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Grey and Villere Suspense Thriller #1
Blood Tracks
Introducing private investigator Tess Grey and Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas Po Villere in the first of a brand-new series of fast-paced action thrillers.When her local District Attorney offers her a considerable sum of money to track down state witness Crawford Wynne, private investigator Tess Grey is in no position to refuse. Wynne is one of the few men still alive who can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. But Tess is not the only one trying to track Wynne down. Suarez s psychotic brother Hector has been hunting and butchering anyone who is a danger to his brother.
Tess needs help and there s only one man she can turn to: Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas Villere, known to all as Po. Po always gets his man, but he has never been teamed with a woman before. Both have their own agenda for taking on this case, and neither fully trusts the other. But of one thing they are sure: if they don t cover each other s backs, they are both going to die."
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
299 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Matt Hilton
89 books241 followersMatt Hilton worked for twenty-two years in private security and the police force in Cumbria. He is a 4th Dan blackbelt and coach in Ju-Jitsu. He lives in Cumbria with his wife and son.
Matt is the author of the best-selling Joe Hunter thriller series, as well as standalone horror thrillers and short stories that have appeared in a number of collections and anthologies. Matt's first novel - Dead Men's Dust - was a Sunday Times best-seller and was shortlisted for the ITW New Novel Award 2009.
Matt is the author of the best-selling Joe Hunter thriller series, as well as standalone horror thrillers and short stories that have appeared in a number of collections and anthologies. Matt's first novel - Dead Men's Dust - was a Sunday Times best-seller and was shortlisted for the ITW New Novel Award 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 10, 2020
Day 13 of lockdown, and this is only the third book I’ve finished in that time - but I gather I’m not the only one to be excessively distracted by news and social media during this incomprehensible pandemic. (Admittedly I’ve put two ARCs on hold for being excessively long too.) I read book 5 of this series last year, breaking my usual rule about reading series in order, and noted from my review that I thought I would’ve enjoyed it better had I known the background to the characters, so when book 6 came up for review it was the push I needed to read this first instalment, which I’d acquired when it was on special a while back. I’m glad I did since it explains how Tess & Po got together, and something of their backstories.
Tess Grey, former sheriff’s deputy, is a down on her luck private investigator specialising in genealogy in Portland, Maine, when she is offered a lucrative contract to bring in a crucial witness for the prosecution of a notorious Bolivian gangster. Engaging a laconic ex-con called Nicolas Villere, nicknamed Po, as her guide/bodyguard, they travel back to his home state of Louisiana to track down the neonazi thug who’s promised to testify against his employer, but then did a runner. Unfortunately a far scarier predator is also hunting him, one with gruesome methods of setting an example...
Hilton is a British author but writes a convincing American thriller with only a couple of Englishisms. This was a well written action adventure with a plot which gradually gathered pace culminating in a predictable but necessary battle scene. Some of the tension is lost with the knowledge that there are several more books in the series that feature our duo - we know that they survive but also end up together romantically but the fate of some minor characters does add to the suspense. There are some fairly horrific torture scenes although the threats are mostly worse than that we see happening.
I actively avoid romantic fiction although don’t mind it being a minor subplot, and I enjoyed the tension between Tess and Po as they transit from prickly reluctant colleagues to a mutual respect and admiration. I could’ve done without the endless mentions of Po’s turquoise eyes and flat abs - leave that to the Romance Guild please. I’m also not a fan of the unfortunately common personality type in fictional heroines that mistakes recklessness and naivety for courage - I call is a The Bella - “I can look after myself and will prove it to you by ignoring all the warnings and rush headfirst into danger - oh whoops I need to be rescued by the dashing hero...” To be fair, Tess does do some rescuing herself but to have both main female characters be like this was a bit annoying.
However, this was still a quick easy read and helped distract me from the pickle that the world is in, which ultimately is what thrillers are for. 3.5 rounded up for some entertaining lead men in Po and especially Pinky, and I’m looking forward to reading the others even though they will necessarily be out of order as my ARC of book 6 is due today.
Tess Grey, former sheriff’s deputy, is a down on her luck private investigator specialising in genealogy in Portland, Maine, when she is offered a lucrative contract to bring in a crucial witness for the prosecution of a notorious Bolivian gangster. Engaging a laconic ex-con called Nicolas Villere, nicknamed Po, as her guide/bodyguard, they travel back to his home state of Louisiana to track down the neonazi thug who’s promised to testify against his employer, but then did a runner. Unfortunately a far scarier predator is also hunting him, one with gruesome methods of setting an example...
Hilton is a British author but writes a convincing American thriller with only a couple of Englishisms. This was a well written action adventure with a plot which gradually gathered pace culminating in a predictable but necessary battle scene. Some of the tension is lost with the knowledge that there are several more books in the series that feature our duo - we know that they survive but also end up together romantically but the fate of some minor characters does add to the suspense. There are some fairly horrific torture scenes although the threats are mostly worse than that we see happening.
I actively avoid romantic fiction although don’t mind it being a minor subplot, and I enjoyed the tension between Tess and Po as they transit from prickly reluctant colleagues to a mutual respect and admiration. I could’ve done without the endless mentions of Po’s turquoise eyes and flat abs - leave that to the Romance Guild please. I’m also not a fan of the unfortunately common personality type in fictional heroines that mistakes recklessness and naivety for courage - I call is a The Bella - “I can look after myself and will prove it to you by ignoring all the warnings and rush headfirst into danger - oh whoops I need to be rescued by the dashing hero...” To be fair, Tess does do some rescuing herself but to have both main female characters be like this was a bit annoying.
However, this was still a quick easy read and helped distract me from the pickle that the world is in, which ultimately is what thrillers are for. 3.5 rounded up for some entertaining lead men in Po and especially Pinky, and I’m looking forward to reading the others even though they will necessarily be out of order as my ARC of book 6 is due today.
May 11, 2020
Matt Hilton and his new characters Tess Grey and Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere in the first of a brand-new series of fast-paced action thrillers.
My first book from Matt Hilton
When her local District Attorney offers her a considerable sum of money to track down state witness Crawford Wynne, private investigator Tess Grey is in no position to refuse. Wynne is one of the few men still alive who can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. But Tess is not the only one trying to track Wynne down. Suarez’s psychotic brother Hector has been hunting and butchering anyone who is a danger to his brother.
Tess needs help and there’s only one man she can turn to: Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas Villere, known to all as Po. Po always gets his man, but he has never been teamed with a woman before. Both have their own agenda for taking on this case, and neither fully trusts the other. But of one thing they are sure: if they don’t cover each other’s backs, they are both going to die.
Tess is tasked with hunting down state witness Crawford Wynne. Wynne is one of the few men that can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. Locating Wynne however isn't going to be an easy task, but Tess will be rewarded handsomely should she bring him home. She isn't the only one hunting Wynne however. Suarez's psychotic brother has been hunting and butchering anyone he believes to be a danger to his brother. Will he soon have Tess in his sights?
Matt Hilton has two great main characters in this new series, in this well paced, exciting action packed thriller, the relationship between Tess and Po is great and add a lot of humour to the book.
A great new series, with a very nasty villain in Hector, starts quite grisly but I do recommend this good thriller, good twists, good surprises.
Four stars
My first book from Matt Hilton
When her local District Attorney offers her a considerable sum of money to track down state witness Crawford Wynne, private investigator Tess Grey is in no position to refuse. Wynne is one of the few men still alive who can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. But Tess is not the only one trying to track Wynne down. Suarez’s psychotic brother Hector has been hunting and butchering anyone who is a danger to his brother.
Tess needs help and there’s only one man she can turn to: Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas Villere, known to all as Po. Po always gets his man, but he has never been teamed with a woman before. Both have their own agenda for taking on this case, and neither fully trusts the other. But of one thing they are sure: if they don’t cover each other’s backs, they are both going to die.
Tess is tasked with hunting down state witness Crawford Wynne. Wynne is one of the few men that can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. Locating Wynne however isn't going to be an easy task, but Tess will be rewarded handsomely should she bring him home. She isn't the only one hunting Wynne however. Suarez's psychotic brother has been hunting and butchering anyone he believes to be a danger to his brother. Will he soon have Tess in his sights?
Matt Hilton has two great main characters in this new series, in this well paced, exciting action packed thriller, the relationship between Tess and Po is great and add a lot of humour to the book.
A great new series, with a very nasty villain in Hector, starts quite grisly but I do recommend this good thriller, good twists, good surprises.
Four stars
January 20, 2016
Blood Tracks has that same addictive quality I’ve come to expect from this author – with thrills and spills, edge of the seat action and the rest, but also has a quieter quality to portions of the tale in which the relationship developing between Tess and Po is developed and its entirely possible these two may become one of my favourite duo’s.
Matt Hilton has always had a sharp eye to characterisation, not letting it get lost amongst the more full on portions of his books – but it was interesting to see him write a female lead, pulling it off with some intuitive sense and making her beautifully realistic. An interesting and slightly different dynamic to the main protagonists, this was beautifully drawn.
Its a great mix – I’ll admit to being wary – when you love a series and the writer of that series then offers something new, that fear of change can kick in and things might work out well or they might not. In the case of Blood Tracks it worked out VERY well. I’ll be following this series as avidly as I follow Hunter – and if you are new to Matt Hilton’s writing, hey perfect opportunity to jump in right here. Definitely recommended.
Matt Hilton has always had a sharp eye to characterisation, not letting it get lost amongst the more full on portions of his books – but it was interesting to see him write a female lead, pulling it off with some intuitive sense and making her beautifully realistic. An interesting and slightly different dynamic to the main protagonists, this was beautifully drawn.
Its a great mix – I’ll admit to being wary – when you love a series and the writer of that series then offers something new, that fear of change can kick in and things might work out well or they might not. In the case of Blood Tracks it worked out VERY well. I’ll be following this series as avidly as I follow Hunter – and if you are new to Matt Hilton’s writing, hey perfect opportunity to jump in right here. Definitely recommended.
June 14, 2017
A sold 3 star read and adding 1 more for I really enjoyed both of the characters in this new series !
If you get passed the first - very brutal chapter- you will be ok. Wow! Not for the faint of heart.
A local DA is in need to track down a state witness Crawford Wynne. Wynne is one of the few men still alive who can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. From there we meet private investigator Tess Grey. It was highly suspected that Wynne returned to his home of New Orleans, Louisiana. Before she heads out, she hires Nicholas Villere (Po) who is an ex-con, but he knows N.O. like the back of his hand. Once they get settled and begin their search in earnest, the danger level quickly escalates.
A fantastic read for sure - and the partnership between Tess & Po is just outstanding! I'm really looking forward to reading more of this series !!
If you get passed the first - very brutal chapter- you will be ok. Wow! Not for the faint of heart.
A local DA is in need to track down a state witness Crawford Wynne. Wynne is one of the few men still alive who can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. From there we meet private investigator Tess Grey. It was highly suspected that Wynne returned to his home of New Orleans, Louisiana. Before she heads out, she hires Nicholas Villere (Po) who is an ex-con, but he knows N.O. like the back of his hand. Once they get settled and begin their search in earnest, the danger level quickly escalates.
A fantastic read for sure - and the partnership between Tess & Po is just outstanding! I'm really looking forward to reading more of this series !!
January 4, 2016
Matt Hilton is one of my favourite thriller writers with his brilliant Joe Hunter series. I had no idea he had been working on a new series until I stumbled across Blood Tracks on Amazon a couple of months ago. Sadly, it doesn't seem to be making much of an impact here in the UK and it should be, because it's another excellent thriller.
Blood Tracks introduces us to the character of Tess Grey. Tess is a private investigator and an ex-cop and whilst I know they exist, I'm fairly sure this is the first thriller that I've read where the main character is female and so I was interested to see what dynamics that would add to the story. Tess is tasked with hunting down state witness Crawford Wynne. Wynne is one of the few men that can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. Locating Wynne however isn't going to be an easy task, but Tess will be rewarded handsomely should she bring him home. She isn't the only one hunting Wynne however. Suarez's psychotic brother has been hunting and butchering anyone he believes to be a danger to his brother. Will he soon have Tess in his sights?
One of the real standout things about Matt's thrillers is his characterisation. I was apprehensive as to whether I would take to Tess, especially after settling into a routine of Joe Hunter thrillers where I know I'm picking up a book about a character I could read about forever. This review is turning into a Joe Hunter comparison but in that series especially I love the relationship between Hunter and his best friend and business partner, Rink. In Blood Tracks Tess too has a partner, but it's not somebody she particularly knows, likes or trusts and he goes by the name of Po. His real identity being that of Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas Villere. Po always gets his man, and he has never been teamed with a woman before. There's a lot of distrust and tension between the pair in the beginning, both characters having their own agendas for hunting down Wynne, it's a tense and exciting read in places and if Tess returns in the future, Po absolutely has to as well.
Anyone who isn't new to a Matt Hilton thriller will immediately recognise all of the things that make readers love his work. Those Hollywood blockbuster scenes and those dramatic cliffhanger moments but as I've said in the past, there's a real story to be had here, with characters and scenes that become real in your mind and so by the end of the book you feel as though you've been on this journey right alongside these characters. And what a journey it is. I can definitely see Tess Grey becoming a long-running character like Joe Hunter and I hope to be reading more about her very soon. She really is an intriguing character and with her being an ex-cop her morals are often different to that of other thriller characters where they essentially have very few. It's interesting witnessing her thought processes as she attempts to balance how she should act and behave in this new-found career, especially working alongside somebody who isn't afraid to flout the law.
Blood Tracks is a thriller in every sense of the word. It's a book I have no hesitation in recommending to existing fans of Matt Hilton, and also to those who are new to his work. And, when you are done with Blood Tracks, be sure to go and check out his Joe Hunter series.
Blood Tracks introduces us to the character of Tess Grey. Tess is a private investigator and an ex-cop and whilst I know they exist, I'm fairly sure this is the first thriller that I've read where the main character is female and so I was interested to see what dynamics that would add to the story. Tess is tasked with hunting down state witness Crawford Wynne. Wynne is one of the few men that can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. Locating Wynne however isn't going to be an easy task, but Tess will be rewarded handsomely should she bring him home. She isn't the only one hunting Wynne however. Suarez's psychotic brother has been hunting and butchering anyone he believes to be a danger to his brother. Will he soon have Tess in his sights?
One of the real standout things about Matt's thrillers is his characterisation. I was apprehensive as to whether I would take to Tess, especially after settling into a routine of Joe Hunter thrillers where I know I'm picking up a book about a character I could read about forever. This review is turning into a Joe Hunter comparison but in that series especially I love the relationship between Hunter and his best friend and business partner, Rink. In Blood Tracks Tess too has a partner, but it's not somebody she particularly knows, likes or trusts and he goes by the name of Po. His real identity being that of Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas Villere. Po always gets his man, and he has never been teamed with a woman before. There's a lot of distrust and tension between the pair in the beginning, both characters having their own agendas for hunting down Wynne, it's a tense and exciting read in places and if Tess returns in the future, Po absolutely has to as well.
Anyone who isn't new to a Matt Hilton thriller will immediately recognise all of the things that make readers love his work. Those Hollywood blockbuster scenes and those dramatic cliffhanger moments but as I've said in the past, there's a real story to be had here, with characters and scenes that become real in your mind and so by the end of the book you feel as though you've been on this journey right alongside these characters. And what a journey it is. I can definitely see Tess Grey becoming a long-running character like Joe Hunter and I hope to be reading more about her very soon. She really is an intriguing character and with her being an ex-cop her morals are often different to that of other thriller characters where they essentially have very few. It's interesting witnessing her thought processes as she attempts to balance how she should act and behave in this new-found career, especially working alongside somebody who isn't afraid to flout the law.
Blood Tracks is a thriller in every sense of the word. It's a book I have no hesitation in recommending to existing fans of Matt Hilton, and also to those who are new to his work. And, when you are done with Blood Tracks, be sure to go and check out his Joe Hunter series.
March 20, 2016
I'm a big Matt Hilton fan. He is an excellent writer and a really nice person on what the young people of today seem to be calling 'social media.'
I've read three of his Joe Hunter books, got many more waiting and been consistently impressed. This book is a new venture, and different from the Joe Hunter books, in that there are two main characters sharing the limelight - and one of them is a woman.
He (Matt) is back on familiar ground, the USA, though with a story set a little further south than the Joe Hunter ones I've read so far. And my initial feelings were, that his feel for and communication of the nuances of the southern States, was excellent. In the initial stages, it was this that captured and exited me. As with all new ventures, books that are clearly destined to be the starts of series, there is some background work to be done. Filling in of character and motive. However, from my point, Matt wisely keeps this to a minimum. So it doesn't block up the story and of course, gives him some wiggle room in later books.
The story fair rattles along and there's barely a moment wasted in getting us where we need to be. Once they get down to Mississippi, you can fairly feel the heat and the tension rising accordingly. There are enough twisty-turney bits and interesting additional characters to stock several volumes. Maybe some of them will.
He is of course taking a chance writing a woman lead character after the Joe Hunter books, which are very masculine. OK, there is a little skirt-interest in those stories, but there's never any doubt about who is wearing the trousers in those books. He pulls it off with great style, 'Tess' is an interesting character, with a background and plausible motives. She could let herself go a bit more, but that'll come, I've no doubt. Po, is another matter. He's a strong male character and the hard part writing him, must have been not to make him Joe Hunter 2.0. He's not. Another one with an intriguing and interesting background and ripe for development further down the line.
There are some points where character development could have been a little less clumsy. Kind of like letting actions speak louder than words. Letting what the character does signal what they are like, rather than the author stating it openly, again and again, just to make sure you got the point. And...the romance...I'm giving nothing away, you've figured what the possibilities might be, in reading the synopsis. I didn't go for it. And I can't see where it's going to go over the course of several further volumes. It's too soon and too constricting for the rest of the series. I could sketch out two or three possibilities here and now - and I shouldn't be able to. It wasn't really believable enough, too inevitable and too TV series got-to-fit-it-all-in-an-hour's-show (minus advertising breaks)-like, Stockholm Syndrome-lite.
Having said that, this book actually says several very important things: Matt Hilton can write. Very well. He can write just what he wants to, he and his books are/were not a flash in the pan. And the Grey and Po series is going to be one that will build into a series as exciting and essential as Joe Hunter.
More world-class reviews on Speesh Reads
I've read three of his Joe Hunter books, got many more waiting and been consistently impressed. This book is a new venture, and different from the Joe Hunter books, in that there are two main characters sharing the limelight - and one of them is a woman.
He (Matt) is back on familiar ground, the USA, though with a story set a little further south than the Joe Hunter ones I've read so far. And my initial feelings were, that his feel for and communication of the nuances of the southern States, was excellent. In the initial stages, it was this that captured and exited me. As with all new ventures, books that are clearly destined to be the starts of series, there is some background work to be done. Filling in of character and motive. However, from my point, Matt wisely keeps this to a minimum. So it doesn't block up the story and of course, gives him some wiggle room in later books.
The story fair rattles along and there's barely a moment wasted in getting us where we need to be. Once they get down to Mississippi, you can fairly feel the heat and the tension rising accordingly. There are enough twisty-turney bits and interesting additional characters to stock several volumes. Maybe some of them will.
He is of course taking a chance writing a woman lead character after the Joe Hunter books, which are very masculine. OK, there is a little skirt-interest in those stories, but there's never any doubt about who is wearing the trousers in those books. He pulls it off with great style, 'Tess' is an interesting character, with a background and plausible motives. She could let herself go a bit more, but that'll come, I've no doubt. Po, is another matter. He's a strong male character and the hard part writing him, must have been not to make him Joe Hunter 2.0. He's not. Another one with an intriguing and interesting background and ripe for development further down the line.
There are some points where character development could have been a little less clumsy. Kind of like letting actions speak louder than words. Letting what the character does signal what they are like, rather than the author stating it openly, again and again, just to make sure you got the point. And...the romance...I'm giving nothing away, you've figured what the possibilities might be, in reading the synopsis. I didn't go for it. And I can't see where it's going to go over the course of several further volumes. It's too soon and too constricting for the rest of the series. I could sketch out two or three possibilities here and now - and I shouldn't be able to. It wasn't really believable enough, too inevitable and too TV series got-to-fit-it-all-in-an-hour's-show (minus advertising breaks)-like, Stockholm Syndrome-lite.
Having said that, this book actually says several very important things: Matt Hilton can write. Very well. He can write just what he wants to, he and his books are/were not a flash in the pan. And the Grey and Po series is going to be one that will build into a series as exciting and essential as Joe Hunter.
More world-class reviews on Speesh Reads
January 20, 2016
Matt Hilton is a new author for me and since I am a fan of thriller/mystery/suspense novels I was pretty much prepared to be entertained.
I liked the characters very much so that's a big plus. Teresa (Tess) Grey has a compelling backstory to explain why she is no longer a police officer and why she is beginning a fledgling private investigation business using her skills as a genealogist to help with the low key cases she has managed to get. Tess comes from a family of law enforcement officers so playing by the rules is the only way she knows. What could be her big break comes when she is hired by a local specialist inquiry firm which asks her to find a witness needed by Maine law enforcement for his testimony against a drug kingpin currently being held in jail. Without testimony from witnesses this man will have to be set free. Unfortunately the witnesses are turning up dead on a rather regular basis. The thinking is that this witness Tess is looking for has fled to Louisiana. Tess enlists the help of an ex-con from Louisiana who just happens to be living in Portland, Nicolas (Po) Villere.
If you can make it past the very graphic and violent first chapter of this novel, you will find a series debut which has a great potential. As I've said, I genuinely liked the lead characters of the novel and Pinky Leclerc in Baton Rouge was a secondary character I hated to see left behind when Tess and Po returned to Portland. Tess might have been quite a bit more naïve than I would have expected when it came to her handling of the villains in the case, but Po takes a strong lead to help her get used to loosening up on playing everything strictly by the book. I'm sure in their next case she will begin to see the benefits of actually carrying a gun into dangerous situations. Contrary to what this novel might lead you to believe, those of us who live in the American South do not take three showers per day. Yes, the heat and humidity can be "interesting" to deal with, but it isn't really quite that bad.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley and Severn House Publishing.
I liked the characters very much so that's a big plus. Teresa (Tess) Grey has a compelling backstory to explain why she is no longer a police officer and why she is beginning a fledgling private investigation business using her skills as a genealogist to help with the low key cases she has managed to get. Tess comes from a family of law enforcement officers so playing by the rules is the only way she knows. What could be her big break comes when she is hired by a local specialist inquiry firm which asks her to find a witness needed by Maine law enforcement for his testimony against a drug kingpin currently being held in jail. Without testimony from witnesses this man will have to be set free. Unfortunately the witnesses are turning up dead on a rather regular basis. The thinking is that this witness Tess is looking for has fled to Louisiana. Tess enlists the help of an ex-con from Louisiana who just happens to be living in Portland, Nicolas (Po) Villere.
If you can make it past the very graphic and violent first chapter of this novel, you will find a series debut which has a great potential. As I've said, I genuinely liked the lead characters of the novel and Pinky Leclerc in Baton Rouge was a secondary character I hated to see left behind when Tess and Po returned to Portland. Tess might have been quite a bit more naïve than I would have expected when it came to her handling of the villains in the case, but Po takes a strong lead to help her get used to loosening up on playing everything strictly by the book. I'm sure in their next case she will begin to see the benefits of actually carrying a gun into dangerous situations. Contrary to what this novel might lead you to believe, those of us who live in the American South do not take three showers per day. Yes, the heat and humidity can be "interesting" to deal with, but it isn't really quite that bad.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley and Severn House Publishing.
October 24, 2018
Maybe 2.5 stars for this one. I can't believe that this was written by the same Matt Hilton who brought us the excellent Joe Hunter series. Hunter is a hard boiled, extremely competent and lethal operative who has absolute faith in himself. Tess Grey is a timid mouse who needs a babysitter. Enter Po Villere, his character was the only one I enjoyed. Tess needs Po but doesn't trust him, then she does, then she has doubts again and so on. I even thought the baddies were a bit lame. I couldn't be bothered saying anything about the plot.
I imagine the books get a little better as the series progresses and Tess regains her confidence but I don't think I'm interested enough to find out. I'll finish the Joe Hunter series (I think I'm up to book 9) and leave it there, sigh.
I imagine the books get a little better as the series progresses and Tess regains her confidence but I don't think I'm interested enough to find out. I'll finish the Joe Hunter series (I think I'm up to book 9) and leave it there, sigh.
December 22, 2015
I must admit to having never got started on Matt Hilton’s successful series of books featuring Joe Hunter. I also realised I was so far behind that it would take me ages to catch up, so when I saw he had a new series out I thought it was a great opportunity to sample his writing. The two main characters in this new series are Tess Grey, an ex-copper turned Private Investigator and Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere who is an ex-con. I have to admit now I have finished the book that I struggled to get into it. Tess seemed a little dull and by the book for my liking. However, when Po turned up (GREAT lead character nickname by the way) things got a bit more interesting.
On reflection I think with it being a new series the slow start is because you are getting a feel for the character Tess. There are reasons relating to her past as to why she is the type of woman she is now. When she is given the opportunity to work for Emma Clancy as a PI she jumps at it and is introduced to Po as a man that can help her track her target down. Tess and Po need to find Crawford Wynne and bring him back as a State Witness. The story started off a little slowly and I felt like Tess needed a bit of a kick to liven herself up. Thankfully the charming ex-con Po more than made up for her as a character in the beginning.
The other character I cannot help but mention is an old friend of Po’s named Pinky. This guy HAS to make a comeback in future books as was absolutely brilliant! As the story progressed it became clear that Tess was becoming much more herself the longer she spent around Po. By the last quarter of the book we see the real Tess and it was a complete turnaround. There is the requisite bad guy and his helpers with a big dose of violence and some good old fashioned gun fighting going on. For a book that was a bit of a slow burner I ended up being totally captivated by both Tess and Po. The storyline picked up it's pace and the last quarter was full on and I was practically speed reading. Plenty of action, thrills and two cracking new characters...what more could you ask for?
I must say this is a brilliant start to a new series and I really can’t wait to see what book 2 holds in store for them. I will certainly be getting the next in the series as soon as it’s available, and who knows maybe now I will be more inclined to get started on the Joe Hunter series. Overall I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next one.
On reflection I think with it being a new series the slow start is because you are getting a feel for the character Tess. There are reasons relating to her past as to why she is the type of woman she is now. When she is given the opportunity to work for Emma Clancy as a PI she jumps at it and is introduced to Po as a man that can help her track her target down. Tess and Po need to find Crawford Wynne and bring him back as a State Witness. The story started off a little slowly and I felt like Tess needed a bit of a kick to liven herself up. Thankfully the charming ex-con Po more than made up for her as a character in the beginning.
The other character I cannot help but mention is an old friend of Po’s named Pinky. This guy HAS to make a comeback in future books as was absolutely brilliant! As the story progressed it became clear that Tess was becoming much more herself the longer she spent around Po. By the last quarter of the book we see the real Tess and it was a complete turnaround. There is the requisite bad guy and his helpers with a big dose of violence and some good old fashioned gun fighting going on. For a book that was a bit of a slow burner I ended up being totally captivated by both Tess and Po. The storyline picked up it's pace and the last quarter was full on and I was practically speed reading. Plenty of action, thrills and two cracking new characters...what more could you ask for?
I must say this is a brilliant start to a new series and I really can’t wait to see what book 2 holds in store for them. I will certainly be getting the next in the series as soon as it’s available, and who knows maybe now I will be more inclined to get started on the Joe Hunter series. Overall I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next one.
February 8, 2016
PI Tess Grey teams with ex-con
Who is Tess Grey? Formerly she was a law enforcement officer with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in Maine. Now she’s a genealogist but more basically a PI. She came well recommended to the local DA’s office who hired her to find and bring back Crawford Wynne who is wanted as a material witness for the prosecution of Albert Suarez (alias Albert Sower). It was highly suspected that Wynne returned to his home of New Orleans, Louisiana. Before she heads out, she hires Nicholas Villere (Po) who is an ex-con, but he knows N.O. like the back of his hand. Once they get settled and begin their search in earnest, the danger level quickly escalates. Tess and Po are not the only ones looking for Wynn, and the competition they offer is far from welcome.
It starts with a little “flutter in her stomach”, a very unexpected and not altogether wanted, attraction to Po. What attracted her to him? She admitted it was his “rugged exterior, his languidness, and his old-fashioned mannerisms [that] had their own appeal.” They couldn’t be any more different if they tried. And, so this is not only a fascinating suspense, it also adds a little bit of romance … when they’re not busy watching each other’s backs.
In Blood Tracks, Tess Grey is introduced as very capable and daring in this brand new PI series. I just have to note that this is not for the faint of heart as it is quite gritty especially in the beginning. The characterization is wonderful. I liked both Tess and Po and ultimately, they worked well together. The dialogue between them is realistic and even humorous at times. The side characters are also fresh and unique. Matt Hilton is not a newbie in the world of writing. In fact, he has many adoring fans already hooked on his Joe Hunter series. He has a knack for taking his imagination and displaying those same scenes on the pages of a novel for readers to delve into and enjoy.
Fictionzeal
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Who is Tess Grey? Formerly she was a law enforcement officer with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in Maine. Now she’s a genealogist but more basically a PI. She came well recommended to the local DA’s office who hired her to find and bring back Crawford Wynne who is wanted as a material witness for the prosecution of Albert Suarez (alias Albert Sower). It was highly suspected that Wynne returned to his home of New Orleans, Louisiana. Before she heads out, she hires Nicholas Villere (Po) who is an ex-con, but he knows N.O. like the back of his hand. Once they get settled and begin their search in earnest, the danger level quickly escalates. Tess and Po are not the only ones looking for Wynn, and the competition they offer is far from welcome.
It starts with a little “flutter in her stomach”, a very unexpected and not altogether wanted, attraction to Po. What attracted her to him? She admitted it was his “rugged exterior, his languidness, and his old-fashioned mannerisms [that] had their own appeal.” They couldn’t be any more different if they tried. And, so this is not only a fascinating suspense, it also adds a little bit of romance … when they’re not busy watching each other’s backs.
In Blood Tracks, Tess Grey is introduced as very capable and daring in this brand new PI series. I just have to note that this is not for the faint of heart as it is quite gritty especially in the beginning. The characterization is wonderful. I liked both Tess and Po and ultimately, they worked well together. The dialogue between them is realistic and even humorous at times. The side characters are also fresh and unique. Matt Hilton is not a newbie in the world of writing. In fact, he has many adoring fans already hooked on his Joe Hunter series. He has a knack for taking his imagination and displaying those same scenes on the pages of a novel for readers to delve into and enjoy.
Fictionzeal
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
March 2, 2016
Super start to a new series
Tess Grey, private investigator/genealogist and ex-Sheriff's Sergeant, is hired indirectly through the Portland, Maine DA's office to track down a witness in Louisiana. Since she's not familiar with the area, she hires ex-con Nicolas "Po" Villere and finds herself more in a partnership with him rather than a boss-employee relationship.
This is the first book in a new series and it's a good one. Tess and Po work together well and I liked the side characters too.
It was different having a writer from the UK write a book taking place in the U.S. There were a few times I noticed British English being used but these instances weren't too distracting.
The story is well written. The characters are well developed. The plotline kind of rambled a bit but not too bad. There's a nasty antagonist (boo, hiss) and some gore and guts.
This will be a series I want to follow and I recommend it to fans of detective fiction, thrillers, and books with strong female protagonists.
NOTE: I received this book from Severn House Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
Tess Grey, private investigator/genealogist and ex-Sheriff's Sergeant, is hired indirectly through the Portland, Maine DA's office to track down a witness in Louisiana. Since she's not familiar with the area, she hires ex-con Nicolas "Po" Villere and finds herself more in a partnership with him rather than a boss-employee relationship.
This is the first book in a new series and it's a good one. Tess and Po work together well and I liked the side characters too.
It was different having a writer from the UK write a book taking place in the U.S. There were a few times I noticed British English being used but these instances weren't too distracting.
The story is well written. The characters are well developed. The plotline kind of rambled a bit but not too bad. There's a nasty antagonist (boo, hiss) and some gore and guts.
This will be a series I want to follow and I recommend it to fans of detective fiction, thrillers, and books with strong female protagonists.
NOTE: I received this book from Severn House Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
August 1, 2017
I’ve been a big fan of the Joe Hunter series for a number of years, ever since I read and reviewed the first one. I was excited to discover his new series and although this has a totally different feel and atmosphere to it, it still includes all the Matt Hilton trademarks – action, relationships and humour. You can’t really go wrong.
We are introduced to PI Tess Grey and her sidekick Nicholas Villere (or Po) who has served time in Angola, one of the world’s toughest prisons, and has turned a corner. The relationship is excellent and well developed but it’s Po’s character that I really liked. He has a lot of baggage, especially at home with a colourful family.
Plenty of action as you’d expect and thriller writing that keeps you turning the page over in double quick time. A very entertaining read.
We are introduced to PI Tess Grey and her sidekick Nicholas Villere (or Po) who has served time in Angola, one of the world’s toughest prisons, and has turned a corner. The relationship is excellent and well developed but it’s Po’s character that I really liked. He has a lot of baggage, especially at home with a colourful family.
Plenty of action as you’d expect and thriller writing that keeps you turning the page over in double quick time. A very entertaining read.
January 25, 2018
I love Matt Hilton's Joe Hunter series - I find Matt's writing to be fast paced, realistic and sometimes a little brutual, but still managing to be emotionally engaged with the well-developed characters.
With that being said, I was nervous of reading a new series. I love Joe Hunter. Would I love these new characters as much? Answer - YES!
Tess Grey is a slightly damaged soul, unsure of her place in the world after an incident that changed her path. Po is a rascal, dangerous enough to be interesting but human enough for the reader to like him. Together they go hunting and the plot twists away.
A little predictable in places, but there is some comfort in that. There is enough action to keep you hooked though and some refreshing humour in places.
The pace and story were both good and I'm looking forward to their new adventure together.
With that being said, I was nervous of reading a new series. I love Joe Hunter. Would I love these new characters as much? Answer - YES!
Tess Grey is a slightly damaged soul, unsure of her place in the world after an incident that changed her path. Po is a rascal, dangerous enough to be interesting but human enough for the reader to like him. Together they go hunting and the plot twists away.
A little predictable in places, but there is some comfort in that. There is enough action to keep you hooked though and some refreshing humour in places.
The pace and story were both good and I'm looking forward to their new adventure together.
April 2, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this change of style from Matt Hilton. We were introduced to two completely different characters who were forced to work together when Tess is hired by the DA's office to bring a prosecution witness in to protective custody. The book tells the story of what ensues. I already have the second book in the series to start reading now.
December 28, 2015
what a brilliant book and great start for a new series. The detailed description of events,the storyline and the characters kept me hooked from the beginning. Ex Cop Tess Grey and Ex Con Nicholas Villiers aka Po are now one of my favourite partnerships and i cant wait for the next book
August 17, 2017
A really good new series with interesting characters.
March 13, 2020
Don't bother
I quit reading less than half way thru. Waste of money. Not worth reading even if free. Pass it by.
I quit reading less than half way thru. Waste of money. Not worth reading even if free. Pass it by.
Want to read
July 16, 2022Boxed set one thru five
BOOK 1: BLOOD TRACKS
Tess Grey is flat broke. So when her local District Attorney offers her big money to track down state witness Crawford Wynne, she can’t say no. Tess needs help and there’s only one man she can turn to: ex-con Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere. Tess and Po are getting close. Will they find their man in time? If they can’t work together, they’re both going to die.
BOOK 2: PAINTED SKINS
Jasmine Reed has been missing for sixteen days. The police and media have lost interest. Jazz’s grandma, Margaret, hires private detectives Tess Grey and Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere to find her granddaughter. But Tess and Po aren’t the only ones looking for Jazz. It’s vital that Tess and Po find Jazz first. But first they must uncover the secrets in her past. Tess enters a desperate race against the clock to track down Jazz before she pays the ultimate price.
BOOK 3: RAW WOUNDS
Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere’s mom is dying. Her final wish is to see her son. One problem: there’s a bounty on his head. A second problem: he hates his mom. But Po is not the kind of man to let a woman down. He heads to Baton Rouge to confront his past. But Po is not prepared for what his mom tells him. He’s got a younger sister, Emilia, who he never knew existed. And what’s worse? Emilia is missing.
BOOK 4: WORST FEAR
If I’m dead, contact Teresa Grey at Cumberland County Sheriff’s Dept. Tell her . . . This is the cryptic message that Chelsea Grace leaves on Facebook just hours before her body is found at the bottom of a rocky cliff in Maine. Then another old friend from the summer camp where Tess and Chelsea worked is beaten so badly he ends up in hospital. And their old camp counsellor is found burned alive. Tess and Po realize that Chelsea’s message must be a warning . . . Are they coming for Tess now?
BOOK 5: FALSE MOVE
Aaron Lacey is on the run. He’s already killed two of his colleagues in self-defence. Now his employer, a protection service for the ex-military and police, will stop at nothing to take him out. But what has he done? Aaron always dreamed he’d die peacefully in his bed, surrounded by loved ones. But now he’s hiding in the weeds on the Boston side of the Neponset River, waiting for death. Then he hears a noise in the bushes. They’ve found him.
BOOK 1: BLOOD TRACKS
Tess Grey is flat broke. So when her local District Attorney offers her big money to track down state witness Crawford Wynne, she can’t say no. Tess needs help and there’s only one man she can turn to: ex-con Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere. Tess and Po are getting close. Will they find their man in time? If they can’t work together, they’re both going to die.
BOOK 2: PAINTED SKINS
Jasmine Reed has been missing for sixteen days. The police and media have lost interest. Jazz’s grandma, Margaret, hires private detectives Tess Grey and Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere to find her granddaughter. But Tess and Po aren’t the only ones looking for Jazz. It’s vital that Tess and Po find Jazz first. But first they must uncover the secrets in her past. Tess enters a desperate race against the clock to track down Jazz before she pays the ultimate price.
BOOK 3: RAW WOUNDS
Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere’s mom is dying. Her final wish is to see her son. One problem: there’s a bounty on his head. A second problem: he hates his mom. But Po is not the kind of man to let a woman down. He heads to Baton Rouge to confront his past. But Po is not prepared for what his mom tells him. He’s got a younger sister, Emilia, who he never knew existed. And what’s worse? Emilia is missing.
BOOK 4: WORST FEAR
If I’m dead, contact Teresa Grey at Cumberland County Sheriff’s Dept. Tell her . . . This is the cryptic message that Chelsea Grace leaves on Facebook just hours before her body is found at the bottom of a rocky cliff in Maine. Then another old friend from the summer camp where Tess and Chelsea worked is beaten so badly he ends up in hospital. And their old camp counsellor is found burned alive. Tess and Po realize that Chelsea’s message must be a warning . . . Are they coming for Tess now?
BOOK 5: FALSE MOVE
Aaron Lacey is on the run. He’s already killed two of his colleagues in self-defence. Now his employer, a protection service for the ex-military and police, will stop at nothing to take him out. But what has he done? Aaron always dreamed he’d die peacefully in his bed, surrounded by loved ones. But now he’s hiding in the weeds on the Boston side of the Neponset River, waiting for death. Then he hears a noise in the bushes. They’ve found him.
April 17, 2024
2024 hoarder surprise April-thriller
3.5 stars
So I love this writers other series: Joe Hunter.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to get bc this is a Brit writer.
I received this freebie ebook version, the 1st in a new series for the writer.
It was very graphic & violent. But the imagery of words used was brilliant.
Exs:
"The rain-fragmented neon above the roadside bar danced like wildfire over the shingles."
"Between the heavier squalls and droplets as thick as his finger the rain came as a turgid mist, and it was through those shifting curtains that he watched the writhing neon and his imagination painted pictures of hellish flame."
"He was trapped by the portent of the scene, and the crunch of boots on the crushed-seashell parking lot didn’t register in his mind."
I liked the characters and their chemistry. I would of read this more quickly but b/c it was in e-book format, it takes me longer than in print version as I moved through the quick pacing of the story. Lots of action & suspense.
I will read the next book in the series but I'd like to finish the Hunter series first. I've just discovered I can get copies thru the interlibrary loan of my local library. Woo hoo!!
Again, let me just say how grateful I am for public libraries!!! 😍
3.5 stars
So I love this writers other series: Joe Hunter.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to get bc this is a Brit writer.
I received this freebie ebook version, the 1st in a new series for the writer.
It was very graphic & violent. But the imagery of words used was brilliant.
Exs:
"The rain-fragmented neon above the roadside bar danced like wildfire over the shingles."
"Between the heavier squalls and droplets as thick as his finger the rain came as a turgid mist, and it was through those shifting curtains that he watched the writhing neon and his imagination painted pictures of hellish flame."
"He was trapped by the portent of the scene, and the crunch of boots on the crushed-seashell parking lot didn’t register in his mind."
I liked the characters and their chemistry. I would of read this more quickly but b/c it was in e-book format, it takes me longer than in print version as I moved through the quick pacing of the story. Lots of action & suspense.
I will read the next book in the series but I'd like to finish the Hunter series first. I've just discovered I can get copies thru the interlibrary loan of my local library. Woo hoo!!
Again, let me just say how grateful I am for public libraries!!! 😍
July 22, 2023
After reading all of Hilton's Joe Hunter series a while back I decided to give this series a go. What I appreciated from the start was Hilton's change in language and prose style which does indicate an aptitude for changing the narrative based on the main character's internal dialogue.
I did enjoy the book but the speed with which the main character starts swooning after her new partner was really jarring and did not sit well with me for the most part - If I wanted to read Karen Rose type set ups I would stick with that!
That being the only criticism I had with the first book, there is enough meat on the bones for me to continue with the series and am quietly pleased that this is a series that the author has continued, with Book 10 available soon.
I did enjoy the book but the speed with which the main character starts swooning after her new partner was really jarring and did not sit well with me for the most part - If I wanted to read Karen Rose type set ups I would stick with that!
That being the only criticism I had with the first book, there is enough meat on the bones for me to continue with the series and am quietly pleased that this is a series that the author has continued, with Book 10 available soon.
January 29, 2021
As an avid fan of the Joe Hunter books I was a little sceptical about this new series. I was pleasantly surprised. He has created more believable characters than with Joe Hunter. This book gave an insight into their background and I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series to learn more about Tess & Po.
The story line was ok - with some twists. The action was good however it didn't have me gripped on the edge of my seat but I enjoyed it none the less. It was an easy read and one I enjoyed reading. Would recommend.
The story line was ok - with some twists. The action was good however it didn't have me gripped on the edge of my seat but I enjoyed it none the less. It was an easy read and one I enjoyed reading. Would recommend.
June 8, 2022
Blood Tracks
I have been reading lots of historical murder mysteries and decided, based on reviews, to read a more modern tale. First of all, I really liked the main characters. The boss and the detective brother were more minor, but fit in very nicely. The story, while graphic, was paced fairly well. I really loved some of the characters from Louisiana. That said, more of a back story on Po would have been nice. We got Tess's story and would have liked more info. A 4.1 out of 5 rating.
I have been reading lots of historical murder mysteries and decided, based on reviews, to read a more modern tale. First of all, I really liked the main characters. The boss and the detective brother were more minor, but fit in very nicely. The story, while graphic, was paced fairly well. I really loved some of the characters from Louisiana. That said, more of a back story on Po would have been nice. We got Tess's story and would have liked more info. A 4.1 out of 5 rating.
March 21, 2024
Too wordy
In my opinion, this is a very strange book. We read all about a car repair shop for a reason unknown to me and then we are subjected to innumerable pages about a flight from Portland, ME, to New Orleans. But what irritated me most was the fact that, on the copyright page, the author stated that "the spelling used is British English" even though the book appears to occur solely in the US.
Huh?
In my opinion, this is a very strange book. We read all about a car repair shop for a reason unknown to me and then we are subjected to innumerable pages about a flight from Portland, ME, to New Orleans. But what irritated me most was the fact that, on the copyright page, the author stated that "the spelling used is British English" even though the book appears to occur solely in the US.
Huh?
June 14, 2020
First of a promising series
Not tried this series before but am a fan of Matt Hilton so thought I'd give it a try and I'll glad I did. Not quite as fast paced as the Joe Hunter books but a good thriller and really picks up as it goes along. Give it a try and you'll want to read the next straight away, because I am.
Not tried this series before but am a fan of Matt Hilton so thought I'd give it a try and I'll glad I did. Not quite as fast paced as the Joe Hunter books but a good thriller and really picks up as it goes along. Give it a try and you'll want to read the next straight away, because I am.
April 9, 2025
Very disappointed not up to my standard for Matt Hilton, I enjoy his Joe Hunter series and had high hopes for this series as it was number one and many positive ratings, so surprised in its lack of 'octane' - bickering, postering, shallow depth to the new characters much of the way through the story just lacked substance and focused on Grey & Villere. I'm sticking with Hunter.
January 18, 2022
Action packed
Interesting storyline with several surprise. I kept waiting for an additional surprise about Po’s life like there was some hidden military background.
Lots of action. Liked that Tess was a strong woman without being bitch.
Interesting storyline with several surprise. I kept waiting for an additional surprise about Po’s life like there was some hidden military background.
Lots of action. Liked that Tess was a strong woman without being bitch.
May 5, 2022
I was new to this author and very pleasantly surprised by how good the story was. I was not so keen on the graphical torture scenes but they were at least not frequent. I have moved on to book 2 in this series now.
January 15, 2022
Meet the crazy psychopath
A very well written story. A page Turner as usual. Very difficult to put the book down until you finish the story.
A very well written story. A page Turner as usual. Very difficult to put the book down until you finish the story.
August 2, 2022
Not a bad story, a little gory but it adds to the plot. I bought a five book package, now on to number two.
August 8, 2022
This is a high action story set in the US, and it’s fairly high on the gruesome scale. It gets very exciting towards the end. On the whole, I enjoyed it.
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