The Devil’s Backyard (Herman Ingram Book Three) – hardcover
$19.99
Herman’s investigation into the assault of a delivery driver leads him to a secluded mansion in the woods outside Raleigh. Inside, the wealthiest citizens indulge in some very dark indulgences.
Description
Herman Ingram thought he had seen it all, but some secrets are truly meant to stay buried. When a delivery van breaks down on a deserted road, its driver falls prey to a group of masked assailants. The only message they leave behind is a cryptic warning: “Tell them we know.”
Herman’s curiosity is piqued when a friend asks him to investigate the incident. What starts as a routine inquiry quickly spirals into a dangerous game of cat and mouse as Herman uncovers what he believes is a sinister weapon trafficking operation. He follows the trail to a remote lakeside burn site, where he’s barely able to escape with his life.
Convinced that the traffickers were destroying evidence, Herman calls in a favor and has the pit excavated. But what he finds there is far worse than he ever imagined: a twisted web of corruption involving some of the most powerful and elite people in the state.
With the help of a vigilante group and a new ally, Herman sets out to take down the vile enterprise and expose the people behind it. But as the stakes get higher and the danger more intense, he starts to wonder if the truth is worth the cost. Will he be able to bring the conspirators to justice, or will they bury the truth forever?
Additional information
Release Date: | October 26, 2020 |
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Series: | Herman Ingram |
Volume: | 3 |
Format: | paperback |
Print Length: | 252 pages |
Dimensions: | 6 x 0.76 x 9 inches |
ISBN-13: | 979-8511272146 |
Tim Sanders –
It took me some time to get back to the Herman Ingram series and I wondered if it would be worth the wait. In truth, it was, but not without a catch. I really enjoyed the previous two books and I’m a fan of Mr. Bohn’s writing style. I’ve frequented his website and even joined his mailing list, just trying to do what I can to support creators that I like.
That said, here’s the catch.
Like the other before, I enjoyed The Devil’s Backyard. There are plenty of scenes and dialogue that really jumped out at me, and I always appreciate that. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that this book falls just short of the previous entries. No, I didn’t lower my rating (because I still think this is a very good read) but it’s a bit different, and I’d feel dishonest if I didn’t mention that.
Herman is in a period of transition, and we get to see different sides of the character. He meets a possible love interest during a chance encounter that kicks things off. A gubernatorial candidate that Herman knew in college reaches out to him after a late-night courier is attacked, fueling his journey into a dark story. I won’t summarize everything because I don’t want to spoil anything.
I will say that the plot Herman comes across showcases some of the worst human behavior imaginable. He pushes through, with help from a new friend, as well as the return of The Tall Man (possibly my favorite character in the series).
This book is a bit shorter than its predecessors and, while I would like more, I can’t argue against what I got. It’s a well told story with strong characters, vivid when it needs to be and dark when the story calls for it. As I said in my previous reviews, I recommend this series to anyone who likes action and suspense. The trademark humor remains, but doesn’t throw off the balance of the tone.