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Jack Carpenter #2
The Night Stalker
Hard-edged, evocative, brilliantly paced, James Swain’s novels of crime and punishment in South Florida delve into a shadowy realm where criminals, victims, and cops share the same truths, the same lies, and sometimes even the same nightmares.
Abb Grimes is famous. Just ask the ghoulish tourists who flock to his former home to take photographs. Years ago, Grimes killed eighteen women, some never found. As the head of the Broward County Missing Persons Unit, Jack Carpenter was intimately involved in the Grimes case. Now, days away from execution, the notorious serial killer reaches out to ex-cop Carpenter with a surprising request.
Abb Grimes’ grandson was lured from his home. The cops are convinced the boy’s father–Abb’s troubled son, Jed–is behind the boy’s disappearance, but Jack’s not so sure. With a personal connection to the kidnapped child, Carpenter takes the case, and that’s when the situation goes from terrifying to fatal. There’s another gruesome murder, and once again the evidence points straight to Jed. Have the unspeakable sins of his father taken root within this troubled young man?
Carpenter races against time and a police department that wants his help but rejects his aggressive style as he searches through an underworld of predators, assembling the jagged pieces of a depraved puzzle, desperate to put an end to a murderous stalker’s blood-soaked rampage.
With unremitting action and skillfully polished prose, bestselling author James Swain has written his most riveting thriller yet, delving even deeper into the fascinating psyche of misbehaving crusader Jack Carpenter. A hero immersed in the evil that is his prey, Carpenter battles a stunning betrayal–and a horrendous danger no one saw coming.
From the Hardcover edition.
Abb Grimes is famous. Just ask the ghoulish tourists who flock to his former home to take photographs. Years ago, Grimes killed eighteen women, some never found. As the head of the Broward County Missing Persons Unit, Jack Carpenter was intimately involved in the Grimes case. Now, days away from execution, the notorious serial killer reaches out to ex-cop Carpenter with a surprising request.
Abb Grimes’ grandson was lured from his home. The cops are convinced the boy’s father–Abb’s troubled son, Jed–is behind the boy’s disappearance, but Jack’s not so sure. With a personal connection to the kidnapped child, Carpenter takes the case, and that’s when the situation goes from terrifying to fatal. There’s another gruesome murder, and once again the evidence points straight to Jed. Have the unspeakable sins of his father taken root within this troubled young man?
Carpenter races against time and a police department that wants his help but rejects his aggressive style as he searches through an underworld of predators, assembling the jagged pieces of a depraved puzzle, desperate to put an end to a murderous stalker’s blood-soaked rampage.
With unremitting action and skillfully polished prose, bestselling author James Swain has written his most riveting thriller yet, delving even deeper into the fascinating psyche of misbehaving crusader Jack Carpenter. A hero immersed in the evil that is his prey, Carpenter battles a stunning betrayal–and a horrendous danger no one saw coming.
From the Hardcover edition.
348 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2008
106 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
James Swain
49 books352 followersJames Swain is the national best selling author of seventeen mystery novels, and has been published in twelve different languages. His books have been chosen as Mysteries of the Year by Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, and have received three Barry Award nominations, a Florida Book Award for Fiction, and France’s prestigious Prix Calibre .38 for Best American Crime Fiction. Born in Huntington, New York, he graduated from New York University and worked as a magazine editor before moving to Florida to run a successful advertising firm. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys researching casino scams and cons, a subject on which he’s considered an expert.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 24, 2011
A page turner, even if it is a bit predictable and contrived.
October 7, 2014
My first time reading Swain's books. I enjoyed the book. A definite page turner that keeps your interest throughout. A little difficult to believe that Jack Carpenter was able to get everything right all the time. Otherwise I would definitely recommend.
December 27, 2016
This is the second Jack Carpenter mystery. Jack is an ex-Broward County, (Florida), cop – he retired under somewhat of a cloud – and is now a private eye. He specializes and has an uncanny ability in finding missing children. In fact he’s so good at this, police departments and hospitals throughout the state of Florida - even the folks at Disneyworld - call him when a child goes missing. And in the two books of the series I believe he’s found every youngster, infant and baby he’s been tasked to find. In The Night Stalker Jack is hired by a soon-to-be executed serial killer to find his kidnapped grandson. “It’s all about the kids” for Jack so he has no qualms about taking on the job.
You may sense a touch of sarcasm. Here’s the good news, both this book and its predecessor are exciting and engaging reads. There are enough twists and turns, enough hooks in the stories, and enough action - saving kids and catching bad guys - that you’ll keep turning the pages as the author pulls one rabbit after another out of his literary hat.
The bad news is that after two books the series has all ready pushed the bounds of credibility and believability - Hence my slight sarcasm. Besides Jack’s 100% success rate at finding children, he plows into police and FBI cases, offices and crime scenes, without a care or concern and against all odds is always right. And as a character Jack is none too deep – so - it’s the proverbial rabbits that have kept things going up to this point. We’ll see how long this can continue.
That being said, if you’re fan of authors like Harlan Coben, James Grippando or even John Sanford I think you’ll like this series. They’re fun reads.
You may sense a touch of sarcasm. Here’s the good news, both this book and its predecessor are exciting and engaging reads. There are enough twists and turns, enough hooks in the stories, and enough action - saving kids and catching bad guys - that you’ll keep turning the pages as the author pulls one rabbit after another out of his literary hat.
The bad news is that after two books the series has all ready pushed the bounds of credibility and believability - Hence my slight sarcasm. Besides Jack’s 100% success rate at finding children, he plows into police and FBI cases, offices and crime scenes, without a care or concern and against all odds is always right. And as a character Jack is none too deep – so - it’s the proverbial rabbits that have kept things going up to this point. We’ll see how long this can continue.
That being said, if you’re fan of authors like Harlan Coben, James Grippando or even John Sanford I think you’ll like this series. They’re fun reads.
July 3, 2013
I've enjoyed Jim Swain's writing in his early book. And I'm happy I did because the writing of this book was, in my opinion, not up to par with his previous books. Unfortunate for me and him.
The protagonist, Jack Carpenter, is a fine character and I like everything about him. He has all those attributes that I love in characters.
However, the storyline was weak and the writing was even weaker. Or maybe I have that backwards with the writing weak and the storyline weaker, either way, I'm going to think twice before I continue this series. That's unfortunate for me. I'm sure Swain doesn't care as I seem to be in the minority here.
The protagonist, Jack Carpenter, is a fine character and I like everything about him. He has all those attributes that I love in characters.
However, the storyline was weak and the writing was even weaker. Or maybe I have that backwards with the writing weak and the storyline weaker, either way, I'm going to think twice before I continue this series. That's unfortunate for me. I'm sure Swain doesn't care as I seem to be in the minority here.
May 22, 2023
I'm giving this 4 stars because James Swain is just so much fun to read. The story itself is probably 3 stars. This is one of Swain's Jack Carpenter books that are more crime/murder than his other gambling reads. The Night Stalker is a fast paced thriller with Jack looking for the missing grandson of a convicted serial killer. There are lots of twists. Along the way, Jack goes above and beyond to rescue two other missing kids in record time. The ending twist isn't as satisfying as I would have liked but I like it enough to look forward to The Night Monster and more by Swain.
March 22, 2013
Another winner by James Swain. Jack Carpenter is very similar to Harry Bosch that you don't stand in the way of justice. I also love Jack's dog Buster who is very lovable. A very underrated author and his books are fast paced with no fillers. If you are looking for a great novel of suspense then I highly recommend this series.
August 26, 2018
Wow, I finished it already. In this fast-paced novel, humble, clever Jack Carpenter solves kidnappings on his way to other kidnappings. He and his dog Buster remain realistic while accomplishing fantastic feats. His logic is fascinating, and Swain's characters are compelling. I am eager for the next Carpenter adventure.
February 2, 2023
At least the dog lives
February 4, 2021
This was a pretty good read. It was fast paced and had a likable narrator. I would have liked it more if I read the first book but I was still able to read this one without being too confused.
September 2, 2023
Book two in the Jack Carpenter series.
December 15, 2023
First, you need not have read the first book in this series to enjoy the second one. It stands on its own nicely. But because this author does his job extremely well, you’ll likely backfill and snag that first book, and you should.
Jack Carpenter is a former cop who makes his living these days by finding missing kids. He’s excellent at it, too. You’ll learn some amazing information if you read this about how child snatchers operate. It both fascinated me and creeped me out.
A serial killer on death row summons Carpenter to a prison. He has a request. He wants Jack to find his missing grandson. Someone took the boy from his house three days earlier. The cops are sure the kid’s dad had something to do with the disappearance, but Carpenter is equally sure Dad didn’t do it.
This was so propulsive I struggled mightily to put it down. Non-book life demands certain things of us, after all. A good shower is never a bad idea; neither are any of the other hygienically sound things we do to prevent further straining the social fabric of the nation. But I begrudged every minute of those activities, wondering as a I lathered up or flipped on the toothbrush what would happen to Carpenter and whether he would ever find the child. Before the book ends, someone kidnaps the kid’s mom. Now both are missing, and Carpenter’s case is doubly complicated.
The ending made this worth the time I spent reading it, and trust me, the time flew.
Jack Carpenter is a former cop who makes his living these days by finding missing kids. He’s excellent at it, too. You’ll learn some amazing information if you read this about how child snatchers operate. It both fascinated me and creeped me out.
A serial killer on death row summons Carpenter to a prison. He has a request. He wants Jack to find his missing grandson. Someone took the boy from his house three days earlier. The cops are sure the kid’s dad had something to do with the disappearance, but Carpenter is equally sure Dad didn’t do it.
This was so propulsive I struggled mightily to put it down. Non-book life demands certain things of us, after all. A good shower is never a bad idea; neither are any of the other hygienically sound things we do to prevent further straining the social fabric of the nation. But I begrudged every minute of those activities, wondering as a I lathered up or flipped on the toothbrush what would happen to Carpenter and whether he would ever find the child. Before the book ends, someone kidnaps the kid’s mom. Now both are missing, and Carpenter’s case is doubly complicated.
The ending made this worth the time I spent reading it, and trust me, the time flew.
July 15, 2012
James Swain writes South Florida as good as Carl Hiassen. The good guys and the bad guys tend to blend together down here, wilted by the heat. Abb Grimes, on death row at Starke for the murder of several women, asks Jack Carpenter to find his missing grandson. Jack had previously worked on the Grimes case from the Missing Persons Unit. The local PD are convinced that Jed, Abb's troubled son, is somehow involved and another murder nearly cements his fate.
The action starts at page 1 and doesn't end. The South Florida locations are realistically written (especially the portions that involve I-595 and I-95). It's an intense, brilliantly paced novel that makes me want to read all of the Jack Carpenter series. Highly recommended.
The action starts at page 1 and doesn't end. The South Florida locations are realistically written (especially the portions that involve I-595 and I-95). It's an intense, brilliantly paced novel that makes me want to read all of the Jack Carpenter series. Highly recommended.
August 19, 2018
A High Point
I have always enjoyed reading James books , however this series knocks it out of the park.
Not only is the subject important , his explanation, and the writing of these stories is complete .
This series hits a new high point , thank you for your dedication.
I have always enjoyed reading James books , however this series knocks it out of the park.
Not only is the subject important , his explanation, and the writing of these stories is complete .
This series hits a new high point , thank you for your dedication.
April 30, 2020
Great
Great book. Very fast paced and exciting. I love all the twist and turns. Jack carpenter is my hero. Can't wait for book 3
Great book. Very fast paced and exciting. I love all the twist and turns. Jack carpenter is my hero. Can't wait for book 3
September 8, 2021
3.5 rounded up. For me, this book surpassed the 1st in the series. The case and order of events were written in a way that I wanted to know what came next almost all the time.
January 28, 2009
Greg - you've got to read this book along with Midnight Rambler. Really good.
July 26, 2023
"Abb Grimes is famous. Just ask the ghoulish tourists who flock to his former home to take photographs. Years ago, Grimes killed eighteen women, some never found. As the head of the Broward County Missing Persons Unit, Jack Carpenter was intimately involved in the Grimes case. Now, days away from execution, the notorious serial killer reaches out to ex-cop Carpenter with a surprising request.
Abb Grimes’ grandson was lured from his home. The cops are convinced the boy’s father–Abb’s troubled son, Jed–is behind the boy’s disappearance, but Jack’s not so sure. With a personal connection to the kidnapped child, Carpenter takes the case, and that’s when the situation goes from terrifying to fatal. There’s another gruesome murder, and once again the evidence points straight to Jed. Have the unspeakable sins of his father taken root within this troubled young man?
Carpenter races against time and a police department that wants his help but rejects his aggressive style as he searches through an underworld of predators, assembling the jagged pieces of a depraved puzzle, desperate to put an end to a murderous stalker’s blood-soaked rampage."
Abb Grimes’ grandson was lured from his home. The cops are convinced the boy’s father–Abb’s troubled son, Jed–is behind the boy’s disappearance, but Jack’s not so sure. With a personal connection to the kidnapped child, Carpenter takes the case, and that’s when the situation goes from terrifying to fatal. There’s another gruesome murder, and once again the evidence points straight to Jed. Have the unspeakable sins of his father taken root within this troubled young man?
Carpenter races against time and a police department that wants his help but rejects his aggressive style as he searches through an underworld of predators, assembling the jagged pieces of a depraved puzzle, desperate to put an end to a murderous stalker’s blood-soaked rampage."
March 23, 2019
(3 1/2). A fired former Cop turned P.I. with an attitude and a heart of gold is not a new thing in the world of detective stories. I doubt, however, that many have as cool and interesting a protagonist as Jack Carpenter. He plows ahead, kicks ass and is right most of the time. I have really started getting into James Swain. He is a solid writer. He has several franchises out there and they all are good. There are enough twists and turns in this one to keep you spinning with a wide cast of characters, but Jack is the star. Good stuff.
March 29, 2025
It moves along quick. Read it back in 2008 before giving it to my dad for Christmas. He liked it. I think I did like it back then. Writing is just okay. Could have used better editing. His car versus borrowed truck etc. I don't think I will read more of this series. Carpenter isn't really a likeable character. A know it all and NEVER wrong. Weak character development on the other main characters also.
September 22, 2020
I wanted to give this four stars, I liked it, but I could not articulate the reasons. I could, however, say what I didn't like about it. I thought Jack was smug, I thought a lot of the things that happen were just too convenient ect,, nothing horrible, just pet peeves of mine. I will probably try the next book in the series.
March 20, 2025
Good read. Definitely could be a stand alone. I like Swain’s writing style perhaps more than the story in this one, although I found it interesting and compelling. He definitely has a way of propelling the narrative without getting bogged down.
December 3, 2016
Excellent follow-up to first Carpenter book
Jack is looking for a missing child. The ending was unexpected. Thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend reading the series on Carpenter
Jack is looking for a missing child. The ending was unexpected. Thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend reading the series on Carpenter
July 5, 2017
Pretty good for a summer book. Which is to say, a page turner that kept you wondering who and what the bad guys were. Plot-driven, not character driven.
July 15, 2017
Another excellent jack Carpenter suspense novel.
October 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this book; it was a fast-paced mystery that kept me intrigued.
November 26, 2017
Jack is a dandy
I like the jack carpenter character. I like buster the dog. Feel good stories from mr. Swain. Looking forward to the next installment.
I like the jack carpenter character. I like buster the dog. Feel good stories from mr. Swain. Looking forward to the next installment.
April 27, 2018
Great read and great listen - loved the narration!
September 19, 2018
Excellent read
I'm enjoying this author's books so much that I've ordered a series. His writing style is quick, energetic and keeps you guessing.
I'm enjoying this author's books so much that I've ordered a series. His writing style is quick, energetic and keeps you guessing.
September 25, 2018
I'm a fan!
Each Jack Carpenter book is an individual look at the character. I can't wait for the next one. Like I say, I'm a fan!
Each Jack Carpenter book is an individual look at the character. I can't wait for the next one. Like I say, I'm a fan!
December 29, 2018
Loved this series - made me a definite Swain fan. Great character development and the level of detail makes you feel like you are part of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews