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The Big Guy
The formula worked for over three years: the massive physique, never saying more than he had to. Then came Croft’s fateful run-in with the only genetic giant in Seamax Penitentiary bigger and stronger than himself. When the only savior available is a strange, manipulative drug kingpin known as Bread, it’s the start of a marriage from hell.
298 pages, Paperback
Published March 16, 2018
129 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Jason Palmer
29 books4 followersJason Palmer is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and science-fiction novels and short stories. His unique tales are a study of character set in the underbelly of society, drawn from years working and wandering throughout North America, from Guadalajara to Fairbanks, often on the wrong side of the tracks.
Palmer’s writing pulls together pungent style and gritty action with a hint of the fantastic as he challenges himself to give his readers something they can’t get anywhere else. He currently lives and writes in Southern Colorado.
Palmer’s writing pulls together pungent style and gritty action with a hint of the fantastic as he challenges himself to give his readers something they can’t get anywhere else. He currently lives and writes in Southern Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
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April 20, 2018
The Big Guy is a story of prison and jail politics. The story is narrated by the protagonist who is a big guy and comes in the category of Castle. Through him we come to understand the basics of an incarcerated man's life inside the the restrictive world of prison. Even when surrounded by police and security there is an ever presence of danger. It helps when you are a giant for then people either respect you or feel wary of you. However being a giant has its own set of disadvantages. You are at the target of other giants and their followers while other people try to befriend you and exploit you.
Croft is a huge man and has only sixteen months left to finish his sentence, yet, things take a turn from bad to worse when he is on the brink to risk everything from his life to his freedom. Big Guy is one interesting book centered totally inside prison and provides a great view of the inmates world and the exploitative politics where people strong in the mind survive and become king of everyone.
Croft is a huge man and has only sixteen months left to finish his sentence, yet, things take a turn from bad to worse when he is on the brink to risk everything from his life to his freedom. Big Guy is one interesting book centered totally inside prison and provides a great view of the inmates world and the exploitative politics where people strong in the mind survive and become king of everyone.
August 9, 2020
“The Big Guy” is a psychological and thriller book written by Jason Palmer. It is the first book in the Max series. Also, it is my first novel by this author and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last one. This book is like a rollercoaster, in fact it is better than the ones I usually read and that is something I really like. This was a very quick read which I enjoyed for three afternoons. It was the perfect company during the quarantine period. After the first few pages, you feel immersed in the story.
The story is narrated in the first person; it is written through the eyes of the protagonist. Events revolves around the world of Seamax Penitentiary. It tells the story of Croft, a convict who has to survive in prison, and what he does to have protection. The language is very realistic and the writing style is great.
All in all, this novel is amazing down to the last page. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys action books. I can’t wait to see what is next from this author!
The story is narrated in the first person; it is written through the eyes of the protagonist. Events revolves around the world of Seamax Penitentiary. It tells the story of Croft, a convict who has to survive in prison, and what he does to have protection. The language is very realistic and the writing style is great.
All in all, this novel is amazing down to the last page. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys action books. I can’t wait to see what is next from this author!
August 13, 2020
The Big Guy is the debut novel of the author Jason Palmer, an American citizen. It is the first science-fiction book in the Max Series which is addressed to adults and really interesting for those who love action. The story is about a conflict between two prisoners in Seamax Penitentiary. It tells the strained trip that has to live Croft when he had a problem with another inmate.
Strong, engaging, powerful and insightful are words that cannot describe enough this incredible novel that will captivate everyone.
I absolutely love Jason and his writing style. He brings a bucket load of emotions along with it. The book is 295 pages long and it contains 15 chapters written in the first person, you are transported into the mind of the protagonist, Croft.
It is the first book I read from this author and I cannot wait for more! I totally recommend this catchy science-fiction to any type of reader since the sequences of events described unfold easily and would be an excellent choice for anyone to read on a break or before going to bed. Give it a try!
Strong, engaging, powerful and insightful are words that cannot describe enough this incredible novel that will captivate everyone.
I absolutely love Jason and his writing style. He brings a bucket load of emotions along with it. The book is 295 pages long and it contains 15 chapters written in the first person, you are transported into the mind of the protagonist, Croft.
It is the first book I read from this author and I cannot wait for more! I totally recommend this catchy science-fiction to any type of reader since the sequences of events described unfold easily and would be an excellent choice for anyone to read on a break or before going to bed. Give it a try!
April 11, 2018
This book by Jason Palmer tells the story of an intricate rivalry problem taking place at the Seamax Penitentiary. One of the rivals is a man is out to get power and revenge with his “secret formula” which is nothing more than his towering height and large build which he uses to intimidate people. His rival is a sociopath who works to manipulate people to his benefit. These two men work to outsmart the other through violence and gangs. However, these actions end up taking a surprising turn in the end.
Palmer writes with an intriguing style that will keep you quickly flipping through the pages to discover what’s about to happen. The characters are well-developed and it includes an interesting plot and setting. It’s suspenseful, intriguing, and action-packed making it a great book to read if you’re looking for a new good book to try out. This book runs at 335 pages which might make it a little bit of a long read for some, but it’s definitely worth trying out.
Palmer writes with an intriguing style that will keep you quickly flipping through the pages to discover what’s about to happen. The characters are well-developed and it includes an interesting plot and setting. It’s suspenseful, intriguing, and action-packed making it a great book to read if you’re looking for a new good book to try out. This book runs at 335 pages which might make it a little bit of a long read for some, but it’s definitely worth trying out.
July 30, 2020
Action filled prison thriller
This is the story of Nick Croft who happens to be a huge man and currently serving a short prison sentence. On the other side of the yard is Rook who is massive in size and wants to destroy Croft before he can finish his sentence and walk out the prison gates a free man. This story has a good plot and explores the hard life and rules of those in prison. Seaman prison is the set of this epic struggle of survival and desire to keep that short time release date. The characters are well developed and the prison setting draws you in and keeps you wondering what will happen next as you can’t believe what has just occurred. I found this to be a good read that easily held my attention and kept me interested through the last page. If you are a fan of action and the unknown, this is the book for you. Take a journey through Seaman penitentiary and see the true conditions they survive in.
This is the story of Nick Croft who happens to be a huge man and currently serving a short prison sentence. On the other side of the yard is Rook who is massive in size and wants to destroy Croft before he can finish his sentence and walk out the prison gates a free man. This story has a good plot and explores the hard life and rules of those in prison. Seaman prison is the set of this epic struggle of survival and desire to keep that short time release date. The characters are well developed and the prison setting draws you in and keeps you wondering what will happen next as you can’t believe what has just occurred. I found this to be a good read that easily held my attention and kept me interested through the last page. If you are a fan of action and the unknown, this is the book for you. Take a journey through Seaman penitentiary and see the true conditions they survive in.
July 31, 2020
Another good book by Jason Palmer! Arrive at Seamax Penitentiary, a dreaded and violent prison at your own risk. For Nick Croft, it is the location he will serve out his prison sentence. He just wants to do his time and get out, but he is a “big guy” and so he either sets himself up as a feared convict inside, r becomes a target himself for the bigger fish. One inmate is serving in solitary and blames Nick for the events that landed him there. This begins a vicious dance between the two, once seeking revenge and the other seeking his freedom.
I have read other books by this author and found them great. This book is set to a lot of internal dialogue (I mean, our characters are stuck in a prison, there are not many exciting location settings the author can choose from), which can make the reading a bit stilted at times. I think the author did a good job with the story and I found it an interesting read.
I have read other books by this author and found them great. This book is set to a lot of internal dialogue (I mean, our characters are stuck in a prison, there are not many exciting location settings the author can choose from), which can make the reading a bit stilted at times. I think the author did a good job with the story and I found it an interesting read.
September 5, 2020
“The Big Guy” written by Jason Palmer is a thrilling, action-packed novel which immerses the reader into the culture, hierarchy and codes of prison inmates.
The events in the book unfold in Seamax Penitentiary where our protagonist, Nick Croft, is serving time until he can finally be free. His objective is to get out of there but his physical characteristics will put him on the radar screen of a psychopath who will start a fight for power. This rivalry will endanger Nick’s objective and even his life.
This is my first time reading a book from this author and also about this topic. I wouldn’t have thought that the world of prisons could capture my attention, but as soon as I started reading the novel I couldn’t stop. It is wonderfully written, full of detailed descriptions and explanations that make it easy for the reader to picture in their heads what is like to live in that kind of places. Don’t miss it.
The events in the book unfold in Seamax Penitentiary where our protagonist, Nick Croft, is serving time until he can finally be free. His objective is to get out of there but his physical characteristics will put him on the radar screen of a psychopath who will start a fight for power. This rivalry will endanger Nick’s objective and even his life.
This is my first time reading a book from this author and also about this topic. I wouldn’t have thought that the world of prisons could capture my attention, but as soon as I started reading the novel I couldn’t stop. It is wonderfully written, full of detailed descriptions and explanations that make it easy for the reader to picture in their heads what is like to live in that kind of places. Don’t miss it.
April 5, 2018
I was really surprised at this book! I didn't know what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised by a book that I had a hard time putting down. Prison stories have never been my go-to, but this prison tale was exceptional. Step into the world of Croft, Rook, and fellow inmates who have their own hierarchy and separate world within their barred castle.Croft has maintained excellent behavior in anticipation for his upcoming release. He is a massive figure that has the respect of his fellow inmates and yet there is one problem. Rook. Rook is a rival inmate that is about to be let out of the hole, and no flimsy, prison-created weapon will deter the one thorn in Croft's side.This was a great story, but the only thing I had a hard time with was the ending. Other than that the writing was good, I LOVED the plot and the world created within the Seamax prison.
April 10, 2018
When you have your expectations low, you can freely read anything without any problem at all, in this case, this year is in a row with the amount of amazing books I read so far.
However, this type of stories I barely pay any attention whatsoever, even though, I give it a try and well I almost read it in one night. It’s incredible how engrossing a story can be, and this time, this author has given the reader a new sense of the word danger, because that is what you are going to feel page after page.
The plot flows really well and the pace is amazing, despite being centered in life in prison, the world built in this book is unique and how everything was handled I couldn’t believe I was reaching the ending until there was nothing else to read, I hope many readers will find this book and read it, even if it’s not your type of book, give it a try.
However, this type of stories I barely pay any attention whatsoever, even though, I give it a try and well I almost read it in one night. It’s incredible how engrossing a story can be, and this time, this author has given the reader a new sense of the word danger, because that is what you are going to feel page after page.
The plot flows really well and the pace is amazing, despite being centered in life in prison, the world built in this book is unique and how everything was handled I couldn’t believe I was reaching the ending until there was nothing else to read, I hope many readers will find this book and read it, even if it’s not your type of book, give it a try.
September 2, 2020
A novel about daily life in prison
Jason Palmer is the writer of the novel The Big Guy. This time, Palmer tells us the story of the brutal and serious conflicts that a guy in prison needs to manage in order to survive.
The Big Guy is the first book from the series “The Max Book”. There are around 300 pages in this book, which are divided into 15 chapters. There are controversial issues discussed in this book, such as drug consumption, and both physical and verbal violence.
I strongly recommend readers to give this book a change, because the talented writer successfully manages to capture our attention by describing settings, by including complex and not so ordinary characters and by wittingly giving away a complicated plot.
Due to the critical issues that are developed in this book, I strongly recommend this novel to adults.
Jason Palmer is the writer of the novel The Big Guy. This time, Palmer tells us the story of the brutal and serious conflicts that a guy in prison needs to manage in order to survive.
The Big Guy is the first book from the series “The Max Book”. There are around 300 pages in this book, which are divided into 15 chapters. There are controversial issues discussed in this book, such as drug consumption, and both physical and verbal violence.
I strongly recommend readers to give this book a change, because the talented writer successfully manages to capture our attention by describing settings, by including complex and not so ordinary characters and by wittingly giving away a complicated plot.
Due to the critical issues that are developed in this book, I strongly recommend this novel to adults.
September 7, 2020
I have always been interested in knowing how prisons work, how interns live inside them, who and why becomes the leader and how they usually establish hierarchies. I have been able to learn a lot about that thanks to the many series I have watched, however, this is the first time I get the chance to actually read about prisons and I absolutely love it!
In The Big Guy, Jason Palmer has done a fantastic job portraying not only the two things I have always been interested about, but also how the relationships those who are behind bars have may affect their daily lives and even their sentences.
Set in Seamax Penitentiary, this thriller is narrated in the first person and there are dialogues that support the sequences of events described.
Being this one his debut novel, Palmer must be proud to have crafted this gem. Fortunately, this is book 1 and I have the opportunity to go on reading him.
In The Big Guy, Jason Palmer has done a fantastic job portraying not only the two things I have always been interested about, but also how the relationships those who are behind bars have may affect their daily lives and even their sentences.
Set in Seamax Penitentiary, this thriller is narrated in the first person and there are dialogues that support the sequences of events described.
Being this one his debut novel, Palmer must be proud to have crafted this gem. Fortunately, this is book 1 and I have the opportunity to go on reading him.
March 22, 2018
This gritty, masterfully crafted thriller about one man’s quest to survive incarceration is a worthy addition to the canon of great prison novels. Seamax prison inmate Percy Croft has kept his nose clean while serving nearly four years of a five-year sentence. He’s got a cushy job in the prison’s furniture factory, and he’s a massive, hulking figure that commands respect from his fellow inmates. And yet, in the home stretch of his countdown toward freedom, he fantasizes about escape.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com
April 9, 2018
A Prison story: fight for Survival
Well, I would say it’s different from the books I usually read, a story of the prison, its inmates, rivalry and a story of survival. The whole book is like a thriller movie wherein every scene brings a new action, event and impact that are full of danger and filled with excitement, What happens next is unknown and that’s what kept me going. A different story for me to read, so for a change is good.
Well, I would say it’s different from the books I usually read, a story of the prison, its inmates, rivalry and a story of survival. The whole book is like a thriller movie wherein every scene brings a new action, event and impact that are full of danger and filled with excitement, What happens next is unknown and that’s what kept me going. A different story for me to read, so for a change is good.
June 4, 2021
Inside the mind of a “Castle”
This book blew me away. An unexpected study of character, a psychological thriller, a larger than life (literally) protagonist, and the beginnings of a villain so vile even a Stephen King fan will find their skin crawling. The Big Guy is a big yes, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
This book blew me away. An unexpected study of character, a psychological thriller, a larger than life (literally) protagonist, and the beginnings of a villain so vile even a Stephen King fan will find their skin crawling. The Big Guy is a big yes, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
April 2, 2021
Promises much but delivers little
This book goes nowhere and has a very annoying ending. I can't even be bothered to say any more. Not recommomended
This book goes nowhere and has a very annoying ending. I can't even be bothered to say any more. Not recommomended
September 4, 2023
An immersive, engrossing dive into the dangerous world of American prisons. I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews