Every Day Above Ground

The third book in Hamilton's Van Shaw series, Every Day Above Ground might be the best one yet. The occasional shifts into Shaw's past work seamlessly, and the plot builds and builds, bringing together everything you'd want in an action-based thriller. There were a lot of characters, and I have a feeling my read might have suffered if I'd taken longer to read it or hadn't had the earlier books so fresh in mind, but reading the book in three long sittings made for a perfect escape--and, honestly, it wasn't as if I wanted to put the book down at all. Hamilton's writing is masterful, and the characters are believable enough that a reader can sink into their world and feel as if they're reading more truth than fiction, gritty and show more hard-hitting as they are.

With the depth of character and the intricate plots, I do think the Shaw novels work best when read quickly, but I certainly recommend them. I've devoured all three, and can't wait for more. show less

The third in the Van Shaw series featuring an ex-Army Ranger in Seattle. Shaw is trying to figure out what to do with his life after leaving the Army. He needs a new cause and may just have found it by the end of the book. Along the way - gold bars, ex-cons and maybe the score of a lifetime. The pace builds in the story and the second half is action packed with a few twists. Lots of local color too.

I have a love/meh relationship with this series. Van Shaw was raised by a con man/thief and has all the skills himself but kind of doesn't use them much. But doesn't do much of anything else. There is an indication that this may take a turn for the better in the next in the series which is already out as I read this, so I'll read it, too.