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Chris Hamilton #1
Tree of Redemption
Chris Hamilton journeys to Brownsville, Texas from his native Virginia in 1995, after receiving a cryptic note saying that his mentor, Armando Geurra, had mysteriously died. Chris soon finds out that his death was no accident and becomes entangled in decades of animosity and vengeance. Even as a man who has lived an exciting life as a baseball player and successful builder, he has to draw on all of his resources and talents to navigate a maze of unanswered questions, bizarre events, and deception.
As he grapples with with what may or may not be the truth, he forms unexpected bonds with new friends, finds himself drawn, into a poorly timed, ill fated romance, and is given the unique opportunity to learn about, and from, a shadowy figure from his past.
Set against a backdrop of the breathtaking beauty of Southwest Texas and the intermingling of Hispanic and American cultures, this is a story of honor, character, and redemption across distance and time.
As he grapples with with what may or may not be the truth, he forms unexpected bonds with new friends, finds himself drawn, into a poorly timed, ill fated romance, and is given the unique opportunity to learn about, and from, a shadowy figure from his past.
Set against a backdrop of the breathtaking beauty of Southwest Texas and the intermingling of Hispanic and American cultures, this is a story of honor, character, and redemption across distance and time.
236 pages, Paperback
Published November 13, 2022
237 people are currently reading
7222 people want to read
About the author
Jim Davidson
5 books66 followersWorld traveler, professional athlete, business owner, stand up comedian, lyricist, drummer, father and dog lover.
My life experiences are what my writing is about, observations of life, people and the human condition are what I find fascinating.
Mature, interesting writing full of perspectives and symbolic meanings reflecting the life I have led.
My life experiences are what my writing is about, observations of life, people and the human condition are what I find fascinating.
Mature, interesting writing full of perspectives and symbolic meanings reflecting the life I have led.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 3, 2023
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an entertaining and thrilling novel. The story takes readers to magnificent Texas to accompany Chris Hamilton. He is determined to travel there following the news of his old mentor’s death. What seemed to be a mysterious accident at first becomes a dangerous game of clues, old events, vengeance, and deception. The protagonist will embark on a thrilling journey toward the truth, making new friends and enemies.
There’s so much going on in the first chapters of Tree of Redemption that the story immediately grips the reader, and it will grab and maintain your interest for the remainder of the book. While this is the first time reading a book from Davidson, it’s a captivating thriller with exceptional writing that I find easy to follow. I found the story clever, with engaging dialogue, concise chapters, and plenty of cliffhangers.
The book moves quickly as the characters adapt from one thrilling situation to the next. Past and present mix to create mystery and action, but this combination doesn’t detract from the steady pace of the plot and where the storyline leads. The author has put much thought into his world-building, and the events are linked and explained in such a fantastic way that they take the readers and guide them smoothly to a compelling end.
Chris Hamilton is a great protagonist, and the other characters complement him well. The dynamic between them works perfectly, meaning their relationships and encounters seem plausible throughout the book, even when adversarial.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an exciting and well-written book, and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It’s an excellent read for fans of those novels full of mystery, adventure, and action, which distinguishes themselves by the quality of the writing. I highly recommend it and hope to read more from this author.
There’s so much going on in the first chapters of Tree of Redemption that the story immediately grips the reader, and it will grab and maintain your interest for the remainder of the book. While this is the first time reading a book from Davidson, it’s a captivating thriller with exceptional writing that I find easy to follow. I found the story clever, with engaging dialogue, concise chapters, and plenty of cliffhangers.
The book moves quickly as the characters adapt from one thrilling situation to the next. Past and present mix to create mystery and action, but this combination doesn’t detract from the steady pace of the plot and where the storyline leads. The author has put much thought into his world-building, and the events are linked and explained in such a fantastic way that they take the readers and guide them smoothly to a compelling end.
Chris Hamilton is a great protagonist, and the other characters complement him well. The dynamic between them works perfectly, meaning their relationships and encounters seem plausible throughout the book, even when adversarial.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an exciting and well-written book, and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It’s an excellent read for fans of those novels full of mystery, adventure, and action, which distinguishes themselves by the quality of the writing. I highly recommend it and hope to read more from this author.
January 2, 2023
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an adventure novel teeming with mystery and a little romance. In 1995, Chris received a short note informing him that his mentor and friend had died. With no explanation for the death of the 70-year-old, Chris sets out from his home in Virginia and follows his mentor’s steps back to Brownsville, Texas.
Initially, Chris was told that Armando returned to stay with his sisters and to help with the nerves in his legs, but his search quickly uncovers a past that Chico never told him about. This is where the plot gets interesting. Chris quickly gets dragged into this mysterious past and must uncover allies and enemies as his investigation leads him down an unexpected path.
I like the candid humor of the author. For example, the prologue states that the story's details are fictional, yet some are true, but “I forget which ones.” Davidson created intrigue well by introducing a character with few worldly possessions and an enigmatic past.
The story follows Chris as he dives into this mystery and encounters romance, drama, and unexpected interactions about his roots and connections. I appreciated the somber moments and the action and suspense, which created a well-written story with colorful language, vivid imagery, and great character depth.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is a spectacular read, and I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoy a good mystery, and this book does not disappoint! It’s a great read, and I strongly recommend it.
Initially, Chris was told that Armando returned to stay with his sisters and to help with the nerves in his legs, but his search quickly uncovers a past that Chico never told him about. This is where the plot gets interesting. Chris quickly gets dragged into this mysterious past and must uncover allies and enemies as his investigation leads him down an unexpected path.
I like the candid humor of the author. For example, the prologue states that the story's details are fictional, yet some are true, but “I forget which ones.” Davidson created intrigue well by introducing a character with few worldly possessions and an enigmatic past.
The story follows Chris as he dives into this mystery and encounters romance, drama, and unexpected interactions about his roots and connections. I appreciated the somber moments and the action and suspense, which created a well-written story with colorful language, vivid imagery, and great character depth.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is a spectacular read, and I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoy a good mystery, and this book does not disappoint! It’s a great read, and I strongly recommend it.
December 11, 2022
This was a pleasant surprise from an author I've never heard of before.
I love a good adventure or mystery and this was both, combined with great relationships between differing and interesting characters and an engaging, compelling love story.
I highly recommend this book and hope there will be another from Jim Davidson very soon!
I love a good adventure or mystery and this was both, combined with great relationships between differing and interesting characters and an engaging, compelling love story.
I highly recommend this book and hope there will be another from Jim Davidson very soon!
January 2, 2023
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is a brilliant page-turner set in Texas during the late twentieth century. The story is based on the mysterious death of someone close to the main character, Chris Hamilton, a strong, resilient man seeking answers about a story that doesn’t appear to add up. When an accidental death doesn’t make sense, further investigation leads to thoughts of revenge and redemption.
This book is divided into sixteen chapters, with well-developed dialogues and a rich vocabulary, and descriptive settings. I enjoyed the connections between the Hispanic and American cultures, which are well integrated into the story. While the plot develops slowly, with multiple character developments, it’s worth investing your time, as this tale carefully introduces the reader to a truly unique and compelling story.
Once the story picks up pace, you’ll find it quickly becomes a page-turner, delving into a complex, intricate mystery about a suspicious death. The quality of the author’s writing is undoubtedly more than reasonable. He does a marvelous job of painting great visuals of Texas and well-developed characters and personalities. It felt like I was there.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is the perfect story with captivating suspense. It’s an excellent read that’s worth 5 out of 5 stars. The characters have the same excellent quality as the other elements in this story and will grab your attention from the start. I recommend this intriguing masterpiece to all readers, hoping they enjoy it as much as I did.
This book is divided into sixteen chapters, with well-developed dialogues and a rich vocabulary, and descriptive settings. I enjoyed the connections between the Hispanic and American cultures, which are well integrated into the story. While the plot develops slowly, with multiple character developments, it’s worth investing your time, as this tale carefully introduces the reader to a truly unique and compelling story.
Once the story picks up pace, you’ll find it quickly becomes a page-turner, delving into a complex, intricate mystery about a suspicious death. The quality of the author’s writing is undoubtedly more than reasonable. He does a marvelous job of painting great visuals of Texas and well-developed characters and personalities. It felt like I was there.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is the perfect story with captivating suspense. It’s an excellent read that’s worth 5 out of 5 stars. The characters have the same excellent quality as the other elements in this story and will grab your attention from the start. I recommend this intriguing masterpiece to all readers, hoping they enjoy it as much as I did.
April 30, 2023
The story follows Chris Hamilton as he travels to Laredo, Texas to pay his respects to Chico, his close friend , mentor and father figure who has died. He soon finds that his friend didn't die of natrual causes but was murdered. He then vows to find out who and why. As Chris works to find justice for his friend he meets up with his biological father, Michael, who left him as a child. As the two work to uncover the details of Chico's death, you learn about Michael's life during WWII and meet some of his close friends who help set a plan to uncover the details of the murder and bring the murderer to justice.
I found the book to be very interesting and an easy read. I was soon caught up in the characters and their quest for justice that I didn't want to put ite down. Once, I came to the end I found myself wanting to know more about the characters and what happened to them next. I hope that we will get to read more of Chris and his friends.
I found the book to be very interesting and an easy read. I was soon caught up in the characters and their quest for justice that I didn't want to put ite down. Once, I came to the end I found myself wanting to know more about the characters and what happened to them next. I hope that we will get to read more of Chris and his friends.
February 12, 2023
I got this as an ARC and very much enjoyed the story.
Part mystery, part feel-good father/son story, part action novel. It really started picking up near the end and I reached a point where putting it down to finish the next day was not an option.
My only complaints are that the female characters (namely Sophia) were a bit underdeveloped and occasionally the story felt over-written, elaborating a bit too much on non-essential areas of the plot.
Overall, a good read & would recommend!
Part mystery, part feel-good father/son story, part action novel. It really started picking up near the end and I reached a point where putting it down to finish the next day was not an option.
My only complaints are that the female characters (namely Sophia) were a bit underdeveloped and occasionally the story felt over-written, elaborating a bit too much on non-essential areas of the plot.
Overall, a good read & would recommend!
February 6, 2023
Once my attention was captured by the lovely image on the cover and intriguing title, I was hooked!
The interesting characters, descriptions, colorful backstories and clever "Easter Eggs" kept me engrossed,
along with the tension of what might happen next in this beautifully written novel.
I became so caught up with these characters, I would love to see them featured in another book!
The interesting characters, descriptions, colorful backstories and clever "Easter Eggs" kept me engrossed,
along with the tension of what might happen next in this beautifully written novel.
I became so caught up with these characters, I would love to see them featured in another book!
July 22, 2023
a great read!
Initially, I approached "Tree of Redemption" with some reservations due to its slow pace, but I soon realized that personal preferences can vary greatly. However, as I immersed myself further into the story, I discovered that it was, in fact, a captivating and masterfully crafted book. The seamless blend of mystery, adventure, romance, and redemption made it an irresistible read, appealing to those who enjoy diverse and engaging plots. The author's skill in storytelling shone through as they intricately wove these themes together, creating a captivating narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish. I found myself eagerly turning the pages, eager to uncover the hidden secrets within the story. The book's ability to evoke a range of emotions and keep me invested in the characters' journeys left a profound impression on me. It's not often that I come across books that manage to maintain such a high level of interest and engagement throughout. If you're someone who relishes multi-faceted and impactful tales, "Tree of Redemption" is a must-read. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a fulfilling literary experience. This book stands out as one of those rare gems that lingers in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page.
Initially, I approached "Tree of Redemption" with some reservations due to its slow pace, but I soon realized that personal preferences can vary greatly. However, as I immersed myself further into the story, I discovered that it was, in fact, a captivating and masterfully crafted book. The seamless blend of mystery, adventure, romance, and redemption made it an irresistible read, appealing to those who enjoy diverse and engaging plots. The author's skill in storytelling shone through as they intricately wove these themes together, creating a captivating narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish. I found myself eagerly turning the pages, eager to uncover the hidden secrets within the story. The book's ability to evoke a range of emotions and keep me invested in the characters' journeys left a profound impression on me. It's not often that I come across books that manage to maintain such a high level of interest and engagement throughout. If you're someone who relishes multi-faceted and impactful tales, "Tree of Redemption" is a must-read. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a fulfilling literary experience. This book stands out as one of those rare gems that lingers in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page.
July 21, 2023
"Tree of Redemption" by Jim Davidson is an absolute gem, blending suspense, mystery, and romance seamlessly. The captivating storytelling takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster as they join Chris Hamilton in his quest for truth and justice. Davidson's vivid portrayal of Southwest Texas paints a breathtaking backdrop that enhances the story's immersive experience.
The characters come to life with depth and authenticity, drawing readers into their world and making them emotionally invested in their fates. The fusion of Hispanic and American cultures adds a fascinating layer to the narrative, enriching the story's themes of honor, friendship, and redemption. As readers uncover decades of animosity and deception, they are kept guessing until the very end, making for an unputdownable read.
In "Tree of Redemption," Jim Davidson has crafted an engrossing and thought-provoking masterpiece that lingers in the mind long after the final page. It is a must-read for anyone seeking an unforgettable and satisfying literary experience.
The characters come to life with depth and authenticity, drawing readers into their world and making them emotionally invested in their fates. The fusion of Hispanic and American cultures adds a fascinating layer to the narrative, enriching the story's themes of honor, friendship, and redemption. As readers uncover decades of animosity and deception, they are kept guessing until the very end, making for an unputdownable read.
In "Tree of Redemption," Jim Davidson has crafted an engrossing and thought-provoking masterpiece that lingers in the mind long after the final page. It is a must-read for anyone seeking an unforgettable and satisfying literary experience.
July 24, 2023
Such a good book!
The story opens with Chris as he arrives in Laredo, Texas. Right away, you get the sense that something is brewing beneath the surface. Chris is on a quest to find clues about the mysterious death of his mentor. Chaos ensues with so many twists that it will keep you on the edge of your seat. But Jim Davidson doesn’t stop there. The character development in this book is on point. His writing style is one that is unique. I liked that he included a Hispanic perspective. I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for an exciting read this summer.
The story opens with Chris as he arrives in Laredo, Texas. Right away, you get the sense that something is brewing beneath the surface. Chris is on a quest to find clues about the mysterious death of his mentor. Chaos ensues with so many twists that it will keep you on the edge of your seat. But Jim Davidson doesn’t stop there. The character development in this book is on point. His writing style is one that is unique. I liked that he included a Hispanic perspective. I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for an exciting read this summer.
July 23, 2023
a wonderful read
The Tree of Redemption was a great book, full of passion and adventure. In this, mostly fiction story, is the telling of a friend avenging the death of his surrogate father. During this event, he reconnects with his biological father and the adventure commences. Old and new connections are made and this novel took me along for the ride. I can totally recommend this book.
The Tree of Redemption was a great book, full of passion and adventure. In this, mostly fiction story, is the telling of a friend avenging the death of his surrogate father. During this event, he reconnects with his biological father and the adventure commences. Old and new connections are made and this novel took me along for the ride. I can totally recommend this book.
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February 17, 2023Tree of Redemption is an amazing book full of well developed characters and an amazing story line. I could not get enough of this book and the author kept me fully engaged throughout the story.
You could feel the energy in this story right from the beginning and you get an early understanding of Chris in the first few pages, even though you won’t get full comprehension of who he is as a person until the appropriate time in the story. His character is someone I was able to connect with right away because the author gives him just enough depth to intrigue you and peak your interest.
I can not recall reading any stories similar to this one, so to me it was a very original idea, and one in which I did not know what to expect next. Even when I thought I knew what was going to happen I was very pleasantly surprised to find I was wrong and the story took an even better course that I had expected.
The friendships in this story really bring it all together and provide a much deeper meaning. The torn relationships and back story really make this a book people can relate to themselves. Even when you want to hate Michael when he is first introduced to the story, the more you learn about him the less you feel the need to hate him
With the amazing story and the interactions between the characters, there is so much to enjoy about this book. The more I read, the more I wanted to know!
I recommend this book very highly!
You could feel the energy in this story right from the beginning and you get an early understanding of Chris in the first few pages, even though you won’t get full comprehension of who he is as a person until the appropriate time in the story. His character is someone I was able to connect with right away because the author gives him just enough depth to intrigue you and peak your interest.
I can not recall reading any stories similar to this one, so to me it was a very original idea, and one in which I did not know what to expect next. Even when I thought I knew what was going to happen I was very pleasantly surprised to find I was wrong and the story took an even better course that I had expected.
The friendships in this story really bring it all together and provide a much deeper meaning. The torn relationships and back story really make this a book people can relate to themselves. Even when you want to hate Michael when he is first introduced to the story, the more you learn about him the less you feel the need to hate him
With the amazing story and the interactions between the characters, there is so much to enjoy about this book. The more I read, the more I wanted to know!
I recommend this book very highly!
January 4, 2023
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is a great book with an excellent prologue that grips the reader right away and plunges into a fantastic mystery. I like the dialogue and the narration, which blend well to keep the reader interested and exceptant of what the future holds for the characters.
The book follows the story of a former basketball player, Chris Hamilton, who received an unexpected message about his mentor. This plot trigger sets a series of events that will send Chris on a bumpy ride to figure out what happened. The story is well narrated, and the characters grow on the reader throughout the plot. I enjoy Hamilton’s work, and the Tree of Redemption is a great action fiction novel with some brush strokes of reality mixed in, making it exciting and relatable.
I especially enjoyed how author Chris embodies a sympathetic, relatable character for the reader. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, action, and dramatic plot twists. It portrays the vivid scenarios we encounter and how drastic things can get, with all the ingredients for a stellar novel.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an intriguing, exciting read, and to sum it up, this novel is entertaining and hard to put down. I give this excellent story 5 out of 5 stars and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I’m looking forward to more books from this author.
The book follows the story of a former basketball player, Chris Hamilton, who received an unexpected message about his mentor. This plot trigger sets a series of events that will send Chris on a bumpy ride to figure out what happened. The story is well narrated, and the characters grow on the reader throughout the plot. I enjoy Hamilton’s work, and the Tree of Redemption is a great action fiction novel with some brush strokes of reality mixed in, making it exciting and relatable.
I especially enjoyed how author Chris embodies a sympathetic, relatable character for the reader. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, action, and dramatic plot twists. It portrays the vivid scenarios we encounter and how drastic things can get, with all the ingredients for a stellar novel.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an intriguing, exciting read, and to sum it up, this novel is entertaining and hard to put down. I give this excellent story 5 out of 5 stars and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I’m looking forward to more books from this author.
January 2, 2023
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an incredible book that I devoured in no time and thoroughly enjoyed. The plot revolves around Chris Hamilton, who travels to Brownsville, Texas, upon receiving information that his mentor, Armando Guerra, has died mysteriously. Chris soon realizes that her death was not an accident.
Chris, the protagonist, is very well-developed and must face unexpected, difficult situations as he eventually becomes involved in a situation beyond his control. The author creates a profoundly emotional, exciting story, encouraging you to empathize with the protagonist by imagining yourself in his situation.
Jim Davidson created a captivating story you want to know more about. He gives the reader sensation and experience of a fascinating, suspenseful story. The plot is fantastic and a novel full of mystery, action, and romance that has a spectacular rhythm and unfolds without haste, at a good pace, and without pause. It’s captivated me with its exciting mystery and intrigue.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an excellent book if you enjoy action, romance, and suspense. It’s an excellent story worth 5 stars and will not disappoint! It’s a great book with fantastic characters, narration, and world-building. I recommend it!
Chris, the protagonist, is very well-developed and must face unexpected, difficult situations as he eventually becomes involved in a situation beyond his control. The author creates a profoundly emotional, exciting story, encouraging you to empathize with the protagonist by imagining yourself in his situation.
Jim Davidson created a captivating story you want to know more about. He gives the reader sensation and experience of a fascinating, suspenseful story. The plot is fantastic and a novel full of mystery, action, and romance that has a spectacular rhythm and unfolds without haste, at a good pace, and without pause. It’s captivated me with its exciting mystery and intrigue.
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an excellent book if you enjoy action, romance, and suspense. It’s an excellent story worth 5 stars and will not disappoint! It’s a great book with fantastic characters, narration, and world-building. I recommend it!
February 8, 2023
This story of friendship and loss quickly becomes a murder mystery with many twists and turns . The bond between father and son is heartwarming and simply beautiful . There is amazing character development providing the reader with an emotional connection to the main characters. It’s a great read and a page turner .
March 4, 2023
I received this book as a giveaway on Goodreads. Thank you to Jim Davidson for allowing me to be a part of it! While some parts of the book seemed redundant, it was a good story of an adventure that kept you turning the page to find out what happened next. Jim personally signed this copy and wrote a note which I’m grateful for. I look forward to reading anything else this author writes.
March 9, 2023
A very interesting debut novel. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. The story kept you in suspense as to what really happened with an interesting ending. The relationships between the characters were well developed and you could easily relate to them.
Thanks for the free copy of this book.
Thanks for the free copy of this book.
February 12, 2023
Tree of Redemption, by Jim Davidson, is an excellent novel filled with mystery and intrigue. The plot is smooth and descriptive, the characters are well-developed and the writing style is very easy to read allowing you to picture what is going on. Highly recommend!
February 16, 2023
I really enjoyed this book by new author Jim Davidson. This was such a good story with great characters, intriguing travels to various towns in Texas, and an unraveling history of Chris Hamilton’s father Michael. This is the type of book you don’t want to put down and I highly recommend it.
July 28, 2023
I received my book a few weeks ago and I am currently half way through the book and I love it I don’t really read these kinds of books but I wanted to try something new and when I started reading it I could not put down the book because it was that good.
February 3, 2023
I liked how it brought the main character and his dad back together. There were a few surprises that I enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2023
Redeeming read
I enjoyed this story, I had to keep on reading...to interesting and I was enjoying it too much. Sid down and get comfortable because it is such a great read!!!i
I enjoyed this story, I had to keep on reading...to interesting and I was enjoying it too much. Sid down and get comfortable because it is such a great read!!!i
April 21, 2023
I won this book from goodreads and I loved everything about it
#goodreadsgiveaway
#goodreadsgiveaway
June 5, 2023
intriguing story. well written.
Enjoyed the book. Many twists and turns that made it hard to stop and put it down. Thank you for offering it to me.
Enjoyed the book. Many twists and turns that made it hard to stop and put it down. Thank you for offering it to me.
August 7, 2024
Redemption at last
Very interesting story friendships danger detective and love story all in 1
Keeps your interest till the end.loved it great
Very interesting story friendships danger detective and love story all in 1
Keeps your interest till the end.loved it great
October 18, 2024
First, let's start out with the positives of this novel. I loved the choice of setting, in and around Brownsville and Laredo, Texas. A rich, culturally diverse and nuanced community with an important historical role in this country. The plot is first rate. A son, Chris Hamilton, returns to Laredo to honor the death of his surrogate father, a man who greatly influenced and shaped the protagonist's life. But his surviving family believes he did not die of natural causes but was in fact murdered. Chris promises to find out the truth, but quickly stirs up some very powerful and dangerous opposition. Chris finds friends in unexpected places, reuniting with his long absent father, to solve the mystery. And it is a good one, with lots of connections from the past to explain the state of affairs in the present. Well plotted! Good triumphs over evil. Where this excellent framework is weakened, however, undermined the final result. The characters had backgrounds and a setting to have been rendered in full dimension, with attention to their history and relationships with each other. Instead, the characters as written are a bit stereotypical and act in many instances to move the plot along rather than have the action arise organically as a result of who they are (or were). Had this weakness been eliminated, this would have been a truly amazing book. Take for example the novels of James Lee Burke, where character drives everything. A second weakness was very apparent to me and that is the portrayal of the primary female character. She was written as a teenager's fantasy. Always understanding and beautiful, always ready for sex. She could have been amazing, but instead was reduced to just being someone that reflected the protagonist's needs. This was my biggest disappointment. Finally, characters were created to fix plot sticky points. Need information about a long-time local criminal who is so violent that no one wants to talk about him? Create a local detective with a military background who can investigate through a network of local informants and name him Speedy. Characters have to be organic, ie arise from the very center of the story and can't appear to solve a problem. A good editor could have helped this book be much, much better.
April 15, 2025
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is #1 in the Chris Hamilton series. I can't recall who recommended the series to me but all three were downloaded on a free of charge offer on Amazon UK.
Chris is an ex-pro Baseball player, turned building contractor who resides in Virginia. One day when he receives a very brief and almost cryptic letter advising him that his dear friend, mentor and father figure, Armando Geurra has died he decides to journey to Brownsville, Texas, where Geurra lived and died to pay his final respects. The Geurra family are successful and live in a beautiful cortijo and it is Eduardo, the butler come man-servant who informs Chris of his belief that Geurra was murdered.
Chris decides to look into the events of his close friends death and when he finds inconclusive evidence online, he decides to speak to the detective investigating the sudden death, who determined it was natural causes, and his interest is piqued as he believes he is not being told everything and that he is being stonewalled. His suspicions rise further when the police seize the vehicle he was using, which includes his wallet, money, cards and ID within it, thus rendering him helpless to take things any further.
Chris has no option but to call upon a past acquaintance, who he had no intention of contacting and whilst this helps his situation, it also helps to uncover historical animosities involving his acquaintance and also the Geurra family and makes Chris realise that the dangers he has uncovered may present a risk to not only himself but also to those closest around him.
Overall, this isn't a bad story and is executed pretty well. The writing isn't the most lyrical and some of the plot changes are a little clumsy, but overall it is an enjoyable read. Written in 2022, but set in 1995 it might explain the main character's attitude to women, particularly when he describes the attention he receives from them. This borders on narcissism, which I don't believe is the author's intent but it does lead to some internal eye-rolling when reading these passages, rather than any serious misogynistic outrage.
Overall, ⭐⭐⭐ (2 1/2 rounded up) and a series I might continue as and when the mood strikes me to read an uncomplex, unintentionally funny thriller.
Chris is an ex-pro Baseball player, turned building contractor who resides in Virginia. One day when he receives a very brief and almost cryptic letter advising him that his dear friend, mentor and father figure, Armando Geurra has died he decides to journey to Brownsville, Texas, where Geurra lived and died to pay his final respects. The Geurra family are successful and live in a beautiful cortijo and it is Eduardo, the butler come man-servant who informs Chris of his belief that Geurra was murdered.
Chris decides to look into the events of his close friends death and when he finds inconclusive evidence online, he decides to speak to the detective investigating the sudden death, who determined it was natural causes, and his interest is piqued as he believes he is not being told everything and that he is being stonewalled. His suspicions rise further when the police seize the vehicle he was using, which includes his wallet, money, cards and ID within it, thus rendering him helpless to take things any further.
Chris has no option but to call upon a past acquaintance, who he had no intention of contacting and whilst this helps his situation, it also helps to uncover historical animosities involving his acquaintance and also the Geurra family and makes Chris realise that the dangers he has uncovered may present a risk to not only himself but also to those closest around him.
Overall, this isn't a bad story and is executed pretty well. The writing isn't the most lyrical and some of the plot changes are a little clumsy, but overall it is an enjoyable read. Written in 2022, but set in 1995 it might explain the main character's attitude to women, particularly when he describes the attention he receives from them. This borders on narcissism, which I don't believe is the author's intent but it does lead to some internal eye-rolling when reading these passages, rather than any serious misogynistic outrage.
Overall, ⭐⭐⭐ (2 1/2 rounded up) and a series I might continue as and when the mood strikes me to read an uncomplex, unintentionally funny thriller.
February 7, 2023
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is a mystery set in the year 1995. Readers follow the book's main protagonist, Chris Hamilton, who travels to Texas to pay respects to his mentor and father figure, Armando Guerra, who died a few days ago. While staying with Armando's sisters, their head servant reveals to Chris that Armando didn't die of natural causes but that he was killed. Being the type of man who doesn't know when to leave a sleeping giant well alone, Chris resolves to get to the bottom of who murdered his dear friend and why. Following the clues slowly reveals a conspiracy and many people who are ready to kill to keep their secret.
The storytelling and the worldbuilding in this book are vivid and detailed. Readers who have never been to the locations in the book can imagine it in such great detail as if they'd just visited it last week. Not only does the author describe the setting visually, but he also mentions the feel of the place, the smells, and the atmosphere. As a result, readers will be able to immerse themselves in the story and feel like they are right there with Chris searching for answers.
The dialogue flows nicely, and most of the characters are remarkably believable. I would've liked the female cast, especially the minor side characters, to have a more important role rather than just to be looked at. I feel that most of the female characters appear to exist just for the protagonist to admire, having little depth or substance. However, the main characters are well-fleshed out and relatable to readers.
Tree of Redemption is a gripping action and adventure story with great writing and a mystery to solve. With a little romance added into the story, there is something for all fiction readers to enjoy in this captivating novel.
The storytelling and the worldbuilding in this book are vivid and detailed. Readers who have never been to the locations in the book can imagine it in such great detail as if they'd just visited it last week. Not only does the author describe the setting visually, but he also mentions the feel of the place, the smells, and the atmosphere. As a result, readers will be able to immerse themselves in the story and feel like they are right there with Chris searching for answers.
The dialogue flows nicely, and most of the characters are remarkably believable. I would've liked the female cast, especially the minor side characters, to have a more important role rather than just to be looked at. I feel that most of the female characters appear to exist just for the protagonist to admire, having little depth or substance. However, the main characters are well-fleshed out and relatable to readers.
Tree of Redemption is a gripping action and adventure story with great writing and a mystery to solve. With a little romance added into the story, there is something for all fiction readers to enjoy in this captivating novel.
February 15, 2023
I thought this book was well-written and easy to read. It starts with Chris who traveled to pay respects to his father figure Chico. As soon as he arrives, it is clear this small town has a few secrets. He soon learns some shocking information about Chico's death and he starts digging around, which definitely ruffles a few feathers. Watching Chris begin investigating around town, team up with Michael and Eduardo, and also get to know the big players was interesting. I never knew what character would be trustworthy or who might be involved.
There were unexpected twists that I enjoyed, and I thought the exploration into Aztec treasures to be unique and informative. There should be more stories told about Hispanic culture because stolen treasures and ancient artifacts are often stolen and taken from their rightful places. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Chris grow and heal as he wanted to do right by Chico, whose spirit was larger than life even though he was not physically present in the book.
The descriptions of the scenery and all the different places Chris journeyed to really made the setting stand out. I definitely recommend for an easy read if you enjoy mysteries, thrillers/action-filled books. Especially if you enjoy heroes that are kind of suddenly dropped into this larger plot and you watch them survive while people are out to get them. There was also a really satisfying resolution.
There were unexpected twists that I enjoyed, and I thought the exploration into Aztec treasures to be unique and informative. There should be more stories told about Hispanic culture because stolen treasures and ancient artifacts are often stolen and taken from their rightful places. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Chris grow and heal as he wanted to do right by Chico, whose spirit was larger than life even though he was not physically present in the book.
The descriptions of the scenery and all the different places Chris journeyed to really made the setting stand out. I definitely recommend for an easy read if you enjoy mysteries, thrillers/action-filled books. Especially if you enjoy heroes that are kind of suddenly dropped into this larger plot and you watch them survive while people are out to get them. There was also a really satisfying resolution.
January 2, 2023
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is an exciting book about honor, character, and redemption across distance and time. It’s a wonderful story that evenly weaves mystery, adventure, action, drama, and romance. To be honest, the summary of the book didn’t capture my attention much at first, but I felt drawn to it after reading several positive comments and reviews.
From the beginning, the plot completely caught my attention. The main character, Christ Hamilton, embarks on a journey that takes him to Texas. Set in 1995, Chris aims to investigate the mysterious death of his mentor, Armando Guerra. It’s a tale about disappointments, relationships, and mystery. I found the story engaging, and some unexpected twists and turns create an exciting read that’s difficult to put down.
I found the characters endearing, and it’s straightforward to feel identified with their experiences and feelings. The author did a fantastic job of conveying the deep feelings and experiences of the characters in an almost cinematographic way. At times, I was engrossed in the scenes and wanted to know more about each development.
Overall, Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is a perfectly designed, well-paced, fascinating read. It’s a stellar 5 out of 5 stars, as readers will be delighted with this journey from start to finish.
From the beginning, the plot completely caught my attention. The main character, Christ Hamilton, embarks on a journey that takes him to Texas. Set in 1995, Chris aims to investigate the mysterious death of his mentor, Armando Guerra. It’s a tale about disappointments, relationships, and mystery. I found the story engaging, and some unexpected twists and turns create an exciting read that’s difficult to put down.
I found the characters endearing, and it’s straightforward to feel identified with their experiences and feelings. The author did a fantastic job of conveying the deep feelings and experiences of the characters in an almost cinematographic way. At times, I was engrossed in the scenes and wanted to know more about each development.
Overall, Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is a perfectly designed, well-paced, fascinating read. It’s a stellar 5 out of 5 stars, as readers will be delighted with this journey from start to finish.
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