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Southern Watch #1-3
Called, Depths, Corrupted
This is a collection of the first three titles in the Southern Watch Series, which is about a town in the throes of a demon invasion and the people who fight against the tide of evil. (Approx. 286,000 words or 762 pages total.)
WARNING: Due to disturbing content, this series is intended for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.
Books included:
1. Called
2. Depths
3. Corrupted
Called:
Archibald "Arch" Stan was a local cop in Midian, Tennessee that was good at his job. Lafayette Hendricks is a drifter, a broken-down hitchhiker blown through Midian on the prevailing winds. When Arch catches him in a fight on the town square, though, things start to get weird, fast, because the guy he's fighting doesn't die when he gets shot.
Pretty soon, Arch's whole life is turned upside down by Hendricks's revelation that there's a secret world operating under the one he's been living in his whole life - one filled with demons, chaos, and unspeakable evils.
Depths:
When a string of savage and horrific murders committed by demons shocks the town, the unsuspecting Sheriff's Department scrambles to track down the culprit. Their investigation leads them on a twisting path that sends them up against the forces of hell and may even cost them their lives. Because a new demon has come to Midian, one that has a taste for death...and he may not leave the town standing when he's done.
Corrupted:
A carnival comes to Midian in the wake of the ever-deepening apocalypse, leaving Arch Stan and Lafayette Hendricks with another problem – a demon that intends to leave the town in ashes.
Additional Books not included in set:
4. Unearthed
5. Legion
6. Starling*
*Coming in 2016
WARNING: Due to disturbing content, this series is intended for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.
Books included:
1. Called
2. Depths
3. Corrupted
Called:
Archibald "Arch" Stan was a local cop in Midian, Tennessee that was good at his job. Lafayette Hendricks is a drifter, a broken-down hitchhiker blown through Midian on the prevailing winds. When Arch catches him in a fight on the town square, though, things start to get weird, fast, because the guy he's fighting doesn't die when he gets shot.
Pretty soon, Arch's whole life is turned upside down by Hendricks's revelation that there's a secret world operating under the one he's been living in his whole life - one filled with demons, chaos, and unspeakable evils.
Depths:
When a string of savage and horrific murders committed by demons shocks the town, the unsuspecting Sheriff's Department scrambles to track down the culprit. Their investigation leads them on a twisting path that sends them up against the forces of hell and may even cost them their lives. Because a new demon has come to Midian, one that has a taste for death...and he may not leave the town standing when he's done.
Corrupted:
A carnival comes to Midian in the wake of the ever-deepening apocalypse, leaving Arch Stan and Lafayette Hendricks with another problem – a demon that intends to leave the town in ashes.
Additional Books not included in set:
4. Unearthed
5. Legion
6. Starling*
*Coming in 2016
967 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2016
1131 people are currently reading
742 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Crane
175 books1,168 followersRobert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 13, 2020
Action - Intrigue - Suspense - Terror!
Since I read the omnibus of this series then I am going to do a breakdown for each book with a small review.
First Book: Called
The first book takes us into the small town of Midian located in Tennessee where Archibald "Arch" Stan is the sheriff. He thinks he has seen it all until he witnesses two men fighting in town and one of them gets shot, but the man that is shot is not dead. When he confronts the shooter, Lafayette Hendricks, and tries to get him to explain what is going on, the world that Arch thought he knew has a thin veil over it as what he thinks doesn't exist, does exist in Lafayette's world. Demons are running amok in Tennessee and Lafayette tells Arch that he is a demon hunter. Arch and Lafayette have to hook up, because if they don't, then who knows what will happen as now the demons know Arch is involved and he knows what they are, they have basically marked him.
The first book is a grabber and it is a thrill ride into the unknown world of demons! There is action with sword fighting and guns shooting!
Second Book: Depths
The second book takes us literally into the bowels of hell as the demons are ravaging the town of Midian, and nothing nor no one is safe. Arch has the need to protect his town, but to do that he almost has to go rogue as he has to go outside of the law to track down the demon or demons that are causing havoc, destruction, and murders throughout the town. Arch and Lafayette are still teamed up as they continue to battle the demons. There is a lot more action in this book
and more intense situations.
Third Book: Corrupted
Twists, turns, fast paced action as the demonic activity intensifies in the third book. Arch and Lafayette are still right in the thick of it as they continue to battle the demons that have overtaken the town and now they have help as an organization called Officers of Occultic Concordance help them along the way. A very unexpected twist happens which I didn't see coming and the book became a roller coaster thrill ride into terror.
I am looking forward to continuing reading the rest of the series to see what happens to the town of Midian along with the our demon hunter heroes. Giving all three books within this omnibus five stars.
Since I read the omnibus of this series then I am going to do a breakdown for each book with a small review.
First Book: Called
The first book takes us into the small town of Midian located in Tennessee where Archibald "Arch" Stan is the sheriff. He thinks he has seen it all until he witnesses two men fighting in town and one of them gets shot, but the man that is shot is not dead. When he confronts the shooter, Lafayette Hendricks, and tries to get him to explain what is going on, the world that Arch thought he knew has a thin veil over it as what he thinks doesn't exist, does exist in Lafayette's world. Demons are running amok in Tennessee and Lafayette tells Arch that he is a demon hunter. Arch and Lafayette have to hook up, because if they don't, then who knows what will happen as now the demons know Arch is involved and he knows what they are, they have basically marked him.
The first book is a grabber and it is a thrill ride into the unknown world of demons! There is action with sword fighting and guns shooting!
Second Book: Depths
The second book takes us literally into the bowels of hell as the demons are ravaging the town of Midian, and nothing nor no one is safe. Arch has the need to protect his town, but to do that he almost has to go rogue as he has to go outside of the law to track down the demon or demons that are causing havoc, destruction, and murders throughout the town. Arch and Lafayette are still teamed up as they continue to battle the demons. There is a lot more action in this book
and more intense situations.
Third Book: Corrupted
Twists, turns, fast paced action as the demonic activity intensifies in the third book. Arch and Lafayette are still right in the thick of it as they continue to battle the demons that have overtaken the town and now they have help as an organization called Officers of Occultic Concordance help them along the way. A very unexpected twist happens which I didn't see coming and the book became a roller coaster thrill ride into terror.
I am looking forward to continuing reading the rest of the series to see what happens to the town of Midian along with the our demon hunter heroes. Giving all three books within this omnibus five stars.
Want to read
January 2, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/2/2018)! 💝
This is a collection of the first three titles in the Southern Watch Series, which is about a town in the throes of a demon invasion and the people who fight against the tide of evil. (Approx. 286,000 words or 762 pages total.)
WARNING: Due to disturbing content, this series is intended for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.
Books included:
1. Called
2. Depths
3. Corrupted
Called:
Archibald "Arch" Stan was a local cop in Midian, Tennessee that was good at his job. Lafayette Hendricks is a drifter, a broken-down hitchhiker blown through Midian on the prevailing winds. When Arch catches him in a fight on the town square, though, things start to get weird, fast, because the guy he's fighting doesn't die when he gets shot.
Pretty soon, Arch's whole life is turned upside down by Hendricks's revelation that there's a secret world operating under the one he's been living in his whole life - one filled with demons, chaos, and unspeakable evils.
Depths:
When a string of savage and horrific murders committed by demons shocks the town, the unsuspecting Sheriff's Department scrambles to track down the culprit. Their investigation leads them on a twisting path that sends them up against the forces of hell and may even cost them their lives. Because a new demon has come to Midian, one that has a taste for death...and he may not leave the town standing when he's done.
Corrupted:
A carnival comes to Midian in the wake of the ever-deepening apocalypse, leaving Arch Stan and Lafayette Hendricks with another problem – a demon that intends to leave the town in ashes.
This is a collection of the first three titles in the Southern Watch Series, which is about a town in the throes of a demon invasion and the people who fight against the tide of evil. (Approx. 286,000 words or 762 pages total.)
WARNING: Due to disturbing content, this series is intended for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.
Books included:
1. Called
2. Depths
3. Corrupted
Called:
Archibald "Arch" Stan was a local cop in Midian, Tennessee that was good at his job. Lafayette Hendricks is a drifter, a broken-down hitchhiker blown through Midian on the prevailing winds. When Arch catches him in a fight on the town square, though, things start to get weird, fast, because the guy he's fighting doesn't die when he gets shot.
Pretty soon, Arch's whole life is turned upside down by Hendricks's revelation that there's a secret world operating under the one he's been living in his whole life - one filled with demons, chaos, and unspeakable evils.
Depths:
When a string of savage and horrific murders committed by demons shocks the town, the unsuspecting Sheriff's Department scrambles to track down the culprit. Their investigation leads them on a twisting path that sends them up against the forces of hell and may even cost them their lives. Because a new demon has come to Midian, one that has a taste for death...and he may not leave the town standing when he's done.
Corrupted:
A carnival comes to Midian in the wake of the ever-deepening apocalypse, leaving Arch Stan and Lafayette Hendricks with another problem – a demon that intends to leave the town in ashes.
June 3, 2019
3 Stars (Review to Follow)
A lot of stuff happened this month, that kept me from reading, hence amount of days read.
A lot of stuff happened this month, that kept me from reading, hence amount of days read.
December 2, 2022
This has been on my Kindle for years. Finally read it and enjoyed the demons and demon hunting enough to carry on with the series. The women are a little one dimensional in this series and some of the throw away remarks / story arcs throughout are misogynistic at best are my only critiques.
January 9, 2019
The ideas behind these books were absolutely amazing, better than any demon involving books I have read so far.
The first showing a cop realizing about demons then teaming up witha cowboy demon hunterto stop a demon named Hollywood from using people as sacrifices to bring up another demon from hell, an even more powerful one,
The second; a demon who gets a burner from any near by death scene and his load could actually melt a humans inside while they were alive. Very disturbing yet very brilliant 👏👏👏
The third, demons on bicycles... seriously I was mind blown but hey- demons can make alot of impossibles possible so I didn't argue with this idea. Another one having a boner after every thrity years or so and raping young girls only have them give birth to demon dogs... Again very disturbing but the idea was brilliant. New allies are formed in each book and some are even lost but the books never fall a step behind, they just keep on getting better and better and so I would absolutely recommend these books to those who can stomach the things inside.
The first showing a cop realizing about demons then teaming up witha cowboy demon hunterto stop a demon named Hollywood from using people as sacrifices to bring up another demon from hell, an even more powerful one,
The second; a demon who gets a burner from any near by death scene and his load could actually melt a humans inside while they were alive. Very disturbing yet very brilliant 👏👏👏
The third, demons on bicycles... seriously I was mind blown but hey- demons can make alot of impossibles possible so I didn't argue with this idea. Another one having a boner after every thrity years or so and raping young girls only have them give birth to demon dogs... Again very disturbing but the idea was brilliant. New allies are formed in each book and some are even lost but the books never fall a step behind, they just keep on getting better and better and so I would absolutely recommend these books to those who can stomach the things inside.
September 14, 2018
Wow! And, "Holy S____"
I have read "The Girl in the Box" series by Mr Crane, so I thought I'd give this series a chance.
I can't remember the last time I read a book with demons in it, so I was prepared to drop these books after the first chapter.
Didn't happen.
A religious Deputy Sheriff, his Assistant Grocery Store Manager wife, her father, a duster wearing, sword carrying Demon Hunter, and two badge carrying Demon representatives fight more and more demons as they break the Demon Covenants and try to destroy a small Tennessee town.
I know it looks like a run-on sentence, but I couldn't find a place to put a period except after town.
The story continues in book four, which I'm going to read as soon as I hit SUBMIT at the bottom of this review.
Mr Crane, you can TELL a story. Ok, write.
I have read "The Girl in the Box" series by Mr Crane, so I thought I'd give this series a chance.
I can't remember the last time I read a book with demons in it, so I was prepared to drop these books after the first chapter.
Didn't happen.
A religious Deputy Sheriff, his Assistant Grocery Store Manager wife, her father, a duster wearing, sword carrying Demon Hunter, and two badge carrying Demon representatives fight more and more demons as they break the Demon Covenants and try to destroy a small Tennessee town.
I know it looks like a run-on sentence, but I couldn't find a place to put a period except after town.
The story continues in book four, which I'm going to read as soon as I hit SUBMIT at the bottom of this review.
Mr Crane, you can TELL a story. Ok, write.
April 26, 2021
Jeez!
Well. After reading and loving The Girl In/Out of the Box series (up to a point where real life went to sh*t for me, and I really didn't have any headspace left to read), I thought I had a handle on some of the dark nooks and crannies of RJC's mind. Boy, was I naive. There were many, many more, and much deeper and darker than I could possibly have dreamed. This man's imagination is depraved, f*cked-up genius; and I LOVED EVERY WORD!!! I'm so happy I got this 3 book set, as I was able to gobble them up, one after the other, without faffing about with returning then borrowing from KU (much as I love it, that bit IS a pain in my larger-than-it-should-be-but-hey-3-lockdowns arse). Bravo, Mr. Crane! Imma crack on with number 4 now, so stfu until I finish, 'kay?
Well. After reading and loving The Girl In/Out of the Box series (up to a point where real life went to sh*t for me, and I really didn't have any headspace left to read), I thought I had a handle on some of the dark nooks and crannies of RJC's mind. Boy, was I naive. There were many, many more, and much deeper and darker than I could possibly have dreamed. This man's imagination is depraved, f*cked-up genius; and I LOVED EVERY WORD!!! I'm so happy I got this 3 book set, as I was able to gobble them up, one after the other, without faffing about with returning then borrowing from KU (much as I love it, that bit IS a pain in my larger-than-it-should-be-but-hey-3-lockdowns arse). Bravo, Mr. Crane! Imma crack on with number 4 now, so stfu until I finish, 'kay?
January 22, 2018
'The Southern Watch Series, Books 1-3, Called, Depths and Corrupted' were very creative and held me captive within the pages that I had a hard time putting this book down. The story line was quite impressive to me. The scenarios were full of action, suspense and creative beings. The supernatural part was very grotesque and ugly, which makes the story all the more believable to me. A great start to an impressive series. The characters are great. They are such an array of personalities that they seem polar opposites of each other. But it works for them. I look forward to reading more. A great add to your tbr list.
February 1, 2017
Damn good!
The first book of the series was a little slow. Strange and disjointed, but it wasn't bad enough to put me off it or the rest of the series. Two and three got progressively better and I'm going to buy book four as soon as I finish this review. It's a series worth reading! Fun and interesting characters with creative bad guys, strong plot development, and real life problems to give the characters more trouble than they deserve. There are quite a few typos but they weren't enough to interrupt my immersion. Pick it up and enjoy!
The first book of the series was a little slow. Strange and disjointed, but it wasn't bad enough to put me off it or the rest of the series. Two and three got progressively better and I'm going to buy book four as soon as I finish this review. It's a series worth reading! Fun and interesting characters with creative bad guys, strong plot development, and real life problems to give the characters more trouble than they deserve. There are quite a few typos but they weren't enough to interrupt my immersion. Pick it up and enjoy!
April 27, 2021
I have been reading this book for a long time. It is on my kindle. I would read it awhile, go to something else. After reading the first 2 books, I took a break. While reading over the books in my library, I realized I never read the 3rd & final book in this set. If you like scary books, good vs evil, this book will appeal to you. Just think, another world exist, full of demons that only want to kill us.......
This set only includes the first 3 books, others are available on Amazon. If you have the time, & if you dare, start reading this 3 book set.
This set only includes the first 3 books, others are available on Amazon. If you have the time, & if you dare, start reading this 3 book set.
January 29, 2017
Outstanding!
This book is an amazing wild ride. You've got good guys, demons and demon law enforcement. There is a town under siege and a mixed bag of unlikely partners trying to save it. The characters in this book are very well written. You'll love some, hate some, be confused by a couple, and rather creeper out by the rest. A couple will even pull a giggle or two out of you if you aren't careful. I can't wait to start the next one in this series.
This book is an amazing wild ride. You've got good guys, demons and demon law enforcement. There is a town under siege and a mixed bag of unlikely partners trying to save it. The characters in this book are very well written. You'll love some, hate some, be confused by a couple, and rather creeper out by the rest. A couple will even pull a giggle or two out of you if you aren't careful. I can't wait to start the next one in this series.
January 26, 2018
I think I may have a new favorite author. Robert Crane's writing is fresh, the story unfolds quickly and time flys. I read this 3 book box set straight through and now I absolutely have to pick up the rest. Loved the characters and once the team is together the dynamic was unmistakable. This is a fantastic read
January 29, 2018
Excellent series! I got a link to this series through BookBub. Read an interesting riveting set of books. Follow through the action with Hendricks, Arch, Erin, Duncan, Alison and a few more. You have a typical good versus evil but with many twists. Yes, you can add in a bit of humor and romance but I recommend you read this series for yourself. I am headed to reading the next in the series.
April 24, 2018
It was a Lerner experience
Freaking A! I love Mr. Crane and this series! I loved the Girl in The Box series too. So I should have figured. Can't wait to read the next three books. First, what is Lauren's deal with Arch? That's a lot of rage going on. Second what the heck is Starling? Angel? Third... The Night Riders!? The Hoff?! Bwhahahaha! Such good stuff.
Freaking A! I love Mr. Crane and this series! I loved the Girl in The Box series too. So I should have figured. Can't wait to read the next three books. First, what is Lauren's deal with Arch? That's a lot of rage going on. Second what the heck is Starling? Angel? Third... The Night Riders!? The Hoff?! Bwhahahaha! Such good stuff.
May 11, 2018
Loved it!
I found these books to be an excellent read. Enough drama and danger to keep things exciting and unusual storylines. One annoyance was one of the lead's name. I had to read it as "Archie" because Arch just does not work for me at all. Not bad going having that as the only criticism.
I found these books to be an excellent read. Enough drama and danger to keep things exciting and unusual storylines. One annoyance was one of the lead's name. I had to read it as "Archie" because Arch just does not work for me at all. Not bad going having that as the only criticism.
July 22, 2018
Wonderful Read!
This is a fun and exciting series. Mr. Crane weaves a tale of good vs evil with a little gray area thrown in for good measure.
His characters shine and you find them integrally fleshed out. Unless you're a demon then you have a shell just covered by skin.
I read these first 3 books awhile ago and just reread them. Still fun and intriguing. You'll enjoy them too.
This is a fun and exciting series. Mr. Crane weaves a tale of good vs evil with a little gray area thrown in for good measure.
His characters shine and you find them integrally fleshed out. Unless you're a demon then you have a shell just covered by skin.
I read these first 3 books awhile ago and just reread them. Still fun and intriguing. You'll enjoy them too.
March 20, 2020
Great book. I didn’t mind not having to read it for a while cause the characters were so memorable that it didn’t really matter. Maybe a look at changing the SR 15 to an M4 and the parts ( charging handle and forward assist)are rather important for any service member reading. I don’t think Hendricks or any self respecting Marine would want to get those wrong.
September 29, 2024
It’s good. I enjoyed the concepts created in demons and demon hunting. The part of the story(s) I didn’t care for was the over abundance of sex. Everything was sexually related. The demons, the people, it seemed there was more sex acts in the 3 books than demon hunting. Getting past that, the writing was good and the story moved at a good pace.
January 6, 2018
Too much
I struggled with the first chapter, and it did not get any better. I enjoy a good description, but I don't need three characters expounding on a rainy evening. I could not finish, as I couldn't even skim to get to the story points. Want for me.
I struggled with the first chapter, and it did not get any better. I enjoy a good description, but I don't need three characters expounding on a rainy evening. I could not finish, as I couldn't even skim to get to the story points. Want for me.
March 7, 2018
Wonderful
What a thrilling fantastic page turner, so pleased I read these three books ready to read the next. Please don't miss out from reading this super story the whole series took my breath away well done Robert J Crane.
What a thrilling fantastic page turner, so pleased I read these three books ready to read the next. Please don't miss out from reading this super story the whole series took my breath away well done Robert J Crane.
May 5, 2018
Enjoy previous titles by same author this didn't disappoint
After reading girl in the box series i decided to try other titles by the same author southern watch series didn't disappoint.
After reading girl in the box series i decided to try other titles by the same author southern watch series didn't disappoint.
July 12, 2020
Good read
Almost quit after the first book but the second was better and the third was good. A demon cow,seriously?! Not sure if I will buy the next but the characters are likeable and well fleshed out. Interesting premise.
Almost quit after the first book but the second was better and the third was good. A demon cow,seriously?! Not sure if I will buy the next but the characters are likeable and well fleshed out. Interesting premise.
April 7, 2022
Hell Bending Thriller
Riveting demonic activity with characters you won't forget. Demons are real and I'm not sure this story is accurate, but it sure is entertaining and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Riveting demonic activity with characters you won't forget. Demons are real and I'm not sure this story is accurate, but it sure is entertaining and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
August 18, 2025
Not for the faint of heart.
Action packed. And quite vulgar. So, factor that in when deciding to pick it up. The characters are quite interesting. These books are well-written, but suffer from a few typos. I’d suggest the author reread. That, or find a better editor.
Action packed. And quite vulgar. So, factor that in when deciding to pick it up. The characters are quite interesting. These books are well-written, but suffer from a few typos. I’d suggest the author reread. That, or find a better editor.
December 27, 2016
Awesome
A great mission story. A different motley crew and they work. Not all do but with the character development and story development they all mesh together
A great mission story. A different motley crew and they work. Not all do but with the character development and story development they all mesh together
November 24, 2017
Buffy fans
A modern Buffy the Vampire Slayer with demons instead of vampires. A cracking read fast paced and characters you root for and want to win.
A modern Buffy the Vampire Slayer with demons instead of vampires. A cracking read fast paced and characters you root for and want to win.
December 18, 2017
Southern watch
This was a different kind of story than I am used to but I love it keeps you in the story of this small town and all the crazy that happens with a demon invasion
This was a different kind of story than I am used to but I love it keeps you in the story of this small town and all the crazy that happens with a demon invasion
February 10, 2018
It took me a while to get into this book - actually probably the whole of Book 1, but by Book 3 I was certainly hooked !
February 18, 2018
The Southern Watch Series
This series caught me and would not let go! I wanted, no needed to know how the characters fared and was given a crafted glimpse into their lives.
This series caught me and would not let go! I wanted, no needed to know how the characters fared and was given a crafted glimpse into their lives.
February 27, 2018
Fun read
An unlikely group of heroes band together to fight demons in small southern town! Kind of books you can sink your teeth into!
An unlikely group of heroes band together to fight demons in small southern town! Kind of books you can sink your teeth into!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews