Deviant Acts

by J.J. White

Jackson Hurst lives his nightmares with his eyes open. Only the heroin he’s been addicted to since Vietnam keeps the horror at bay. A poster child for losers, Jackson’s addiction has cost him his job, his girlfriend—and unless there’s a change soon—his life. That change comes in the form of the wicked Aunt Camille, a Vermont millionaire who desperately needs Jackson’s services to retrieve her twenty-year-old daughter, Cheryl, from kidnappers. Camille wants her back at any cost and she wants the kidnappers, who maimed her only daughter, murdered. Jackson could use the money—no, he desperately needs the money—but can he stay clean long enough to get her back? And more importantly, can he kill again despite the demons that haunt him from the war?

Genres: Thriller

268 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2015

About the author

J. J. WHITE has had articles and stories published in several anthologies and magazines including, Wordsmith, The Homestead Review, The Seven Hills Review, Bacopa Review, and The Grey Sparrow Journal. His story, “The Adventure of the Nine Hole League,” was published in the Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, Volume 13, and his story, “Lucky Bastard Club,” was published in the Saturday Evening Post, 2016 anthology. His debut novel, Prodigious Savant, was published in 2014 by Black Opal Books. His next novel, Deviant Acts, came out November 14, 2015, and was also by Black Opal Books. His latest novel is, Nisei, released June 30, 2016. He was nominated for the Pushcart Prize for his short piece “Tour Bus.” He lives in Merritt Island, Florida with his understanding wife and editor, Pamela.

Reviews

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really surprised how much I enjoyed this book. The first chapter was a little off because of the language and slang it used, but it was a written very well and It was a very enjoyable read.

Jackson is hired by his aunt to find her daughter. He was in Vietnam and so his aunt knows he has killed and she needs him to do a very bad deed. He agrees and finds out not all is what it seems to be. Along the road he suffers from his heroin addiction, gets rehab, and becomes a PI. After becoming a PI he is once again hired by his Aunt to once again track her daughter down, this time she is in trouble. He goes to her and soon they find themselves on the run from the feds.

Deviant Acts had many twists and turns and was full of action. As the book continued it just got better. It was very well written and was very colorful and interesting view into the mind of a vet who has seen the horrors of war. It was excellent, but I was confused on the ending. I felt like I either missed something or is this supposed to have a next book to continue with the story?....Stormi

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[Aisling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that is both better and worse than the three stars it's getting. The author has good pacing and interesting characters and the plot was fine. The book was very readable. All of that points to the potential for a good writer. But White clearly does not have a critical editor to call him on inconsistencies, when he goes off track, or seems to be trying his hand at a completely different kind of novel (romance, porn, noir). I see a lot of potential but this reads like a first draft (as so many self-pub do). Certainly an author to watch but give this effort a pass.

[Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Deviant Acts isn’t just a detective story, it’s a gritty, emotional ride through pain, redemption, and survival. J.J. White has created a character in Jackson Hurst who feels so real that you can’t help but root for him, flaws and all.

I loved how the book balances raw, haunting moments with bursts of dark humor that keep you hooked. It’s more than a crime novel; it’s a journey into the human condition, addiction, and second chances, set against a vividly drawn 1970s backdrop that pulls you right in.

Fast-paced, intense, and impossible to put down, this is the kind of book that stays with you long after the last page. J.J. White’s storytelling is sharp, fearless, and full of heart. If you love crime thrillers with depth, this one’s a must-read.”*

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you lived through the turbulent sixties you might like this book. If you don't like criminals portrayed as likable victims you won't like this book.
Jackson came back from Vietnam with a heroine addiction. After bumming around for awhile his eccentric aunt hires him to find her daughter. Cheryl belongs to a violent revolutionary group and has been kidnapped. Halfway through the story changes direction. Like a two-part novella. Good character portrayal, good writing, weakish ending.
Just noticed that the author and I are practically neighbors.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense and compelling!

This is the first book of White's that I've read, but I look forward to reading more. It's full of drama and mystery, and definitely a lot of action. A magnificent turn around for the Jackson Hurst. He's rebuilding his life that he self-admittedly knows he destroyed with his addiction. This story is raw and brutal, and just all together magnificent. I loved it from start to finish. White's work is a definite read, and reread.

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a drama from start to finish and a great thriller. I wondered if he could kill again and how it would affect him. I also thought that the argument after the shower was spot on! Seriously. So many people rush into things and I could not agree more. I LOVED the ending and only wish that it was one chapter longer. The characters were great and I was happy that they "paid" their dues. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy, all opinions are my own.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Disclosure: The author is my uncle; however, he did not provide a free copy of this book to me. So this review comes after I purchased his book.

First, this book was not at all what I was expecting. It takes place over the course of a few years and shortly after the main character, Jackson, gets dishonorably discharged following his stint in the Vietnam War, which left him with three recurring nightmares. The book follows Jackson’s exploits, which initially are basically doing “smack” and failure after failure, until his wealthy and miserable aunt from New England contacts him and enigmatically seeks his help. Her precious daughter Cheryl has been kidnapped. Because uppity aunt not only wants her daughter back but also wants revenge, she can’t go the authorities. Hence, Jackson, the disgruntled veteran, who is retained to rescue his cousin and dispose of the kidnappers. But [SPOILER] his cousin Cheryl wasn’t exactly kidnapped and she certainly isn’t interested in returning to her mom, who [ANOTHER SPOILER] isn’t really her mom. Instead, she just wants her mom’s money to fund her radical causes and progressive antics, which gets her into even greater trouble, causing [MAJOR SPOILER] the rich aunt to again call on Jackson to save Cheryl. This time, Jackson’s efforts will severely impact his own future. [MAJOR SPOILER] Jackson and Cheryl reunite and begin an adventure that takes them back to the aunt’s home in Vermont, then through D.C., and all the way to Mexico, where they hide out. The conclusion is satisfying but also left me with a question [SPOILER—how could she have HIS eyes???].

Overall, this book was really well written (although perhaps the subject and time period were not my cup of tea). The chapters moved along nicely, and there was humor spread throughout (For example, one chapter ends with Jackson’s internal dialogue: “Life had seemed a lot easier when he was hooked on smack.”). I am too young to have lived through this time in our history, but White’s portrayal seems accurate. And Jackson’s internal struggles (of which there were many) are made relatable by White. This book was tremendously better than the Kindle First books that I have read. 4 Stars.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A road novel, a saga that takes readers from Charlotte, North Carolina to Vermont, New York, Mexico, Albany and many points between. We follow an inept former marine who was booted from the service for various illegal acts. Now a civilian, Jackson Hurst has become a destitute low-level criminal, doing and selling drugs, burgling his neighbors and driving his mother slightly mad.

But Jackson Hurst has a singular asset, a very wealthy aunt who needs his help to locate her adopted daughter, Cheryl. She's willing to pay Jackson a lot of money, finance the search and even set Jackson up as a private investigator, a job for which he appears to have no particular talent, if he will just find Cheryl Ebert and bring her home.

Naturally with his troubles and knowing he's hunted by several law enforcement agencies, he agrees to find Cheryl and bring her back to the Vermont mansion. And so the story begins. And now we start to learn that Cheryl is not merely a runaway. She's been a member of the Weather Underground. The novel begins in 1973 and ends in 1977. The road trip is long and littered with nearly every deviant act one can imagine one human perpetrating against another, mostly violent and costly.

The plot is convoluted and clever, the author's writing style is sometimes puzzling and shifty, but it's fair to observe that his style serves the novel well and once readers become comfortable, it should prove not to be a problem. The novel raises some troubling questions and because of that and Hurst's sometimes cavalier approach to certain deviant acts like killing, some readers may be uncomfortable with tghe narrative.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you ever buy or receive a book and just mean to glance at it only to find that you were reading it front to back non stop? That is what happened to me with this book. I really just meant to read a page or two then pick it up in a week or two as I had no idea what it would be about--uh--it caught me from the get go. Jackson Hurst, a loser by most peoples definition of that term is really not doing well--his Mom has just about given up on him--when he is called upon by his aunt, who has no respect for him or anyone else for that matter because she deems him the only one who can help find and retrieve her kidnapped daughter--and then wreak revenge on the kidnappers. She sets him up as a private investigator and the craziness begins!

I don't want to say much more or I will spoil it for you--all I will say is the FBI gets involved and a BIG secret is revealed--I did love the ending and I think you will too!
Deviant Acts

[Jeanie Loiacono · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gravitate towards military stories or those of vets. Jackson reminded me so much of my cousin who came back from Nam pretty messed up, but, in the end, got his act together…finally…just like Jackson. Those boys came home to NOTHING, unlike the heroes (their fathers) of WWII. No help was provided. They had to claw their way back to sanity. I could so relate to this story and could not put it down. JJ White did a magnificent job with keeping me glued to the couch. Five Stars all the way!
— CJ Loiacono

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book as a winner of a Goodreads giveaway.

This book was truly a page-turner from start to finish. The characters draw you in and it's obvious that the author is very familiar with the '70s scene and the revolutionary feelings so prevalent at that time. Parts of the book are a bit racy and gritty, but it makes for a very realistic story. I look forward to more cases featuring this unlikely private investigator.

[Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
I found it to be a fun, quick story, with just enough twists and turns, whose standout quality is the set of well-developed and zany characters. Well-done, Mr. White!

[Celeste]

well thought out characters and plot. passed this book on to another reader of good books