| Title | : | Bleeding Blue (Boston Crime Thriller #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 274 |
| Publication | : | First published January 28, 2020 |
With two street gangs on the brink of war, Detective Michael Kelly must solve a murder before the entire town goes up in flames.
Bleeding Blue (Boston Crime Thriller #2) Reviews
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I read the first book in this series, {Murder Board} and really liked the writing style of the author as well as the characters, so was anxious to read book 2. I liked that he brought a character from the first book back by hiring Kristen Barnes. She had partnered up with the character of Detective Mike Kelly in the first book. It didn't take as long to recognize and get into the bones of the plot as it did the first book and I have to say it was an exciting ride. It features and focuses more on organized crime in Boston than the first one did. I'm not a big fan of mafia stories but since reading the first book I was a fan of the character of Michael Kelly and his team of investigators. I probably will, at some point, read book #3. The only really "iffy" thing I can say about the story was the questionable planting of the undercover cop. It was a little unbelievable...but I won't go into the "why" to keep from giving too much away.
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I just finished the second book of this series and it was a good book. I think this author is still a detective and it shows in the story . I liked the main characters and the secondary characters and the story moved at a good pace and it never bogged down. This is not a stand alone book you must read the first book or you will be lost with out a doubt. I give this book a slightly lower rating for a cou0ple of reasons. First I am not sure if a couple of the side stories were needed on the fence about that and secondly the last turn of the screw at the end of this book might have been over the top-very close. It is a complex story and moves at a good pace. I just hope romance does not get in the way in the next book too much or becomes sappy. One thing some people might not like just as in the first book there is no clear resolution you will have to read the next book which I think will end the series. All in all it is a very sound and a good book and I say give it a big spin. I will read the next book in the series.
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A Police Effort To Take Over Boston Organized Crime Fails Horribly...
A fascinating crime thriller that lets you see behind the scenes and in the background of Police Officers in Boston,Massachusetts. Homicide Detective Mike Kelly takes to the streets with a strong creed of doing what is right. Born and raised in the area he has friends on all sides of the street, even his brother is an addict he's tried to help. With a young daughter at home, living with his Mom after a divorce, the author enables us to see the complete man, as we become involved in so many actions taking place. Fantastic characters who feel so real, and plots that play out smoothly enhance your adventure.
Sometimes the person you think is bad turns out to be the one who saves your life. As some cops turn on their teammates, Michael has to decide just who to trust as he tries to stop a frightening gang war. One that he has no idea exactly who started it! And then he receives a call, that no one wants to hear...' Your brother is headed to the ER, Cops found him on a street...' A 5 STAR story that picks up where 'Murder Board' left off, and takes you for a thrilling ride!! All who enjoy crime thrillers, Grab this story!!! -
Bleeding Blue earns 5/5 Detective IDs...Engaging Drama!
Boston. Thriller. Police drama extraordinary. I enjoyed Brian Shea’s book one “Murder Board,” so it was a no-brainer that I’d check out this second book...another hit! As was true in book one, the crime that precipitates the initial drama is immediate, grabbing the reader immediately. What starts as a robbery gone bad, a convenience store clerk is shot and killed on purpose, the gunman appears to smile, and the witness preparing to be the second victim, is spared...for now. The violence continues making Detective Michael Kelly suspect a gang war may just have broken out in Boston. Add a rogue undercover cop, his brother’s addiction, corruption all around, and family secrets revealed, you have a great page-turner. Shea penned a well-written, complex third-person narrative with descriptive language illustrating well the city and the people. I greatly enjoyed the expressive dialogue realistically depicting emotions and personalities. Kelly is a good cop trying to do what’s right and bring closure, if not justice, to victim’s families, but he’s also dealing the family drama of a brother’s addiction struggle, an ex-wife, and his young daughter. Intense. Clever. Whew!
Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments. -
A Dorchester convenience store clerk is shot dead during a robbery. But the store is under the protection of the Irish mob led by Connor Walsh. Signs point towards the Corner Boys, an up-and-coming street gang, as the culprit. Then the sole witness to the murder is found strangled to death in her apartment. When another convenience store shooting occurs, it looks like a nasty gang war has started.
Boston Homicide Detective Mike Kelly is in a race to solve the murders and prevent further bloodshed. But Kelly does not expect to find his younger drug-addicted brother Brayden being used as a pawn by the Narcotics Squad, a deep undercover cop who has gone rogue and corruption deep within the police and the city. On the personal side, Kelly learns some family secrets about his past.
This was a gritty, thrilling enjoyable read in the Boston Crime Thriller series and is highly recommended.
I received an eARC from Severn River Publishing with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review. -
I love mystery/ thriller series and since these are set in my home city of Boston, I gave the first one a try...and loved it! Couldn’t wait until this one (#2) and it was everything I hoped for. The characters and plots are realistic. I sympathized with the victims and couldn’t wait for the villains to get what they deserved ( which may or may not happen, just like in the real world). Mike Kelly, the protagonist, is a born and bred Dorchester boy and a cop who “bleeds blue”, but who is also affected by loyalty to friends and family members who have chosen other paths in life. The author has done a great job developing Kelly’s character and the influences of his Boston neighborhood -Irish Catholic - family-first (not just blood family) upbringing. This book answered some questions that remained unanswered in book #1, but has left others to be explored in future books, of which I hope there will be many. I care about Mike Kelly, his family and his fellow officers and crime prevention personnel, so bring on book #3!
BTW... while waiting for this book in the Boston Crime Series, I tried the author’s Nick Lawrence Series. I ended up binging all the books in that series! Hope there might be more at some point. Give them a try too! -
Better and Better!!!
Great story and follow up to the first book in the series!!! As always, well developed story and characters! Loved the mother/son and brothers interactions! Lots of action, twists and turns, all in all great book! A must read series! Can't wait for the next book! -
Brian Shea’s Boston Crime thriller series picks up where Murder Board left off. Through the use of very well-developed characters this story takes the reader on a very action filled journey filled with betrayal, strained friendships and a series of murders. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
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Excellent read. Very surprising ending. Waiting with great expectation for the next book in the series.
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A cop story
One that has the ring of authenticity running around and thru it to the end. It also described Irish Boston very well -
This was better than the first book which is not often the case with a series. A lot of secrets come into the light for Mike Kelly.
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When a convenience store clerk is murdered, and a witness lives to tell about the man, his tattoos, and behaviors; sparks begin to fly between clashing mobs. That store was under the protection of the Irish mob led by Connor Walsh. Not too long after, that same witness is found strangled to death as well.
Detective Mike Kelly is burdened with multiple cases, and is now racing against time to solve these murders to prevent a full on mob war. Other investigators also pursuing leads use Kelly's younger drug-addicted brother as an inside man, jeopardizing him in numerous situations. Adding to the complexity of the cases, an undercover cop who has gone rogue, is deep inside the mob. Top it all off with Kelly finding deep family secrets that will really get the reader turned around.
This was a decent read, but I personally did not like it as much as other books. -
Exciting and riveting
Once I started this book I couldn’t put it down. I was annoyed when I had to sporadically put it down to “adult.” But even with those interruptions I stayed up until 4 in the morning to finish it in one sitting. It’s been a while since I read book one. I’m not sure why as I loved it and this series has BINGE written all over it. I’m pretty confident I’ll be remedying that grievous error this time around.
Since it had been a while it took a bit to get back up to speed and remember the connections and background of several of the characters. This story starts with the murder of a convenience store clerk and escalates. Lots of things don’t make sense to Mike and he’s sees more to what’s happening than what the perpetrator is trying to make them look like. The author does a great job making things realistic, not a surprise as he’s got a law enforcement background. The story arc moves well, lots of things happening at once but the way the author plots the story and his clear, sharp, and concise writing make transitions smooth and make the plot flow well. He does a good job dropping clues as well as red herrings. I had figured out some big plot points but it in no way interfered with my enjoyment of the book as I was curious how it was going to play out.
There are lots of secrets revealed, lots of plotting and double dealing. I’m still not sure what exactly is going on and who can or cannot be trusted. There’s clearly a bigger storyline at play here that I have to assume is going to be part of an overriding story arc.
There are also personal developments for Mike that will impact him in unknown ways, including on a professional level. The author does a fantastic job writing these scenes so the reader can feel his inner turmoil. The gut had lots of butterflies beating around in there during several scenes.
One would think reading this book that the author has some unresolved issues from his time as a cop. He clearly doesn’t have a lot of respect for those in supervisory roles. I’ve no doubt this is as a result of personal experiences. God knows if I wrote books set in public high schools after 34 years as a teacher virtually every level of administration would not be painted in a flattering way!
I’m downloading book three now and am looking forward to what Mike encounters next. -
Of i was just reviewing the nook, I would give it 5 stars. It was a good read with engaging characters and fast paced action. I started with knowing that it was a 2 book series. BUT that story lines were not resolved and I found that book 3 is not due out for 8 months. This is a total la k of respect for a loyal reader. Not only will I have forgotten many of the details making this good but the continuity of the story line is totally disrupted. I will not ever read another book by Brian Shea.
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Bleeding Blue (Boston Crime Thriller #2), my second read from author Brian Christopher Shea. I was given a copy of The Penitent One (Boston Crime Thriller #3) to read & review & wanted to read the first two books in the series first. Even darker & grittier than Murder Board (Boston Crime Thriller #1) still, well-written with characters & plot you can buy into with unexpected twists & turns. I look forward to The Penitent One (Boston Crime Thriller #3. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
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I have liked this series so far. These don't go into quite the investigative depth that the Bosch series does, focusing more on the mob ties and undercover angles of police work, but I find it entertaining as well. Also not the first time it has been done where some kids from tougher neighborhoods end up going into police work where others veer towards the path that they witness everyday on the streets, and yet they all still remain familiar with each other or in contact. Not unlike some Dennis Lehane books. I do like this series and will continue on to the next one.
