Side by Side

Let me make it official: it is once again fun to hunt through the paperback racks. There are suddenly a great number of original paperback novels to be found, purchased, and read. One of the leaders of this charge is John Ramsey Miller, whose Winter Massey books have been appearing with welcome frequency over the past several months. Fortunately, for both his character and prospective readers, Miller's quantity is matched by his quality; his characters evolve and grow with each novel, as do their situations, so there is no mistaking one Massey work of fiction for another. SIDE BY SIDE is the third of these novels; as with its predecessors, UPSIDE DOWN and INSIDE OUT, SIDE BY SIDE is a stand-alone work that does not require familiarity with the characters for full enjoyment. It is sufficient to know at this stage that Massey is a retired U.S. Marshal who is looking forward to a long stretch of nothing, relaxing with his wife and their infant daughter. Massey is reluctantly brought back into the life when longtime friend and FBI agent Alexa Keen suddenly appears on his doorstep, asking for his assistance with an off-the-books mission. The mission, literally, is a life-or-death one. Lucy Dockery and Eli, her infant son, have been kidnapped and are being used as pawns in a murder trial. Lucy's father, federal judge Hailey Fondren, is presiding over the trial of Hunter Bryce, a clandestine arms dealer who is accused of murdering a federal agent. Fondren's choice is simple: find Bryce not guilty, and Fondren's daughter and grandson will be released. Of course, it's not really that simple, as the bad guys plan to murder Fondren and the Dockerys. The kidnappers are the Smoots, a family with deep-rooted membership in the Dixie Mafia who are as dangerous and ruthless as any adversary Massey has ever encountered. Massey is an expert in the way the world works and is willing to do whatever it takes to save innocent lives. He accordingly is somewhat puzzled when Keen, a longtime friend, seems to be hamstringing him every step of the way. Worse, someone seems to know Massey's every move, and as a result he finds that he is always on the verge of walking into an ambush. Massey slowly comes to release that he cannot trust the very people who are supposed to be helping him and that he must rely totally on his instincts, training, and experience to save not only the Dockerys, but also himself. Those who have read the first two Massey novels will note that SIDE BY SIDE is a more localized work than its predecessors. It is set against the backdrop of rural South Carolina, and the change in scenery, as well as Massey's newfound retirement, gives his ability to go it alone a chance to really shine. Miller has also created an extremely interesting set of villains. The Smoot family, collectively, is the perfect enemy, seemingly indestructible while carrying the seeds of their potential defeat within them. Massey, for his part, remains innovatively clever and as rel

A strong action story. Less conspiracy than other entries and better for it. Let's hope more are coming.

I learned about John Ramsey Miller after reading his quote in a novel by Matthew Farrell called Winter Hill. I read Inside Out and was hooked. I have since completed the entire series and each one has been better than the last. Fantastic books!

John Ramsey Miller's SIDE BY SIDE, the third novel in a one-two-three punch of Winter Massey thrillers released this year, maintains the breakneck pace, vivid characterizations, and intricate plotting that I have come to expect from this gifted writer. Once again, Winter Massey's special skills are needed. A judge's daughter and her infant son are being held hostage to insure that the judge's decision in an upcoming case is favorable to a cold-blooded killer. The woman must be rescued immediately in an operation so covert that no federal agencies can be involved. Winter,somewhat reluctantly, enters the fray as a favor to an old (and beautiful)friend. The delicate relationship that exists between Massey and Alexa, the 'off-the books' FBI agent who seeks his help, is beautifully portrayed, as is the character of Lucy, the kidnap victim -- hapless, but far from helpless. And then there's the Smoot family -- Peanut, Buck, Dixie, Curt and Burt (the twins) and Ferny Ernest -- a colorful and depraved clan of psychotics who give family values a whole new meaning. As in his previous work, Miller hurls the reader along at top speed, careening through more twists and turns than a mountain road, to a stunning conclusion that satisfies while hinting at more to come.

Winter Massey used to be a U.S. Marshall until he killed a person and didn't feel a shred of remorse. He knew it was time to get out and is now making a new and happier life with his wife Sean and their infant daughter Olivia. When his old friend Special Agent Alexa Keen tracks him down to help her in a case that she is pursuing without the help of the FBI. Winter is reluctant to assist her until she explains that a woman and her infant son were kidnapped; he agrees to lend a hand. The kidnapped woman is the daughter of Judge Hailey Fondren, the judge presiding over the case of Ex-Army Colonel Hunter Bryce charged with killing an ATF agent who found the weapons that the accused was planning to sell to the Soviet Mafia. Bryce's criminal allies are using the hostages to extort the judge to pronounce the colonel not guilty. If he fails to free Bryce they will kill his daughter and grandson. Winter searches for the victims but after nearly being blindsided several times, he has to wonder if Alexa is working for the enemy. SIDE BY SIDE is a fantastic action thriller that starts of at light speed and just keeps accelerating until the shocking and exciting finale. Readers won't know who the real villains are until the author chooses to reveal their allegiances. The characters are well drawn and three dimensional especially the hero so that readers feel they know him and his motivations. John Ramsey Miller writes a strong crime thriller with espionage and military overtones filled with plenty of guts and heart. Harriet Klausner