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Hawker #2
L.A. Wars
Hawker throws himself into a cutthroat gang war in Los Angeles
In a pawnshop alleyway, James Hawker finds a body mutilated beyond recognition. She was beautiful once, he knows, but life in this hardened Los Angeles neighborhood took its toll. Starnsdale was once a working class community, but now it is a battlefield ravaged by warring gangs who kill without thinking and care nothing for the ordinary citizens crushed beneath their feet. The toughest gang is called the Panthers—and Hawker has come to hunt them down.
Enlisted by an Illinois millionaire to stamp out organized crime across the country, Hawker attacks the Panthers and their rivals, the Santanas, at the same time. As the two gangs consume each other, and Starnsdale’s gutters overflow with blood, Hawker sees a chance to end the conflict once and for all, and bring peace to a troubled city.
L.A. Wars is the 2nd book in the Hawker series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
In a pawnshop alleyway, James Hawker finds a body mutilated beyond recognition. She was beautiful once, he knows, but life in this hardened Los Angeles neighborhood took its toll. Starnsdale was once a working class community, but now it is a battlefield ravaged by warring gangs who kill without thinking and care nothing for the ordinary citizens crushed beneath their feet. The toughest gang is called the Panthers—and Hawker has come to hunt them down.
Enlisted by an Illinois millionaire to stamp out organized crime across the country, Hawker attacks the Panthers and their rivals, the Santanas, at the same time. As the two gangs consume each other, and Starnsdale’s gutters overflow with blood, Hawker sees a chance to end the conflict once and for all, and bring peace to a troubled city.
L.A. Wars is the 2nd book in the Hawker series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1984
201 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 14, 2020
I really enjoy these quick Hawker stories. They do remind me of Parker, sort of Spenser light. Nice, quick and fun little mysteries. This one was Hollywood in all of it’s’80’s glory. Hawker applied his expertise to L.A. street gangs with flair all the while bringing dignity to another group of tormented citizens.
November 18, 2017
Another of White's early works. It's dated for sure, as he is proud of his 128k RAM, state of the art, computer.
Sex and violence. Basic pulp of the era, early 80's. It's an okay plot considering it was never meant to be Pulitzer material. Quick read. Something one might read on a flight. A true no brainer story.
Sex and violence. Basic pulp of the era, early 80's. It's an okay plot considering it was never meant to be Pulitzer material. Quick read. Something one might read on a flight. A true no brainer story.
July 22, 2019
L. A. Wars is the second in the series about James Hawker, an ex Chicago cop. He is hired by a Chicago millionaire, who’s son was murdered, to become a one man wrecking force against organized crime. He is given access to unlimited funds and equipment. This book has Hawker heading to L. A. He is tasked with dealing with two different gangs and giving the people of the Hillsboro area back their dignity and self respect. He has a close call this time with the law.
I plan on reading the rest of the series. It takes place back in the 80’s, but much of what is said fits right into what’s going on in today’s world. It was a well written and fast paced read.
I plan on reading the rest of the series. It takes place back in the 80’s, but much of what is said fits right into what’s going on in today’s world. It was a well written and fast paced read.
August 10, 2022
L.A. Wars book number 2 in the Hawker series was even better than first! I needed a book to read for a day at the beach and this book clocks in at 177 pages so I thought perfect. I was able to knock this out in one day, because it was that enjoyable. The book kicks off with high testosterone action and never quits.
The Hawker novels are the perfect quick reads that reminisce of an 80's action movie, with gun, violence sex and action. L.A. Wars is about gang warfare between two gangs who Hawk pits against each other than brings together. With a nice twist at the end, it was easy to give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. Looking forward to book 3!
The Hawker novels are the perfect quick reads that reminisce of an 80's action movie, with gun, violence sex and action. L.A. Wars is about gang warfare between two gangs who Hawk pits against each other than brings together. With a nice twist at the end, it was easy to give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. Looking forward to book 3!
June 17, 2021
A solid 177 pages of processed cheese sandwiched between two paper covers. Sex, violence, casual racism, toxic masculinity, and extra-judicial killings -- everything ready-made for consumption by folks who don't read anything but Dirty Harry-style vigilante wish fulfillment. But hey, I like Doritos as much as the next guy, so don't crucify me for having a snack between meals. Not a great book, not even a good one, but nobody picks up these Don Pendleton knockoffs without knowing what they're getting.
March 25, 2019
The gang members give each other silly nicknames like, Cat Man and...Fat Albert... Yup... That just shows the author’s child-like, at times in the wrong way, understanding of gang life in Los Angeles.
To be fair, it was written in the 80s, and was set in a fictional place called Starnsdale, a wholesome place that was respectable before the “wrong kind of people started moving in” (quote from the book). Gotta love those sensibilities, man. Ha!
To be fair, it was written in the 80s, and was set in a fictional place called Starnsdale, a wholesome place that was respectable before the “wrong kind of people started moving in” (quote from the book). Gotta love those sensibilities, man. Ha!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2018
Clever, Exciting and Constant Action!
White creates the much-needed vigilante to find and destroy some of the most evil criminals of various cities, saving numerous innocent individuals. There are no slow Patterson's writing,so fellow reader's don't plan on finding a place to stop for the night when you need to sleep!
White creates the much-needed vigilante to find and destroy some of the most evil criminals of various cities, saving numerous innocent individuals. There are no slow Patterson's writing,so fellow reader's don't plan on finding a place to stop for the night when you need to sleep!
June 25, 2021
Good read like an 80's tv show!
This being the second book in this series, it's very dated. Like trying to watch an old Miami vice rerun. The characters are so not up with social dogma, which is cool, but when you read a guy is excited by a state of the art computer with 128 ram, hahahah... Oh the days of old.
Still enjoyable simple fun fastback reading... so Cool!
This being the second book in this series, it's very dated. Like trying to watch an old Miami vice rerun. The characters are so not up with social dogma, which is cool, but when you read a guy is excited by a state of the art computer with 128 ram, hahahah... Oh the days of old.
Still enjoyable simple fun fastback reading... so Cool!
February 26, 2025
He oughta be ashamed!
As a avid fan of his REAL books these books are so bad that it's no wonder he used a pseudonym. It reminds me of the old mac bolan books I read when I was a kid. Even gratuitous sex. I'm no prude but at my age reading extra unnecessary words hurts my eyes. Go back to Sanibel insland.
As a avid fan of his REAL books these books are so bad that it's no wonder he used a pseudonym. It reminds me of the old mac bolan books I read when I was a kid. Even gratuitous sex. I'm no prude but at my age reading extra unnecessary words hurts my eyes. Go back to Sanibel insland.
February 12, 2021
Speeding bullet
Nothing but action. Hawker is tops at vigilante justice. He has a benefactor that points him to a problem, pays for supplies, and expects results. Hawker doesn't disappoint. Some areas are a little cliche, and some are surprising. Good read.
Nothing but action. Hawker is tops at vigilante justice. He has a benefactor that points him to a problem, pays for supplies, and expects results. Hawker doesn't disappoint. Some areas are a little cliche, and some are surprising. Good read.
October 23, 2022
California Story Randy Wayne White style
A non-Angelino’s perspective of the drug and crime culture in Los Angeles in the early 80s. Again a release of a book written long ago. The adventure and human psychology remains great. Different memories of Manhattan Beach than mine.
A non-Angelino’s perspective of the drug and crime culture in Los Angeles in the early 80s. Again a release of a book written long ago. The adventure and human psychology remains great. Different memories of Manhattan Beach than mine.
October 28, 2017
Another TV Sequel
The second book is like the first. It would make a better TV show. There is not enough plot to be a good story.
The second book is like the first. It would make a better TV show. There is not enough plot to be a good story.
October 29, 2017
Great vigilante story.
January 6, 2018
A great and fast read of another early White thriller.
October 29, 2018
Randy Wayne White writing as Carl Ramm.
May 9, 2019
Quick read
This book was an entertaining quick read. It probably would be a good book to read on a short flight.
This book was an entertaining quick read. It probably would be a good book to read on a short flight.
January 1, 2020
Eighties action novels. They're just great.
June 17, 2020
I really, really like this character. Very well written.
November 3, 2022
Good reading
This series is exciting but very violent. Not recommended for younger people. I will continue to read the series until finished.
This series is exciting but very violent. Not recommended for younger people. I will continue to read the series until finished.
July 19, 2024
Hawker goes to LA to fight some gangs. it was pretty good, ended pretty quickly. But I will try another
February 14, 2017
Two violent street gangs have invaded a California town, taking it over as an aggressive cancer. They will stop at nothing including rape and murder to get their way. The untrained citizens have tried to fight back to protect themselves, and it ended badly. Now they have help. Real, practical help. There is a fine line between vengeance and justice. Our hero must straddle this line, always keeping in mind the needs and protection of the innocent and those who are misled by evil men.
June 24, 2022
This is the second book in the action series which features James Hawker. This series was written in the 1980s and it has that type of anti-criminal mentality that grew back then as crime escalated. James is an ex-Chicago Police SWAT team member who resigned due to his disgust with the rules and red tape that prevented him from dealing directly and quickly with violent criminals. After resigning from the Chicago PD, he was hired by the third richest man in America, Jacob Montgomery Hayes to be a vigilante. Hayes would contact James and finance the assignment to eliminate some criminal trouble spot in the county. This story is about rival street gangs in Los Angeles that have taken over their communities making those communities unsafe for regular folks. James is like the fictional James Bond character. That is, he is very resourceful, intelligent and an expect using deadly force. He also has James Bond’s fondness for women. There is action galore and bloody in these stories and L.A. Wars is no exception. The supporting characters are generally quite shallow and easily type cast as villains and temporary love interests. This is escapist fantasy, lone tough guy conquers all, but it is an entertaining and fun escape from reality for a short period of time as James Hawker deals with all the bad guys.
December 3, 2013
#2 in the Hawker series. The second series Randy Wayne White pseudonymously wrote for the pulps before striking gold with the superior Doc Ford series. The Hawker series of 11 novels was written between 1984 and 1986 under the name Carl Ramm. Hawker is a vigilante in the Mack Bolan, Executioner mode. Quick reads but nothing memorable.
Hawker series - James Hawker is hired by IL millionaire, Jacob Montgomery Hayes, to be a vigilante again and stop the street gang activity in the L.A. suburb of Starnsdale. The black gang and the Latino gang are both getting direction from an outsider and Hawker searches for that source in addition to disrupting their activity.
Hawker series - James Hawker is hired by IL millionaire, Jacob Montgomery Hayes, to be a vigilante again and stop the street gang activity in the L.A. suburb of Starnsdale. The black gang and the Latino gang are both getting direction from an outsider and Hawker searches for that source in addition to disrupting their activity.
December 6, 2016
This is a great series. Book two was just as good or even better than the first. Hawker heads to L.A. to help a community under siege from two rival street gangs tearing their town up. This almost reads like Death Wish 3. I loved that movie by the way. This though changes direction a bit. Instead of all out violence, Hawker's feelings are conflicted with a Hollywood starlet. He helps out some confused kids. Then there is always the great ending. Five stars all the way.
March 18, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book. I have read other books in this series and will read more. I recommend this book to everyone.
June 5, 2016
Another quick and entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews