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sarahreck6's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Takes a minute to get into the story, but you get pretty hooked once you do! It's a character heavy book, so it's probably not for you if you aren't interested in their backgrounds.
jakewritesbooks's review
4.0
For a long time, I was wary of starting Ace Atkins’ Quinn Colson series. I’m not from the south but my dad is and I used to vacation there a lot. I know how often southern folk are caricaturized. I also know how people will write off the south’s racist legacy in favor of being “complex” (looking at you Gregory Iles, although I’ve never made it past 20 pages of a Penn Cage book so maybe he gets better). I assumed Quinn Colson, ex-Army Ranger, would just be a typical cowboy-type for books written like old school westerns: man comes into town, gets the bad guy, sleeps with the girl, does some shots of whisky and rides out on his motorcycle (the modern day horse).
That’s not what these books are at all. Atkins is a veteran writer but most impressively, he knows how to write characters. His characters are steeped in the culture of the south, a culture the native Atkins knows well. But it’s never played for anything other than strong characterization. The heroes aren’t always heroes, but neither does Atkins venerate moral ambiguity. The villains aren’t always villains but you never forget they’re bad guys. Atkins takes the moralism of the deep south and helps the reader realize that beyond it, there is a real world. And this is how these people interact with one another in the real world.
This one is probably the best of the series, definitely an improvement on book two which I still thought was good aside from the Scary Mexican Cartel nonsense. You feel the tragedy laced to all of the characters, the complexity of the small county they live in, the claustrophobic nature the storm brings to folks who are used to having space. The climactic scene is intentionally non-derivative. Sadness is felt all the same.
The Quinn Colson series is a good one. I like these books.
That’s not what these books are at all. Atkins is a veteran writer but most impressively, he knows how to write characters. His characters are steeped in the culture of the south, a culture the native Atkins knows well. But it’s never played for anything other than strong characterization. The heroes aren’t always heroes, but neither does Atkins venerate moral ambiguity. The villains aren’t always villains but you never forget they’re bad guys. Atkins takes the moralism of the deep south and helps the reader realize that beyond it, there is a real world. And this is how these people interact with one another in the real world.
This one is probably the best of the series, definitely an improvement on book two which I still thought was good aside from the Scary Mexican Cartel nonsense. You feel the tragedy laced to all of the characters, the complexity of the small county they live in, the claustrophobic nature the storm brings to folks who are used to having space. The climactic scene is intentionally non-derivative. Sadness is felt all the same.
The Quinn Colson series is a good one. I like these books.
ericbuscemi's review
4.0
This series is settling into a very good place. The main cast of characters all return -- Quinn, Lillie, Caddy, Boom, Johnny Stagg -- and grow, which is an important element to a series like this. The cast continues to slowly expand -- adding convict-turned preacher Jamey Dixon and coroner Ophelia Bundren -- as the darker corners of Tibbehah County continue to be explored.
One of the strongest elements of the book was the ambiguity of Dixon's reform, giving the reader ample time to decide if he had found God or was still a con-man -- conning both Caddy and the reader. Another was a scene in which Quinn beds a woman whose identity is kept secret from the reader. Both show the growth of Atkins writing since the beginning of the series.
I look forward to further entries in the series, which although are not yet announced, are almost certainly forthcoming considering the state of affairs at the end of this book.
One of the strongest elements of the book was the ambiguity of Dixon's reform, giving the reader ample time to decide if he had found God or was still a con-man -- conning both Caddy and the reader. Another was a scene in which Quinn beds a woman whose identity is kept secret from the reader. Both show the growth of Atkins writing since the beginning of the series.
I look forward to further entries in the series, which although are not yet announced, are almost certainly forthcoming considering the state of affairs at the end of this book.
jshel10's review
5.0
Another terrific book in the Colson series. Excellent pace, great dialogue and tremendous sense of place. I've said it before and I'll say it again - this is the best contemporary crime fiction going right now. Superb story and writing and sets us up for more. Highly recommended.
bmlowry8's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alexcarbonneau's review
4.0
A solid 4 stars.
Excellent episode in the life of Quinn Colson and the good (and not so good) people of Tibbehah County.
What I found interesting in this one is how Atkins focused a little more on the other characters of the book and gave them a little more playing time, allowing the reader to put itself in the shoes of almost all of the cast of "The Broken Places", but without denaturalizing his storytelling and the general feeling you can get out of a "Quinn Colson Novel".
As usual, Atkins nails the ending and leaves us wanting more.
All-in-all, a very good novel that I feel Atkins used to set up a lot more of Colson Novels (haven't read the remaining 3 yet...)
Excellent episode in the life of Quinn Colson and the good (and not so good) people of Tibbehah County.
What I found interesting in this one is how Atkins focused a little more on the other characters of the book and gave them a little more playing time, allowing the reader to put itself in the shoes of almost all of the cast of "The Broken Places", but without denaturalizing his storytelling and the general feeling you can get out of a "Quinn Colson Novel".
As usual, Atkins nails the ending and leaves us wanting more.
All-in-all, a very good novel that I feel Atkins used to set up a lot more of Colson Novels (haven't read the remaining 3 yet...)
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
Set in Mississippi, this series follows former Army/local boy/now sheriff Quinn as he tries to corral his family and keep the peace. In this episode, his sister Caddy has taken up with a former convict, Jamey Dixon, (officially pardoned by the governor) who Found God and is establishing a church in town. Complicating this is a breakout from the prison, and the escapees are looking for Dixon because their leader shared information with his about a sunken Wells Fargo truck carrying a lot of money. Quinn has to find the escapees, who are on quite the spree, and protect his family. Being Mississippi and summer, there's a tornado to contend with - I suspect the clean-up from that will feature in the next book.
Is Dixon really "holy" now? Which side is Suggs on? Will Quinn get his men, or will they escape, or something else? And what about Quinn's complicated love life? Those questions - and more - are answered, albeit not cleanly, by the end.
The language is raw, the action rough, and the characters complicated. For some, this will be an addictive series. For me, however, one will be enough.
ARC provided by publisher.
Is Dixon really "holy" now? Which side is Suggs on? Will Quinn get his men, or will they escape, or something else? And what about Quinn's complicated love life? Those questions - and more - are answered, albeit not cleanly, by the end.
The language is raw, the action rough, and the characters complicated. For some, this will be an addictive series. For me, however, one will be enough.
ARC provided by publisher.
jaclynday's review against another edition
3.0
This book was recommended to me (AGAIN, no idea where, I can never remember) and I enjoyed it. A good little palette cleanser. It’s listed as a “Southern crime novel” and I was thinking, ho-hum, dime a dozen crime novel. Instead, I found it fairly suspenseful and got invested in the well-rounded cast of characters. If you like this genre or just want something really light to pass the time, have at it.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
The Broken Places is the third gripping book by Ace Atkins to feature former Army Ranger Quinn Colson, now Sheriff of Tebbehah County in rural northeast Mississippi.
"I say it's hell being Sherrif in the same town as your family"
Colson has to admit his younger sister, Caddy, is looking healthier and happier than she has in years, but he can't bring himself to trust it will last, especially since she has hooked up with pardoned ex-con turned preacher, Jamey Dixon. Convicted of murdering his girlfriend in a drug fueled rage, Dixon seems determined to prove he is a changed man, preaching forgiveness and redemption, but a trio of dangerous escaped criminals are headed Dixon's way, and they intend to retrieve what they believe to be theirs, come hell or high water.
In a small town like Jericho, Colson's personal and professional lives inevitably tangle and in The Broken Places this conflict is at the heart of the story. Caddy, having recently turned her own life around, is convinced Dixon deserves a second chance. Quinn doesn't believe Dixon is a reformed man but is at a loss as to how to convince his sister she is making a mistake. As Colson stews about his sister's love life, the town gossips about his regular meetings with county undertaker/coroner, Ophelia, unaware Anna-Lee, Quinn's childhood sweetheart now married to someone else, makes regular visits to his bed.
Few of the characters in The Broken Places are either entirely good or bad, Colson included, and it is this ambiguity that makes them so interesting. The veracity of Dixon's reform shifts as the story unfolds, and with the line between the truth and deception, lawfulness and justice often blurred, the reader is asked to make their own judgement about his, and others, behaviour.
There is plenty of fast paced action in this installment with the murderous escapees making their way to Jericho. The violence in the story is amplified by the storm bearing down on the town. When a violent tornado touches down, ripping through the county, the aftermath leaves some broken, and others free to start again.
Though Broken Places could conceivably be read as a stand alone, I wouldn't recommend it as familiarity with the primary characters adds depth to the story. I have grown quite fond of the series and am looking forward to the next installment. There is a frustrating years delay between each installments publication in the US and the Commonwealth, so while the fourth book, [b:The Forsaken|18693779|The Forsaken (Quinn Colson, #4)|Ace Atkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385964173s/18693779.jpg|26542327], is already available in some markets, it will be May 2015 until I will be able to get my hands on it.