Wrong Turn

Tom Rollins Thriller #2

by Paul Heatley, Wayne Mitchell (Narrator)

Fugitive ex-special forces operative Tom Rollins is en route to Mexico when he is forced to detour into the small town of Brenton, Texas, a place whose glory days are far behind it. A powerful criminal family, the McQuades, runs things now, and they don’t take kindly to strangers.

When some of their thugs try to intimidate Tom, he pushes back—hard. The McQuades can’t stand for that—they have Tom beaten, arrested, and thrown in jail. If that was all they did, he’d probably let it slide, just leave town. But tough-guy Earl McQuade makes a fatal mistake—he steals a pendant from Tom, a piece of jewelry given to him by the woman he loved.

Tom wants that pendant back, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

Genres: Thriller

Audible Audio

Published July 26, 2022

Reviews

[John (JC) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another step forward with Tom Rollins. He is a very talented ex military, ex CIA person so he is capable of taking care of himself. Thankfully he has this background for trouble seems to follow him like a bad habit. There is some similarities to the Lee Child series but not quite the panache that Reacher radiates. At least Tom travels with more than a toothbrush.
Be ready for a lot of action, tons of conspiracy, moments of anxiety and an easy read. After digesting this second book I have decided the series is worth completing. To my GR friends…try it…you will like it.

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and exciting story with many twists and turns. You do need to read #1 to know what is going on though. Worth the read (or in my case, I listened to it).

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I took a chance and bought this series. Wrong Turn by paul Heatley is the second book about fugitive Tom Rollins now on his way to Mexico to spread the ashes after his ex girlfriend. I think he will stumble upon a new problem in each book and he doeas it very well. These books are well written and sadly quick reads. they are hard to put down because you want to know what will happen. It is always fun to find a new author.

[Wayne Fielding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Ross Cumming · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Tom Rollins series by Paul Heatley doesn’t disappoint and continues where Blood Line left off. Tom is heading south to Mexico with Alejandra’s ashes, to scatter them in her hometown as she requested of him but has to take a detour into the rundown town of Trenton following some car trouble. The town is full of meth addicts and suppliers and is ruled over by the local McQuade family. Tom knows he should quietly wait out his time till his car is repaired and be on his way but when he steps into defend one of the addicts from a humiliation from McQuade’s boys he gets dragged into a feud that ends up having deadly consequences. Add a meth super lab, a corrupt politician, a Police Chief on the take and a biker gang to the mix and it all adds up to a violent, bloody and murderous cocktail.
A strong follow up to Blood Line and this time this one reads more like a Western, where the supposedly small guy takes on the force of the local crime family backed up by a mainly crooked Police Force. The odds are stacked against Tom but he does get some assistance in the form of some locals who are not on the crime payroll. Tom has apparently more lives than a cat and always manages to extricate himself from what appear to be seemingly impossible situations. Heatley’s writing however is lean and straightforward and never over the top which I think adds to the believability of the characters and the situations they face. These are the first two novels in the Tom Rollins series, of how many I don’t know but I’m looking forward to the next one already.

[Jill S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better

There has been a bit of an improvement since the last book. Still somewhat lacking in detail but not to a distracting level. I'm a sucker for vanquishing traitorous government officials so of course I liked this one.

[Samuel murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fast moving thriller.

Fast moving thriller about special forces soldier awol taking the ashes of his brothers wife back to Mexico which she wanted. On route he is detoured and resulting mechanical breakdown leads him into serious conflict with drug manufacturers, corrupt police officers and politicians. Conflict that has him fighting for his life.

[Jaume Ayala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me a Jack Reacher (by Lee Child) story: very small town nobody knows in deep US, Tom Rolins just passing by because an unexpected issue, local gang trying to bully him...and suddenly he is involved in a huge situation he cannot avoid.
It could look like a "local" gang driving the entire town but things are much bigger than that and an enormous plot arise in front of Tom.
As it was set in the first book, Tom needs to "fly low" and, for that reason, he is travelling as one Tom Smith; there is a moment (about middle of the story), one guy is requesting somebody to "take Mr Rollins...." and I thought that would be the moment for Tom to realize his identity has been discovered, but it's not such a trigger (and this guy is discovering later his rea lname is Tom Rollins so I guess this was a mistake from Paul as it should have been "take Mr Smith" since his real identity was not discovered yet).

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 of the Tom Rollins series and starts with Tom on his way to Mexico but getting waylaid into a rundown town when his car breaks down. He of course gets involved in a bar fight which starts the ongoing saga of his against the town's meth dealings.

Again like the 1st book, it's well written, very fast paced and violent. I really like this Tom character. Quick to fight yet very taciturn in nature. He reminds me of Jack Reacher in the way it is a tale of 1 man against whatever situation he finds himself in and wherever he finds himself (and I love the Jack Reacher books). It was interesting how there were ties into the 1st book here, and I'm curious as to where a certain character fits in overall. The ending is very teasing so I hope there's not long to wait until the 3rd book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this author has been read Reacher novels, there is a distinct similarity. Tom Smith driving on the way to Mexico on a personal
task has a broken radiator after detour around an accident. The town he ends up in sorry state mostly in inhabited by meth users and
trade in meth is an open secret. Tom gets hit car to the only garage in town but has to wait while a new radiator is obtained. The puts up at the
only motel in town and when he goes to the local bar for something to eat he ends up in a brawl with two dealers who also get their customers
involved. Tom wreaks havoc on his opponents (he is ex-military) but is arrested when the police arrive. Well you can see where this is going,
Tom gets involved with the towns troubles and ends up cleaning things up before moving on. Plot sound familiar?

[Tina Helzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series. I have only read this book but all I can say is wow. I just loved it. So much going on and it has tons of action packed into it that you are just drawn in and don't know what might happen next.

Tom is headed to Mexico and ends up in a small town in Texas run by the ruthless McQuades. They will do nothing to stop Tom. When they steal the pendant given to him by the women he loves they make a fatal mistake. They think with all the people they have on their side that the McQuades are safe from one lone man, but boy are they wrong.

I say you really should read this book, you will love it. Reading the first book in the series might even make it better for you.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Neelabh Pratap Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second one in the series is darker and grittier. Tom Rollins has bitten off more than he can chew. The book starts with a wrong turn that Tom has taken on his way to Mexico to avoid traffic jam and ending up with a breakdown. He drags his car to a small town Brenton and soon he's picking up fights with local thugs, cops and politicians. What I like in this book is, unlike the previous book, Tom is not always invincible and sometimes what he's plans doesn't work. That made him a bit more human rather than a killing machine. Secondly the side characters are developed better, the villians too. Recommend it to the action lovers. Can't wait to read Hard to Kill.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Heatley has really hit the jackpot with "Tom Rollins". "Wrong Turn" is the second book in this series as is every bit as good as "Blood Line" (book 1) - though a touch less brutal. There's a cracking plot, brilliant writing, and then there's Tom himself (I think he's one of my favourite characters of all time!). I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.

This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

[Lawrence H Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice to meet you Paul Heatley

I love trying new authors. I fist read Tom Rollins book one and found it fresh, interesting and very different from others I’ve read. It was an ok read so I decided to indulge myself in book two. The storyline was good, the action, the emotions that were provoked, the humor and the writing was excellent. I am looking forward to book three!!!
Thanks Paul and keep on writing.
Dr. C. 🎉🎊💞💞💞💞🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook - 3.75 stars. The narrator missed the mark on this one. He does such an exaggerated "tough guy" voice, it's distracting at times. The voice he chose to use for Daniel's character was so off the wall, almost made him sound like a slow person. These books are so much like Jack Reacher but like, the bottom shelf version.

[john alder · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

Another great read. The story with Tom Rollins continues and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It was a roller coaster of a ride. I hope book number 3 will be available soon. A big thank you to the author Paul Heatley and from me a well deserved 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Stephen Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Another gem from Paul Heatly. Once you get into the story there is no putting it down. Story is constantly changing, but easy to follow. The main characters stand out in there own right. Who story gels together. Brilliant

[Evelyn Launderville · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Troubled Town

Tom has left his fathers home with the hopes of getting to Mexico to spread
Alejandra's ashes. He has car trouble and is stranded in a small Texas town with many problems. Since trouble finds him wherever his is , this is no exception.

[william l fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps you turning the pages.

Great book......great character. Closest book to lee child's jack reacher.
Keeps you on edge of seat with vivid scenes and chapter development.
When's the next book coming?

[D J LANE · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written and sloppy.

Apart from the poor writing style there’s one instance of Rollins - posing as Tom Smith - being referred to as Mr Rollins by someone who simply doesn’t know his real name. I nearly gave up there and then. I should have done.

[lorna cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Not a story not read in other such novels (AWOL ex special ops roaming country finding trouble)but is well written and good pace, knows exactly what type of book it wants to be and delivers it well & above average

[LINDA MCCAULEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t pick on Tom!

Tom Rollins continues on his journey to fulfill a special friends wishes. After stopping in a small town for car repairs, he becomes embroiled in a war with the local drug lords!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This book continues what is a very good series indeed. Tom Rollins is a very relatable character and the action is constant and gripping. Already looking forward to book three.

[T Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book full of action, it's entertaining and easy to read, and the characters are very good. Some of the situations making up the plot aren't very realistic, but they keep the main character alive for other books.

[Paul Sabine · Rating 2 out of 5]

11 books, must be doing something right!

Derivative of the Reacher series I think, but lacks the reliable and engaging writing style that characterises the best Reacher books. Will appeal to some.

[Curt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic “Kung-Fu” style book, kind of like many of the Reacher stories. Good guy finds himself in a town run by bad people and ends up cleaning up the town and riding off into the sunset.
It NEVER gets old!

[David McAdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

good fast paced read

Some events stretch the imagination but the flow is good as is the pace. However sleep is needed along the way, which TR seems to go without and still perform as a high level, functioning killer.

[Wayne Van Dusen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad Ass Hero

If only he was real and could as easily clean out the clowns in Washington we would all be much better off.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!

Paul Heatley's writing skills are improving with each book. Wrong Turn was an exciting, quick read. I also enjoyed Tom Rollins in his first book, Blood Line.