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Jason Wade #1
The Dying Hour
The Dying Hour introduces Jason Wade, a rookie crime reporter with The Seattle Mirror, a loner who grew up in the shadow of a brewery in one of the city's blue-collar neighborhoods. At The Seattle Mirror, he is competing for the single full-time job being offered through the paper's intense intern program. But unlike the program's other young reporters, who attended big name schools and worked at other big metro dailies, Wade put himself through community college, and lacked the same experience.
Wade struggles with his haunting past as he pursues the story of Karen Harding, a college student whose car was found abandoned on a lonely stretch of highway in the Pacific Northwest. How could this beloved young woman with the altruistic nature simply vanish?
Wade battles mounting odds and cut-throat competition to unearth the truth behind Karen Harding's disturbing case. Her disappearance is a story he cannot give up, never realizing the toll it could exact from him. The Dying Hour is a bone-chilling, mesmerizing page-turner that introduces readers to an all-too-human young hero who journeys into the darkest regions of the human heart to confront a nightmare.
The International Thriller Writers (ITW), selected The Dying Hour as a finalist for a Thriller Award for Best Paperback Original, 2006.
Rick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His books have been published in nearly 30 countries, including an illegal translation produced in Iran.
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a three-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business."
Wade struggles with his haunting past as he pursues the story of Karen Harding, a college student whose car was found abandoned on a lonely stretch of highway in the Pacific Northwest. How could this beloved young woman with the altruistic nature simply vanish?
Wade battles mounting odds and cut-throat competition to unearth the truth behind Karen Harding's disturbing case. Her disappearance is a story he cannot give up, never realizing the toll it could exact from him. The Dying Hour is a bone-chilling, mesmerizing page-turner that introduces readers to an all-too-human young hero who journeys into the darkest regions of the human heart to confront a nightmare.
The International Thriller Writers (ITW), selected The Dying Hour as a finalist for a Thriller Award for Best Paperback Original, 2006.
Rick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His books have been published in nearly 30 countries, including an illegal translation produced in Iran.
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a three-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business."
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2005
About the author
Rick Mofina
72 books1,179 followersRick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row in Montana and Texas, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries.
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews
December 2, 2015
Jason Wade is an intern at a Seattle newspaper. Competing with other rookie reporters for a single job, he is assigned the night crimes desk, the short stick for new reporters. Jason is fighting several demons. His mom left he and dad while Jason was in his formative years. Dad has never moved on, is an alcoholic, and a cross Jason bears. Jason is finally getting his life together after all the typical troubles of an abandoned son, bad grades, scrapes with police, drinking, yada yada yada, but somehow still manages to push away the love of his life, Valerie. Competing interns are the usual cream of the crop, spoiled, connected. Jason comes across a lead for a missing young woman and through his tenacity and reporting skills uncovers one of the never ending series of serial killer dramas in the Northwest. Skimming the overabundantly gruesome pages of medieval torture methods, I managed to finish the book.
August 6, 2017
This book was the first in a series of Jason Wade books and I found it really creepy. It was crazy and suspenseful, although I personally could have done without so much gore. It held me from the git-go right to the very end. Mr. Mofina made the characters real and I felt as though I knew them personally, except for Cull and Ezra...yuck! I did keep thinking it would have been interesting if the killers had started at an earlier place in time and Jason's mother would have been discovered to be one of the victims. That would sort of bring closure to he and his dad's belief that she just walked out on them. But, at least his girlfriend was spared and was not a victim. Read this book pretty quickly as it was difficult for me to put it down. Thanks Mr. Mofina for a great read and I'll be reading #2 in the series very soon.
August 19, 2022
Jason Wade, intern reporter, works hard to investigate the case of a missing woman. I enjoyed seeing him interview sources and chase down leads. The scenes with the hostage and abductor were unpleasant and didn't add to the story. I don't like torture porn, and it got to where I just flipped past those pages to get back to the normal parts.
June 4, 2017
Disappointing. I hate a story of convenience and that's what this is. Everything fits in place like a convenient little framed puzzle. NO surprises, too many "happy endings," mediocre writing at best. Also, the Audio book probably made this worst because the man's voice had too much inflection and went from too loud to too soft too frequently and it really ruined the book.
(I only grabbed this one because I DID like one of his other books, No Way Back. Still recommend. Good quick- I'm on vacation- read.)
(I only grabbed this one because I DID like one of his other books, No Way Back. Still recommend. Good quick- I'm on vacation- read.)
April 21, 2023
This book was so awesome - I loved how overall thrilling and haunting it was. It wasn't what I expected it to be but it ended up being such an exciting read!!
August 7, 2018
So far, Bookbub hasn't really steered me wrong with free books. And, this is big, I'm actually starting series at the beginning!
This is the first Jason Wade book. I'll admit to being surprised it's a series based on Wade. He was pretty decent but he didn't feel like the hero of a series. I'll read the next few and see how he grows up. Either way, this is a decent standalone thriller. Extremely creepy and weird, with such an odd climax.
Wade is an intern at a Seattle paper. All of the interns are competing for a coveted job, and Jason really doesn't stand much of a chance. He doesn't have the background or pull that the other interns have. He has a history of a broken home and no where to go except for a brewery factory with his dad. Wade is initially on the crime beat and gets a tip about an abandoned car with a possible missing woman, Karen Harding. It's a good story and gets a good reaction from the editor.
We follow Harding along her car trip to get to her sister's but she ends up with a broken down car. A reverend in an RV (all signs point to NO!!!) comes to her rescue, but ends up abducting her.
We get really gruesome, really fast from here on out. The author brings in medieval torture techniques that really prove how horrible people were back in the day. We have crazy religious guys and Wade, out there still trying to get that permanent job.
The odd part, I thought, was how Wade stepped in and the ultimate climax of the mystery. I guess every day Joes can do what he did but it seemed pretty convenient. Still a really good mystery.
This is the first Jason Wade book. I'll admit to being surprised it's a series based on Wade. He was pretty decent but he didn't feel like the hero of a series. I'll read the next few and see how he grows up. Either way, this is a decent standalone thriller. Extremely creepy and weird, with such an odd climax.
Wade is an intern at a Seattle paper. All of the interns are competing for a coveted job, and Jason really doesn't stand much of a chance. He doesn't have the background or pull that the other interns have. He has a history of a broken home and no where to go except for a brewery factory with his dad. Wade is initially on the crime beat and gets a tip about an abandoned car with a possible missing woman, Karen Harding. It's a good story and gets a good reaction from the editor.
We follow Harding along her car trip to get to her sister's but she ends up with a broken down car. A reverend in an RV (all signs point to NO!!!) comes to her rescue, but ends up abducting her.
We get really gruesome, really fast from here on out. The author brings in medieval torture techniques that really prove how horrible people were back in the day. We have crazy religious guys and Wade, out there still trying to get that permanent job.
The odd part, I thought, was how Wade stepped in and the ultimate climax of the mystery. I guess every day Joes can do what he did but it seemed pretty convenient. Still a really good mystery.
August 19, 2017
I typically avoid serial killer novels, but I have read another Rick Mofina novel and really enjoyed it. This case is horrifying and riveting. I love the crime reporter backstory and the troubled life of the ambitious Jason Wade. The story progresses rapidly with back flashes to the 16th century. It's a thriller chase to try and catch a religious fanatic before he kills another woman in the Seattle area. Jason is right in the middle of the investigation-perhaps too close as the reader will learn. Well done and exciting.
October 21, 2017
A fast paced gory thriller that I finished in one sitting
July 1, 2020
I think I burned more calories reading this book than my jogs. There were so many moments my heartbeat went to high, I had to stop and then resume. I have read more intense books than this one but this had to be one of the most cruel ones of all. Really good thriller!
July 24, 2015
I love reading Rick Mofina! This was the third book of his that I have read. I just got this one either free or very inexpensively on my kindle. Even though I had just started another book, I had to put it down and read this one first.
This book is a horror story, in my opinion. I read it in two days in spite of other activities. It's difficult to put down because Mr. Mofina's writing grips me immediately. My only problem with it was that he repeats the gruesome ritualistic murder style too many times for my liking. Once would have been enough for me. I must say, though, I am a fan!
Mr. Mofina knows how detective and newspaper reporting work must be done--you can just see his expertise and experience in both jobs. I certainly hope that this story was not based on a real perpetrator's exploits!
This book is a horror story, in my opinion. I read it in two days in spite of other activities. It's difficult to put down because Mr. Mofina's writing grips me immediately. My only problem with it was that he repeats the gruesome ritualistic murder style too many times for my liking. Once would have been enough for me. I must say, though, I am a fan!
Mr. Mofina knows how detective and newspaper reporting work must be done--you can just see his expertise and experience in both jobs. I certainly hope that this story was not based on a real perpetrator's exploits!
August 21, 2018
Rick Mofina’s Tom Reed is a fav of mine, so I didn’t believe Jason Wade as a newspaper reporter also, could come near the Tom Reed Series. Of course, I was wrong thanks to Mofina’s development of Jason as an underdog in the race to become the next new reporter. He didn’t have the education or background of the other candidates, but he had a dream right down to the desk he wanted to be his. Along with the dream was a drive to beat out the competition and get that front page story. This sets the main character and a storyline filled with trials and defeat before Jason eventually gets his front page. That makes The Dying Hour a goodread but not the end of Jason Wade, it’s #1 in the series.
February 5, 2017
My second book by Rick Mofina. His book Cold Fear is one of my favorates. The Dying Hour is a very good mystery. Strong characters especially Jason Wade. Violence, torture and ritualistic killings were detailed and as such, hard to read.
September 19, 2017
I had read the second book in the Jason Wade trilogy previously and liked it so went back to find the first installment on Kindle. Another good, fast-reading, page-turning mystery! A couple of editorial errors that seem to be par for the course in Kindle editions ("were" for "where", stuff like that). Very gory and graphic at times (not for the faint of stomach) but a good story. Glad to learn more about reporter Jason Wade's roots.
September 21, 2018
Wow. Loved it. Fast paced. Gutsy Jason Wade was introduced as an intern competing for a full time newspaper position. Always getting into hot water for poking his nose into areas not officially authorized-he faced all the challenges and reprimands doggedly. He was tracking down leads for a complicated case which started out as a missing university student.
No spoilers- I guess I can say the obvious- if this is the first Jason Wade book in a series, he lives on (in some capacity.) Thanks Rick Mofina for the great novel!
No spoilers- I guess I can say the obvious- if this is the first Jason Wade book in a series, he lives on (in some capacity.) Thanks Rick Mofina for the great novel!
August 21, 2017
Fantastic ride
Loved this book, each chapter made me want to continue reading. I liked Jason Wade - I found his character refreshingly different.
Loved this book, each chapter made me want to continue reading. I liked Jason Wade - I found his character refreshingly different.
September 16, 2018
Lengthy
Took a long time to get through this. Some chapters were easier than others. Characters were okay, the bad guys were repulsive. Reporter and cops had a good relationship (weird). The ending was quick and thorough.
Took a long time to get through this. Some chapters were easier than others. Characters were okay, the bad guys were repulsive. Reporter and cops had a good relationship (weird). The ending was quick and thorough.
February 19, 2021
Gory tale with twists and twisted characters. Not Christian-at all. No profanity. Narrator (Paul Costanzo) is top notch.
March 25, 2021
This is a very good read. It captures you attention and keeps it until the end.
March 30, 2022
Holy cow. This was incredible. I felt like i was reading an episode of criminal minds.
July 20, 2018
This was a very well-crafted story with a decent cast of characters. This easily could have been another run of the mill thriller with the cop chair a serial killer, but having the main protagonist be a rookie newspaper reporter gave it a fresh, or at least fresher, look. Molina's ability to set a scene enables the reader to more easily visualize the action, making the book come alive.
November 8, 2022
This is the second Rick Mofina novel I've read and the first in the Jason Wade series. I will definitely be reading more. Hard to put down.
January 22, 2021
A fast-paced mystery that held my interest. Would recommend.
July 1, 2021
Good read
Keeps you on the edge! Could not put down. A real page turner that drew the reader in and engaged!
Keeps you on the edge! Could not put down. A real page turner that drew the reader in and engaged!
July 21, 2018
Another Well Written Crime Novel By Rick Mofina
Solid, nicely woven tale that entertains and engages the reader.
My only quibble, and it is highly personal, is the inclusion of graphic descriptions of Inquisition torture. I could have done without the specifics!
Solid, nicely woven tale that entertains and engages the reader.
My only quibble, and it is highly personal, is the inclusion of graphic descriptions of Inquisition torture. I could have done without the specifics!
September 21, 2017
This was my first book by this author but it won't be the last and I am looking forward to more books from this series.
In The Dying Hour Jason Wade is just one of several interns vying for the one slot that the Seattle Mirror has to offer. It's going to come down to who gets the best stories.
Jason Wade wants this job really badly but he is not getting a lot of great headlines so he calls up some police stations looking for something, anything that might lead somewhere. He gets a tip about a young girl who has gone missing, nobody really thinks much about it. It's not really being chased by anyone else and he figures why not. So he looks into it and he wasn't prepared for the wild ride it would take him on.
The more Jason looks into things the more places it takes him. He is young and gung ho and it gets him in trouble with the people at the Seattle Mirror. He knows he is onto something though and it could lead him to a serial killer that nobody even knew about, it could also get him killed.
You get the POV of Jason but you also get some from the cops working the case but you also get the POV from Karen the missing girl. It's those from Karen that really has you rooting for Jason to figure things out before it's to late as you find out more and more about what has happened to others. I really like Jason though and even though he makes mistakes he is a great investigator and reporter. He didn't give up when he knew all the clues where leading a certain way even when others were putting up walls in his way.
It has a great and bizarre mystery, crazy killer and even though the reader knows who is behind things you really want to root for Jason to put it all together.
I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to try the next one in this series. Recommended for those who like stories involving reporters and mysteries.
This was my first time listening to Paul Costanzo and he took a bit of getting use to but by the end of the book I really did enjoy his narration.
In The Dying Hour Jason Wade is just one of several interns vying for the one slot that the Seattle Mirror has to offer. It's going to come down to who gets the best stories.
Jason Wade wants this job really badly but he is not getting a lot of great headlines so he calls up some police stations looking for something, anything that might lead somewhere. He gets a tip about a young girl who has gone missing, nobody really thinks much about it. It's not really being chased by anyone else and he figures why not. So he looks into it and he wasn't prepared for the wild ride it would take him on.
The more Jason looks into things the more places it takes him. He is young and gung ho and it gets him in trouble with the people at the Seattle Mirror. He knows he is onto something though and it could lead him to a serial killer that nobody even knew about, it could also get him killed.
You get the POV of Jason but you also get some from the cops working the case but you also get the POV from Karen the missing girl. It's those from Karen that really has you rooting for Jason to figure things out before it's to late as you find out more and more about what has happened to others. I really like Jason though and even though he makes mistakes he is a great investigator and reporter. He didn't give up when he knew all the clues where leading a certain way even when others were putting up walls in his way.
It has a great and bizarre mystery, crazy killer and even though the reader knows who is behind things you really want to root for Jason to put it all together.
I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to try the next one in this series. Recommended for those who like stories involving reporters and mysteries.
This was my first time listening to Paul Costanzo and he took a bit of getting use to but by the end of the book I really did enjoy his narration.
March 12, 2019
Criminal Minds in Washington State and British Columbia. The usual points about sadistic serial killers are there: extreme sadism, troubled youths, women as victims and a race against the clock to save one. The protagonist is a young journalist looking for his first and last opportunity in the business. Will the pieces magically fall in place? You will easily guess.
Good rhythm and narrative. A bit too much when it comes to the gory details, though. Also, the author relies too much on the out-of-the blue findings to move the plot. Still, it is a good effort and will keep checking the series.
Good rhythm and narrative. A bit too much when it comes to the gory details, though. Also, the author relies too much on the out-of-the blue findings to move the plot. Still, it is a good effort and will keep checking the series.
June 8, 2017
Aside from the narration on the audiobook which was soooo slow and monotone, this book was just the wrong side of average.
I found it to be predictable and very cliché, without a single moment of action or suspense, but maybe it's just me...
I'm not sure if I'll read any more in this series, but I won't be losing sleep if I don't.
I found it to be predictable and very cliché, without a single moment of action or suspense, but maybe it's just me...
I'm not sure if I'll read any more in this series, but I won't be losing sleep if I don't.
December 7, 2017
A good fast-paced thriller that kept me entertained right up to the end, although the ending is my only criticism - I reached the end of a page & turned over to find that was it! Still everything had been concluded satisfactorily & all the loose ends tied up & I'll certainly look out for more by this author, especially in this series.
March 28, 2019
I want to love this book. But. I can’t. The plot is so solid and is the reason I felt compelled to finish the book. It’s like some of my worst fears playing out.
However, the writing is sub-par. I felt confident that this was the author’s first publication. But, it’s not.
And the ending. Didn’t see that coming. Not.
However, the writing is sub-par. I felt confident that this was the author’s first publication. But, it’s not.
And the ending. Didn’t see that coming. Not.
February 13, 2015
The Dying Hour is the first in the Jason Wade series about a rookie crime reporter. While looking into a missing person case Jason soon finds himself on the trail of a serial killer. This book will hold you and won't let you go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews