For me, it’s not about the instant gratification of an action hook, it’s about good writing from the start. Hardy creates a character that I want to know more about. (In fact now I want to read that book, just from the lines you included.) On the other hand, too many authors spend page after page exposing boring character traits that don’t compell me to know more. So for me there has to be a hook, but it doesn’t have to be an action scene, or a dramatic moment. Just something that makes me want to know more.