Broken

Adrian Hell #0.4

by James P. Sumner

How did Adrian become 'Adrian Hell'? This is another look at his life in the beginning, living with his wife and daughter, starting a business with best friend Josh. The biggest reason that he becomes a dangerous killer...

50 pages, ebook

First published June 4, 2018

Reviews

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sad end to life of Adrian Hughes..What a mess Adrian has gotten himself in, his latest 'target' is keeping a secret, of exactly who his family is! The pain and tears reading this story are real, I knew what it was going to be about, and was holding myself from reading until now..
And now we have 'Adrian Hell' to deal with...

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first impression of this short story was a mistake. Hopefully it can be fixed in an upcoming edit. In the beginning, it is stated that Adrian has a job in Pittsburgh. It then says, a little later, that he gets a hotel room in Philly (which is a nickname for Philadelphia) to ask around about his target. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are 300 miles apart. I know it's a small thing considering the author is British, but if you live in the area is a big, glaring mistake.

I did kind of miss some of the action that I am used to in some of the longer novels. I was also hoping to see a little bit different side to Adrian since this was before the death of his wife and child. He still had patience and anger issues.

Also, since I didn't know the characters of Janine and Maria it was hard to emotionally connect to them. Sure I felt for Adrian. But, perhaps, not as strongly as I might have if I had at least been introduced to these characters. Maybe seen them interact a bit. Even in previous novels I don't remember any flashbacks in Adrian's memory of any interactions. Just raw feelings.

I know this book was meant to be short and sweet and keeping that in mind I still feel a few more scenes could have cinched it for me. (Between Adrian and his family) But, this was a quick, motivated read. I think it was a good intro or flashback. You really didn't want to put it down til the end. I'm just sorry I didn't feel the emotional connection I should have felt considering the circumstances.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third Adrian Hell "One Shot" (short story) is the tale of the murder of Adrian's family, and the mission that preceded it (something referred to but not explained in any detail in the main books I've read previously). Having got to know his wife and daughter a little over the previous two One Shot stories, I found this story quite moving, and it really provides more of an insight into why Adrian becomes the man he is in the later books.