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Grey and Villere Suspense Thriller #7
Collision Course
Private investigator Tess Grey feels duty bound to help when the missing girl she has been asked to find becomes involved a high-stakes case of extortion.
Private investigator Tess Grey's latest case involves tracking down Hayley Cameron, a young girl who has fled after discovering that she was adopted. Tess, aided by her fiance Po Villere, traces Hayley to the apartment of Madison Toner - one of Hayley's college friends - in Bangor, Maine.
Despite Tess's pleas, Hayley refuses to return to her adoptive mother. Both Tess and Po believe there's more to her running away than it seems, especially when they see Madison's father bloodied and beaten. Concerned for Hayley's well-being, they conduct a stake-out.
When thugs turn up to extort Madison and Hayley, Tess and Po feel duty bound to get involved. But what are the girls embroiled in? Who are after them and to what lengths will they go? Tess and Po don't know it yet, but events are about to grow deadly.
Private investigator Tess Grey's latest case involves tracking down Hayley Cameron, a young girl who has fled after discovering that she was adopted. Tess, aided by her fiance Po Villere, traces Hayley to the apartment of Madison Toner - one of Hayley's college friends - in Bangor, Maine.
Despite Tess's pleas, Hayley refuses to return to her adoptive mother. Both Tess and Po believe there's more to her running away than it seems, especially when they see Madison's father bloodied and beaten. Concerned for Hayley's well-being, they conduct a stake-out.
When thugs turn up to extort Madison and Hayley, Tess and Po feel duty bound to get involved. But what are the girls embroiled in? Who are after them and to what lengths will they go? Tess and Po don't know it yet, but events are about to grow deadly.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2020
46 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Matt Hilton
87 books240 followersMatt Hilton worked for twenty-two years in private security and the police force in Cumbria. He is a 4th Dan blackbelt and coach in Ju-Jitsu. He lives in Cumbria with his wife and son.
Matt is the author of the best-selling Joe Hunter thriller series, as well as standalone horror thrillers and short stories that have appeared in a number of collections and anthologies. Matt's first novel - Dead Men's Dust - was a Sunday Times best-seller and was shortlisted for the ITW New Novel Award 2009.
Matt is the author of the best-selling Joe Hunter thriller series, as well as standalone horror thrillers and short stories that have appeared in a number of collections and anthologies. Matt's first novel - Dead Men's Dust - was a Sunday Times best-seller and was shortlisted for the ITW New Novel Award 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 11, 2020
Private Investigator Tess Grey latest case is searching for a young woman who has left home after learning that she was adopted. Her mother wants her found just so she can explain why she was never told.
Helped by her her fiance' Po Villere, they manage to contact a good friend of the missing woman. But what they find there is a man who has been brutally beaten, and his daughter who is the friend they were seeking.
What are these people involved in? Why so secretive? Grey and Villere feel obligated to help, but who are after them ... and how far will they go? Tess and Po find themselves a lot closer to danger than they imagined.
Full of action, this is a real page turner. For those who have followed this series .. this is an excellent addition. For those who have not read any of this series.. you can start here. It's easily read as a stand alone. I recommend starting at the beginning ... great reading and I love the story of how Po and Grey met. Characters are solidly drawn, and along with their friend, Pinky, they are front and center.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 3, 2020
Collision Course is the seventh book in the Tess Grey & Po Villere action thriller series set in Maine, about a Private Investigator and her ex-con partner, by British author Matt Hilton. I’ve read the first, and the last two - the last one got 5 stars - so had high hopes for this; unfortunately it didn’t live up to expectations and I found myself struggling to make progress - it’s taken several days which is unusual for me for a thriller. You don’t need to have read any previous instalment to follow easily as there’s plenty of (too much, IMHO) backstory.
Tess is searching for a young woman who has run away from her adoptive mother, to try and persuade her to return home, which seems straightforward. Unfortunately the girl is caught up in her greedy friend’s scam, which has attracted the attention of ruthless extortionists, who aren’t afraid to use violence to get their way. Tess, Po and their best friend Pinky are once more thrown into a dangerous situation where the right thing isn’t always the legal option, and the criminals aren’t always the bad guys...
This started off well, opening with a faintly humorous fight scene, but soon began to drag, for at least the first half, I was jumping online every few pages because I was bored and distractible. Things do improve in the second half and the plot does culminate in an exciting if predictable rescue. I think part of the problem was the tendency for each character’s story to be told in a style that flicked between extended internal monologue and judgemental omnipotent narration. While I liked Arlen’s character arc, all the time spent angsting about his situation seriously got in the way of the plot, and for those who have read the previous books, lengthy recaps of Po & Pinky’s past histories were just annoying (not to mention would be major spoilers for those who haven’t!)
I like Tess’s character, and her relationship with Po - and the absence of unnecessary love/sex scenes makes a nice change from the usual lovers as partners trope. Pinky is always entertaining but how come he never gets a love life?
The villains were either cartoonishly evil or grotesquely thuggish - there are some brief torture scenes which had me mentally hiding behind the cushions but nothing too awful happens to anyone who doesn’t deserve it - well except one but that happens “off camera”.
The ARC copy I received had a lot of grammatical and English language errors, which I hope have been fixed in time for publication. It’s not something I have noticed from Hilton before. I’m always rather disappointed when an established author and their editor can’t get the basics right before releasing review copies. This isn’t enough to put me off the series - I do intend to read books 2 to 4 at some stage, but given the price charged for the Kindle edition here, I need to get my bought TBR down a bit before I can justify buying them.
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. 3.5 rounded down for making reading feel like homework.
Collision Course is available now.
Tess is searching for a young woman who has run away from her adoptive mother, to try and persuade her to return home, which seems straightforward. Unfortunately the girl is caught up in her greedy friend’s scam, which has attracted the attention of ruthless extortionists, who aren’t afraid to use violence to get their way. Tess, Po and their best friend Pinky are once more thrown into a dangerous situation where the right thing isn’t always the legal option, and the criminals aren’t always the bad guys...
This started off well, opening with a faintly humorous fight scene, but soon began to drag, for at least the first half, I was jumping online every few pages because I was bored and distractible. Things do improve in the second half and the plot does culminate in an exciting if predictable rescue. I think part of the problem was the tendency for each character’s story to be told in a style that flicked between extended internal monologue and judgemental omnipotent narration. While I liked Arlen’s character arc, all the time spent angsting about his situation seriously got in the way of the plot, and for those who have read the previous books, lengthy recaps of Po & Pinky’s past histories were just annoying (not to mention would be major spoilers for those who haven’t!)
I like Tess’s character, and her relationship with Po - and the absence of unnecessary love/sex scenes makes a nice change from the usual lovers as partners trope. Pinky is always entertaining but how come he never gets a love life?
The villains were either cartoonishly evil or grotesquely thuggish - there are some brief torture scenes which had me mentally hiding behind the cushions but nothing too awful happens to anyone who doesn’t deserve it - well except one but that happens “off camera”.
The ARC copy I received had a lot of grammatical and English language errors, which I hope have been fixed in time for publication. It’s not something I have noticed from Hilton before. I’m always rather disappointed when an established author and their editor can’t get the basics right before releasing review copies. This isn’t enough to put me off the series - I do intend to read books 2 to 4 at some stage, but given the price charged for the Kindle edition here, I need to get my bought TBR down a bit before I can justify buying them.
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. 3.5 rounded down for making reading feel like homework.
Collision Course is available now.
September 12, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of Collision Course, the seventh novel to feature Maine based PI Tess Grey and her fiancé Po Villere.
Tess is hunting for a missing young woman. Hayley Cameron has left the family home after discovering she was adopted and is refusing to contact her mother. Tess traces her to her friend, Madison Toner’s home but uncovers more than she bargained for. It would appear that Madison and her father have some illegal scam on the go and are being extorted by more professional, violent criminals.
I enjoyed Collision Course which is a rampage through the State of Maine. I have not read any of Mr Hilton’s work before so I was pleased to be offered the opportunity. Firstly I should say that there is no problem picking up the series so far in as this novel is self contained and any relevant background is covered. The novel is told from various points of view, mostly Tess and the gangsters. It gives the reader a wider take on events but leaves no room for speculation, making the novel more action than suspense. There are plenty of action scenes, which mostly involve violence and fighting, and these make the novel vivid and exciting but otherwise the plot is fairly predictable. I have to admit that I found the last few chapters where one of the characters has a change of heart rather unbelievable, but, hey, anything goes in fiction.
The characters are rather one dimensional but it’s a thriller so it doesn’t really matter. Tess, as a former law enforcement officer, has a well developed sense of right and wrong but that doesn’t mean that she follows the rule book, especially if bending it lets her protect Po. He’s the strong, not so silent type, ever willing to support Tess in her endeavours.
Collision Course is a good read.
Tess is hunting for a missing young woman. Hayley Cameron has left the family home after discovering she was adopted and is refusing to contact her mother. Tess traces her to her friend, Madison Toner’s home but uncovers more than she bargained for. It would appear that Madison and her father have some illegal scam on the go and are being extorted by more professional, violent criminals.
I enjoyed Collision Course which is a rampage through the State of Maine. I have not read any of Mr Hilton’s work before so I was pleased to be offered the opportunity. Firstly I should say that there is no problem picking up the series so far in as this novel is self contained and any relevant background is covered. The novel is told from various points of view, mostly Tess and the gangsters. It gives the reader a wider take on events but leaves no room for speculation, making the novel more action than suspense. There are plenty of action scenes, which mostly involve violence and fighting, and these make the novel vivid and exciting but otherwise the plot is fairly predictable. I have to admit that I found the last few chapters where one of the characters has a change of heart rather unbelievable, but, hey, anything goes in fiction.
The characters are rather one dimensional but it’s a thriller so it doesn’t really matter. Tess, as a former law enforcement officer, has a well developed sense of right and wrong but that doesn’t mean that she follows the rule book, especially if bending it lets her protect Po. He’s the strong, not so silent type, ever willing to support Tess in her endeavours.
Collision Course is a good read.
October 14, 2020
Sold Reacher-Style Mystery, Deep In Series. This is a solid mystery of the "Reacher" style. In that there is a compelling mystery of someone being missing and/ or in danger, and the good guy (in this case, a team of a PI and her two ex-con friends) has to find them and/ or stop the bad guys. Usually with significant fisticuffs and generally lots of rampant destruction and gunshots. Hell, this book opens up with our female PI pulling off a similar stunt to one of Reacher's own more memorable ones. One thing to note here is that this book *is* deep into the series - something I didn't realize when I signed up for the ARC. Not a big deal for me personally, as the backstory was appropriately mentioned enough to get where the characters currently are and whet the appetite for going back as a reader, but those particularly sensitive about spoilers will want to read this series from the beginning. Overall, a solid, action packed mystery. Very much recommended.
February 21, 2021
The Return of Po and Tess sorting out a crime!
I have read one of the previous books featuring Po, aka Nicolas Villere and Private Investigator Tess Grey. The couple is now engaged and living together, and Tess has a reasonably mundane task trying to trace a runaway teenager, Hayley Cameron. She has just discovered that she was adopted and felt full of resentment at her adoptive mother Jessica for not telling her earlier has moved in with Madison.
Tess manages to locate Hayley and persuades her to return to see her adoptive mother, but whilst Tess is there, a couple of thugs turn up, threatening Hayley and her father, Mike Toner. It doesn't take Tess long to find out that Madison is involved in a motor insurance scam, but more importantly, half her profits are being demanded by the thugs. Instead of walking away, Tess feels obliged to help Madison find out more about the people controlling the thugs.
Ably assisted by Po and Pinky, two characters with dubious backgrounds but are now committed to supporting Tess, they find out who the main criminals pulling strings are.
The plot moved along at a pace and involved a lot of action and plenty of violence, but, for me, much of it was improbable, especially concerning one of the thugs. This is an enjoyable crime book that I read very quickly, but it didn't really stand out as one that will live long in my memory. I cannot really empathise with any of the main characters, but I recommend this to anyone who enjoys this type of story.
Dexter
Elite Book Group received a copy of the book to review
I have read one of the previous books featuring Po, aka Nicolas Villere and Private Investigator Tess Grey. The couple is now engaged and living together, and Tess has a reasonably mundane task trying to trace a runaway teenager, Hayley Cameron. She has just discovered that she was adopted and felt full of resentment at her adoptive mother Jessica for not telling her earlier has moved in with Madison.
Tess manages to locate Hayley and persuades her to return to see her adoptive mother, but whilst Tess is there, a couple of thugs turn up, threatening Hayley and her father, Mike Toner. It doesn't take Tess long to find out that Madison is involved in a motor insurance scam, but more importantly, half her profits are being demanded by the thugs. Instead of walking away, Tess feels obliged to help Madison find out more about the people controlling the thugs.
Ably assisted by Po and Pinky, two characters with dubious backgrounds but are now committed to supporting Tess, they find out who the main criminals pulling strings are.
The plot moved along at a pace and involved a lot of action and plenty of violence, but, for me, much of it was improbable, especially concerning one of the thugs. This is an enjoyable crime book that I read very quickly, but it didn't really stand out as one that will live long in my memory. I cannot really empathise with any of the main characters, but I recommend this to anyone who enjoys this type of story.
Dexter
Elite Book Group received a copy of the book to review
November 23, 2020
This is the seventh book in his series about PI Tess Grey and her partner,
ex-convict Po Villere, and their friend, former gun-runner Jerome ‘Pinky’ Leclerc. This time around the trio find themselves in trouble when a simple missing teenager case leads them to an insurance scam and a group of connected crooks who are extorting the rather naïve scammers. Even though the trio solve their missing person case, they decide to hang around protect the father and daughter at the centre of the scam.
You always know what you are going to get with a Matt Hilton novel, high voltage action and lots of it and Collision Course does not disappoint on this score. From the opening pages the guns are loaded and the fists fly, as the book rapidly moves from one violent encounter to the next.
The characters verge on the stereotypical, but are neatly sketched and Hilton fleshes out some of the minor characters with nice touches of poignancy. An enjoyable, fun read that will appeal to fans of the Jack Reacher novels.
See my full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/t...
ex-convict Po Villere, and their friend, former gun-runner Jerome ‘Pinky’ Leclerc. This time around the trio find themselves in trouble when a simple missing teenager case leads them to an insurance scam and a group of connected crooks who are extorting the rather naïve scammers. Even though the trio solve their missing person case, they decide to hang around protect the father and daughter at the centre of the scam.
You always know what you are going to get with a Matt Hilton novel, high voltage action and lots of it and Collision Course does not disappoint on this score. From the opening pages the guns are loaded and the fists fly, as the book rapidly moves from one violent encounter to the next.
The characters verge on the stereotypical, but are neatly sketched and Hilton fleshes out some of the minor characters with nice touches of poignancy. An enjoyable, fun read that will appeal to fans of the Jack Reacher novels.
See my full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/t...
August 26, 2021
After the belter of a book being the last in this series I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed in this latest book. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t a bad read, it just wasn’t as great as the last one I read. This latest case for Tess involves Hayley Cameron and tracking her down as she has run away from her adoptive mother. It is soon uncovered that the girl is caught up in her friend Maddison’s scam which is putting them in the middle of a dangerous situation.
Maddison and her Father become rather central characters in this story but I couldn’t help feeling this was just a bit too run of the mill for my liking. The story was okay just I found it not that exciting. Although we see PO and Pink make their appearances there just seemed to be some of the normal magic from the characters missing in this book. Still a fantastic series but this book didn’t hit the high of the last one. Hopefully book 8 will bring the magic back!
Maddison and her Father become rather central characters in this story but I couldn’t help feeling this was just a bit too run of the mill for my liking. The story was okay just I found it not that exciting. Although we see PO and Pink make their appearances there just seemed to be some of the normal magic from the characters missing in this book. Still a fantastic series but this book didn’t hit the high of the last one. Hopefully book 8 will bring the magic back!
November 18, 2020
I admit to being a fan of this series- and this latest will be fine as a standalone- which follows the intrepid Tess Gray through the laker corners of Maine. Now a PI, she works with her fiance Po to solve crime and get answers. In this case, she's after Hayley, a young woman who took off when she discovered she was adopted. She took off into a messy situation, though, and now Tess, who has found her at Madison's, has a mess on her hands. Turns out Madison and her father have been running a scam and now there's some serious bad guys out there who want to make them pay. Told from differing points of view, this one will keep you turning the pages. How will Tess solve things for Madison and Hayley? No spoilers from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's not deep but it's a good read.
November 20, 2023
Jeez; this was poor. Skip read a lot as it progressed. How on Earth it can have a 4. something rating from reader beggars belief. Every incident has to be rewritten and explained from each of those involved which just slows the tempo. The constant conscience wresting by Tess is irritating. The fighting is nonsense; it's not supposed to be a sport but a fight for life or death. It's OK aiming for excitement and cliff hanging but the timings of intervention are plain stupid and really unbelievable. Po gets hit with brass knuckles in the face, struck by a sap on the knee joint and shot and yet he ignores the pain and is straight back in the fight. Makes superman look like a wimp.Glad when it ended.
April 7, 2021
#CollisionCourse #NetGalley I had not read any of the previous books in this series and whilst it was perfectly capable of being read as a stand alone, i think it would have helped my enjoyment of the book if I had known more of the history of the main characters Tess, Po and Pinky. Nevertheless, it was an easy and enjoyable read. Fast paced with plenty of action (and violence).that kept me on the edge of my seat. I will be sure to look out for more books in this series and may even read some of the previous ones.
November 21, 2020
Matt Hilton's latest thriller is fast and furious. If he changes gear at all from beginning to end it is hardly noticeable until one realizes he has sprinkled a little empathy on his more deserving characters.
This story of an insurance scam gone badly wrong never falters and delivers as much action as a Hollywood superhero movie.
There are strongly written poignant moments that add a layer that is often missing in this genre.
This story of an insurance scam gone badly wrong never falters and delivers as much action as a Hollywood superhero movie.
There are strongly written poignant moments that add a layer that is often missing in this genre.
April 21, 2024
One thing I like about Matt Hilton is that he does construct plausible, interconnected plot lines that do feed into each other without requiring giant leaps in faith or logic. This is another tautly written, well paced book that whilst trading on the established character relationships and interplay, doesn't detract from the overall story or pacing. I am really enjoying these and will pace the remainder out so that I don't finish them all too soon!
December 17, 2020
The seventh outing for PI former cop Tess Grey and her partner, ex-con Po Villere in this action-packed thriller series. Hired to find a missing young woman by her adoptive mother. Aided by their friend, career criminal Pinky Leclerc they are soon on the trial of some violent criminals involved in an insurance scam. A breathtaking non-stop suspense filled story.
January 4, 2021
A fast paced, action packed and gripping thriller, I found it well written and highly entertaining.
Excellent storytelling and character development, a tightly knitted plot.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Excellent storytelling and character development, a tightly knitted plot.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 26, 2022
Matt Hilton is a mighty fine author and a good man.
Experiences in his life before becoming an author, gave him the ability/knowledge to write these stories with the depth that makes them believable.
I don't know what it is about Tess and Po, but I really like them.
The three of them [including Pinky of course] get involved in the latest adventure by accident.
Experiences in his life before becoming an author, gave him the ability/knowledge to write these stories with the depth that makes them believable.
I don't know what it is about Tess and Po, but I really like them.
The three of them [including Pinky of course] get involved in the latest adventure by accident.
July 7, 2025
A bit different, PI's pursuing a simple missing person case get involved for moral reasons in saving a group of small time scammers from the clutches of a gangster couple and their enforcers whom they control through blackmail. All a bit fanciful, full of action and satisfactory ending. What's not to like?
December 26, 2021
Didn't like any of the characters, the story was rambling all over the place. Won't read another of his books for sure😠
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2024
good read
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews