Storme picks up a partner, ex-spook Chick, in this thrill-a-page story of greed, corruption and lust in a small Missouri town. There's not a wasted word as the story moves rapidly through one crisis after another. The action is almost continuous as the many layers of mystery are uncovered. I guarantee you will not want to put this book down. It will engross you and grab you emotionally as well as intellectually.

Hail Storme: A Wyatt Storme Thriller by W.L. Ripley was received direct from the publisher in exchange for this review. The novel, of which this is the first I have read of this author, had a good storyline with mostly interesting characters who were developed. I did find myself skimming at times when the conversations got over lengthy for my liking. I am well aware my attention span may be shorter than others but when I find myself skimming, I mention it. Some of the dialogue was clichéd, though in this day and age it is difficult to not be so, and some of the dialogue may make new clichés, such as "ordered two of everything, hold the anchovies." I grew up in the area described in the book, in southern Missouri, though that means nothing to the review of the novel. I will continue to read this authors novels and if you like “gumshoe” type detective stories, this is the novel for you or as a gift to someone who likes this type story.

That's a description of a poached deer. Ripley's use of language to paint a picture is spectacular. He's fast becoming one of my 'must read' authors, as addictive as salty popcorn at the movies. His writing has been compared to Robert B. Parker, and there are some similarities in style. (I love Robert B. Parker, by the way.) Both feature strong, imperfect heroes with a lethal best friend with whom they exchange snappy one-liners. Wyatt’s relationship with his girlfriend seems more realistic than Spenser and Susan’s smugly perfect one, however. And blissfully free of psychobabble.

This is when Wyatt and Chick first meet (they’ll become best friends in the future), and we learn Chick’s background. Wyatt stumbles over a marijuana field and then a new designer drug being created in Paradise. What’s the connection? It’s hard to go into detail without giving away plot.

Writing was excellent and error-free. This series is worth buying in hardcover to read over and over, and I don’t say that about many books.

For: R.B. Parker fans, action/adventure fans

5 stars

*ARC via netgalley*

Hail Storme W.L. Ripley

Ya gotta love a book that starts, "The afternoon sun hung like a bruised peach in the autum sky......." and it getts even better. Written in first person this novel starts in a forest with the discovery of a butchered stag, finding of a huge pot field, a dog attack, and more. This is just the first chapter. You don't even know who is talking untill into the second chapter. Wyatt Storme is a bow hunter currently in Missouri. He wanted to hunt but he was asked by a close friend to give another man a lift back to Colorado. Now you meet Chick Easton, a man with many different levels and skills.

Wyatt and Chick are a lot of fun and together they take on the criminal element. The banter between them is quite funny at times. It also drives everyone nuts. They do help to solve the murder of the Sheriff. Hail Storme is a fast paced thriller with great characters. These include bad cops, devious lawyers, DEA and FBI agents and one really mean bad guy. Full of twists and turns. A very enjoyable read.

This is my first Storme book but not my last. I had the kindle version and I listened straight through.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance Kindle version.

This is the second novel I've read by Ripley with Storme as the focus. I liked this one even more than the first. I hope the series keeps on rolling. Recommended. (Amazon reviewed).

Non stop action; some violence; greedy, power hungry people and two men with different backgrounds who try and make everything right in their inimitable way. Great fun to read with a lovely, peaceful ending.

The characters just rip up a storm in this book - literally and figuratively - all puns intended..
This is the first book in the Storme series and as such introduces you to the characters of Wyatt Storme and here, his mysterious buddy Chick, who claims to be just a skip tracer but turns out to be something more, and really has such useful skills I hope he stays for the rest of the series.
As the first novel in a series it is set not that long after the Vietnam War or Second Indochina War, 1954–1973 (or what did the US call it? They certainly didn't admit that their soldiers were at war - just supporting or advising?). In any event it left significant numbers of Vets as they began to be called traumatised and with PTSD - often unrecognised - which left them liable to nightmares and flashbacks that hindered their ability to maintain a successful life outside the military after returning home. This fact is still not always admitted.
Over 20 years, more than 58,000 Americans were killed in Vietnam and more than 150,000 were wounded. Yet the US were not the only troops fighting - we hear little about the Australians, the New Zealanders and the South Koreans who also fought.
Public opinion was initially in favour of the intervention and thus the majority of those fighting volunteered rather than were drafted and this included those in minority races as well as white Americans.
So Wyatt Storme came back from the war and made a career in American Football which seems to be a very rough sport indeed from the tactics her learnt to subdue opponents. but the violence on the field became too comfortable and led to a lifestyle that is all too common amongst the rich and famous. Eventually however, he realises that his football tactics are emulating his fighting in the Vietnam War tactics far too freely and gives up his career - with the usual footballer injuries of course.
He is still full of testosterone and chivalry it seems and can't let a wrong go un-righted and so gets involved where others would not in a local dispute that ends up with people dying. "People talk about what they want and who they are: few are concerned with duty and responsibility - the things we must do to be what we are."
I did enjoy this book and read it very quickly - within 24 hours as the style is easy and uncomplicated and you did want to find out just what was going on and who was involved and who was the goody and who the baddy - and this seemed to change as you read on.
I did bookmark the stuff about male clothes in this book as there seemed to be a fascination with what people wore: oxblood loafers came up several times - which seems to be a shade of red that is popular; not sure why Haggar slacks/pants are mentioned as they are a style of trouser that is very casual and rather baggy but add in the oxford cloth shirt and you have a preppy style that is very popular in the US. Florsheim shoes are also still available and again a very classic look.
London Fog raincoats - or trench coats are not sold in the UK but seem again to be a very traditional style. It is interesting that although this book was first published in 1993, the clothing ranges are still current - in the US, I doubt if they would be in the UK. Now I just was fascinated by Glen Plaid and so found myself a photo of it:
Not forgetting that the Rep or Repp tie is again a preppy essential - the diagonal striped tie.

A hybrid. A mixture of old style western, modernized with vehicles and techno gadgetry and updated weaponry. Throw in a couple of Vietnam war veterans, old friendships, new romantic fling, and mingle all this with bad guys, thugs and corruption. Using all these elements the author weaves an engaging plot, creating an entertaining story to keep the reader turning pages.