Rating: 
Summary: difficult to categorize
Review: It's not a mystery, not truly a thriller, maybe an action book....You know the good guys, you know the bad guys and there's action, but it goes beyond the dime store action thriller. It is difficult to put this book in a traditional pigeon hole, but it is sure worth the read. Hunter gives us interesting characters in an interesting place and time with just enough real folks and history that you keep thinking it really happened.
Rating: 
Summary: Strangely Tepid and Sluggish
Review: This was my first try at a Stephen Hunter novel. I have to say that Hot Springs was something of a disappointment. Mr. Hunter clearly has a track record of turning out serviceable thrillers, and apparently has accumulated a large and loyal readership, but this novel can't be one of his better efforts. I found myself plodding through too many characters that promise to become interesting but remain wooden, and who indulge in long pedantic exchanges about training, discipline, the manly thing to do, etc. etc. A lot of tough talk and not much action. I think the story is about a hundred and fifty pages too long--it literally put me to sleep, pacing-wise. There is also distracting evidence of a tin ear--poor word and phrase choices, which makes me think the writer was somewhat bored with the material he was creating. The editor needed a firmer blue pencil here. Mr. Hunter has all the right moves, but like an athlete on an off day this performance lacks inspiration. The whole story, as indicated by the title of this review, is strangely tepid and sluggish. I think the author needs to take a few months off and wait for his muse to rekindle. A little tightening up is much needed.
Rating: 
Summary: Swagger saga continues.
Review: This is probably the strongest of the Swagger saga, despite
some opinions to the contrary. The plot is tight and the
story flows effortlessly from start to finish, testament to
Hunter's developed sense of pacing and storytelling.
I especially liked the post-WWII setting, in that Hunter
really places the reader in that time with simple touches
and some astute observations about things we take for
granted or never considered: Bell telephone, the life of
returning veterans and war heroes, the social structure of
the South and America in general in the late 40s, and so forth.
Hunter did his research but he didn't let it get in the way
of telling a story; like any good writer, he just used it to
help tell a better story.
Call it a prequel, call it an addition to the Swagger saga,
but call it your next Stephen Hunter book.
Rating:
Summary: Hunter is Outstanding in the Swaggert Series!
Review: "Hot Springs" is a prequel to the saga of the Swaggert family of Arkansas. The first Hunter book I ever read was "Dirty White Boys" and it hooked me as a Stephen Hunter fan for life. Since then, I have read everything the man creates and have never been disappointed. But for a new reader, I would recommend starting with "Hot Springs." It is simply the best crafted adventure novel, tightly plotted, believable action about characters you care about or despise, and it clips along at a pace that will keep you turning pages long after you should have gone to sleep. The four books in the Swaggert family series are the ones you will remember long after you have finished all of his books, and with "Hot Springs", Hunter starts the Swaggert story with extreme intensity. Trust me, you will enjoy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Stephen Hunter continues to build on the legends he created.
Review: Stephen Hunter continues to write in his multi-perspective style. This latest book is a prequel to Blacklight. In my readings, only Tom Clancy brings more in-depth detail to his characters and plots. He passionately and meticulously describes the locations, and the equipment used. The story flows very well, as is typical of the Swagger series books. He is able to intertwine characters and events from many books into one believable timeline. Personally, I like how he borrows characters from his other books and shows them at different points in their lives. Hunter allows himself the opportunity to expand on this series with future books. While doing all this, he tells an exciting story. A Hunter novel veteran knows that the hero will triumph in the end, but getting there is an adventure. It's just a question of how many bad guys will die at the hands of the hero.
Rating:
Summary: HUNTER HAS ME!!!!!
Review: The last Hunter book I started I quit after about 100 pages, that was Time to Hunt. I was soooooooo bad. Then I get Hot Springs and it is very gooooood. I wish he would be all good or all bad, but I gues that is asking to much. I hate paying for some of them and then finding out I don't like them. Hot Springs is about Earl Swagger and his crew trying to clean up Hot Springs, Ark. The book has a lot of action and is very fast moving. Swagger is so very tough. He shows it in the houses they crash into and at the very end. He can handle all kinds of weapons and is very good at leading men. If you like a book with a lot of feeling about the life and times of the main character you will like this book. Hope the next one I buy is this good. I guess Hunter has me because I have to buy the book to see if it is good, if it is or not he still comes out ahead.
Rating:
Summary: Kind of a letdown
Review: As a huge Stephen Hunter fan, I was slightly let down by this book. It lacked the "I can't put this book down until I find out what happened" quality that came with Dirty White Boys or Point of Impact.The historical background of Hot Springs and the NY gangsters was interesting, but the characters were not as compelling as some of his earlier works. It seemed to be too much of a stretch to introduce Frenchy Short and C.D. Henderson (featured in past Hunter novels)in this book. Overall, it is a good summertime read. I guess that I am spoiled by how great Hunter's past works have been.
Rating:
Summary: Man, this guy can write a book.
Review: Some authors have one or two good books in them, and then disappoint, but Mr. Hunter keeps on delivering. I was worried that I wouldn't like Hot Springs because of the time-frame, but I was hooked after a few pages. This is a great "No Dames" adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Full of Action, quite entertaining.
Review: Hunter goes further back in time for a prequal to the Swagger series, and he does a pretty good job. This book is full of all the violence, action and suspense of the previous books. Much of the suspense (like the truth about earl's father) is anti climactic because it has no bearing on the future books in the series. I won't say Hunter did a great job of portraying 1940's hot springs, but for me it is interesting to read about a town in Arkansas that sounds just like the Las Vegas of today. I thought the inclusion of real-life characters added to the story as well. If you are a Hunter fan, definitely read this. Other wise, try point of impact or Black light first. I think they are better books.
Rating:
Summary: Move Over, EL Doctorow
Review: This is my first Stephen Hunter book. I loved it. His mixing of real life mobsters and fictional characters gives you the feel of a non fiction history of a wide open big city wannabe. The hero (?), Earl Swagger, is at once hard to like but very believable, given his war record and early environment. The hand picked team of "special agents" trained by Swagger and directed by a crusty retired sharpshooter. Lots of action, strategy and surprises. As a bonus we get the story of who shot Bugsy Segal.
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