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Hawker #1
Florida Firefight
A disgraced Chicago cop launches a one-man war against organized crime
A man holds twelve children hostage at gunpoint. Across the street, James Hawker dangles from a skyscraper, watching the terrorist through a sniper’s scope. Hawker has a shot, and he wants to take it, but the police brass say no. By the time he gets permission, it will be far too late. The terrorist opens fire, killing two of the children before Hawker can take him out. When the smoke clears, the madman is dead, and Hawker’s career is toast. No longer a cop, he’s about to become America’s deadliest defender.
The father of one of the murdered children hires Hawker as a private vigilante, and gives him an unlimited bankroll to wage a nationwide fight against organized crime. The first battle will be fought in Florida, where drug smugglers have taken root like a cancer—and Hawker will have to cut them out.
Florida Firefight is the 1st book in the Hawker series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
A man holds twelve children hostage at gunpoint. Across the street, James Hawker dangles from a skyscraper, watching the terrorist through a sniper’s scope. Hawker has a shot, and he wants to take it, but the police brass say no. By the time he gets permission, it will be far too late. The terrorist opens fire, killing two of the children before Hawker can take him out. When the smoke clears, the madman is dead, and Hawker’s career is toast. No longer a cop, he’s about to become America’s deadliest defender.
The father of one of the murdered children hires Hawker as a private vigilante, and gives him an unlimited bankroll to wage a nationwide fight against organized crime. The first battle will be fought in Florida, where drug smugglers have taken root like a cancer—and Hawker will have to cut them out.
Florida Firefight is the 1st book in the Hawker series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1984
663 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
September 5, 2020
Excellent. Hawker is going to be fun. I’ve never read White but he must have loved Parker. It felt a little like a Stone or Spenser book. Every now and then I like a quick, rapid fire read like all of those great Parker stories. I hope this series is like that.
This first one starts with a cop that is smarter than his superiors and doesn’t like to follow rules and ends with one guy, with a little help, taking down the big, bad guys. Sound familiar? It sure does and I’m just fine with that.
This first one starts with a cop that is smarter than his superiors and doesn’t like to follow rules and ends with one guy, with a little help, taking down the big, bad guys. Sound familiar? It sure does and I’m just fine with that.
November 21, 2022
Ah, didn’t know that to expect! But wow a really good thriller. I think I will continue reading the series.
December 5, 2015
Get ready for one whirlwind, monster roller coaster ride from the first page of this incredible thriller, as James Hawker, fired from his Chicago sharpshooter cop for disobeying orders but trying to save kids from a psycho killer, is hired to seek revenge for the murder of a millionaire’s son.
Soon after, Hawker finds himself on a small Florida key whose people have been intimidated by drug running Guatemalans who want the quiet Florida town to use for their drug smuggling. Almost right away, Hawker is surrounded by four threatening thugs and Hawker knows his life may be on the line.
But Hawker has a plan, and it’s dynamite!
This is one incredible read – but be careful! You’ll want to hide the phone, hit the john, grab you snacks and favorite drink and relish the crazy ride!
Soon after, Hawker finds himself on a small Florida key whose people have been intimidated by drug running Guatemalans who want the quiet Florida town to use for their drug smuggling. Almost right away, Hawker is surrounded by four threatening thugs and Hawker knows his life may be on the line.
But Hawker has a plan, and it’s dynamite!
This is one incredible read – but be careful! You’ll want to hide the phone, hit the john, grab you snacks and favorite drink and relish the crazy ride!
November 15, 2017
Typical '80's style pulp action thriller. Violence, sex and revenge. As stories goes, it was pretty well written.
Note to RWW fans. This was written years before White came up with the Doc Ford series. But the descriptions of south Florida, the Gulf coast, are just as entertaining and educational as the Ford novels.
This was book one of the first three book series recently on sale via Amazon.
Note to RWW fans. This was written years before White came up with the Doc Ford series. But the descriptions of south Florida, the Gulf coast, are just as entertaining and educational as the Ford novels.
This was book one of the first three book series recently on sale via Amazon.
February 6, 2018
80's action. 80s cliches and stereotypes. Hand painted cover art. Coarse, yellowed pages. The books you picked up as a teenager in a local library sale for fifty cents that made your high school English work fun and which helped set you on a path to writing...
June 18, 2016
Readable thriller in the Men's Adventure vein, with a hero whose a bit like a cross between Mack Bolan and Travis McGee. Quality wise it probably sits about midway between those to series, fun enough but nothing special.
January 10, 2017
Slightly better reading than the back of a cereal box. Firearms terminology is wrong and Hawk is either fighting or being pursued by some hot woman at all times.
November 20, 2018
This book is brought to me by a humble bundle from a few years ago.
Which is part of what startles me so much. I learned that this book was originally published in 1984 and is a reprint from around 2015.
The part that shocks me so much is that I've read a decent number of books via Humble Bundle and while not all of them are the picture of progressive, politically correct or even acceptable by some standards I would very rarely go so far as to say any of them I've read before is an anachronistic, sexist, racist, reactionary manifesto of toxic masculinity and violence.
Your book hasn't aged well Mr. White, it really has not.
So instead of doing my normal review, because I hesitate to say this book even deserved the time it took to read it, I'm just going to point out some amusing things about this book from the perspective of this year of our lord 2018:
1. The overuse of certain words in this often come to hilarious effect. Anything that's criminal is usually referred to as 'outlaw' and everything that isn't... uh... right wing? Violent? Masculine? Uh, nationalistic? Is 'liberal' or 'left-wing.' So we have fun moments where several words that are shorthand for other things come together, like "Ultra left-wing political outlaw." This is to describe a Guatemalan man who takes hostages of several teenagers and ultimately decides to shoot them to death. Left-wing indeed.
2. Some of the tech and descriptions thereof tend to date this pretty hard. The main character gets a blisteringly fast 128kb ram computer with several 'outlaw' disks that allow him to 'hack any computer connected to a phone line.' This is not exclusive to the realm of technology, as there are several descriptions of firearms that often include details that seem puzzling, like how a colt pistol has a finish that makes it 'look more lethal.' Because the most lethal part of any firearm should be it's appearance. Hopefully the bad guys get a good look at that lethal finish while you're, oh right, trying to kill them with it! (Do not actually do this. I mean don't actually kill people if you don't have to but if you do showing off your gun is a good way to let them know A. You have a gun and B. You're too stupid to just shoot them with it before they have realized A, and C. They have a second or two to shoot you).
3. Every woman with speaking lines either seems to be in love with Hawker (our main character) or in complete and total agreement with him no matter what view he might hold and how anachronistic it might be. This leads to some fun dialogue with a woman of 'Indian' (Native American of a Floridian tribe) heritage about how she's upset that immigrants are 'taking over' various parts of America with very, uh, interesting opinions about how that went for her ancestors on the native side of her family. Namely not great ones, like it's a joke or something.
4. There's a bar in this that is no women allowed like it's a point of pride and very important to everyone involved who has a penis that it stay that way. The main character 'buys' it as part of his cover to, oh by the way, go out and murder people. So my brain being what it was immediately derailed interest in the interactions between the barkeep and the main character and thought of how ridiculous it is: What if you're a man in women's clothing and you try to enter? They say it's men only, if you identify as a man are you allowed in or would they have to change the sign? If they change it to "cis men only" and if people pass do penis checks? If a man who identifies as a man who is not very manly or in fact looks somewhat effeminate tries to enter is he denied because he's not manly enough? Is there a certain percentage of manliness that's required to enter and if so how do they measure it? What about people who are gender fluid, are they allowed when they feel more masculine and then not allowed when they feel more feminine? This occupied the back of my mind for like, sixty pages of this book.
5. Oh right the main character is a cop who becomes upset because politics get in the way of his stopping crime, especially violent crime. So what does he do? Quits being a cop so he can go be a violent vigilante, which is, by the way, a violent crime. I mean not in the sense that he assaults some people but I mean like murder, with firearms, with lots of planning and devices designed specifically (even if not very well) for murder. There are some points where the main character could be given reasonable doubt about acting in self defense but there are also, throughout the book, parts where he is clearly, very clearly not. Sometimes assaulting minors.
But I would be careful about saying too much more, I wouldn't want to be branded an ultra left-wing liberal political outlaw.
Which is part of what startles me so much. I learned that this book was originally published in 1984 and is a reprint from around 2015.
The part that shocks me so much is that I've read a decent number of books via Humble Bundle and while not all of them are the picture of progressive, politically correct or even acceptable by some standards I would very rarely go so far as to say any of them I've read before is an anachronistic, sexist, racist, reactionary manifesto of toxic masculinity and violence.
Your book hasn't aged well Mr. White, it really has not.
So instead of doing my normal review, because I hesitate to say this book even deserved the time it took to read it, I'm just going to point out some amusing things about this book from the perspective of this year of our lord 2018:
1. The overuse of certain words in this often come to hilarious effect. Anything that's criminal is usually referred to as 'outlaw' and everything that isn't... uh... right wing? Violent? Masculine? Uh, nationalistic? Is 'liberal' or 'left-wing.' So we have fun moments where several words that are shorthand for other things come together, like "Ultra left-wing political outlaw." This is to describe a Guatemalan man who takes hostages of several teenagers and ultimately decides to shoot them to death. Left-wing indeed.
2. Some of the tech and descriptions thereof tend to date this pretty hard. The main character gets a blisteringly fast 128kb ram computer with several 'outlaw' disks that allow him to 'hack any computer connected to a phone line.' This is not exclusive to the realm of technology, as there are several descriptions of firearms that often include details that seem puzzling, like how a colt pistol has a finish that makes it 'look more lethal.' Because the most lethal part of any firearm should be it's appearance. Hopefully the bad guys get a good look at that lethal finish while you're, oh right, trying to kill them with it! (Do not actually do this. I mean don't actually kill people if you don't have to but if you do showing off your gun is a good way to let them know A. You have a gun and B. You're too stupid to just shoot them with it before they have realized A, and C. They have a second or two to shoot you).
3. Every woman with speaking lines either seems to be in love with Hawker (our main character) or in complete and total agreement with him no matter what view he might hold and how anachronistic it might be. This leads to some fun dialogue with a woman of 'Indian' (Native American of a Floridian tribe) heritage about how she's upset that immigrants are 'taking over' various parts of America with very, uh, interesting opinions about how that went for her ancestors on the native side of her family. Namely not great ones, like it's a joke or something.
4. There's a bar in this that is no women allowed like it's a point of pride and very important to everyone involved who has a penis that it stay that way. The main character 'buys' it as part of his cover to, oh by the way, go out and murder people. So my brain being what it was immediately derailed interest in the interactions between the barkeep and the main character and thought of how ridiculous it is: What if you're a man in women's clothing and you try to enter? They say it's men only, if you identify as a man are you allowed in or would they have to change the sign? If they change it to "cis men only" and if people pass do penis checks? If a man who identifies as a man who is not very manly or in fact looks somewhat effeminate tries to enter is he denied because he's not manly enough? Is there a certain percentage of manliness that's required to enter and if so how do they measure it? What about people who are gender fluid, are they allowed when they feel more masculine and then not allowed when they feel more feminine? This occupied the back of my mind for like, sixty pages of this book.
5. Oh right the main character is a cop who becomes upset because politics get in the way of his stopping crime, especially violent crime. So what does he do? Quits being a cop so he can go be a violent vigilante, which is, by the way, a violent crime. I mean not in the sense that he assaults some people but I mean like murder, with firearms, with lots of planning and devices designed specifically (even if not very well) for murder. There are some points where the main character could be given reasonable doubt about acting in self defense but there are also, throughout the book, parts where he is clearly, very clearly not. Sometimes assaulting minors.
But I would be careful about saying too much more, I wouldn't want to be branded an ultra left-wing liberal political outlaw.
December 30, 2024
While Bruce serenaded America with track 3 of HUMAN TOUCH, Mike Rowe muddled through them 57 channels, bouncing from show to show in the 1990s, proving that almost nothing worth watching was on. Eventually finding his footing and good fortune in the new Millennium when the Discovery Channel picked up DIRTY JOBS, taking Rowe's training wheels off to let him fly, the show was not 'about nothing', but about something that most people would rather not do. Taking up the plight of the common man, FLORIDA FIREFIGHT introduces a tough ex-Chicago Cop, traveling across America taking on DIRTY JOBS and seeking out communities plagued by crime and corruption. Someone's gotta do these jobs, to show people how to clean up their towns and fight back. Picking up where category innovators like BILLY JACK and DEATH WISH started things in the 1970s, FLORIDA FIREFIGHT is the height of vigilante entertainment, cruising the mid-80s, where good guys with a lotta heart and more guns go outside the law to do bad things to worse people.
If 80s heroes had baseball cards, James Thornton Hawker would be the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, six-one, just under 200 lbs, with copper hair and a handsome face in a rough and funny sort of way. Using his thick Irish skull, Hawker is a former Chicago Cop of the Chicago Special Weapons Attack Team, known to play it close and acting on his own. A loner and a tough second generation Chicago cop who doesn't like emotional attachments slowing him down, Hawker resigns in disgust after a hostage situation turned deadly, wiping out a life of fighting bastards and bullies, killers and crooks who prey on the innocent. Good at boxing, diving and shooting, Hawker also knows his way around electronics. With both the NYPD and the LAPD off the table, the first stop is the wild frontier, land of the cocaine cowboys; Florida. In a time when a 128K RAM computer, complete with two disk drives, telephone modem and printer was top of the line, Hawker is armed to the teeth as data is the new God. Crossing America from the cement and stone canyons of Chicago with its own political predators, FLORIDA FIREFIGHT ends up in Mahogany Key, fictional Florida, a village on an island with problems in the form of Columbians with automatics. Interestingly enough, 40 years later, America is still besotted with the same problems, just as FLORIDA FIREFIGHT explores bringing the hammer of justice on bad hombres seemingly working in aid of developers and politicians engaged in the most American of crimes...land theft.
Right in line with most 80s TV television formula episodes from the pen of Stephen J. Cannell as well as THE A-TEAM, THE EQUALIZER, MacGYVER, and RIPTIDE, FLORIDA FIREFIGHT offers more savage violence, action, and salty language. As it's book one of the series, FLORIDA FIREFIGHT is heavy on the protagonist pep talk, and walks the fine line between terrorism and vigilante work. Like DEATH WISH 3, Hawker fights alone, to rid people of the epidemic of fear that has infested Mahogany Island. Among the bullets over Biscayne Bay, FLORIDA FIREFIGHT chums the water with truisms that are more meritorious than macho. Even to this day 'the more things people own, the more they are owned', complacency kills, word spreads fast on an island, the difference between a coward and a brave man is the distances he'll let himself be pushed and life can be a nasty SOB still ring true. Hilarious with semi-tough 1980s quips and one-liners, FLORIDA FIREFIGHT is a diamond in the rough, a solid action romp that's loaded for bear and plays 70s vigilantism and one-man-army antics to the max.
August 8, 2021
This pulpy book is worthy, 3 bill-stars.
Florida Firefight is some OK pulp fiction. Hawker is a big, burly ex-cop who beats up anyone in his way, so there's lots of ultra-violence. Excellent. (ha) I wish things weren't so serious. The book would be better with some humor and smart dialogue.
QOTD
Working alone, Hawker had tracked the bastards down within twenty-four hours of the murder—before the homicide squad assigned to the case had even gotten started. And Detective Lieutenant James Hawker knew that if the killers were ever found again, it would be a piece at a time, in some very deep, very cold water.
- some ultra-violence in Hawker #1
A good read. That said, I doubt I'll read Hawker #2, but don't touch that dial. The author is better known for his Doc Ford series, and I think I'll give that a try.
thanks...yow, bill
PS - Bonus: classic "old tech" quote. Hawker #1 was published in 1984.
QOTD2
Hawker was no big spender—couldn’t afford to be. Also he believed that the more things a man owns, the more he is owned. When he did buy, he bought carefully: clothes, books, car; and buying carefully usually meant buying the very best available. But Hawker’s one big personal indulgence was a 128k RAM computer, complete with two disk drives, telephone modem and printer. He had reasoned it would come in handy for police work, and he was right; it had proved invaluable.
- Hawker #1, written in 1984 (ha!)
November 17, 2019
#1 in the Hawker series. This 1984 series debut by author Randy Wayne White writing as Carl Ramm features an ex-cop turned vigilante. At this stage of his career, White was churning out pulp novels. He had just finished the Dusky MacMorgan series with 7 entries in two years, and the Hawker series would account for 11 entries in 3 years. Hawker's theme and body count is reminiscent of Don Pendleton's The Executioner series, while his plot twists remind me of Mickey Spillane. A page-turner.
A disgraced Chicago cop launches a one-man war against organized crime. A man holds twelve children hostage at gunpoint. Across the street, James Hawker dangles from a skyscraper, watching the terrorist through a sniper's scope. Hawker has a shot, and he wants to take it, but the police brass say no. By the time he gets permission, it will be far too late. The terrorist opens fire, killing two of the children before Hawker can take him out. When the smoke clears, the madman is dead, and Hawker's career is toast. No longer a cop, he's about to become America's deadliest defender. The father of one of the murdered children hires Hawker as a private vigilante, and gives him an unlimited bankroll to wage a nationwide fight against organized crime. The first battle will be fought in Florida, where drug smugglers have taken root like a cancer - and Hawker will have to cut them out.
A disgraced Chicago cop launches a one-man war against organized crime. A man holds twelve children hostage at gunpoint. Across the street, James Hawker dangles from a skyscraper, watching the terrorist through a sniper's scope. Hawker has a shot, and he wants to take it, but the police brass say no. By the time he gets permission, it will be far too late. The terrorist opens fire, killing two of the children before Hawker can take him out. When the smoke clears, the madman is dead, and Hawker's career is toast. No longer a cop, he's about to become America's deadliest defender. The father of one of the murdered children hires Hawker as a private vigilante, and gives him an unlimited bankroll to wage a nationwide fight against organized crime. The first battle will be fought in Florida, where drug smugglers have taken root like a cancer - and Hawker will have to cut them out.
February 14, 2022
Hawker Florida Firefight was a fun quick read and could have easily been a tv shows for the 80's. It follows a similar plot to one of my favorite 80's action books, Psycho Squad, where a very wealthy business man wants to stop gangs a violence via rouge ex agents. In this case however; it's just on ex agent. Hawker. While the violence is very tame in this book, the action and story keep it moving. There is just enough mystery to the book to keep you turning each page.
The book steers you in one direction, and you have a feeling you're might be being steered another way, but the book keeps you jut on the edge enough to make you doubt yourself. I liked Hawker as a character because he isn't invincible, he can be vulnerable at times, and caught off gaurd and will admit his short comings. However; he is still badass enough to work on his own if need be.
The ending was somewhat predictable, but that didn't spoil the book, and if the ending is leading to what I think is to come in the rest of the series I can't wait to read book 2! If you like the Doctor Death series by Herb Fisher, you will get very similar vibes in Hawker. You can easily knock this book out in a day or two, and is an action packed read. 5 stars.
The book steers you in one direction, and you have a feeling you're might be being steered another way, but the book keeps you jut on the edge enough to make you doubt yourself. I liked Hawker as a character because he isn't invincible, he can be vulnerable at times, and caught off gaurd and will admit his short comings. However; he is still badass enough to work on his own if need be.
The ending was somewhat predictable, but that didn't spoil the book, and if the ending is leading to what I think is to come in the rest of the series I can't wait to read book 2! If you like the Doctor Death series by Herb Fisher, you will get very similar vibes in Hawker. You can easily knock this book out in a day or two, and is an action packed read. 5 stars.
April 27, 2025
A Formulaic But Entertaining Thriller
Randy Wayne White knows how to write a brisk, exciting crime thriller, bringing this concise actioneer in at under 200 pages. Our hero James Hawker works for the Chicago PD and his specialty is as a sniper. The predicament he finds himself in when “Florida Firefight” unfolds is simply classic! A crazy gunman has taken room full of children hostage and dictates terms for his departure, including a hefty amount of money. Hawker is told not to shoot unless ordered, but the veteran policeman cannot restrain himself after a boy and a little girl are murdered in cold blood. Hawker kills the criminal and resigns after his department prepares to punish him. Now, without a job, Hawker receives a summons to visit a man of considerable wealth and social status who wants to recruit him for some vigilante work in Florida. The role of James Hawker is tailor made for Jason Statham. Naturally, some parts of this quick read are not surprising. Nevertheless, White throw some curve balls that may either surprise you or entertain you. White churns out lean, mean prose that you can digest without resorting to a dictionary. “Florida Firefight” kept me entertained.
Randy Wayne White knows how to write a brisk, exciting crime thriller, bringing this concise actioneer in at under 200 pages. Our hero James Hawker works for the Chicago PD and his specialty is as a sniper. The predicament he finds himself in when “Florida Firefight” unfolds is simply classic! A crazy gunman has taken room full of children hostage and dictates terms for his departure, including a hefty amount of money. Hawker is told not to shoot unless ordered, but the veteran policeman cannot restrain himself after a boy and a little girl are murdered in cold blood. Hawker kills the criminal and resigns after his department prepares to punish him. Now, without a job, Hawker receives a summons to visit a man of considerable wealth and social status who wants to recruit him for some vigilante work in Florida. The role of James Hawker is tailor made for Jason Statham. Naturally, some parts of this quick read are not surprising. Nevertheless, White throw some curve balls that may either surprise you or entertain you. White churns out lean, mean prose that you can digest without resorting to a dictionary. “Florida Firefight” kept me entertained.
November 13, 2021
This is the first book in a series of action adventures about an ex-Chicago SWAT officer James Hawker. Due to Hawker’s disgust with political bosses withholding permission to shoot a man holding children hostage, some hostages lost their lives. Hawker thus resigns from the Chicago PD. The multi-millionaire father of one of the victims hires Hawker to be a vigilante. A person who will hunt down and destroy criminals behaving badly without needing any politician’s approval. The first assignment is in Florida where some Columbians have taken over a small fishing village and are up to no good. There is action aplenty in the story. The plot and scenario around the village and the criminals is a bit loose around the edges, but you read stories like this to see the bad guys get their comeuppance in as violent of a way as possible. On that premise, the book really delivers. This book was written in 1984 and that is the time period in which this story is set.
February 23, 2017
Wow!!
I have very much enjoyed this author's Doc Ford series. I can't figure out how I missed the Hawker series, but Hallelujah! If this book is any indication of the rest of this series I am totally hooked. Action, twists, turns, self evaluation and great character development, this book wants for nothing except for more pages. This is the story of a great law enforcement officer caught up in the politics and procedures that have gone horribly wrong and has cost innocent lives, and the chance he has for redemption. I actually felt I was in the Florida Keys, and I will cheerfully pay the plane ticket (book price) for the next place that Hawker is setting out for. I highly recommend this author and this series, excuse me now I have a plane to catch....
I have very much enjoyed this author's Doc Ford series. I can't figure out how I missed the Hawker series, but Hallelujah! If this book is any indication of the rest of this series I am totally hooked. Action, twists, turns, self evaluation and great character development, this book wants for nothing except for more pages. This is the story of a great law enforcement officer caught up in the politics and procedures that have gone horribly wrong and has cost innocent lives, and the chance he has for redemption. I actually felt I was in the Florida Keys, and I will cheerfully pay the plane ticket (book price) for the next place that Hawker is setting out for. I highly recommend this author and this series, excuse me now I have a plane to catch....
July 17, 2019
I remember when I was a teenager during the 80s when these types of novels filled many hours of my day. I loved them then and I loved them in 2019. The story is simple with an easy plot, the characters are easy to understand. James Hawker is a perfect character of the 80s and the type of stories fitted its time era. The novel is very entertaining and is perfect for the hot summer days spent at the beach with a good book to allow the hours slip away. The story is well-paced with plenty of action. Some of the technology is dated compared to what is being used today but the story still fits with what happens on the streets in our modern big cities. It is fun to read these stories with fresh eyes nearly 30+ years later.
July 22, 2019
I’ve read all of Randy Wayne White’s Doc Ford and Hannah Smith series and love his writing style. So I thought I’d try reading his James Hawker series he wrote earlier as Carl Ramm. Florida Firefight is the first in the series about James Hawker, an ex Chicago cop. He is hired by a Chicago millionaire, who’s son was murdered, to become a one man wrecking force against organized crime. He is given access to unlimited funds and equipment. This book has Hawker heading to Mahogany Key south of Naples, Florida. He gets the people of the small town to rise up and fight the Columbian drug smugglers that have taken over their town. This is a story of not only fighting against the evil in our world, but of giving people back their pride and dignity.
I enjoyed reading this book and plan on reading the rest of the series. It takes place back in the 80’s, but much of what is said fits right into what’s going on in today’s world. It was a well written and fast paced read. I think Hawker and Doc Ford would have liked each other.
I enjoyed reading this book and plan on reading the rest of the series. It takes place back in the 80’s, but much of what is said fits right into what’s going on in today’s world. It was a well written and fast paced read. I think Hawker and Doc Ford would have liked each other.
September 26, 2020
A new series started by the author of the Doc Ford Mystery series. This is the first of a James Hawker, former Chicago cop, series. It seems that he will serve as a one-person vigilante to stop ‘the bad guys’, legally and illegally. I appreciated the Doc Ford series of mysteries; White’s environmental and wildlife knowledge was always a key part of those stories; that background added credibility to the stories. This was a 190 pp book that had little depth, no development of character and a serious hint of one of the bad persons early in the story. I will not read another of this series.
October 15, 2022
It’s been longer than it should have been since I have read any of White’s books. Although published in 2015 I suspect it was first written in the early 80’s. There are the anachronisms like the dial up modem, 48K computer and compuserve. He also arms Hawker with a Randall knife. He had also given that to a different hero in some of his first books published under the pen name ‘Striker’ in the early 80’s. Likely he polished this some before its 2015 publication but it reflects a much less subtle style than his Doc Ford novels.
That said it was quite a romp.
That said it was quite a romp.
October 18, 2018
Not up to his reputation
This book seems to be pandering to military types that want to work outside the law. This type of person believes they know what is best for the rest of us. The " mightiest is the right," and laws be damned.
Mr White is a great writer but he seems to have seen a quick way to make some money.
I for one am disappointed in his new venture. I hope he makes a lot of money
This book seems to be pandering to military types that want to work outside the law. This type of person believes they know what is best for the rest of us. The " mightiest is the right," and laws be damned.
Mr White is a great writer but he seems to have seen a quick way to make some money.
I for one am disappointed in his new venture. I hope he makes a lot of money
July 7, 2024
Hawker was a chicago cop/sniper. He was watching a crime, asking to take the shot, the higher ups said no, the criminal kills two kids and Hawker takes him out and gets fired for doing so. He becomes a vigilante hired by one of the parents of the kids that were killed. He ends up in FLorida fighting against organized crime and drug runners and ends up killing a bunch of people. Pretty decent book, I would read another in the series.
August 13, 2019
Testosterone-filled Fantasy
Smoldering outsider guys overcome incredible odds to rescue a Southwest Florida sport fishing village from evil foreign crooks. Guns, women, bombs, fast boats, and an evil giant. From the Sanibel story-teller who created Doc Ford and Hannah Smith, Hawker provides action-filled distraction.
Smoldering outsider guys overcome incredible odds to rescue a Southwest Florida sport fishing village from evil foreign crooks. Guns, women, bombs, fast boats, and an evil giant. From the Sanibel story-teller who created Doc Ford and Hannah Smith, Hawker provides action-filled distraction.
August 23, 2019
This is an early Randy Wayne White story about a disgruntled policeman who becomes a vigilante in a story full of pulp thriller sequences and a common twist at the end. The reader is good and the story is diverting enough during a long walk or drive even though the story and characters have little depth.
February 11, 2021
Unexpected
Hawker is a force to be reckoned with. He fights for the downtrodden, and works outside the law. He has a benefactor who pays for supplies to get the job done. Instilling confidence in the neighborhood, and giving them hope to better their lives. I like the message!
Hawker is a force to be reckoned with. He fights for the downtrodden, and works outside the law. He has a benefactor who pays for supplies to get the job done. Instilling confidence in the neighborhood, and giving them hope to better their lives. I like the message!
March 7, 2017
Entertaining and fast paced
This was a fun quick page-turner. There's pretty good character development and Hawker is a believable protagonist. I have read, and liked, many Randy Wayne White books but this is the first Hawker series book. It won't be the last.
This was a fun quick page-turner. There's pretty good character development and Hawker is a believable protagonist. I have read, and liked, many Randy Wayne White books but this is the first Hawker series book. It won't be the last.
October 1, 2017
I'm a huge fan of vigilante books. I liked this story of a cop who made the right decision and got punished for it.
I liked how Hawker got the entire town to pull together and take pride and protect their town. I look forward to the rest of the series.
I liked how Hawker got the entire town to pull together and take pride and protect their town. I look forward to the rest of the series.
September 21, 2018
DYNAMIC
I love the James Hawker series. Once I pick them up I don't want to put them down. Action, intrigue, and sometimes a little romance. A lot of "shot em up" but hey the guy is a vigilante, however a good guy fighting to help the innocenct!
I love the James Hawker series. Once I pick them up I don't want to put them down. Action, intrigue, and sometimes a little romance. A lot of "shot em up" but hey the guy is a vigilante, however a good guy fighting to help the innocenct!
November 4, 2018
Excellent
I am enjoying the Hawker series. I intend to read them all. They are short enough to read without taking too much time; yet contain enough plot and detail to keep me interested. This is a nice combination.
I am enjoying the Hawker series. I intend to read them all. They are short enough to read without taking too much time; yet contain enough plot and detail to keep me interested. This is a nice combination.
March 22, 2020
Loved this book
This is the first book I have read by this Arthur, I wasn’t sure if I would like it,, shoot I completely enjoyed reading it, and plan on putting him on my most favorite writer.
This is the first book I have read by this Arthur, I wasn’t sure if I would like it,, shoot I completely enjoyed reading it, and plan on putting him on my most favorite writer.
May 18, 2020
Well done Randy!!
Long term fan of this author and a devoted fan of his Doc Ford novels.
Plenty of action and plot development for even the most demanding reader. James Hawker has a new fan and I'll have to buy future books from the series.
Long term fan of this author and a devoted fan of his Doc Ford novels.
Plenty of action and plot development for even the most demanding reader. James Hawker has a new fan and I'll have to buy future books from the series.
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