Reviewed by: BigAl
Genre: Mystery/Police Procedural
Approximate word count: 115-120,000 words
Availability
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Author:
A published
author since 1978, David Grace (often under the name David Alexander) has
thirteen novels, two collections of crime short stories, and five science
fiction short story collections to his credit.
For more,
visit Grace’s website.
Description:
“Homicide
Detective Ned Danes discovers that an ambitious Deputy D.A. has concealed
evidence of an accused murderer's innocence in order to secure a
headline-grabbing conviction. Danes is warned that a smart guy would keep his
mouth shut. More interested in being a good guy than a smart one, Danes
torpedoes the corrupt Deputy D.A.'s case, and for his honesty, Danes is exiled
to the tiny basement office of the Cold Case Squad.”
“FBI agent
Phillip Abbott has been put on leave for his last sixty days before his forced
retirement. He has that long to catch a drug-cartel hit man whose specialty is
murdering entire families. Completely alone, Abbott needs a courageous cop like
Ned Danes to back him up.”
Appraisal:
The Concrete Kiss might have been titled A Tale of Two Lawmen. The two main
characters, big city policeman Ned Danes and FBI agent Phillip Abbott, cross
paths early in the story and establish a friendship that, while based on their
profession, goes beyond that. As each continues on their own, chasing a
different criminal each is obsessed with bringing to justice, it isn’t apparent
how or if the two story threads will resolve and when the two will work
together again, although it is an easy assumption that the latter of these will
eventually happen.
These two
story threads each receive thorough treatment as the reader gets to know both
characters well. Another significant character, FBI agent Phillip Abbott’s
adoptive daughter, Jessie, has her own compelling back-story and her
contribution is critical to the story and its appeal. Although longer than
typical for the genre due to the multiple story threads, The Concrete Kiss is fast-paced, unpredictable, and should hit the
sweet spot for fans of police procedurals or thrillers. Author Grace sets up
well for a series with these same characters, possibly even two series, one
with Ned Danes, and the other with Phil Abbott and Jessie.
FYI:
Some adult
language.
Format/Typo Issues:
A small
number of copy-editing and proofing misses.
Rating: ***** Five stars
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