Deadbeat is a thriller centered on MMC Peyton Collard who, after a horrible accident, is now "divorced, drunk and severely damaged." Peyton is offered a huge sum of money to kill a supposedly evil man, but as he goes on his mission, which leaves a trail of bodies across California, Peyton begins to wonder who this man really is, and why he's going to such great lengths to kill him. These questions ultimately lead Peyton down an ever-twisting, darker road.

I'm very conflicted about this one! Deadbeat is full of twists and turns I did not see coming, its chapters are short and propulsive, Peyton is a great character that fills that "tortured anti-hero" trope really well and starts to hear his victims' voices in his head (which is a touch that I enjoyed), and the ending is explosive. However, without revealing too much, all I can say is that the reveal that happens at the end, while unexpected and very clever, didn't fully satisfy me, and had a big impact on my experience of the book as a whole.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Adam Handy for providing this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Synopsis:
Peyton Collard was a good man once, but his life changed after a horrific car accident. Divorced, drunk, and severely damaged, Peyton is offered a life-changing sum of money to kill an evil man. But as he goes on a vigilante journey that leaves a trail of bodies across California, Peyton wonders about the identity of his anonymous patron.

Thoughts:
The title of this book wasn’t lying when it said Deadbeat. The main character, Peyton, is the very definition of a deadbeat. I did not like him one bit this entire book. Also, I had very mixed feelings while I read this book because the people he was killing weren’t good. But he was still killing people. Overall, it had a good mystery if you can get past how unlikable the main character was.

Peyton is a deadbeat, as the title would suggest. He had it all going for him until a bad decision led to vehicular manslaughter and a prison stint. Now out, he’s on a bad trajectory sliding into drug use, alcoholism, and a life estranged from his teenage daughter. It all changes one day when he gets an huge cash offer to become a hitman for a mysterious boss. Will he do it if it means a new life for he and his daughter? What kinds of consequences will this decision have? Who is financing his new hitman lifestyle?

This was fast-paced and twisty. I enjoyed several plot reveals along the way! The whole poor me, I’m a deadbeat mentality from the main character got old but nevertheless. Overall, this will be a good fit for readers who don’t mind a gritty, crime-based plot and who can go along for the ride! Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this new release.

A thrillery-thriller that leaves you kind of breathless. Our main character is very much a broken man, who believes he is no good and irredeemable. He isn't just down on his luck, but he's gone down a path that there seems to be no way for him to escape as he tries to figure out what is going on and, more importantly, why. Someone is paying him a lot of money to kill off certain people. However, he is being completely manipulated and his "benefactor" is pulling the strings and using his desperation to make a better life for his ex-wife and daughter as the dangling carrot.

Deadbeat by Adam Handy, When Peyton collard got the offer to kill someone for $100,000 he was a desperate father wanting to get back the life he had before going to prison. Since prison he had become a severe drinker with a life that was going nowhere but with this money he could see all that it could do for his daughter Sky. Learning the target was a very bad guy made it that much easier. Unfortunately it seems every time he’s given money for taking out a bad guy some other bad guys show up wanting it. They’ve even gone as far as to threaten his ex-wife and daughter. Who is paying him all this money to kill people and how do these bikers know about it? let me say that I was 38% in to the book and wanted to DNF but I’m so glad I rarely do that because this book turned out to be a really great one. I am someone who is very into stories and as long as I am entertained and it has a great ending I am totally down to read it and this book has an awesome ending. I didn’t see it going that way but OMG I’m so glad it did I really need to read more books by this author because I loved his writing style in the way he analyzed situations from every aspect I really love that and love this book. #NetGalley#AtriaBooks,, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #AdamHandy,#Deadbeat,

Adam Hamby's "Deadbeat" is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully explores themes of morality, redemption, and the lengths one man will go to for answers.

Peyton Collard, a once-decent man whose life spirals after a devastating car accident, is thrust into a dark and dangerous world when he accepts a mysterious offer to become a hitman. Hamby crafts a compelling protagonist in Peyton, whose internal struggles and desperate quest for the truth make him a deeply flawed yet relatable character. His journey through California, leaving a trail of bodies and unanswered questions, keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The plot is taut and fast-paced, with each twist and turn adding to the suspense. Hamby skillfully builds tension as Peyton becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the identity of his enigmatic employer. The narrative delves into the psychological toll of Peyton's actions, creating a story that is as much about his inner turmoil as it is about the external dangers he faces. The California setting, with its mix of gritty urban landscapes and desolate stretches, serves as a fitting backdrop for Peyton's dark odyssey.

What sets "Deadbeat" apart is its ability to balance action-packed sequences with moments of introspection and emotional depth. Hamby's breezy yet evocative prose ensures that the story remains engaging, even as it delves into complex moral questions. While some logistical elements may require a suspension of disbelief, the novel's relentless pace and compelling character arc make it a thoroughly satisfying read. This is a must-read for fans of thrillers that combine high-stakes action with thought-provoking themes.

3.5/5⭐️
Adam Hamdy’s Deadbeat is a fast-paced thriller that blends crime, dark humor, and a protagonist with a knack for getting into trouble. The novel follows a washed-up musician who unwittingly stumbles into a deadly conspiracy, forcing him to navigate a world far more dangerous than the one he left behind.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its sharp writing and engaging storytelling. Hamdy keeps the plot moving with witty dialogue, unexpected twists, and a lead character who, despite his flaws, is easy to root for. The humor adds a refreshing touch to the tension, making Deadbeat feel like a mix of noir and modern crime fiction.

However, the novel isn’t without its shortcomings. Some of the action sequences and plot developments feel a bit over-the-top, occasionally stretching believability. Additionally, while the protagonist is charismatic, some of the side characters lack depth, making their motives and actions less compelling.

Overall, Deadbeat is an entertaining read with an engaging mix of suspense and humor. While it doesn’t quite reach the level of a must-read thriller, it’s a solid choice for fans of crime fiction looking for something fun and fast-moving.

This was my first by this author and I'm not sure if this is normal for him, but to me, this read like a screenplay. This was more like an action thriller. it was not my cup of tea. I did not care for it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an eARC of Deadbeat in exchange for my honest review!

What a dark and gritty tale that we follow here with Peyton Collard, this alcoholic and empty soul who's so damn desperate. The atmosphere drips off of it, helping me feel how bleak, hungry, and violent Peyton's world is. He's just crawling through life, getting beaten up sometimes, but he still keeps moving forward somehow. I could predict what would happen for a good chunk of the book, but then, much to my pleasure, the third act weaves in some additional twists that I hadn't foreseen. As enthralling as this book is, though, I'll admit that I'm not fully onboard for the denouement, which feels like a tonal shift from the rest of the pessimistic narrative and it hits me as a betrayal of what the tale aims for. That being said, it isn't enough to detract from my love for this book and its neo-noir energy that I could devour all day long.

Overall, I'm officially rating Deadbeat 4.75 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding up to the full 5 stars. I'm absolutely eager for more of Adam Hamdy's writing.

I really thought this book would be a five star read after finishing about 25% of it, but the constant back and forth between being sober and slipping back into inebriation was really irritating. I put the book down at 60% and couldn’t physically pick it back up. Fast forward a few months and I skipped to the end and didn’t enjoy the conclusion.

Deadbeat is a wild, fast-paced ride filled with dark humor, quirky characters, and plenty of unexpected twists. The protagonist's chaotic life makes for an entertaining (and sometimes messy) story. I appreciated the gritty tone and clever dialogue, though some parts felt a bit over-the-top for my taste.

If you’re into offbeat crime stories with a lot of attitude, this one’s worth checking out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a wild ride from beginning to end. I wanted to love it but found it difficult to suspend disbelief for some parts. Which made it an okay read in the end.

I didn’t absolutely love this adrenaline thriller. This story follows Peyton- a “deadbeat” alcoholic after a series of unfortunate events. Down on his luck Peyton is given an opportunity to make a whole lot of money by written instruction to kill a “bad guy”. Wanting to set his life right, he considers this offer and the implications.

This book struggled with pacing and was hard to get into as a result. I found the character mostly unlikable and completely un-relate-able. I enjoyed the twist but it felt a little too late for engagement. I did NOT read any previous books by this author, though I’ve heard really good reviews.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

Peyton Collard is a deadbeat, as the title of this novel suggests. His life has been on a downward spiral ever since he served time for involuntary manslaughter. He spends a lot of time trying to convince the reader that he is trapped in his circumstances, but I never bought it. When an anonymous stranger offers him a huge sum to kill a man, Peyton has to make a decision, and it's no surprise, based on the way he never takes responsibility for his actions, that he goes through with becoming a hitman. But as the payouts get higher and higher, so do the stakes.

The book has an interesting premise, but is full of one-dimensional caricatures and a highly unlikeable protagonist. It seems the author wants us to question the growing divide between the have and have nots, and our complicity in global problems, but it feels more self-righteous than thought-provoking. This one was not for me.

I really liked this one! What a great thriller! The short chapters kept the plot moving without making me feel like I had missed out on something. Peyton Collard, our MC, is exactly what the title says, a deadbeat. He makes some of the worst decisions, but gosh dang, you are kept hoping for him to put down the bottle and straighten his ass up. This was a fun journey and a great book if you're looking for a twisty ride!

What a pleasant surprise this was! I absolutely did not come close to guessing what happened. I also really enjoyed the writing style. It was very unique!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.

This was definitely a page turning read. It kept me engaged and I thought the story was quite interesting. It started as a murder for hire book and then turned into who’s hiring for murder and why. There were some very humorous moments and I found myself chuckling out loud.

Written as Peyton’s confession, this story meanders through his transgressions asking the question – What would you do under the same circumstances? Only after discovering his excuses for committing murder weren’t in fact true does he comes to grips with what he had done and attempt to discover who was pulling his strings. His only excuse was to provide his daughter a better life until he realizes the only way to do so was to save himself. In the end the author does ask several philosophical questions that deserve to be considered.

Peyton got played...but got his own back in the end! This was a bit of wild read and I was here for it! This was my 1st book by Adam Hamdy but it will not be my last, I am looking forward to his next one!