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Reed & Billie Mysteries #8
The Driver
“I know you and I have been through some things,” Reed whispered. “Some crazy, crazy stuff. But we have never - and will never - work a case as important as this one.”
Eighteen months ago, Detective Reed Mattox didn’t just lose his partner, the woman he met on his first day at the police academy and worked with for the entirety of his career thereafter. He lost his confidante. His sounding board. His support system.
His best friend.
Victim to a senseless shooting during a routine traffic stop, the details of that night are still as elusive to Reed as they were more than a year before. Months of scouring every detail, poring through every resource, have revealed nothing, heightening the guilt he still carries for being more than two thousand miles away at the time.
When the phone rings late one evening, Reed hopes it is the brass within the Columbus Police Department calling to let him know he and his new K-9 partner Billie have been reinstated. That the administrative leave they were placed on in the wake of their last major case has been lifted, freeing them from the personal Hell they’ve been stuck in for the last couple of months.
What he hears instead is something much bigger, cleaving straight to his core, and perhaps finally allowing them to close a case nearly a year and a half in the making…
Eighteen months ago, Detective Reed Mattox didn’t just lose his partner, the woman he met on his first day at the police academy and worked with for the entirety of his career thereafter. He lost his confidante. His sounding board. His support system.
His best friend.
Victim to a senseless shooting during a routine traffic stop, the details of that night are still as elusive to Reed as they were more than a year before. Months of scouring every detail, poring through every resource, have revealed nothing, heightening the guilt he still carries for being more than two thousand miles away at the time.
When the phone rings late one evening, Reed hopes it is the brass within the Columbus Police Department calling to let him know he and his new K-9 partner Billie have been reinstated. That the administrative leave they were placed on in the wake of their last major case has been lifted, freeing them from the personal Hell they’ve been stuck in for the last couple of months.
What he hears instead is something much bigger, cleaving straight to his core, and perhaps finally allowing them to close a case nearly a year and a half in the making…
473 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2020
2311 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Dustin Stevens
85 books313 followersI originally hail from the midwest, growing up in the heart of farm country, and still consider it, along with West Tennessee, my co-home. Between the two, I have a firm belief that football is the greatest of all past-times, sweet tea is really the only acceptable beverage for any occasion, there is not an event on earth that either gym shorts or boots can't be worn to, and that Dairy Queen is the best restaurant on the planet. Further, southern accents are a highly likeable feature on most everybody, English bulldogs sit atop the critter hierarchy, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Saturday night spent catfishing at the lake.
Since leaving the midwest I've been to college in New England, grad school in the Rockies, and lived in over a dozen different cities ranging from DC to Honolulu along the way. Each and every one of these experiences has shaped who I am at this point, a fact I hope is expressed in my writing. I have developed enormous affinity for locales and people of every size and shape, and even if I never figure out a way to properly convey them on paper, I am very much grateful for their presence in my life.
To sum it up, I asked a very good friend recently how they would describe me for something like this. Their response: "Plagued by realism and trained by experiences/education to be a pessimist, you somehow remain above all else an active dreamer." While I can't say those are the exact words I would choose, I can't say they're wrong. I travel, live in different places, try new foods, meet all kinds of different people, and above all else stay curious to a fault.
Here's hoping it continues to provide us all with some pretty good stories...
Since leaving the midwest I've been to college in New England, grad school in the Rockies, and lived in over a dozen different cities ranging from DC to Honolulu along the way. Each and every one of these experiences has shaped who I am at this point, a fact I hope is expressed in my writing. I have developed enormous affinity for locales and people of every size and shape, and even if I never figure out a way to properly convey them on paper, I am very much grateful for their presence in my life.
To sum it up, I asked a very good friend recently how they would describe me for something like this. Their response: "Plagued by realism and trained by experiences/education to be a pessimist, you somehow remain above all else an active dreamer." While I can't say those are the exact words I would choose, I can't say they're wrong. I travel, live in different places, try new foods, meet all kinds of different people, and above all else stay curious to a fault.
Here's hoping it continues to provide us all with some pretty good stories...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 11, 2020
Another MUST READ
If you are new to the Reed and Billie series, I urge you to read them. Although each one is a stand alone, read in order will help The Driver make more sense. This solves the mystery behind Reed's partners death, but the whole mystery is wrapped around several other cases at the same time.
I would reco.mend this book! Dustin manages to keep the reader in suspense once again
If you are new to the Reed and Billie series, I urge you to read them. Although each one is a stand alone, read in order will help The Driver make more sense. This solves the mystery behind Reed's partners death, but the whole mystery is wrapped around several other cases at the same time.
I would reco.mend this book! Dustin manages to keep the reader in suspense once again
June 13, 2020
How does a good person get sucked into being a criminal? The Driver leads you down that rabbit hole.
When a nearby small town experiences an armed robbery, leaving evidence that connects the gun used in the robbery to the unsolved murder of Reed's former partner, Riley, the hunt for the robbers and the gun begins.
Plagued by guilt and determined to solve the murder, Reed partners with the police chief to find the weapon and hopefully, the murderer. With chapters detailing the path The Driver is forced to take, and Reed and Billie connecting the various, seemingly disparate yet interconnected crimes, the story will keep you reading to find how it all comes together, finally solving the murder of Reed's best friend and partner.
When a nearby small town experiences an armed robbery, leaving evidence that connects the gun used in the robbery to the unsolved murder of Reed's former partner, Riley, the hunt for the robbers and the gun begins.
Plagued by guilt and determined to solve the murder, Reed partners with the police chief to find the weapon and hopefully, the murderer. With chapters detailing the path The Driver is forced to take, and Reed and Billie connecting the various, seemingly disparate yet interconnected crimes, the story will keep you reading to find how it all comes together, finally solving the murder of Reed's best friend and partner.
September 16, 2021
The main character is at best two dimensional, he shows only two emotions, more angst than a teenage girl, and barely controlled rage. This is from a cop. The dialogue is ridiculous, I don't expect Ross McDonald or Walter Mosely, but come on make an effort. Listen to real people get a hint. Even the K 9 was boring. I bailed after 200 pages and I'm kicking myself for not quitting sooner.
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April 10, 2022There was so much going and coming, so many people to try and remember and each chapter jumped into something else going on. Lots of words I did not know what they meant. Never did understand "The Driver" where he came in. I think it could have become two books. But it was well written except for all the difficult words. For me it could have been simpler
October 7, 2020
Great Story Line
Excellent series. However, your language seemed to get worse as you wrote. Perhaps your vocabulary began to run out of words. Profanity and gutter words don’t add to the story. Read a Clyde Cussler or Louis Lamour book and see the difference 😜.
Excellent series. However, your language seemed to get worse as you wrote. Perhaps your vocabulary began to run out of words. Profanity and gutter words don’t add to the story. Read a Clyde Cussler or Louis Lamour book and see the difference 😜.
December 10, 2022
This is the last book in the series and it may be its best. I like the main character and I read the whole series solely because the main character’s partner was a Belgian Malinois. However, the writing style (so passive with lots of participles and run on description to get to a thought) is awful. I would give this a 2 vs other books in this genre. Gave it a 3 in relation to the other books in the series. Looking back on my reviews, I think I was too generous with my ratings for all of them.
February 19, 2022
Over the years, I had heard many good things about Dustin Stevens, but I had read none of his books until I grabbed The Driver off my E book bookshelf a couple of days ago. Believe it or not, I have had five of his books on that shelf waiting to be read for a very long time. I’m into K-9 thrillers, so I figured that The Driver, which is book 8 in the Reed & Billie K-9 Thriller Series, was a good one to start with. Billie is the K-9, a solid black Malanois.
One thing that had kept me from reading any of his books was the fact that people who had read his books told me he wrote dialogue that was clean, dialogue with no overt vulgarity, and I didn’t see how anyone could write realistic dialogue without using some profanity. I mean, profanity is a big part of every criminal’s vocabulary. Dustin knew that too, but he also knew that using it would offend some of his more genteel readers, so he alludes to its use of description instead of vocalizing it through dialogue.
I also shy away from stories that keep the reader hopping back and forth in time because few writers can pull that off and still keep the story moving forward. Dustin Stevens is one of those few. He makes it feel natural. The driver's main story plot is Detective Reed Mattox’s search for the miscreant that killed his partner and he keeps switching back and forth between the time leading up to her cold-blooded murder and the present day. This story has more subplots, more twist and turns then rattlesnake path across the desert sands.
This story is a roller-coaster thrill ride from start to finish. It’s more than a page-turner, it’s a page-burner. there’s enough violence, enough blood letting to satisfy even the most addicted thriller reader, even without the gratuitous vulgarity and sex. If you only read one K-9 Thriller this year, make The Driver by Dustin Stevens that thriller.
