What do you think?
Rate this book
Peter Ash #1
The Drifter
An explosive thriller debut introducing Peter Ash, a veteran who finds that the demons of war aren't easily left behind...
Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his "white static," the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars. But when a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilization to help the man's widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he's ever encountered... and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives.
As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the center of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined... and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he'd left for good.
Suspenseful and thrilling, and featuring a compelling new hero, The Drifter is an exciting debut from a fresh voice in crime fiction.
Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his "white static," the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars. But when a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilization to help the man's widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he's ever encountered... and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives.
As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the center of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined... and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he'd left for good.
Suspenseful and thrilling, and featuring a compelling new hero, The Drifter is an exciting debut from a fresh voice in crime fiction.
375 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2016
About the author
Nick Petrie
18 books1,046 followersNick Petrie received his MFA in fiction from the University of Washington, won a Hopwood Award for short fiction while an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, and his story “At the Laundromat” won the 2006 Short Story Contest in The Seattle Review, a national literary journal. A husband and father, he has worked as a carpenter, remodeling contractor, and building inspector. He lives in Milwaukee.
For more on Nick Petrie, see his website NickPetrie.com, or find him on Facebook or Twitter.
For more on Nick Petrie, see his website NickPetrie.com, or find him on Facebook or Twitter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,414 reviews
October 17, 2022
I just love character led stories where the reader is introduced to the lead protagonist(s) in a way that’s entertaining, informative and engaging in the sense that you become invested in their fate. And I think this is a brilliant example. In the very first scene we meet Peter Ash, a war veteran, who is trying to extract a huge, vicious dog from below a rickety porch whilst at the same time trying to avoid being maimed by or doing damage to the dog. It’s really well done and at the end of it I really had a sense for the man: he’s helpful (it wasn’t his porch or his dog), considerate (he pulled the dog out instead of shooting it), brave and strong (well, you’ll have to read the book to see exactly how he did it).
From this point, the author fleshed out the lead character superbly – the war veteran who suffers from acute claustrophobia, to the point ‘white static’ invades his very being every time he enters a building of any shape or form. To combat this, he sleeps outdoors or in the cab of his renovated truck and avoids the interior of buildings as much as is humanly possible. Thereafter Petrie brings each character we meet to life with the same skill and dexterity. It’s a book that paint pictures of people who feel real, who have a history and who act in a way that just feels right. For a first novel I really think this is a significant achievement.
The story itself is compelling too, with Peter looking to help out a family following the suicide of an ex-colleague and friend. There is a discovery during the dog extraction that feeds the rest of the plot and leads him into contact and possible conflict with an array of potentially lethal characters. But it always is the characters at the forefront, with the narrative trotting along just behind. And that’s the way I like it.
The climax of the book is exciting and I like the way the it constantly switches view so we see events unfolding through the eyes of multiple characters. It adds to the sense of pace and drama. However, if I were to be critical I’d say that this part does feels a bit rushed, with the ending almost coming too early and the tale being wrapped up too quickly.
A great debut, though, from an obviously talented writer. One to watch out for!
Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From this point, the author fleshed out the lead character superbly – the war veteran who suffers from acute claustrophobia, to the point ‘white static’ invades his very being every time he enters a building of any shape or form. To combat this, he sleeps outdoors or in the cab of his renovated truck and avoids the interior of buildings as much as is humanly possible. Thereafter Petrie brings each character we meet to life with the same skill and dexterity. It’s a book that paint pictures of people who feel real, who have a history and who act in a way that just feels right. For a first novel I really think this is a significant achievement.
The story itself is compelling too, with Peter looking to help out a family following the suicide of an ex-colleague and friend. There is a discovery during the dog extraction that feeds the rest of the plot and leads him into contact and possible conflict with an array of potentially lethal characters. But it always is the characters at the forefront, with the narrative trotting along just behind. And that’s the way I like it.
The climax of the book is exciting and I like the way the it constantly switches view so we see events unfolding through the eyes of multiple characters. It adds to the sense of pace and drama. However, if I were to be critical I’d say that this part does feels a bit rushed, with the ending almost coming too early and the tale being wrapped up too quickly.
A great debut, though, from an obviously talented writer. One to watch out for!
Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2016
THE DRIFTER is an action-packed debut novel complete with dangerous former military tough guys, a surprising discovery under an old rotted porch leading to big trouble, and a mean, smelly 150 pound dog named Charles Mingus you are going to love.
While the overall theme of this story is devoted to our combat vets, how they are changed by war and the difficulty of adjusting back into society and everyday life, bits of wisecrack humor by our main protagonist, Lieutenant Peter Ash and hints of a series on the way (I hope) made for an engrossing first work of crime fiction for Nicholas Petrie.
January 21, 2018
The Drifter is a terrific fast-paced crime thriller debut by Nicholas Petrie. The main character, Peter Ash, is a returning Marine Lieutenant from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Peter is a veteran with claustrophobic issues. He is unable to stay inside houses or buildings without a sense of panic. Instead he sleeps under the stars.
When learning that a marine under his former command has supposedly killed himself, he travels to his friends home to help out his widow and kids. First on his list is to rebuild her porch where he finds a filthy huge dog and a suitcase full of money and explosives. From there all hell breaks loose.
The Drifter’s storyline which centers around veterans and their difficulties fitting back into society is a good one. There are some very good military characters that interact with Peter Ash throughout the book with excellent dialogue. Most hilarious is when Charles Mingus, the super huge dog, jumps into the story. I laughed throughout the book at all his antics.
Written similar to the Jack Reacher novels, I highly recommend this very entertaining debut.
4 out of 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the copy of this book.
When learning that a marine under his former command has supposedly killed himself, he travels to his friends home to help out his widow and kids. First on his list is to rebuild her porch where he finds a filthy huge dog and a suitcase full of money and explosives. From there all hell breaks loose.
The Drifter’s storyline which centers around veterans and their difficulties fitting back into society is a good one. There are some very good military characters that interact with Peter Ash throughout the book with excellent dialogue. Most hilarious is when Charles Mingus, the super huge dog, jumps into the story. I laughed throughout the book at all his antics.
Written similar to the Jack Reacher novels, I highly recommend this very entertaining debut.
4 out of 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the copy of this book.
December 23, 2015
The stress effects of war are brought home when Peter Ash returns from two lengthy stints in the Middle East. His PTSD symptoms manifest themselves as panic attacks, welling up inside him as a white static, and resulting in acute claustrophobia. Home can be nothing but the wide open spaces and the open cab of his pickup truck. The skills he developed as a Marine are tremendous and his capabilities are finely honed. He simply cannot tolerate being inside except for short periods of time. This wreaks havoc on almost every aspect of his life.
The opening chapter is gripping as Peter attempts to retrieve a huge snarling beast from underneath a rotting porch. You can almost smell the fear and rage of the animal. Later in the story, a visit to the car wash is not to be missed.
Don’t look back, Jack Reacher – you are going to find your rear view mirror is full of Peter Ash and he is gaining on you. I loved this character, and Mingus stole my soul away.
I do believe this new author has a winner on his hands. Net Galley furnished this ARC to me for the price of a review. Thank you!
The opening chapter is gripping as Peter attempts to retrieve a huge snarling beast from underneath a rotting porch. You can almost smell the fear and rage of the animal. Later in the story, a visit to the car wash is not to be missed.
Don’t look back, Jack Reacher – you are going to find your rear view mirror is full of Peter Ash and he is gaining on you. I loved this character, and Mingus stole my soul away.
I do believe this new author has a winner on his hands. Net Galley furnished this ARC to me for the price of a review. Thank you!
December 27, 2015
Full disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for making it available!
I've said in previous reviews that when I read great thrillers, I often think of my late father, with whom I would trade recommendations of books in this genre. Boy, would he have loved this one. Balancing tightly wound suspense, crackling action, and excellent character development, Nicholas Petrie's The Drifter is the type of book for which series and action films are made.
Peter Ash is a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, who returned home after multiple tours of duty plagued by "white static"—serious claustrophobia brought on from the traumatic stress of combat. It's so bad he can barely stand to be indoors for more than a few minutes, which is why he spent the last year traveling the country, sleeping outside.
When he learns that Jimmy, one of his friends from his days in the Marines, committed suicide, he is overcome with guilt that he never tried to see him or make sure he was doing okay. To repay his perceived debt, Peter returns to the "regular" world to help Jimmy's widow and their children by doing some repairs to their house. As he starts fixing the dilapidated porch, Peter discovers that living under the house is the ugliest, meanest dog he has ever seen, and no one is quite sure where it came from.
Underneath the house Peter also finds an old suitcase full of money and explosives. It's not long before he realizes that there have been people watching Jimmy's house, trying to find where he hid the money—which puts Peter and Jimmy's family in harm's way. And as Peter tries to understand just what Jimmy might have gotten himself into, he discovers people willing to help veterans like himself, and he finds both unlikely allies and very dangerous, unlikely enemies. Who can he trust, and of whom should he be wary?
From the very start Petrie reels you into the book, and doesn't let you off the hook until the very end. Peter is a complex, fascinating character, and Petrie really did his research on the challenges veterans have faced after returning home. Even though I had suspicions about where the plot might go, I couldn't stop reading this, and definitely felt my pulse quickening as I raced toward the ending.
The Drifter is a tremendously self-assured debut, and I'll definitely be watching for what comes next from Nicholas Petrie. I hope that this was just the first book in a series featuring Peter Ash—he's a character who deserves to become as familiar as Jack Reacher and others.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
I've said in previous reviews that when I read great thrillers, I often think of my late father, with whom I would trade recommendations of books in this genre. Boy, would he have loved this one. Balancing tightly wound suspense, crackling action, and excellent character development, Nicholas Petrie's The Drifter is the type of book for which series and action films are made.
Peter Ash is a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, who returned home after multiple tours of duty plagued by "white static"—serious claustrophobia brought on from the traumatic stress of combat. It's so bad he can barely stand to be indoors for more than a few minutes, which is why he spent the last year traveling the country, sleeping outside.
When he learns that Jimmy, one of his friends from his days in the Marines, committed suicide, he is overcome with guilt that he never tried to see him or make sure he was doing okay. To repay his perceived debt, Peter returns to the "regular" world to help Jimmy's widow and their children by doing some repairs to their house. As he starts fixing the dilapidated porch, Peter discovers that living under the house is the ugliest, meanest dog he has ever seen, and no one is quite sure where it came from.
Underneath the house Peter also finds an old suitcase full of money and explosives. It's not long before he realizes that there have been people watching Jimmy's house, trying to find where he hid the money—which puts Peter and Jimmy's family in harm's way. And as Peter tries to understand just what Jimmy might have gotten himself into, he discovers people willing to help veterans like himself, and he finds both unlikely allies and very dangerous, unlikely enemies. Who can he trust, and of whom should he be wary?
From the very start Petrie reels you into the book, and doesn't let you off the hook until the very end. Peter is a complex, fascinating character, and Petrie really did his research on the challenges veterans have faced after returning home. Even though I had suspicions about where the plot might go, I couldn't stop reading this, and definitely felt my pulse quickening as I raced toward the ending.
The Drifter is a tremendously self-assured debut, and I'll definitely be watching for what comes next from Nicholas Petrie. I hope that this was just the first book in a series featuring Peter Ash—he's a character who deserves to become as familiar as Jack Reacher and others.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
January 13, 2016
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I enjoyed this one a lot. I love a good mystery with a lot of action and The Drifter definitely qualifies on both counts. This book has that something extra that I am always looking for in a book. The characters in this book really make it come alive. I found that the time I spent reading this book went very quickly because I was so engrossed in the story. This was exactly the kind of book that I love to read.
Peter is veteran and is finding adjustment to civilian life to be a challenge. He is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which seems to manifest as extreme claustrophobia anytime he finds himself indoors. When he finds out about the death of his Marine friend, he comes to help out his wife in any way he can. He starts out by doing a few home repairs but he soon finds something under the porch that changes everything.
I thought that the best thing about this book was the characters without a doubt. Peter's character was written in a way that showed both his strengths and his weaknesses. I had a lot of respect for Peter during the course of this story. After everything he has been through, he is still fights for what is right. Dinah has also been through a lot in dealing with her husband's death after his return from serving overseas. She is kind, responsible, and tough when she needed to be. Lewis really grew on me as the story progressed and I absolutely loved him by the end of the book. Mingus was an awesome character. This dog brought a lot more to the story than I could have ever guessed.
I really enjoyed the way that this book was written. It started out with a lot of excitement and even a bit of humor and it never dragged. The story unfolded bit by bit with the mystery slowly unraveling. I couldn't make any kind of guess as to where everything was going until it happened. There was a lot of action and the book kept a rather high level of excitement with excellent pacing. I liked the fact that we saw quick glimpses from the point of view of the bad guys in the story but not enough to give any of the plot away.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. I am actually quite surprised to learn that this book is Nicholas Petrie's debut novel. I am looking forward to reading future works from this very talented author.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Group - Putnam G.P. Putnam's Sons via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
I enjoyed this one a lot. I love a good mystery with a lot of action and The Drifter definitely qualifies on both counts. This book has that something extra that I am always looking for in a book. The characters in this book really make it come alive. I found that the time I spent reading this book went very quickly because I was so engrossed in the story. This was exactly the kind of book that I love to read.
Peter is veteran and is finding adjustment to civilian life to be a challenge. He is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which seems to manifest as extreme claustrophobia anytime he finds himself indoors. When he finds out about the death of his Marine friend, he comes to help out his wife in any way he can. He starts out by doing a few home repairs but he soon finds something under the porch that changes everything.
I thought that the best thing about this book was the characters without a doubt. Peter's character was written in a way that showed both his strengths and his weaknesses. I had a lot of respect for Peter during the course of this story. After everything he has been through, he is still fights for what is right. Dinah has also been through a lot in dealing with her husband's death after his return from serving overseas. She is kind, responsible, and tough when she needed to be. Lewis really grew on me as the story progressed and I absolutely loved him by the end of the book. Mingus was an awesome character. This dog brought a lot more to the story than I could have ever guessed.
I really enjoyed the way that this book was written. It started out with a lot of excitement and even a bit of humor and it never dragged. The story unfolded bit by bit with the mystery slowly unraveling. I couldn't make any kind of guess as to where everything was going until it happened. There was a lot of action and the book kept a rather high level of excitement with excellent pacing. I liked the fact that we saw quick glimpses from the point of view of the bad guys in the story but not enough to give any of the plot away.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. I am actually quite surprised to learn that this book is Nicholas Petrie's debut novel. I am looking forward to reading future works from this very talented author.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Group - Putnam G.P. Putnam's Sons via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
April 1, 2016
"because for a soldier who'd spent eight years at war, not owning a weapon was like a writer emptying his house of pens"
Marine Peter Ash is resigned to living in the mountains out of a backpack far away from "the so-called civilized world." After multiple tours of duty, Peter has returned to the U.S. but suffers from a debilitating claustrophobia characterized by a white static. However, he decides to travel to Milwaukee after hearing of the suicide of fellow Marine Jimmy Johnson. Feeling that he somehow failed his friend, Peter goes to Jimmy's family to help with home repairs. When he finds a mysterious suitcase under the porch he is repairing, the discovery leads him to investigate what happened to his friend and what secret his friend was hiding.
This novel is fast-paced and suspenseful. The characters are interesting, and it's not so easy to differentiate between the good guys and the bad. The novel could be adequately described as gritty in terms of setting, plot, and language. The author incorporates relevant topics including PTSD, economic struggles, corruption, and domestic terrorism.
Thanks to the author for creating the memorable character of Charles Mingus.
Marine Peter Ash is resigned to living in the mountains out of a backpack far away from "the so-called civilized world." After multiple tours of duty, Peter has returned to the U.S. but suffers from a debilitating claustrophobia characterized by a white static. However, he decides to travel to Milwaukee after hearing of the suicide of fellow Marine Jimmy Johnson. Feeling that he somehow failed his friend, Peter goes to Jimmy's family to help with home repairs. When he finds a mysterious suitcase under the porch he is repairing, the discovery leads him to investigate what happened to his friend and what secret his friend was hiding.
This novel is fast-paced and suspenseful. The characters are interesting, and it's not so easy to differentiate between the good guys and the bad. The novel could be adequately described as gritty in terms of setting, plot, and language. The author incorporates relevant topics including PTSD, economic struggles, corruption, and domestic terrorism.
Thanks to the author for creating the memorable character of Charles Mingus.
January 2, 2016
A gripping and well plotted thriller by an accomplished author. Peter Ash is back from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffering from PTSD. He has panic attacks known as white static and he experiences extreme claustrophobia. He lives outdoors surviving with the skills acquired in the marines.
Following the suicide of a colleague and friend, a guilt ridden Peter goes to Minnesota to help the widow by fixing up the house. Encountering a dog from hell and finding a mysterious suitcase filled with money and explosives. Peter goes on a dangerous and bloody trail with ruthless foes.
A well written, entertaining book with a exciting suspense driven narrative. A thriller that is thoroughly recommended. An author to watch out for, he can only get better. Many thanks to Penguin Group Puttnam for a copy of the book via netgalley.
Following the suicide of a colleague and friend, a guilt ridden Peter goes to Minnesota to help the widow by fixing up the house. Encountering a dog from hell and finding a mysterious suitcase filled with money and explosives. Peter goes on a dangerous and bloody trail with ruthless foes.
A well written, entertaining book with a exciting suspense driven narrative. A thriller that is thoroughly recommended. An author to watch out for, he can only get better. Many thanks to Penguin Group Puttnam for a copy of the book via netgalley.
July 30, 2020
-4.5 stars- I can hardly believe this is Nick Petrie's debut, exceptional! The Drifter is packed with action, suspenseful after the story took off and has great character development. Started a little slow, but the sweet ending was satisfying. This was good!
June 14, 2016
Ex-Marine Peter Ash had to search buildings full of danger during his tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, the war veteran cannot stay indoors without feeling a "white static", a feeling of panic and claustrophobia. When he hears that his war buddy, Jimmy, has committed suicide, he leaves the great outdoors to come help his widow, Dinah. While doing repairs on Dinah's house, he finds Mingus, a large, mean, snarling, smelly dog, under her porch as well as a suitcase of money. He sees that an armed man is watching Dinah's house, and tries to unearth the story behind the money and Jimmy's death. The suitcase full of cash is only the tip of the iceberg in a sinister plot.
This is a riveting, fast-paced thriller with a complex main character. Peter Ash has the skills of an accomplished Marine, someone you would want on your side in a fight. He also has a big heart and a sense of honor. His sidekick Mingus is unforgettable! Nicholas Petrie has created some engaging characters, and writes snappy dialogue well. His incorporation of several characters with PTSD added a lot to the book. I liked this book so much that I'll be sure to look for his next Peter Ash thriller, Burning Bright, which will be published in January 2017.
Thanks to First Reads, Penguin Random House, and Putnam for a copy of the book for the purpose of providing an honest review.
This is a riveting, fast-paced thriller with a complex main character. Peter Ash has the skills of an accomplished Marine, someone you would want on your side in a fight. He also has a big heart and a sense of honor. His sidekick Mingus is unforgettable! Nicholas Petrie has created some engaging characters, and writes snappy dialogue well. His incorporation of several characters with PTSD added a lot to the book. I liked this book so much that I'll be sure to look for his next Peter Ash thriller, Burning Bright, which will be published in January 2017.
Thanks to First Reads, Penguin Random House, and Putnam for a copy of the book for the purpose of providing an honest review.
February 12, 2022
Hard to approach this novel for a review after a good night's sleep.
I wish it wasn't over but I can't take another 200-something pages of edge-of-your-seat, white-knuckle reading I invested in the last 1/3rd of this novel last night.
I mean, the rush was great but I'm getting up there in years. This kind of stuff is like stove-top meth to a geezer like me. Makes the pulse race, the heart pound, but then I find myself asking "was this trip really necessary?".
The first entry in the new Peter Ash series by Nick Petrie. Comparisons to Jack Reacher are inevitable, I assume. I never was able to get into Lee Child's series unfortunately for me. For some reason, this character "Peter Ash" or just "Peter" really grabbed me.
He's one of our "Forever Wars" vets: multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a Marine lieutenant in charge of a group of soldiers whose job entailed running into flimsy buildings to find and take out well-concealed bad guys armed with mostly out-dated weapons used to ambush our good-guys. It was close-quarter fighting and required each member of his squad to be completely and totally aware of their surroundings ... when is a door not a door? Don't trust your eyes - trust your senses ...don't doubt your hunches. Better paranoid than have a leg blown off or worse from an improvised hell-device of death.
So now it's a little over a year since he's out but he has his own particular brand of PTSD: whenever Peter is in any enclosed space -a convenience store, a hotel room, a warehouse -anything with a roof and four walls, he has an anxiety disorder that begins with his head full of white noise that builds to a screaming static noise that debilitates Peter to such an extent that his chest tightens, he can't breathe, and his head feels as if it's going to explode.
For that reason, Peter prefers to sleep outdoors. Spends his time out in the wilderness and above the treeline of the mountains of Washington. Hiking. Keeping his mind off of his experiences back in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan.
But then he gets word that a best friend -Jimmy- he served a couple of tours with has killed himself back home in Milwaukee.
He's left behind a beautiful wife and two terrific young boys.
So Peter comes back down the mountain to help her out.
The book swiftly becomes a mystery novel. Why did Jimmy kill himself? Was his PTSD worse than Peter's? Or was it something else?
It was something else.
While working on Jimmy's house, Peter discovers a suitcase filled with over four hundred thousand dollars and a large cache of explosives. And a huge, threatening pit-bull mix protecting it.
How Peter separates the suitcase from the pit-bull and befriends the beast takes up almost the first third of the book.
This is another character rich novel. Memorable characters. Good guys, bad guys, victims, would-be victims, good cops, bad cops... and a plot heavy enough to support them all.
This book reminded me at times of the men's adventure series of paperback originals from the 70s and 80s: Mack Bolan, The Executioner, Able Team ... but much more sophisticated than that genre.
The author, Nicholas Petrie is an amazingly gifted writer. I can't believe that this is his first published novel.
Truly a terrific, exciting, suspenseful novel that I literally couldn't put down. And I was nursing a flu through much of the read.
This novel held me by the parietal lobe for the four days it took me to read it.
Highest Recommendation.
I wish it wasn't over but I can't take another 200-something pages of edge-of-your-seat, white-knuckle reading I invested in the last 1/3rd of this novel last night.
I mean, the rush was great but I'm getting up there in years. This kind of stuff is like stove-top meth to a geezer like me. Makes the pulse race, the heart pound, but then I find myself asking "was this trip really necessary?".
The first entry in the new Peter Ash series by Nick Petrie. Comparisons to Jack Reacher are inevitable, I assume. I never was able to get into Lee Child's series unfortunately for me. For some reason, this character "Peter Ash" or just "Peter" really grabbed me.
He's one of our "Forever Wars" vets: multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a Marine lieutenant in charge of a group of soldiers whose job entailed running into flimsy buildings to find and take out well-concealed bad guys armed with mostly out-dated weapons used to ambush our good-guys. It was close-quarter fighting and required each member of his squad to be completely and totally aware of their surroundings ... when is a door not a door? Don't trust your eyes - trust your senses ...don't doubt your hunches. Better paranoid than have a leg blown off or worse from an improvised hell-device of death.
So now it's a little over a year since he's out but he has his own particular brand of PTSD: whenever Peter is in any enclosed space -a convenience store, a hotel room, a warehouse -anything with a roof and four walls, he has an anxiety disorder that begins with his head full of white noise that builds to a screaming static noise that debilitates Peter to such an extent that his chest tightens, he can't breathe, and his head feels as if it's going to explode.
For that reason, Peter prefers to sleep outdoors. Spends his time out in the wilderness and above the treeline of the mountains of Washington. Hiking. Keeping his mind off of his experiences back in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan.
But then he gets word that a best friend -Jimmy- he served a couple of tours with has killed himself back home in Milwaukee.
He's left behind a beautiful wife and two terrific young boys.
So Peter comes back down the mountain to help her out.
The book swiftly becomes a mystery novel. Why did Jimmy kill himself? Was his PTSD worse than Peter's? Or was it something else?
It was something else.
While working on Jimmy's house, Peter discovers a suitcase filled with over four hundred thousand dollars and a large cache of explosives. And a huge, threatening pit-bull mix protecting it.
How Peter separates the suitcase from the pit-bull and befriends the beast takes up almost the first third of the book.
This is another character rich novel. Memorable characters. Good guys, bad guys, victims, would-be victims, good cops, bad cops... and a plot heavy enough to support them all.
This book reminded me at times of the men's adventure series of paperback originals from the 70s and 80s: Mack Bolan, The Executioner, Able Team ... but much more sophisticated than that genre.
The author, Nicholas Petrie is an amazingly gifted writer. I can't believe that this is his first published novel.
Truly a terrific, exciting, suspenseful novel that I literally couldn't put down. And I was nursing a flu through much of the read.
This novel held me by the parietal lobe for the four days it took me to read it.
Highest Recommendation.
July 4, 2020
A competent debut thriller. Peter Ash is a typical hero: loyal, fearless, unbeatable, smart, strong. He has PTSD that prevents him from spending time indoors for very long, the only thing that distinguishes him from a thousand other superheroes. Here, he comes to help the widow of an army buddy, who killed himself. Ash finds money and explosives and is drawn into a conspiracy he knows will be horrific.
It's a good story with lots of twists, regular action: guns, fists, bombs, car crashes. But the bad buys are James-Bond bad guys: a megalomaniac who plans a horrific crime, his assistant who kills on command without thought or remorse, and his junior killers, also as casual about murdering people as a wasp is to stinging. Not very interesting, but scary.
Ash meets Louis, a character in every modern thriller, the tough and violent Black man who's a highly successful criminal but has a heart of gold. He could kill Ash, but instead he's compelled to help him.
Near the end of the book, we suddenly get short chapters in each character's POV, which makes the bad guys a bit more ridiculous. As long as we didn't see what they were thinking, we could glide by, but once we're in their heads, we have to ask, 'Why are you doing this? Why do you think you'll get away with it?' They don't answer; the reason for the new POVs is that it lets us see the action when Ash is unable to.
The weak part of Petrie's story is that he too often relies on unbelievable tricks to set up the next action. All thrillers require suspension of disbelief, but Petrie pushes the line, adding a few too many ridiculous plans and coincidences.
Still, an action-packed ride, if you can keep from thinking too much.
It's a good story with lots of twists, regular action: guns, fists, bombs, car crashes. But the bad buys are James-Bond bad guys: a megalomaniac who plans a horrific crime, his assistant who kills on command without thought or remorse, and his junior killers, also as casual about murdering people as a wasp is to stinging. Not very interesting, but scary.
Ash meets Louis, a character in every modern thriller, the tough and violent Black man who's a highly successful criminal but has a heart of gold. He could kill Ash, but instead he's compelled to help him.
Near the end of the book, we suddenly get short chapters in each character's POV, which makes the bad guys a bit more ridiculous. As long as we didn't see what they were thinking, we could glide by, but once we're in their heads, we have to ask, 'Why are you doing this? Why do you think you'll get away with it?' They don't answer; the reason for the new POVs is that it lets us see the action when Ash is unable to.
The weak part of Petrie's story is that he too often relies on unbelievable tricks to set up the next action. All thrillers require suspension of disbelief, but Petrie pushes the line, adding a few too many ridiculous plans and coincidences.
Still, an action-packed ride, if you can keep from thinking too much.
April 5, 2017
The Drifter is 31 year-old Peter Ash, a former Marine Lieutenant who spent 8 years deployed. Peter fought in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Having been schooled in economics, Peter should have returned home to a bright future, but instead he has returned with PTSD, in the form of a “white static” in his head, which triggers a panic attack from acute claustrophobia. Peter can no longer spend time indoors, in crowds, or in brightly lit areas, so he has spent the last 12 months on the trails of Northern Washington hiking and sleeping under the stars.
When Peter gets a call from one of his war buddies that his former sergeant and close friend Jimmy Johnson has committed suicide, he feels compelled to return to society to help out the man’s family. Jimmy has left behind a wife, Dinah and his two boys Charlie and Miles.
As Peter sleeps in his truck at night, he begins to help Dinah with repairs to her home during the day. He starts work on Dinah’s porch and makes two unwanted discoveries. The first is a dog; the meanest, ugliest dog he’s ever laid eyes on. The second discovery is a suitcase filled with explosives and $400000.00 in cash, leading Peter on a quest to find out what Jimmy was up to in his final days.
The Drifter focuses on the many things that happen to war veterans when they try to resume their normal lives, treating their plight with sensitivity and at the same time, educating us on the realities that they have to face. Peter’s character was well fleshed-out. I loved his interaction with the dog a lot, along with his sense of humor. He rescues this dog that will most likely try to tear his head off, and tries his hardest not to hurt it. Then, when he gets it out from under the porch, he immediately thinks of naming the mangy male dog Daisy or Cupcake! The storyline was wrapped up tidily, while at the same time leaving room for character growth in the next book of the series.
I want to thank the publisher (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) for providing me with the ARC through the Goodreads Giveaways program for an honest review.
When Peter gets a call from one of his war buddies that his former sergeant and close friend Jimmy Johnson has committed suicide, he feels compelled to return to society to help out the man’s family. Jimmy has left behind a wife, Dinah and his two boys Charlie and Miles.
As Peter sleeps in his truck at night, he begins to help Dinah with repairs to her home during the day. He starts work on Dinah’s porch and makes two unwanted discoveries. The first is a dog; the meanest, ugliest dog he’s ever laid eyes on. The second discovery is a suitcase filled with explosives and $400000.00 in cash, leading Peter on a quest to find out what Jimmy was up to in his final days.
The Drifter focuses on the many things that happen to war veterans when they try to resume their normal lives, treating their plight with sensitivity and at the same time, educating us on the realities that they have to face. Peter’s character was well fleshed-out. I loved his interaction with the dog a lot, along with his sense of humor. He rescues this dog that will most likely try to tear his head off, and tries his hardest not to hurt it. Then, when he gets it out from under the porch, he immediately thinks of naming the mangy male dog Daisy or Cupcake! The storyline was wrapped up tidily, while at the same time leaving room for character growth in the next book of the series.
I want to thank the publisher (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) for providing me with the ARC through the Goodreads Giveaways program for an honest review.
June 6, 2019
Peter Ash, a Marine not-so-fresh off the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, is startled out of his self-imposed wilderness exile by news of the suicide of a brother-in-arms. Big Jimmy Johnson had hit the wall of his transitioning capabilities, leaving a wife and two young sons in desperate straits. Ash travels to Milwaukee and, under the guise of a fabricated veteran's assistance program, offers free housing repair to the widow. This is an offer she accepts. His first job will be to repair the front porch - under which a growling beast of a dog has taken up residence. What that beast is guarding will shed new light on the death of Big Jim and a home-grown conspiracy of horrific proportion.
This is a promising first novel by newcomer Nicholas Petrie, who exhibits the genre's requisite facility with character and internal thought:
Watching Lewis cross the room, Peter thought of a mountain lion he had once seen in the North Cascades. Lewis had the same elemental precision and economy of motion. A predatory indifference. Peter was sure the two men in T-shirts were strong and capable. But compared to Lewis, they were bunny rabbits.
Lewis didn't acknowledge Peter in any way, as if he weren't even there. But Peter knew that if he did anything unexpected, Lewis would be ready. Because Lewis was always ready.
Peter was the same way.
Seems pretty basic, yet you'd be surprised how many authors fail in their efforts to relay this sort of sizing up in a manner that sparks confrontational anticipation. Even ground is such a glorious circumstance in novels of combat. Sleep is often re-scheduled upon such things.
The story gets a little convoluted at the halfway point - at least two goons and about twelve pages of description could have been cut in favor of the lean-and-mean. The author also has a tendency to telegraph his punches, but this may be part of the learning curve. I liked the slam of brief chapters at the end; a definite build to climax. All in all, a respectable offering...though his next release is certain to surpass this. You just get the sense here that he's finding his legs.
This is a promising first novel by newcomer Nicholas Petrie, who exhibits the genre's requisite facility with character and internal thought:
Watching Lewis cross the room, Peter thought of a mountain lion he had once seen in the North Cascades. Lewis had the same elemental precision and economy of motion. A predatory indifference. Peter was sure the two men in T-shirts were strong and capable. But compared to Lewis, they were bunny rabbits.
Lewis didn't acknowledge Peter in any way, as if he weren't even there. But Peter knew that if he did anything unexpected, Lewis would be ready. Because Lewis was always ready.
Peter was the same way.
Seems pretty basic, yet you'd be surprised how many authors fail in their efforts to relay this sort of sizing up in a manner that sparks confrontational anticipation. Even ground is such a glorious circumstance in novels of combat. Sleep is often re-scheduled upon such things.
The story gets a little convoluted at the halfway point - at least two goons and about twelve pages of description could have been cut in favor of the lean-and-mean. The author also has a tendency to telegraph his punches, but this may be part of the learning curve. I liked the slam of brief chapters at the end; a definite build to climax. All in all, a respectable offering...though his next release is certain to surpass this. You just get the sense here that he's finding his legs.
March 23, 2017
This book hit all the right marks. There's some mystery, action, family issues. But then some deeper things like veterans & the traumatic events that can lead up to their devastation. Peter is such a great character although he may be out shined by Mingus, the dog. Can't wait to read the next in this series!
March 17, 2017
This is the first book in a new series that looks and feels a lot like the "Reacher" series by Lee Child. It certainly doesn't hurt that the blurb on the cover of the book proclaiming it's greatness is from Lee Child himself. I better state up front that I am pretty big "Reacher" fan and that is what initially drew me to read this book when I saw it last week at a bookstore in the Charleston airport.
The main character, Peter Ash, is recently released from the military and suffers from severe post-trauma syndrome whenever inside a building, small rooms, and tight physical spaces. This weakness makes Peter very empathetic and more compelling in some ways than Reacher. He doesn't feel as invincible as the plot gets going quickly. The first chapter wastes no time in pulling you while introducing what may be the world's ugliest dog and a suitcase with $400,000 in one hundred dollar bills hidden under an old falling apart porch.
The author does a superb job with revealing the mystery and characters in strong fashion, like peeling an onion one layer at a time. Although there are a few overly dramatic written sentences, the prose pulls you in and makes you more than comfortable. You care about solving the mystery; you care about the characters; you care about the relationships; and you certainly care about the outcomes. One thing for the author to work on next time was the ending. Although the ending built-up well to an explosive finished, it felt like it deserved a little bit more wrap-up and epilogue.
Still, I really enjoyed this book and have already reserved the second book in this series, ""Burning Bright" which was published last week in hardcover. I must admit that I cannot wait to read that next one and see what challenges the next adventure brings Peter Ash. I hope you take a chance on reading this new series too. It will be worth it!
The main character, Peter Ash, is recently released from the military and suffers from severe post-trauma syndrome whenever inside a building, small rooms, and tight physical spaces. This weakness makes Peter very empathetic and more compelling in some ways than Reacher. He doesn't feel as invincible as the plot gets going quickly. The first chapter wastes no time in pulling you while introducing what may be the world's ugliest dog and a suitcase with $400,000 in one hundred dollar bills hidden under an old falling apart porch.
The author does a superb job with revealing the mystery and characters in strong fashion, like peeling an onion one layer at a time. Although there are a few overly dramatic written sentences, the prose pulls you in and makes you more than comfortable. You care about solving the mystery; you care about the characters; you care about the relationships; and you certainly care about the outcomes. One thing for the author to work on next time was the ending. Although the ending built-up well to an explosive finished, it felt like it deserved a little bit more wrap-up and epilogue.
Still, I really enjoyed this book and have already reserved the second book in this series, ""Burning Bright" which was published last week in hardcover. I must admit that I cannot wait to read that next one and see what challenges the next adventure brings Peter Ash. I hope you take a chance on reading this new series too. It will be worth it!
November 15, 2015
This book started out with a lot of promise but fizzled out towards the end. Peter Ash is a marine who has fought two wars in eight years "with more deployments than he cared to remember". He feels a white static and fizz in his head when he enters confined places. For the past year he has lived outside in the Cascade mountains. Somehow, he finds out about his friend Jimmy's suicide and he goes to Milwaukee to help Jimmy's wife out.
Peter tells Jimmy's wife Dinah that the marines have a program to help widows out with building improvements. He feels like he has to lie or Dinah won't accept his help. Peter is working on rebuilding Dinah's porch, and facing a giant dog who appears tor reside under the porch, when he finds an old suitcase that contains $400,000 and some plastics that are used for explosives. He wants to know how the money got there, whether Jimmy was involved, and what this is all about.
As Peter goes on his search for the truth, he meets many interesting characters who all are as Rambo-like as he is. I found the book quite derivative, as if the author wrote it in the hopes that it would translate easily into a screenplay. The characters are all stereotyped and lack individuality. I had hoped this book would be better but, ultimately, I was disappointed.
Peter tells Jimmy's wife Dinah that the marines have a program to help widows out with building improvements. He feels like he has to lie or Dinah won't accept his help. Peter is working on rebuilding Dinah's porch, and facing a giant dog who appears tor reside under the porch, when he finds an old suitcase that contains $400,000 and some plastics that are used for explosives. He wants to know how the money got there, whether Jimmy was involved, and what this is all about.
As Peter goes on his search for the truth, he meets many interesting characters who all are as Rambo-like as he is. I found the book quite derivative, as if the author wrote it in the hopes that it would translate easily into a screenplay. The characters are all stereotyped and lack individuality. I had hoped this book would be better but, ultimately, I was disappointed.
February 24, 2016
This is, to coin a phrase, a bro book.
There is a genre called 'chick lit', let us then place this novel in its opposite column- the 'bro book'.
The bro book is often a thriller or mystery and usually incorporates themes of war, lust, revenge, dissatisfaction with cultural ideals of masculinity and power. There are usually few women in bro books, except where they add depth and color to male characters.
I am being a trifle unfair to "the Drifter" because there are two! female characters and one of them is even a major player... she is also a mother archetype- pure and self sacrificing, a poised vision of female flesh desired yet firmly out of place on her pedestal.
It wasn't a horrible book, and in fact I think it was noble in that is tried both to entertain and to educate. I just don't think it was written for me.
There is a genre called 'chick lit', let us then place this novel in its opposite column- the 'bro book'.
The bro book is often a thriller or mystery and usually incorporates themes of war, lust, revenge, dissatisfaction with cultural ideals of masculinity and power. There are usually few women in bro books, except where they add depth and color to male characters.
I am being a trifle unfair to "the Drifter" because there are two! female characters and one of them is even a major player... she is also a mother archetype- pure and self sacrificing, a poised vision of female flesh desired yet firmly out of place on her pedestal.
It wasn't a horrible book, and in fact I think it was noble in that is tried both to entertain and to educate. I just don't think it was written for me.
April 3, 2020
The Drifter is the first book in Nicholas Petrie's Peter Ash series. Ash is an ex-Marine lieutenant who returned to the US from combat duty in the middle east about a year before the book was written. He suffers from PTSD and is learning how to deal with it without any clinical intervention. They don't call Marines "jarheads" for nothing!
He has just traveled to Milwaukee where one of his Sergeants and probably his closest friend, Jimmy, has just killed himself. Ash offers to do some badly needed carpentry on the home now occupied by Jimmy's widow and her two young boys. He claims that it is part of a non-existent Marine program
that provides aid to the families of Marines who have died.
In the course of rebuilding the porch, Ash makes an amazing discovery which leads to a completely unexpected chain of events involving good guys, bad guys, really bad guys and even worse guys.
Ash is somewhat similar to Jack Reacher but is somewhat less of a superman. He is more flawed than Reacher, more enigmatic and less inclined to brawl at the drop of a hat - and many hats were dropped in The Dirfter but Ash generally kept his cool.
In the beginning of the series, I truly enjoyed the Reacher books but Lee Child seems to have shot his wad and I found the last two books in the series to be fairly boring.
The Drifter could have used a bit more action and a slightly quicker pace but I loved the characters, especially the fellow who ultimately becomes Ash's comrade-in-arms. Later books have been rated a bit higher so I am confident that I will thoroughly enjoy them. I don't know if they will be set in Milwaukee but, since I grew up there, I enjoyed the trip through some of my old stomping ground.
The End
He has just traveled to Milwaukee where one of his Sergeants and probably his closest friend, Jimmy, has just killed himself. Ash offers to do some badly needed carpentry on the home now occupied by Jimmy's widow and her two young boys. He claims that it is part of a non-existent Marine program
that provides aid to the families of Marines who have died.
In the course of rebuilding the porch, Ash makes an amazing discovery which leads to a completely unexpected chain of events involving good guys, bad guys, really bad guys and even worse guys.
Ash is somewhat similar to Jack Reacher but is somewhat less of a superman. He is more flawed than Reacher, more enigmatic and less inclined to brawl at the drop of a hat - and many hats were dropped in The Dirfter but Ash generally kept his cool.
In the beginning of the series, I truly enjoyed the Reacher books but Lee Child seems to have shot his wad and I found the last two books in the series to be fairly boring.
The Drifter could have used a bit more action and a slightly quicker pace but I loved the characters, especially the fellow who ultimately becomes Ash's comrade-in-arms. Later books have been rated a bit higher so I am confident that I will thoroughly enjoy them. I don't know if they will be set in Milwaukee but, since I grew up there, I enjoyed the trip through some of my old stomping ground.
The End
October 20, 2020
3.5 Stars
The ending conflict went on a little too long for my tastes, but other than that I really enjoyed the story! Will definitely continue the series.
The ending conflict went on a little too long for my tastes, but other than that I really enjoyed the story! Will definitely continue the series.
September 21, 2020
This book was a gift in a book exchange a couple years ago, and I just never got around to reading it because crime thrillers with hyper-masculine main characters and lots of shoot-'em up violence aren't really my thing. I'm glad I gave it a shot, because although this book fits comfortably in that genre, I found the lead character Peter Ash, a veteran of the US Marine Corps, to be sensitively portrayed, and the plot itself had something to say that was important beyond "violent intrigue and cool action scenes." Also, there is a dog.
Peter Ash has been out of the service for a little over a year, and he's spent most of that year living a mobile life out of his truck up in the mountains. Peter has PTSD and severe claustrophobia, which he calls "the static," which effectively means he can't be indoors for very long at a time, especially in spaces without large windows, or ones that remind him of his time in combat. He thought time away from civilization would help his brain get things back to normal, but when he comes to Milwaukee to help the widow of his best friend, Jimmy, the static is still there.
Jimmy has killed himself after getting out of the service. His widow Dinah and his two sons are on their own, and Peter wants to help, so he finds himself doing home repairs for the family, which is how he's roped into replacing their rotted out porch, under which an enormous, angry dog is living. Once he clears out the big ugly dog, he also finds an old Samsonite suitcase stuffed full of cash and C4 explosives. Later, he learns the money amounts to $400k. Who hid the money under the porch and why? If it was Jimmy, what was he into, and is his family safe. Peter gets himself involved, things go badly, and yes there is violence and betrayals and conspiracies.
What I liked about this book was the way it showed what it's like for a lot of veterans coming home. The mental health struggles (PTSD is very common and has a multitude of other conditions that come with it often), the lack of resources, the lack of care, the isolation veterans feel having been trained to live in war and now having to live without it. And Petrie portrays all of this very organically and with skill, never expositing awkwardly. His characters seem like real people and they are the focus.
If you like this genre, I would definitely recommend this book. I think I will even be reading the sequels. I really hope the dog sticks around.
Peter Ash has been out of the service for a little over a year, and he's spent most of that year living a mobile life out of his truck up in the mountains. Peter has PTSD and severe claustrophobia, which he calls "the static," which effectively means he can't be indoors for very long at a time, especially in spaces without large windows, or ones that remind him of his time in combat. He thought time away from civilization would help his brain get things back to normal, but when he comes to Milwaukee to help the widow of his best friend, Jimmy, the static is still there.
Jimmy has killed himself after getting out of the service. His widow Dinah and his two sons are on their own, and Peter wants to help, so he finds himself doing home repairs for the family, which is how he's roped into replacing their rotted out porch, under which an enormous, angry dog is living. Once he clears out the big ugly dog, he also finds an old Samsonite suitcase stuffed full of cash and C4 explosives. Later, he learns the money amounts to $400k. Who hid the money under the porch and why? If it was Jimmy, what was he into, and is his family safe. Peter gets himself involved, things go badly, and yes there is violence and betrayals and conspiracies.
What I liked about this book was the way it showed what it's like for a lot of veterans coming home. The mental health struggles (PTSD is very common and has a multitude of other conditions that come with it often), the lack of resources, the lack of care, the isolation veterans feel having been trained to live in war and now having to live without it. And Petrie portrays all of this very organically and with skill, never expositing awkwardly. His characters seem like real people and they are the focus.
If you like this genre, I would definitely recommend this book. I think I will even be reading the sequels. I really hope the dog sticks around.
January 27, 2022
The Drifter by Nick Petrie (Peter Ash #1)
Synopsis /
Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his "white static," the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars. But when a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilisation to help the man's widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he's ever encountered... and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives.
As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the centre of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined... and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he'd left for good.
My Thoughts /
'Lots of characters get compared to my own Jack Reacher, but Peter Ash is the real deal.'
— Lee Child
Nominated for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel, Nick Petrie's debut The Drifter introduces the reader to veteran Marine Lieutenant Peter Ash. Lieutenant Ash spent eight years fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, as a returned serviceman, Ash, like so many other returned servicemen, battles with PTSD. Ash can't stand to be in enclosed spaces. If he's inside a house; an office; a room, his shoulders begin to cramp, breathing becomes difficult and he starts to sweat profusely. He describes it as "white static" and it only begins to subside when he is outdoors. That makes is hard for him to go back to suburbia - so he doesn't - he's spent the last few months backpacking the Oregon mountain range; sleeping under the stars; hunting his own food and loving the outdoors. That is, until a Park Ranger locates Ash and informs him that his best friend and fellow Marine, Sergeant James Johnson has been found dead - it was thought that Jimmy had taken his own life. Few things in life are meaningful to Ash, but one that means a lot is friendship. That, and the truth that a Marine never leaves a man behind, dead or alive. Ash feels a certain guilt that he never followed through on his promise to visit Jimmy stateside. So Ash packs up his things and travels halfway across the country to see what he can do to help Jimmy's widow, Dinah and her two boys, Charlie and Miles.
Peter knows that Dinah is a proud, strong woman and won't accept any charity, so he decides to introduce himself as a representative of the Marine Death Benefit Program. He explains, that it's a program that was set up to help families with home repairs. Peter looks at the hundred-year-old house, in a declining working class neighbourhood which has a dilapidated front porch and a bashed-in back door. His first task is to repair the sagging front porch. Amid the rotting cardboard boxes and rubble, Peter finds his first surprise - a huge, stinking, ugly dog. While rescuing the huge stray mutt living under Dinah’s ramshackle porch, Ash discovers his second surprise - a hidden hard-bodied Samsonite suitcase containing $400,000.00 and four bricks of C4 plastic explosives.
And, well, no spoilers, but the intensity just continues to go up from there!
Petrie definitely has a knack for building tension in a scene. He has done his research well - Peter is a likeable and relatable character - he's also flawed - we know he suffers from a claustrophobic form of PTSD as a result of his service. But the story is about so much more than that. It's about honour and valour; friendship and truth; and about a huge, enormous dog, whose overpowering stinking stench can cut the air with a knife!!! Every chapter moves us down a more sinister path. It quickly becomes obvious that no one and no one thing is what is seems.
What I appreciated at the end of this story was the 'Author's Note'. In that he writes about the plight of America's veterans. He writes that the Country still doesn't put enough effort into helping those veterans settle back into civilian life. Veterans have a higher rate of homelessness, unemployment and, high rates of suicide.
He writes For a country with our wealth, history, and ideals, we can continue to do better for those who have given so much to serve their country.
Kudos, Mr Petrie.
Synopsis /
Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his "white static," the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars. But when a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilisation to help the man's widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he's ever encountered... and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives.
As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the centre of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined... and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he'd left for good.
My Thoughts /
'Lots of characters get compared to my own Jack Reacher, but Peter Ash is the real deal.'
— Lee Child
Nominated for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel, Nick Petrie's debut The Drifter introduces the reader to veteran Marine Lieutenant Peter Ash. Lieutenant Ash spent eight years fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, as a returned serviceman, Ash, like so many other returned servicemen, battles with PTSD. Ash can't stand to be in enclosed spaces. If he's inside a house; an office; a room, his shoulders begin to cramp, breathing becomes difficult and he starts to sweat profusely. He describes it as "white static" and it only begins to subside when he is outdoors. That makes is hard for him to go back to suburbia - so he doesn't - he's spent the last few months backpacking the Oregon mountain range; sleeping under the stars; hunting his own food and loving the outdoors. That is, until a Park Ranger locates Ash and informs him that his best friend and fellow Marine, Sergeant James Johnson has been found dead - it was thought that Jimmy had taken his own life. Few things in life are meaningful to Ash, but one that means a lot is friendship. That, and the truth that a Marine never leaves a man behind, dead or alive. Ash feels a certain guilt that he never followed through on his promise to visit Jimmy stateside. So Ash packs up his things and travels halfway across the country to see what he can do to help Jimmy's widow, Dinah and her two boys, Charlie and Miles.
Peter knows that Dinah is a proud, strong woman and won't accept any charity, so he decides to introduce himself as a representative of the Marine Death Benefit Program. He explains, that it's a program that was set up to help families with home repairs. Peter looks at the hundred-year-old house, in a declining working class neighbourhood which has a dilapidated front porch and a bashed-in back door. His first task is to repair the sagging front porch. Amid the rotting cardboard boxes and rubble, Peter finds his first surprise - a huge, stinking, ugly dog. While rescuing the huge stray mutt living under Dinah’s ramshackle porch, Ash discovers his second surprise - a hidden hard-bodied Samsonite suitcase containing $400,000.00 and four bricks of C4 plastic explosives.
And, well, no spoilers, but the intensity just continues to go up from there!
Petrie definitely has a knack for building tension in a scene. He has done his research well - Peter is a likeable and relatable character - he's also flawed - we know he suffers from a claustrophobic form of PTSD as a result of his service. But the story is about so much more than that. It's about honour and valour; friendship and truth; and about a huge, enormous dog, whose overpowering stinking stench can cut the air with a knife!!! Every chapter moves us down a more sinister path. It quickly becomes obvious that no one and no one thing is what is seems.
What I appreciated at the end of this story was the 'Author's Note'. In that he writes about the plight of America's veterans. He writes that the Country still doesn't put enough effort into helping those veterans settle back into civilian life. Veterans have a higher rate of homelessness, unemployment and, high rates of suicide.
He writes For a country with our wealth, history, and ideals, we can continue to do better for those who have given so much to serve their country.
Kudos, Mr Petrie.
December 15, 2015
At first read, this debut novel reminded me a little of Jack Reacher. An ex-military man, roaming the countryside, calling no one place home.
Peter Ash suffers from a form of PTSD, something called 'white static'. It's a panic reaction whenever he's in an enclosed space that simply overwhelms him.
Hearing that his once-sergeant, Jimmy, has killed himself, he travels to Minnesota. Trying to help out his friend's wife, he discovers things that have been hidden .. things like explosives and a whole lot of money.
There is a lot of action, explosive at times. Ash is really a good guy, but he's confronting a lot of really, really bad guys and not everyone is going to make it out alive.
It was an okay read for me ... there's nothing I would criticize... it just wasn't something that engaged me completely. I liked the aspect of PTSD ... it humanized Peter Ash, made him a more interesting character.
The book is well-written and I think the author would do well making Peter Ash and his adventures into a series.
My thanks to the author / Penguin Random House / First To Read for furnishing a digital advanced copy.
Peter Ash suffers from a form of PTSD, something called 'white static'. It's a panic reaction whenever he's in an enclosed space that simply overwhelms him.
Hearing that his once-sergeant, Jimmy, has killed himself, he travels to Minnesota. Trying to help out his friend's wife, he discovers things that have been hidden .. things like explosives and a whole lot of money.
There is a lot of action, explosive at times. Ash is really a good guy, but he's confronting a lot of really, really bad guys and not everyone is going to make it out alive.
It was an okay read for me ... there's nothing I would criticize... it just wasn't something that engaged me completely. I liked the aspect of PTSD ... it humanized Peter Ash, made him a more interesting character.
The book is well-written and I think the author would do well making Peter Ash and his adventures into a series.
My thanks to the author / Penguin Random House / First To Read for furnishing a digital advanced copy.
September 9, 2020
Very good tale of a discharged Marine suffering from PTSD. He goes to Wisconsin because of the death of a former member of his platoon. Taking on a job of trying to fix up his sergeant's widow's porch he discovers a suitcase containing $400,000 and four blocks of C-4. The story goes gets exciting from that point.
The big thing with this story is the plight of returning, discharged soldiers and Marines. All of the main players are former military with different reasons for their actions.
Really worth the time to read even if the end game gets predictable.
The big thing with this story is the plight of returning, discharged soldiers and Marines. All of the main players are former military with different reasons for their actions.
Really worth the time to read even if the end game gets predictable.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : The Drifter (Peter Ash, #1) - Nevisande : Nicholas Petrie - ISBN : 399174567 - ISBN13 : 9780399174568 - Dar 384 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2016
June 11, 2023
3.5 Stars
The Drifter was an action-packed start to the Peter Ash series with an intriguing storyline and interesting characters.
After returning from the Iraq war, Peter Ash was left with intense claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress. The “white static” as Peter calls it has prevented him from returning to a normal life and he has spent the last year roaming the wilderness trying to get a hold on things. When a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Peter travels to help the man’s widow with some repairs. While repairing the porch, Peter finds two things; a huge, vicious dog and suitcase stuffed full of cash and explosives. As Peter begins to investigate, he finds himself at the center of a dangerous plot with more questions than answers.
Peter first noticed the white static when he returned from his last tour. When indoors it will start as an uncomfortable feeling at the back of his neck which eventually turns into a full-blown panic attack if he doesn’t get outside. Peter had hoped spending time outdoors would cause the white static to fade, but unfortunately that was not the case. After hearing about his friend Jimmy’s suicide, Peter is determined to be there for his widow as he feels guilty for not being around since they came back to the states. Peter has a deep sense of what is right and wrong and strives to always do the right thing even if doing so is illegal.
Over the course of the story we meet many side characters, some of which are more fleshed out than others. My absolute favorite character in the book is Lewis. Lewis is an interesting man who keeps you on your toes. By every appearance, Lewis is a common criminal but he’s actually extraordinary in both his criminal expertise and his intelligence. He knows a lot about a variety of topics and describes his time in the Army as him learning what he needed to know and then getting out. He also has a sense of honor and once he gives his word he won’t break it.
The Drifter is very much a character driven story but thankfully the action doesn’t suffer because of it. The book has some great humorous scenes and the pacing is very well done. A large portion of the book is Peter looking into what happened to Jimmy and whether or not he actually committed suicide as Peter has a hard time believing he would. During this time we get a sense of who Peter is and we see the skills he developed in the Marines including his expertise with guns. From there, the story follows several seemingly unrelated threads that end up tying together for an action-packed conclusion.
The Drifter ended up being a great start to the Peter Ash series and I’m glad to have found another thriller series I enjoy to add to my list. I’d recommend this book to fans of Jack Reacher or Mitch Rapp who are on the lookout for a new character to love.
The Drifter was an action-packed start to the Peter Ash series with an intriguing storyline and interesting characters.
After returning from the Iraq war, Peter Ash was left with intense claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress. The “white static” as Peter calls it has prevented him from returning to a normal life and he has spent the last year roaming the wilderness trying to get a hold on things. When a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Peter travels to help the man’s widow with some repairs. While repairing the porch, Peter finds two things; a huge, vicious dog and suitcase stuffed full of cash and explosives. As Peter begins to investigate, he finds himself at the center of a dangerous plot with more questions than answers.
Peter first noticed the white static when he returned from his last tour. When indoors it will start as an uncomfortable feeling at the back of his neck which eventually turns into a full-blown panic attack if he doesn’t get outside. Peter had hoped spending time outdoors would cause the white static to fade, but unfortunately that was not the case. After hearing about his friend Jimmy’s suicide, Peter is determined to be there for his widow as he feels guilty for not being around since they came back to the states. Peter has a deep sense of what is right and wrong and strives to always do the right thing even if doing so is illegal.
Over the course of the story we meet many side characters, some of which are more fleshed out than others. My absolute favorite character in the book is Lewis. Lewis is an interesting man who keeps you on your toes. By every appearance, Lewis is a common criminal but he’s actually extraordinary in both his criminal expertise and his intelligence. He knows a lot about a variety of topics and describes his time in the Army as him learning what he needed to know and then getting out. He also has a sense of honor and once he gives his word he won’t break it.
The Drifter is very much a character driven story but thankfully the action doesn’t suffer because of it. The book has some great humorous scenes and the pacing is very well done. A large portion of the book is Peter looking into what happened to Jimmy and whether or not he actually committed suicide as Peter has a hard time believing he would. During this time we get a sense of who Peter is and we see the skills he developed in the Marines including his expertise with guns. From there, the story follows several seemingly unrelated threads that end up tying together for an action-packed conclusion.
The Drifter ended up being a great start to the Peter Ash series and I’m glad to have found another thriller series I enjoy to add to my list. I’d recommend this book to fans of Jack Reacher or Mitch Rapp who are on the lookout for a new character to love.
February 1, 2016
This is really good. It starts out as a suspense novel. A former through-and-through Marine officer, Peter Ash, is helping the widow of his best friend who was his sergeant on multiple deployments repair the house she lives in with her two sons because his friend committed suicide. Ash suffers PTSD in the form of “white static,” a debilitating claustrophobia, that kicks in whenever he’s indoors. A ferocious dog lives under the house and threatens to kill anyone getting close. A sinister figure is watching and Ash finds a suitcase full of cash and explosives under the house. The book gradually morphs into a mystery as the evidence mounts against “suicide.” Then it rushes to a finish as a thriller when everyone’s survival is at stake. This is probably going to be a long series, so get started now with the first installment.
March 23, 2023
Really excited about starting this series with a former military protagonist who’s default food choice is Mexican.
🌯
The first chapter is all about Peter trying to get a large, smelly, uncontrolled dog named Mingus out from under the house. Here’s a taste of what followed:
🐶
“Mingus ranged ahead to terrify the coeds, trailing the stench of pepper spray and dog funk like a plume of tear gas.”
🐕
“His breath smelled like hamburgers. The rest of him smelled like ten gallons of hot sauce at the city dump.”
This book won the 2017 Barry & Thriller awards for best first novel and was nominated for the Anthony, Edgar and Hammett.
🌯
The first chapter is all about Peter trying to get a large, smelly, uncontrolled dog named Mingus out from under the house. Here’s a taste of what followed:
🐶
“Mingus ranged ahead to terrify the coeds, trailing the stench of pepper spray and dog funk like a plume of tear gas.”
🐕
“His breath smelled like hamburgers. The rest of him smelled like ten gallons of hot sauce at the city dump.”
This book won the 2017 Barry & Thriller awards for best first novel and was nominated for the Anthony, Edgar and Hammett.
December 27, 2018
A great debut thriller by Nick Petrie. Although Petrie is not a combat veteran himself, he does an excellent job of describing the PTSD suffered by his main character, Peter Ash. You really feel his claustrophobia. I hope he keeps Mingus and that Lewis shows up in future novels. Lewis was really entertaining. Most of the book was written from Peter's POV, but toward the end, the POVs switched between several characters. I think if he had done that earlier in the book it would have helped move things along. Overall, an excellent debut and I will continue this series.
October 23, 2021
I like this guy, a Jack Reacher-type, with post-traumatic stress from his 8 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. He seems more real than other heroes in recent series. This book has some strong characters while the plot could have been better. The downside of the story features caricatures of Army veterans as either mercenary or crazy. Still easily 3 Stars and I just bought episodes #2 and #3 in the collection.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,414 reviews