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Hawker #3
Chicago Assault
Hawker returns to Chicago—where an old friend is about to die
When the police department told him to hold his fire, Hawker pulled the trigger anyway—and killed a dangerous terrorist. Since losing his badge, this hardnosed vigilante has been exiled from Chicago, the city he loves more than any other. He returns for the sake of one Saul Beckerman, a friend from the old neighborhood who has become one of the richest people in the city. Since Hawker began his nationwide war against organized crime, Beckerman has gotten into trouble with the wrong people, and even the nation’s most dangerous defender can’t save him now.
Hawker arrives at Beckerman’s penthouse just as his cocktail party is transforming into an orgy. Avoiding the writhing flesh of Chicago’s most powerful, Hawker takes his friend onto the balcony. He’s about to ask what’s troubling the man when the air is rent by a gunshot. Beckerman dead, Hawker sets out on a mission for bloody vengeance.
Chicago Assault is the 3rd book in the Hawker series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
When the police department told him to hold his fire, Hawker pulled the trigger anyway—and killed a dangerous terrorist. Since losing his badge, this hardnosed vigilante has been exiled from Chicago, the city he loves more than any other. He returns for the sake of one Saul Beckerman, a friend from the old neighborhood who has become one of the richest people in the city. Since Hawker began his nationwide war against organized crime, Beckerman has gotten into trouble with the wrong people, and even the nation’s most dangerous defender can’t save him now.
Hawker arrives at Beckerman’s penthouse just as his cocktail party is transforming into an orgy. Avoiding the writhing flesh of Chicago’s most powerful, Hawker takes his friend onto the balcony. He’s about to ask what’s troubling the man when the air is rent by a gunshot. Beckerman dead, Hawker sets out on a mission for bloody vengeance.
Chicago Assault is the 3rd book in the Hawker series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1984
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164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 3, 2021
This one was a solid story with a very interesting twist that I should have seen coming but didn’t. Nice job by White. Hawker is developing. I’ll definitely read the next ones.
July 7, 2016
This was well written and an exciting read but it is a watered down version of the very successful Mack Bolan, The Executioner series. Hawker is a vert toned down version of Mack Bolan and lacking the high tech toys that Mack had to play with. There will never be another Mack Bolan and authors need to stop trying to create action heroes in his image.
July 6, 2016
Very good reading, I have not been disappointed at anything Mr. White writes!!
Very good , body count a little too much. It would have been more realistic if the numbers would have been down
Very good , body count a little too much. It would have been more realistic if the numbers would have been down
November 17, 2019
#3 in the Hawker series. This 1984 series entry by author Randy Wayne White writing as Carl Ramm is merely average. After a millionaire acquaintance who had asked Hawker for a meeting is assassinated, Hawker is out for revenge. The plot is somewhat muddled, having to do with a protection racket being run by rogue IRA gunmen. Not quite salvaged by a Mickey Spillane-like double plot twist at the climax. Readable but nothing special.
Hawker returns to Chicago - where an old friend is about to die. When the police department told him to hold his fire, Hawker pulled the trigger anyway - and killed a dangerous terrorist. Since losing his badge, this hardnosed vigilante has been exiled from Chicago, the city he loves more than any other. He returns for the sake of one man: Saul Beckerman, a friend from the old neighborhood who has become one of the richest people in the city. Since Hawker began his nationwide war against organized crime, Beckerman has gotten into trouble with the wrong people. Hawker arrives at Beckerman's penthouse just as his cocktail party is transforming into an orgy. Avoiding the writhing flesh of Chicago's most powerful, Hawker takes his friend onto the balcony. He's about to ask what's troubling the man when Beckerman excuses himself for a moment, and then the air is rent by a gunshot. Beckerman dead, Hawker sets out on a mission for bloody vengeance.
Hawker returns to Chicago - where an old friend is about to die. When the police department told him to hold his fire, Hawker pulled the trigger anyway - and killed a dangerous terrorist. Since losing his badge, this hardnosed vigilante has been exiled from Chicago, the city he loves more than any other. He returns for the sake of one man: Saul Beckerman, a friend from the old neighborhood who has become one of the richest people in the city. Since Hawker began his nationwide war against organized crime, Beckerman has gotten into trouble with the wrong people. Hawker arrives at Beckerman's penthouse just as his cocktail party is transforming into an orgy. Avoiding the writhing flesh of Chicago's most powerful, Hawker takes his friend onto the balcony. He's about to ask what's troubling the man when Beckerman excuses himself for a moment, and then the air is rent by a gunshot. Beckerman dead, Hawker sets out on a mission for bloody vengeance.
December 26, 2021
This is the third 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. There is action galore and bloody in these stories and Chicago Assault is no exception. In this story, James starts out helping a friend with some troubles and it soon morphs into an assignment from Hayes. Hawker 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 luck with women. The supporting characters are generally quite shallow and easily type cast as villains and female accessories. 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 30, 2022
Book 3 in the Hawker series kicks off with a bang. I was immediately sucked into the story, and it was on track to be the best of the series so far. Reading like a noir style detective story, I was all in. However; early on in the book, a new character arrives, and the story seems to turn into a somewhat love story.
I felt like I was reading a romance novel at times, instead of an action book. These “romance scenes” would pop up literally in the middle of a high action violence scene! It added nothing to the story, and to be honest, felt like filler to make the story a bit a longer.
There are two twists at the end. The one I saw coming a mile away. Almost immediately. The second however; I never put together. Overall I’m giving it 5 stars, but teeters on a 4 stars. The short length of the book is what saves it here. If it was any longer, with the cheesy love scenes, it would have been a 4 for sure.
Still a great quick read!
I felt like I was reading a romance novel at times, instead of an action book. These “romance scenes” would pop up literally in the middle of a high action violence scene! It added nothing to the story, and to be honest, felt like filler to make the story a bit a longer.
There are two twists at the end. The one I saw coming a mile away. Almost immediately. The second however; I never put together. Overall I’m giving it 5 stars, but teeters on a 4 stars. The short length of the book is what saves it here. If it was any longer, with the cheesy love scenes, it would have been a 4 for sure.
Still a great quick read!
November 17, 2017
James Hawker has the war brought to him by way of Ireland in book #3. A rich business man calls on Hawkers services. Before he has the chance, the man winds up dead. Hawker finds a note on the assassins that has his best friends' name on it. Hawker clashes head on with the IRA on his on turf.
This book is a nice fast pace read. It breezes by in no time. The only complaint I would have would be that this book is a bit thin on many levels. The plot is a good one. It just scratches the surface. That's all. It's over before we get to deep. The characters and action are full on excitement. This is a series that I would highly recommend.
This book is a nice fast pace read. It breezes by in no time. The only complaint I would have would be that this book is a bit thin on many levels. The plot is a good one. It just scratches the surface. That's all. It's over before we get to deep. The characters and action are full on excitement. This is a series that I would highly recommend.
October 29, 2018
Randy Wayne White's Doc Ford series is one of my favorites along with his wacky sidekick Tomlinson who provides continuous comic sidebars to the various adventures of the wily ex-NSA Biologist.
Jack Hawker is a prototypical action hero vigilante who tracks down numerous 1980's style "Terrorists" and sends them to their just rewards.Plenty of amorous attractive damsels get involved with the usual benefits to Hawker except for Megan Parnell; a beautiful IRA assassin.
I won't ruin the the ending for anyone but I can recommend this book to those looking for action and other fireworks. There are ten short novels in this series which I'm looking forward to reading.
Jack Hawker is a prototypical action hero vigilante who tracks down numerous 1980's style "Terrorists" and sends them to their just rewards.Plenty of amorous attractive damsels get involved with the usual benefits to Hawker except for Megan Parnell; a beautiful IRA assassin.
I won't ruin the the ending for anyone but I can recommend this book to those looking for action and other fireworks. There are ten short novels in this series which I'm looking forward to reading.
February 25, 2024
Seriously?
This is the 3rd in this series and while I don’t think they are very good (or riveting) I have been somewhat nonplussed by the obvious racial slurs (name calling). I thought initially it was simply the content, i.e. gangs in general are usually racially divided of their own making. However, in the first chapter of this book the author actually refers to a Black woman as a Negress. You are kidding me right? I won’t be reading this author any further..
This is the 3rd in this series and while I don’t think they are very good (or riveting) I have been somewhat nonplussed by the obvious racial slurs (name calling). I thought initially it was simply the content, i.e. gangs in general are usually racially divided of their own making. However, in the first chapter of this book the author actually refers to a Black woman as a Negress. You are kidding me right? I won’t be reading this author any further..
November 8, 2021
Another solid piece of 80s action.. This was the one Hawker I had as a kid, which I picked up at a library sale for 50 cents way back when… One of the novels that helped push my own writing, shape it and inspire it.
I’m enjoying tracking them all down again 30 years later… except that these original paperbacks with the classic cover art ain’t no 50 cents anymore…
I’m enjoying tracking them all down again 30 years later… except that these original paperbacks with the classic cover art ain’t no 50 cents anymore…
December 5, 2023
Hawker is an ex cop. He has a contract with a billionaire to take care usiness when required. The time, it is Hawker that needs something taken care of and his friends help. His boyhood friend is killed and Hawker will avenge his death by going after the killers.
Not a long story, bit interesting and with a surprise twist
Not a long story, bit interesting and with a surprise twist
February 23, 2017
This book is quite sad compared to the optimism and adventure of the first two books in the series. I will still keep reading the series, but I didn't enjoy this title very much compared to the first two books.
October 6, 2022
Glory be
The IRA of the 70'a and 80's come.back to life. The hard men are still lurking in the shadows looking for the Orange. Don't close your eyes to the empty space they leave. The bloody red red royals can't sleep they are being watched still.
The IRA of the 70'a and 80's come.back to life. The hard men are still lurking in the shadows looking for the Orange. Don't close your eyes to the empty space they leave. The bloody red red royals can't sleep they are being watched still.
November 8, 2017
A huge plot twist ending.
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She is his sister.
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She is his sister.
March 25, 2018
Quick read
June 25, 2018
I sure do like these early books by White. Fantastic reading. Maybe I should read some of his newer novels.
September 28, 2019
Another action packed 80s classic story. Quality time spent for an enjoyable easy read.
June 17, 2020
Excellent!! What an ending!
December 5, 2022
I just can’t put these books down. Sheer madness but oh so good. Now for # 4 in the series. Oh my can’t wait.
Read
July 9, 2024An addictive series!
September 13, 2025
Short story but packed full of action. Hawker didn't get the girl in the end due to a surprise ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2016
Exciting, Brutal and cruel Action!
White applies his extensive worldly knowledge once again to a truly action-packed tale that blasts off from the beginning and progresses at lightening spent to the end! Most enjoyable except it ends too soon.
White applies his extensive worldly knowledge once again to a truly action-packed tale that blasts off from the beginning and progresses at lightening spent to the end! Most enjoyable except it ends too soon.
September 13, 2016
An entertaining read
I read this book in two days. It was such a good fast paced read. I did figure out some of the book, but not the very end. Anyone who enjoys the Hawker series of books will not be disappointed by this one.
I read this book in two days. It was such a good fast paced read. I did figure out some of the book, but not the very end. Anyone who enjoys the Hawker series of books will not be disappointed by this one.
April 14, 2016
These novels are interesting enough to continue reading this series. I will recommend them to everyone.
June 21, 2016
This was another quick and entertaining read with an interesting "twist of the knife" at the end.
June 30, 2016
Waste of time
Are you sure Randy Wayne. White wrote this book? It was such a disappointment. No character development. And Megan ends up to be his sister.....Please.
Are you sure Randy Wayne. White wrote this book? It was such a disappointment. No character development. And Megan ends up to be his sister.....Please.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews