THE SINNERS (2018) ***½
by Ace Atkins
This paperback edition published by Putnam, June 2019, 432pp (417pp)
First published in hardcover by Putnam, June 2018
Includes an excerpt from the follow-up, THE SHAMELESS (2019)
© Ace Atkins, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-399-57675-1
Blurb: The Pritchards had never been worth a damn–an evil, greedy family who made their living dealing drugs and committing mayhem. Years ago, Colson’s late uncle had put the clan’s patriarch in prison, but now he’s getting out, with revenge, power, and family business on his mind. To make matters worse, a shady trucking firm with possible ties to the Gulf Coast syndicate has moved into Tibbehah, and they have their own methods of intimidation. With his longtime deputy Lillie Virgil now working up in Memphis, Quinn Colson finds himself having to fall back on some brand-new deputies to help him out, but with Old West-style violence breaking out, and his own wedding on the horizon, this is without doubt Colson’s most trying times as sheriff. Cracks are opening up all over the county, and shadowy figures are crawling out through them – and they’re all heading directly for him.
Comment: This is the eighth book in Ace Atkins’ Quinn Colson series. Here the sheriff is pitted against two country boys and their ex-con uncle as they attempt to take the narcotics trade away from organised crime. Atkins’ strength lies in his ability to create three-dimensional characters and craft wonderful dialogue. This helps carry the book over its rather simple plot-line, which unravels at a leisurely pace until the all-action finale. This does, however, give the colourful characters room to breathe and the result is a satisfying read in a very consistent series that plays to its strengths. Some plot threads are left open and will undoubtedly continue into the next book. It’s a series well worth investing in and one that favourably recalls the writing of one of Atkins’ heroes – Elmore Leonard.
The Quinn Colson series:
The Ranger (2011) ***
The Lost Ones (2012) ***
The Broken Place (2013) ***
The Forsaken (2014) ***½
The Redeemers (2015) ****
The Innocents (2016) ***½
The Fallen (2017) ****
The Sinners (2018) ***½
The Shameless (2019)