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Rip Lane #4
New York Strip
Former U.S. marshal Rip Lane makes a promise to a dying friend. He promises to deliver the man’s daughter safely to Rochester. When the daughter goes missing Rip is pushed to his limit. Russian sex traffickers try to stop him. An explosives expert tries to stop him. But nothing can stop Rip. He will keep his promise. At any cost.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2017
642 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
W.J. Costello
14 books29 followersW.J. Costello is a former journalist who now writes books. He lives in Virginia and Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 14, 2026
The Devil in the Details
I grew up watching Memphis wrestling so I can suspend belief for a good cause but jeez, the inconsistencies in the details in this book grate on my nerves. The reader is told that it is Thanksgiving Day in a town that makes Mayberry look like a metropolis and yet a mechanic is on duty at a local garage, the burger joint is doing a bustling burger lunch business, a large parade is going on at lunchtime, there are so many people watching the parade that the protagonist cannot see a large Russian mobster running on the sidewalk???? C'mon man - that's not close to reasonable for a small town on Thankgiving. A few days after Thanksgiving, a rendezvous is at a Rochester, NY, amusement park. The park is said to be jam packed with happy families riding the rides - umm, what???? Not even close to realistic for an outdoor amusement park in New York to be open much less jam packed during this week. Just incredibly bad location setups for a novel. Actually a 1.5 but it was an easy read so bumped up to a 2.
I grew up watching Memphis wrestling so I can suspend belief for a good cause but jeez, the inconsistencies in the details in this book grate on my nerves. The reader is told that it is Thanksgiving Day in a town that makes Mayberry look like a metropolis and yet a mechanic is on duty at a local garage, the burger joint is doing a bustling burger lunch business, a large parade is going on at lunchtime, there are so many people watching the parade that the protagonist cannot see a large Russian mobster running on the sidewalk???? C'mon man - that's not close to reasonable for a small town on Thankgiving. A few days after Thanksgiving, a rendezvous is at a Rochester, NY, amusement park. The park is said to be jam packed with happy families riding the rides - umm, what???? Not even close to realistic for an outdoor amusement park in New York to be open much less jam packed during this week. Just incredibly bad location setups for a novel. Actually a 1.5 but it was an easy read so bumped up to a 2.
September 11, 2019
“New York Strip” much more exciting than the steak!
Corny headline I know. But. It’s s true.
All joking aside the final book in the series, at least to this date, is a quick read. Just because it’s quick doesn’t make it a book to shy away from. It’s good. Very good.
Friendships. Loyalties. Honor. All three are present in this face paced, well plotted read.
Oh yes. While this is book 4 of 4 it can be read as a stand-alone book. All four of them can. Their order is of no real significance. I know as I read them that way.
Try them. I highly recommend them.
Corny headline I know. But. It’s s true.
All joking aside the final book in the series, at least to this date, is a quick read. Just because it’s quick doesn’t make it a book to shy away from. It’s good. Very good.
Friendships. Loyalties. Honor. All three are present in this face paced, well plotted read.
Oh yes. While this is book 4 of 4 it can be read as a stand-alone book. All four of them can. Their order is of no real significance. I know as I read them that way.
Try them. I highly recommend them.
August 9, 2020
Rip Left the Job Half Completed
It was a very thrilling story that I finished within a day and a half. I believe that Rip being a former Deputy US MarshaLl would know that he couldn’t leave Inma to taKe over her deceased father’s business because she would have the resources to hunt down and kill all of them including her friend who assisted them in cApturing her. Rip could have turned her over to Federal Authorities or just made her disappear forever possibly selling her into the sex slaVe busIness.
It was a very thrilling story that I finished within a day and a half. I believe that Rip being a former Deputy US MarshaLl would know that he couldn’t leave Inma to taKe over her deceased father’s business because she would have the resources to hunt down and kill all of them including her friend who assisted them in cApturing her. Rip could have turned her over to Federal Authorities or just made her disappear forever possibly selling her into the sex slaVe busIness.
December 2, 2024
A well-plotted thriller, good for lovers of military themed tales and macho loner heroes. Rip Lane, retired US Marshall, agrees to help a dying friend's daughter find an apartment in a new town. En route, the girl's sketchy past comes into play. The intrepid and resourceful Lane jumps in to solve the problem not realizing the Russian Mafia is involved. Non-stop action, mostly. I found too many places where even armchair detective me knew there was a set-up and Lane didn't. And the choppy style becomes irritating long before the end. I enjoyed it but probably won't read another.
January 2, 2020
I like mystery books and this was a good book, fast read. A former stripper sets out to turn her life around by going to nursing school. Her father an ex-Marshal who is terminal asks a former friend and ex-Marshal to make sure she gets to Rochester where she will be attending nursing school. However, someone else has something in mind for the young lady, what secret does she have, who is after her, you will have to read to find out.
July 2, 2019
Rip Lane is a retired U.S. Marshall who does anything he wants, most of it good. I liked the story content, but not the dialog so much, comparing this book to the Joe Bolt character in Owl of Death. Still, it is a pretty good story. I thought the prisoner exchange near the end was pretty creative.
You should read and decide for yourself.
You should read and decide for yourself.
June 21, 2020
Had to read this one before going to sleep!
Each one of this series I thought couldn't be better than the last, I was wrong! Loved this one too! Lots of action and getting even, as well as a few laughs! I was a bit disappointed that Bandit wasn't still with him though! I hope there is many more Rip Lane books to follow!
Each one of this series I thought couldn't be better than the last, I was wrong! Loved this one too! Lots of action and getting even, as well as a few laughs! I was a bit disappointed that Bandit wasn't still with him though! I hope there is many more Rip Lane books to follow!
May 16, 2021
The character of Rip Lane is very likeable and continues his rv adventures. For a retired marshall he gets into a lot of situations, just to help out a damsel in distress. This old plot theme is worked very well into engrossing and fast paced action, hard books to put down. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
July 27, 2021
Another Winner
Rip has his friend kidnapped while moving to a new apartment. That starts a number actions for exciting adventures. Each of the Rip Lane is more suspense than the last. The characters are diverse and realistic, and the writing is easy to read and enjoy. The ending is outstanding.
Rip has his friend kidnapped while moving to a new apartment. That starts a number actions for exciting adventures. Each of the Rip Lane is more suspense than the last. The characters are diverse and realistic, and the writing is easy to read and enjoy. The ending is outstanding.
September 5, 2023
I liked the main character and his no nonsense ways of contending with adversity, but with a sense of humor that made me laugh out loud several times and smile at other times
This doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the situation but helped to lighten it when needed
I also liked the short sentence style and the brief chapters
It was a page turner!
This doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the situation but helped to lighten it when needed
I also liked the short sentence style and the brief chapters
It was a page turner!
September 20, 2017
The States March On
I've read all of his State mysteries. This is one of the best. A little violent, but not too bad. As an RVer, I enjoy that aspect of his stories. Highly recommended!
I've read all of his State mysteries. This is one of the best. A little violent, but not too bad. As an RVer, I enjoy that aspect of his stories. Highly recommended!
October 2, 2019
Good Read
Recommend W. J. Costello has an author to follow. Rip Lane is likable, believable, and fun to hang out with. Action is fast paced. Plots are well done leading to satisfying ending. But you're not ready to leave Rip just yet. So get another Rip Lane book.
Recommend W. J. Costello has an author to follow. Rip Lane is likable, believable, and fun to hang out with. Action is fast paced. Plots are well done leading to satisfying ending. But you're not ready to leave Rip just yet. So get another Rip Lane book.
December 25, 2019
Nice fast pace
I especially like the upstate NY setting. Also the retired gentleman giving his best effort for his dying friend's daughter. It could have been the end for him also.
I especially like the upstate NY setting. Also the retired gentleman giving his best effort for his dying friend's daughter. It could have been the end for him also.
Read
February 29, 2020Great read.
Read all four books. Loved them all! Great characters, good writing, no typos. Hoping for more. Have Rip come to the Pacific northwest, he'll love it. Washington 'a Olympic Peninsula, to be exact. Rip will love the mountains and clean air.
Read all four books. Loved them all! Great characters, good writing, no typos. Hoping for more. Have Rip come to the Pacific northwest, he'll love it. Washington 'a Olympic Peninsula, to be exact. Rip will love the mountains and clean air.
March 14, 2020
This book has a great and engaging story line with interesting character that will keep your interest throughout. It is marred somewhat by a style of writing that consists entirely of short declarative sentences. This helps with the fast pace of the book but gets irritating after a while.
May 5, 2020
This was a good book. The first one I have read by this author. I truly enjoyed it. Besides the kidnappings, fights, and traveling, I had a few laughs. It also had a good story line. I gave it a five star.
June 24, 2020
A fun read
I have this story 4 stars as it was an enjoyable read. I liked his characters, but would have liked an ending that was a little longer encompassing the other characters besides Rip.
I have this story 4 stars as it was an enjoyable read. I liked his characters, but would have liked an ending that was a little longer encompassing the other characters besides Rip.
December 1, 2020
Ugh, waste of timr
Lord and lots of useless info, not much of a story. E.g. I got up. I walked to the coffee maker. It is a keurig. I opened the cabinet. I looked at the pods........ And on and on. All leading to, I made coffee snd read the paper.
Lord and lots of useless info, not much of a story. E.g. I got up. I walked to the coffee maker. It is a keurig. I opened the cabinet. I looked at the pods........ And on and on. All leading to, I made coffee snd read the paper.
June 20, 2021
A plodding ex-gov strongarm saves a lovely young lady, daughter of a dying friend, from life in the sex slave industry. What more could you want?
Interesting characters, a slow pace with a few action scenes. An enjoyable read. I recommend.
Interesting characters, a slow pace with a few action scenes. An enjoyable read. I recommend.
July 10, 2022
I love W J Costello's writing.
The comedy he adds to these detective stories is subtle and priceless. I enjoy his attention to factual detail and in depth knowledge of the topics he writes about. Now on to the next book in the series!
The comedy he adds to these detective stories is subtle and priceless. I enjoy his attention to factual detail and in depth knowledge of the topics he writes about. Now on to the next book in the series!
December 25, 2022
Great
Love the character and especially liked this book. The good guys win finally.lots of twists and turns but in the end all ends well. Exciting from start to finish. Hard to put down.
Love the character and especially liked this book. The good guys win finally.lots of twists and turns but in the end all ends well. Exciting from start to finish. Hard to put down.
September 18, 2023
The Strip in the title is not what you think. This was fairly slow moving for the first three quarters of the book. It picked u nicely after that. If you've read any of the previous Rip Lane books, a lot of the descriptive material is repetitive to skim over.
December 30, 2024
First book
This is the first book I have read by W J Costello and I really enjoyed it,it wasn't a large book but very east to read and I loved the Humour of Rip, by the way, Kentucky Rain and Memphis Tennessee, the two songs Rip couldn't think of 😉
This is the first book I have read by W J Costello and I really enjoyed it,it wasn't a large book but very east to read and I loved the Humour of Rip, by the way, Kentucky Rain and Memphis Tennessee, the two songs Rip couldn't think of 😉
January 26, 2018
Great read
I enjoy these books so much. I am hoping that Rip continues to travel the country helping people out and being his sarcastic self.
I enjoy these books so much. I am hoping that Rip continues to travel the country helping people out and being his sarcastic self.
September 19, 2018
review
Great read! , I really enjoyed reading this book.. Lots of twists and turns, great storyline. Really likable characters. Recommend highly.
Great read! , I really enjoyed reading this book.. Lots of twists and turns, great storyline. Really likable characters. Recommend highly.
Want to read
June 14, 2019TheFussyLibrarian
June 17, 2019
A good book, and very good four book series. Thanks to author.
October 7, 2019
Good enough
Well written, if the dialogue is a bit terse. Unfortunately the author knows jack about NY gun laws past or present and not much more about flying with guns
Well written, if the dialogue is a bit terse. Unfortunately the author knows jack about NY gun laws past or present and not much more about flying with guns
December 21, 2019
Great adventure
And like many adventures, there are unexpected twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged. Strong character development. Now on to the next.
And like many adventures, there are unexpected twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged. Strong character development. Now on to the next.
December 22, 2019
A very good book
It was A n ver
It was A really good book with just enough action to make it good I would recommend this book
It was A n ver
It was A really good book with just enough action to make it good I would recommend this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews