The Heathens (A Quinn Colson Novel Book 11)

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Book Review – The Heathens – Ace AtkinsCrime author Ace Atkins’ “The Heathens” reminds me of a more ‘edgy’ and more intense “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Before he was an Army Ranger who returned home to become Tibbehah County, Mississippi Sheriff and take down a corrupt system, protagonist Quinn Colson was a kid who got into trouble - a lot of it – during his teenage years. So when a 16 year old juvenile delinquent insists that she doesn’t know who killed her mother - an unreliable drug addict who has disappeared – Sheriff Colson is inclined to believe her. But as expected, no one else does - not the town, not the sheriff in a neighboring county, not troubled teenager’s older boyfriend, and certainly not Colson’s friend and former deputy, now a Deputy US Marshal. As bloody evidence against the juvenile delinquent starts to pile up, Colson knows someone truly vile, and evil is at work here in this crime ‘whodunit.’ Atkins' hard-edged yet tenderhearted novel kept me rooting for the troubled teen and her gang of involuntary outlaws. Atkins’ straightforward plotting and well-turned prose kept me reading all through the night. The diverse cast of characters and their intricate relationships elevated this ‘harsh’ story above most other gritty crime novels. The Heathens is strong on mystery, deception, suspense, and police procedurals. I enjoy Ace Atkins’ Quinn Colson series and look forward to back tracking on a number of the other novels.

The novels of Ace Atkins read as fast for me as those of Michael Connelly and C.J. Box.“The Heathens” (number 11 in the Sheriff Quinn Colson series) is no exception...the pacing and forward momentum is like an express train.Teenager TJ Byrd is the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of her mother.While innocent, she knows no one will believe her...so she takes off with her nine-year-old brother. The chase is on...and it is wild.As usual, Quinn is moving contra-flow and is the only one doubting TJ’s guilt.Also after TJ are US Marshall Lillie Virgil and the real killers...making life perilous for TJ.Mayhem ensues.The usual collection of Tibbehah County, Mississippi suspects are on hand, including the return of the joyfully despicable Johnny Stagg (of the Dixie Mafia) after serving his five-year prison term.It is a wonderful Southern crime tale filled with fascinating characters and populated with an abundance of shitbirds and low-lifes.This is a series is top drawer.

Ace Atkins master storyteller. There is not a bad book this series.His plots are realistic, action packed from beginning to end. They show both sides of the human condition from good to pure evil. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.

This book is a straight up rip-off of the Legend of Billie Jean, a movie from the 80’s. Some of it is blatant: a little brother on the run with her, money is owed, cutting off her hair, getting media attention, teenagers helping her along the way, the friend who helps with her image, even the t-shirts being sold. Yes, it adds in a whole lot more drama and the evil vertically challenged father and son. The way that Johnny Stagg got involved was confusing and it didn’t seem like even he would unleash those men on anyone.I have been enjoying these books, and until this one, I thought that the story lines were good, even if some characters are lacking. We could have seen more between Jason the father and Jean. Caddy moves to Austin with a hint that her father has something to do either it but no real explanation. Lillie is always on surface as well; it seemed like she loved Quinn but that went away. There were early references to her being a lesbian, again never explored.The language goes overboard on the colorful side on occasion. I have known law enforcement all my life and I lived in a small town in the south. I have never heard women talk this way about themselves or anyone else. It feels a little surreal and not sure what kind of research the author might have done. But maybe there is such a place in Louisiana?I am disappointed for the first time in this series, but will probably buy the next book in the series.

This latest effort by the author is not as intense his previous one. He is rebuilding the corrupt scheming underworld of Tibbehah County after its spectacular crash in the last novel. Johnny Stagg is back along with a few other sleazy characters. The book centers on a teenage girl running from the law after a gruesome murder. Quinn and Lillie are in pursuit but are not the main protagonists. The story moves along well with plenty of action and plot twists. The language, while still vulgar in places, is subdued compared to previous books. I enjoyed the read and look forward to the next challenge that Quinn will face.

Former Ranger Sheriff Colson has his hands full with this one. A suspected teenager and her little brother run away after their mother is brutally killed. The ensuing chase and outcome makes this another Ace Atkins thriller. The characters are people you are familiar with if you have been following this addictive series. The pages fly by as you witness some of the most awful crimes you can imagine. Good News! US Marshall Lillie Virgil is back and she brings it....as usual!

It was next in the series of books that revolve around a central character and his family. I find that the characters are believable, and I read to find out what will become of them.

Loved the book. Never disappointed. Can’t wait for the next one.

This is another brilliant addition to the Quinn Colson series. This is another gritty tale, one of the highlights of the series is the characters and their actions, there are some nasty people in colsons world which gives the series a added darkness. Very highly recommended.

More, more, more

This was another great book from a master storyteller about initial opinions being wrong but of being worked out over the course of the book. The accused being innocent whilst the real murderers were still out there trying to cover there tracts. Quinn never gives up until he finds the truth.

Not very much, if I’m honest! I’ve many books along this line and find Quinn Colson, Joe Pickett and Amos Decker right at the front of the pack!The Heathens once again delivers a fair old chunk of Mississippi into our lives, and we’re all the better for it!I found this tale a little slow, to be fair, and with little further character development but I suppose, the author has already done that in the last 10 books, so I quibble over details!There’s a palpable sense of the calm before the storm, too, with Johnny Stagg back in the frame, Fanny Hathcock - for my money, the best fictional villain in a VERY long time! - gone and Lillie Virgil hanging around again…… I hope to meet these people again!