Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Hawk Tate Action Thrillers #8

Catching Fire: A Suspense Thriller

Rate this book
“You want to go to the Zone of Death? Now?” I asked, my brows rising in disbelief. “Agent Rowe, I don’t care if the damn president is holed up in that cabin, you’re not getting there tonight.”

Two years ago, rookie ATF agent Harper Rowe witnessed the death of her partner and mentor in a fiery explosion at the headquarters of a man they’d been investigating. The start of what became an obsession, tracking the man she held responsible for six months before finally apprehending him.

The first major score of her career, elevating her to a full-blown agent and providing some modicum of justice for her fallen friend. Accountability that lasted until the prison transport van was hijacked three weeks ago, releasing the murderer and seven other criminals back onto the streets, renewing the fixation Rowe experienced so long ago.

Total focus meaning that when a rumor was floated through the detention center where the prisoner was held that he might be hiding in one of a few cabins found in a sliver of Yellowstone Park beyond the jurisdictional reach of any law enforcement agency, she shows up on Hawk Tate’s doorstep asking for his help.

Aid he only begrudgingly extends, culminating in a violent blast eerily similar to the one from years before. Total destruction that claims one life and just narrowly misses taking both of theirs.

A trap that becomes the inadvertent start of a partnership between Hawk and Rowe that sends them both careening across the Pacific Northwest.

A mad dash to uncover who was behind the attempted assassination, revealing layers and connections going back years, connecting to prior relationships and experiences both will need to draw from if they are to make it out alive...

ebook

Published November 14, 2022

522 people are currently reading
34 people want to read

About the author

Dustin Stevens

86 books315 followers
I 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...

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
626 (61%)
4 stars
264 (26%)
3 stars
90 (8%)
2 stars
17 (1%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Martin Pingree.
1,022 reviews15 followers
November 14, 2022
Hawk gets sucked back in the world of violence and death when he’s asked to help find an escaped convict. He partners up with an ATF agent who is on her own personal mission of catching this escaped con. After almost dying a couple of times, they finally figure out that there is more going on than they thought. With non stop action, an outstanding storyline and a killer cast of characters you will not be disappointed. If you don’t lose sleep from staying up late to read this book you are not an action aficionado ! Definitely worth the read !
25 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2022
Hawk Tate stalks his prey through the frozen wilderness of Yellowstone. He carefully follows the trail of blood, stealthily picking his way from cover to cover, ever aware of the target he himself presents. Is he the predator, or the prey?

As usual with a Hawk Tate adventure, he is both. And as this eighth and particularly violently graphic saga unfolds, Hawk’s taking and dressing a buck, told in eye-averting, excruciating detail sets the tone and is the perfect metaphor for the unlikely events about to unfold.

As a former DEA agent living out retirement as a guide in Yellowstone Park, much of the fun of a Hawk Tate novel is seeing how author Dustin Stevens will somehow entangle Hawk into a compelling thriller scenario. Refreshingly, a totally random plea for assistance in his capacity as a guide, rather than an echo from the past, is the impetus.

An ATF agent, propelled by personal animus and rancor is pursuing a lead of an escaped convict into the ominously named Zone of Death, a tiny parcel of land on the edge of the park that somehow escapes any legal jurisdiction. Although weather conditions are clearly treacherous and the agent woefully underprepared both in clothing and planning, young, headstrong Agent Harper Rowe will not be deterred, and drags Hawk begrudgingly along—if only to make sure she doesn’t kill herself on the journey.

When things go predictably bad, involving a massive explosion, a very large and aggressive dog, a gun battle, and a dead body, Hawk and Agent Rowe are now inexorably tied together until this thriller reaches its conclusion.

The trail leads Hawk and Rowe back to the Seattle field office of the ATF, where their investigation will bounce them from jail-house informants, corrupt wardens, encounters with mercenaries, and escaped convicts, to running gun battles in the streets and betrayals that they couldn’t possibly see coming.

Those familiar with Mr. Stevens will recognize the narrative style. Lengthy descriptive passages, passive verb and “subjugated syntax” (for lack of a better description) for the “bad guys” and all characters not named Hawk; and first-person POV narrative, active verbs, and direct dialogue for Hawk that really amps up and propels the action.

The result is a subtle building of tension, as you wade through the story, biding your time, like a roller coaster climbing that big hill, and then you reach the crest and—bam! Hawk takes over, hawkbill knife slashing, guns blazing, sweat flying off his shaggy hair and scraggly beard…

Catching Fire is another fantastic roller-coaster thrill ride from the prolific master, Dustin Stevens. Hawk Tate partners with a headstrong, green, but smart and unwavering DEA agent to hunt an escaped convict. A convoluted manhunt where nothing is what it appears, and leads the pair down false trails where the hunter is often the prey, and the enemy perhaps the most dangerous either has ever faced--because he may not even exist. Oh yeah, just try and put this one down before you finish. I dare you…
50 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2022
We’ve all been there - time to close, things are put away, you are just walking out the door, your hand is on the light switch - and the phone rings…

Hawk is back - and readers see him come so close to making a clean get-a-way to his annual winter retreat for his much needed relaxation and regeneration. But, it is not to be.

Hawk’s sense of duty has him agree to guide one last trip for an eager federal agent and the new FBI head of station to do a quick in-and-out fugitive retrieval - by snowmobile - in the deep wilderness. The mission blows up on Hawk and the two federal agents, the FBI agent having just transferred to the Yellowstone office for a quiet year until retirement.

The ambush and its aftermath fires Hawk’s determination to make the bad guys pay - and Hawk is a firm believer in the moral necessity of revenge. Hawk and the surviving Agent Rowe launch a full-throttle pursuit that takes them from the deep wilderness of Wyoming through urban Seattle to a frigid outpost in Calgary.

True to form, Stevens weaves a complex plot that holds you, start to finish. Catching Fire has great character interplay, good forensics and investigative work, and explosive action - that feels all too real. Reading Catching Fire and Steven’s subtle nod to current issues has me wondering if there is a real world guy like Hawk Tate - I sure hope so. This is an excellent read on many levels. I highly recommend it.
134 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2022
You should read Catching Fire, the latest Hawk Tate adventure by Dustin Stevens!

Former DEA Agent Hawk Tate Is home in the Montana area of Yellowstone National Park as a guide in his company Hawk Eye Views. But with little notice, ATF Special Agent Harper Rowe visits Hawk telling him she needs him to guide her to a wilderness area to capture escaped prisoner Dayton Myer.

This starts a dangerous mission for Hawk and Rowe that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the thriller of this book. Their adventure has the two of them being hunted by a secretive gang that is tracking them in order to kill them, they find them selves in numerous gun battles, and travel to the ATF field office in Seattle to question a prisoner who may be be able to provide them with information on who is after them.

The most interesting about this book is Dustin Stevens’ writing style wherein the words in the book begin to unfold like the reader is visualizing a movie while reading the book. Very few authors are successfully able to do this.

Head up: once you start reading this book, you will find it difficult to put it down.
83 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2022
Stevens Does it Again!

Catching Fire is the 8th book in the Hawk Tate series. 
Hawk Tate is a guide for groups wanting to explore Yellowstone Park in Montana.  He is enlisted to help an ATF agent Harper Rowe go after a prision escapee she thought had been responsible for the death of her partner. 
That's when the adventure begins. 
In the typical writing style of Dustin Stevens, you will find this book is filled with twists and turns that make it hard to put down.  He makes the reader part of the book with his details of both the characters and the backgrounds. 
A must read book!  Although not necessary to the enjoyment, I recommend reading this series in its entirety from the book 1.  It helps to understand some of the motives behind Hawk Tate and his background that has helped give him the abilities and motivation to help Rowe complete her tasks along the way. 
233 reviews
November 23, 2022
They’re not actually violent, just trying to be helpful

Another one of Steven’s successful and non stop rush fueling stories! I frequently wonder what this man’s mind will come up with next. With each of his main characters exploits, I think how will he top this? And yet, he does it over and over again. I’m certainly not a violent person and it seems to me that the frequent extremes he goes to with his books are not really violent; they are just what must be done to achieve the ends he seeks to show. It’s just inevitable when his wild characters try to find balance. They don’t really mean to be violent, but there’s just no other way for them to go. Plus, he always takes me on his journeys with him.
141 reviews
November 6, 2022
The Hawk Tate series is how I got started reading Dustin Stevens' books - Cold Fire is an incredible intro, by the way - and I'm happy that he brought Hawk back after a hiatus with some new and exciting adventures. In this edition, Hawk starts off as just a guide, but despite being reluctant to go all in to team up with Agent Harper Rowe to find an escaped convict, once he does, there's no looking back even as he realizes there's much more here than meets the eye. The unexpected twists and revelations they bring come together in the end, with enough scene changes and descriptive language that keeps you intrigued throughout. Another page turner from Dustin Stevens - check it out!
26 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2022
In Catching Fire Hawk Tate is closing down in Yellowstone, preparing for his winter break when he is approached by ATF Agent Harper Rowe to guide her and another agent into a remote area of the park in search of an escaped prisoner. In this action packed and fast paced tale of misdirection, subterfuge, and wrong assumptions Hawk and Harper cross state lines, suffering injuries while adversaries try to eliminate them. With no real clues as to who is behind their problems the two work outside of Government control to fit the pieces together to find their ultimate quarry. There is constant action and excitement from start to finish.
316 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2023
Awesome !!!

I have read this series back to back and really hate for it to end!
Mr Dustin,you are an amazing writer. Every story was different,yet action packed,realistically in a lot of today’s headlines…! The details just make me want to keep reading,hoping that the bad guys get what they deserved,their business destroyed so that more innocent people aren’t killed just so they can make a buck- and the good guys win! I hope you continue to write about Hawk, and that he finds happiness even while helping people .Great job !!
Profile Image for Gena Wood.
113 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2022
Hawk Tate is drawn into a deadly situation through no fault of his own. With a newly acquired comrade, Agent Harper Rowe, he is pulled into an ongoing battle.  A battle that he is all too familiar with of revenge.
This page turner kept me glued to the pages! Hawk Tate continues to be one of my favorite of Dustin's characters.
I'm hoping that Harper Rowe might turn up again, she is such a strong character....they make a great pair!
I highly recommend this book if you like action packed settings!
279 reviews4 followers
November 9, 2022
Hawk just wanted to go home and relax in the off season.  He agrees to one more job before his break.  A guide, how hard can it be?  Well that is the beginning of a great adventure that Hawk didn't ask for but one you will enjoy.   

We are introduced to Harper Rowe, a strong female character.  There is a great dynamic between Harper and Hawk.  I hope we see her again down the road. 

If you enjoy a story with non stop action,  you need to read this one!
7,780 reviews50 followers
November 13, 2022
Hawk didn’t want this job, personal history with he couldn’t say no. The other agent was in the same thought personal and revenge. They needed back up with what they were doing, having none. In fact no one would know where they were. What waited inside outnumbered them, she wanted them to know they were coming. He had escape, violence had to stop.
Another gripping plot with tension, twist not to miss in this good series.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Profile Image for Becky .
603 reviews17 followers
November 14, 2022
Wowza, didn't figure this one out till near the end! Agent Harper Rowe has a hate on to find Dylan, an explosives expert, who escaped from a prison transfer gone bad. Then she gets a tip that he's hiding out in the Dead Zone, near Yellowstone, an area beyond any law enforcement control. She needs Hawk's help to get there. What happens next starts them on a crazy journey,  and it does not end like you expect. 
Another excellent, action packed Hawk's Tate story!
Profile Image for Debbi Lund.
134 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2022
Hawk is approached to assist AFT
Agent, Harper Rowe to find an prison
escapee, who killed her partner. The
adventure begins in Yellowstone,
where Hawk is a guide for groups
wanting to explore Yellowstone. As
typical for Dustin's books, the reader
is sent on a journey of twists
& turns. Dustin never disappoints,
and he didn't with this one either!!
His stories are full of details that help
the reader feel a part of the book!
Profile Image for Nanette Edmonds.
110 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2023
Catching Fire is a great read!

Dustin Stevens has done it again with this book. Hawk teams up with ATF agent Hannah Rowe to hunt an escaped convict that she put away two years before. Hawk and Rowe prevail over what should have killed them, and take the search to Seattle where the pair are forced to go underground. Just a great story and hopefully not the end of the Hawk series.
Profile Image for Lee Brothers.
1,388 reviews15 followers
October 25, 2022
This was a roller coaster ride of a thriller that….never….lets….up!!! The storyline is twisted, manipulative and violet. Watching our two protagonist go from being the prey to being the hunters. There’s a lot of story in one book and quite a few surprises!! I was asked to read this book and leave my honest opinion. If you like it action adventure then you will love this book!!!
61 reviews
February 5, 2023
Great suspense book

By the authori of the Billie and Reid series. Fast paced ztory over 10 days. Ghostgun trafficking and all the violence. Betrayal at the highest levels, an unlikely team of retired DEA agent Hawk Tate and ATF agent Rowe. I High stakes ending you can't stop reading so don't start too late at night!
1,838 reviews14 followers
November 1, 2022
Agent Harper Rowe saw her partner killed in an explosion. The culprit was apprehended and transported was highjacked. Hawk Tate is asked to help hunt for the criminal. Gun fights and action to
get to the target. Page turning thriller.
322 reviews3 followers
November 5, 2022
Hawk Tate and Agent Rowe meet as the result of a jail break. They take off as a team to find the prisoner and are led down a very dark path with unexpected incidents. Their pursuit of the prisoner becomes a mission of revenge filled with murder and intrigue. Wow! An excellent read!
12.7k reviews191 followers
November 13, 2022
Once again, non stop action. Whenever Hawk is in the picture, you know there’s danger around the corner. He needs to find an escaped prisoner. Will he be able to do this on time. Binge reading for sure.
155 reviews3 followers
November 14, 2022
So, Hawk is back in his more natural element, but still manages to end up on the wrong end of things. Action from end to end and across borders, I could not put it down. Wonderful characters and situations that do not fail to catch and hold your imagination.
129 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2022
Great story, didn’t care for the style in which it was written. Most of the sentences were constructed without a subject or with the subject implied. Many were run on sentences that seemed to go on forever
43 reviews
November 16, 2022
Yah hawk

If it was the worst book in the world I would still read a hawk novel. I can't thank Dustin Stevens for reed @billie and hawk take. I have read some of your other novels not bad either you do goo
D work
Profile Image for Cody .
499 reviews5 followers
January 2, 2025
Violence of action

Sometimes, that's the only answer.
Lots of twists and turns in this story that kept you on your toes. Couldn't figure out who Keaton was. So when it was revealed, it was quite the surprise. Good story
1 review
April 1, 2025
It’s a good story, but it just bugs me to death that an author and his editor don’t know the difference between Rowe and I and Rowe and me, and when to use each. Simply drop “Rowe” and reread the sentence.
222 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2022
More surprises than a box of Cracker Jack!!
Just when you think you have the ending figured out another surprise hits the pages! Totally engaging story. You will not be disappointed!!
36 reviews
November 18, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to others; the only problem I had was putting it down before I finished reading it. Hawk became involved because the ATF needed a guide to track down a prison escapee in 'no-mans' land. An ATF agency supervisor was killed due to an explosion that also injured Hawk - that was the criminal's first mistake; the other errors were underestimating Hawk and the tenacity of the person he was assisting. Surprising end that you do not see coming...
Profile Image for bibiana  Perdomo .
108 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2022
Dustin Steven's does it again. Another great book. This is book 8 in the series and wow. From the beginning the book grabs you and doesn't let go. So many plot twits that I didn't see the end coming.
Profile Image for Connie Hamby.
1,025 reviews9 followers
November 22, 2022
This was a very good book!

After I read all of the Vietnamew books i had not read any of Dustin Stevens books but i can surely say this was a good book!
Profile Image for LISA R GARBER.
12 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2023
Hard to get thru!

Not up to his usual standard. Storyline was boring and the way its written made it hard to stay with. Definitely not his best work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.