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Quinn Colson #5
The Redeemers
The electrifying new novel in New York Times–bestselling author Ace Atkins’s acclaimed series about the real Deep South.
He is only in his early thirties, but now Quinn Colson is jobless—voted out of office as sheriff of Tibbehah County, Mississippi, thanks to the machinations of county kingpin Johnny Stagg. He has offers, in bigger and better places, but before he goes, he’s got one more job to do—bring down Stagg’s criminal operations for good.
At least that’s the plan. But in the middle of the long, hot summer, a trio of criminals stage a bold, wall-smashing break-in at the home of a local lumber mill owner, making off with a million dollars in cash from his safe, which is curious, because the mill owner is wealthy—but not that wealthy. None of this has anything to do with Colson, but during the investigation, two men are killed, one of them the new sheriff. His friend, acting sheriff Lillie Virgil, and a dangerous former flame, Anna Lee Stevens, both ask him to step in, and reluctantly he does, only to discover that that safe contained more than just money—it held secrets.
Secrets that could either save Colson—or destroy him once and for all.
He is only in his early thirties, but now Quinn Colson is jobless—voted out of office as sheriff of Tibbehah County, Mississippi, thanks to the machinations of county kingpin Johnny Stagg. He has offers, in bigger and better places, but before he goes, he’s got one more job to do—bring down Stagg’s criminal operations for good.
At least that’s the plan. But in the middle of the long, hot summer, a trio of criminals stage a bold, wall-smashing break-in at the home of a local lumber mill owner, making off with a million dollars in cash from his safe, which is curious, because the mill owner is wealthy—but not that wealthy. None of this has anything to do with Colson, but during the investigation, two men are killed, one of them the new sheriff. His friend, acting sheriff Lillie Virgil, and a dangerous former flame, Anna Lee Stevens, both ask him to step in, and reluctantly he does, only to discover that that safe contained more than just money—it held secrets.
Secrets that could either save Colson—or destroy him once and for all.
370 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2015
332 people are currently reading
1475 people want to read
About the author
Ace Atkins
71 books1,558 followersAce Atkins is the author of twenty-eight books, including eleven Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which, The Ranger and The Lost Ones, were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he has a third Edgar nomination for his short story "Last Fair Deal Gone Down"). He is the author of nine New York Times-bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times and a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and he played defensive end for Auburn University football.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
July 19, 2015
Quinn Colson has been out-voted as sheriff in Tibbehah County thanks to the help of the local bad guy Johnny Stagg. His new replacement ends up being an "aw-shucks" kind of guy who just wants things to work out without having to do much for it to do so. Who ends up not being interested in "helping" Johnny Stagg with his business adventures either.
Stagg leaned in and whispered, "I tried to be friendly and he went and got uppity, started talking about integrity."
"Doesn't the man sell insurance?"
"Exactly what I'm talking about here."
So a couple of the local boys team up with a couple of complete idiots to rob the local lumber mill owner because he pissed a couple of them off. They end up with close to a million dollars and some papers that Johnny Stagg does not want made public.
One of the idiots ends up shooting one of the local deputies so that pisses off the local cops including Lillie Virgil. So she starts digging for answers.
Quinn had kinda lost a bit of his edge in this book for me. He is still bad-ass but I swear that dang Anna Lee storyline gets on my nerves. You would think for a man that is supposed to be so smart he would have a clue about her. I'm ready for her to get killed off. I'm sure some redneck in this town should be pissed off enough at her butt by now.
The saving grace of this book was the bad guys that robbed the lumber yard owner. They were so over the top stupid that I immediately rooted for them to win. Too bad for the fact that they were too stupid to live.
One of them has a van that is completely devoted to promoting his love for "Roll-Tide" Alabama football. Decorated to proclaim his love and even has naked pictures of women shellac coated throughout for the idiots viewing pleasure. The stories of Pee Wee Sparks woman winning ways had me cracking up.
So will I read the rest of this series since I've read the first and the fifth book? Probably, I do like Quinn's character enough to want to see what he gets up to next.
"Mrs. Cobb," Quinn said. "You got to give me something. This is not a Lifetime movie."
"Not until I'm dead," she said. "Someone slits my throat and it'll be Midnight in Mississippi or Sheltered Secrets or something like that."
Quinn smiled. "Who would play your part?"
"Maybe Delta Burke," Debbi said. "Before she gained all that weight. Just promise me it will be a real southern woman. I really can't stand some actress making us all sound like g.d. Scarlett O'Hara."
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
Stagg leaned in and whispered, "I tried to be friendly and he went and got uppity, started talking about integrity."
"Doesn't the man sell insurance?"
"Exactly what I'm talking about here."
So a couple of the local boys team up with a couple of complete idiots to rob the local lumber mill owner because he pissed a couple of them off. They end up with close to a million dollars and some papers that Johnny Stagg does not want made public.
One of the idiots ends up shooting one of the local deputies so that pisses off the local cops including Lillie Virgil. So she starts digging for answers.
Quinn had kinda lost a bit of his edge in this book for me. He is still bad-ass but I swear that dang Anna Lee storyline gets on my nerves. You would think for a man that is supposed to be so smart he would have a clue about her. I'm ready for her to get killed off. I'm sure some redneck in this town should be pissed off enough at her butt by now.
The saving grace of this book was the bad guys that robbed the lumber yard owner. They were so over the top stupid that I immediately rooted for them to win. Too bad for the fact that they were too stupid to live.
One of them has a van that is completely devoted to promoting his love for "Roll-Tide" Alabama football. Decorated to proclaim his love and even has naked pictures of women shellac coated throughout for the idiots viewing pleasure. The stories of Pee Wee Sparks woman winning ways had me cracking up.
So will I read the rest of this series since I've read the first and the fifth book? Probably, I do like Quinn's character enough to want to see what he gets up to next.
"Mrs. Cobb," Quinn said. "You got to give me something. This is not a Lifetime movie."
"Not until I'm dead," she said. "Someone slits my throat and it'll be Midnight in Mississippi or Sheltered Secrets or something like that."
Quinn smiled. "Who would play your part?"
"Maybe Delta Burke," Debbi said. "Before she gained all that weight. Just promise me it will be a real southern woman. I really can't stand some actress making us all sound like g.d. Scarlett O'Hara."
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
July 5, 2016
I'm a huge fan of this series, which just seems to get better with every book. The protagonist, Quinn Colson, is a former Army Ranger who served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now in his middle thirties, Colson has mustered out and returned to his home in Tibbehah County, Mississippi, where he was elected County Sheriff, succeeding his uncle in the office. He's done a very good job as Sheriff--too good in the eyes of some people like Johnny Stagg, a corrupt local businessman. Stagg, who owns a truck stop along with a strip club called the Bobby Trap, dominates the politics of the county and hates the fact that Colson is trying to clean things up.
When Colson comes up for re-election, Stagg throws his influence behind a local insurance agent named Rusty Wise, a mild-mannered lightweight whom Stagg believes he can control. Wise wins a narrow victory and as the book opens, it's New Year's Eve, Quinn Colson's last night on the job, and he's saying his farewells.
As fate would have it, a small band of thieves picks that night to break into the house of a local businessman who has ties to Johnny Stagg. The businessman is out of town for the holiday and is reputed to have nearly a million dollars in a gun safe hidden in a closet in his house. The thieves are barely competent but are nonetheless extremely dangerous, and the fallout from the robbery reverberates far and wide through Tibbehah County with serious consequences for all the major characters in the novel.
The Redeemers is a riveting story populated by a great cast of characters. In particular, the two would-be safe crackers are very well drawn and enormously entertaining. It's also fun to meet again the familiar characters we've come to know through the years, including the members of Quinn Colson's family. Those who follow the series will know that Colson has more than his share of family issues and those problems continue to bedevil him here, as does his love life. And even though he's now out of office, he still finds himself dragged into this very dangerous case.
As always, Atkins writes beautifully and he has created such a fully-imagined setting for these stories that the reader feels as though he or she is living among the people of the county. It's a place of great beauty sullied by more than its fair share of vice and corruption, and Quinn Colson sees and understands all of it better than anyone else. The central question of the series continues to be the extent to which he or anyone else can effectively address the problems of Tibbehah County and, as several characters wonder, why he would even want to stick around and try. Happily the next installment in this series is due to be released in a couple of weeks; I can hardly wait to get to it.
When Colson comes up for re-election, Stagg throws his influence behind a local insurance agent named Rusty Wise, a mild-mannered lightweight whom Stagg believes he can control. Wise wins a narrow victory and as the book opens, it's New Year's Eve, Quinn Colson's last night on the job, and he's saying his farewells.
As fate would have it, a small band of thieves picks that night to break into the house of a local businessman who has ties to Johnny Stagg. The businessman is out of town for the holiday and is reputed to have nearly a million dollars in a gun safe hidden in a closet in his house. The thieves are barely competent but are nonetheless extremely dangerous, and the fallout from the robbery reverberates far and wide through Tibbehah County with serious consequences for all the major characters in the novel.
The Redeemers is a riveting story populated by a great cast of characters. In particular, the two would-be safe crackers are very well drawn and enormously entertaining. It's also fun to meet again the familiar characters we've come to know through the years, including the members of Quinn Colson's family. Those who follow the series will know that Colson has more than his share of family issues and those problems continue to bedevil him here, as does his love life. And even though he's now out of office, he still finds himself dragged into this very dangerous case.
As always, Atkins writes beautifully and he has created such a fully-imagined setting for these stories that the reader feels as though he or she is living among the people of the county. It's a place of great beauty sullied by more than its fair share of vice and corruption, and Quinn Colson sees and understands all of it better than anyone else. The central question of the series continues to be the extent to which he or anyone else can effectively address the problems of Tibbehah County and, as several characters wonder, why he would even want to stick around and try. Happily the next installment in this series is due to be released in a couple of weeks; I can hardly wait to get to it.
February 8, 2017
(I received a free advance copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.)
I love being on the Atkins diet…
No, not that Atkins diet. (You can have my carbs when you pry them from pudgy dead hands.) I’m talking about the Ace Atkins reading diet in which you get to gorge yourself on two of his books a year. The first course is the Spenser story he does for the Robert B. Parker estate which keeps the iconic detective alive and well. The second is Atkins’ own creation of Quinn Colson, a former Army Ranger who returned to his Mississippi hometown and became the sheriff.
Or at least Quinn was the sheriff. The Redeemers begins with Quinn voted out thanks to Johnny Stagg, the local power broker who has his fingers in just about every crooked and corrupt scheme going on in Tibbehah County. While Quinn ponders his next move he’s also dealing with a variety of family matters including the return of his estranged father, his drug addicted sister, and his increasingly messy love life.
Meanwhile, a local businessman named Mickey Walls has a grudge against his former father-in-law Larry Cobb that he intends to settle by stealing the large amount of cash that Cobb amassed through various shady business deals. Walls asks his friend Kyle to help loot Cobb's safe, and also recruits two small time crooks to crack it open. The robbery kicks off a chain of consequences that Quinn gets pulled into even though it’s not his job anymore.
One of the strengths of this serious is the portrayal of small town life by Atkins, who currently resides in Oxford, Mississippi. He knows the rhythms of a rural community, and he uses that along with his writing talent to build an intricate web of connections that tie the locals together. He does this with a clear eye that both celebrates and critiques the lifestyle as he weaves first rate crime stories through it all.
He’s also got a knack for creating memorable characters, and my favorites this time were the two lowlife thieves that Walls hires to crack the safe. Peewee Sparks is a disgusting pig of a man who steals to fund his trips to New Orleans where he can binge on strippers and prostitutes. His apprentice is his dimwitted nephew whose life lessons all come from being an Alabama football fanatic. These two scumbags provide a lot of entertainment as they roll around in Peewee’s van which has portraits of Alabama pigskin legends painted on it. You have to think that Atkins, who played football at rival Auburn, took great delight in creating these morons.
The plot also provides a lot of resolution to some of the on-going storylines that have been built up over the previous four books so that this is a series that feels like it’s going somewhere while introducing new complications that can be explored in future books.
Also posted at Kemper's Book Blog.
I love being on the Atkins diet…
No, not that Atkins diet. (You can have my carbs when you pry them from pudgy dead hands.) I’m talking about the Ace Atkins reading diet in which you get to gorge yourself on two of his books a year. The first course is the Spenser story he does for the Robert B. Parker estate which keeps the iconic detective alive and well. The second is Atkins’ own creation of Quinn Colson, a former Army Ranger who returned to his Mississippi hometown and became the sheriff.
Or at least Quinn was the sheriff. The Redeemers begins with Quinn voted out thanks to Johnny Stagg, the local power broker who has his fingers in just about every crooked and corrupt scheme going on in Tibbehah County. While Quinn ponders his next move he’s also dealing with a variety of family matters including the return of his estranged father, his drug addicted sister, and his increasingly messy love life.
Meanwhile, a local businessman named Mickey Walls has a grudge against his former father-in-law Larry Cobb that he intends to settle by stealing the large amount of cash that Cobb amassed through various shady business deals. Walls asks his friend Kyle to help loot Cobb's safe, and also recruits two small time crooks to crack it open. The robbery kicks off a chain of consequences that Quinn gets pulled into even though it’s not his job anymore.
One of the strengths of this serious is the portrayal of small town life by Atkins, who currently resides in Oxford, Mississippi. He knows the rhythms of a rural community, and he uses that along with his writing talent to build an intricate web of connections that tie the locals together. He does this with a clear eye that both celebrates and critiques the lifestyle as he weaves first rate crime stories through it all.
He’s also got a knack for creating memorable characters, and my favorites this time were the two lowlife thieves that Walls hires to crack the safe. Peewee Sparks is a disgusting pig of a man who steals to fund his trips to New Orleans where he can binge on strippers and prostitutes. His apprentice is his dimwitted nephew whose life lessons all come from being an Alabama football fanatic. These two scumbags provide a lot of entertainment as they roll around in Peewee’s van which has portraits of Alabama pigskin legends painted on it. You have to think that Atkins, who played football at rival Auburn, took great delight in creating these morons.
The plot also provides a lot of resolution to some of the on-going storylines that have been built up over the previous four books so that this is a series that feels like it’s going somewhere while introducing new complications that can be explored in future books.
Also posted at Kemper's Book Blog.
June 26, 2019
I've found a series to fill the void left after reading all Longmire books by Craig Johnson. Now, starting with book five in a series is perhaps not the smartest thing to do, but it's my thing and, despite some struggle, in the beginning, to get the hang on the characters is this a book that I felt was just right up my alley. From the fabulous team of ex-sheriff Quinn Colson and deputy sheriff Lillie Virgil to the hapless criminals that are hired by a disgruntled man to break into a safe. Its action, it's humor and it's definitely captivating to read, or in my case listen to since I partly read, but mostly listened to the audiobook. The story is fabulous, especially the break-in part. Man, this robbery plan is doomed from the start.
The Redeemers is a fabulous thriller. I had a blast reading/listening to this book. The storyline is both funny and thrilling and I instantly liked both Quinn and Lillie. This is the kind of book that works reading as a stand-alone after one has figured out who is who. However, I bet it's even better to read this series from the beginning. What I did after finishing this book was listening to book three and four that were available as audiobooks and when they were done did I order the two first books in the series. Yup, you can say that I was hooked! So, now I'm waiting for my books to arrive!
If you are a Longmire fan, then I definitely recommend this series to read.
I want to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
The Redeemers is a fabulous thriller. I had a blast reading/listening to this book. The storyline is both funny and thrilling and I instantly liked both Quinn and Lillie. This is the kind of book that works reading as a stand-alone after one has figured out who is who. However, I bet it's even better to read this series from the beginning. What I did after finishing this book was listening to book three and four that were available as audiobooks and when they were done did I order the two first books in the series. Yup, you can say that I was hooked! So, now I'm waiting for my books to arrive!
If you are a Longmire fan, then I definitely recommend this series to read.
I want to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
September 3, 2024
I'd read a good number of the Quinn Colson series, but for some reason, had missed this one. When I looked at my previous ratings, I noticed how consistently I had reacted to them, and The Redeemers. fits right in among its companions at that same 4 star level.
Atkins really had a groove going when writing these stories, with a consistently fine hand at developing plots, providing colorful characters, and setting up the well imagined Tibbehah County, replete with the sticky humidity, small town attitudes and incestuous settings of a backwoods town in the rural South. In this way, the reader becomes immersed in the story and can settle back and enjoy the machinations that unfold.
Colson is a fine character, albeit a bit stereotypical as a former Army Ranger that returned home and became Sheriff, impervious to the corruption and vice that practically drips from the trees like so much Spanish Moss. Lillie Virgil, the under Sheriff, is a terrific character and the chemistry between she and Colson offers a delicious element that continues throughout the series.
If you've somehow overlooked this one, as I had, and are a fan of the series, read it post haste. If, on the other hand, you are new to the author and series, do yourself a favor and read them in order, since Atkins really does build each novel on the preceding one. This is a fine addition to the collection.
Atkins really had a groove going when writing these stories, with a consistently fine hand at developing plots, providing colorful characters, and setting up the well imagined Tibbehah County, replete with the sticky humidity, small town attitudes and incestuous settings of a backwoods town in the rural South. In this way, the reader becomes immersed in the story and can settle back and enjoy the machinations that unfold.
Colson is a fine character, albeit a bit stereotypical as a former Army Ranger that returned home and became Sheriff, impervious to the corruption and vice that practically drips from the trees like so much Spanish Moss. Lillie Virgil, the under Sheriff, is a terrific character and the chemistry between she and Colson offers a delicious element that continues throughout the series.
If you've somehow overlooked this one, as I had, and are a fan of the series, read it post haste. If, on the other hand, you are new to the author and series, do yourself a favor and read them in order, since Atkins really does build each novel on the preceding one. This is a fine addition to the collection.
June 23, 2015
The Redeemers is the fifth book in the Quinn Colson series. It is a well written and professionally edited suspense/southern noir, full length novel. This is not a standalone novel as so much of the plot hinges on earlier plots in the series.
Quinn is no longer the sheriff of his county; having lost the election to a small time insurance salesman. However, the assistant sheriff, Lillie Virgil needs his help and his love interest asks him to get involved in investigating a robbery at her aunt's home. A robbery that proceeds to shake the foundations of Jericho and Tibbehah County, Mississippi.
I have a love-hate relationship with this series. I love the suspense filled plots with fast paced action and complex twists and turns that leave me guessing until the end. The secondary, outrageous (but oh so accurate) southern characters have me laughing and gasping at their convoluted thinking and actions.
The first book in the series, The Ranger, was a four star read for me, but my ratings for subsequent books dropped down to three stars, then two stars for the third book, The Broken Places. The main characters' development was static with little to no growth. I was pretty much ready to stop reading the series, but the fourth book, The Forsaken, changed my mind. Finally Quinn and the other main characters had grown and were moving forward in an interesting way. Quinn has a relationship with a good woman and has become a strong law enforcement officer. Caddy is recovering from her loss and addictions. You get the picture.
Unfortunately, all that has changed in The Redeemers. The main characters have slipped back into old, negative ways of behaving.
The exception to the backsliding is Lillie Virgil. I love her character. She is strong, intelligent, professional and pragmatic. Lillie doesn't just talk a good game, she lives it. Her character and the unique plot made me give this book a three star rating rather than two stars.
So, should you read this book? If you have been reading the Quinn Colson series and enjoying it, then yes you should. The Redeemers has a lot of good going for it.
Will I keep reading the series? Yes, because of the storyline, Lillie Virgil, and the intriguing secondary characters that show up at the end. Also, because I hope that this theme of addiction and backsliding is temporary.
Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't, but he cuts deeper.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
Quinn is no longer the sheriff of his county; having lost the election to a small time insurance salesman. However, the assistant sheriff, Lillie Virgil needs his help and his love interest asks him to get involved in investigating a robbery at her aunt's home. A robbery that proceeds to shake the foundations of Jericho and Tibbehah County, Mississippi.
I have a love-hate relationship with this series. I love the suspense filled plots with fast paced action and complex twists and turns that leave me guessing until the end. The secondary, outrageous (but oh so accurate) southern characters have me laughing and gasping at their convoluted thinking and actions.
The first book in the series, The Ranger, was a four star read for me, but my ratings for subsequent books dropped down to three stars, then two stars for the third book, The Broken Places. The main characters' development was static with little to no growth. I was pretty much ready to stop reading the series, but the fourth book, The Forsaken, changed my mind. Finally Quinn and the other main characters had grown and were moving forward in an interesting way. Quinn has a relationship with a good woman and has become a strong law enforcement officer. Caddy is recovering from her loss and addictions. You get the picture.
Unfortunately, all that has changed in The Redeemers. The main characters have slipped back into old, negative ways of behaving.
The exception to the backsliding is Lillie Virgil. I love her character. She is strong, intelligent, professional and pragmatic. Lillie doesn't just talk a good game, she lives it. Her character and the unique plot made me give this book a three star rating rather than two stars.
So, should you read this book? If you have been reading the Quinn Colson series and enjoying it, then yes you should. The Redeemers has a lot of good going for it.
Will I keep reading the series? Yes, because of the storyline, Lillie Virgil, and the intriguing secondary characters that show up at the end. Also, because I hope that this theme of addiction and backsliding is temporary.
Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't, but he cuts deeper.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
January 16, 2021
An excellent entry in the Quinn Colson series. I somehow missed this when it originally came out so I read it out of order. No matter, it is still very good. No longer sheriff, Quinn helps a friend figure who robbed her parents house of almost a million dollars. This one has a little more humor and a lot more irony than most Colson novels. Recommended.
December 26, 2015
In Ace Atkins' fictional county of Tibbehah in North Mississippi, Quinn Colson, the ex-Army ranger, has just lost his re-election as sheriff. The corrupt money in town had backed his opponent, an insurance salesman, and that won the day for the man. In Colson's last few days in office, he is still trying to find a way to bring down his main nemesis and the purveyor of corruption, Johnny Stagg. Stagg is well-entrenched in the halls of power in the county and the state and putting him behind bars will not be easy.
Colson is aided in his quest by his estimable assistant, Lillie Virgil. Lillie is one of the few - maybe the only - truly virtuous characters in this southern noir suspense novel. Most of the characters, including the sheriff who is carrying on an illicit affair with his former high school sweetheart, are flawed in the extreme.
As the novel begins, Quinn and Lillie are in Memphis waiting outside a house of ill repute for the appropriate moment to go inside and bring out Quinn's sister, Caddy. An extremely troubled woman with a history of addiction, she had gone off the rails again following the murder several months before of the man that she loved. Quinn and Lillie are able to extract her and take her home to be admitted to a rehab center in Tupelo.
Then, Quinn settles down to see out his last few days in office and to concentrate on Johnny Stagg.
In his efforts to bring Stagg to justice, he has the clandestine help of an undercover federal agent, also a former Army ranger. But right smack dab into the middle of their plans comes a quartet of inept thieves and housebreakers, three of whom manage with great difficulty to steal a safe from the home of a local businessman. The safe contains almost a million dollars, plus jewels, homemade porn tapes, and books which outline the illicit transfers of funds to corrupt politicians in return for favors. The books incriminate the businessman as well as Johnny Stagg and powerful state politicians. Although by this time Quinn is no longer the sheriff, his lover, who is the niece of the businessman's wife, asks him to investigate.
Ace Atkins is a talented writer and this book, as all of his books do, shows a professional at work. He is from the area that he features in these Quinn Colson books, as, in fact, I am, and he brings the atmosphere of the small town and rural community where everybody knows everybody else and their business vividly to life. He has an ear for the speech cadences of the area and I have no trouble hearing the voices of his characters as I read.
That being said, there are things about the voices of his characters that I began to find extremely annoying after a while. I don't think I am any more prudish than your average reader, but I got really, really tired of reading the references to boobies, titties, shitheels, poon hounds, etc. that are liberally sprinkled on almost every page of the book. Such language seemed like a shortcut that the writer was using to create certain images in our minds. The images are well-known stereotypes of ignorant Southern characters. I'm sure the language and the stereotypes that it sketches have strong appeal to some readers, but a little of it goes a very long way with me and after a certain point, I find it offensive. I do not think that I am the reader that Mr. Atkins seeks.
This is the fifth book in this series. The last couple of books had shown growth in some of the recurring characters, but this one just seemed like a step backwards to me.
And what's up with all those subtle hints at a possible romantic relationship between Colson and Lillie Virgil? Is that where this is headed? I'm not sure Colson deserves such a highly intelligent and capable woman. He seems inexorably drawn to quite a different type.
Overall, I guess I'm just a bit disappointed in the character of Quinn Colson and in the direction in which Atkins seems to be taking this series. Maybe it's time for me to quit it for a while and move on to something else.
Colson is aided in his quest by his estimable assistant, Lillie Virgil. Lillie is one of the few - maybe the only - truly virtuous characters in this southern noir suspense novel. Most of the characters, including the sheriff who is carrying on an illicit affair with his former high school sweetheart, are flawed in the extreme.
As the novel begins, Quinn and Lillie are in Memphis waiting outside a house of ill repute for the appropriate moment to go inside and bring out Quinn's sister, Caddy. An extremely troubled woman with a history of addiction, she had gone off the rails again following the murder several months before of the man that she loved. Quinn and Lillie are able to extract her and take her home to be admitted to a rehab center in Tupelo.
Then, Quinn settles down to see out his last few days in office and to concentrate on Johnny Stagg.
In his efforts to bring Stagg to justice, he has the clandestine help of an undercover federal agent, also a former Army ranger. But right smack dab into the middle of their plans comes a quartet of inept thieves and housebreakers, three of whom manage with great difficulty to steal a safe from the home of a local businessman. The safe contains almost a million dollars, plus jewels, homemade porn tapes, and books which outline the illicit transfers of funds to corrupt politicians in return for favors. The books incriminate the businessman as well as Johnny Stagg and powerful state politicians. Although by this time Quinn is no longer the sheriff, his lover, who is the niece of the businessman's wife, asks him to investigate.
Ace Atkins is a talented writer and this book, as all of his books do, shows a professional at work. He is from the area that he features in these Quinn Colson books, as, in fact, I am, and he brings the atmosphere of the small town and rural community where everybody knows everybody else and their business vividly to life. He has an ear for the speech cadences of the area and I have no trouble hearing the voices of his characters as I read.
That being said, there are things about the voices of his characters that I began to find extremely annoying after a while. I don't think I am any more prudish than your average reader, but I got really, really tired of reading the references to boobies, titties, shitheels, poon hounds, etc. that are liberally sprinkled on almost every page of the book. Such language seemed like a shortcut that the writer was using to create certain images in our minds. The images are well-known stereotypes of ignorant Southern characters. I'm sure the language and the stereotypes that it sketches have strong appeal to some readers, but a little of it goes a very long way with me and after a certain point, I find it offensive. I do not think that I am the reader that Mr. Atkins seeks.
This is the fifth book in this series. The last couple of books had shown growth in some of the recurring characters, but this one just seemed like a step backwards to me.
And what's up with all those subtle hints at a possible romantic relationship between Colson and Lillie Virgil? Is that where this is headed? I'm not sure Colson deserves such a highly intelligent and capable woman. He seems inexorably drawn to quite a different type.
Overall, I guess I'm just a bit disappointed in the character of Quinn Colson and in the direction in which Atkins seems to be taking this series. Maybe it's time for me to quit it for a while and move on to something else.
August 7, 2015
The concept of product placement has been around for years; it's not unusual to see a can of name-brand soda or a cup of coffee from a major chain in a TV show. As more folks watch recorded shows and skip over the commercials, it's become an alternate (and most likely pretty effective) way to beat TiVo and keep the advertisers happy.
The practice happens in books as well, although from what I've read it started more recently. Mind you, I'm not saying for certain that's the case in this one, but when at least five mentions of a specific brand of outdoor clothing popped up even before the halfway point, it sure made me wonder. To be sure, it's a well-known brand that the characters might well own, but with that many name drops, I'm hoping somebody got paid.
The book itself - the fifth featuring former U.S. Army Ranger and Tibbehah County, Mississippi, sheriff Quinn Colson - just didn't grab me even though it's well written as usual (for the record, I'd give it 3.5 stars if it were possible here). To begin with, Colson, who has been voted out of office and is in the process of packing up his [insert brand name here] jacket and other belongings, just isn't a person with whom I can identify. He continues to wrestle with his on-again, off-again drug- and alcohol-addicted sister Caddy - though why, I don't know. Sister or no sister, I'd have kicked her sorry butt to the curb after the second round of rehab didn't "take." Then there's a gone-again, here-again father who still revels in his Hollywood stuntman days, a mother who cooks a couple of things really, really well and a couple of seriously corrupt folks like Johnny Stagg who have been running their illicit schemes for years without much interference.
So far, nobody's been able to bring Stagg down, but if anyone can do it, Colson can - and he's willing to die trying whether or not he's the sheriff. The action begins with a break-in at the home of a lumber mill owner wherein a huge safe is stolen. Apparently, it held not only tons of money, but documents that could incriminate Stagg and a number of his cronies. Even though he's no longer a lawman, Colson is asked by the acting sheriff, his friend Lillie Virgil, and his long-time love, Anna Lee Stevens (who he "stole" from her husband and onetime close friend), to investigate.
After that, a tangled web gets woven so fast it made my eyes cross. So many characters started popping in and out of the chapters that beyond the major players, I gave up trying to figure out who did what and who was in cahoots with whom. In the end, things get sorted out and for the most part, justice is served - and a twist leaves the door open for the next installment.
I'll also caution those who care about such things that the language from the backwoods good ol' boys is coarse, to say the least - particularly when it comes to the female anatomy (that said, no, I did not learn any new words). All told, this is a solid addition to the series, but far from my pick of the litter.
The practice happens in books as well, although from what I've read it started more recently. Mind you, I'm not saying for certain that's the case in this one, but when at least five mentions of a specific brand of outdoor clothing popped up even before the halfway point, it sure made me wonder. To be sure, it's a well-known brand that the characters might well own, but with that many name drops, I'm hoping somebody got paid.
The book itself - the fifth featuring former U.S. Army Ranger and Tibbehah County, Mississippi, sheriff Quinn Colson - just didn't grab me even though it's well written as usual (for the record, I'd give it 3.5 stars if it were possible here). To begin with, Colson, who has been voted out of office and is in the process of packing up his [insert brand name here] jacket and other belongings, just isn't a person with whom I can identify. He continues to wrestle with his on-again, off-again drug- and alcohol-addicted sister Caddy - though why, I don't know. Sister or no sister, I'd have kicked her sorry butt to the curb after the second round of rehab didn't "take." Then there's a gone-again, here-again father who still revels in his Hollywood stuntman days, a mother who cooks a couple of things really, really well and a couple of seriously corrupt folks like Johnny Stagg who have been running their illicit schemes for years without much interference.
So far, nobody's been able to bring Stagg down, but if anyone can do it, Colson can - and he's willing to die trying whether or not he's the sheriff. The action begins with a break-in at the home of a lumber mill owner wherein a huge safe is stolen. Apparently, it held not only tons of money, but documents that could incriminate Stagg and a number of his cronies. Even though he's no longer a lawman, Colson is asked by the acting sheriff, his friend Lillie Virgil, and his long-time love, Anna Lee Stevens (who he "stole" from her husband and onetime close friend), to investigate.
After that, a tangled web gets woven so fast it made my eyes cross. So many characters started popping in and out of the chapters that beyond the major players, I gave up trying to figure out who did what and who was in cahoots with whom. In the end, things get sorted out and for the most part, justice is served - and a twist leaves the door open for the next installment.
I'll also caution those who care about such things that the language from the backwoods good ol' boys is coarse, to say the least - particularly when it comes to the female anatomy (that said, no, I did not learn any new words). All told, this is a solid addition to the series, but far from my pick of the litter.
August 4, 2015
In The Redeemers, Colson has lost the re-election for Sherrif of Tebbehah Country, thanks to Stagg's machinations, but he is not quite ready to walk away, determined to witness the FBI finally take Johnny Stagg down. Meanwhile the new Sheriff, Rusty Wise, is thrown into the deep end when a local businessman's home is robbed and a deputy shot during the commission of the crime.
The theft has surprising implications for County Tebbehah because the stolen safe contains records of business transactions between Larry Cobb and various officials that could expose the breadth and depth of the corruption that plagues the county. Stagg's colleagues aren't at all happy with the associated risks of the ledger coming to light and are determined to quash any threat, including both the new, and the old, Sheriff leading to a bloody confrontation.
The seriousness of the threat against Colson is countered by the ineptitude and general buffoonery of the thieves. Mickey and Kyle are local boys seeking revenge who hire self proclaimed safe cracker PeeWee Sparks and his crazy 'Bama fan nephew. The foursome offers plenty of over the top dark humour as their plan goes badly awry.
Meanwhile Quinn's personal life is as messy as ever, Caddy is using again, and he must track her down and get her into rehab. Quinn has broken up with Ophelia, putting Anna-Lee in the frame once more (ugh), and Colson's father is hanging around, trying to convince his now unemployed son to become a farmer.
As I've come to expect, there is plenty of tension and action to keep things interesting. The writing and pace flows well, and for fans there are some long term storylines are put to rest.
This book feels as if it could be the last to feature Quinn Colson though I can't find anything to either confirm or refute my suspicions. There are threads remaining that could easily be picked up to continue the series but should Atkins decide to finish it here, though I'd like to see it to keep going, I'd be satisfied.
April 6, 2017
Quinn Colson is a classic action hero. He was a sergeant in the Army Rangers, serving for 13 deployments over ten years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Several years previously he returned home to Tibbehah County in northern Mississippi to pick up where he left off with his high-school girlfriend, now the wife of a local physician. First elected as Sheriff, then defeated for reelection, Colson is serving his last days in the job as the story opens in The Redeemers, the fifth in a series of Quinn Colson thrillers. Naturally, all hell breaks loose in the final hours of his service to the county.
A cast of unattractive characters and the certainty of violence
Colson’s deputy, a tough young woman named Lille Virgil; Colson’s mother and his girlfriend; and an undercover FBI agent are just about the only likable characters in The Redeemers. Practically everyone else is either a petty criminal, a drug addict, or a corrupt local businessman. When two merchants in town decide to wreak revenge on a man who has cheated them both, they concoct a scheme to plunder the million dollars they believe is contained in a safe in the man’s home. To carry out the plan, they recruit a thoroughly unsavory character from a notorious crime family across the border in Alabama — a detestable lump of a man named PeeWee Sparks with a reputation as a safecracker. Sparks brings along his creepy teenage nephew, introducing him as his apprentice.
In this combustible mix of characters, violence is sure to break out — and it does.
Where did this come from?
Somehow, amidst all the action, the author snuck in eight separate mentions of “Carhartt,” a manufacturer of work and outdoor clothing that apparently is commonly worn in the Deep South. I don’t know about you, but when a brand name crops up that often, it sticks out. I’m wondering whether he owns stock in the company . . .
About the author
Ace Atkins is a young crime writer and former journalist who lives outside Oxford, Mississippi. He published his first novel in 1998 at the age of 28 and has written 17 more of them since then. Five of those novels feature Quinn Colson, the once and future Sheriff of Tibbehah County, Mississippi. Also included are the four that have been published so far in the continuation of the late Robert B. Parker’s celebrated “Spenser” series.
A cast of unattractive characters and the certainty of violence
Colson’s deputy, a tough young woman named Lille Virgil; Colson’s mother and his girlfriend; and an undercover FBI agent are just about the only likable characters in The Redeemers. Practically everyone else is either a petty criminal, a drug addict, or a corrupt local businessman. When two merchants in town decide to wreak revenge on a man who has cheated them both, they concoct a scheme to plunder the million dollars they believe is contained in a safe in the man’s home. To carry out the plan, they recruit a thoroughly unsavory character from a notorious crime family across the border in Alabama — a detestable lump of a man named PeeWee Sparks with a reputation as a safecracker. Sparks brings along his creepy teenage nephew, introducing him as his apprentice.
In this combustible mix of characters, violence is sure to break out — and it does.
Where did this come from?
Somehow, amidst all the action, the author snuck in eight separate mentions of “Carhartt,” a manufacturer of work and outdoor clothing that apparently is commonly worn in the Deep South. I don’t know about you, but when a brand name crops up that often, it sticks out. I’m wondering whether he owns stock in the company . . .
About the author
Ace Atkins is a young crime writer and former journalist who lives outside Oxford, Mississippi. He published his first novel in 1998 at the age of 28 and has written 17 more of them since then. Five of those novels feature Quinn Colson, the once and future Sheriff of Tibbehah County, Mississippi. Also included are the four that have been published so far in the continuation of the late Robert B. Parker’s celebrated “Spenser” series.
August 3, 2016
On his last day as Sheriff, Quinn Colson, having lost an election largely manipulated by John Stagg, still remains very much involved in the affairs of Tibbehah County, MS. On New Year’s Eve, his last night on duty, an outrageous break-in occurs at the home of a “leading citizen,” a backhoe crashes through a bedroom wall and a safe containing almost $1 million in cash and other valuables, including secret records of illegal payoffs, is stolen. This part of the plot dominates the novel, as efforts continue to capture the culprits and retrieve the incriminating documents which possibly can finally enable the law to catch up with Colson’s nemesis, crime boss Johnny Stagg.
But there are other subplots including Quinn’s sister, Caddy, who agrees once again to drug rehab, Quinn’s involvement with his first love, Ann Lee, a mother of two and one of the reasons he returned to Jericho after 10 years as a ranger, the reemergence of his father, Jason, now proposing to farm the old homestead and raise horses and cows, and his deputy, Lillie Virgil, who is undecided as to what to do when Quinn is replaced in office.
Colson follows through even after he is replaced as Sheriff and despite overwhelming efforts by Stagg and his allies to annihilate him, facing terrible odds toward the conclusion of the novel. Once again Mr. Atkins has demonstrated Quinn’s sense of honesty and purpose, and sneakily solves the mystery of how the perpetrators of the home invasion will be brought to justice.
Recommended.
But there are other subplots including Quinn’s sister, Caddy, who agrees once again to drug rehab, Quinn’s involvement with his first love, Ann Lee, a mother of two and one of the reasons he returned to Jericho after 10 years as a ranger, the reemergence of his father, Jason, now proposing to farm the old homestead and raise horses and cows, and his deputy, Lillie Virgil, who is undecided as to what to do when Quinn is replaced in office.
Colson follows through even after he is replaced as Sheriff and despite overwhelming efforts by Stagg and his allies to annihilate him, facing terrible odds toward the conclusion of the novel. Once again Mr. Atkins has demonstrated Quinn’s sense of honesty and purpose, and sneakily solves the mystery of how the perpetrators of the home invasion will be brought to justice.
Recommended.
July 22, 2015
What a great book! The action never stopped, it just kept coming at you. A lot of secrets are revealed in this one and a HUGE heist turns into the makings of a sad Keystone Cops caper. Not funny at all, just sad how stupid the crooks are.
I read this book in one sitting because I just could not put it down! There were several times I wanted to slap the shit out of one character because all he could do was talk about how great Alabama was. He even said Auburn cheated when they picked up the missed field goal and ran it in for a touchdown. Stupid kid, I saw that game and LOVED it! I'm not an Auburn fan but I will cheer for anyone who plays for Alabama.
Oh, back to the book. Sorry for the rambling.
This book had a great story with great subplots going on and several mean guys, not just one or two, but several. And one of those mean guys will surprise you. I really liked the characters and had fun reminiscing about old Burt Reynolds movies. Yes, they play a part as well.
I truly believe this author is underrated and should have more of a following. His books will definitely keep you entertained and your shoulders in knots.
A huge thanks to The Putnam Group and Net Galley for providing this free entertainment in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book in one sitting because I just could not put it down! There were several times I wanted to slap the shit out of one character because all he could do was talk about how great Alabama was. He even said Auburn cheated when they picked up the missed field goal and ran it in for a touchdown. Stupid kid, I saw that game and LOVED it! I'm not an Auburn fan but I will cheer for anyone who plays for Alabama.
Oh, back to the book. Sorry for the rambling.
This book had a great story with great subplots going on and several mean guys, not just one or two, but several. And one of those mean guys will surprise you. I really liked the characters and had fun reminiscing about old Burt Reynolds movies. Yes, they play a part as well.
I truly believe this author is underrated and should have more of a following. His books will definitely keep you entertained and your shoulders in knots.
A huge thanks to The Putnam Group and Net Galley for providing this free entertainment in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2016
Well, I'm caught up...now I guess I'll watch for the next book in the, "the Life of Quinn Colson".
You know, these will never be among my favorite books but they asr somehow compelling. I suppose part of it is the military background and the life Quinn lives trying to fit a black and white view of things into the real world.
Quinn is and yet isn't a "very nice guy". Trying to help his family and the people of his home town he seems constantly to be caught between self righteous judgement and trying to find the mercy in himself that while there is buried beneath a few metaphorical miles of emotional scar tissue.
With that we always get a good story and an actual plot. We "sort of" tied up a running plot point this time...but we know it will return. All is all good book. Recommended, enjoy.
You know, these will never be among my favorite books but they asr somehow compelling. I suppose part of it is the military background and the life Quinn lives trying to fit a black and white view of things into the real world.
Quinn is and yet isn't a "very nice guy". Trying to help his family and the people of his home town he seems constantly to be caught between self righteous judgement and trying to find the mercy in himself that while there is buried beneath a few metaphorical miles of emotional scar tissue.
With that we always get a good story and an actual plot. We "sort of" tied up a running plot point this time...but we know it will return. All is all good book. Recommended, enjoy.
January 3, 2019
I read this a year or so ago and did not leave a review. I just re-read it, AND I LOVED IT. Ace Atkins writes like a dream. This story of how corruption can ruin a town is scary and I hope atypical. I grew up in a small town -- not in Mississippi -- and can't remember anything like that. But -- I left at 18, so who knows? I love and adore Quinn and Boom and Caddy and some others, but there were some awful awful awful people in this book. I should have read them in order, but I've read the last 4 and kind of hate to go back for the first 4. Anyway, it was wonderful, and I just loved the hell out of it.
February 7, 2018
Book five of the Quinn Colson series wraps up some of the story arcs from the first four books in fine style. Interestingly, one of the twists (which played out on page 317) was advertised on the back of the book but amazingly it was still a surprise when it happened. I love the great characters and the way Atkins brings Jericho to life. Being from New Zealand I find books about the American South fascinatingly exotic and this book brings it to life perfectly. I highly recommend this series, which started out great and just keeps getting better.
March 24, 2019
Another Quinn Colson book. Quinn has been voted out of as the sheriff. Of course this can't be allowed to stay that way so before the book starts, you know that the new sheriff either has to be jailed for some illegal activity or killed. And one of the two does happen. Because of the obviousness of that, I subtracted one star. Other than that it was a star book. Ace Atkins does a very good job of writing police/mystery books and this is another one.
August 11, 2015
The first thing you want to do after being shot is make sure you are not shot again.That sentence just makes me grin. Which, honestly, is not something that someone spends a lot of time doing while reading a Quinn Colson novel. But The Redeemers is not your typical Quinn Colson novel.
We start off with Quinn on one of his last days as sheriff -- Johnny Stagg, the man Boss Hogg wanted to be, finally worked his magic and got the election result that he worked so hard for -- Quinn's out and a man of his backing is in. Most readers are going to instinctively prefer Colson. and want to not like his successor, Rusty Wise. Rusty was most recently an insurance salesman, although he did work as a police officer for a time (nothing to noteworthy in his career -- or at least not that Stagg didn't bury). The problem with being anti-Rusty is that he's actually a decent guy (sorry, Johnny), who honestly thought he could do a better job than Colson -- and gets thrown into the fire on his first day (hours before it, really). Now, we all know -- and Lillie Virgil will tell you -- Wise is no Colson, not even close. But he's trying.
On the other end of the spectrum, are a few idiotic criminals -- you've got the so-called master safe cracker and his University of Alabama Football-obsessed nephew/apprentice, hired by a local to help he and his friend get revenge on a crooked businessman. I'm fairly certain these criminals had noticed that they had no place to live without Elmore Leonard, so they dropped by to see how they'd fare in Tibbehah County. Short answer: they were better off before. If you don't chuckle at these numbskulls at least one, call your doctor and get your funny bone checked. Lille and Wise have the lead on this investigation, but the wife of their victim gets Colson to check into it a bit, too.
He gets pulled in because that woman is the aunt of Anna Lee -- who has definitively left her husband, who has definitively left town, so she and Quinn can definitively do something about their old flame. Which is just one of the balls that Quinn has to keep in the air on the personal side -- his father's moving into Quinn's house and bringing his horses on to Quinn's land; his sister Caddy has fallen way off the wagon again; and Quinn's unemployed -- unless he wants to get a job at the new Wal-Mart, he's going to have to do something about that. There's an element of "oh, this again?" with Caddy's struggles with drug addiction. But what do you want from that kind of thing? And with Quinn's father, I felt a strong, "ugh, how long are we going to out up with this guy?" (I think Quinn agrees with me),
You have to ask (and people do), why does Quinn stay in Jericho? For that matter, why does Caddy (not just because Quinn drags her back), why does Lillie? Part of it is because it's where they grew up, where they are home. Part of it, is hard to pin down, but Quinn touches on it while talking with the federal agent, undercover in Stagg's business:
"There's more to the place than the ugliness," Quinn said. "Maybe someday I can take you out hunting and fishing and you can know more than just that . . . truck stop. Get out on Choctaw Lake and out into the National Forest."
"I'd like that."
"Folks like Stagg and Cobb haven't ripped all the guts out of the place," Quinn said. "There's still a lot left."
I do fear that Assistant Sheriff Lillie Virgil is given short shrift again. Yes, every time she's used, she's: competent, dangerous, smarter than most people in the room with her. She just seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to story, to emotional arcs, and the like. I want more for her -- professionally, personally, and narratively. Now, along the same lines, but perhaps more importantly: can someone arrange a novel/short story/something where Lille and Vic Moretti team up? Yes, it's possible that would be just too much feminine toughness and gunplay for audiences. But surely, it has to be tried.
For the most part the book keeps trudging along -- interesting, occasionally funny -- but nothing special -- Stagg's up to his thing, Quinn's figuring out his next move, the Leonard refugees are seemingly trying to get caught. But nothing that really grabs you. Until you get to the last 60± pages, that is. After lulling the reader into a false sense of security, Atkins packed a while lotta happenings, and loose ends being tied up and bodies being dropped into these pages. Action, and emotion, and a dream sequence that seems straight out of Craig Johnson.
In interviews, Atkins states that the next novel is going to be dark (which is part of why this is so light) -- I'm a little worried about what that means. I'm pretty sure the only one who's safe is the guy who's name is in the series title (though it wouldn't surprise me if he got really banged up -- but he'll survive).
July 21, 2015
I would like to thank the Putnam Group and NetGalley for giving me the privilege of reading this book for my honest review.
I've read the books that Mr. Atkins has written for the Robert B. Parker estate and thought he has done an excellent job with keeping Spenser alive. I've not read any from his series, and that is my loss. I can't wait to start from the beginning of this series.
Quinn Colson is an Army Ranger who after serving several tours comes home to Mississippi where he grew up. He ends up being elected sheriff of Tibbehah County after his uncle who held the position for many years passes away. He served several terms before he was voted out of office by the crooked and corrupt machinations of the town's underworld.
Quinn's last day of serving as sheriff falls on December 31st. While he is waiting his term out, he's also dealing with some difficult family and personal issues that he has to resolve. Before he can decide what to do with next phase of his life.
During this time a local businessman , Mickey Walls is plotting to steal his crooked ex father-in-law's of all the money that he has acquired by shady business dealings. Mickey has enlisted the help of his best friend and also a supposedly hot shot safecracker from Alabama. The safecracker happens to bring his idiot nephew along as an apprentice which turns out to be a huge mistake to say the least.
This burglary has to take place on New Year's Eve because his ex in-laws are supposed to be out of town. Mickey, who everyone knows despises his ex father-in- law also has to be out of town with an ironclad alibi as well because he knows he'll be the number one suspect regarding this caper. Needless to say things doesn't go as planned. The Alabama safecracker and his nephew add quite a bit of dark humor to the story.
This book had a lot of action in it and was very entertaining to say the least. It has strong characters and many twists and turns. I love reading a mystery series, that when you are finished reading it you are begging for more. That's exactly what Mr. Atkins does here. He has left me wanting more of Quinn and what his next move is going to be. I didn't want the book to end that's for sure.
I've read the books that Mr. Atkins has written for the Robert B. Parker estate and thought he has done an excellent job with keeping Spenser alive. I've not read any from his series, and that is my loss. I can't wait to start from the beginning of this series.
Quinn Colson is an Army Ranger who after serving several tours comes home to Mississippi where he grew up. He ends up being elected sheriff of Tibbehah County after his uncle who held the position for many years passes away. He served several terms before he was voted out of office by the crooked and corrupt machinations of the town's underworld.
Quinn's last day of serving as sheriff falls on December 31st. While he is waiting his term out, he's also dealing with some difficult family and personal issues that he has to resolve. Before he can decide what to do with next phase of his life.
During this time a local businessman , Mickey Walls is plotting to steal his crooked ex father-in-law's of all the money that he has acquired by shady business dealings. Mickey has enlisted the help of his best friend and also a supposedly hot shot safecracker from Alabama. The safecracker happens to bring his idiot nephew along as an apprentice which turns out to be a huge mistake to say the least.
This burglary has to take place on New Year's Eve because his ex in-laws are supposed to be out of town. Mickey, who everyone knows despises his ex father-in- law also has to be out of town with an ironclad alibi as well because he knows he'll be the number one suspect regarding this caper. Needless to say things doesn't go as planned. The Alabama safecracker and his nephew add quite a bit of dark humor to the story.
This book had a lot of action in it and was very entertaining to say the least. It has strong characters and many twists and turns. I love reading a mystery series, that when you are finished reading it you are begging for more. That's exactly what Mr. Atkins does here. He has left me wanting more of Quinn and what his next move is going to be. I didn't want the book to end that's for sure.
July 24, 2015
"I've always recognized the human circus and all the wonderful creeps you meet on the way to Oz."
This the first book I've read of the Sheriff Quinn Colson series by author Ace Atkins. I don't know how I've missed his books before but I'm glad I've discovered them now. THE REDEEMERS is the fifth book in the series and, yes I felt I would have got more out of the book by reading the previous four books but the author slipped in enough information so I wasn't totally lost.
There were hints of old-time westerns in this tale, with a strong distinction between the good guys and the bad. Also Sheriff Colson brought to mind that famous sheriff - Buford Pusser from WALKING TALL. Colson is tough but yet has a strong vein of integrity running through him and the desire to protect his community.
Author Atkins is a born storyteller with a real gift for dialogue. The story takes place mostly in Mississippi and the rhythm of the conversations made me really feel like I was down South.
This is a long story at over 380 pages but I never felt it dragged. It is a character-driven novel of the southern noir/mystery genres and I did have to consciously work at keeping all the characters straight in my mind - but it was worth it - vivid characters that I would recognize on the street if I met them.
The story starts out with a bumbling heist of a private safe and expands from there to small town corruption and violence, while Colson tries to adapt to life after being voted out of the Sheriff's position. Throw in his addict sister, a bit of romance, and dastardly bad guys and you have a rip roaring tale that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night.
I will definitely be looking for more of this series and/or author's work.
NOTE: I received this book from Putnam Books through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
This the first book I've read of the Sheriff Quinn Colson series by author Ace Atkins. I don't know how I've missed his books before but I'm glad I've discovered them now. THE REDEEMERS is the fifth book in the series and, yes I felt I would have got more out of the book by reading the previous four books but the author slipped in enough information so I wasn't totally lost.
There were hints of old-time westerns in this tale, with a strong distinction between the good guys and the bad. Also Sheriff Colson brought to mind that famous sheriff - Buford Pusser from WALKING TALL. Colson is tough but yet has a strong vein of integrity running through him and the desire to protect his community.
Author Atkins is a born storyteller with a real gift for dialogue. The story takes place mostly in Mississippi and the rhythm of the conversations made me really feel like I was down South.
This is a long story at over 380 pages but I never felt it dragged. It is a character-driven novel of the southern noir/mystery genres and I did have to consciously work at keeping all the characters straight in my mind - but it was worth it - vivid characters that I would recognize on the street if I met them.
The story starts out with a bumbling heist of a private safe and expands from there to small town corruption and violence, while Colson tries to adapt to life after being voted out of the Sheriff's position. Throw in his addict sister, a bit of romance, and dastardly bad guys and you have a rip roaring tale that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night.
I will definitely be looking for more of this series and/or author's work.
NOTE: I received this book from Putnam Books through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
July 21, 2015
Quinn is an Afghanistan vet that has made his place as the sheriff of Tibbehah County, Mississippi. Unfortunately he has just lost the election in favor for an insurance salesman that will take the guidance of local boss Johnny Stagg. Quinn starts to prepare for a time with no job but he can’t stay completely out of the mess. There is a robbery at a resident’s house but there was a lot more than just money, there is a lot of corruption that is going to make thing get pretty wild quickly.
Quinn decides to come back to consult since the new sheriff is so green and things go from bad to worse. But along with the investigation Quinn has his hands full with his druggie sister, fiancé, and estranged father that have decided to hit all at once.
This is my first Quinn Colson story. This book was not bad but I recommend that you read the other books in the series first; you will enjoy the story with less confusion. I really liked Quinn for the most part. You can tell he is a tough, strong character but when it comes to his fiancé he is a real dunce. This is one thing that really annoyed me about him.
I loved the story. The robbers were two funny idiots, think Abbott and Costello. There was a lot of action and the story just speed along. The Reedemers is a good sized book but you will be done with this book in no time.
This is a really good thriller along the line of Longmire or Sean Stranahan. It’s one that thriller/mystery lovers will really enjoy.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Quinn decides to come back to consult since the new sheriff is so green and things go from bad to worse. But along with the investigation Quinn has his hands full with his druggie sister, fiancé, and estranged father that have decided to hit all at once.
This is my first Quinn Colson story. This book was not bad but I recommend that you read the other books in the series first; you will enjoy the story with less confusion. I really liked Quinn for the most part. You can tell he is a tough, strong character but when it comes to his fiancé he is a real dunce. This is one thing that really annoyed me about him.
I loved the story. The robbers were two funny idiots, think Abbott and Costello. There was a lot of action and the story just speed along. The Reedemers is a good sized book but you will be done with this book in no time.
This is a really good thriller along the line of Longmire or Sean Stranahan. It’s one that thriller/mystery lovers will really enjoy.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2015
Summed under ten words. Atrocious, pathetic, no redeeming value.
January 7, 2018
I liked learning more of the back story of the end of Quinn Colson's first sheriff's career and his sister, Caddie's, struggle with substances. But maybe because I've read subsequent books and sort of knew the outcomes to the various storylines in "The Redeemers", I didn't enjoy it as much as other Ace Atkins books. It was certainly exciting and well-written, so it's probably my fault for not reading his books in order. "The Redeemers" features a group of amateurish clowns who decide to seek revenge by robbing the safe in the rich lumber mill owner's home, and of course, everything that could go wrong, does. Intertwined with that storyline is another concerning illegal contracts and kickbacks, involving the mill owner and the infamous Johnny Stagg, owner of the local truck stop/motel/strip club. Ace Atkins is a skilled writer, and if you haven't read his books, start at the beginning.
July 31, 2019
Quinn Colson, Army Ranger turned County Sheriff, finds himself unemployed after the last election. With a new sheriff coming in to deal with the typical Tibbehah County corruption and crime, Quinn is taking some time off to examine his options going forward. Of course he gets caught in the middle of everything and plays a large role in settling the score: it's his series, right?
In removing Colson from the sheriff's office, Ace Atkins is able to dig deeper into the incredible stable of secondary characters including Quinn's wayward father, loyal deputy, and troubled sister. Those characters and the landscape of the Deep South continue to drive this incredibly well-written, fast-paced series. Recommended.
In removing Colson from the sheriff's office, Ace Atkins is able to dig deeper into the incredible stable of secondary characters including Quinn's wayward father, loyal deputy, and troubled sister. Those characters and the landscape of the Deep South continue to drive this incredibly well-written, fast-paced series. Recommended.
February 26, 2018
Another winner.
I've been a fan since the first Quinn Colson book, and I'm still a fan and loving every new chapter in his life. What makes this series exceptional to me is the amazing cast of characters in each book, from the regulars who've been there from the start to each new character that appears in each volume. Such unique and fascinating characters. That and the astounding writing by Mr. Atkins time after time. I'm just glad I have more to look forward to.
I've been a fan since the first Quinn Colson book, and I'm still a fan and loving every new chapter in his life. What makes this series exceptional to me is the amazing cast of characters in each book, from the regulars who've been there from the start to each new character that appears in each volume. Such unique and fascinating characters. That and the astounding writing by Mr. Atkins time after time. I'm just glad I have more to look forward to.
October 13, 2018
This is probably the best--and funniest--Quinn Colson book to date. Ace Atkins continues to channel William Faulkner, and the hilarious (and chillingly dangerous) stupidity of his would-be safecrackers recalls the outrageous Frontier Humor of Faulkner and Mark Twain before him. These people are so stupid that you can't look away as they barrel headlong into death and destruction, sure all along that they are doing the intelligent thing. Their antics are often laugh-out-loud funny in their amazing inanity.
Incidentally, I am having my doubts about Quinn Colson, who keeps getting himself into dangerous situations. Once again, he survives via deus ex machina yet another circumstancein which he should die. This is not a spoiler, by the way, as this is a continuing pattern in these novels.
Incidentally, I am having my doubts about Quinn Colson, who keeps getting himself into dangerous situations. Once again, he survives via deus ex machina yet another circumstancein which he should die. This is not a spoiler, by the way, as this is a continuing pattern in these novels.
April 19, 2020
This is another one where the criminals are just plain stupid, making one stupid move after another. It was a comedy of errors. The one good thing that I really liked is that Johnny Stagg got his. Although I do worry about his warning to Quinn at the end, maybe the bad guy you know is better than the one waiting in the wings. At least right now Quinn won't have to deal with it as he's no longer Sheriff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2020
Quinn Colson is in his last few days as Sheriff of Tibbehah County having lost the election to an insurance agent. Quinn has cleared many cases and offended the corrupt powers that be who liked things the way they had always been. This installment has a flurry of dysfunctional family relationships: Quinn’s once again drug addicted sister, his long absent father returned home, a horny safecracker and his none too bright football crazy nephew, an ex-son-in-law plotting vengeance against his ex-father-in-law.
There is a fair amount of carnage, a hunt for an injured Quinn through the forest, plots against corruption, and tests of loyalty. It mostly works out in the end, but it was a close shave all around. Recommended for fans of the series, but not the place to start. Start with The Ranger and meet all these quirky characters from the beginning.
Readalikes:
James Lee Burke’s Hackberry Holland novels; Andrew Vachss’ Aftershock novels; Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series; Donald Harstad’s Carl Houseman novels; Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s Gideon Crew; Steve Hamilton – The Second Life of Nick Mason; Reed Farrel Coleman – Where It Hurts; Joe Ide – IQ.
Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Flawed
Story: Plot-driven
Writing style: Gritty
Tone: Suspenseful; Violent
Frame: Jericho MS; contemporary
Theme: Small town policing
There is a fair amount of carnage, a hunt for an injured Quinn through the forest, plots against corruption, and tests of loyalty. It mostly works out in the end, but it was a close shave all around. Recommended for fans of the series, but not the place to start. Start with The Ranger and meet all these quirky characters from the beginning.
Readalikes:
James Lee Burke’s Hackberry Holland novels; Andrew Vachss’ Aftershock novels; Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series; Donald Harstad’s Carl Houseman novels; Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s Gideon Crew; Steve Hamilton – The Second Life of Nick Mason; Reed Farrel Coleman – Where It Hurts; Joe Ide – IQ.
Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Flawed
Story: Plot-driven
Writing style: Gritty
Tone: Suspenseful; Violent
Frame: Jericho MS; contemporary
Theme: Small town policing
January 31, 2019
Quinn Coulson is out as sheriff in Tibbehah, Mississippi. The new sheriff has to deal with the robbery of the house of a wealthy mill owner and the shooting of a deputy. Stagg also hunts the thieves as they have stole records that show the corruption taking place in the county. The body count will mount up.
August 24, 2018
**4.5** I'm completely besotted with this series and it's diverse cast of characters. Multiple story lines kept me turning the pages well into the night. Kick ass Deputy Lillie Virgil, once again, plays a lead role - this could (should!) be called the Colson/Virgil series.
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