Dead in 5 Heartbeats (Patch Kinkade, 1)

Great fiction book with a twist of real bikerness....

This book is a fast read,but very well paced and exciting. I have read a couple non-fiction books by Mr. Barger, and while I enjoyed them, I was skeptical he could pull off a novel. This book is a very good read, and worth the time and money. Since it's publication in 2009, if you follow court cases, the book presents an interesting point of view and like Hollywood gossip novels makes you feel like you are getting an insiders take on personalities you have read about.The plot centers on "Patch" who has recently been parolled from prison in Arizona and wants to relocate there. His life in Oakland Ca has fallen apart, a tragedy has ended his 12 year marriage, and he is looking for a fresh start with a new charter in Arizona. Events, seemingly unrelated, in Oakland call him home almost immediately: a shooting of a club brother at a biker bar,the murders of two rival bikers on a highway, a riot at a casino. Patch is a likable and believable protaganist. The only problem I had was that he was able to dial a brand new cell phone while in a high speed chase.A second point of view was provided by a character named Angelo, a club brother, who had to decide between family and the club. His character was multi-dimensional...not the stock bad guy and I found myself caring about this character.The bad guy is an FBI agent, and if you have read anything by Donald Clark Davis (The Aging Rebel.com)...and you should (he's great) he is, in my opinion, based on  The Aging Rebel: Dispatches From The Motorcycle Outlaw FrontierOut Bad a real life ATF honcho.The ending of this book was very satisfying. You will not be disapointed.

This is not a bad effort by Sonny. There are certainly a few silly and downright illogical events described in the book, but you have to admit that when someone like Barger writes a novel about the 1%-er biker world, there is going to be a lot of truth in the story, if simply rearranged into the form of a goofy plot. That is what is excellent about the book - if you keep up with the subject via other non-fiction accounts, you generally know what and who Sonny is alluding to when he describes these fictional events and people.In fact, when you get right down to it, this work of fiction really IS the way to get the real detail about the biker world because you're not finding yourself calling "BS" all the time like you do when you read other works by Sonny and other insiders. It's a novel. It's fantasy. But some of the detail therein would never be described in those other works because it would either be unbelieveable, or have no place, or probably most important, might have legal consequences.I would definitely recommend this book as a way to augment the other, supposedly non-fiction, books about the biker world.

Ralph "Sonny" Barger is an old school outlaw. He believes in respect, honor, and the right of might. As the former President of the Oakland Hells Angels and a street-bred kid, Barger witnessed both honor and dishonor. He is the real deal.Reality is what he offers in his first fully non-autobiographic book. (I've read all his others.) You easily imagine Barger substituting for the protagonist in any of the scenes described.Don't expect intricate plot lines, twists, literary allusions, or gratuitous love scenes. It's straight-at-you action from start to finish.You don't like motorcycles? Don't understand the 1%'er view of brotherhood? Don't bother.Barger has written a very enjoyable and predictable novel. Given the fact that a movie is being made, as we read, the book often seems to be a screen play.None of this should take away from the fact that I found the characters well developed enough to want to read a sequel.But then I've been a biker for 45 years.Respects, Jenkx

This was the 3rd book written by Mr. Barger. I hope there will be a sequel because this book was one I found very hard to stop reading when I had to go to bed. All 3 of his books are hard to put down. Very well written. I loved all three. Mr. Barger, write some more, please.

In this,the first book featuring the charater 'Patch Kincade'. Sonny tells a story about the former President of the Infedelz MC and his loyality to the Club that hold his heart. Patch comes back to support his brothers with all the brains and brawn that the president of any association needs to have and hold that title. Sonny did,in my opinion,a great job of writing this character as a man that has heart and passion rolled into one. He can feel love and respect for his family in the daytime and still protect himself and his brothers when the time comes. Sometimes a Man has to realize that some of the people you associate with, will disappoint you. Then you have to deal with it.

To sum up this book, I found it spellbinding. This is exactly the type of action packed book that I enjoy reading. A page turner, The story line is well written which leads one to ask? Is it fiction based on fact or fact narrated in fiction. Who knows. All I can tell you is that once, I started reading it, I could not put it down And HUGE Bonus! The book has been made into a film. You can get the heads up by going to You tube and type dead in five heart beats or Santos films. From what I can tell, the movie seems to follow the book verbatim. A great read. Please Mr. Barger, keep on writing.

This is a chicken-or-the-egg deal with Sons of Anarchy. I'm a knucklehead and don't know which came first, but if SoA didn't draw their scripts from this author/book, this sounds exactly like a storyline from the show. If you are a fan or SoA, you will enjoy this book. It's a good story, not overly complex, and plainly written, but I enjoyed it and will probably be looking out for other titles from this author.

Like Sons of Anarchy meets Peter Cave and Mick Norman. This is just a good old biker romp with a distinct nostalgia for another simpler age in it. I really enjoyed it for its freedom and ease. It was like a great pulp movie of the old school. I will read the other book in the series especially as they didn't try and rope me in by linking them into some trilogy nonsense.

This is a really great book. Full of action and a real insight into a 1% bike club, by the man who really knows. I have his 1st book which he signed for me at the Bulldog Bash, England, I loved that autobiography, but this is a very accomplished and well written book. Respect.

Did not dislike it. Good book.

Having read all of Sonny Barger's non-fiction, as well as non-fiction by a few other club members, I decided to see what the fiction was like.It's very good. I'm heading straight for more. Keep it coming Mr. Barger, this is good stuff!

After a violent cheesey start , the main characters appeared & came to life & I started to enjoy it.