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Southside Hooker #1
Death on a Dime
Hooker is a survivor. He reigns from high in the cab of a custom-built giant tow truck that is as powerful as the heart that he keeps hidden under his "rebel without a cause" skin.
Cruising the highways and streets in the heady days of the early Silicon Valley, Hooker lives out his life with one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the gearshift. Four radios, two of which are illegal, are his ears. Life is cherries as he tours his fiefdom with a one-eyed battle-torn oversized orange cat named Box. Named for the box Hooker found him in, as well as the box between the seats of the cab that he spends his time in. The only three people Box lets touch him are Hooker, Manny the retired Detective and the love of Box's life; the 500lb owner of the Night Dispatch: Dolly.
Spring is coming on in the valley, and it's rapidly becoming t-shirt under the leather jacket weather; Hooker's favorite time of the year. The police, have long turned a blind eye to his "rapid response time", and the waitress at his favorite midnight eatery is warming up to him. Life is going just great.
That is until he witnesses the first of several cops shot to death by an unseen assailant. The killing spree is executed on Highway Patrol, police, as well as sheriff deputies. San Jose is paralyzed as everyone searches for answers. Only Hooker has his ear close to the evil that walks the streets at night taking the city and county's finest.
But when it becomes personal, can Hooker find the killer; before the killer finds Hooker?
Cruising the highways and streets in the heady days of the early Silicon Valley, Hooker lives out his life with one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the gearshift. Four radios, two of which are illegal, are his ears. Life is cherries as he tours his fiefdom with a one-eyed battle-torn oversized orange cat named Box. Named for the box Hooker found him in, as well as the box between the seats of the cab that he spends his time in. The only three people Box lets touch him are Hooker, Manny the retired Detective and the love of Box's life; the 500lb owner of the Night Dispatch: Dolly.
Spring is coming on in the valley, and it's rapidly becoming t-shirt under the leather jacket weather; Hooker's favorite time of the year. The police, have long turned a blind eye to his "rapid response time", and the waitress at his favorite midnight eatery is warming up to him. Life is going just great.
That is until he witnesses the first of several cops shot to death by an unseen assailant. The killing spree is executed on Highway Patrol, police, as well as sheriff deputies. San Jose is paralyzed as everyone searches for answers. Only Hooker has his ear close to the evil that walks the streets at night taking the city and county's finest.
But when it becomes personal, can Hooker find the killer; before the killer finds Hooker?
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2014
301 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Baer Charlton
38 books59 followersBaer Charlton, an Amazon best selling author, was degreed as a Social-Anthropologist by the University of California at Irvine. His many interests have led him around the world in search of different and unique.
As an internationally recognized Photo Journalist, he has tracked mountain gorillas, been a podium for a Barbary Ape, communicated in sign language with an Orangutan named Boolon, kissed a kangaroo and many wild experiences in between. Or he was just monkeying around.
His love for sailing has led him to file assignments from various countries, as well as from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean aboard a five-mast sailing ship. Baer has lectured and spoken on five continents, plus lecturing at sea.
His copyrighted logo is “WR1T3R”. The idea is within every person, there is a story. But inside that story, is even a more memorable story. Those are the stories he likes to tell.
There is no more complex and wonderful story than the ones that come from human experience. Mr. Charlton’s stories are all driven by the characters you come to think of as friends.
As an internationally recognized Photo Journalist, he has tracked mountain gorillas, been a podium for a Barbary Ape, communicated in sign language with an Orangutan named Boolon, kissed a kangaroo and many wild experiences in between. Or he was just monkeying around.
His love for sailing has led him to file assignments from various countries, as well as from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean aboard a five-mast sailing ship. Baer has lectured and spoken on five continents, plus lecturing at sea.
His copyrighted logo is “WR1T3R”. The idea is within every person, there is a story. But inside that story, is even a more memorable story. Those are the stories he likes to tell.
There is no more complex and wonderful story than the ones that come from human experience. Mr. Charlton’s stories are all driven by the characters you come to think of as friends.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 14, 2014
If you’re looking for a new suspense, thriller, mystery author Baer Charlton is just the ticket! Death on a Dime gives us a ticket to the dark side. The night shift is where most of this story takes place with a cast of characters that not only work in it but those who either live in it or use it to hide. In my opinion he has nailed them too! His characters are varied and believable and you will come to love and care for them, even the ones society has turned a blind eye to. Baer also spared no expense on the details of the story and setting, from the description of Mae West (Hookers tow truck), the night dispatch center, the streets, lives of the characters and the murders. You know that saying “Don’t annoy an author they can put you in a book and kill you.” *smiles sweetly at Baer and hands him a fresh hot cup of coffee* You want to definitely stay on his good side; I’ve seen his handy work!
You’re going to love Hooker our main character even though he has a hard time living down his introduction in this story. He really does have a heart as big as the tow truck he drives. He has also earned his place in the hierarchy of the night and the family that comes with it.
When Hooker responds to a routine call something feels a little hinky. So he contacts the night dispatch and waits for some back up with a badge. When the State Patrol Officers arrives and approached the disabled vehicle no one hears or sees the shot, only the officer falling to the ground. After witnessing this murder Hooker does his best to help solve the case. Only it doesn’t end there it seems someone has declared open season on the Law Enforcement of South San Jose. It also appears that Hooker is always nearby when the incidents occur and someone else is noticing this as well. Now it becomes personal.
Death on a Dime is the first book in the Southside Hooker series it continues with “Night Vision” which became available July 1st. You’re going to want to grab that book next!
If you want to see the other ratings this story recieved check out Talon-ps & Princess-so web page :)
You’re going to love Hooker our main character even though he has a hard time living down his introduction in this story. He really does have a heart as big as the tow truck he drives. He has also earned his place in the hierarchy of the night and the family that comes with it.
When Hooker responds to a routine call something feels a little hinky. So he contacts the night dispatch and waits for some back up with a badge. When the State Patrol Officers arrives and approached the disabled vehicle no one hears or sees the shot, only the officer falling to the ground. After witnessing this murder Hooker does his best to help solve the case. Only it doesn’t end there it seems someone has declared open season on the Law Enforcement of South San Jose. It also appears that Hooker is always nearby when the incidents occur and someone else is noticing this as well. Now it becomes personal.
Death on a Dime is the first book in the Southside Hooker series it continues with “Night Vision” which became available July 1st. You’re going to want to grab that book next!
If you want to see the other ratings this story recieved check out Talon-ps & Princess-so web page :)
October 8, 2022
Not Your Average Tow Truck Driver
Better than average tale of a tow truck driver; dedicated to his work. He is almost one dimensional. He doesn’t seem to have regular mannish thoughts; such as dating. There’s always a question as to when and how he paid. If it wasn’t for a full cast of characters, he would come off as boring. Scene settings are okay. There’s just not enough there to make me want to continue the series.
Better than average tale of a tow truck driver; dedicated to his work. He is almost one dimensional. He doesn’t seem to have regular mannish thoughts; such as dating. There’s always a question as to when and how he paid. If it wasn’t for a full cast of characters, he would come off as boring. Scene settings are okay. There’s just not enough there to make me want to continue the series.
July 28, 2022
great read
What a fabulous cast of characters. Hooker is an amazing main character with great backups. The plot is intense and keeps you on the edge. I can’t wait to read the next one.
What a fabulous cast of characters. Hooker is an amazing main character with great backups. The plot is intense and keeps you on the edge. I can’t wait to read the next one.
November 15, 2022
Fantastic
I was introduced to this author when I read ANGEL FLIGHTS. I am a fan now and this book follows the in the same intensity of storytelling.
Looking forward to more Baer Charlton books.
I was introduced to this author when I read ANGEL FLIGHTS. I am a fan now and this book follows the in the same intensity of storytelling.
Looking forward to more Baer Charlton books.
July 28, 2022
Amazing, simply amazing
simply amazing what a person can do with the gift of storytelling! Baer Charlton certainly has that gift. If you're a hotrod fan, you will enjoy this one!
simply amazing what a person can do with the gift of storytelling! Baer Charlton certainly has that gift. If you're a hotrod fan, you will enjoy this one!
October 31, 2022
Good Read
I liked the book because there was a lot going on. The murderer was a surprise. All the car stuff got to be a little be cumbersome but it was by no means boring.
I liked the book because there was a lot going on. The murderer was a surprise. All the car stuff got to be a little be cumbersome but it was by no means boring.
November 9, 2022
Box that. Mae west.
Pretty good read about trucks and cops. It kept ones interest all the way through. Great story which kept your mind trying to follow where was headed.
Pretty good read about trucks and cops. It kept ones interest all the way through. Great story which kept your mind trying to follow where was headed.
December 31, 2022
Fast paced and engaging, the killer was a total supprise.
January 1, 2023
I thought the end was weak, but loved the characters and their interaction. And who would think it would be interesting to read about shifting all those gears in a big tow truck?
May 20, 2022
Disclaimer: I only made it 26% of the way through the book. Also, I am not a truck or auto enthusiast.
This is not a mystery. Apologies to the author, but this is the literary equivalent to someone hiding a Popular Mechanics magazine between the covers of a barely-engaging paperback mystery you buy of of desperation at the airport when your phone battery has died, your iPad has lost its charge, and you are an insomniac facing a 10 hour overnight flight. Summary: the "mystery" is peripheral to anything in the book with a motor.
One star purely because the hero of the book has a cat who travels in the truck with him, which is a cool twist on the machismo trucker stereotype.
This is not a mystery. Apologies to the author, but this is the literary equivalent to someone hiding a Popular Mechanics magazine between the covers of a barely-engaging paperback mystery you buy of of desperation at the airport when your phone battery has died, your iPad has lost its charge, and you are an insomniac facing a 10 hour overnight flight. Summary: the "mystery" is peripheral to anything in the book with a motor.
One star purely because the hero of the book has a cat who travels in the truck with him, which is a cool twist on the machismo trucker stereotype.
May 29, 2024
Midnight Reading
This was probably one of the most exciting reads in my years of reading. First class action. Strong characters and interactions. Vivid action. I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend. I also think it would make one mind blowing movie or series.
This was probably one of the most exciting reads in my years of reading. First class action. Strong characters and interactions. Vivid action. I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend. I also think it would make one mind blowing movie or series.
July 21, 2024
Death on a Dime
Honestly I really didn’t feel like I was getting anything into the book , however , I kept going. So glad I did ! An awesome read, loved the characters , especially Hooker, Squirt and Box! Believe me this is a must read! A+++++
Honestly I really didn’t feel like I was getting anything into the book , however , I kept going. So glad I did ! An awesome read, loved the characters , especially Hooker, Squirt and Box! Believe me this is a must read! A+++++
August 2, 2024
This is narrative about a strange but loving extended family. While experiencing their everyday lives a murder mystery is woven into the story. I really enjoyed this mix. Well written with great dialogue.
December 22, 2024
Perfection!
I am in love with all the crazy characters in this book. Hooker is the absolute perfect guy to be associated with. I have read several books by this author but this is my favorite and I am sure I will read it again and again!
I am in love with all the crazy characters in this book. Hooker is the absolute perfect guy to be associated with. I have read several books by this author but this is my favorite and I am sure I will read it again and again!
November 4, 2025
a wild ride
Lots of twists and turns and fun characters. And oh what characters they are. You learn to love them though and that’s what makes this book good. If the author had a car or truck nut friend to edit the mechanical details it would make this all the more fun.
Lots of twists and turns and fun characters. And oh what characters they are. You learn to love them though and that’s what makes this book good. If the author had a car or truck nut friend to edit the mechanical details it would make this all the more fun.
May 4, 2024
Not a fan
Got 30% thru the book and couldn't read anymore about shifting gears and the other mechanics of a tow truck. Maybe guys would appreciate it.
Got 30% thru the book and couldn't read anymore about shifting gears and the other mechanics of a tow truck. Maybe guys would appreciate it.
May 30, 2025
So good
First book I've read about tow truck driving and I loved it! You have to pay attention! Love the descriptions of the vehicles and love the love of the relationships!
First book I've read about tow truck driving and I loved it! You have to pay attention! Love the descriptions of the vehicles and love the love of the relationships!
June 11, 2025
I liked the plot. What I didn't like were the endless descriptions of how to tow vehicles. For one of the jobs, there were pages and pages of how to right an overturned trailer. B-O-R-I-N-G
July 19, 2025
I really liked this story. Being an old gear head, I enjoyed how the author wove all through the story the operation of that kick butt tow truck. The story line also kept me engaged. A great read.
September 16, 2025
New interesting set of characters. (some might remind you of folks you know)
November 8, 2024
This book seemed very confused. Apparently it was a mystery novel, but we only briefly touched on the mystery in seemingly random places in the book. The killer's motivations for their primary kills made sense, but all their peripheral murder attempts didn't seem to have any motivation whatsoever. The first portion of this book actually seemed more like literary fiction than anything else, trying to make deep thought out of mundane occurrences, but as the book went on, it just got a lot more jumbled, and I struggled to follow at times--and the seemingly deep thoughts from the beginning were far in the rearview (pun intended).
Now don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the book. I somewhat enjoyed reading it. I was just incredibly confused by what it was attempting to do or say.
Now don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the book. I somewhat enjoyed reading it. I was just incredibly confused by what it was attempting to do or say.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews