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Hazardous Material
A firefighter battles a his own painkiller addiction and the infamous Vagos outlaw motorcycle gang. When he joins the Sheriffs Department in a drone search for a meth lab in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles, an enigmatic aerospace scientist joins the intrigue. Firefighting, hazardous materials, illicit drugs and aerospace technology are brought together in the fourth in a series of firefighter mysteries by award winning author Kurt Kamm
222 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2013
1 person is currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Kurt Kamm
12 books217 followersAbout Kurt Kamm
Malibu resident Kurt Kamm has used his contact with CalFire, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department and the ATF, as well as his experience in several devastating local wildfires, to write fact-based firefighter mystery novels. He has attended classes at El Camino Fire Academy and trained in wildland firefighting, arson investigation and hazardous materials response. He is currently riding with Los Angeles County Fire Department’s famed urban search and rescue task force. He is a graduate of the ATF Citizen’s Academy
One of the Malibu fires, the 60 mile-per-hour Santa Ana wind-driven Canyon Fire, burned to his front door and destroyed the homes of several neighbors. Kamm said the lessons he learned from the County Fire Department while writing his books helped him save his home.
Kurt Kamm has built an avid fan base among first responders. Each of his firefighter mysteries features a firefighter in a particular discipline (wildland, arson investigation, paramedic, hazardous material response, and search and rescue). His first novel, One Foot in the Black (2008) has become a favorite of firefighters. Subsequent novels, Red Flag Warning: A Serial Arson Mystery (Aberdeen Bay, 2010) and Code Blood (MCM Publishing, 2012) have won numerous fiction awards (see attached summary). Kamm’s latest book, Hazardous Material, will be released in May, 2013. He is currently attending search & rescue training and working on his fifth novel.
For further information on Kurt Kamm visit his first responder/author website http://www.kurtkamm.com/
Malibu resident Kurt Kamm has used his contact with CalFire, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department and the ATF, as well as his experience in several devastating local wildfires, to write fact-based firefighter mystery novels. He has attended classes at El Camino Fire Academy and trained in wildland firefighting, arson investigation and hazardous materials response. He is currently riding with Los Angeles County Fire Department’s famed urban search and rescue task force. He is a graduate of the ATF Citizen’s Academy
One of the Malibu fires, the 60 mile-per-hour Santa Ana wind-driven Canyon Fire, burned to his front door and destroyed the homes of several neighbors. Kamm said the lessons he learned from the County Fire Department while writing his books helped him save his home.
Kurt Kamm has built an avid fan base among first responders. Each of his firefighter mysteries features a firefighter in a particular discipline (wildland, arson investigation, paramedic, hazardous material response, and search and rescue). His first novel, One Foot in the Black (2008) has become a favorite of firefighters. Subsequent novels, Red Flag Warning: A Serial Arson Mystery (Aberdeen Bay, 2010) and Code Blood (MCM Publishing, 2012) have won numerous fiction awards (see attached summary). Kamm’s latest book, Hazardous Material, will be released in May, 2013. He is currently attending search & rescue training and working on his fifth novel.
For further information on Kurt Kamm visit his first responder/author website http://www.kurtkamm.com/
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 28, 2013
An urgent and poignant tale on some hot topics
Kurt Kamm has that uncanny ability to draw readers into a story whether you want to become involved or not. This is his fourth novel (ONE FOOT IN THE BLACK, CODE BLOOD, REDFLAG WARNING) and each novel deals with those tragedies both natural and man caused that require the intervention of our Law Enforcement and Fire Department and Emergency Medical Technicians - systems that Kamm knows and understands well form first hand involvement. That kind of accuracy and incredible understanding of what these people face in protecting us is part of the magnetism of his writing.
In HAZARDOUS MATERIAL he uses those same attributes that have made each of his novels best sellers. The novel opens with a chapter detailing the preparation of methamphetamine in a filthy trailer outside of Lancaster, California inhabited by crooks and addicts and the manner in which he opens the door to his story is so realistically written that we can smell and be repulsed by the activities that will drive the novel forward.
But as in all of Kamm's novels this is not a story about good guys and bad guys (including women!) though there initially appears to be a two sided equation between the terrifyingly real motorcycle gangs and their involvement in the meth plague that is infesting the state of California versus the HazMat crew (for those uninformed, HazMat reflects the title - Hazardous Material) who with the Fire Department squads are sent out on dangerous missions to capture the crooks. That would be enough for any other author's thriller. But Kamm introduces flaws in the good guys - our chief HazMat worker, Bucky, has an addiction to Percocet that leads to twists and turns that only serve to make the story more intriguing and keeps us connected to the very final page.
For action thrillers based on facts and real people within our community few writers can outdo Kurt Kamm. His new novels (and it is now certain they will keep coming!) just get better and better. This man writes with a razor instead of a pen, but then of course his close connection to the realm of firefighting on every level reassures the reader that he is not just `creating' dramas.
Grady Harp
Kurt Kamm has that uncanny ability to draw readers into a story whether you want to become involved or not. This is his fourth novel (ONE FOOT IN THE BLACK, CODE BLOOD, REDFLAG WARNING) and each novel deals with those tragedies both natural and man caused that require the intervention of our Law Enforcement and Fire Department and Emergency Medical Technicians - systems that Kamm knows and understands well form first hand involvement. That kind of accuracy and incredible understanding of what these people face in protecting us is part of the magnetism of his writing.
In HAZARDOUS MATERIAL he uses those same attributes that have made each of his novels best sellers. The novel opens with a chapter detailing the preparation of methamphetamine in a filthy trailer outside of Lancaster, California inhabited by crooks and addicts and the manner in which he opens the door to his story is so realistically written that we can smell and be repulsed by the activities that will drive the novel forward.
But as in all of Kamm's novels this is not a story about good guys and bad guys (including women!) though there initially appears to be a two sided equation between the terrifyingly real motorcycle gangs and their involvement in the meth plague that is infesting the state of California versus the HazMat crew (for those uninformed, HazMat reflects the title - Hazardous Material) who with the Fire Department squads are sent out on dangerous missions to capture the crooks. That would be enough for any other author's thriller. But Kamm introduces flaws in the good guys - our chief HazMat worker, Bucky, has an addiction to Percocet that leads to twists and turns that only serve to make the story more intriguing and keeps us connected to the very final page.
For action thrillers based on facts and real people within our community few writers can outdo Kurt Kamm. His new novels (and it is now certain they will keep coming!) just get better and better. This man writes with a razor instead of a pen, but then of course his close connection to the realm of firefighting on every level reassures the reader that he is not just `creating' dramas.
Grady Harp
May 20, 2013
Hazardous Materials: Kurt Kamm
Drugs ruin your life. Some people become so addicted to them that the dependency overtakes their ability to reason things out and realize that these drugs just mask their pain whether emotional or physical and may be seen as a permanent or long term fix for what is bothering them but in reality is creating a world filled with illusions, delusions and hopelessness. Emotional pain and physical pain are activated in the same areas of the brain. When you hurt, your body aches the same area of the brain where you experience emotional pain is activated. For example: you cut yourself while chopping onions. You become angry because you hurt yourself and might blame yourself for being clumsy. You might even hear yourself say: Why wasn’t I more careful? How could I be so stupid?” Many children or young adults witness their parents or siblings go on a downward spiral as they sink deeper and deeper into the clutches of many addictive prescription drugs or hard-core drugs that make them feel like they are somewhere else and can forget the real world.
Bucky Dawson’s father was taken from his family when killed while in the armed services. His mother, rather than stepping up and caring for her two children felt sorry for herself, complained about the meager pension she received and rather than try and provide for her two children she set the tone for what followed. Drunk, addicted to drugs and painkillers his mother slowly vanished into a world of her own. His sister Brandy, protected only by him, followed suit. The story opens with Bucky and his unit being sent in the middle of the night to handle a serious situation. Their purpose is to take down a meth house vividly describing the sounds, smells, odors and the filth that surrounded this trailer outside of Lancaster, California. Within the confines of this trailer are many young addicts so strung out and so physically battered and self-abused that they did not or would never hear this unit coming to close them down? As each group is told what their role would be and how they were going to proceed little did anyone expect the final twist or explosive outcome.
At the scene of this trailer explosion, right before the entire trailer blew up a young girl appeared outside lighting a cigarette. Looking straight at her Bucky could not believe his eyes as she saw his sister go up in flames. The visions and nightmares from that night would plague him for a long time, the end result would land him in the hospital when he revisits the sight of the explosion, is hit on the head by a member of a motorcycle gang, wanders the desert for two days and then the harsh realities of the incident set in. Throughout the novel the author shares many sad moments that Bucky recalls with his sister in prison, times with his dad and mom. The motorcycle gangs, their meth labs and their violence plague the area where he lives. As part of the HazMat crew he and his squad deal with Hazardous Material and work with the Fire Department squads. These squads are sent on dangerous mission in hopes of capturing drug dealers; close down meth labs and more. But, Bucky has his own demons to deal with as he uses Percocet to wash away the pain he feels from his back problem, his life and just to wash away his grief. An addiction to pain killers is no different than an addiction to any other habit forming drug as Bucky knows.
Author Kurt Kamm takes readers inside the minds of meth dealers, outlaw motorcycle gangs, fire, arson, the chemistry needed to create meth and how the weather, landscape and area come into play and affect the outcome of many of the events described in this novel.
Getting to know Bucky you realize that he has one exceptional quality that aids in most investigations. Having a keen sense of smell enabled him to identify certain chemicals at many crime scenes. Some is dumping trichloroethane causing the death of some rare animals. When Bucky meets up with some tough bikers they leave him for dead in the desert and the incident brings to light the area where these chemicals were dumped. But, he is headstrong, does not always think over his options and winds up with more injuries and loses valuable time at work. Revenge is sweet when the motive is getting even with those that hurt his father, caused his sister’s death and seems to be after him. Working with his detective friend he was able to put them on the right track to possibly uncovering a huge meth lab, which would bring in quite a tidy sum. No matter where he goes for some reason these bikers follow him and the end result would reveal information about his sister and yet the blows to his body keep coming.
Bucky participates in a drone search for the meth lab in the Mojave. Meeting with the president of SkyScan, one of his engineers, a special agent from the BLM and an officer from Fish and Wildlife Bucky hopes to help out with this major investigation involving the poisoned tortoises and other animals.
The descriptions of each event, each fire and explosion are so vividly depicted, the smells are so perfectly described by Bucky that you feel that you are right there with him in the desert, at the explosion of the meth trailer and each and every crime scene. The research is accurate and extensive and his sources are listed on pages 219-220. Then we learn more about his family and his grandmother in a nursing home with Korsakoff’s dementia, which is brought on by chronic alcohol abuse. The scene is quite graphically described and his relationship with his grandmother is not solid. The end result is sad. But, Bucky is tenacious, headstrong and sometimes goes off without thinking. Revenge can be justified and sweet but when the tables are turned against him so often why does he keep coming back for more?
Liars, betrayers, deceit, bikers, drug users, greed and one man who was determined to take them down and avenge more than just his sister’s death but the death of so many others too. Hazardous Material: Flammable, highly volatile, substances that vaporize and one man determined to fighting his own nightmares, his own addictions and an ending so explosive that you won’t see it coming. Will Bucky ever get back to work? What about his drug addiction will he ever admit to having one to painkillers? Just how easy is it to get drugs without a prescription online? Author Kurt Kamm takes readers inside the minds of meth dealers, outlaw bikers, HazMat Units and firefighters who risk their lives daily to keep us more than just safe. What’s next for Bucky? Only author Kurt Kamm can decide whether to bring him back again to see where life or shall we say his sense of smell and determination takes him next. This is an interesting book that will teach many people what happens when prescription drugs are misused, dependency happens even when not needed and guilt plays a role in one man’s determination to redeem himself in his own eyes and in that of someone he loved but thinks he failed.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Drugs ruin your life. Some people become so addicted to them that the dependency overtakes their ability to reason things out and realize that these drugs just mask their pain whether emotional or physical and may be seen as a permanent or long term fix for what is bothering them but in reality is creating a world filled with illusions, delusions and hopelessness. Emotional pain and physical pain are activated in the same areas of the brain. When you hurt, your body aches the same area of the brain where you experience emotional pain is activated. For example: you cut yourself while chopping onions. You become angry because you hurt yourself and might blame yourself for being clumsy. You might even hear yourself say: Why wasn’t I more careful? How could I be so stupid?” Many children or young adults witness their parents or siblings go on a downward spiral as they sink deeper and deeper into the clutches of many addictive prescription drugs or hard-core drugs that make them feel like they are somewhere else and can forget the real world.
Bucky Dawson’s father was taken from his family when killed while in the armed services. His mother, rather than stepping up and caring for her two children felt sorry for herself, complained about the meager pension she received and rather than try and provide for her two children she set the tone for what followed. Drunk, addicted to drugs and painkillers his mother slowly vanished into a world of her own. His sister Brandy, protected only by him, followed suit. The story opens with Bucky and his unit being sent in the middle of the night to handle a serious situation. Their purpose is to take down a meth house vividly describing the sounds, smells, odors and the filth that surrounded this trailer outside of Lancaster, California. Within the confines of this trailer are many young addicts so strung out and so physically battered and self-abused that they did not or would never hear this unit coming to close them down? As each group is told what their role would be and how they were going to proceed little did anyone expect the final twist or explosive outcome.
At the scene of this trailer explosion, right before the entire trailer blew up a young girl appeared outside lighting a cigarette. Looking straight at her Bucky could not believe his eyes as she saw his sister go up in flames. The visions and nightmares from that night would plague him for a long time, the end result would land him in the hospital when he revisits the sight of the explosion, is hit on the head by a member of a motorcycle gang, wanders the desert for two days and then the harsh realities of the incident set in. Throughout the novel the author shares many sad moments that Bucky recalls with his sister in prison, times with his dad and mom. The motorcycle gangs, their meth labs and their violence plague the area where he lives. As part of the HazMat crew he and his squad deal with Hazardous Material and work with the Fire Department squads. These squads are sent on dangerous mission in hopes of capturing drug dealers; close down meth labs and more. But, Bucky has his own demons to deal with as he uses Percocet to wash away the pain he feels from his back problem, his life and just to wash away his grief. An addiction to pain killers is no different than an addiction to any other habit forming drug as Bucky knows.
Author Kurt Kamm takes readers inside the minds of meth dealers, outlaw motorcycle gangs, fire, arson, the chemistry needed to create meth and how the weather, landscape and area come into play and affect the outcome of many of the events described in this novel.
Getting to know Bucky you realize that he has one exceptional quality that aids in most investigations. Having a keen sense of smell enabled him to identify certain chemicals at many crime scenes. Some is dumping trichloroethane causing the death of some rare animals. When Bucky meets up with some tough bikers they leave him for dead in the desert and the incident brings to light the area where these chemicals were dumped. But, he is headstrong, does not always think over his options and winds up with more injuries and loses valuable time at work. Revenge is sweet when the motive is getting even with those that hurt his father, caused his sister’s death and seems to be after him. Working with his detective friend he was able to put them on the right track to possibly uncovering a huge meth lab, which would bring in quite a tidy sum. No matter where he goes for some reason these bikers follow him and the end result would reveal information about his sister and yet the blows to his body keep coming.
Bucky participates in a drone search for the meth lab in the Mojave. Meeting with the president of SkyScan, one of his engineers, a special agent from the BLM and an officer from Fish and Wildlife Bucky hopes to help out with this major investigation involving the poisoned tortoises and other animals.
The descriptions of each event, each fire and explosion are so vividly depicted, the smells are so perfectly described by Bucky that you feel that you are right there with him in the desert, at the explosion of the meth trailer and each and every crime scene. The research is accurate and extensive and his sources are listed on pages 219-220. Then we learn more about his family and his grandmother in a nursing home with Korsakoff’s dementia, which is brought on by chronic alcohol abuse. The scene is quite graphically described and his relationship with his grandmother is not solid. The end result is sad. But, Bucky is tenacious, headstrong and sometimes goes off without thinking. Revenge can be justified and sweet but when the tables are turned against him so often why does he keep coming back for more?
Liars, betrayers, deceit, bikers, drug users, greed and one man who was determined to take them down and avenge more than just his sister’s death but the death of so many others too. Hazardous Material: Flammable, highly volatile, substances that vaporize and one man determined to fighting his own nightmares, his own addictions and an ending so explosive that you won’t see it coming. Will Bucky ever get back to work? What about his drug addiction will he ever admit to having one to painkillers? Just how easy is it to get drugs without a prescription online? Author Kurt Kamm takes readers inside the minds of meth dealers, outlaw bikers, HazMat Units and firefighters who risk their lives daily to keep us more than just safe. What’s next for Bucky? Only author Kurt Kamm can decide whether to bring him back again to see where life or shall we say his sense of smell and determination takes him next. This is an interesting book that will teach many people what happens when prescription drugs are misused, dependency happens even when not needed and guilt plays a role in one man’s determination to redeem himself in his own eyes and in that of someone he loved but thinks he failed.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
May 31, 2013
I've never known anyone who was part of a bike gang. I don't even think I know someone who's known someone who was in a bike gang. But I find them so fascinating. I like to watch anything I can find on TV and read anything I can find about them. Not sure what draws me to the subject, but it's interesting. So I was really looking forward to reading Hazardous Materials. Bike Gangs and addiction seemed like two subjects that would make for a very interesting book.
I liked the contrast between Bucky and his sister. Bucky's life went in a totally different directions and yet somehow they've kind of ended up on the same path. Both are addicted to drugs. Bucky questions himself a few times throughout the book. Just because he's one of the "Good Guys" does that make him any better than the stereotypical drug addict? Because his drug is "legal" does that make it a better addiction? Bucky's inner turmoil made the story very interesting. He was trying to take the right-side of a conflict in which he is technically an active participant in the wrong-side. Had this just been a book about a HazMat specialist trying to get to the bottom of a meth ring it would have been a good story. Add in Bucky's predicament and it becomes even more interesting. I can't say that I really liked Bucky - as a person - but he was a great character.
I liked the research that went into this story. With so many different aspects coming together in this one it was imperative that everything be as accurate as possible. Had the bikers been fake they probably wouldn't have created the same problems for Bucky. Had the HazMat team been missing a few details there's certain parts of the story that wouldn't have been possible. You can tell that Kamm did quite a bit of research to keep the story real. The writing was also pretty good. There were a few things I was unfamiliar with but was easily able to pick up what they were. Most of the HazMat gear I had never heard of and had little clue what they did - the descriptions and explanations were weaved into the story so well that it didn't stand out from the story. Everything just came together so fluidly. My only issue with this was then ending - specifically the last chapter. It just wasn't what I would have pictured for Bucky's future. It wasn't a bad ending I just wanted something a little more "exciting." But it was an enjoyable story and was pretty informative. I don't know when knowing that Percocet is a mix of oxycodone and acetaminophen but I now know :-)
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review. This review is my truthful honest opinion.
I liked the contrast between Bucky and his sister. Bucky's life went in a totally different directions and yet somehow they've kind of ended up on the same path. Both are addicted to drugs. Bucky questions himself a few times throughout the book. Just because he's one of the "Good Guys" does that make him any better than the stereotypical drug addict? Because his drug is "legal" does that make it a better addiction? Bucky's inner turmoil made the story very interesting. He was trying to take the right-side of a conflict in which he is technically an active participant in the wrong-side. Had this just been a book about a HazMat specialist trying to get to the bottom of a meth ring it would have been a good story. Add in Bucky's predicament and it becomes even more interesting. I can't say that I really liked Bucky - as a person - but he was a great character.
I liked the research that went into this story. With so many different aspects coming together in this one it was imperative that everything be as accurate as possible. Had the bikers been fake they probably wouldn't have created the same problems for Bucky. Had the HazMat team been missing a few details there's certain parts of the story that wouldn't have been possible. You can tell that Kamm did quite a bit of research to keep the story real. The writing was also pretty good. There were a few things I was unfamiliar with but was easily able to pick up what they were. Most of the HazMat gear I had never heard of and had little clue what they did - the descriptions and explanations were weaved into the story so well that it didn't stand out from the story. Everything just came together so fluidly. My only issue with this was then ending - specifically the last chapter. It just wasn't what I would have pictured for Bucky's future. It wasn't a bad ending I just wanted something a little more "exciting." But it was an enjoyable story and was pretty informative. I don't know when knowing that Percocet is a mix of oxycodone and acetaminophen but I now know :-)
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review. This review is my truthful honest opinion.
May 17, 2013
I love crime and mystery books. Basically, I like any book that keeps on the edge of my seat. Hazardous Material did not disappoint in this aspect. However this is definitely more geared towards a male readership. Most of the characters in the book are men. The tone is dark, and has quite a bit of violence. Like Steve Cook, with the Midwest Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association wrote in the introduction to the book, this is not a "vanilla picture of drug use and the biker world".
This book does a great job describing the hazards of drug use, including the overuse of prescribed pain killers. I can relate to the dilemma of pain killers. I have fibromyalgia, and have been prescribed several types of pain killers, and sleeping pills over the years. My biggest fear is becoming addicted to these meds. I go through periods of time where I wonder if I am addicted to these meds. I think I have finally gotten the right combination of meds to where it takes care of most of my pain and to where I don't worry about addiction. Of course, I have gone through months without some of my meds and did not go through any sort of withdrawl (just pain) because I couldn't afford to go to the doctor to get my prescriptions. So, I can definitely relate to the Bucky justifies his meds but thankfully I know that I'm no addicted.
While I don't know much about motorcycle gangs, I feel that Kurt Kamm did a wonderful job of giving us a bird's eye view of what they are like. Frankly, I never knew there were so many different gangs. I knew they could be rough and deadly but not to this extent, and did not realize they were so organized.
The twists and turns in this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing what will happen. It is like a web with all kinds of connections that are surprising and unexpected.
If you are a young man or know a young man, this just might be the perfect book for you or him. I'm sure many reluctant, male readers will like this book. This is not to say that women won't like this book, but I think it is primarily for male audiences. It is not a generic, candy-coated book; it is an intense, gritty book. While this seems like a small book, do not forget that dynamite comes in small packages!
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
This book does a great job describing the hazards of drug use, including the overuse of prescribed pain killers. I can relate to the dilemma of pain killers. I have fibromyalgia, and have been prescribed several types of pain killers, and sleeping pills over the years. My biggest fear is becoming addicted to these meds. I go through periods of time where I wonder if I am addicted to these meds. I think I have finally gotten the right combination of meds to where it takes care of most of my pain and to where I don't worry about addiction. Of course, I have gone through months without some of my meds and did not go through any sort of withdrawl (just pain) because I couldn't afford to go to the doctor to get my prescriptions. So, I can definitely relate to the Bucky justifies his meds but thankfully I know that I'm no addicted.
While I don't know much about motorcycle gangs, I feel that Kurt Kamm did a wonderful job of giving us a bird's eye view of what they are like. Frankly, I never knew there were so many different gangs. I knew they could be rough and deadly but not to this extent, and did not realize they were so organized.
The twists and turns in this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing what will happen. It is like a web with all kinds of connections that are surprising and unexpected.
If you are a young man or know a young man, this just might be the perfect book for you or him. I'm sure many reluctant, male readers will like this book. This is not to say that women won't like this book, but I think it is primarily for male audiences. It is not a generic, candy-coated book; it is an intense, gritty book. While this seems like a small book, do not forget that dynamite comes in small packages!
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
June 13, 2013
This book was a brutal reality to what it is like to battle an addiction to pain killers. I have to say that there have been people in my own life that have battled with this very addiction and it can lead to something even worse. The honesty in this book was something that took me by surprise because a lot of people do not like to recognize pain killers as being an addiction or something that needs attention. This book was a deep insight into the nasty world that is out there.
I love books with mystery and a little bit of crime to them. My favorite author of all time is James Patterson and this book hinted a little bit to his style of writing with the darkness that I have grown to love. Most women are into the sappy love story but I love a good dark story every now and again.
This book was not disappointing to say the least and although it was meant more for male readers, in my opinion, I would recommend it to anyone!! This is not a light hearted comedy. It has no gush to it. Like I said before it does a great job in describing the underlying hazards that people do not know about when it comes to drug use. There are many people that get addicted to pain meds that they are prescribed in the first place to help with pain. To get off of these sometimes is hard. My cousin is fighting a disease and has to be on pain killers every day. He has sort of, in a sense, become addicted to them. I know that he could not live without them physically.
Motorcycle gangs are something that I know absolutely nothing about, but the author did a great job describing what goes on in them from an outsider’s perspective. There are many types of twists throughout this whole book and I was definitely not right half the time for what I thought was about to happen.
This was an intense story that was an in-depth read into a terrible situation that is going on in this country. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone to give it a try, but especially to the male reader base out there that does not like all the sap. I would give this a four out of five for a rating because I was intrigued all the way through!
I love books with mystery and a little bit of crime to them. My favorite author of all time is James Patterson and this book hinted a little bit to his style of writing with the darkness that I have grown to love. Most women are into the sappy love story but I love a good dark story every now and again.
This book was not disappointing to say the least and although it was meant more for male readers, in my opinion, I would recommend it to anyone!! This is not a light hearted comedy. It has no gush to it. Like I said before it does a great job in describing the underlying hazards that people do not know about when it comes to drug use. There are many people that get addicted to pain meds that they are prescribed in the first place to help with pain. To get off of these sometimes is hard. My cousin is fighting a disease and has to be on pain killers every day. He has sort of, in a sense, become addicted to them. I know that he could not live without them physically.
Motorcycle gangs are something that I know absolutely nothing about, but the author did a great job describing what goes on in them from an outsider’s perspective. There are many types of twists throughout this whole book and I was definitely not right half the time for what I thought was about to happen.
This was an intense story that was an in-depth read into a terrible situation that is going on in this country. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone to give it a try, but especially to the male reader base out there that does not like all the sap. I would give this a four out of five for a rating because I was intrigued all the way through!
May 28, 2013
I have spent several years of my life studying addiction and substance abuse so any book that deals with addiction and substance abuse – I’m all over it, which is why I was excited to read this book. In addition, I grew up in a firefighter family so that was an added bonus.
I will say – I didn’t love this book, but I didn’t hate this book.
It was definitely different from what I was expecting (and not bad different, just different for me). The beginning was slow. I felt it was very drawn out and it didn’t really pick up in excitement until towards the end.
I was telling my husband the other day that I felt like there was no substance – no romance (hey, I’m a woman, what do you expect), no mystery, no action, no thrill, no suspense. I felt like it was very dry and actually, somewhat boring. And of course, the second I tell him that, I pick up the book to finish it and the mystery and suspense show up!
Now that I’ve completely finished the book, I can see how the beginning was drawn out – it was providing a lot of background to set up for the ending which I get now (but didn’t while I was reading it!)
I will say, the ending really is what hooked me in to enjoying the book. I could sense the mystery as I was getting closer to the end and really could not piece the puzzle together myself (which is one thing I love when reading a book – I hate predictable stories!)
All in all, I would say this would be a good read for a man who likes reading, or if you can handle the slowness in the beginning to gather the background – you would enjoy this book too!
I will be looking for Mr. Kamm’s other books to give them a try as well!
Overall, I would give this 3.5 stars out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a free e-book copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.
I will say – I didn’t love this book, but I didn’t hate this book.
It was definitely different from what I was expecting (and not bad different, just different for me). The beginning was slow. I felt it was very drawn out and it didn’t really pick up in excitement until towards the end.
I was telling my husband the other day that I felt like there was no substance – no romance (hey, I’m a woman, what do you expect), no mystery, no action, no thrill, no suspense. I felt like it was very dry and actually, somewhat boring. And of course, the second I tell him that, I pick up the book to finish it and the mystery and suspense show up!
Now that I’ve completely finished the book, I can see how the beginning was drawn out – it was providing a lot of background to set up for the ending which I get now (but didn’t while I was reading it!)
I will say, the ending really is what hooked me in to enjoying the book. I could sense the mystery as I was getting closer to the end and really could not piece the puzzle together myself (which is one thing I love when reading a book – I hate predictable stories!)
All in all, I would say this would be a good read for a man who likes reading, or if you can handle the slowness in the beginning to gather the background – you would enjoy this book too!
I will be looking for Mr. Kamm’s other books to give them a try as well!
Overall, I would give this 3.5 stars out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a free e-book copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.
December 13, 2015
This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being Code Blood which was first rate, the sign of a great author is making the novels fresh and different whilst entertaining the reader.
The writer gives a really good synopsis of his past life and where he draws and uses his inspirations from. This really shines through and by using real people and events with no soft soap you can relate to the situations and the experiences in which the main character is facing and feeling.
The story revolves around Bucky Dawson who is determined to find out what happened to his dead sister and along the way brings him into contact with two rival motorcycle gangs and a world of drug taking, which endangers his own life.
The aspects and ways of the motorcycle gangs are expertly described with hard hitting and gritty facts with startling results again are testimony to the authors research and knowledge.
What makes the difference in a book or novel for myself is the message that the writer is trying to portray or get across. I think in the message here is that everyone has a different way of coping or getting through the day whether its being a member of a gang which gives you security and comradeship or by taking certain pills to help-you survive. The story also makes you really think about what action you would actually follow if someone hurt a member of your family, what lengths would you go to find out the truth?
The author is one that I am now following and hopefully will get a chance to read further works because his writing is down to earth, close to the heart and involves real life situations.
The writer gives a really good synopsis of his past life and where he draws and uses his inspirations from. This really shines through and by using real people and events with no soft soap you can relate to the situations and the experiences in which the main character is facing and feeling.
The story revolves around Bucky Dawson who is determined to find out what happened to his dead sister and along the way brings him into contact with two rival motorcycle gangs and a world of drug taking, which endangers his own life.
The aspects and ways of the motorcycle gangs are expertly described with hard hitting and gritty facts with startling results again are testimony to the authors research and knowledge.
What makes the difference in a book or novel for myself is the message that the writer is trying to portray or get across. I think in the message here is that everyone has a different way of coping or getting through the day whether its being a member of a gang which gives you security and comradeship or by taking certain pills to help-you survive. The story also makes you really think about what action you would actually follow if someone hurt a member of your family, what lengths would you go to find out the truth?
The author is one that I am now following and hopefully will get a chance to read further works because his writing is down to earth, close to the heart and involves real life situations.
June 2, 2013
This is the first book by Kurt Kamm I’ve had the opportunity to read. At the very beginning of the book things are a little slow; I felt as though I was being given facts for which the rest of the story would be based upon. Then you will drawn right into the world of drug dealers, biker gangs and just plain evil peoples lives, through the main character Bucky who develops an addiction to pain meds. Bucky’s life has been a rough road to hoe and then one night during a call for the HazMat team Bucky’s life takes an even sharper turn into the world of drugs. While searching for answers about his sister, he learns his sisters life was a mystery and he’s searching for answers that only the underbelly of the biker gang can help him find.
I will say this is not my normal fair in the world of books that I personally seek out. However I do believe in branching out of our comfort zone and stirring it up a bit from time to time. With the authors background it’s plain to see he knows about the subject of HazMat and has done his research to bring you detailed descriptions throughout the story. I drove a truck for many years and in doing so I hauled explosives and hazardous material. After extensive testing on the subject of HazMat materials and handling; this made parts of the book feel like a well worn glove and I slipped back in time to my past.
I believe Hazardous Material would be a great read for those in search for a gritty story with a few twists and turns throughout the mystery world of drugs, violence, biker gangs. Maybe a little more of a man’s read.
I will say this is not my normal fair in the world of books that I personally seek out. However I do believe in branching out of our comfort zone and stirring it up a bit from time to time. With the authors background it’s plain to see he knows about the subject of HazMat and has done his research to bring you detailed descriptions throughout the story. I drove a truck for many years and in doing so I hauled explosives and hazardous material. After extensive testing on the subject of HazMat materials and handling; this made parts of the book feel like a well worn glove and I slipped back in time to my past.
I believe Hazardous Material would be a great read for those in search for a gritty story with a few twists and turns throughout the mystery world of drugs, violence, biker gangs. Maybe a little more of a man’s read.
June 5, 2013
Bucky is a firefighter who works on the HazMat team . They are called out to a Meth lab bust and just as he thinks he spots his sister through his night vision glasses the building explodes. (That in itself is a nightmare right). Bucky has to find out was it his sister in that building.
While he is struggling with the thoughts of losing his last real family he is also being faced with his own addictions to Percoset . Then there is the bikers. They prove to be a gangly bunch who are into selling drugs, trading women and extreme violence. Not nice people at all. This book takes yous inside of an investigation of drugs and bikers and the in between. There are a few surprises as Bucky faces his many battles in Hazardous Material. Kurt Kamm wrote a fictional story that seems like real life. You can imagine the events truly taking place. The drug abuse and the things one will do to support that habit and enable themselves all very believable. Drugs and Violence you are turning the pages to discover who will win the bad guys or the good. Will drugs beat Bucky or will he face his addiction and beat them? Thanks Kurt Kamm!
I received a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
While he is struggling with the thoughts of losing his last real family he is also being faced with his own addictions to Percoset . Then there is the bikers. They prove to be a gangly bunch who are into selling drugs, trading women and extreme violence. Not nice people at all. This book takes yous inside of an investigation of drugs and bikers and the in between. There are a few surprises as Bucky faces his many battles in Hazardous Material. Kurt Kamm wrote a fictional story that seems like real life. You can imagine the events truly taking place. The drug abuse and the things one will do to support that habit and enable themselves all very believable. Drugs and Violence you are turning the pages to discover who will win the bad guys or the good. Will drugs beat Bucky or will he face his addiction and beat them? Thanks Kurt Kamm!
I received a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
June 6, 2013
Overall I was very impressed with the research and complete, brutal honesty in this book. This wasn't fluffy chick-lit, or an emotional journey ... it was a dark and ugly look at the reality behind drugs and the brutality of biker gangs.
As someone who has never delved into those realms, the first chapter was hard to read. It was well written, clear and completely necessary to set-up the rest of the story. But, it was a reality I would have liked to turn away from.
Of course, the book took off from there. I liked that in this dark underbelly of the Mojave Desert, Bucky wasn't without his own flaws and addiction. He was also struggling, but through the book was able to get back on track and put both his sister and his own demons to rest.
Though I am not in need of being "scared straight", this book would do that. I was glad to read along and see the pieces of this mystery fall into place and applaud Kurt Kamm on his strong character development and fascinating look into a world I am glad to only glimpse in a book. I highly recommend giving both author Kurt Kamm and Hazardous Material a place on your Summer reading list.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
As someone who has never delved into those realms, the first chapter was hard to read. It was well written, clear and completely necessary to set-up the rest of the story. But, it was a reality I would have liked to turn away from.
Of course, the book took off from there. I liked that in this dark underbelly of the Mojave Desert, Bucky wasn't without his own flaws and addiction. He was also struggling, but through the book was able to get back on track and put both his sister and his own demons to rest.
Though I am not in need of being "scared straight", this book would do that. I was glad to read along and see the pieces of this mystery fall into place and applaud Kurt Kamm on his strong character development and fascinating look into a world I am glad to only glimpse in a book. I highly recommend giving both author Kurt Kamm and Hazardous Material a place on your Summer reading list.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
June 1, 2013
Do you believe 99% of bikers work for the good of the community and social change and ride their Harley’s into the evening sun down Highway 69 blowing off steam from a regular 9-5 life? You won’t be so delusional after you read Hazardous Material by Kurt Kamm. You’ll know more about what more of motorcycle gangs are really doing, especially on the East coast, and what they have been propitiating for years and just a hint of the havoc, destruction and ripple effect it is causing on the lives of Americans and on America.
But one of the bigger reveals in the book is that the biker gangs are only a conduit to the real exploiters of drugs, money and capitalism on American society. They are not even the middle managers of the industry; just like the boys on the corners selling crack are nowhere near middle management of the cocaine industry in America. These industry’s run as deep as “these things we hold to be true” run and are institutionalized. Is there a war against drugs in our government? Probably not – but there may be a war against who controls the profit.
You should open up the pages of Hazardous Material. Kurt Kamm is the truth, and the Dwarf IS coming to visit you.
But one of the bigger reveals in the book is that the biker gangs are only a conduit to the real exploiters of drugs, money and capitalism on American society. They are not even the middle managers of the industry; just like the boys on the corners selling crack are nowhere near middle management of the cocaine industry in America. These industry’s run as deep as “these things we hold to be true” run and are institutionalized. Is there a war against drugs in our government? Probably not – but there may be a war against who controls the profit.
You should open up the pages of Hazardous Material. Kurt Kamm is the truth, and the Dwarf IS coming to visit you.
June 29, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book as it was well researched and well written. Bucky works as a Hazmat officer and witnesses the death of his drug addicted sister, Brandy. He had lost contact with Brandy years ago but seeing her again raises questions about what happened to her. This mystery drives the allure of this book.
Bucky himself is suffering with a Percocet addiction and is going through the stages of becoming an addict. Can he break the habit and find out what really happened o his sister? With his job on the line he delves into finding out about the last year of Brandy's life.
I enjoyed the pace, science and information contained in this book as well as the thrills and mystery. A must read for those who like technology, science and thrillers.
Bucky himself is suffering with a Percocet addiction and is going through the stages of becoming an addict. Can he break the habit and find out what really happened o his sister? With his job on the line he delves into finding out about the last year of Brandy's life.
I enjoyed the pace, science and information contained in this book as well as the thrills and mystery. A must read for those who like technology, science and thrillers.
June 10, 2013
Hazardous Material is a wonderfully suspenseful book.
And it is obvious that the author, Kurt Kamm knows what he is
writing about. I loved the twists and turns in this story. And as
someone who has seen drug addiction many times I can say
that Kurt Kamm hit the button on the nose. I've always thought that
a good author should write what he knows. And he knows fire-fighting
novels! Hazardous Material is a book not made for people who
don't like to face the real and dark world we live in.
It's a great read! I give it 5 stars for being an in-your-face book.
I look forward to reading many more books by Kurt Kamm.
June 3, 2013
Our book begins in a trailer the California desert. Two guys and a girl are cooking up something in a homemade lab. She plays with a necklace and puts it in her pocket adrift in her thoughts and she wants a cigarette while she twists her hair round her finger. One of the guys, himself already having a moment, tells her to keep watch outside the window. At some point, things go boom.
Welcome to Hazardous Material.
Loved it! It's a well written, keep you on the edge of your seat page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Welcome to Hazardous Material.
Loved it! It's a well written, keep you on the edge of your seat page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
May 21, 2013
Hazardous Material by Kurt Kamm is powerful! The dialogue felt real as well as all the moments Bucky Dawson went through were described to a T - From an addiction to drug labs - Bucky is facing a mission with motorcycle gangs. Very well written making me feel as if I was on the scene of the action, at all times. I did find the scientist suprising at times but not as much as Bucky's determination to revenge himself. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
June 5, 2013
Hazardous Material by Kurt Kamm sheds a scary realistic view on the world of meth. HBO and Showtime have been glamorizing the drug trade (Weeds, Breaking Bad), Kamm shows us the bitter reality of how addiction destroys families. Powerful dialog combined with dramatic twists and turns kept me reading way past my bedtime. I couldn’t wait to see who the meth cook was and if Bucky could beat his growing Percocet habit.
August 8, 2013
Hazardous Material is Kurt Kamm's fourth novel. The book begins with a 'bang'. A big explosion in a trailer outside Lancaster, California. Inside the trailer are crooks and addicts preparing methamphetamine. The main character, Bucky Dawson a fire fighter, member of HazMat (Hazardous Materials) Squad 129 gets called to the explosion of the meth lab...Read more at:
http://bookread-mumswritings.blogspot...
http://bookread-mumswritings.blogspot...
June 9, 2013
I worked with a Hazmat person once and had to read this book. Luckily our area is nothing like where this book is written. I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to follow and kept you interested. I did not want to put it down. I would love to know what happens with the main character in the end.
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