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Hard Time

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Everyone wants him caught. Someone wants him dead.

On the frozen backroads of upstate New York, Army veteran Mason Sharpe picks up a hitchhiker stranded in the cold.

Minutes later, a sheriff’s deputy pulls them over. Three gunshots ring out, the deputy collapses into the snow, and the hitchhiker disappears into the woods.

Joining local cops on the manhunt, Mason learns the truth: the hitchhiker is Shane Hagan, an escaped federal inmate and fellow special forces veteran.

But when a second encounter erupts into a gunfight in the winter forest, Mason sees what the cops are missing - someone wants Hagan silenced.

Caught in the middle of a deadly web, Mason must choose—trust the system that convicted Hagan or believe a fellow veteran’s desperate story and help him save his family. Make the wrong call, and Mason could end up in prison.

But some bonds are worth any risk. And Mason Sharpe has never been afraid of Hard Time.

Hard Time – book 13 of the stunning Mason Sharpe action thriller series. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, Jason Kasper and David Archer.

310 pages, ebook

Published February 22, 2026

167 people are currently reading
22 people want to read

About the author

Logan Ryles

92 books199 followers
Logan Ryles is the author of more than two dozen thrillers, including the bestselling Mason Sharpe and Prosecution Force series. Known for stories that hit like a freight train, his novels deliver cinematic pacing, grit, and tightly woven plots that have earned him a global readership. With over 800,000 copies sold and translations reaching the German market, Ryles’s work resonates with fans of Lee Child, Vince Flynn, and David Baldacci.

His path to writing full-time was anything but ordinary: from running a sawmill to driving for Uber to working in finance, he eventually returned to his lifelong passion for storytelling—a dream he began pursuing at just fourteen years old.

A native of the South, Ryles lives in coastal Alabama with his wife, Annie, and their two dogs, where he continues to write high-octane adventures rooted in faith, grit, and a love of the genre.

Learn more about Logan and his books at Logan’s website: www.loganryles.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Stefanie Verhelst.
511 reviews28 followers
February 24, 2026
Nothing is What is seems in this mind blowing thriller, filled with action from start to finish, some surprising turns and a leading character you want to root for!!!

This psychological thriller is one of the best I’ve read so far. I’ll look out for more books from this author in the future!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Dave C.
90 reviews23 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 7, 2026
Hard Time is fast-paced, hard-hitting and action-packed. Everything I've come to expect from a Mason Sharpe story.

This book sees Mason pick up a hitch-hiker in freezing Upstate New York and it takes no time at all for things to kick off and for Mason to find himself embroiled in yet more danger.

The plot, as always, has some nice twists and it belts along to a decent-enough ending, though it didn't quite have the high-octane climax that earlier books in this series do.

The character work was solid and overall this was a very enjoyable read.

4 stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator books for the ARC!
1,580 reviews32 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 18, 2026
HARD TIME by LOGAN RYLES


Mason Sharpe Series:
Source: Ryles' ARC team and Inkubator Books.
HARD TIMES, #13 - At least the truck was not harmed in this book. That cannot be said about the Baddies as Mason helps a fellow soldier in the NYC area. 5*

POINT BLANK - I almost stopped reading when man was faster than a bullet out of a gun jammed under his throat. There are a couple more "get real, dude"! Otherwise, I discovered this is an interesting bit of entertainment. Good characters, typical good ol' redneck bubbas, and good story lines. The S&W's fate bothered me, it's not a Glock. 4*

TAKE DOWN, #2 - Immersing and interesting and actually better than Point Blank, which I also liked. Street punk turned Army vet turned police officer suffering the loss of his fiancee, roams the highways in his ole GMC truck. Helping a kid in Atlanta has Sharpe in a whole new can of woes. Good story lines mixed with characters that you either like or hate made for hard to put down entertainment. 5*

END GAME, #3 - This is the third book by Ryles that I have to finish once I start reading. EG is interesting, intriguing and immersing with well written story lines and interesting, good supporting characters. There is violence but not in graphic detail and no profanity. This story takes place about eight months after losing Mia. The continuing original story lines is well blended with the new. Read this in order, although it is not necessary, and Ryles is good about not rehashing the previous books. The ending came too soon but the ride was great. Source: Booksprout and the author. 5*

FIRE TEAM, #4 - Make sure your ducks are in a row and quacking because this is finish in one sitting read. This my favorite genre and this series is one of my favorites. Mr. Ryles always delivers a well written, well thought out and entertaining story. Believable and realistic story lines, characters and action scenes. AI is the feature theme of this story but the elements of hope, suffering, love, grief, patriotism and doing the right thing are always present in each story. The rental choice is hilarious, which opened all sorts of imagined scenarios. 5*

FLASH POINT, #5 - Definitely a fast-paced, entertaining read. Lots of happenings going on and lots of people after Mason; like they say, no good deed .... A variety of characters, interesting story lines, some humor, and that poor truck. No matter what happens to Mason, even after what happens with Mia's Bible, he keeps true to himself. 5*

STORM SURGE, #6 - NOLA. A Cat. 5 Hurricane. Rednecks. A kidnapped, handicapped child. And that's not all that happens in this intense story. Interesting characters and intriguing story lines make this an easy to read, hard to put down, fast paced, action filled read. 15*

STRIKE BACK, #7 - Another good addition to this series. Plenty of action, justice, bad guys, and intriguing story lines with interesting characters set at a good pace. It is always another problem, just when he thinks he sees the whole picture. That poor '69 pickup. 5*

KNOCK OUT, #8 - A whole lot of motorcycle riding and violence. Rather intense throughout with little down time. Good things do happen. 4*

Lethal Action, #9 - I enjoyed every page; the twists and turns, the characters that stood out and the ending of the bad guy. There may be a future for Mason, too. 5*

FULL FORCE, #10 - Immersing. Intense. The typical great characters, interesting and intriguing story lines and a pace that kept me involved until the last page. Mr. Ryles keeps growing as an author with his writing style, storytelling skills and ever evolving depth of knowledge; nuthin' hollywood here, folks. Check out his other series, they're just as good. 15*

WILD CARD, #11 - Oh, that poor truck. Enjoyed another good story but I found the roof scene a bit extreme. 5*

RAZOR'S EDGE, #12 - I love this series and the writing style of the author. This addition is pretty intense with interesting characters and intriguing story lines making for an immersing read. 5*
Mason Sharpe Series end.
Profile Image for Brent Towns.
Author 147 books108 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 17, 2026
Everyone wants him caught. Someone wants him dead.
On the frozen backroads of upstate New York, Army veteran Mason Sharpe picks up a hitchhiker stranded in the cold.
Minutes later, a sheriff’s deputy pulls them over. Three gunshots ring out, the deputy collapses into the snow, and the hitchhiker disappears into the woods.
Joining local cops on the manhunt, Mason learns the truth: the hitchhiker is Shane Hagan, an escaped federal inmate and fellow special forces veteran.
But when a second encounter erupts into a gunfight in the winter forest, Mason sees what the cops are missing - someone wants Hagan silenced.
Caught in the middle of a deadly web, Mason must choose—trust the system that convicted Hagan or believe a fellow veteran’s desperate story and help him save his family. Make the wrong call, and Mason could end up in prison.
But some bonds are worth any risk. And Mason Sharpe has never been afraid of Hard Time.

Another high‑octane thriller from Logan Ryles, with Mason Sharpe once again stumbling into trouble he never asked for. After picking up a hitchhiker in a freezing Upstate New York, Sharpe is pulled over moments later—and everything erupts. Gunfire shatters the quiet, and the hitchhiker vanishes into the snow.

Sharpe can feel the wrongness in his bones. Why would a fugitive break out of prison after just thirteen months? And when he had a clear chance to kill, why didn’t he take it? The deeper Sharpe digs, the clearer it becomes that nothing about this situation is what it seems—and he’s right in the middle of it.
A taut, action‑packed read from start to finish. The writing is sharp, (sorry) the mystery compelling, and Mason Sharpe continues to shine as a rugged, engaging hero. Ryles proves once again that he knows exactly how to keep readers hooked.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
1,817 reviews13 followers
February 24, 2026
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with Mason picking up a hitchhiker, Shane, and as he was driving, he was stopped by a sheriff's deputy and Shane wound up shooting him. Shane told Mason to drive and as he went further down the road and was trying to evade another deputy's car, he wound up in a ditch and where he was taken to the sheriff's office and Shade disappeared. Later Mason and the sheriff joined the search for Shane. Shane was spotted and Mason try to capture him, but he also discovered that someone else wanted Shane dead. Mason eventually headed to the train station to corner Shane. Mason nabbed him, but Mason needed to defeat three others who also wanted Shane. Shane finally got the real scoop and then headed to NYC where Shane's family was.

Learn what Shane's story was about and what Mason did to assist Shane. Discover who were the other people that wanted Shane dead in addition to the steps Mason had to take to keep Shane safe.

The action is immense and the ending will supply answers to questions you may have. This is another great story by Logan Ryles and well worth the read!

Profile Image for Stanley McShane.
Author 10 books59 followers
Read
February 15, 2026
Read my full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

Shane Hogan has escaped from a secured hospital room and is running loose. Set up by a mafia lord, Shane pleads not guilty to protect his family and he is obviously well trained in military evasion tactics.

Mason Sharpe is another ex-military special operative. The syndicate is a much closer threat than the New York state police. The crime family objective is to silence Shane as he has stumbled into their covert drug smuggling method.

Logan Ryles keeps this book moving at a brisk pace while building appreciation and admiration for these two ex-special forces operatives. There is no lack of intrigue and excitement as the story progresses. Enjoy! 4.5 stars CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.
Profile Image for Ricki.
1,441 reviews14 followers
March 10, 2026
Mason Sharpe is up near the Canadian border near Malone, NY, mid-winter doing his usual go-gooder things of delivering for a non-profit. While on his route, he encounters a hitchhiker, decides to stop to help "John". Within minutes, they are stopped by a trooper and hiker John shoots him three times point blank, jumps out with Mason's backpack and heads for the woods.

There starts a manhunt by the local police & FBI for the hiker who is really escaped convict Shane Hagan. Mason joins them, in order to retrieve his pack and the only important thing in it, deceased fiancee's bible.

He of course finds out the situation is not as it appears. Only when he catches up with Shane does he find out, Shane is fellow ex-special forces with a family in danger from the mob. There's no decision to be made but to help Shane even if it means Mason will face jail.

So fast moving, Mason & Shane are like two sides of the same coin and work seamlessly (although Shane is the better shot). Had a hard time putting it down. They made a great pair!
145 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 14, 2026
Is Mason Sharpe having a Hard Time? For a man to whom nothing comes easily, it is just another day of trying to do the right thing, regardless of the cost.

In Hard Time, Mason is making deliveries for a charity in upstate New York during the dead of winter. After picking up a hitchhiker in the middle of nowhere, the pace quickens as he realizes the backstory of this supposed fugitive is more complex than the authorities claim.

Suffice it to say, Mason puts the pieces together and it's non-stop action as he works to help his fellow veteran find a way to save him from the cops and his family from the Mafia. As usual, Logan Ryles keeps the narrative fast-moving and compelling, making it difficult to put the book down.

Hard Time is just another example of how Logan Ryles storytelling chops puts him at the top of my favorite authors list. Check it out - you won't regret it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
914 reviews
February 24, 2026
If you like action thrillers, then Mason Sharpe should be one of your favorite main characters. Plus the author, Logan Ryles, should be added to your TBR list. The action starts immediately and continues throughout this book. Sharpe's prior military and police training keeps him alive as he continually dodges bullets and the bad guys. He listens to his intuition and fights for justice even when the odds are stacked against him and the victim.

This story has him helping another elite trained military veteran, Hagan, who was framed by the NYC mafia. Hagan has escaped from jailed and is on a mission to protect his family from the mafia. The author does a great job with character development and weaving in exciting twists. These stories are page turners for me.

I highly recommend this book and the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Julie .
709 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 4, 2026
Mason Sharpe shines again.
After picking up a hitchhiker in upstate NY, Mason finds himself almost immediately embroiled in a full scale
gun fight that shatters his currently peaceful existence, helping a homeless shelter deliver supplies to needy and vulnerable people.
His hitchhiker turns out to be an escaped con who is trying to get to his his family, in order to protect them from his previous employers, a NYC crime boss and his mob who want to get to them for leverage. Once Mason hears the entire story, he can not help but continue on with him, to help him protect his family and find a,way to expose the criminal organization run by his former boss.
Really good story with twists that took me completely by surprise.
Believable characters with good, strong definitions.
Ready for the the next one.
Profile Image for Denice Langley.
4,928 reviews50 followers
February 23, 2026
Book #13 in the Mason Sharpe series. Logan Ryles places Mason in the dark days of a New York winter where "cold" describes what you wish it was. Sharpe picks up a hitchhiker to keep him from freezing, but it's not long until they are stopped by a Sheriff's Deputy. Bullets fly and Mason is left with no explanation why until he learns the hitchhiker is Shane Hagan, an escaped federal prisoner and former special forces veteran. These stories give off Jack Reacher vibes, that's a compliment, I love Reacher. The more Mason learns, the more he's positive Shane is innocent, and someone wants him dead. The action and tension ramp up at this point as consequences are applied with force. This was a quick read that was much better than the movie everyone else was watching. Logan Ryles has another excellent thriller to his credit.
54 reviews
Review of advance copy
February 16, 2026
Excited to get to read this next book on Mason Sharpe. Author Ryles never disappoints. Love this series and this one doesn't disappoint. As usual straight into the story and action from the first page. A great turbo charged read. Having two ex-military working together ups the action as you know destruction is going to follow them and it does. As usual Sharpe gets pulled into helping because of doing the right thing and looking out for a fellow soldier and you can feel the camaraderie between them. It is a feel-good ending. I love watching Sharpe mature and progress as a character. He is definitely getting better at dealing with the loss of Mia. This is a good read and well worth your time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Eva Edge.
1,392 reviews40 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 16, 2026
Hard Time by Logan Ryles is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, action-packed thriller, the 13th book in the Mason Sharpe series. Unfortunately, I’ve never read any other books in the series, but I read this as a standalone and didn't feel like I was missing anything—though I probably just don't know what I'm missing!
In this instalment, Mason picks up a hitchhiker in freezing Upstate New York, and it doesn’t take long for events to escalate, thrusting him into danger.
The plot features some great twists and maintains a quick pace throughout, leading to a solid conclusion. The characters are well-developed, and overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
The twists completely surprised me, and the believable characters have strong, clear definitions.
It earns 4 dangerous stars.
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,774 reviews12 followers
February 22, 2026
It's winter in upstate New York and Mason is headed south when he picks up a hitchhiker, Shane Hagan. Hagan is an escaped convict, so the police are on their trail. He is also former Delta. He convinces Sharpe that he is innocent. When he got out of the service, he got married, had a couple kids and was content. He took a job driving a furniture truck. He didn't know the company was owned by the Carfano family (They're back!). He also didn't know he was carrying drugs inside the cushions, but he served 3 years for it anyway. Mason catches up to him and is drawn into helping him. The only way to clear Hagan's name is to get solid evidence against the Carfanos. The car chases, shoot em ups, and action that ensues will keep the reader on the edge of their seats!
92 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 6, 2026
Mason Sharpe is former military, former cop. He is traveling around the country in an old GMC with camping gear, a violin, and a rucksack which holds his late fiancés bible.

He is currently is in upstate New York where he works delivering blankets and supplies to those in need. He encounters a hitchhiker and stops because it is cold and doing a good deed. Everything goes south from there.

The author does a great job developing the story, bringing in Department of Corrections chasing a fugitive, meeting Hagan, there is a story and then there is the truth. Well written and worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Abibliofob.
1,628 reviews105 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 7, 2026
Mason Sharpe is just out doing the rounds helping people when he comes across a hitchhiker. Then mayhem ensues in Hard Time the latest in this series by Logan Ryles. In this book you get a lot of action and a complicated situation that Sharpe doesn't know how to fix, he only knows he has to help a brother out. It's another well written thrilling fast paced story from this author. I follow two series from this scribe and they are both great fun reading I can recommend that you try them out, the other series being the one about Ian Hale. I must thank Inkubator Books and Netgalley for supplying me with this advance copy.
1,549 reviews27 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 9, 2026
This is another enjoyable read. What starts with Mason picking up a hitchhiker soon ends up in getting involved with a takedown of a Mafia family in New York.

The pace is relentless throughout as Mason and his new sidekick set out to retrieve evidence against the family to use as a bargaining chip for his family to get into witness protection. There's lots of shooting, driving into water, diving out of windows...you get my drift. All the time there is no chance for a break with lots of undesirables at their heels. Very enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sentinelle23.
2,101 reviews33 followers
March 3, 2026
Rating 4.5/5.

💙😲 A great surprise!

Upstate New York, a few miles from the Canadian border, Mason Sharpe stopped his truck in the middle of a vast forest to pick up a hitchhiker on the side of the road.

He definitely couldn't leave someone out in the cold.

He didn't yet know what awaited him...

>>>>>

I was pleasantly surprised by this action-packed story featuring two rather extraordinary and moving main characters.

I absolutely loved everything about this spy/mafia adventure and was glued to my seat until the very last page.

It made me want to read other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
1,355 reviews44 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 13, 2026
“Mason’s Roadtrip” keeps getting better and better! This time it starts out with his giving a ride to a hitchhiker who turns out to be much more—an escaped prisoner and former special forces operator. As the two work together, an exciting story unfolds. They have to evade law enforcement and an organized crime “family” to get evidence to exonerate the escapee. lots of action in an enjoyable, fast-paced story. I recently an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
3,103 reviews104 followers
February 24, 2026
This book was so intense! From the first chapter I was pulled in. There was no putting down this book. Shane is an escaped prisoner, but he’s also a special forces vet just like Mason. Mason realizes that someone wants Shane permanently silenced. He steps in to help and find out exactly what’s going on. This book was filled with so much action and suspense. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was rooting fit both of them. This was a very intense story and it was so good. A definite must read.
3,416 reviews48 followers
Review of advance copy
February 6, 2026
Mason ex military and cop is know touring around the country. He picks up a hitchhiker, who happens to be an escaped con. Who needs to get home to protect his family from his old mafia boss. When Mason finds out he can’t help but help.
This book has action and drama. Watch out for all the twists and great characters and pace.
A great suspense thriller.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
2,956 reviews20 followers
February 26, 2026
Things take a serious turn after Mason picks up a hitchhiker in frigid New York. His passenger isn’t who he appears to be. Mason joins the hunt after his passenger shoots a deputy. Things really get chaotic and soon he joins Hagen on a mission to clear his name. What a wild ride this was. Loved every bit of the crazy adrenaline rush. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.
Profile Image for Patricia.
621 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2026
Mason is driving in the freezing upstate New York when he picks up a hitchhiker, from there things move fast. Police pull over Mason, hitchhiker shoots cop and runs. Mason is detained and learns who the hitchhiker is. From there things get hinky. Just who is this guy and why is everybody trying to kill him.
Mason wants answers and nothing will stop him.
Fantastic read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ellen Murphy.
89 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 19, 2026
When Sharpe picks up a hitchhiker he never expects him to be a prisoner on the run. But when he hears the whole story he feels the need to help. Once again he finds himself on the wrong side of the law but for the right reasons.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
7,793 reviews50 followers
February 23, 2026
I found this to be a gripping plot and I couldn't stop reading.
Mason driving at night see's a hitchhiker, stranded, cold, and stops.
Seconds later they are pulled over and gun shots are fired and the hitchhiker
is gone. I enjoyed this book and recommend it as well as the author's other books.
he has written.
1,604 reviews12 followers
February 23, 2026
I love the Mason Sharp series the books are full of non-stop action and once you turn that 1st page you're hooked and can forget about anything else that's planned for the day cause you'll be reading instead. Boy Oh Boy! can Mason Sharp get into some bad bad situations that drags you in alongside of him for the intense operations.
141 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2026
I didn’t expect Hard Time to pull me in like it did. It’s intense. A solid read if you’re into crime with a lot of edge.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
26 reviews
February 26, 2026
Mason once again earns your readership

Mason again runs into someone needing help and in a series of exciting twists manages to come out on top again so that, hopefully, we see another book about his exploits.
Profile Image for Jim Cerone The Perfect Host DJ MC.
385 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2026
Just Excellent

Author Ryles has his Mason Sharpe character totally dialed in now, and this is a taut, action packed adventure. Authentic sounding dialogue, effective plot, all wrapped in writing that’s easy to read with no words wasted. Excellent book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews