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Evan Buckley #1-4
The Evan Buckley Thrillers: Books 1 - 4
The first four fast-paced thrillers in the Evan Buckley series. If you love thriller mysteries with action, suspense, and a touch of humor and romance, then the Evan Buckley Thrillers are for you.
Bad To The Bones
Wise-cracking, street-smart private-eye Evan Buckley’s wife went to work one day and didn’t come home. He’s never stopped looking for her. Tormented by demons, consumed by his unrelenting quest for the truth, he loses himself in other people's problems.
When Linda Clayton's son Daniel disappeared ten years ago, she didn’t think her life could get any worse—until her husband ran away. Makes you thankful you're not Linda Clayton.
After Evan’s latest case ends in disaster, he’s at the end of his tether—until fate throws him headlong into Linda Clayton's desperate world and a long-dead investigation that everybody wants to stay that way.
But Evan never does what everybody wants, and he vows to find answers for her that he can’t find for himself. As the suspense ratchets up, he’s caught in a desperate fight for his life with a stone-cold killer who will stop at nothing to protect his secrets ...
Kentucky Vice
It’s five years since his wife disappeared, but wise-cracking, street-smart PI Evan Buckley is still reeling. Tormented by demons and consumed by his unrelenting quest for the truth, he loses himself in other people's problems.
When college buddy Jesse Springer shows up with a wad of explicit photographs that arrived in the mail, Evan is roped into the most bizarre case of blackmail he’s ever encountered—because Jesse swears blind he can’t remember a thing. But can Evan believe him? And if things weren't bad enough, a psychopathic killer from the past embarks on a crusade of psychological revenge and twisted mind games that threaten to plunge Evan back into his darkest days.
Adrift in a sea of betrayal and lies as the body count climbs, Evan is forced to choose between his gut instinct and the blatant evidence—and the only thing he knows for sure is the wrong choice will be punished with death.
Sins Of The Father
Fifty years ago Frank Hanna made a mistake. He’s never forgiven himself. Nor has anybody else for that matter. Now the time has come to atone for his sins, and there’s only one person he can trust . . .
Wise-cracking, street-smart PI Evan Buckley has had some tough cases in his time. Looking for somebody who might never have existed may well be the toughest, peeling back fifty years of lies and deceit to uncover the tragic story hidden underneath. Trouble is, not everybody likes a happy ending and some very nasty people are out to make sure he doesn’t succeed.
To make matters worse, Evan’s own past is back to bite him with a vengeance, as his nemesis, Carl Hendricks, feeds his festering hatred from his prison cell, and sets a killer with a bow and a grudge on Evan's tail.
No rest For The Wicked
WHEN maverick P.I. Evan Buckley wins a free trip for two to an exclusive luxury hotel buried in the mountains of upstate New York, a well-earned rest should be guaranteed. After almost meeting his maker on his last case, he needs it. But when an armed gang on the run from a botched robbery that left a man dead invade the hotel and take Evan’s partner Gina hostage along with the other guests and their spirited seven-year-old daughter, Evan’s got his work cut out.
Bad To The Bones
Wise-cracking, street-smart private-eye Evan Buckley’s wife went to work one day and didn’t come home. He’s never stopped looking for her. Tormented by demons, consumed by his unrelenting quest for the truth, he loses himself in other people's problems.
When Linda Clayton's son Daniel disappeared ten years ago, she didn’t think her life could get any worse—until her husband ran away. Makes you thankful you're not Linda Clayton.
After Evan’s latest case ends in disaster, he’s at the end of his tether—until fate throws him headlong into Linda Clayton's desperate world and a long-dead investigation that everybody wants to stay that way.
But Evan never does what everybody wants, and he vows to find answers for her that he can’t find for himself. As the suspense ratchets up, he’s caught in a desperate fight for his life with a stone-cold killer who will stop at nothing to protect his secrets ...
Kentucky Vice
It’s five years since his wife disappeared, but wise-cracking, street-smart PI Evan Buckley is still reeling. Tormented by demons and consumed by his unrelenting quest for the truth, he loses himself in other people's problems.
When college buddy Jesse Springer shows up with a wad of explicit photographs that arrived in the mail, Evan is roped into the most bizarre case of blackmail he’s ever encountered—because Jesse swears blind he can’t remember a thing. But can Evan believe him? And if things weren't bad enough, a psychopathic killer from the past embarks on a crusade of psychological revenge and twisted mind games that threaten to plunge Evan back into his darkest days.
Adrift in a sea of betrayal and lies as the body count climbs, Evan is forced to choose between his gut instinct and the blatant evidence—and the only thing he knows for sure is the wrong choice will be punished with death.
Sins Of The Father
Fifty years ago Frank Hanna made a mistake. He’s never forgiven himself. Nor has anybody else for that matter. Now the time has come to atone for his sins, and there’s only one person he can trust . . .
Wise-cracking, street-smart PI Evan Buckley has had some tough cases in his time. Looking for somebody who might never have existed may well be the toughest, peeling back fifty years of lies and deceit to uncover the tragic story hidden underneath. Trouble is, not everybody likes a happy ending and some very nasty people are out to make sure he doesn’t succeed.
To make matters worse, Evan’s own past is back to bite him with a vengeance, as his nemesis, Carl Hendricks, feeds his festering hatred from his prison cell, and sets a killer with a bow and a grudge on Evan's tail.
No rest For The Wicked
WHEN maverick P.I. Evan Buckley wins a free trip for two to an exclusive luxury hotel buried in the mountains of upstate New York, a well-earned rest should be guaranteed. After almost meeting his maker on his last case, he needs it. But when an armed gang on the run from a botched robbery that left a man dead invade the hotel and take Evan’s partner Gina hostage along with the other guests and their spirited seven-year-old daughter, Evan’s got his work cut out.
1226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2019
406 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 14, 2024
Series on Kindle Unlimited
#1 Bad to the Bones I received a complimentary promotional electronic copy of this, the first of what is now 20 novels in the Evan Buckley Mystery Series, from self-published author James Harper and DigitalBookSpot, Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me! I have read Bad to the Bones of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend this series to friends and family. Bad to the Bones is a well-written who-done-its with a complex plot and personable characters. Evan was a well-respected journalist when his wife Sarah disappeared without a trace five years ago, and the job the police did concerning finding out what happened to her never met even Evan's basic expectations. So he hung up his shingle as a private investigator who has time to continue his search for Sarah and do a bit of cheating-couples PI work, which is most of the work he is offered in his small hometown. Money is always tight, but he has what he needs most - some free time and an understanding landlord. He also has low expectations, and no pride in his work, but who has everything?
Evan does have a recent contact on the police force whom he respects, and she gets him involved in a nasty cheating-wife case where she gets to know him well enough to recommend him to Linda Clayton, a woman who has spent the last ten years looking for her missing son, and the husband who disappeared a week or so after the boy did. It is a case that Evan can get buried in - and finding the duo becomes the obsession that may become his road to salvation. Which will be good, if he lives long enough to enjoy it.
#2 Kentucky Vice
The second in this series, Kentucky Vice continues the cases of private investigator Evan Buckley and are interesting reads. This one was a little rough in places for me, and the sense of place was not as sharp as I would have liked, but still a good mystery, told well. Quick reads, this is a series that is compelling, and a protagonist who fills the role of sometimes stumbling hero quite well.
#3 Sins of the Father
Sins of the Father is the third in the Evan Buckley series, and a fast, compelling read. This father is wealthy - and dying of pancreatic cancer- Frank Hannah, whose only heir is a weak woman controlled by a compulsive gambler already heavily in debt to a Russian gangster. They will not be able to sustain his businesses and his legacy will quickly die. But 50 years ago 19-year-old old Frank joined the service at his father's insistence and abandoned his 16-year-old pregnant Mexican girlfriend. Evan's job is to find out if there is an heir in that line. With complications in his own life and the difficulties of tracing an illegal immigrant family from so long ago, Evan has his work cut out for him. But with the help of Detective Kate Guillory and a little luck, Evan has a start. Hopefully, he also has speed - he must be faster than cancer and the Russian mob who would kill a dying man to speed up his payoff.
#4 No Rest for the WickedNo Rest for the Wicked is #4 in the Evan Buckley series, a convoluted tale of four extremely bad guys. These four have nothing else left to lose. They have already killed the liquor store manager and kidnapped the clerk. Evan and his friend Gina have won a free pass to a limited upstate New York mountain resort's post-renovation re-opening in a snowy winter wonderland. Evan has a little help in this one, the chef and resort manager as well as the husband of a fellow guest are all on the side of the angels, though a young female hostage from the liquor store holdup and 6-year-old guest Emily certainly add to his problems.
With three women and a child to protect Evan has his hands full even with help. But the weather is on his side, and the tranquility of the lakeside resort can only be considered an asset. As the lack of any sort of telephone and internet service during this pre-opening weekend is a downside, however. But perhaps Evan can count on an assist from the ghost of Orenda who haunts the treetop suite he shares with Gina. And we get to enjoy thinking about the locale and the weather as August passes us by here in the SW desert. All that lovely cold snow. Plus, of course, a good revolving mystery. What a way to pass the day!
#1 Bad to the Bones I received a complimentary promotional electronic copy of this, the first of what is now 20 novels in the Evan Buckley Mystery Series, from self-published author James Harper and DigitalBookSpot, Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me! I have read Bad to the Bones of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend this series to friends and family. Bad to the Bones is a well-written who-done-its with a complex plot and personable characters. Evan was a well-respected journalist when his wife Sarah disappeared without a trace five years ago, and the job the police did concerning finding out what happened to her never met even Evan's basic expectations. So he hung up his shingle as a private investigator who has time to continue his search for Sarah and do a bit of cheating-couples PI work, which is most of the work he is offered in his small hometown. Money is always tight, but he has what he needs most - some free time and an understanding landlord. He also has low expectations, and no pride in his work, but who has everything?
Evan does have a recent contact on the police force whom he respects, and she gets him involved in a nasty cheating-wife case where she gets to know him well enough to recommend him to Linda Clayton, a woman who has spent the last ten years looking for her missing son, and the husband who disappeared a week or so after the boy did. It is a case that Evan can get buried in - and finding the duo becomes the obsession that may become his road to salvation. Which will be good, if he lives long enough to enjoy it.
#2 Kentucky Vice
The second in this series, Kentucky Vice continues the cases of private investigator Evan Buckley and are interesting reads. This one was a little rough in places for me, and the sense of place was not as sharp as I would have liked, but still a good mystery, told well. Quick reads, this is a series that is compelling, and a protagonist who fills the role of sometimes stumbling hero quite well.
#3 Sins of the Father
Sins of the Father is the third in the Evan Buckley series, and a fast, compelling read. This father is wealthy - and dying of pancreatic cancer- Frank Hannah, whose only heir is a weak woman controlled by a compulsive gambler already heavily in debt to a Russian gangster. They will not be able to sustain his businesses and his legacy will quickly die. But 50 years ago 19-year-old old Frank joined the service at his father's insistence and abandoned his 16-year-old pregnant Mexican girlfriend. Evan's job is to find out if there is an heir in that line. With complications in his own life and the difficulties of tracing an illegal immigrant family from so long ago, Evan has his work cut out for him. But with the help of Detective Kate Guillory and a little luck, Evan has a start. Hopefully, he also has speed - he must be faster than cancer and the Russian mob who would kill a dying man to speed up his payoff.
#4 No Rest for the WickedNo Rest for the Wicked is #4 in the Evan Buckley series, a convoluted tale of four extremely bad guys. These four have nothing else left to lose. They have already killed the liquor store manager and kidnapped the clerk. Evan and his friend Gina have won a free pass to a limited upstate New York mountain resort's post-renovation re-opening in a snowy winter wonderland. Evan has a little help in this one, the chef and resort manager as well as the husband of a fellow guest are all on the side of the angels, though a young female hostage from the liquor store holdup and 6-year-old guest Emily certainly add to his problems.
With three women and a child to protect Evan has his hands full even with help. But the weather is on his side, and the tranquility of the lakeside resort can only be considered an asset. As the lack of any sort of telephone and internet service during this pre-opening weekend is a downside, however. But perhaps Evan can count on an assist from the ghost of Orenda who haunts the treetop suite he shares with Gina. And we get to enjoy thinking about the locale and the weather as August passes us by here in the SW desert. All that lovely cold snow. Plus, of course, a good revolving mystery. What a way to pass the day!
April 2, 2023
Bad To The Bones, #1 - Read a couple of freebies by this author and dug this book out of my library. This is an interesting and immersing, this intense read is difficult to put down. Good characters that are easy to either like or dislike. The story lines are interesting. There are twists, turns and misdirects that keep the pages flipping to the end. It is too easy to turn this review into a book report. Never mind Ryder at the beginning, the book just gets better with each page read. 5*
Kentucky Vice, #2 - OK, I should have stopped with the first book, this one is rather silly. Some real good characters, good story lines but not much realism, lots of hollywood-style tripe. Instead of immersing myself in the dramatic scenes, I was laughing myself silly. This is still a fun read but it is labeled a thriller, falls short by a long shot. The author acts a bit like the Nutjob that brings the story to the end, explaining everything while running through a gamut of emotions, from normal to a raving lunatic. NO, ole James isn't a lunatic, but he lost a grip on his writing style and went plumb silly with events, dialog and moving from drama to slapstick comedy and Cozy-style genres. Read it for entertainment knowing that the last part of the book forgot the style and genre of the beginning. Just because KV is so funny and there are two worthy female characters, this gets four stars. Else, two stars would be being nice. 4*
Sins of the Father, #3 - Seems like the women are "lemon-sucker" lipped whiners and the male characters are raving lunatics wanting to hurt or kill someone, common types for the last two books. The beginning of this story is a bit hollywood-style silliness but improves as the story goes on. The noose is not removed, which is idiotic, but the story had to continue. Interesting story lines blending the new and foundation. Violence, bloody but not detailed gory. This takes place not long after the previous story ends. Touch of romance. Serendipitous end to a sad case. That is Grandfather, not grandfather. 4*
Once Bitten, #17 - Since the last book of this series I read was Sins of the Father, #3, I lost a lot of the foundation and was confused by some of the references to the past. That aside, this is still an interesting story with good story lines. The misdirections were not as convincing about which criminal(s) turned to law. In previous books, the misdirections were more successful. Although from Sins, I received the impression that Crow would join the regular cast of characters, I wished I had read the other books. Too many "what happened" questions. While not what I would call a standalone, Once Bitten is still an interesting story. 4*
Never Go Back, #18 - An interesting read with plenty of jawing between the two not partners as they search for a missing American student studying in England. A lot of happenings, good, bad and ugly, made for a good read as the present mingles with the past. 4*
See No Evil - With this bit on the wordy side story, I was confused by some of Evan's ramblings and some of his references to the past. I lost a lot of the foundation not reading the books between Sins of the Father and Once Bitten. That aside, this is still an interesting story with good story lines. I like the misdirection and the obvious is steady changing. I did not get the killer, but found the activities of this person of interest. Compared to the first three books, the writing style has improved for the better. 4*
Fallen Angel - It's an OK, short read. No surprises, an old story retold by others. 3*
A Rock And A Hard Place - This is a better short story than Fallen Angel. Interesting with a good story line. 4*
Kentucky Vice, #2 - OK, I should have stopped with the first book, this one is rather silly. Some real good characters, good story lines but not much realism, lots of hollywood-style tripe. Instead of immersing myself in the dramatic scenes, I was laughing myself silly. This is still a fun read but it is labeled a thriller, falls short by a long shot. The author acts a bit like the Nutjob that brings the story to the end, explaining everything while running through a gamut of emotions, from normal to a raving lunatic. NO, ole James isn't a lunatic, but he lost a grip on his writing style and went plumb silly with events, dialog and moving from drama to slapstick comedy and Cozy-style genres. Read it for entertainment knowing that the last part of the book forgot the style and genre of the beginning. Just because KV is so funny and there are two worthy female characters, this gets four stars. Else, two stars would be being nice. 4*
Sins of the Father, #3 - Seems like the women are "lemon-sucker" lipped whiners and the male characters are raving lunatics wanting to hurt or kill someone, common types for the last two books. The beginning of this story is a bit hollywood-style silliness but improves as the story goes on. The noose is not removed, which is idiotic, but the story had to continue. Interesting story lines blending the new and foundation. Violence, bloody but not detailed gory. This takes place not long after the previous story ends. Touch of romance. Serendipitous end to a sad case. That is Grandfather, not grandfather. 4*
Once Bitten, #17 - Since the last book of this series I read was Sins of the Father, #3, I lost a lot of the foundation and was confused by some of the references to the past. That aside, this is still an interesting story with good story lines. The misdirections were not as convincing about which criminal(s) turned to law. In previous books, the misdirections were more successful. Although from Sins, I received the impression that Crow would join the regular cast of characters, I wished I had read the other books. Too many "what happened" questions. While not what I would call a standalone, Once Bitten is still an interesting story. 4*
Never Go Back, #18 - An interesting read with plenty of jawing between the two not partners as they search for a missing American student studying in England. A lot of happenings, good, bad and ugly, made for a good read as the present mingles with the past. 4*
See No Evil - With this bit on the wordy side story, I was confused by some of Evan's ramblings and some of his references to the past. I lost a lot of the foundation not reading the books between Sins of the Father and Once Bitten. That aside, this is still an interesting story with good story lines. I like the misdirection and the obvious is steady changing. I did not get the killer, but found the activities of this person of interest. Compared to the first three books, the writing style has improved for the better. 4*
Fallen Angel - It's an OK, short read. No surprises, an old story retold by others. 3*
A Rock And A Hard Place - This is a better short story than Fallen Angel. Interesting with a good story line. 4*
March 16, 2019
I had intended to read the authors latest book but then I decided that was doing an injustice to him and I should start with the first and do a marathon over the weekend. What better way than with this his first 4 book set. I am very glad I did it this way as I soon became engrossed in the world of Evan Buckley. What can I say about him? In the first book I wanted to hug him and weep for him, who on earth could have his gastly luck? I did not know wether to laugh or cry over the first few chapters he was in such a mess. As each book lead into the next I followed him as he got into one scrape after the other. Somehow solving unsolvable cases at great risk to himself but getting no closer to solving his own. His lovelife getting tricky and stepping on toes and causing mayhem unbeknowingly. He is plodding along desperate for answers and heading who knows where.
I absolutely love this poor guy the books are so good. The author has a wonderful style of writing he has really got into the soul of Evan. So much so that we can "feel" what he is going through as if we are looking through his eyes and experiencing his heartache. I am now going to start book 5.
I absolutely love this poor guy the books are so good. The author has a wonderful style of writing he has really got into the soul of Evan. So much so that we can "feel" what he is going through as if we are looking through his eyes and experiencing his heartache. I am now going to start book 5.
February 23, 2024
Good old fashioned thrillers.
Evan's wife disappeared five years ago. He gave up his newspaper job and became a low level detective, so he could search for her. No luck in that department though.
The author, James Harper, takes us on different adventures, while taking us on different stories. With the help of a police detective, he takes his character, Evan Buckley, up many grades, to become a good PI. If you like detective adventures, with just a little romance, no hard core sex, then these stories are for you.
Evan's wife disappeared five years ago. He gave up his newspaper job and became a low level detective, so he could search for her. No luck in that department though.
The author, James Harper, takes us on different adventures, while taking us on different stories. With the help of a police detective, he takes his character, Evan Buckley, up many grades, to become a good PI. If you like detective adventures, with just a little romance, no hard core sex, then these stories are for you.
July 21, 2021
The writing was fine. I read the first two books and then stopped because they have more violence than I enjoy. The fighting and torture scenes had more detail than I care for, so I stopped reading them. Again, the writing was good; the pace was good; the content was just not to my liking. Evan is a PI, but not a very good one. He is reckless and consistently makes a mess of things. This series would probably make a good video series.
March 13, 2021
Least Enjoyed of the Series
This book was my least favorite of the series. While there was plenty of drama, I found much of the story entirely predictable. Probably the most positive comment I have is that Harper did a fairly good job of fleshing out some of the characters in the story that were either new or introduced in the previous book in the series.
This book was my least favorite of the series. While there was plenty of drama, I found much of the story entirely predictable. Probably the most positive comment I have is that Harper did a fairly good job of fleshing out some of the characters in the story that were either new or introduced in the previous book in the series.
April 27, 2021
Evan Buckley boxset
James Harper, has a captivating thriller . The Evan Buckley character is intriguing and not in a romantic way. At times I can't make my mind up if I like him or is he like a used coffee mug given to someone else to be drunk from. However, his character is addictive and you are plagued to read more.Worthy read.
James Harper, has a captivating thriller . The Evan Buckley character is intriguing and not in a romantic way. At times I can't make my mind up if I like him or is he like a used coffee mug given to someone else to be drunk from. However, his character is addictive and you are plagued to read more.Worthy read.
August 24, 2023
Private investigators deal with the dregs of society...
Evan Buckley is a private investigator. The cases that he takes on puts him in contact with some really strange people. He fights some. He loves some. And some seek revenge against him. There were some violent scenes in this book. But Evan and the good guys always come out on top.
Evan Buckley is a private investigator. The cases that he takes on puts him in contact with some really strange people. He fights some. He loves some. And some seek revenge against him. There were some violent scenes in this book. But Evan and the good guys always come out on top.
February 3, 2019
I have read each one of these exceptional thriller stories of Evan Buckley. If you like action, a great storyline and characters you can get behind and cheer for, this is your box set. Each story is a stand alone, but they are really great all together.
July 27, 2020
This series was excellent and held my attention from the beginning to the end and left me wanting more. Good plot and writing.
March 31, 2021
Very enjoyable.
Really enjoyed this box set. I just love Evan. Got the next box set already on my Kindle. Raring to go!
Really enjoyed this box set. I just love Evan. Got the next box set already on my Kindle. Raring to go!
August 21, 2021
Brilliant series
Love the whole series, just about to start reading them all for a second time as I loved it that much.
Love the whole series, just about to start reading them all for a second time as I loved it that much.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews