What do you think?
Rate this book
No Direction Home #2
Eastwood
Ordinary People Surviving Extraordinary Times
In Eastwood, the second book of the No Direction Home series, all hell breaks loose when a violent bandit arrives in the Cohutta.
At newly-formed Camp Easwood, three members leave on a recruitment mission. Meanwhile, Cody and Walter receive a nasty surprise when they visit Camp Benton.
With strong, original characters that jump off the page, this is a fast-paced story that fans of post-apocalyptic survival fiction will appreciate.
In Eastwood, the second book of the No Direction Home series, all hell breaks loose when a violent bandit arrives in the Cohutta.
At newly-formed Camp Easwood, three members leave on a recruitment mission. Meanwhile, Cody and Walter receive a nasty surprise when they visit Camp Benton.
With strong, original characters that jump off the page, this is a fast-paced story that fans of post-apocalyptic survival fiction will appreciate.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2017
346 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 24, 2018
No Direction Home is a different style of post-apocalypse story, one without zombies or EMP attacks. In this case, a virus kills off 90% of the population within days leaving those immune to the sickness in situations where they must try to survive on their own. However, there's strength in numbers, gangs of survivors band together; some anxious to learn, contribute, and plan their futures, others, enjoy plundering and taking everything for themselves. The story follows individuals from three different southeastern states who are making their way to a beautiful location on the Tennessee/Georgia border with great water, fishing, and hunting - enough to sustain them all in the future. However, it's first-come-first-served for ownership and possession is 100% of the law...not that there's anyone left to enforce it.
Three groups have arrived at the location which somebody has already claimed for themselves. There is also some dissension within one of the groups as individuals rebel against the self-proclaimed leader. One of the groups also plans to splinter off and start their own settlement elsewhere, further diminishing their ranks, and the plunderers have discovered their location and prepare an attack. The story suddenly ends and readers have to purchase the next book in the series to see what happens next. I haven't made up my mind if I want to pursue it any further.
Three groups have arrived at the location which somebody has already claimed for themselves. There is also some dissension within one of the groups as individuals rebel against the self-proclaimed leader. One of the groups also plans to splinter off and start their own settlement elsewhere, further diminishing their ranks, and the plunderers have discovered their location and prepare an attack. The story suddenly ends and readers have to purchase the next book in the series to see what happens next. I haven't made up my mind if I want to pursue it any further.
June 27, 2017
To be fair I like this book less for personal reasons. I will give Mr. Sheridan a great deal of credit for including characters you don't see often in after disaster novels. (Or if you do see them, they die pretty quickly.) He added two new characters with disabilities. I happen to be someone with a disability and neither of those characters read very real to me. He makes quite a deal about how the two characters, make a whole. Well in my opinion I'm already whole. I don't need to partner up with another disabled person to be useful. To be fair I do not think that this was Mr. Sheridan's intention, but that's how it felt to me. So, I didn't enjoy this volume as much as the earlier book. I also completely disagree with how torture works and the reliability of information acquired through torture. I also, don't think that just because a person is supposedly a "good guy" that that means everything they do is somehow for the better. I will probably try the third book in the series, but I'm cautious about the next one.
June 30, 2017
No Direction Home book one was such a well-told story that I was anxious to read Eastwood as soon as I finished book one. The title, "Eastwood", refers to the camp established by the splinter group of survivors led by Walter from book one (and also Clint Eastwood, to be honest). A good part of the story, but not all of it, follows the activities of the members of this fledgling community - and the new survivors they come into contact with.
Eastwood continues the story of the survivors in book one, introducing a few new characters, some of whom are actual humans while others are horrific animals in human shape. Fortunately, the despicable semi-humans are generally little more than rabid background characters. There are also a few characters from book one who - against all expectations - have essentially become good characters despite all early indications of their darker natures. I can't help but wonder if they will continue to be in the "good" camp, but for now they seem pretty stable.
The story progresses pretty nicely, with a couple of major characters, and a few non-major characters, being killed off - one of whom has a name that I expected to be ironically linked to the better-known character with the same name: Marcus Welby. Sadly, he wasn't linked in any way that I could detect to the other Marcus Welby, so I'm not sure if that was intentional or not.
The Jonah character doesn't have as much "screen-time" in this book as he did the last, which was a slight disappointment for me. But he's still an ongoing character, so there's room for more Jonah fun in the sequel(s). At some point (possibly ! even the next book) I wonder if we're going to get a full on George RR Martin scenario going with wholesale slaughter of major players. Only time will tell, I suppose.
I only spotted a couple of grammatical errors/typos in the text, which is always nice in a Book (I've read too many that have been very poorly-edited).
I'm really looking forward to the third book in the series which should be available soon. This book has moved to the top of my post-apocalyptic fiction reading list - above S.M. Stirling's Emberverse series, DW Ulsterman's Race Wars series, John Barnes Daybreak series, and even William Forstchen's After series (of these, the After series is probably the most similar to No Direction Home, replacing a super-virus with an EMP attack).
Eastwood continues the story of the survivors in book one, introducing a few new characters, some of whom are actual humans while others are horrific animals in human shape. Fortunately, the despicable semi-humans are generally little more than rabid background characters. There are also a few characters from book one who - against all expectations - have essentially become good characters despite all early indications of their darker natures. I can't help but wonder if they will continue to be in the "good" camp, but for now they seem pretty stable.
The story progresses pretty nicely, with a couple of major characters, and a few non-major characters, being killed off - one of whom has a name that I expected to be ironically linked to the better-known character with the same name: Marcus Welby. Sadly, he wasn't linked in any way that I could detect to the other Marcus Welby, so I'm not sure if that was intentional or not.
The Jonah character doesn't have as much "screen-time" in this book as he did the last, which was a slight disappointment for me. But he's still an ongoing character, so there's room for more Jonah fun in the sequel(s). At some point (possibly ! even the next book) I wonder if we're going to get a full on George RR Martin scenario going with wholesale slaughter of major players. Only time will tell, I suppose.
I only spotted a couple of grammatical errors/typos in the text, which is always nice in a Book (I've read too many that have been very poorly-edited).
I'm really looking forward to the third book in the series which should be available soon. This book has moved to the top of my post-apocalyptic fiction reading list - above S.M. Stirling's Emberverse series, DW Ulsterman's Race Wars series, John Barnes Daybreak series, and even William Forstchen's After series (of these, the After series is probably the most similar to No Direction Home, replacing a super-virus with an EMP attack).
September 2, 2017
Sheridan writes character-driven post-apocalypse stories, focusing not so much on the events that changed the world as he does on the characters that survived the devastation. In Eastwood, Sheridan continues the story of the survivors of a devastating plague that has wiped out most of humanity, leaving behind a few ordinary people. These ordinary people, just like you and me, now struggle for safety, security, and a home, some using peaceful methods, some not so much.
I read the story quickly, as the writing was smooth and most of the narrative was driven by the conversations of the characters. This I enjoyed - there was no monotheistic voice-over of the writer that recounted for the reader the who, where, what, and why of plot details. Instead, the reader was put directly into the minds and actions of the characters. What I didn't enjoy so much, however, was the sheer number of new characters that were introduced, at a very rapid pace, with what appeared to me to be obvious imminent connections. For example, a young girl meets an old grandma while she is foraging, and the two decide to partner. They encounter two handicapped men, a blind man who acts as the arms and legs for a disabled man in a wheelchair. As they lament their need for farmland and cows and goats, another player is introduced, that of young George, a kid alone on a huge farm, his family dead, struggling to keep the farm going. You can see where this is going. Tab A, meet Slot B. A little too formulaic for me. I also didn't get enough of my favorite vacationing Irish couple, who appeared in maybe one or two short chapters. Overall, a good read, and although I do not think it represents Sheridan's best efforts, I would recommend it.
I read the story quickly, as the writing was smooth and most of the narrative was driven by the conversations of the characters. This I enjoyed - there was no monotheistic voice-over of the writer that recounted for the reader the who, where, what, and why of plot details. Instead, the reader was put directly into the minds and actions of the characters. What I didn't enjoy so much, however, was the sheer number of new characters that were introduced, at a very rapid pace, with what appeared to me to be obvious imminent connections. For example, a young girl meets an old grandma while she is foraging, and the two decide to partner. They encounter two handicapped men, a blind man who acts as the arms and legs for a disabled man in a wheelchair. As they lament their need for farmland and cows and goats, another player is introduced, that of young George, a kid alone on a huge farm, his family dead, struggling to keep the farm going. You can see where this is going. Tab A, meet Slot B. A little too formulaic for me. I also didn't get enough of my favorite vacationing Irish couple, who appeared in maybe one or two short chapters. Overall, a good read, and although I do not think it represents Sheridan's best efforts, I would recommend it.
September 28, 2017
This book and the entire series is very very contagious. This one picks up right where the first book leaves off and we follow our main characters who are very well written and developed throughout the second book. There are even the addition of some quirky, diverse and spicy characters that really really give the book just a little something extra. I really like all of the new and the old characters and you even love to hate the villains in this book. That is how you know this is a great series when you can even feel something for the bad guys in the story. The vivid landscapes and postapocalyptic universe the author creates is fantastic and very engaging. It was not hard to get caught up in the story. The performance was fantastic and I have come to expect this from this narrator. He does all the right things using pacing and tone in those serious scenes. Even his female voices are really great and have to take on a wide range as the age gap between some characters is rather large. Just an all-around great addition to the series. The only complaint that I have is that some of my favourite characters from book one sort of took a backseat and got lost in the background of this book, so hopefully in book 3 they will make more of an appearance as they are truly liked. Great book!
July 4, 2017
Darn good storytelling
Hey, this is a great book.and series. The author knows how to spin a great P-A yarn. He is particularly gifted in painting vivid characters, both good guys and gals, and bad.
The only criticism? I.want more!! More details, more pages, more of everything!!
Because this is an episodic Kindle series, the level of detail is necessarily pretty big-picture. I don't begrudge that to the author, that's all part of establishing a good revenue stream from writing.
I just would like to see this series, eventually, filled out and beefed up over time, much like "Lights Out!" and the first in the Patriots" series were. There is so much more to explore in this particular P-A universe, and I hope we all get a chance to.
Looking forward to more in this series, and from this autbor.
Hey, this is a great book.and series. The author knows how to spin a great P-A yarn. He is particularly gifted in painting vivid characters, both good guys and gals, and bad.
The only criticism? I.want more!! More details, more pages, more of everything!!
Because this is an episodic Kindle series, the level of detail is necessarily pretty big-picture. I don't begrudge that to the author, that's all part of establishing a good revenue stream from writing.
I just would like to see this series, eventually, filled out and beefed up over time, much like "Lights Out!" and the first in the Patriots" series were. There is so much more to explore in this particular P-A universe, and I hope we all get a chance to.
Looking forward to more in this series, and from this autbor.
September 29, 2017
A damn good read
This was a big improvement on the first book. The first one wasn't bad by any means, but this one dealt with the biggest problem I had with it; spending too much time with a character that I found a bit dull. This one spreads itself out a bit and and spends more time with other people, a lot of whom are new to the book.
The main villain and his henchmen are fairly repellent sorts and I was really looking forward to when they got their comeuppance, which is generally the intention of a villain, so job done in that respect.
It felt a little short. I'm not sure if it was, or not, but it certainly felt that way; I got through the whole thing in one day.
It's definitely a book that I'd recommend, although obviously you should read the previous one first.
This was a big improvement on the first book. The first one wasn't bad by any means, but this one dealt with the biggest problem I had with it; spending too much time with a character that I found a bit dull. This one spreads itself out a bit and and spends more time with other people, a lot of whom are new to the book.
The main villain and his henchmen are fairly repellent sorts and I was really looking forward to when they got their comeuppance, which is generally the intention of a villain, so job done in that respect.
It felt a little short. I'm not sure if it was, or not, but it certainly felt that way; I got through the whole thing in one day.
It's definitely a book that I'd recommend, although obviously you should read the previous one first.
July 2, 2017
Trite to a tee
I made it into the 2nd book before I had to put it down. The editing the choice of wording (sometime s American or English) you never knew what was coming, was a big issue for me. A tale told in the USA does not use words like: torch or bonnet. Sorry. This book reads like he got a map of Knoxville TN and a peppers guide to guns, knives and binoculars eat all of them, then threw them up into this book(s). The story is the same as all other books of this genre. I did chuckle once in the book when one character was telling another about a female character. He said she was born and bred in that town. Kinda funny in a weird kinda way. Anyway the only characters I liked were the two from Ireland , they at least seemed realistic to a degree.
I made it into the 2nd book before I had to put it down. The editing the choice of wording (sometime s American or English) you never knew what was coming, was a big issue for me. A tale told in the USA does not use words like: torch or bonnet. Sorry. This book reads like he got a map of Knoxville TN and a peppers guide to guns, knives and binoculars eat all of them, then threw them up into this book(s). The story is the same as all other books of this genre. I did chuckle once in the book when one character was telling another about a female character. He said she was born and bred in that town. Kinda funny in a weird kinda way. Anyway the only characters I liked were the two from Ireland , they at least seemed realistic to a degree.
July 2, 2017
I can't wait for book 3. This is a well-written post apocalypse story. The characters are believable.
The situation with the bad guy is a little out there but hey the good guys need someone to fight.
I would love a book where more natural and believable problems would be the antagonist. Problems such as lack of soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, seeds, farm animals. At least in this book they do collect farm animals but what they feed them is a mystery. It seems antibiotics are available and never expire, gasoline never goes bad or gets gummed up like it does over the winter in my mower.
The situation with the bad guy is a little out there but hey the good guys need someone to fight.
I would love a book where more natural and believable problems would be the antagonist. Problems such as lack of soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, seeds, farm animals. At least in this book they do collect farm animals but what they feed them is a mystery. It seems antibiotics are available and never expire, gasoline never goes bad or gets gummed up like it does over the winter in my mower.
September 15, 2018
It has been a while since I read the first book, but this one did seem to have improved. There are a lot of writing errors, grammar etc and some of the terms used are British and not American, though the story takes place in the U. S. A good editor could have help with a lot of those issues. It does have decent flow though a rather formulaic plot of new good people find each other and there is a megalomaniac bad guy trying to take it all. Not sure I will go to book 3 though I am a bit curious to find out what happens.
June 19, 2017
Sometimes you win & for sure sometimes you lose
The word sometimes can can be frightening especially when most all you have loved has inexplicably vanished in a few days from a incurable malady. Accidentally released into world it was a losing proposition to expect to live. Long friggin odds UNLESS you were in the 3% with a genetic immunity. Losing friendships may indeed find new ones as survivors life paths cross!
The word sometimes can can be frightening especially when most all you have loved has inexplicably vanished in a few days from a incurable malady. Accidentally released into world it was a losing proposition to expect to live. Long friggin odds UNLESS you were in the 3% with a genetic immunity. Losing friendships may indeed find new ones as survivors life paths cross!
December 30, 2017
I felt the 2nd book would be better, and it is. All the groups are converging, leading to an explosion. It hasn’t happened at the end of this segment of the story, but it’s being set up well. As the plot tightens up, the characters are fleshing out, losing their one dimensional aspect and becoming more rounded out. I have just began reading the third book; hopefully things get better for our survivors.
January 9, 2018
its a fine story so far but this book just leaves you hanging so this book gets a 3. After reading book two of the series it moved both books up to a 3.5 average. I like the characters well enough. They dont have a ton of backstory but I don't think that matters too much in these circumstances because that is how life would be if you were meeting people in this particular situation. You either trust them or you don't. I am looking forward to reading book 3.
February 14, 2018
A Very Realistic Tale of Events After An Apocalypse
More new characters join Walter and his group of people in their new community. Mason is causing bloodshed and trouble to everyone trying to live. Chris and his group are all killed except for Liz. All the good people are banding together to save each other from Mason and other gangs of bad folk. The book pulled me in and I had to keep reading to the end. There is more to follow in book three.
More new characters join Walter and his group of people in their new community. Mason is causing bloodshed and trouble to everyone trying to live. Chris and his group are all killed except for Liz. All the good people are banding together to save each other from Mason and other gangs of bad folk. The book pulled me in and I had to keep reading to the end. There is more to follow in book three.
July 5, 2017
Another hit - Great read with a good reasonable plot
Great character development. The story line is great and so plausible. The first SHTF book I've read where all of the characters are really starting from beginning. No one has a secret warehouse of food and a half built bug-out location.
Anyway, great book. Just waiting for book number 3.
Great character development. The story line is great and so plausible. The first SHTF book I've read where all of the characters are really starting from beginning. No one has a secret warehouse of food and a half built bug-out location.
Anyway, great book. Just waiting for book number 3.
Read
September 25, 2017I am sorry to say it took longer to read this 2nd book than the 1st. Very character infused, however; it was realistic and extremely brutal at times. People are still sticking their heads in the sand and wishing for utopia. Get real, this is how it will be if something like that happens to us. Good job with realism.
October 9, 2017
This is the second book in the No Direction Home series. In my review of the first book I focused on the excellent character development. I'm happy to say that this strength carried through into this book and made for a very enjoyable continuation of the series.
I won't add any spoilers, but I will say that the survivors have to deal with the threat which was cultivated in the first book.
I won't add any spoilers, but I will say that the survivors have to deal with the threat which was cultivated in the first book.
April 2, 2018
Wow great series
I am a big fan of Mike Sheridan. I'm always on the look out for books by him. This is a great read. I drive a lot of miles and listen to his books most times. I find myself pounding my steering wheel saying on no on no! Great job once again. Mr. Sheridan! Getting book 3 RIGHT NOW!
I am a big fan of Mike Sheridan. I'm always on the look out for books by him. This is a great read. I drive a lot of miles and listen to his books most times. I find myself pounding my steering wheel saying on no on no! Great job once again. Mr. Sheridan! Getting book 3 RIGHT NOW!
June 8, 2019
Too ambitious for a 200 page book
Really all over the place with a bunch more perspectives, but at the expense of the people that were originally focused on. In my opinion these books are too short for this much jumping around. There's a good story in there, but it's not very streamlined.
Really all over the place with a bunch more perspectives, but at the expense of the people that were originally focused on. In my opinion these books are too short for this much jumping around. There's a good story in there, but it's not very streamlined.
June 16, 2019
Action packed
This is not your typical series of the end of the world. You think you have this story pegged only to be thrown for a loop. This series has more twist and turns than the Indy 500. Don't miss out on this book series it has everything you want in an action pack end of the world as we know it.
This is not your typical series of the end of the world. You think you have this story pegged only to be thrown for a loop. This series has more twist and turns than the Indy 500. Don't miss out on this book series it has everything you want in an action pack end of the world as we know it.
July 8, 2017
Awesome
I LOVE this series!! I found myself devouring every sentence and when I got to the end and saw that I have to wait almost a month for my next "fix", I almost cried. Thank you, Mike for the character development and the storylines.
I LOVE this series!! I found myself devouring every sentence and when I got to the end and saw that I have to wait almost a month for my next "fix", I almost cried. Thank you, Mike for the character development and the storylines.
September 4, 2017
Tight story
There is a lot of tension in this second book of the series. My only minor quibble is the transition between the last two chapters felt a little abrupt, almost jarring. Other than that, I enjoyed this second book.
There is a lot of tension in this second book of the series. My only minor quibble is the transition between the last two chapters felt a little abrupt, almost jarring. Other than that, I enjoyed this second book.
March 17, 2018
Good 2nd book
I really enjoyed the second book in this series. It's good to see the character as grow and the groups start to flesh out. Will good inherit the earth? Lots of evil challenging the groups, looking forward to book 3.
I really enjoyed the second book in this series. It's good to see the character as grow and the groups start to flesh out. Will good inherit the earth? Lots of evil challenging the groups, looking forward to book 3.
June 5, 2018
Brilliant
This just gets better with each book. I feel Mike has got this spot on as to what mankind would be like after a holocaust. But I don't think I would enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the books.
This just gets better with each book. I feel Mike has got this spot on as to what mankind would be like after a holocaust. But I don't think I would enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the books.
February 21, 2019
Very enjoyable read
I completely enjoyed reading this book. It has plenty of action and a great cast of characters. Most of the characters are just everyday regular people. How would you survive the apocalypse?
I completely enjoyed reading this book. It has plenty of action and a great cast of characters. Most of the characters are just everyday regular people. How would you survive the apocalypse?
April 19, 2019
Good
Good storytelling, interesting plot. Once society and falls due pandemic people come together to to build communities and others come together to steal what has been rebuilt.
Good read.
Good storytelling, interesting plot. Once society and falls due pandemic people come together to to build communities and others come together to steal what has been rebuilt.
Good read.
April 25, 2019
Awesome series of post apocalyptic survival...
Awesome series of post apocalyptic survival of the fittest and the shear evil of man. Very riveting and keeps you glued to the book rooting for the hero’s of the story...
Awesome series of post apocalyptic survival of the fittest and the shear evil of man. Very riveting and keeps you glued to the book rooting for the hero’s of the story...
June 26, 2017
Good book
Characters are realistic and get better and better. Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop.
Characters are realistic and get better and better. Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop.
July 4, 2017
Outstanding!
This second book in the series has quite literally grabbed me. I can hardly finish this review because I want to get back to the story!
This second book in the series has quite literally grabbed me. I can hardly finish this review because I want to get back to the story!
July 7, 2017
Good
This book was pretty good. Not the typical SHTF book but it's interesting. Good characters and bad characters as usual but a believable story.
This book was pretty good. Not the typical SHTF book but it's interesting. Good characters and bad characters as usual but a believable story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews