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Hitchin'
Headstrong and impulsive reporter Cassie Phillips hitchhikes across Missouri to get a prize-winning story. Instead, she’s attacked and ends up abandoned and lost in East St. Louis...until drug dealer Tony Scarlotti finds her and takes her home. The inconsistencies in the man haunt her, and as their paths continue to cross, she questions who he really is. When he’s jailed for murdering a police officer and then works his way into the Mafia, she gives up trying to believe in him.
But her questions are finally answered just before he’s killed by a rival family in a shoot-out under the Gateway Arch. Now, she’s running for her life, with no one to help her.
But her questions are finally answered just before he’s killed by a rival family in a shoot-out under the Gateway Arch. Now, she’s running for her life, with no one to help her.
400 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2018
4 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Christle
3 books7 followersAlexandra has not traveled to 47 countries, worked in law enforcement for 25 years where she single-handedly apprehended ten of the world's most wanted, or practiced law or psychiatry.
She doesn't speak 5 languages fluently, rival Beethoven on the piano, or send her rescue dogs to save flood victims. In fact, currently, she is pet-less.
She does, however, do a heck of a lot of research.
She has jumped from an airplane, spent the day on a commercial shrimp boat, spent a weekend with a houseful of Navy SEALs, and hitchhiked across 3 states. She has worked for newspapers, taught high school English, and had a lengthy stint as a graphic designer. Raised a son and daughter, scored 3 grandchildren; and, written a few books along the way.
The human condition and people fascinate her, and especially men. They are, in her words, pretty cool creatures.
And she imagines.
She doesn't speak 5 languages fluently, rival Beethoven on the piano, or send her rescue dogs to save flood victims. In fact, currently, she is pet-less.
She does, however, do a heck of a lot of research.
She has jumped from an airplane, spent the day on a commercial shrimp boat, spent a weekend with a houseful of Navy SEALs, and hitchhiked across 3 states. She has worked for newspapers, taught high school English, and had a lengthy stint as a graphic designer. Raised a son and daughter, scored 3 grandchildren; and, written a few books along the way.
The human condition and people fascinate her, and especially men. They are, in her words, pretty cool creatures.
And she imagines.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 14, 2019
This dark, gritty story captures the essence of old-school crime dramas popular during the seventies.
Read full review in the 2019 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2019 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
April 28, 2019
Thanks to Netgally and The Wild Rose Press for allowing me to read and review this amazing book.
The author has done an fantastic job of transporting the reader back to the 70's and providing a look at the underworld and investigators of the period. It was so well written that even though, being Australian, I struggled a little with slang words I wasn't familiar with, I could get a true feeling for the period and life they chose to live.
The story moves along at a brisk pace, and builds all the way through to a very satisfying ending. The characters are strong and well defined and I have to say the writing is exceptional. If 70's US underworld and FBI agents are your thing, you will love this book - I did.
Well done, Alexandra, I look forward to more from you.
The author has done an fantastic job of transporting the reader back to the 70's and providing a look at the underworld and investigators of the period. It was so well written that even though, being Australian, I struggled a little with slang words I wasn't familiar with, I could get a true feeling for the period and life they chose to live.
The story moves along at a brisk pace, and builds all the way through to a very satisfying ending. The characters are strong and well defined and I have to say the writing is exceptional. If 70's US underworld and FBI agents are your thing, you will love this book - I did.
Well done, Alexandra, I look forward to more from you.
April 9, 2019
First, I am grateful to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is my first novel by this author, although I understand she does have one other book in print, Between Nowhere and Lost, which seems to be a romance.
This story is initially set in East St. Louis, a bad neighborhood, in the 70's before cell phones and social media. The tale starts with newspaper reporter, Cassie, who decides to hitch into these run-down areas in search of a story. I didn't like her much at first. In fact, she was downright annoying. She meets up with a drug dealer who also didn't move me at all, although for whatever reason Cassie is romantically attracted to him (and he to her). Go figure. Romances are just not my cup of tea. But the mob, the FBI, and crime perk me up, and the story moved into these. It took me a long time, maybe more than one third of the book, before I was really on board and enjoying it. There were lots of characters and some had two names, so it was difficult, at first, to keep everyone straight in my mind. This novel, I think, is too wordy and definitely needs editing to tighten it up.
I realized after I was far into it that the plot is a combination of mafia, undercover cop, crime and headstrong journalist/photographer sub-plots (with some romance thrown in). I started loving it by the time I was a bit more than halfway through. The research seemed spot-on except for the Atlantic City segment. Atlantic City just didn't have so many casinos back then - I'm a Jersey girl, and remember the first one (Resorts) in 1978. So that part didn't ring true for me.
The last one third of the book is amazing, well researched, and a real page turner. I wasn't keen on the "which man will she end up with" angle, mainly because I don't like romance stories at all; others may enjoy that part of the plot. But the denouement was very well written and the ending tied up all the loose ends. I very much admire that in an author; I believe that refusing to utilize cliffhangers shows that the author respects her readers. If there is another Michael Reyes novel to come, I will probably pick it up.
This story is initially set in East St. Louis, a bad neighborhood, in the 70's before cell phones and social media. The tale starts with newspaper reporter, Cassie, who decides to hitch into these run-down areas in search of a story. I didn't like her much at first. In fact, she was downright annoying. She meets up with a drug dealer who also didn't move me at all, although for whatever reason Cassie is romantically attracted to him (and he to her). Go figure. Romances are just not my cup of tea. But the mob, the FBI, and crime perk me up, and the story moved into these. It took me a long time, maybe more than one third of the book, before I was really on board and enjoying it. There were lots of characters and some had two names, so it was difficult, at first, to keep everyone straight in my mind. This novel, I think, is too wordy and definitely needs editing to tighten it up.
I realized after I was far into it that the plot is a combination of mafia, undercover cop, crime and headstrong journalist/photographer sub-plots (with some romance thrown in). I started loving it by the time I was a bit more than halfway through. The research seemed spot-on except for the Atlantic City segment. Atlantic City just didn't have so many casinos back then - I'm a Jersey girl, and remember the first one (Resorts) in 1978. So that part didn't ring true for me.
The last one third of the book is amazing, well researched, and a real page turner. I wasn't keen on the "which man will she end up with" angle, mainly because I don't like romance stories at all; others may enjoy that part of the plot. But the denouement was very well written and the ending tied up all the loose ends. I very much admire that in an author; I believe that refusing to utilize cliffhangers shows that the author respects her readers. If there is another Michael Reyes novel to come, I will probably pick it up.
August 30, 2019
Danielle Fine's illustration of Hitchin' really caught my eye and that was long before I knew that I would literally identify with that cover as I turned the pages of this gripping, intense and beautifully layered crime thriller of a book. Alexandra Christle's experiences really reflect in her writing as these past few days I have been living in East St. Louis between the years of 1975 and 1979. Anthony Scarlotti is truly an enigma, a contradiction and oh so memorable. Cassandra Phillips can be compared to the Wonder Woman: The Journalist Edition and she is so authentic and driven. Everett Jackson Hayes is a successful man haunted by his own insecurities and makes him relatable. The bromance between Steve Banik and Bob Myeson provide the much needed humour during the tense, Jesucristo encounters with the Mob. The last few chapters had me on edge and the plot comes around full circle. The bittersweet ending tugged my heart strings like a harp gone rogue but in the heart of heart it was such a satisfying read. I am ready to roll the red carpet to Alexandra Christle and I cannot wait to read more of her work.
Muchas gracias to VoraciousReadersOnly for giving me a free review copy of this book via the author.
Muchas gracias to VoraciousReadersOnly for giving me a free review copy of this book via the author.
September 15, 2019
Received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
This story centres around 2 main characters Cassie, the headstrong journalist and Tony, the drug dealer come Mafia wanna be and their chance encounter that changes both their lives and puts them on a path of death and destruction. Well written and researched, the novel is set in the much simpler times of the seventies, where there were no mobiles or internet and Mafia dons and their families ruled the cities. Although it starts at quite a slow moving pace as the characters are introduced and their lives start to entwine, it picks up speed about halfway through when the action really gets going, with good guys and bad guys, not necessarily on opposite sides, car chases across states, shootouts and a love triangle to keep you well and truly entertained.
This story centres around 2 main characters Cassie, the headstrong journalist and Tony, the drug dealer come Mafia wanna be and their chance encounter that changes both their lives and puts them on a path of death and destruction. Well written and researched, the novel is set in the much simpler times of the seventies, where there were no mobiles or internet and Mafia dons and their families ruled the cities. Although it starts at quite a slow moving pace as the characters are introduced and their lives start to entwine, it picks up speed about halfway through when the action really gets going, with good guys and bad guys, not necessarily on opposite sides, car chases across states, shootouts and a love triangle to keep you well and truly entertained.
December 4, 2018
BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT!!
If I could I would vote for this to be the best book of 2018. Unfortunately GoodReads voting has already closed. This is however the best book I’ve read in 2018.
This is like a mini The Godfather. It is so well written. It kept me up all night – I just could not put it down.
I got so involved with the characters it had me laughing and crying with them and for them.
I will definitely be watching out for more books from this author.
I read an advance copy and voluntarily reviewed.
If I could I would vote for this to be the best book of 2018. Unfortunately GoodReads voting has already closed. This is however the best book I’ve read in 2018.
This is like a mini The Godfather. It is so well written. It kept me up all night – I just could not put it down.
I got so involved with the characters it had me laughing and crying with them and for them.
I will definitely be watching out for more books from this author.
I read an advance copy and voluntarily reviewed.
August 23, 2021
This is the first I have read from this author and hopefully not the last.
Hitchin is about reporter Cassie Philips. She is impulsive and headstrong and finds herself hitchhiking across Missouri to find that perfect story. What she does realize is that ends up alone and abandoned in East St Louis.
There is intrigue, suspense and of course murder. The characters are very believable as is the storyline. This book had enough twists and turns to keep me interested until the very end. Very well done!
Hitchin is about reporter Cassie Philips. She is impulsive and headstrong and finds herself hitchhiking across Missouri to find that perfect story. What she does realize is that ends up alone and abandoned in East St Louis.
There is intrigue, suspense and of course murder. The characters are very believable as is the storyline. This book had enough twists and turns to keep me interested until the very end. Very well done!
May 25, 2018
Hitchin
This book was not what I expected, but It was a good book. A hitchhiker rescued buy a drug dealer. I started out not caring for the reporter. I was hoping someone would put a bullet through her, but she redeemed herself. In this book you have the mob, drug dealing and not quite sure who the good guys and the bad guys are, and whose dead or alive. Good read. I was given this book for an honest review.
This book was not what I expected, but It was a good book. A hitchhiker rescued buy a drug dealer. I started out not caring for the reporter. I was hoping someone would put a bullet through her, but she redeemed herself. In this book you have the mob, drug dealing and not quite sure who the good guys and the bad guys are, and whose dead or alive. Good read. I was given this book for an honest review.
August 27, 2019
i received a Complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only.
I Enjoyed this book!!
It was a suspenseful and well written book!!
The relationship throughout the book of Cassie and Tony was Great!!
It cumulated with Cassie fulfilling Tony’s wishes to do the right thing with his info that he gathered.
It was ironic that the book started with Tony helping Cassie and ended with
Cassie helping Tony.
Great book!!
I Enjoyed this book!!
It was a suspenseful and well written book!!
The relationship throughout the book of Cassie and Tony was Great!!
It cumulated with Cassie fulfilling Tony’s wishes to do the right thing with his info that he gathered.
It was ironic that the book started with Tony helping Cassie and ended with
Cassie helping Tony.
Great book!!
January 31, 2020
This is my first time reading this author, this is a great plot that I found intriguing and it was difficult to put down once I had started reading it. The plot is really good seems well thought out. I thought the characters had depth to them and there is a lot of good dialogue. It’s fast moving and an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2018
Hitchin' - This is my first book by this author. Although wordy, needs editing to tighten the story, it is fast paced, filled with believable storylines and interesting characters. The story is quickly read and the descriptions do a good job of putting the reader in the scenes. I found this book on authorsxp.com. 4*
April 23, 2019
HITCHIN’ is a wonderful novel filled with twists and turns and red herrings. There are times when you’re unsure who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. It’s a drama that will keep you flipping the pages right up to the end, when the mazes, both criminal and romantic, are finally sorted out. Don’t miss this great trip with Alexandra Christle.
August 20, 2019
While there are a few things that stretch credibility in this book, the author is a good story teller. She makes you want to keep reading. A fast paced story that I really enjoyed. I would read more from her.
Full disclosure: I was provided this book for free from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure: I was provided this book for free from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2019
I received this through Voracious Readers.
It took me a while to get into the story and at first I feared it was going to.be more of a love triangle than a thriller. However once I got into the story i was hooked. An old fashioned thriller set in the 70s it has good pace and good characterisation.
It took me a while to get into the story and at first I feared it was going to.be more of a love triangle than a thriller. However once I got into the story i was hooked. An old fashioned thriller set in the 70s it has good pace and good characterisation.
October 14, 2019
I received my complimentary copy via VRO. This book had me hooked from the first page and I had trouble putting it down every evening. Even though I loved this book, I was not happy with Cassie’s final choice. I’m a hopeless romantic and I pulled for the other suitor from the start. All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in stories about the FBI and the Mafioso.
November 20, 2019
Murder, mystery, thrilling! This book has it all. Cassie Phillips is an awesome character and I became quite anxious for her safety. Fast-paced with incredible action, this story is so compelling I could not put it down. Could there be another episode in this exciting adventure? I hope so.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 24, 2019
This is the 1st book I've read written by Alexandra Christie; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2019
wow, what a ride!
Like a snowball rolling down a hill, once this tale gained momentum it accelerated, culminating in a page turning finish.
Action packed storyline with likable characters.
One loose end, but that will make for a great sequel!
Can't wait.
Like a snowball rolling down a hill, once this tale gained momentum it accelerated, culminating in a page turning finish.
Action packed storyline with likable characters.
One loose end, but that will make for a great sequel!
Can't wait.
September 8, 2019
Total rollercoaster ride from start to finish. I just didnt want to put this book down but life got in the way, way too much. Action packed with plenty of background information to fill in any gaps of present day. Turmoil right,left and centre. Big 👍.
Book given free by authour via voraciousreaders.com
Book given free by authour via voraciousreaders.com
October 3, 2020
Hitch a wild ride
Do you like rollercoaster rides that take your breath away? Buy this book. The author infuses every chapter with snappy dialogue, easily visualized descriptions, and worries about the characters.
Do you like rollercoaster rides that take your breath away? Buy this book. The author infuses every chapter with snappy dialogue, easily visualized descriptions, and worries about the characters.
August 2, 2018
I rarely give a book 5 stars but this one kept me up late into the night because of all the plot twists and turns and the intriguing connection between Tony and Cassie. Great read!
Read
July 2, 2018 Just finished reading "HITCHIN'" ! Loved it-from beginning to end! And like "BETWEEN NOWHERE & LOST" every page was emotion-filled & action packed! What I loved most about BOTH books - was you never really knew what was coming next or how it would end! Ms. Christle has a way of making you fall in love with the characters and feel all the emotions - happy or sad- that they are feeling! I thoroughly enjoyed both books & can't wait for her next one to come out! These novels are awesome & a MUST read! THUMBS UP all the way!!
April 9, 2019
First, I am grateful to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is my first novel by this author, although I understand she does have one other book in print, Between Nowhere and Lost, which seems to be a romance.
This story is initially set in East St. Louis, a bad neighborhood, in the 70's before cell phones and social media. The tale starts with newspaper reporter, Cassie, who decides to hitch into these run-down areas in search of a story. I didn't like her much at first. In fact, she was downright annoying. She meets up with a drug dealer who also didn't move me at all, although for whatever reason Cassie is romantically attracted to him (and he to her). Go figure. Romances are just not my cup of tea. But the mob, the FBI, and crime perk me up, and the story moved into these. It took me a long time, maybe more than one third of the book, before I was really on board and enjoying it. There were lots of characters and some had two names, so it was difficult, at first, to keep everyone straight in my mind. This novel, I think, is too wordy and definitely needs editing to tighten it up.
I realized after I was far into it that the plot is a combination of mafia, undercover cop, crime and headstrong journalist/photographer sub-plots (with some romance thrown in). I started loving it by the time I was a bit more than halfway through. The research seemed spot-on except for the Atlantic City segment. Atlantic City just didn't have so many casinos back then - I'm a Jersey girl, and remember the first one (Resorts) in 1978. So that part didn't ring true for me.
The last one third of the book is amazing, well researched, and a real page turner. I wasn't keen on the "which man will she end up with" angle, mainly because I don't like romance stories at all; others may enjoy that part of the plot. But the denouement was very well written and the ending tied up all the loose ends. I very much admire that in an author; I believe that refusing to utilize cliffhangers shows that the author respects her readers. If there is another Michael Reyes novel to come, I will probably pick it up.
This story is initially set in East St. Louis, a bad neighborhood, in the 70's before cell phones and social media. The tale starts with newspaper reporter, Cassie, who decides to hitch into these run-down areas in search of a story. I didn't like her much at first. In fact, she was downright annoying. She meets up with a drug dealer who also didn't move me at all, although for whatever reason Cassie is romantically attracted to him (and he to her). Go figure. Romances are just not my cup of tea. But the mob, the FBI, and crime perk me up, and the story moved into these. It took me a long time, maybe more than one third of the book, before I was really on board and enjoying it. There were lots of characters and some had two names, so it was difficult, at first, to keep everyone straight in my mind. This novel, I think, is too wordy and definitely needs editing to tighten it up.
I realized after I was far into it that the plot is a combination of mafia, undercover cop, crime and headstrong journalist/photographer sub-plots (with some romance thrown in). I started loving it by the time I was a bit more than halfway through. The research seemed spot-on except for the Atlantic City segment. Atlantic City just didn't have so many casinos back then - I'm a Jersey girl, and remember the first one (Resorts) in 1978. So that part didn't ring true for me.
The last one third of the book is amazing, well researched, and a real page turner. I wasn't keen on the "which man will she end up with" angle, mainly because I don't like romance stories at all; others may enjoy that part of the plot. But the denouement was very well written and the ending tied up all the loose ends. I very much admire that in an author; I believe that refusing to utilize cliffhangers shows that the author respects her readers. If there is another Michael Reyes novel to come, I will probably pick it up.
May 25, 2019
This book was an intriguing story of a young reporter that has decided to try hitchhiking for a story. Boy does she get a story, it is just not the one she thought she was going to get. Wonce she gets to the city everything goes seriously wrong or is it right? She meets a drug dealer that saves her form someone that is much worse. That is where the adventure begins. It becomes even more interesting the more time she spends with him and the way his actions are showing that he is so much more.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews