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Sam Pope #1
The Night Shift
A TERRORIST ATTACK. A ROGUE SOLDIER. A RELENTLESS HUNT FOR THE TRUTH.
Sam Pope was one of the UK’s finest soldiers, serving over a decade as an elite sniper. After a near fatal shooting brings an end to his career, Sam returns home to his family and a potential new career in the Metropolitan Police. When disaster strikes and his bond with his family is broken, Sam takes a job as an archive officer within the Met, hunting down criminals that have beaten the system and delivering his own brand of justice.
When a terrorist attack at the London Marathon shakes the city to its core, Sam decides to open his own line of investigation. Venturing into the world of organised crime and police corruption, Sam soon finds himself as the number one target…and faces a race against time to expose the truth.
Fans of Lee Child, Mark Dawson, Robert Ludlum and Vince Flynn who are looking for their next action hero, will be thrilled by The Night Shift.
Sam Pope was one of the UK’s finest soldiers, serving over a decade as an elite sniper. After a near fatal shooting brings an end to his career, Sam returns home to his family and a potential new career in the Metropolitan Police. When disaster strikes and his bond with his family is broken, Sam takes a job as an archive officer within the Met, hunting down criminals that have beaten the system and delivering his own brand of justice.
When a terrorist attack at the London Marathon shakes the city to its core, Sam decides to open his own line of investigation. Venturing into the world of organised crime and police corruption, Sam soon finds himself as the number one target…and faces a race against time to expose the truth.
Fans of Lee Child, Mark Dawson, Robert Ludlum and Vince Flynn who are looking for their next action hero, will be thrilled by The Night Shift.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2016
4442 people are currently reading
2840 people want to read
About the author
Robert Enright
31 books202 followersRobert Enright was born in North London and resides in Buckinghamshire with his wife and daughter, working earnestly to write for a living and dreaming of the day he can get a dog.
He is the author of the international best selling Sam Pope series as well as the DS Jack Townsend series.
Robert also hosts the Two Indie Authors podcast, alongside fellow best selling author, David B. Lyons.
Visit his website via the Linktree in the profile and sign up for TWO FREE Sam Pope novellas and ONE FREE Bermuda Jones novella.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/robenrightau...
Instagram - robenrightauthor
He is the author of the international best selling Sam Pope series as well as the DS Jack Townsend series.
Robert also hosts the Two Indie Authors podcast, alongside fellow best selling author, David B. Lyons.
Visit his website via the Linktree in the profile and sign up for TWO FREE Sam Pope novellas and ONE FREE Bermuda Jones novella.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/robenrightau...
Instagram - robenrightauthor
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews
October 2, 2020
This is really pretty terrible. 3 stars for the plot. 1 star for execution. This averages a 2 [generous] star rating. The writing is sophomoric, at best. I can imagine a teenager sitting down and writing it after a rigorous round of playing violent video games, and no other background to write this genre. First rule for a new author: write about a subject you know about, and that obviously didn't happen here. I understand why this author is "self-published."
What I can't even begin to understand is WHY this author seems to average about 4.25 stars for his "books." His readers are other teenagers? Or dreaming wannabes?
This author's ratings are equal to or better than average ratings for well know authors of this genre like Vince Flynn [Kyle Mills], Alex Berenson, and Brad Thor. Maybe toss in Lee Childs, Gregg Hurwitz, and Don Winslow, although the plots are somewhat different. Sigh!
What I can't even begin to understand is WHY this author seems to average about 4.25 stars for his "books." His readers are other teenagers? Or dreaming wannabes?
This author's ratings are equal to or better than average ratings for well know authors of this genre like Vince Flynn [Kyle Mills], Alex Berenson, and Brad Thor. Maybe toss in Lee Childs, Gregg Hurwitz, and Don Winslow, although the plots are somewhat different. Sigh!
August 1, 2021
DNF. I only made it to the third chapter before I overdosed on bad metaphors and similes. I'm not going to comment on the book; simply post a few relevant quotes.
"The room lacked a woman's touch. His whole life did, for the past three years."
"He watched Morton enter the Range Rover, driven by what he assumed was Right Said Fred on steroids."
"With his brain rattling around his head, Morton woozily tried to get up."
"...his face a car crash of blood, broken bones and missing teeth. As he breathed, his nose gasped for air like a dog's chew toy."
"The room lacked a woman's touch. His whole life did, for the past three years."
"He watched Morton enter the Range Rover, driven by what he assumed was Right Said Fred on steroids."
"With his brain rattling around his head, Morton woozily tried to get up."
"...his face a car crash of blood, broken bones and missing teeth. As he breathed, his nose gasped for air like a dog's chew toy."
August 28, 2021
**Audiobook**
A great beginning to a series!
What is their not to love about Sam Pope? He is a kick-ass vigilante, who gets justice, where the justice system fails.
The Night Shift is a fast paced novel that kept me listening chapter after chapter to the very end!
A great beginning to a series!
What is their not to love about Sam Pope? He is a kick-ass vigilante, who gets justice, where the justice system fails.
The Night Shift is a fast paced novel that kept me listening chapter after chapter to the very end!
October 30, 2024
What an utter load of garbage! Awfully written, poorly researched and and a very thin plot. I've only given it 2 stars because I actually managed to finish it. I can forgive the writing, its a first book. My biggest issue was the seeming lack of research into the British military and the Metropolitan Police. Literally everything was factually incorrect, which is unforgivable considering many of the errors could have been avoided by looking at Wikipedia!
Don't waste your time, I certainly won't be continuing the adventures of Sam Pope.
Don't waste your time, I certainly won't be continuing the adventures of Sam Pope.
March 14, 2020
What a load of tripe!!!
October 19, 2019
Someone has already mentioned that this book needed more editing. In my opinion it needed more research, or any, together with some police knowledge! It's based on the premise that the Detective Sergeant in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit isn't just driven but corrupt and that he's got the wrong side of a Special Forces sniper who is employed as a filing clerk in the Met. A bit unlikely to say the least. I'm sorry Robert but the Met Counter Terrorism Command consists of 1,500 Detectives and civilian staff led by a Commander. You seem to think its a local team which runs in a police station where briefings (to uniform officers who wouldn't exist) could be witnessed by a civilian clerk and walked into by a Directorate of Professional Standards DCI, who is apparently also based at this 'local station'. If that was the only thing then I could get over it, but mistakes and lack of research come up over and over. See my notes. On the bright side it is quite entertaining (it wasn't just the mistakes that kept me reading to the end). It's obviously been written as a potential film script as the closing scenes hark after 'Death Wish'/'Lethal Weapon'. Sorry Robert but it's just not right, but if you need a 'police advisor' give me a call. Oddly, despite all this I am tempted to read the second Sam Pope book (if only to see if he did some research and employed a good editor this time around).
April 19, 2025
Probably the worst written book I've ever read in my life. The story is poor, the writing is poor and the cliches are through the roof. When you find out what happened to the main characters 5 year old son, I eye rolled that hard that for a full week afterwards I could stand in front of a bus and see both ends of it at the same time.
But jesus the writing....
"He opened him up like a packet of crisps", is how the author describes a man being slashed by a knife.... I'm not even making that up! That's actually what it says! The book is littered with descriptions like this. Littered! I was half expecting at some point to read "...then suddenly he heard machine gun fire, that unmistakable sound, like someone farting in the bath".
I could look at the piece of toilet paper in my hand once I've wiped my arse after diarrhea and be able to see less shit than what's in this book. It would probably have a better story on it aswell.
But jesus the writing....
"He opened him up like a packet of crisps", is how the author describes a man being slashed by a knife.... I'm not even making that up! That's actually what it says! The book is littered with descriptions like this. Littered! I was half expecting at some point to read "...then suddenly he heard machine gun fire, that unmistakable sound, like someone farting in the bath".
I could look at the piece of toilet paper in my hand once I've wiped my arse after diarrhea and be able to see less shit than what's in this book. It would probably have a better story on it aswell.
December 26, 2024
Absolutely hilariously awful. It's like Alan Partridge wrote an action thriller and it's even funnier if you read it with Alan Partridge's voice in your head!
"with an erection building in his shorts and a lifetime of inadequacy bubbling inside his drug-addled body, he bounded across the room..."
"The vile man looked unclean; his hygiene, like his suit, was ill-fitting"
"His reading glasses sat on his nose, their necessity ever growing."
"Back then, he was armed with just a baseball bat. Now he was walking in as if he were walking through the gates of hell themselves. He was about to go to war"
😂 😂 😂
Every page a winner.
I thought Kindle library might be a good thing. But if it is all self published authors I will continue to avoid it.
"with an erection building in his shorts and a lifetime of inadequacy bubbling inside his drug-addled body, he bounded across the room..."
"The vile man looked unclean; his hygiene, like his suit, was ill-fitting"
"His reading glasses sat on his nose, their necessity ever growing."
"Back then, he was armed with just a baseball bat. Now he was walking in as if he were walking through the gates of hell themselves. He was about to go to war"
😂 😂 😂
Every page a winner.
I thought Kindle library might be a good thing. But if it is all self published authors I will continue to avoid it.
November 27, 2024
"The Night Shift" is the 1st book in the Sam Pope series by Robert Enright. The story follows Sam Pope, a former elite sniper for the UK military, who returns home after a near-fatal shooting ends his career. Struggling to reconnect with his family, Sam takes a job as an archive officer within the Metropolitan Police, hunting down criminals who have evaded justice. When a terrorist attack at the London Marathon shakes the city, Sam decides to investigate on his own, delving into the world of organized crime and police corruption. As he gets closer to the truth, he becomes the prime target of those he is trying to expose.
Narration
Lee Beddow's narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. His deep, resonant voice perfectly captures the intensity and urgency of the story. Beddow's ability to differentiate between characters and convey their emotions adds depth to the listening experience. His pacing keeps the listener engaged, making it easy to follow the fast-paced plot and stay invested in Sam Pope's journey.
Plot
Enright's plot is action-packed and filled with twists and turns. The story moves quickly, with Sam Pope navigating through dangerous situations and uncovering layers of corruption. The tension builds steadily, leading to a gripping climax that leaves the listener eager for the next book in the series. The blend of thriller, mystery, and crime elements makes "The Night Shift" a compelling listen for fans of the genre.
Character Development
Sam Pope is a well-developed protagonist. His background as a sniper adds a layer of complexity to his character, and his struggle to find his place after leaving the military is relatable. The supporting characters are also well-crafted, each contributing to the overall narrative and adding to the tension. Enright's writing allows the listener to connect with the characters on an emotional level, making their struggles and triumphs resonate.
Themes
The book explores themes of justice, redemption, and the consequences of violence. Sam Pope's quest for justice is driven by his personal experiences and his desire to make a difference. The theme of corruption within the police force adds a layer of realism to the story, raising thought-provoking questions about the nature of justice and the lengths one will go to achieve it.
Overall Impression
"The Night Shift" is a thrilling audiobook that combines elements of action, mystery, and crime. Lee Beddow's narration enhances the story, making it an immersive and engaging experience. Robert Enright's writing is sharp and well-paced, with a plot that keeps the listener hooked from start to finish. The book sets the stage for an exciting new series.
Narration
Lee Beddow's narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. His deep, resonant voice perfectly captures the intensity and urgency of the story. Beddow's ability to differentiate between characters and convey their emotions adds depth to the listening experience. His pacing keeps the listener engaged, making it easy to follow the fast-paced plot and stay invested in Sam Pope's journey.
Plot
Enright's plot is action-packed and filled with twists and turns. The story moves quickly, with Sam Pope navigating through dangerous situations and uncovering layers of corruption. The tension builds steadily, leading to a gripping climax that leaves the listener eager for the next book in the series. The blend of thriller, mystery, and crime elements makes "The Night Shift" a compelling listen for fans of the genre.
Character Development
Sam Pope is a well-developed protagonist. His background as a sniper adds a layer of complexity to his character, and his struggle to find his place after leaving the military is relatable. The supporting characters are also well-crafted, each contributing to the overall narrative and adding to the tension. Enright's writing allows the listener to connect with the characters on an emotional level, making their struggles and triumphs resonate.
Themes
The book explores themes of justice, redemption, and the consequences of violence. Sam Pope's quest for justice is driven by his personal experiences and his desire to make a difference. The theme of corruption within the police force adds a layer of realism to the story, raising thought-provoking questions about the nature of justice and the lengths one will go to achieve it.
Overall Impression
"The Night Shift" is a thrilling audiobook that combines elements of action, mystery, and crime. Lee Beddow's narration enhances the story, making it an immersive and engaging experience. Robert Enright's writing is sharp and well-paced, with a plot that keeps the listener hooked from start to finish. The book sets the stage for an exciting new series.
May 13, 2022
For fiction, Britain’s (and America’s) special military operations keep on giving and giving. The Falklands introduced the ex-army hero as malcontent; Bosnia as repulsed observer; Afghanistan as brutalised technician. Sam Pope’s the latter. The level of violence supposed to be visited upon London here is staggeringly high. On the other hand, , the composition plumbs new troughs – the author has never heard of sentence structure, doesn’t know meanings of words, has figures of speech that are flabbergastingly haphazard. I guess he’s busy trying to make a living by self-publishing, upon my soul, I pity the man.
October 18, 2024
I can’t give it three stars because it held my interest enough to finish it in three days, but it’s not really a four star book either. The plot held my interest, and the story is what it is- predictable and impossible, but still fun to read (or in my case listen to) a book that has a character who metes out justice in his own way. If you like Reacher, it’s very similar to those books, and you’d like this one. If you don’t like heroes who do impossible things and never die, you wouldn’t like this book.
November 7, 2024
I was 25% through this book when I made the decision to abandon it. Although the premise of the story and character are up my street the style of writing and pace of the book were too slow for my liking. Too much time spent describing characters and little in building the story and I just feel that suddenly it's going to come at the reader at 100mph and then feel rushed. I could be wrong but the book just didn't have me invested a quarter of the way in like most books do.
October 5, 2023
A big disappointment
This volume, as the first in a long series of Sam Pope novels, was presented as something I should enjoy. Under most circumstances I might have done so, but the poor quality writing and the excessive detailed descriptions of gory killings just left me cold and uninterested in reading any more of the series.
This volume, as the first in a long series of Sam Pope novels, was presented as something I should enjoy. Under most circumstances I might have done so, but the poor quality writing and the excessive detailed descriptions of gory killings just left me cold and uninterested in reading any more of the series.
July 15, 2025
So awful I gave up after the first couple of chapters, in fact so, so awful I deleted it from my Kindle library entirely in disgust. Some people say this character ‘Sam Pope’ is the British ‘Jack Reacher’, but Lee Child is a far superior writer IMO.
March 5, 2022
This book needs an editor.
April 17, 2022
I started the series by accident out of order and this book is how it all began. I loved it!
Its not something I thought I’d dig into but I’m all in. I want to hug Sam, I want to protect him, I’m rooting for his survival. The secondary characters are solid good and evil and they all add to a well rounded action series. If there are flaws I don’t care. I’m in this race with Mr Pope.
Its not something I thought I’d dig into but I’m all in. I want to hug Sam, I want to protect him, I’m rooting for his survival. The secondary characters are solid good and evil and they all add to a well rounded action series. If there are flaws I don’t care. I’m in this race with Mr Pope.
Read
March 13, 2025It was a rollercoaster. At first I thought it too violent but then just got sucked in and it was like a white knuckle ride (which I’ve only ever heard of til now) where I was pinned to the seat. To think I nearly stopped reading it at page 32!!
February 1, 2023
A bit cliche but not bad
November 4, 2024
A cliff hanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2024
If you enjoy Lee Child you'll enjoy this
Read
June 10, 2025A lot like the James Reese novels. Held my interest throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed the read.
August 20, 2025
Surprisingly riveting
March 26, 2025
Like a 3.5. Bit of a British Jack Reacher but a bit darker. Had some really good moments.
August 16, 2020
I finished reading this book on Tuesday, now it’s Wednesday and I'm trying to write my review. This is going to be a hard review to write!
This book totally blew me away. It was amazing from start to finish! The plot flows from scene to scene with ease. Sam Popes past and present are all intricately woven together throughout this story. The Night Shift is extremely well written, it was clear to me Mr Enright has put a lot of time, love, energy and research into the details and events in this book.
The style of writing that the author uses to show the past events works well and adds to the overall plot, it helps to create a level of understanding about how Sam’s past is affecting his present. Mr Enright’s writing style allows me to create a very clear image in my own mind of the scenes that I am reading. It is very easy to feel like part of the story, as though everything is unfolding around me. I love how Mr Enright manages to create a world which feels so realistic.
The characters are all well developed and multidimensional, they all interact and grow as the story progresses. All the characters in The Night Shift play key roles in the story. Sam Pope has survived so much, and his life just seems to get more and more complicated. I cannot even begin to understand how he has survived and come through the other side of the things he has endured.
I have thoroughly loved every single page, I am incredibly pleased that Mr Enright gave me the opportunity to read this book before the rest of the world. I cannot wait to see what is in store next from Mr Enright.
If you want a gripping, thrilling, action-packed story, I strongly recommend grabbing yourself a copy of the night shift.
The Night Shift has been an emotional, action-packed, thrilling and engrossing book from the very beginning.
Well done Rob and thank you for giving me this opportunity!
A huge 5 stars from me.
'I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.'
This book totally blew me away. It was amazing from start to finish! The plot flows from scene to scene with ease. Sam Popes past and present are all intricately woven together throughout this story. The Night Shift is extremely well written, it was clear to me Mr Enright has put a lot of time, love, energy and research into the details and events in this book.
The style of writing that the author uses to show the past events works well and adds to the overall plot, it helps to create a level of understanding about how Sam’s past is affecting his present. Mr Enright’s writing style allows me to create a very clear image in my own mind of the scenes that I am reading. It is very easy to feel like part of the story, as though everything is unfolding around me. I love how Mr Enright manages to create a world which feels so realistic.
The characters are all well developed and multidimensional, they all interact and grow as the story progresses. All the characters in The Night Shift play key roles in the story. Sam Pope has survived so much, and his life just seems to get more and more complicated. I cannot even begin to understand how he has survived and come through the other side of the things he has endured.
I have thoroughly loved every single page, I am incredibly pleased that Mr Enright gave me the opportunity to read this book before the rest of the world. I cannot wait to see what is in store next from Mr Enright.
If you want a gripping, thrilling, action-packed story, I strongly recommend grabbing yourself a copy of the night shift.
The Night Shift has been an emotional, action-packed, thrilling and engrossing book from the very beginning.
Well done Rob and thank you for giving me this opportunity!
A huge 5 stars from me.
'I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.'
July 16, 2024
Details and proofreading
*****Spoilers*****
If you incorporate firearms into your writing, please do a minimum of research-
Learn tge difference between bullet, clip and magazine; and what goes where.
Bad guy holding a gun to a victim's head? That's the muzzle end of the barrel, not the receiver.
Protagonist's child killed by a drunk driver. Why didn't he blame he buddy for talking him out of stopping the drunk from driving?
I'll be merciful and stop here.
*****Spoilers*****
If you incorporate firearms into your writing, please do a minimum of research-
Learn tge difference between bullet, clip and magazine; and what goes where.
Bad guy holding a gun to a victim's head? That's the muzzle end of the barrel, not the receiver.
Protagonist's child killed by a drunk driver. Why didn't he blame he buddy for talking him out of stopping the drunk from driving?
I'll be merciful and stop here.
August 26, 2020
London, England. Southwark Crown Court. Chris Morton’s (drug pusher) lawyer had done a remarkable job representing him.
Catriona Crouch’s family was furious. She had been raped.
The Judge ruled in Chris favor & he walked out of the courthouse a free man.
Or so he thought, until he spied Mark Conner (fixer, East End gangster) setting on a bench.
Brian Stack (East End gangster advisor, driver) was waiting in the car to pick the 2 of them up to go for a ride.
Samuel “Sam” Pope (Metropolitan PD archives office clerk, former UK Army Sergeant elite sniper soldier, Operation Hailstorm Afghanistan X 3, Iraq) knew where they were taking Chris.
Baseball bats aren’t always used for hitting home runs.
DI Adrian Pierce (Professional Standards) called Sam to his office.
Sam (PTSD) had been seeing Mrs. Amy Devereux (certified therapist) for quite some time.
London, England. London Marathon. The runners were well on their way.
Security was beefed up for this yearly event.
BOOM! Derek Urnshaw (27, LM runner, city planning head) & Judge Chris Bolton (LM runner) both heard & saw the explosion.
PC Harding watched in horror as the marathon runners ran amuck. He had also seen PC Jake Howell (nephew) go into the alley before he was blown up.
ISIS took credit for the Marathon massacre.
DS Colin Mayer (CTU leader) was leading the not so pleasant AM briefing.
Those in attendance were DI Michael Howell (Uncle), DS Mayer, DC Williams (Counter Terrorist Unite team member) & others.
Derek Earnshaw was injured as were many others.
PC Jake Howell was laid to rest with full honors.
Later, PC Harding was found on top of a car dead.
Richmond Park. Chief Hyde & his team & DI Adrian Pierce arrived at the crime scene.
Sam asked Theo (former UK Army medic) for his help.
What did Frank “the Gent” Johnson (East End gang mob boss) want done?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written crime thriller book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great crime thriller movie, an animated cartoon (pulp fiction), or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me but I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Google Play; FreeBooksy; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Catriona Crouch’s family was furious. She had been raped.
The Judge ruled in Chris favor & he walked out of the courthouse a free man.
Or so he thought, until he spied Mark Conner (fixer, East End gangster) setting on a bench.
Brian Stack (East End gangster advisor, driver) was waiting in the car to pick the 2 of them up to go for a ride.
Samuel “Sam” Pope (Metropolitan PD archives office clerk, former UK Army Sergeant elite sniper soldier, Operation Hailstorm Afghanistan X 3, Iraq) knew where they were taking Chris.
Baseball bats aren’t always used for hitting home runs.
DI Adrian Pierce (Professional Standards) called Sam to his office.
Sam (PTSD) had been seeing Mrs. Amy Devereux (certified therapist) for quite some time.
London, England. London Marathon. The runners were well on their way.
Security was beefed up for this yearly event.
BOOM! Derek Urnshaw (27, LM runner, city planning head) & Judge Chris Bolton (LM runner) both heard & saw the explosion.
PC Harding watched in horror as the marathon runners ran amuck. He had also seen PC Jake Howell (nephew) go into the alley before he was blown up.
ISIS took credit for the Marathon massacre.
DS Colin Mayer (CTU leader) was leading the not so pleasant AM briefing.
Those in attendance were DI Michael Howell (Uncle), DS Mayer, DC Williams (Counter Terrorist Unite team member) & others.
Derek Earnshaw was injured as were many others.
PC Jake Howell was laid to rest with full honors.
Later, PC Harding was found on top of a car dead.
Richmond Park. Chief Hyde & his team & DI Adrian Pierce arrived at the crime scene.
Sam asked Theo (former UK Army medic) for his help.
What did Frank “the Gent” Johnson (East End gang mob boss) want done?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written crime thriller book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great crime thriller movie, an animated cartoon (pulp fiction), or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me but I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Google Play; FreeBooksy; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 6, 2025
Book Review: “The Night Shift” by Robert Enright
Overview:
“The Night Shift” by Robert Enright is a gripping thriller that masterfully blends action, suspense, and the unrelenting pursuit of justice. It introduces readers to Sam Pope, a hardened and determined protagonist who shares striking similarities with iconic characters like Jack Reacher from Lee Child’s renowned series.
Character Analysis – Sam Pope:
Sam Pope is a former special forces operative who finds himself drawn into dangerous situations that demand his particular set of skills. Like Reacher, Pope is a lone wolf – driven by a sense of justice and moral clarity that compels him to intervene where others might turn away. His military background equips him with not only physical prowess but also sharp instincts and a tactical mind, making him a formidable force against adversaries.
Much like Reacher, Pope operates outside the law but never against it. He is meticulous, calculating, and unflinching when confronted with violence. His actions are governed by an internal moral compass that often puts him in the crosshairs of both criminals and corrupt officials.
Comparing Sam Pope to Jack Reacher:
1. Moral Code and Sense of Justice:
Both Pope and Reacher are driven by a black-and-white view of justice. They intervene in situations where the vulnerable need protection, often at great personal risk.
2. Physical and Tactical Prowess:
Pope and Reacher share similar backgrounds in elite military training, which gives them an edge in combat. Enright, like Child, crafts intense fight sequences and tactical confrontations that highlight their protagonists’ lethal efficiency.
3. Loner Archetype:
While both men forge temporary alliances, they remain quintessential drifters – unencumbered by long-term attachments or material possessions. Their transient nature reflects their relentless pursuit of righting wrongs.
4. Narrative Style and Pacing:
Enright’s writing mirrors the fast-paced, no-nonsense style that Child employs. The action is relentless, the dialogue is sharp, and the narrative unfolds with gripping intensity.
The Appeal of “The Night Shift”:
For readers who enjoy the Jack Reacher series, “The Night Shift” offers a similarly immersive experience. Enright crafts a protagonist who is as compelling as he is dangerous, delivering a satisfying blend of cerebral investigation and bone-crunching action.
In conclusion, “The Night Shift” stands as a testament to Robert Enright’s skill in creating a hero who embodies the best qualities of the action-thriller genre. Fans of Jack Reacher will undoubtedly find a new favorite in Sam Pope.
Overview:
“The Night Shift” by Robert Enright is a gripping thriller that masterfully blends action, suspense, and the unrelenting pursuit of justice. It introduces readers to Sam Pope, a hardened and determined protagonist who shares striking similarities with iconic characters like Jack Reacher from Lee Child’s renowned series.
Character Analysis – Sam Pope:
Sam Pope is a former special forces operative who finds himself drawn into dangerous situations that demand his particular set of skills. Like Reacher, Pope is a lone wolf – driven by a sense of justice and moral clarity that compels him to intervene where others might turn away. His military background equips him with not only physical prowess but also sharp instincts and a tactical mind, making him a formidable force against adversaries.
Much like Reacher, Pope operates outside the law but never against it. He is meticulous, calculating, and unflinching when confronted with violence. His actions are governed by an internal moral compass that often puts him in the crosshairs of both criminals and corrupt officials.
Comparing Sam Pope to Jack Reacher:
1. Moral Code and Sense of Justice:
Both Pope and Reacher are driven by a black-and-white view of justice. They intervene in situations where the vulnerable need protection, often at great personal risk.
2. Physical and Tactical Prowess:
Pope and Reacher share similar backgrounds in elite military training, which gives them an edge in combat. Enright, like Child, crafts intense fight sequences and tactical confrontations that highlight their protagonists’ lethal efficiency.
3. Loner Archetype:
While both men forge temporary alliances, they remain quintessential drifters – unencumbered by long-term attachments or material possessions. Their transient nature reflects their relentless pursuit of righting wrongs.
4. Narrative Style and Pacing:
Enright’s writing mirrors the fast-paced, no-nonsense style that Child employs. The action is relentless, the dialogue is sharp, and the narrative unfolds with gripping intensity.
The Appeal of “The Night Shift”:
For readers who enjoy the Jack Reacher series, “The Night Shift” offers a similarly immersive experience. Enright crafts a protagonist who is as compelling as he is dangerous, delivering a satisfying blend of cerebral investigation and bone-crunching action.
In conclusion, “The Night Shift” stands as a testament to Robert Enright’s skill in creating a hero who embodies the best qualities of the action-thriller genre. Fans of Jack Reacher will undoubtedly find a new favorite in Sam Pope.
January 5, 2025
My overall rating is 2 stars and I am worried that this is too generous. However, I did finish the book and will probably read the 2nd in the series just to see if it gets better so I think 1 star is too mean.
There were several mistakes in police procedure, terminology etc. that even as a complete outsider to policing I could spot and presumably others too. This broke the immersion for me - this book could do with being properly edited, the real world bits fact checked etc. I realise this is possibly a result of the book being self published. However I have noticed that in the 5 years since this novel he has published approx 11 more, so maybe the cause is actually just publishing in a rush.
This was recommended to me as a British Jack Reacher series but it just isn't. The whole protagonist disappearing after killing everyone and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake maybe works in small town America with it's state lines, 100 man police departments, 200 miles of desert to the next town, but that isn't the UK and it just doesn't work here.
Interesting premise of a rouge member of police staff using his access to look up case files and then enact revenge on the suspects who were found not guilty, but poorly executed.
There were several mistakes in police procedure, terminology etc. that even as a complete outsider to policing I could spot and presumably others too. This broke the immersion for me - this book could do with being properly edited, the real world bits fact checked etc. I realise this is possibly a result of the book being self published. However I have noticed that in the 5 years since this novel he has published approx 11 more, so maybe the cause is actually just publishing in a rush.
This was recommended to me as a British Jack Reacher series but it just isn't. The whole protagonist disappearing after killing everyone and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake maybe works in small town America with it's state lines, 100 man police departments, 200 miles of desert to the next town, but that isn't the UK and it just doesn't work here.
Interesting premise of a rouge member of police staff using his access to look up case files and then enact revenge on the suspects who were found not guilty, but poorly executed.
December 30, 2023
I appreciate the characters that Enright created and their development. The general theme of the story and the plot was creative & relatively original, although the protagonist is quite similar to protagonists from other writers of the same/similar genre - think John Milton (Mark Dawson), Jack Reacher (Lee Child), Danny Pearson (Stephen Taylor).
However, some twists in the story were not surprising but expected, such as the real peak of corruption in the Met Police. My main criticism is that Enright needed a much better editor - far too many simple mistakes in the final manuscript (e.g "chomping [sic] at the bit").
Overall, I liked the book (but marked it down due to lack of finishing polish) and am keen to see where Sam Pope's vigilante justice takes him - be afraid, London criminal underground. However, I'm not sure that Sam Pope's character quite measures up to similar but more complex characters such as John Milton; Sam's flaws/weaknesses don't come close to balancing out his super-soldier qualities. But let's see how he goes...
However, some twists in the story were not surprising but expected, such as the real peak of corruption in the Met Police. My main criticism is that Enright needed a much better editor - far too many simple mistakes in the final manuscript (e.g "chomping [sic] at the bit").
Overall, I liked the book (but marked it down due to lack of finishing polish) and am keen to see where Sam Pope's vigilante justice takes him - be afraid, London criminal underground. However, I'm not sure that Sam Pope's character quite measures up to similar but more complex characters such as John Milton; Sam's flaws/weaknesses don't come close to balancing out his super-soldier qualities. But let's see how he goes...
May 1, 2025
Hi Friends,
A good premise gone very awry. Unsurprised it’s self published, but the author should’ve flung for an editor. Commas in wrong spots, incorrect usage of single quotation mark, for an Englishman, Mr Enright seems to have barely more than a passing grasp at English
And terrible similes, plot holes that a blind 2 year old could comfortably navigate a semi trailer through
And an ending that defies all possibility of suspension of disbelief
Average to slightly above action keeps this assemblage of number pages (calling it a novel would be an insult to novels and novelists) from being a single star.
If you like Reacher style vigilante violence but find Lee Child’s prose to be “too proper” this may be your book
If, however, punctuation and reality matter to you, I recommend avoiding this tale
Will I attempt another Sam Pope story? If I get a reall, really good deal, maybe I am not, however, counting the days till the next release in what Mr Enright is promising (threatening?) to be a series
See y’all at the crossroads
A good premise gone very awry. Unsurprised it’s self published, but the author should’ve flung for an editor. Commas in wrong spots, incorrect usage of single quotation mark, for an Englishman, Mr Enright seems to have barely more than a passing grasp at English
And terrible similes, plot holes that a blind 2 year old could comfortably navigate a semi trailer through
And an ending that defies all possibility of suspension of disbelief
Average to slightly above action keeps this assemblage of number pages (calling it a novel would be an insult to novels and novelists) from being a single star.
If you like Reacher style vigilante violence but find Lee Child’s prose to be “too proper” this may be your book
If, however, punctuation and reality matter to you, I recommend avoiding this tale
Will I attempt another Sam Pope story? If I get a reall, really good deal, maybe I am not, however, counting the days till the next release in what Mr Enright is promising (threatening?) to be a series
See y’all at the crossroads
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