One thing that had kept me from reading any of his books was the fact that people who had read his books told me he wrote dialogue that was clean, dialogue with no overt vulgarity, and I didn’t see how anyone could write realistic dialogue without using some profanity. I mean, profanity is a big part of every criminal’s vocabulary. Dustin knew that too, but he also knew that using it would offend some of his more genteel readers, so he alludes to its use of description instead of vocalizing it through dialogue.
I also shy away from stories that keep the reader hopping back and forth in time because few writers can pull that off and still keep the story moving forward. Dustin Stevens is one of those few. He makes it feel natural. The driver's main story plot is Detective Reed Mattox’s search for the miscreant that killed his partner and he keeps switching back and forth between the time leading up to her cold-blooded murder and the present day. This story has more subplots, more twist and turns then rattlesnake path across the desert sands.
This story is a roller-coaster thrill ride from start to finish. It’s more than a page-turner, it’s a page-burner. there’s enough violence, enough blood letting to satisfy even the most addicted thriller reader, even without the gratuitous vulgarity and sex. If you only read one K-9 Thriller this year, make The Driver by Dustin Stevens that thriller.
June 12, 2020
Although part of a series this can be read as a stand alone from a case perspective. Reading all of them though brings a better understanding of the characters on top of simply being a great series.
I liked how almost each chapter ends with a cliffhanger challenging you to turn to the next one and the next one.
Reed is waiting to be reinstated to active duty, after his last case, when he gets the call about an armed robbery that happened in another town an hour away. Turns out they used the same gun as the one that killed his former partner and best friend... a lead, finally, that will help bring closure after nearly a year and a half. Following the trail to find out who killed Riley and why, the investigation leads to arresting more drug dealers and ultimately shutting down an entire network. Prior cases and this one will bring some changes in his career that Reed does not want but may have no say in the matter. As always Billie is a favorite!
I liked how almost each chapter ends with a cliffhanger challenging you to turn to the next one and the next one.
Reed is waiting to be reinstated to active duty, after his last case, when he gets the call about an armed robbery that happened in another town an hour away. Turns out they used the same gun as the one that killed his former partner and best friend... a lead, finally, that will help bring closure after nearly a year and a half. Following the trail to find out who killed Riley and why, the investigation leads to arresting more drug dealers and ultimately shutting down an entire network. Prior cases and this one will bring some changes in his career that Reed does not want but may have no say in the matter. As always Billie is a favorite!
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February 23, 2022Note: The Driver by Dustin Stevens
A kindle book. I see I’ve read another book by this author and gave it a 5 star rating. For this book I’ve formed a different impression, probably based on my personal taste. A talented author, but not one I’ll look to read in the future. I grew weary of the very frequent and wordy descriptions of great anxiety and inner turmoil felt by the main character, Reed. After the first several in close succession the impact of the descriptions weakened only because of their frequency. It was constant and ongoing throughout the book (83 chapters and an epilogue). The author sure likes the word “roiling” in all it’s tenses. For those reading these reviews, however, don’t let mine deter you from reading the story. All the other reviews (except for one that mirrored my impression) we’re glowing 5 stars.
A kindle book. I see I’ve read another book by this author and gave it a 5 star rating. For this book I’ve formed a different impression, probably based on my personal taste. A talented author, but not one I’ll look to read in the future. I grew weary of the very frequent and wordy descriptions of great anxiety and inner turmoil felt by the main character, Reed. After the first several in close succession the impact of the descriptions weakened only because of their frequency. It was constant and ongoing throughout the book (83 chapters and an epilogue). The author sure likes the word “roiling” in all it’s tenses. For those reading these reviews, however, don’t let mine deter you from reading the story. All the other reviews (except for one that mirrored my impression) we’re glowing 5 stars.
August 7, 2020
Interesting and fast moving novel. I enjoy and follow Dustin Stevens. Reed and Billie are a good combination and I like the setting in Ohio. This novel had multiple time shifts, with no warning from the text.This was confusing in the short term but resolved by the continued reading. There are a few hangers which can easily be resolved by the reader, or by the author in another novel.
July 28, 2020
Have read all the previous Reed and Billie novels and considering this one's story line, I felt like this one was a bit of a letdown. Not sure why. Seemed less suspenseful than all the other books in the series. Again, felt Billie was underutilized, especially in the first third of the book.
July 24, 2023
This one kept me riveted
This book brings about big changes for Reed and Billie. Closure on his most important case, the murder of his partner Riley, and a potential new assignment.
