Read Online Deep Threat Billy Beckett Book 1 edition by Scott Pratt Kelly Hodge Literature Fiction eBooks

Product details File Size 3419 KB Print Length 327 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN 1944083065 Simultaneous Device Usage Unlimited Publisher Phoenix Flying Inc. (March 5, 2019) Publication Date March 5, 2019 Sold by  Digital Services LLC Language English ASIN B07NZJ7RX3

Deep Threat Billy Beckett Book 1 edition by Scott Pratt Kelly Hodge Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

• Loved this book! Has everything I expected from a Scott Pratt book-and that’s just in the first chapter. I had only just started reading his books when he passed, but I’m so glad to have the opportunity to have gotten to know him a little through his stories. May he Rest In Peace.
• When you combine sports and organized crime, you’ve got the makings of a fun read for me. I hope my review helps you decide if this is the story for you…
  
  BLUSH FACTOR No worries here. Very few mild profanities and no eff words. Violence is tastefully presented and no graphic sex scenes.
  
  WRITING A definite page-turner. The writer set his hook fairly early and was reeling me in by Chapter Six.
  
  EDITING I’m thinking it was a fluke, because the editing mistakes I saw were only in the prologue and Chapter One. I even would not mention them, except that some reader would likely see them also and get upset that I didn’t mention them. The impact of the errors, on my reading, was nearly forgotten by the time I got to Chapter Six, so I didn’t even take away the customary star. Simply put, the writing was to enticing for me to do more than mention the errors.
  
  STAND-ALONE – CLIFFHANGER? This is the first in the Billy Beckett series, but does not end on a cliffhanger.
  
  EXCERPT
  
  ‘…Slidell, Louisiana, who was a newcomer to the business. Maybe he called him a “consultant.” They shook hands.
  
  That was about all Billy could remember as the phone rang in New Orleans.
  
  “Hello, Sonny,” he said. “Billy Beckett here.”
  
  There was a long pause, then a Cajun chuckle.
  
  “You mean, the Billy Beckett?” Bradley said. “Well, long time no see, man. What can I do for you?”
  
  “I’ve been hearing your name a lot lately and just wanted you to know I was thinking about you.”
  
  “Really? I’m flattered.”
  
  “Don’t be,” Billy said. “Jarvis Thompson tells me you – or your representatives – paid his mother a visit down in Florida last week, and she’s suddenly all hot and bothered again about what he’s going to do, even though it’s been obvious for a while. That’s not playing nice.”
  
  “C’mon, Billy, you know it’s just part of the game. We’re not playing outside the lines here. Besides, I like Clarise. Don’t you?”
  
  Bradley sounded like a real agent. A little humor, a little bob and weave to disguise ulterior motives. He had learned his lessons well.
  
  “She’s a drunken witch, and everybody knows it,” Billy said. “Jarvis knows it, too. He won’t be changing his mind just because his mother is looking for a payoff.”
  
  Bradley laughed. “I thought the boy still loved his mother.”
  
  “He does, as much as a son can love a mother who has always put herself before him, but he’s seen more than enough to know what she’s about. And I think he has a pretty good idea of what you’re about. This kid isn’t going to sign with you, so you might as well move on. I’m sure you’ve got plenty more shady deals in the works.”
  
  “You’re starting to hurt my feelings, Billy. Sounds like you’re Jarvis’s daddy now, too, even though you’re a little young for that. I don’t suppose you’re bending any rules up there in Tennessee. Sounds to me like you’re awfully close to the situation. Maybe too close. Some people might be interested in that.”
  
  Trying to turn the tables. Another tactic.
  
  “Maybe you didn’t know I was his guardian for a while,” Billy said, “and I care a hell of a lot more about Jarvis than his daddy ever did. I’m not going to put him in a bad position. That’s where we’re different. From what I hear, you guys down there are willing to do about anything to lock up these young players who don’t know any better, and they’re going to regret it down the road.”
  
  “I don’t know where you get that,” Bradley said. “We’re just doing our due diligence and
  
  Pratt, Scott. Deep Threat (Billy Beckett Book 1) (pp. 30-31). Phoenix Flying Inc.. Edition.
  
  BOTTOM LINE
  
  Despite the early errors in punctuation, this was a riveting page-turner that exceeded my expectations. The only other misgiving I have is that the ending feels a bit rushed, detracting slightly from the overall quality of the writing. It is possible that, upon reading the material after the ending, there is a good reason for the ‘rushed ending,’ but I might be a bit off track with that statement. At any rate, I definitely will read the next book in the series.
  
  Four stars out of five.
• Another Scott Pratt home run! I have read most of his books and am sorry beyond words that we have lost him. This latest story was to be the first in a series (and I hope his son finishes them) and is a tribute to his superior story telling skills. The way he was able to design and develop characters was as good as any I have read by any author. His books have a unique quality of detail, plot development, conflict, and character richness. And through it all his books are page turners! Deep Threat has all those qualities and is a testament to his craft. I REALLY enjoyed this book!!! May Scott rest in peace, and my condolences to his family. Scott's work was a gift to his readers, and he will be greatly missed.
• I have read all Scott Pratt’s books, was a little nervous about this one, no need, just as good as all the rest.
  Rest In Peace my favorite author.
• I was disappointed at first to find this plot seemed to be copied from one of Harlan Coben's books, but as I read on, I discovered I was wrong. I found the main characters quite likable, the predicaments less than predictable, and the story in general quite exciting. I'm sorry it is Scott Pratt's last work, but looking forward to seeing more from Kelly Hodge!
• I've always loved reading books by Scott Pratt and this on
  Did not disappoint. The Billy Beckett character is a treat and I will look forward to the second story of Billy and his exploits.
• Unfortunately, Scott Pratt passed away while this book was being co-written with Kelly Hodge, or shortly after. The character development was up to par and compared favorably to Scott's previous books. However, we were not enamored with the main character. Also, in our opinion, the story line was weak and it contained many events that were not realistic. We were so disappointed that we will likely not read the second in the series, which is being written entirely by Mr. Hodge. We do however look forward to reading the final book in one of Scott's series that he had started writing and will be finished by his son.
• Never read a Scott Pratt book that didn't keep me glued to the pages. Read the first two chapters and couldn't get past Billy Beckett as the lead character! Didn't read the synopsis before I purchased so my fault. No interest in the story line.