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Camaro Espinoza #1
The Night Charter
Camaro answers to no one--until a bad deal saddles her with a young charge.
Exactly one year ago, Camaro Espinoza killed five bad men in New York City and fled town. Now she's keeping a low profile in Miami, running night charter catch-and-release fishing trips off the coast. It's a simple life for a former combat medic. But it wasn't easy to come by. Camaro plans to do everything she can to hold onto it.
Trouble comes knocking in the form of Parker Story, a man in over his head with all the wrong people. Parker wants to book Camaro's boat to run a small errand off the coast of Cuba. Camaro knows she shouldn't get involved. But Parker's got a teenaged daughter named Lauren, and Parker's associates have threatened to harm her if the mission doesn't go off without a hitch. Camaro has never met the girl. Barely seen her picture. But that doesn't mean she can ignore her plight.
Camaro's used to being wanted--by men good and bad, by soldiers wounded on the field of battle, by the long arm of the law. But she's never been needed before. Not the way Lauren needs her. Joining forces with Parker, Camaro soon finds herself in the midst of double crosses, international intrigue, broken promises and scattered bullets. Even a skilled warrior like herself may not be able to escape unscathed.
Exactly one year ago, Camaro Espinoza killed five bad men in New York City and fled town. Now she's keeping a low profile in Miami, running night charter catch-and-release fishing trips off the coast. It's a simple life for a former combat medic. But it wasn't easy to come by. Camaro plans to do everything she can to hold onto it.
Trouble comes knocking in the form of Parker Story, a man in over his head with all the wrong people. Parker wants to book Camaro's boat to run a small errand off the coast of Cuba. Camaro knows she shouldn't get involved. But Parker's got a teenaged daughter named Lauren, and Parker's associates have threatened to harm her if the mission doesn't go off without a hitch. Camaro has never met the girl. Barely seen her picture. But that doesn't mean she can ignore her plight.
Camaro's used to being wanted--by men good and bad, by soldiers wounded on the field of battle, by the long arm of the law. But she's never been needed before. Not the way Lauren needs her. Joining forces with Parker, Camaro soon finds herself in the midst of double crosses, international intrigue, broken promises and scattered bullets. Even a skilled warrior like herself may not be able to escape unscathed.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published December 8, 2015
About the author
Sam Hawken
32 books93 followersSam Hawken is the best-selling and Crime Writers Association Dagger-nominated author of the Camaro Espinoza thriller series, as well as the critically acclaimed Borderland Trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 10, 2016
The Night Charter – A Gripping Thriller
The award winning crime writer Sam Hawken has written an absolute stonking thriller that grabs you by the throat, dodging the bullets and delivers you at the end breathless. This book deals with a whole realm of crime, criminals and the kidnapped, while bringing together various strands of the story to a crescendo. No boring steroid ape of an American male stereotype but a kick-ass female who can stand on her own two feet and then some, whether on land or sea.
The writing draws you in and keeps you wanting more and more, the choice of words are like bullets that hit the target every time. Sam Hawken is a skilled crime writer who knows how to hook a reader and keep them interested, which is surprising as he is a Manchester United fan. United fans are not the sort capable of stringing a coherent sentence together usually. Sam Hawken has disproved the rule that all Manchester United fans are idiots, which in the main they are; he is a first class writer.
Camero Espinoza has run away from her previous lives, as an army medic and that which she had in New York, to start over again in Miami, owning and operating a charter boat The Annabel. A boat that she may have bought in cash but one that earns her a good living as a charter taking fisherman out in to the Atlantic.
Parker Story is an ex-con with a 14 year old daughter Lauren who survives in Miami but has the opportunity of a lifetime to earn some easy cash. He just needs to hire a bout get it close to Cuba, pick up a package and come home, deliver package to customer. Nothing could be easier, even if he is working with his ex-cellmate Matt Carter and his crew.
Parker hires Camero to sail her boat and pick up the package and take them all back to Miami nothing could be easier as long as they keep away from the coastguard and do not raise attention with the police or FBI.
While we only ever get hints at Camero’s past what we do get to see is a woman who can survive on the streets and the high seas. She can see that Parker is out of his depth with Carter and does not trust him. Parker asks her to take care of Lauren if anything should happen to him and keep him out of Matt’s hands.
As the bodies pile up Camero realises that she will have to do everything in her power to protect Lauren, while avoiding the police wherever possible. At the same time she does not want to put Lauren in danger from Carter or the Cuban gangs so she needs to live on her wits to keep them all alive.
What we get is a high paced thriller, with human interest stories, pumped up with a slick hero in Camero Espinoza; this is a book thriller readers will love. Camero is a star in-waiting and I truly hope that she will make another breathless outing, sooner rather than later. The Night Charter is a winner a taut, exciting, pulsating winner at that brought to us from the excellent mind of Sam Hawken.
The award winning crime writer Sam Hawken has written an absolute stonking thriller that grabs you by the throat, dodging the bullets and delivers you at the end breathless. This book deals with a whole realm of crime, criminals and the kidnapped, while bringing together various strands of the story to a crescendo. No boring steroid ape of an American male stereotype but a kick-ass female who can stand on her own two feet and then some, whether on land or sea.
The writing draws you in and keeps you wanting more and more, the choice of words are like bullets that hit the target every time. Sam Hawken is a skilled crime writer who knows how to hook a reader and keep them interested, which is surprising as he is a Manchester United fan. United fans are not the sort capable of stringing a coherent sentence together usually. Sam Hawken has disproved the rule that all Manchester United fans are idiots, which in the main they are; he is a first class writer.
Camero Espinoza has run away from her previous lives, as an army medic and that which she had in New York, to start over again in Miami, owning and operating a charter boat The Annabel. A boat that she may have bought in cash but one that earns her a good living as a charter taking fisherman out in to the Atlantic.
Parker Story is an ex-con with a 14 year old daughter Lauren who survives in Miami but has the opportunity of a lifetime to earn some easy cash. He just needs to hire a bout get it close to Cuba, pick up a package and come home, deliver package to customer. Nothing could be easier, even if he is working with his ex-cellmate Matt Carter and his crew.
Parker hires Camero to sail her boat and pick up the package and take them all back to Miami nothing could be easier as long as they keep away from the coastguard and do not raise attention with the police or FBI.
While we only ever get hints at Camero’s past what we do get to see is a woman who can survive on the streets and the high seas. She can see that Parker is out of his depth with Carter and does not trust him. Parker asks her to take care of Lauren if anything should happen to him and keep him out of Matt’s hands.
As the bodies pile up Camero realises that she will have to do everything in her power to protect Lauren, while avoiding the police wherever possible. At the same time she does not want to put Lauren in danger from Carter or the Cuban gangs so she needs to live on her wits to keep them all alive.
What we get is a high paced thriller, with human interest stories, pumped up with a slick hero in Camero Espinoza; this is a book thriller readers will love. Camero is a star in-waiting and I truly hope that she will make another breathless outing, sooner rather than later. The Night Charter is a winner a taut, exciting, pulsating winner at that brought to us from the excellent mind of Sam Hawken.
June 27, 2015
Very good atmospheric thriller. Shades of Lee Child but with a far more believable and relatable protagonist. Strong well-defined supporting characters as well. Looking forward to more in this new series.
September 10, 2015
This is definitely unique. Camaro Espinoza is the healthy and smart alternative to Jack Reacher, it's the best way I can put it. It's the Chipotle to Reacher's Burger King. Sam Hawken's biggest strength as a writer is to create dialogue that reveals strength and motivations in all sorts of understated ways. It makes his characters realistic because you have to deduce who they are from what they say and how they behave, which is an interesting and involving cerebral approach for such a lean, action packed novel.
I liked THE NIGHT CHARTER better than the previous Camaro Espinoza novellas because it doesn't have any references to her past, which I thought overexposed the characters. In some regard, THE NIGHT CHARTER is even leaner than the previous stories because it's all action and the exposition is brought by the events and not moments of reflection. Camaro Espinoza is something rather new to me as she doesn't belong to a literary genre in partical, but owe her influences more to the action film tradition.
Sneaky good, insanely readable, you'll finish it in three or four frenzied sittings.
I liked THE NIGHT CHARTER better than the previous Camaro Espinoza novellas because it doesn't have any references to her past, which I thought overexposed the characters. In some regard, THE NIGHT CHARTER is even leaner than the previous stories because it's all action and the exposition is brought by the events and not moments of reflection. Camaro Espinoza is something rather new to me as she doesn't belong to a literary genre in partical, but owe her influences more to the action film tradition.
Sneaky good, insanely readable, you'll finish it in three or four frenzied sittings.
February 26, 2016
I received this book from the "Book of the Month" club.
I really enjoyed this book. It's the first time I read this author, and he has a lot of promise. The story was well written and evenly paced. I found this story to be an easy read with memorable characters. I would read this author again if I could find his other books. 4 stars
I really enjoyed this book. It's the first time I read this author, and he has a lot of promise. The story was well written and evenly paced. I found this story to be an easy read with memorable characters. I would read this author again if I could find his other books. 4 stars
July 6, 2015
Fantastic new character and a great story. I want more, please.
February 18, 2019
Great book that I would highly recommend.
March 9, 2016
“I’ve done some things in my life that put me in front of some bad people. I always tried to do right, though. That’s all you can do.” — Camaro Espinoza
For ex-combat medic Camaro Espinoza, doing the right thing is more than a lofty concept—it’s the way she lives every day of her life, and the standard by which she evaluates every decision she makes.
To be clear, in Camaro’s mind doing the right thing and doing what’s legal are not necessarily the same, and as such Camaro has accordingly had her fair share of trouble over the years.
A particularly bad bit of it in New York City roughly a year ago ended with five men dead and Camaro relocating to a low-profile gig in Miami. Acting as captain and sole crew member of a fifty-foot Custom Carolina charter boat, Camaro takes groups out for catch-and-release deep-sea fishing excursions.
Things seem to be going fine for Camaro, until ex-con Parker Story shows up. Parker wants to book Camaro for a night charter for himself and a few friends. Only thing is, they aren’t looking to fish. They want Camaro to run them out to just off the Cuban coast to pick up a special passenger. Initially reluctant, Camaro finds it difficult to turn Parker away once she finds out he is a single father to a teenage daughter, and that his associates have made it clear things won’t go well for Parker, or his daughter, if he doesn’t make the charter happen.
The pickup actually goes smoothly, but that’s the last time anything does in The Night Charter, the newest release from author Sam Hawken. Acting as living example of the old saying there is no honor among thieves, Parker’s associate, Matt Clifford, gets greedy and botches the handoff of their passenger, and from there Camaro is drawn into an ever-escalating web of double crosses and betrayal. Not content to have Camaro simply caught between Clifford’s band of mercenaries and the anti-Castro insurgent group he’s pissed off, Hawken also throws the FBI and a tenacious Miami detective into the mix for good measure, then has the story unfold against the neon-soaked backdrop of Miami and its thriving Cuban-American community. The end result is a sizzling, high-stakes series of showdowns that push Camaro to the very brink of her considerable abilities.
Camaro Espinoza is a welcome breath of fresh air in a genre overflowing with testosterone and clichés. The key to what makes Camaro truly “click” as a character is that instead of either playing up the fact she’s female or having her behave exactly the way a male protagonist would, Hawken deftly straddles the line between the two, writing Camaro in a way that is, in many aspects, genderless—she’s a person who just happens to be female, put in the position of having to deal with some seriously bad people bent on doing her and others (who are innocent) harm. And rather than approaching the situation with a macho, badass, “hero come to save the day” attitude that is typical of the genre, Camaro simply sees the situation as something that is, that has intruded upon her life and sense of order, and accordingly must be dealt with. Not so she can play the hero, but so that she can be right with her own conscience.
Though this is her full-length novel debut, longtime readers of Hawken have previously had a chance to get to know Camaro in a series of novellas. A bit of the backstory from those novellas finds its way into The Night Charter, so readers do get a feel for the rough and tumble approach to life Camaro lives by, including the facts she was in the military for twelve years, served several tours in Iraq, knows her way around weapons, and is more than capable of handling herself in hand-to-hand combat. Add those details to Hawken’s skill as an author—the man has been nominated for the CWA Dagger Award four times—and the possibilities for Camaro are virtually limitless.
I am excited to see where Hawken takes Camaro going forward, which we already know includes a second novel forthcoming from Mulholland Books and, hopefully, the reissue of those novellas in the not too distant future.
For ex-combat medic Camaro Espinoza, doing the right thing is more than a lofty concept—it’s the way she lives every day of her life, and the standard by which she evaluates every decision she makes.
To be clear, in Camaro’s mind doing the right thing and doing what’s legal are not necessarily the same, and as such Camaro has accordingly had her fair share of trouble over the years.
A particularly bad bit of it in New York City roughly a year ago ended with five men dead and Camaro relocating to a low-profile gig in Miami. Acting as captain and sole crew member of a fifty-foot Custom Carolina charter boat, Camaro takes groups out for catch-and-release deep-sea fishing excursions.
Things seem to be going fine for Camaro, until ex-con Parker Story shows up. Parker wants to book Camaro for a night charter for himself and a few friends. Only thing is, they aren’t looking to fish. They want Camaro to run them out to just off the Cuban coast to pick up a special passenger. Initially reluctant, Camaro finds it difficult to turn Parker away once she finds out he is a single father to a teenage daughter, and that his associates have made it clear things won’t go well for Parker, or his daughter, if he doesn’t make the charter happen.
The pickup actually goes smoothly, but that’s the last time anything does in The Night Charter, the newest release from author Sam Hawken. Acting as living example of the old saying there is no honor among thieves, Parker’s associate, Matt Clifford, gets greedy and botches the handoff of their passenger, and from there Camaro is drawn into an ever-escalating web of double crosses and betrayal. Not content to have Camaro simply caught between Clifford’s band of mercenaries and the anti-Castro insurgent group he’s pissed off, Hawken also throws the FBI and a tenacious Miami detective into the mix for good measure, then has the story unfold against the neon-soaked backdrop of Miami and its thriving Cuban-American community. The end result is a sizzling, high-stakes series of showdowns that push Camaro to the very brink of her considerable abilities.
Camaro Espinoza is a welcome breath of fresh air in a genre overflowing with testosterone and clichés. The key to what makes Camaro truly “click” as a character is that instead of either playing up the fact she’s female or having her behave exactly the way a male protagonist would, Hawken deftly straddles the line between the two, writing Camaro in a way that is, in many aspects, genderless—she’s a person who just happens to be female, put in the position of having to deal with some seriously bad people bent on doing her and others (who are innocent) harm. And rather than approaching the situation with a macho, badass, “hero come to save the day” attitude that is typical of the genre, Camaro simply sees the situation as something that is, that has intruded upon her life and sense of order, and accordingly must be dealt with. Not so she can play the hero, but so that she can be right with her own conscience.
Though this is her full-length novel debut, longtime readers of Hawken have previously had a chance to get to know Camaro in a series of novellas. A bit of the backstory from those novellas finds its way into The Night Charter, so readers do get a feel for the rough and tumble approach to life Camaro lives by, including the facts she was in the military for twelve years, served several tours in Iraq, knows her way around weapons, and is more than capable of handling herself in hand-to-hand combat. Add those details to Hawken’s skill as an author—the man has been nominated for the CWA Dagger Award four times—and the possibilities for Camaro are virtually limitless.
I am excited to see where Hawken takes Camaro going forward, which we already know includes a second novel forthcoming from Mulholland Books and, hopefully, the reissue of those novellas in the not too distant future.
February 11, 2016
Sam Hawken's latest novel features protagonist Camaro Espinoza, who has featured in a series of short stories but this is her first outing in a full length novel. Before reading the book I was a bit concerned that her character wouldn't translate so well from novella to novel but I shouldn't have been, as Hawken introduces several different facets to the plot that kept me enthralled to the end.
Camaro is an ex-army vet who was a medic and has seen plenty of action. She is constantly on the run from her past and when we catch up with her she is running fishing trips, on her boat from Miami. She is approached by ex-con Parker Story who is trying to build an new life for his teenage daughter and himself but can't seem to escape the clutches of his former life. He has a good paying proposition for her, that against her better judgement she accepts, in the hope that it helps Parker to move on with his life. Parker however is in debt to Matt Clifford, an ex-con and murderer who took Parker under his wing and kept him safe while in prison.
Camaro's part of the operation goes mostly to plan however Clifford gets greedy and tries to extort more money from the guys in charge and the whole deal turns to rat shit. Camaro promises to look after Parker's daughter if things went wrong and she finds herself on the run, caught between Clifford, Cuban anti-Castro rebels, the Cuban secret service and the Miami P.D., with a 14 year old girl in tow.
I am a big fan of Hawken's work and this is a bit of a departure for him, as his previous three novels were a trilogy of Mexican 'borderland noir' books. However there is no great departure in writing style from his previous novels, which is good and although there are numerous characters and plot lines it's fairly easy to follow. His characterisation is also great with Camaro being a believable female 'action hero'. She is streetwise, has a hard exterior, knows how to handle herself and doesn't suffer fools gladly but she can also show compassion and empathy, especially towards those she sees as being wronged.
Another excellent addition to Hawken's expanding canon of work and looking forward to his future publications already, although this has just been published.
Camaro is an ex-army vet who was a medic and has seen plenty of action. She is constantly on the run from her past and when we catch up with her she is running fishing trips, on her boat from Miami. She is approached by ex-con Parker Story who is trying to build an new life for his teenage daughter and himself but can't seem to escape the clutches of his former life. He has a good paying proposition for her, that against her better judgement she accepts, in the hope that it helps Parker to move on with his life. Parker however is in debt to Matt Clifford, an ex-con and murderer who took Parker under his wing and kept him safe while in prison.
Camaro's part of the operation goes mostly to plan however Clifford gets greedy and tries to extort more money from the guys in charge and the whole deal turns to rat shit. Camaro promises to look after Parker's daughter if things went wrong and she finds herself on the run, caught between Clifford, Cuban anti-Castro rebels, the Cuban secret service and the Miami P.D., with a 14 year old girl in tow.
I am a big fan of Hawken's work and this is a bit of a departure for him, as his previous three novels were a trilogy of Mexican 'borderland noir' books. However there is no great departure in writing style from his previous novels, which is good and although there are numerous characters and plot lines it's fairly easy to follow. His characterisation is also great with Camaro being a believable female 'action hero'. She is streetwise, has a hard exterior, knows how to handle herself and doesn't suffer fools gladly but she can also show compassion and empathy, especially towards those she sees as being wronged.
Another excellent addition to Hawken's expanding canon of work and looking forward to his future publications already, although this has just been published.
December 24, 2015
Camaro Espinoza is a character I've been following for a while, ever since Sam Hawken introduced her through his series of novellas. From the beginning I found the character to be fascinating- she's a woman of action who doesn't always have much say, always has a plan, and isn't afraid of saying or getting what she wants, whether that be guy she spies across a bar or revenge. In the wrong hands, all these traits would seem cliche or more at home in some cheesy action movie, but Hawken clearly enjoys writing Camaro, and hes' careful to make sure that she never strays too far into action movie territory.
For those new to the character, Night Charter is a great introduction to the character. There's enough hints of Camaro's past to make you want to find out about the character, but enough to paint a good picture of Camaro. Like these type of stories usually begin, the story begins small in scope -Camaro agrees to run an illegal charter for a crew-and grows in scope to include several different Cuban factions, Miami cops, and a little girl.
For those new to the character, Night Charter is a great introduction to the character. There's enough hints of Camaro's past to make you want to find out about the character, but enough to paint a good picture of Camaro. Like these type of stories usually begin, the story begins small in scope -Camaro agrees to run an illegal charter for a crew-and grows in scope to include several different Cuban factions, Miami cops, and a little girl.
November 16, 2015
Meet Camaro Espinoza, charter boat captain, former Army combat medic and kick-ass protagonist. Running a "catch and release" charter fishing boat is tough and Camaro is doing it in a low key way until she's steered to a charter by a guy down on his luck with who she feels a connection....unfortunately, with bad results. People with secrets to hide need to drift in the shadows and not come to the attention of thugs, cops and certain Cuban exile groups. Climb aboard charter boat Annabel as author Sam Hawken sends Camaro and you on a fast paced thriller complete with multi-level characters, intricately plotting, gritty action, snappy dialogue and a conclusion that leaves you wondering. As a lucky winner of this book from good reads first reads giveaway I heartily recommend "The Night Charter." It's a fast read and definitely a keeper.
August 17, 2015
Read the ARC (thanks, NetGalley!). This is an outstanding story with a very compelling heroine and excellent supporting cast. Seems to beg for a cinematic version.
I hope this turns into a series!
I hope this turns into a series!
December 5, 2015
Free from firstreads. Good story hope it's going to be a series with Camaro as lead character
August 13, 2019
Remember the old TV and radio series Dragnet? I know, I'm asking you to date yourself.
(One of my asides; Sirius Radio has a radio classics channel that I used to listen to when driving through the Nevada desert and Dragnet was one of my favorite shows that was played.)
There were two iterations of this series and then a syndicated release of some of the original episodes called Badge 714, Sgt. Joe Friday's badge number which was displayed at the start of the show if memory serves me (and it doesn't always serve me well). And before the TV shows there was the radio series.
Joe was always played by Jack Webb in the TV and radio series and the earlier Dragnet films (not to be confused with the parody film starring Dan Aykroid and Tom Hanks. (Hanks was NOT nominated for an Oscar nor should he have been. This was not an Oscar worthy film in the least.)
The premise of the series was to show the LAPD at work, how they solved cases based only on the facts. Joe Friday's "Just the facts, ma'am." became a cliche or trope if you will. The dialogue was delivered flat and any emotion was conveyed in a very subtle way.
But wait! This is a review about a book, not an old TV series!
Aha! But there is a very real connection, at least in what passes for my mind.
I used the term 'flat' when I told how the dialogue was delivered in Dragnet and it worked for that series because it was unique. It was on the small screen and in black and white but still, though subtle, there was emotion.
So too, this book, The Night Charter, was delivered flat but without the benefit of facial expressions and body language we are required to evoke what emotions we can from that flat prose. It worked for TV and radio, it did so much less in this book.
Much of what transpires is based on stereotypes with a heroine out of all proportion to the rest of the characters. We see Ms. Espinoza as that fairly unemotional heroine while much of the rest of the cast members are caricatures of Cuban communists from the Island and Cuban ex pats with a hatred of all things Castroite. And then there's the really bad guy who leads a small criminal enterprise gang but actually is pretty inept, though he's able to outwit the Miami PD.
Much is mentioned about CSI going over crime scenes but little of their results. There is one scene, however; where a homicide detective is able to trace Espinoza's cell phone but seems surprised that this can be done, and Espinoza herself seems blissfully unaware that she should stop using her cell lest she be tracked. It's almost silly how this is the subject of a small portion of the book yet nothing results from the trace nor is such a trace mentioned again though Espinoza continues to use that same cell phone. I found it ludicrous to imagine that a smart heroine and a dedicated, experienced detective was largely unaware of this technology, and this is not an old book; published only 3½ years ago.
Espinoza is in Florida because she was involved in a situation in NYC where she killed 5 people. We know nothing of that situation; it's only referred to rather obliquely in the story and if this is explained in any future books of the series I'm going to miss it because I have no desire to read any more of the series.
The blurb for this book sounded exciting and the ratings of other readers were for the most part laudatory. I guess I've read far too many very good crime authors - Sandford, Deaver, Pearson and many more - that I demand more from an author than a simple, by the numbers, no emotion story. I didn't get that in this book.
(One of my asides; Sirius Radio has a radio classics channel that I used to listen to when driving through the Nevada desert and Dragnet was one of my favorite shows that was played.)
There were two iterations of this series and then a syndicated release of some of the original episodes called Badge 714, Sgt. Joe Friday's badge number which was displayed at the start of the show if memory serves me (and it doesn't always serve me well). And before the TV shows there was the radio series.
Joe was always played by Jack Webb in the TV and radio series and the earlier Dragnet films (not to be confused with the parody film starring Dan Aykroid and Tom Hanks. (Hanks was NOT nominated for an Oscar nor should he have been. This was not an Oscar worthy film in the least.)
The premise of the series was to show the LAPD at work, how they solved cases based only on the facts. Joe Friday's "Just the facts, ma'am." became a cliche or trope if you will. The dialogue was delivered flat and any emotion was conveyed in a very subtle way.
But wait! This is a review about a book, not an old TV series!
Aha! But there is a very real connection, at least in what passes for my mind.
I used the term 'flat' when I told how the dialogue was delivered in Dragnet and it worked for that series because it was unique. It was on the small screen and in black and white but still, though subtle, there was emotion.
So too, this book, The Night Charter, was delivered flat but without the benefit of facial expressions and body language we are required to evoke what emotions we can from that flat prose. It worked for TV and radio, it did so much less in this book.
Much of what transpires is based on stereotypes with a heroine out of all proportion to the rest of the characters. We see Ms. Espinoza as that fairly unemotional heroine while much of the rest of the cast members are caricatures of Cuban communists from the Island and Cuban ex pats with a hatred of all things Castroite. And then there's the really bad guy who leads a small criminal enterprise gang but actually is pretty inept, though he's able to outwit the Miami PD.
Much is mentioned about CSI going over crime scenes but little of their results. There is one scene, however; where a homicide detective is able to trace Espinoza's cell phone but seems surprised that this can be done, and Espinoza herself seems blissfully unaware that she should stop using her cell lest she be tracked. It's almost silly how this is the subject of a small portion of the book yet nothing results from the trace nor is such a trace mentioned again though Espinoza continues to use that same cell phone. I found it ludicrous to imagine that a smart heroine and a dedicated, experienced detective was largely unaware of this technology, and this is not an old book; published only 3½ years ago.
Espinoza is in Florida because she was involved in a situation in NYC where she killed 5 people. We know nothing of that situation; it's only referred to rather obliquely in the story and if this is explained in any future books of the series I'm going to miss it because I have no desire to read any more of the series.
The blurb for this book sounded exciting and the ratings of other readers were for the most part laudatory. I guess I've read far too many very good crime authors - Sandford, Deaver, Pearson and many more - that I demand more from an author than a simple, by the numbers, no emotion story. I didn't get that in this book.
September 13, 2020
Sam Hawken delivers a perfectly serviceable crime thriller in The Night Charter which introduces the character of Camaro Espinoza, a former combat medic turned charter boat captain in Miami. Apparently there were a few other Espinoza short stories or novellas prior to her debut in long-form writing, but it seems those have gone out of print and have otherwise disappeared into the ether.
When we meet Camaro, she’s hired to make a run to Cuba to pick up an anti-communist revolutionary and deliver him back to Miami. The people that have hired her aren’t exactly the trustworthy sort and so, naturally, things go awry. As expected, there’s a fair amount of double-crossing involved, but Hawken sweetens the pot by mixing in a Cuban intelligence agent aiming to put down the pro-democracy terrorists based in Miami and anyone who has been helping them, along with a sadistic ex-con who has developed a grudge against Espinoza, and a homicide detective caught up in the middle and trying to make ends meet.
Hawken’s writing is pretty straightforward and largely unexciting, and his plot doesn’t leave a lot of room for surprises or sense of discovery, but, man, does this book ever move. The chapters are short and punchy, making you think, “OK, just one more chapter...” until you realize you’ve flown through damn near half the book in one sitting.
Espinoza herself is an intriguing character, and as a strong, kick-ass heroine she’s a welcome relief from the Jack Reacher-type men that typically populate novels of this sort. I had a lot of fun seeing her outsmart and outgun the men of The Night Charter, and I’m certainly game to see how future books develop her character. Here, she’s pretty close-mouthed and standoffish, putting a big, thick wall between herself and the world around her, and we only get a few, small glimpses at the past that has informed her present bearing. I’d really like to learn more about her history, particularly the events that drove her out of New York and to the shores and marinas of Miami, and what’s estranged her from her family.
The Night Charter is a fleet of foot thriller that chugs along as quick as Camaro’s Harley and serves as a fine introduction to a new heroine, even if it never quite goes beyond the usual thriller tropes nor provides enough depth to make it stand out from an already-crowded genre. Still, it’s fine read and it kept my interest the whole way through. It may have felt awfully familiar, but it never outstayed its welcome, and the grand finale sure was satisfying!
When we meet Camaro, she’s hired to make a run to Cuba to pick up an anti-communist revolutionary and deliver him back to Miami. The people that have hired her aren’t exactly the trustworthy sort and so, naturally, things go awry. As expected, there’s a fair amount of double-crossing involved, but Hawken sweetens the pot by mixing in a Cuban intelligence agent aiming to put down the pro-democracy terrorists based in Miami and anyone who has been helping them, along with a sadistic ex-con who has developed a grudge against Espinoza, and a homicide detective caught up in the middle and trying to make ends meet.
Hawken’s writing is pretty straightforward and largely unexciting, and his plot doesn’t leave a lot of room for surprises or sense of discovery, but, man, does this book ever move. The chapters are short and punchy, making you think, “OK, just one more chapter...” until you realize you’ve flown through damn near half the book in one sitting.
Espinoza herself is an intriguing character, and as a strong, kick-ass heroine she’s a welcome relief from the Jack Reacher-type men that typically populate novels of this sort. I had a lot of fun seeing her outsmart and outgun the men of The Night Charter, and I’m certainly game to see how future books develop her character. Here, she’s pretty close-mouthed and standoffish, putting a big, thick wall between herself and the world around her, and we only get a few, small glimpses at the past that has informed her present bearing. I’d really like to learn more about her history, particularly the events that drove her out of New York and to the shores and marinas of Miami, and what’s estranged her from her family.
The Night Charter is a fleet of foot thriller that chugs along as quick as Camaro’s Harley and serves as a fine introduction to a new heroine, even if it never quite goes beyond the usual thriller tropes nor provides enough depth to make it stand out from an already-crowded genre. Still, it’s fine read and it kept my interest the whole way through. It may have felt awfully familiar, but it never outstayed its welcome, and the grand finale sure was satisfying!
January 19, 2017
Camaro Espinoza is in her first full-length novel
I just recently started reading about the exploits of Camaro Espinoza. I first read FULL THROTTLE, which gathers together four related novellas, and then went on to SWEET RIDE, another novella in the author's repertoire.
For me, I loved the novellas more than the novel. No wasted verbiage, great dialogue, and each novella was a compelling glimpse into the life of Camaro.
THE NIGHT CHARTER starts out strong and, don't get me wrong, is well worth reading. Camaro is now in Miami. She bought herself a fishing charter boat and named it after her sister. She likes what she's doing, which is hiring out her boat for night or day trips for deep sea fishing - all catch and release.
Then she's approached by a man with a daughter and Camaro ends up getting involved in a shady operation - because of the daughter.
I did feel that a lot could have been cut from the book, streamlining it and making it a stronger read. But I still enjoyed reading about Camaro's exploits and her twisted sense of honor. There's lots of action, new characters (both friends, foes and in-between) and author Hawken has a very real talent of writing believable dialogue and creating characters that the reader wants to know more about.
I'm now off to read the Advanced Reading Copy of his next full- length novel WALK AWAY, which will be out 01-31-17. So I definitely haven't given up on this author or this character.
I just recently started reading about the exploits of Camaro Espinoza. I first read FULL THROTTLE, which gathers together four related novellas, and then went on to SWEET RIDE, another novella in the author's repertoire.
For me, I loved the novellas more than the novel. No wasted verbiage, great dialogue, and each novella was a compelling glimpse into the life of Camaro.
THE NIGHT CHARTER starts out strong and, don't get me wrong, is well worth reading. Camaro is now in Miami. She bought herself a fishing charter boat and named it after her sister. She likes what she's doing, which is hiring out her boat for night or day trips for deep sea fishing - all catch and release.
Then she's approached by a man with a daughter and Camaro ends up getting involved in a shady operation - because of the daughter.
I did feel that a lot could have been cut from the book, streamlining it and making it a stronger read. But I still enjoyed reading about Camaro's exploits and her twisted sense of honor. There's lots of action, new characters (both friends, foes and in-between) and author Hawken has a very real talent of writing believable dialogue and creating characters that the reader wants to know more about.
I'm now off to read the Advanced Reading Copy of his next full- length novel WALK AWAY, which will be out 01-31-17. So I definitely haven't given up on this author or this character.
February 6, 2017
[Edit Jan. 10, 2016: See author Sam Hawken's comment at the end of this review regarding the future status of the Camaro novellas on Wattpad and Amazon. Availability will change soon (late Jan/early Feb 2016 perhaps.]]
There is hard-ass, then there is bad-ass, and then there is Camaro Espinoza.
“The Night Charter” is only the first novel in Sam Hawken’s Camaro Espinoza series but Hawken has been developing the character over the past few years and there are also novellas and short stories available. The novellas were previously available on Amazon kindle but are currently (January 2016) embargoed there. Fortunately, Hawken is generous enough to freely share some of the novellas (currently, 2 out of 4) at Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/user/SamHawken) and several short stories at the Camaro page on his weblog (http://www.samhawken.com/?page_id=9268).
I mention all of that upfront, because as soon as you finish “The Night Charter” you will immediately want more Camaro and you may not have the patience to wait for the next novel in the series.
Ex-Army combat medic Camaro Espinoza is running a catch-and-release charter boat business out of Miami, Florida. She is drawn into running a special night charter against her better instincts, due to her empathy with reformed ex-con Parker Story and his attempts to make a better life for himself & his teenage daughter Lauren. Before too long Camaro is up to her ears with crooks, cops, Cuban secret police and Cuban expatriates. Hawken teases us with hints of Camaro's back-story in the novel and that extra level of mystery does help to draw you in. Fortunately, he also provides the links to help you fill in some of those gaps.
I’ve already read comparisons to everyone from John MacDonald’s Travis McGee, to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, and to Stieg Larssons’ Lisbeth Salander, but Camaro Espinoza is her own character. Long may she ride (or sail, as the case may be)!
There is hard-ass, then there is bad-ass, and then there is Camaro Espinoza.
“The Night Charter” is only the first novel in Sam Hawken’s Camaro Espinoza series but Hawken has been developing the character over the past few years and there are also novellas and short stories available. The novellas were previously available on Amazon kindle but are currently (January 2016) embargoed there. Fortunately, Hawken is generous enough to freely share some of the novellas (currently, 2 out of 4) at Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/user/SamHawken) and several short stories at the Camaro page on his weblog (http://www.samhawken.com/?page_id=9268).
I mention all of that upfront, because as soon as you finish “The Night Charter” you will immediately want more Camaro and you may not have the patience to wait for the next novel in the series.
Ex-Army combat medic Camaro Espinoza is running a catch-and-release charter boat business out of Miami, Florida. She is drawn into running a special night charter against her better instincts, due to her empathy with reformed ex-con Parker Story and his attempts to make a better life for himself & his teenage daughter Lauren. Before too long Camaro is up to her ears with crooks, cops, Cuban secret police and Cuban expatriates. Hawken teases us with hints of Camaro's back-story in the novel and that extra level of mystery does help to draw you in. Fortunately, he also provides the links to help you fill in some of those gaps.
I’ve already read comparisons to everyone from John MacDonald’s Travis McGee, to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, and to Stieg Larssons’ Lisbeth Salander, but Camaro Espinoza is her own character. Long may she ride (or sail, as the case may be)!
January 10, 2020
4 1/2****
What a surprise. I stopped into my library to pick up a book I had on reserve. It wasn't in yet, so I looked in the stacks and found a book with a colorful jacket and decided to take it home. I loved it.
The main character in this (and 2 novels since) is a female Jack Reacher, though more personable and sympathetic. Camaro Espinoza, after killing bad guys in New York City, moves to Miami and sets up a charter fishing boat service. Reluctantly, she accepts big $$$ to help a group of characters bring an anti-Castro leader out of Cuba. This gets her mixed up with members of both the Cuban and Miami underground. Many bad guys. Camaro is tough as nails!
Her life, in a nutshell: "Wherever I go, I'm always looking out behind me to see what's coming up. I may not even stay here (Miami) after this. I'd like to change that someday. Just live and not worry."
Camaro previously was in the military and saw action in Afghanistan.
What a surprise. I stopped into my library to pick up a book I had on reserve. It wasn't in yet, so I looked in the stacks and found a book with a colorful jacket and decided to take it home. I loved it.
The main character in this (and 2 novels since) is a female Jack Reacher, though more personable and sympathetic. Camaro Espinoza, after killing bad guys in New York City, moves to Miami and sets up a charter fishing boat service. Reluctantly, she accepts big $$$ to help a group of characters bring an anti-Castro leader out of Cuba. This gets her mixed up with members of both the Cuban and Miami underground. Many bad guys. Camaro is tough as nails!
Her life, in a nutshell: "Wherever I go, I'm always looking out behind me to see what's coming up. I may not even stay here (Miami) after this. I'd like to change that someday. Just live and not worry."
Camaro previously was in the military and saw action in Afghanistan.
January 15, 2016
The Night Charter introduces the character, Camaro Espinoza, a former army medic with a murky past who now runs a charter fishing boat out of Miami. One day an out of work ex-con named Parker Story approaches her about a job that Camaro knows she shouldn't take, but it wouldn't be much of a novel if she turned him down. Her decision sucks her into a world of murder, betrayal and Cuban politics.
I'm always on the lookout for noir-ish stories with female protagonists, and this is now one of my favorite books that fits the bill. Camaro is a very capable and tough character navigating a plot reminiscent of a spaghetti western. The chapters are short, which keeps the plot moving at a good clip, and the action scenes are vivid, so you usually know what's going on. If you're familiar with Hawken's previous work, this is a bit of a departure, but the voice is consistent, and I think the world is just as bleak in "The Night Charter" as "The Dead Women of Juarez." In Camaro, though, I think Hawken has finally found a character strong enough to survive the darkness. I would like to see a little more levity since I know this is a more commercial turn for Hawken, but he knows what he's doing. I'm looking forward to more Espinoza stories.
I'm always on the lookout for noir-ish stories with female protagonists, and this is now one of my favorite books that fits the bill. Camaro is a very capable and tough character navigating a plot reminiscent of a spaghetti western. The chapters are short, which keeps the plot moving at a good clip, and the action scenes are vivid, so you usually know what's going on. If you're familiar with Hawken's previous work, this is a bit of a departure, but the voice is consistent, and I think the world is just as bleak in "The Night Charter" as "The Dead Women of Juarez." In Camaro, though, I think Hawken has finally found a character strong enough to survive the darkness. I would like to see a little more levity since I know this is a more commercial turn for Hawken, but he knows what he's doing. I'm looking forward to more Espinoza stories.
January 18, 2016
Camaro Espinoza (fantastic name) is the main protagonist in this story and what a character she is. I love her. Sadly this book didn't do it for me and I became increasingly annoyed with the whole thing. I breathed a sigh of relief when I turned the final page.
I'm not sure if it was the style of writing that I found off putting as, from the outset, the constant reference to Camaro's name started grating on me. For instance "You want the personal touch?" Camaro asked. "If I can get it". Camaro nodded. On and on it goes.
I won't go into the plot details as the synopsis says it all, save to say that if our eponymous heroine returns for another outing, I might just give it a try as the character is akin to my beloved Lisbeth Salander (Stieg Larsson) and I think she has a lot to offer for future books.
I just hope I enjoy it more than I have this and at £8 for the kindle book, it certainly wasn't cheap. Sadly I saw a lot of rave reviews, not least in the Sunday supplement of a newspaper, and thought I would give it a go. Note to self, go back to basics and read the synopsis not the reviews!
I think this is either a love it or dislike it book; sadly, of course, I fall into the latter.
I'm not sure if it was the style of writing that I found off putting as, from the outset, the constant reference to Camaro's name started grating on me. For instance "You want the personal touch?" Camaro asked. "If I can get it". Camaro nodded. On and on it goes.
I won't go into the plot details as the synopsis says it all, save to say that if our eponymous heroine returns for another outing, I might just give it a try as the character is akin to my beloved Lisbeth Salander (Stieg Larsson) and I think she has a lot to offer for future books.
I just hope I enjoy it more than I have this and at £8 for the kindle book, it certainly wasn't cheap. Sadly I saw a lot of rave reviews, not least in the Sunday supplement of a newspaper, and thought I would give it a go. Note to self, go back to basics and read the synopsis not the reviews!
I think this is either a love it or dislike it book; sadly, of course, I fall into the latter.
January 9, 2016
Great book with so much action I thought I was watching a movie. I'm sure some studio will scoop it up and to play the lead--Jennifer Lawrence in her tough, fearless Katniss persona . Fortunately, I didn't know the story was going to have a heavy dose of Cuban politics or I would have passed it by. Not to worry, Hawken used the perpetual Miami Cuban-American community vs. Fidel-Communist struggle as a perfect jumping off point for lots of guys who like to play with guns (and some who feel betrayed my the recent changes in US and Cuban relations). To her credit, our star doesn't give a rip about politics. She only cares about doing what she's been hired to do and keeping promises she has made. This absolutely has to be the start of a series!
December 14, 2015
I enjoyed the main character, Camaro. She strongly reminds me of Jack Reader, the main protagonist in Lee Child’s books, except she is a woman and has a different way with words. Both are loners, ready to help the ones who need it, while at the same time both attracting trouble like magnets. And both can hold their own in a fight if needed be.
Overall The Night Charter is a book well worth reading, action packed with memorable characters – both the good and the bad. I hope the author will turn this book into a series, because Camaro Espinoza very well deserves it.
Full review at http://mysterysequels.com/the-night-c...
Overall The Night Charter is a book well worth reading, action packed with memorable characters – both the good and the bad. I hope the author will turn this book into a series, because Camaro Espinoza very well deserves it.
Full review at http://mysterysequels.com/the-night-c...
December 19, 2019
The Night Charter by Sam Hawken is a way-back #BOTM add-on. Book was published in 2015. Some old school crime fiction. Felt a bit like an old John D. MacDonald book. A great character - Camaro Espinoza. I would like to have seen more of her back story. The bad guy is one you can see and smell (and you probably know someone like him) A quick read. And now I have to find the next two books. A good choice if you need a book to fill your BOTM box. Good crime fiction from Hawken.
February 10, 2016
The Night Charter is full of action, drama, and intrigue. The book has a great plot, strong characters, (good and bad) and a female hero capable of holding her own in any situation. The Night Charter is a well written, fast paced thriller that keeps you engrossed from start to finish. Great book.
January 6, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this well written book. Thanks to Goodreads for send it to me.
Shelved as 'wish-list-possibles'
February 18, 2017High rating but not that many voters yet. Keep an eye on this. Looks like this might be the first in a series. Interesting plot. The second one is out with high rating 4.23 but low numbers.
February 4, 2016
Fast-paced, plenty of bloodshed, violence, and action. Strong, silent, capable female protagonist. Thanks, Judy, for the heads up on this one. There will undoubtedly be a sequel, and I'll read it.
February 22, 2016
Action packed!
February 27, 2017
First full length Camaro Espinoza novel
Camaro spent 12 years in the Army as a combat medic, including four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a combat medic she patched up soldiers,mane shot the enemy. Now discharged, she is living in Florida after killing several men in circumstances never explained in this book (but they are the subject of the final pre-quell novella).
Camaro runs a simple charter fishing boat business. As the story begins, she is approached about a charter, but it quickly becomes obvious that this is not n ordinary charter, and her customers have no interest in fishing.
As the plot develops, we end up with three competing groups, plus police departments from three jurisdictions, trying to catch up with Camaro. Meanwhile, she is stuck babysitting a 14 year old.
When the author switched from the novella format to this full length novel, he lost some of the tightness of his writing. This volume suffers as a result. However, the strong character of Camaro, and the compelling plot, saves the book and makes for a very enjoyable read. I just hope his next novel is able to recapture the right writing of the novellas, because I am definitely going to keep reading.
Camaro spent 12 years in the Army as a combat medic, including four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a combat medic she patched up soldiers,mane shot the enemy. Now discharged, she is living in Florida after killing several men in circumstances never explained in this book (but they are the subject of the final pre-quell novella).
Camaro runs a simple charter fishing boat business. As the story begins, she is approached about a charter, but it quickly becomes obvious that this is not n ordinary charter, and her customers have no interest in fishing.
As the plot develops, we end up with three competing groups, plus police departments from three jurisdictions, trying to catch up with Camaro. Meanwhile, she is stuck babysitting a 14 year old.
When the author switched from the novella format to this full length novel, he lost some of the tightness of his writing. This volume suffers as a result. However, the strong character of Camaro, and the compelling plot, saves the book and makes for a very enjoyable read. I just hope his next novel is able to recapture the right writing of the novellas, because I am definitely going to keep reading.
October 30, 2017
Sorry!
Camaro Espinoza – her father liked cars! – has relocated to Miami, one year after five men had been killed in New York. Get the picture? An ex-Army medic, she now runs a deep-water fishing charter business.
When she is approached by Parker Story to hire the boat for a night, along with three other friends, although Camaro senses some ‘fishy’ business, she is happy to take the business and also to take Parker to bed! When she finds out that the journey will involve the pick-up of a man off the Cuban coast, she finds the money has been upped but is still willing to take the risk.
Set in the closing years of the Castro regime the plot is predictable and predominantly involves brutal shoot-outs. Yes, there is a thin line of feeling and caring involving Parker’s daughter, Lauren, but this in no way redeems this book.
I found that reading about people who appeared uncaring in their treatment of others, made me not care much about the book. Perhaps if I had read the previous novels about Camaro I would have cared more, but I haven’t and I didn’t.
Maybe I am being unfair in my review, but as always, this is my opinion. Others may well disagree.
Sméagol
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Camaro Espinoza – her father liked cars! – has relocated to Miami, one year after five men had been killed in New York. Get the picture? An ex-Army medic, she now runs a deep-water fishing charter business.
When she is approached by Parker Story to hire the boat for a night, along with three other friends, although Camaro senses some ‘fishy’ business, she is happy to take the business and also to take Parker to bed! When she finds out that the journey will involve the pick-up of a man off the Cuban coast, she finds the money has been upped but is still willing to take the risk.
Set in the closing years of the Castro regime the plot is predictable and predominantly involves brutal shoot-outs. Yes, there is a thin line of feeling and caring involving Parker’s daughter, Lauren, but this in no way redeems this book.
I found that reading about people who appeared uncaring in their treatment of others, made me not care much about the book. Perhaps if I had read the previous novels about Camaro I would have cared more, but I haven’t and I didn’t.
Maybe I am being unfair in my review, but as always, this is my opinion. Others may well disagree.
Sméagol
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
January 29, 2021
Camaro Espinoza, former US Army combat medic, owns a charter boat in Miami, after something dark and deadly - five dead men - went down in New York a year ago. This is the first book featuring Camaro but apparently her back story can be found in previous shorter works.
She takes on a night run to pick up a Cuban dissident - her reasons for doing this are never satisfactorily explained - and it is all downhill from there as double-crosses, mayhem and murder abound.
Camaro is an interesting and flawed character with admirable fighting skills and a somewhat reckless approach when it comes to putting herself in danger.
'The Night Charter' is a very enjoyable, linear and traditional novel. It's the sort of book that Jack Reacher fans will enjoy. Overall, though, it is missing the certain something that makes 'good' become 'great'.
There is also a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, particularly when it comes to her interaction with local detective Ignacio Montellano, but I can live with that.
She takes on a night run to pick up a Cuban dissident - her reasons for doing this are never satisfactorily explained - and it is all downhill from there as double-crosses, mayhem and murder abound.
Camaro is an interesting and flawed character with admirable fighting skills and a somewhat reckless approach when it comes to putting herself in danger.
'The Night Charter' is a very enjoyable, linear and traditional novel. It's the sort of book that Jack Reacher fans will enjoy. Overall, though, it is missing the certain something that makes 'good' become 'great'.
There is also a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, particularly when it comes to her interaction with local detective Ignacio Montellano, but I can live with that.
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