When Reed, who is still on leave and going stir crazy, gets a call from his Captain about an armed robbery in a small town about an hour away, it starts an investigation that keeps Reed going a week with practically no sleep or food, nearly gets him killed, discovers a huge criminal enterprise, and works to finally solve the case that has eluded him for over a year and a half.
The book changes POVs from Reed to “The Driver” and we can sense what is building. The author cleverly gradually builds the tension and we are put in a position of worrying about The Driver even though we know what’s coming. The quotes at the beginning of the book are spot on in this one. Tragedy all around.
I’m intrigued by what is coming next for Reed and Billie. Certainly it appears it will open up storytelling options for the author.
This book brings about big changes for Reed and Billie. Closure on his most important case, the murder of his partner Riley, and a potential new assignment.
When Reed, who is still on leave and going stir crazy, gets a call from his Captain about an armed robbery in a small town about an hour away, it starts an investigation that keeps Reed going a week with practically no sleep or food, nearly gets him killed, discovers a huge criminal enterprise, and works to finally solve the case that has eluded him for over a year and a half.
The book changes POVs from Reed to “The Driver” and we can sense what is building. The author cleverly gradually builds the tension and we are put in a position of worrying about The Driver even though we know what’s coming. The quotes at the beginning of the book are spot on in this one. Tragedy all around.
I’m intrigued by what is coming next for Reed and Billie. Certainly it appears it will open up storytelling options for the author.
August 20, 2025
Another Page Turner
The author carefully sets the stage, and bit by bit the pieces come together. You can't help but keep reading. However , I have a quibble and it has bothered me for all eight books. Wrong word usage. "Feign" does not mean "pretend." It means to pretend with the purpose to deceive. As in a guilty person "feigning innocence." "Cohort" does not mean buddy or partner. It refers to a group with particular characteristics in common. "Disinterested" does not mean lacking interest. The word for that is "uninterested." Disinterested refers to being neutral, as in a judge being a disinterested party. Finally: Lie versus Lay. "Lie" is present tense as in "I will lie down at midnight." Not "I will lay down at midnight." Maybe the author does not want to offend his readers by using the correct word and confusing them. Most of these books would be a five if only there were fewer of these errors (and there are indeed many more). My advice is fire the editor if there is one, or hire an editor if there is not.
The author carefully sets the stage, and bit by bit the pieces come together. You can't help but keep reading. However , I have a quibble and it has bothered me for all eight books. Wrong word usage. "Feign" does not mean "pretend." It means to pretend with the purpose to deceive. As in a guilty person "feigning innocence." "Cohort" does not mean buddy or partner. It refers to a group with particular characteristics in common. "Disinterested" does not mean lacking interest. The word for that is "uninterested." Disinterested refers to being neutral, as in a judge being a disinterested party. Finally: Lie versus Lay. "Lie" is present tense as in "I will lie down at midnight." Not "I will lay down at midnight." Maybe the author does not want to offend his readers by using the correct word and confusing them. Most of these books would be a five if only there were fewer of these errors (and there are indeed many more). My advice is fire the editor if there is one, or hire an editor if there is not.
June 21, 2020
This story had me held captive! I couldn't stop reading!
I have so enjoyed reading the Billie and Reed novels! I love dogs, too, as I assume everyone else who loves these books does as well! Reed is a perfect hero- just a regular guy who has a fierce love of justice and who will do the right thing no matter how he wishes didn't have to. All the characters are very believable and some I wish I knew in person. This book is a possible culmination of all the previous books in this series, but I sincerely hope they will go on and on! Mr Steven's characters are so real and the stories he writes so possible that I expect to see them on the news! I encourage everyone to read this series,and read them in order, if possible.
I have so enjoyed reading the Billie and Reed novels! I love dogs, too, as I assume everyone else who loves these books does as well! Reed is a perfect hero- just a regular guy who has a fierce love of justice and who will do the right thing no matter how he wishes didn't have to. All the characters are very believable and some I wish I knew in person. This book is a possible culmination of all the previous books in this series, but I sincerely hope they will go on and on! Mr Steven's characters are so real and the stories he writes so possible that I expect to see them on the news! I encourage everyone to read this series,and read them in order, if possible.
May 8, 2022
When I read a new book, I expect I might have to look back a few times to remind myself of who exactly this character is, and their relationships. However, in this story, I kept saying "What?" and reading over the past couple of pages. The main character is in his mind back and forth, biting his tongue about what he would have said but didn't, and all that information gets mingled with the storyline. So confusing. The overall plot was good, and it's hard to tell how they actually ended up finding the person who had the gun, but I did read it all. A few typos and some names that got mixed up, and some good cops. I gave it 5 stars for creativity and interesting characters, but still it was a little confusing.
January 30, 2025
Wow! This was a great addition to the Reed and Billie series. I love how the author started with something somewhat minor and continued to build, racing toward the end. This completes a big mystery from all the previous books. What I loved: the characters, including Pam Segal; the way the plot expands, eventually bringing together many different police departments and to see them working together; the bittersweet end. What I didn’t like: the Governor and Brandt; the two main emotions that are push-me/pull-me in Reed - I wanted more depth of emotions, especially given the circumstances; I wish Grimes had more pull and sway over Reed’s cases and involvement. Overall, this is my favorite in the series.
November 14, 2020
Great Series
I’ve read each book in this series, each a fantastic read. I never paused to read anything else. Reed is heroic, honest and hardworking. He pushes himself so hard with Billie at his side, always pushing herself. If I was looking for a loved one, I’d want a team just like them to be searching.
I’m waiting for the next book impatiently. I was so glad there were 8 books so far in the series, once I was into the first one. Now I’m a bit spoiled and waiting for the next book is going to be difficult.
I’ve read each book in this series, each a fantastic read. I never paused to read anything else. Reed is heroic, honest and hardworking. He pushes himself so hard with Billie at his side, always pushing herself. If I was looking for a loved one, I’d want a team just like them to be searching.
I’m waiting for the next book impatiently. I was so glad there were 8 books so far in the series, once I was into the first one. Now I’m a bit spoiled and waiting for the next book is going to be difficult.
October 26, 2021
Reed & Billie 8
It’s hard to describe the feeling of not knowing what happened, or even why that situation happened is so beyond our realm of feelings. We usually figure it will happen to the best and worse of us! However, not knowing anything about the situation and not even knowing where to begin looking for a reason it’s a major task. I truly appreciate the efforts of this author in meeting the grief factors of the departure of a loved one!! Not every writer gets it right!!!
It’s hard to describe the feeling of not knowing what happened, or even why that situation happened is so beyond our realm of feelings. We usually figure it will happen to the best and worse of us! However, not knowing anything about the situation and not even knowing where to begin looking for a reason it’s a major task. I truly appreciate the efforts of this author in meeting the grief factors of the departure of a loved one!! Not every writer gets it right!!!
March 16, 2022
This was a very good police procedural novel featuring detective partners Reed (human male) and Billie (canine female). They get involved in solving the slaying of Reed's former partner by tracing a gun back through a robbery in another part of the state. The characters were realistic and believable, the plot kept moving, and I found myself sympathizing with Reed as he struggled with his emotions. I liked the book and would gladly read more in the series. (I note that this is #8 in the series...my lack of prior knowledge didn't hamper my enjoyment.)
May 25, 2023
This book received three stars for two reasons: 1. any use of profanity/blasphemy automatically loses a star; 2. the number of errors that I noticed (and upon which I commented).
As with so many modern authors, the story was not the end of a series, but the last episode of a serial - or was it! There were still questions left unanswered that may mean another volume!
The story itself was, at times, somewhat convoluted, and some of the words archaic. A
good proof-reader would have made a significant difference!
I may never know the answers to the matters that were left "hanging in the air", but I shan't lose any sleep over them!
As with so many modern authors, the story was not the end of a series, but the last episode of a serial - or was it! There were still questions left unanswered that may mean another volume!
The story itself was, at times, somewhat convoluted, and some of the words archaic. A
good proof-reader would have made a significant difference!
I may never know the answers to the matters that were left "hanging in the air", but I shan't lose any sleep over them!
August 14, 2020
Loved it
I have said it all before in reviewing books 1 through 5. I absolutely love this series: the villains you love to hate, the killer you feel sorry for, Reed, Billie, Grimes and the other police officers from different jurisdictions who work together towards a single goal. The book is suspenseful with twists and turns that keep you engaged from the first page. You just can't stop reading.
I have said it all before in reviewing books 1 through 5. I absolutely love this series: the villains you love to hate, the killer you feel sorry for, Reed, Billie, Grimes and the other police officers from different jurisdictions who work together towards a single goal. The book is suspenseful with twists and turns that keep you engaged from the first page. You just can't stop reading.
December 20, 2020
Captain Grimes had put a ballistic alert on the gun that had killed Reed’s partner Riley. It came thru when a small robbery with a gun fired into the ceiling. Questions wanting to ask the officer who had responded, Reed quickly knew it would be pointless, He was doing the minimum work to get a paycheck seeing retirement check didn’t do it. Why would two ski mask men rob a place for a few hundred dollars. The case is personal for Grimes, Reed and .Billie who knew Riley.
July 7, 2022
This is book #8 and I’ve read and loved all of them! Usually the book “grabs me” from the beginning to the end. Not so in this book. It took me awhile to figure out the pyramid of the entire picture. The book kept going from past to present then back to the past. Of course all the pieces were put together at the end. I’m happy that Reed and Deke too have closure of their dear friend Riley and whatever the future holds with the governor’s plan for Reed. Book #9 coming up!
June 17, 2020
Another heart stopper that I had trouble putting down when life disturbed my reading...
I love this series so much and this book was amazing as it tied so much together and answered questions and as always Billie is my all time favorite, she is amazing.
This story was gripping and had me turning pages to find out what happened next and each page was amazing.
I love this series so much and this book was amazing as it tied so much together and answered questions and as always Billie is my all time favorite, she is amazing.
This story was gripping and had me turning pages to find out what happened next and each page was amazing.
June 29, 2020
Finally!!! We get to find out what happens to Riley Poole. I was afraid this book would never come. Or at least this part of the story. Riley was Reed’s partner before Billie. Her loss haunts these books, and torments Reed. Now we get some back story and some insight. If you’ve read the previous books, even one of them, you need to read this book!
October 1, 2020
Dustin Stevens is my new favorite author. He's a wonderful story teller with fresh descriptions and creates characters with depth. "The Driver" is a fast paced book that keeps the reader interested from the first page to the last. Reed Mattox and his canine partner Billy are my favorite duo so far. Thanks Dustin!
October 11, 2020
Great Book!
As usual this book keeps you interested from beginning to end. Love the characters and storyline. Reed & Billie are so great together. So happy Reed got some closure on what happened with his other partner. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Dustin Stevens is a great author!
As usual this book keeps you interested from beginning to end. Love the characters and storyline. Reed & Billie are so great together. So happy Reed got some closure on what happened with his other partner. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Dustin Stevens is a great author!
October 16, 2023
Just an exceptional read. The way Dustin describes everything it makes you believe that you right there along with all the book characters.
Being a dog owner I could relate to all the emotions Billie goes through, with his head sticking out through the seat and his hot breath on your arm.
Looking forward to the next issue , different plot same characters.
Again, suburb read.
Being a dog owner I could relate to all the emotions Billie goes through, with his head sticking out through the seat and his hot breath on your arm.
Looking forward to the next issue , different plot same characters.
Again, suburb read.
January 10, 2024
A bit longer and more complicated than previous books in series, but well written. A clue comes regarding the killing of Riley and the team rushes into action. Turns into a complicated crime leading to a huge illegal drug story. After many dead ends and frustration, Reed, K9 Billie and the team track down the criminals leading to an exciting end.
February 4, 2024
Complete Sentences Please
Despite the imaginative plotlines in this series, the sentence fragments are distracting and annoying. Occasional fragments in creative writing are fine, but I found myself hunting for complete sentences rather than paying attention to the story. The stories are GOOD, but the writing and grammar need improvement: e.g., use who, not that, when referring to people; avoid the numerous dangling modifiers; pay attention to vocabulary/usage (e.g., semblance and resemblance mean two different things, as do err and error). Also distracting is following characters from the car through the parking lot to the door and down the hall and the too-many instances of thinking to say something but not saying it--that just seems like filler and doesn't move the story along.
That said, if I didn't see great hope for Stevens as a writer, I would not have taken time to write a review.
Despite the imaginative plotlines in this series, the sentence fragments are distracting and annoying. Occasional fragments in creative writing are fine, but I found myself hunting for complete sentences rather than paying attention to the story. The stories are GOOD, but the writing and grammar need improvement: e.g., use who, not that, when referring to people; avoid the numerous dangling modifiers; pay attention to vocabulary/usage (e.g., semblance and resemblance mean two different things, as do err and error). Also distracting is following characters from the car through the parking lot to the door and down the hall and the too-many instances of thinking to say something but not saying it--that just seems like filler and doesn't move the story along.
That said, if I didn't see great hope for Stevens as a writer, I would not have taken time to write a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews