Title | : | Cold Hard Truth (Boston Crime Thriller Book 5) |
Author | : | |
Rating | : | |
ISBN | : | - |
Language | : | English |
Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
Number of Pages | : | 304 |
Publication | : | Published March 1, 2022 |
Cold Hard Truth (Boston Crime Thriller Book 5) Reviews
-
A Boston Detective Takes On A Case That Hits Close To Home
Detective Michael Kelly is back facing a murder that gives the police department and his own 'family' a gut check. The son of Boston Police Chief Tom Ryan goes missing when on a cruise celebrating his marriage, soon to be found dead and Kelly's 'brother', just released from prison, is believed to have something to do with it!! The investigation that follows tests Kelly's patience and abilities, soon finding himself in danger as he puts together pieces of the information he finds.
A suspenseful thriller that is impossible to put down as this author shares intriguing characters, scenes you feel yourself in and the real life working of a Boston Homicide Detective. I can't believe what Detective Kelly decides to do at the end of this case, and am now waiting impatiently for the next book in this sensational series!! -
a strong read ... except that the perpetrator was known (to me) almost from the beginning but it took the cops much longer to make what I thought was an obvious connection
-
The fifth installment in the Detective Kelly and the Boston Crime Thriller Series is fast paced, gritty and more personal than ever. People from Kelly's past affects him both personally and professionally.
Brian Shea is a master at giving true to life detective reads that are extremely well written and with interesting backstory of the characters involved. Every book in the series gets better and better and I can't wait to read what happens next. I highly recommend this book and series.
Thanks to the author, Severn River Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced copy. -
Cold Hard Truth is an action-packed detective novel where family means everything. Mike Kelly is a homicide detective who grew up on the southside of Boston and used boxing to escape the realities of a dysfunctional family. Cold Hard Truth is the 5th book in the Boston Crime Thriller series by bestselling and award-winning author Brian Shea.
Ethan Ryan is punching well above his weight by marrying into the Wexler family. He is only a low-level employee in the company. He and the bosses’ daughter are at their engagement party on a yacht when Ethan disappears with the help of two unknown assailants. What happened to him and why? Mike Kelly is the investigator on the case. He and his new assistant Cahill interview everyone on the boat but come up with little information. Kelly’s sharp eye and some video footage leads him to the two killers, but he is not convinced these guys are working alone. Unfortunately, further evidence leads to an old friend of Kelly’s and he must prove him either guilty or innocent. Against his better judgement and the orders from his superiors Kelly searches for evidence that has a tenuous link to a previous crime because it may help him trust his friend again. He finds something unexpected which changes his direction and the game is on.
The characters in the novel are compelling because they are all about family as much as they are about crime fighting. Mike Kelly is honest and hard-working but he comes from a background where he spends a lot of time in the gym developing his boxing skills. This crowd often lives on the dark side but they are his best friends and his second family. Kelly also has a little girl from a previous marriage who he tries to shield from his way of life. This leads to a variety of unusual characters in the novel.
The story is fast paced and thought-provoking. There are a lot of factors competing for attention. Mike has a friend who has been put in prison for a long time and he’s trying now to find evidence to prove he is innocent. Even though we know who the murderers are we quickly understand that there’s someone else pulling the strings and there are multiple choices of who it could be. There is a twist at the end of the story that takes the story away from Ethan’s murder and onto an old crime which has yet to be solved. The linkage between these two crimes expands the story to one overall story of corruption.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a fast-paced murder mystery with an emotional side. I give the book at 4 and 5. I want to thank NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for providing me with a digital copy of this novel. I give this review voluntarily. -
It's been too long since I've visited the world of Michael Kelly. Cold Hard Truth (CHT) continues the fast-paced trek to find justice not just for the mysterious death of the Police Chief's son, but a murder from nearly two decades prior as well. Much like past entries of this series, the story moved at a consistent clip that was difficult to put down, and Mike had to navigate through even more roadblocks than usual this time around.
I very much enjoyed CHT, but I the main plot was a bit too obvious. I could've stopped reading after the first chapter and been mostly correct about assuming all the broad strokes of the storyline. I don't mention this because there's something wrong with obvious; far too many authors throw in twists and turns only to lead to an implausible and/or contrived conclusion. Brian Shea deftly sprinkles in alternative possibilities as he has Kelly follow the evidence to a logical close that while a bit predictable in parts, was still highly satisfying. Omitting a couple details in chapter one, to be revealed more naturally later, would've drastically aided in keeping me guessing.
Doing my best to avoid spoilers, there were a few things that took me out of the immersion. CHT may have benefitted from another look by an editor because there was a fair amount of redundant dialog, and even one or two instances of conflicting dialog. If this were earlier in the series it would be even less an issue as it is here, but by book five I don't feel we need to be reminded half a dozen times that Pop's Gym has been Mike's "second home" for most of his life, as just one example. I also think it was a little strange how quickly and easily people would question Kelly with only one massively out of character lapse.
I may rethink this upon further review, but CHT might be my favorite in the series so far. However, the series looks to be heading in another direction for the next installment or two with Mike going deep undercover. I was hoping he'd turn the offer down, considering how almost all his close relationships were already strained to the breaking point, but I do appreciate how it was set up leading to the end. Unfortunately, I'm not as big a fan of the genre we're about to get into, so I may give it a pass until Kelly returns to being a homicide detective. Cheers! -
Cold Hard Truth is a great action-packed detective novel.
I'm going to start this review off, by stating that I did not read any of the other books in this series. I don't feel that you need too.
The story starts off with Ethan Ryan. The fiancée, Cass, the daughter of the famous Alan Wexler of Wexler Pharma, goes missing during their engagement party on a yacht. No one knows what happened to him or even noticed he was gone until they got to the dock.
Detective Mike Kelly, a homicide detective who used to box as a child (This is important!), is put on the case. Mike Kelly and his new partner, Cahill, interview everyone on the boat but come up with little information. With some video footage, Kelly is lead to two killers, but he's not convinced these two are working alone. Unfortunately, further evidenced leads to an old friend, basically his brother, of Kelly's and he must prove whether he was involved or not. Kelly will now have to figure out if the case from his friend/brother, from years before, is linked to this current case.
I did enjoy the story and found Mike Kelly to be what you would expect from a dedicated detective - willing to risk his career and life for the right people to be held responsible. I understand that boxing plays a huge part in Mike's role, but some of the scenes just seemed strange - mostly when he went in to box himself.
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review -
Mike Kelly is a detective at Boston PD. He has a new partner, Mark Cahill, who transferred from Narcotics. When the son of Chief Ryan disappears from a boat, the two tackle a missing persons case that spirals into a web of money, deceit, and power.
Mark is a trainee in the new position and sometimes steps over the line. Although he annoys his partner, Mark brings a fresh aspect to solving murder cases. His methods may be unorthodox, but he's sharp and quick to the point.
Mike is an old-school, seasoned detective. He combs through this case just like any other. Years on the job have taught Mike one thing, though: to trust his instincts over the evidence. When his instincts tell him that something isn't right with this case, Mike continues his investigation and brings down the wrath of his superiors.
This is a well-written, fast-paced novel. As a fan of CSI and detective stories, I really enjoyed this. Unlike the typical "whodunnit," this novel kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat until the end. -
Another engaging read in the series. A recent crime is connected to a crime committed 19 years previously as the culprit for the first one has also been identified for the second murder. However, Mike doesn't believe the outcome is correct he keeps on investigating and discovers that everyone who kept digging about the first case has been found dead and he is also involved in suspicious circumstances that may end his career. He follows many dead-end leads, puts his life and his family at risk, but ends up solving both cases with a very unexpected ending that gives a hint about the next book in the series. Cold Hard Truth has a great plot, interesting characters, is very well written, and provides great entertainment for its readers!
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review. -
Intriguing conspiracy case but too much TSTL
I’ve enjoyed the earlier books in the series, particularly as they seemed reflective of the author’s real life experience as a LEO. However, this book, even with its intriguing crime mystery, just has too many holes. There are too many TSTL moments, reactions by others are ridiculous, and the ending is completely unbelievable. I think we’ve jumped the shark.
The mystery itself is puzzling and entertaining and if it was in a different book I might have enjoyed reading it more. But because we have a history with Mike Kelly it just doesn’t jive with what’s come before. And the totally unbelievable ending is also highly problematic based on what we know about Kelly.
I doubt I’ll read the next book. It was a good series while it lasted. -
I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to pre-read this book. I found this author thru NetGalley and I have enjoyed each book. If you enjoy a good police procedural/detective book, this is the book for you (and the four books before this!).
Mike Kelly is the quintessential Boston cop, with friends from the mob, a priest, and a pseudo-father that owns a boxing gym. He is working on the case of the fiancé of a multi-million dollar pharmaceutical company owner. Ethan disappears at his engagement party on a yacht. As the case unfolds, old friends are brought into the mix. What do you do when a person who was raised as a brother, finds himself in the middle of your crime? You will have to read to find out! It is that good!! You need to read this!!! -
Brian Shea’s latest in the Boston Crime Thriller series will keep you wrapped up in the action as Mike Kelly attempts to solve a murder that hits close to home for the Boston PD. If you are a fan of Brian’s work, you owe it to yourself to grab a copy of this book and settle in for some quality tie with Mike Kelly and the BPD. Having previously read the four previous books in the series I was excited to read this episode, and when the publisher offered me a review copy of the audiobook, I had to accept. Listening to Corey Snow’s narration of this story really made it come alive with all the accents and various vocalizations.
-
I enjoyed this crime thriller. Mike Kelly is a realistic character who embodies a true detective. He will stop a nothing to get to the truth. This is a well written story interspersed with the back story so that we learn what drives Mike. The characters are flawed but believable. The action and suspense kept me turning the pages. This is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. I would highly recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
-
This is the fifth installment the Boston Crime series, but is the first book in the series that I have read. I don’t think it’s necessary to have read the previous books in order to enjoy reading this one - though after reading this book, I’ve purchased the first four books in the series. Now I just need to find the time to get them read!
This is a well written, action packed police procedural. There are prevailing themes of family, justice and the life lessons Mike has learned through boxing. There is more to come in this series and I’m looking forward to what happens next! -
A fantastic story and series
This was a fantastic story with many unexpected and interesting twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the very end. It's definitely a must read book and series for those who love thrillers!
I'm really hoping that there's going to be another book coming out soon, as this story is certainly far from it's end. This is definitely an author that will be going on my favorites list!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author. -
The son of the Police Chief is murdered during an engagement party on a boat no less, Detective Kelly is called in to investigate. It won't be easy since the fiancé, is the daughter of a very rich and powerful owner of a pharmacal company. The heat is on to solve this case and fast. But something isn't adding up for Kelly, even after they find the killers...or did they? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
-
Loved all five books by Brian Shea and enjoyed his character Mike Kelly. The stories move along with two or three possible solutions and then the last couple of chapters turns everything around. "Cold Hard Truth" left me wondering what's next for Mike Kelly. There must be book # 6 coming out. I'll keep my eyes open for it.
-
Great book, great series
The further you get in the book the more intense it gets. You can feel The city as you read. Love the characters and am looking forward to the next chapter in the series. -
another masterpiece
The Cold Hard Truth is another masterpiece from the works of Brian Shea, and one of his best. The Boston Crime series featuring Michael Kelly is full of drama, action and surprises and always keeping you wanting for more.