive. Now he finds out his uncle is missing and he sets off into the dessert to find him. While there he is beaten up and does some great beatings himself. The uncle is believed dead and he must find out what happened and who did it. The chapters take the reader back to the 6th grade and slowly learning things from his uncle to Sin’s present day search. I’m usually good at figuring out ‘who did it’ before the end of the book, but not this time. The book is short and the end leaves the reader wanting more. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out.
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
June 30, 2015
This book was received as a Goodreads giveaway.
The Good: Damn, this was good. "Sin Walks Into the Desert" is a taut piece of neo-noir vividly written by Matt Ingwalson. There probably isn't a wasted word in its 188 pages. Strictly as a self-published work, "Sin" should be commended for its nearly flawless editing. Though it bounces between periods of time between 1999 and 2011, the story grabs hold and doesn't let go. Though spare in its third-person narration it is still packed with detail, whether it be the arid desert climate or the specifics of the array firearms within.
The Bad: To nitpick, the story lacks humor. When it's not being exciting, it's pretty damn bleak. But really, that's the type of story it is. It just felt at times that Ingwalson, an obvious talent, had a quip up his sleeve but folded. The narration was more entertaining than the dialogue. There also seemed to be a subplot that was abandoned.
The Ugly: All of it, in a beautiful way.
The Good: Damn, this was good. "Sin Walks Into the Desert" is a taut piece of neo-noir vividly written by Matt Ingwalson. There probably isn't a wasted word in its 188 pages. Strictly as a self-published work, "Sin" should be commended for its nearly flawless editing. Though it bounces between periods of time between 1999 and 2011, the story grabs hold and doesn't let go. Though spare in its third-person narration it is still packed with detail, whether it be the arid desert climate or the specifics of the array firearms within.
The Bad: To nitpick, the story lacks humor. When it's not being exciting, it's pretty damn bleak. But really, that's the type of story it is. It just felt at times that Ingwalson, an obvious talent, had a quip up his sleeve but folded. The narration was more entertaining than the dialogue. There also seemed to be a subplot that was abandoned.
The Ugly: All of it, in a beautiful way.
July 14, 2014
Anderson has reached the age that he he must leave his k-5 school and attend 6-senior. From his first day on the bus to his new school, Anderson is abused by older boys and girls, but especially an older group of boys known as the "Cowboys". His sister, his only friend, has left home for NYC and Anderson has no one to look after him or even to talk to. His father, especially, does not understand the boy and the father also resorts to violence toward the boy.
Anderson is rescued by his father's brother, Harrison, an FBI agent also known as El Viejo. He grows up with his uncle and El Viejo teaches him defensive and aggression skills. Known now as Sin, Anderson is 22 when he receives a call saying his uncle (an old man by now) is missing. Sin sets out to find El Viejo.
Sin Walks in the Desert is intense and exciting. What a good book!!!
Anderson is rescued by his father's brother, Harrison, an FBI agent also known as El Viejo. He grows up with his uncle and El Viejo teaches him defensive and aggression skills. Known now as Sin, Anderson is 22 when he receives a call saying his uncle (an old man by now) is missing. Sin sets out to find El Viejo.
Sin Walks in the Desert is intense and exciting. What a good book!!!
July 11, 2014
First time I am reading a book by author Matt Ingwalson and I received this book through First Reads, thank you for that!
I think that book was well written getting your attention in the beginning by introducing you to the main character Sin. The book goes on to intertwine the story of Sin with another character named Anderson varying in year and location. For someone who likes to read crime and mystery you will follow along to see if Sin can track down the bad guys and put all of the clues together. Also, while the ending seems somewhat abrupt there is an interesting twist at the end that will have you thinking back to the beginning of the story. Not a mastermind crime book like some of the greats but a good book to read.
Wish there would have been more to read and I will be looking into other books written by this author. See if you can solve the mystery!
I think that book was well written getting your attention in the beginning by introducing you to the main character Sin. The book goes on to intertwine the story of Sin with another character named Anderson varying in year and location. For someone who likes to read crime and mystery you will follow along to see if Sin can track down the bad guys and put all of the clues together. Also, while the ending seems somewhat abrupt there is an interesting twist at the end that will have you thinking back to the beginning of the story. Not a mastermind crime book like some of the greats but a good book to read.
Wish there would have been more to read and I will be looking into other books written by this author. See if you can solve the mystery!
February 8, 2017
I won this piece of fiction in a Goodreads giveaway. This was a very short task which should have been described as a novelette. There was a fairly decent plot to the story, but way too little of character development to get the hook into the reader. As a result, I think the author failed what could have been a better than average start to a series. Mr. Ingwalson, better luck in your future projects.
October 27, 2014
I received a copy of this book in my neighborhood book club and promised to give an honest opinion. While this isn't a genre I'm typically drawn to, venturing outside my comfort zone into the world of mystery/thriller in this case was well worth it. The first parallel between Sin, the main character, and predatory birds is where I began to settle into the journey through the Arizona desert. Just when I thought the mystery was going to zig, it would zag in a way that kept me in suspense and turning pages. The book rouses curiosity about Sin and his past with a sister in New York that left me eager to see what's underneath that rock. Looks like that's coming out in a new novel and I can't wait to get my hands on it!
July 8, 2014
Received this in the first readers giveaway. Thanks for letting me be one of the first to read it. Well I received the book and picked it up, read the first chapter and put it down with thoughts of "this one is not what I thought may not get thru it". Well today I pick it up because I had an hour that I needed something to read while waiting on someone so thought why not give it another try. Well I finished this book in a couple of hours to my disbelief. Once I got passed the first chapter I really like the story and people. This is about a young man's struggle in 6-high school with bullies. Its shows how one guy changed Sin life. Would like to know what happens next with Sin.
July 6, 2014
Well this is a book about a protagonist named Sin who goes into the desert looking for his mentor el viejo who is missing. He starts a long search and along the way kills a few evil folks and that's about it.
October 7, 2014
I dig the title. Liked the action sprinkled around. Would be cool to see this on film. I sometimes got the feeling that I too was in the desert. But then again, I am ALWAYS hot so it doesn't take much. :-)
(received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads)
(received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads)
January 29, 2016
Sin came to set things straight
The problems took a lot to get things done. It was a slow to read and keep the story in a way that kept you interested. I know that you have to get to figure out what they are trying to tell in this story.
The problems took a lot to get things done. It was a slow to read and keep the story in a way that kept you interested. I know that you have to get to figure out what they are trying to tell in this story.
December 4, 2015
Haven't received my copy yet, just received notice I won. 6/30/14
Received my copy and hope to start soon. I have 5 others plus my current read in front. 7/9/14
Started 7/25/14
Finished 7/26/14
Received my copy and hope to start soon. I have 5 others plus my current read in front. 7/9/14
Started 7/25/14
Finished 7/26/14
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews