Deus X

August Snow #4

by Stephen Mack Jones

Detroit ex-cop August Snow puts his life on the line to protect a friend from modern-day Templars sworn to protect the name of the Catholic church at all costs.

Father Michael Grabowski, a Franciscan priest who has tended the spiritual needs of Detroit’s Mexicantown for forty years, has suddenly retired. August Snow, who has known the priest his whole life, finds the circumstances troubling—especially in light of the recent suspicious suicide of another local priest. What dark history is Father Grabowski hiding?

The situation takes a turn for the deadly with the appearance at the Detroit diocese of a mysterious priest and combat vet calling himself Francis Dominioni Petra. The man comes from the Vatican, and as his armored guard circles closer and closer to Father Grabowski and his friends, August wants to know why. A terrible crime has been committed in the name of faith—but who is seeking justice, and who is trying to bury the truth and any of its witnesses? August grapples with his own ideas about his faith and his chosen family in this action-packed fourth installment in the Hammett Prize–winning series.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Adult Fiction, Suspense

360 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2023

About the author

Stephen Mack Jones is a published poet, award-winning playwright, and recipient of the prestigious Kresge Arts in Detroit Literary Fellowship. He survived a number of years in advertising and marketing communications. Mr. Jones was born in Lansing, Michigan, and currently lives in Farmington Hills, outside of Detroit. August Snow is his first novel.

Reviews

[Paula Korelitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because the author was signing this book where I work. It isn't one of my favorite genres. I was unfamiliar with the author's previous books and did not expect to enjoy this one.

HOW WRONG I WAS! I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. I truly cannot wait to meet Mr. Jones!

August Snow, the main character is a man with loyalty, empathy, and perseverance. The locale, Detroit, is where I was born and raised and I loved reading about so many familiar places.

The writing is exquisite. The plot is about abuse of power, something that has become more and more prevalent of late. Can I give this book 6 stars?

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Edelweiss and Soho Press for allowing me the early read of Deus X
Stephen Mack Jones has done it again. Written an intelligent, humorous, engaging tale for August Snow. A little less death and (it seemed) a few fewer meals to drool over, but he's still the take-no-shit, no-nonsense former policeman. Yet, his love for his family of friends takes precedence over everything and anybody.
This time, Snow is working to protect one of his own - Father Grabowski - who was a friend of August's parents and baptized infant Snow. He is against a formidable opponent - the Catholic Church. Or, at least, a segment of it.
I can not imagine the amount of research that must be done on so many levels to write such a detailed account. It seems that I can never read these books quickly enough. Life gets in the way of my reading.
Oh! And, I am going to try the recipe for Crème fraîche .

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth in a favorite series. This time there is even more backstory to August Snow's history, and his character continues to grow. What makes this series so special is the Detroit setting, the incredible inclusion of food descriptors, and a delicious mystery to crown it all off.

[Maureen Grigsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detroit, Catholic Church, Vatican

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to some interactions on social media I was fortunate to get a copy of Deus X by Stephen Mack Jones and he even surprised me with some bonus gifts. I stumbled upon this author and his series about Detroit ex cop August Snow a while ago and was hooked from the first page. I have loved the hard boiled detective stories with witty dialogue since I was rather young, maybe too young. Even though August isn't a P.I. he solves problems in his neighborhood. Detroit has seen some bad times but there are those that are trying to rebuild their community and Snow is one of them. I like the fact that people haven't given up on their town in this series as opposed to Loren D. Estlemans Amos Walker where everything is so much darker. I was taken by surprise when I started this book and thought where will this go? But it soon became clear to me that something bad was brewing in Detroit and it wasn't beer. In this book we will get some different sides of the catholic church and how they deal with troubles. What a great concept? I really love the characters created by Jones and he has a wonderful way of telling a story and the book was very hard to put down. I highly recommend this author and his series and I look forward to what will happen next.

[Hannah⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far my favorite August Snow book since the first one

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woohoo! 🎉 Notified this morning that I am a Giveaways winner! Can’t wait to receive this one 📚

And now the actual review...

I was thrilled to win an Advanced Reader's Edition of the fourth novel in the August Snow series. Each one reads like an action film and is a fun ride from start to finish, even though they include serious topics/themes as part of the mystery. Plus, August loves to cook and the food descriptions always leave me hungry for more (pun intended :)).

At the beginning of the novel, August is in Oslo with his girlfriend Tatina, Momma Stadtmueller, and other relatives of Tatina. He cannot help but get involved with a case while he's there and delivers his own particular brand of justice. This focus and drive is a source of tension in his relationship with Tatina, but this is his calling. He rushes back to Detroit's Mexicantown when he learns that one of his elderly neighbors, Sylvia, is experiencing a medical emergency. There is no way he's going to leave her partner, Carmela, and his assistant/unofficial little sis, Lucy, alone during this time. Supporting and protecting his found family is also a calling for August.

Upon his return, August is pulled into a case involving his long-time friend and confidante, Father Grabowski, who has abruptly retired without explanation. The case involves a mysterious organization known only as Deus X and the arrival of a mysterious priest and combat vet calling himself Francis Dominioni Petra. August's faith will be tested in many ways as he tries to unravel the truth. But. There is no doubt that he will get to the bottom of the matter and ensure that those who are guilty will be held to account. There is plenty of action, intrigue, and suspense to keep you guessing along the way.

While this is part of a series, I feel like each book in it can be read as a stand-alone, so it would be easy to dip in and out. The writing is crisp, witty, and sly, and always makes me want to read just one more chapter to find out what comes next. I guarantee you'll want to learn more about August and the supporting cast of characters regardless of where you start in the series. One thing I particularly liked about this one was learning more about Father Grabowski's past, which includes serving in the Vietnam War and spending time in Mexico early in his religious career. I adore August and his found family, which also includes his godfather Tomás who plays a vital role in this story, and his support for his beloved hometown and its inhabitants. The Mexicantown neighborhood is a vital part of each story and I've enjoyed seeing how it has transformed and flourished as the series has progressed.

Many thanks to Soho Crime and the Goodreads Giveaways program for an early look at the upcoming release of book #4 in one of my favorite series!

[Valerie Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Stephen Mack Jones' fourth book in the August Snow series, which are all set in Detroit. I have seen this author at local book festivals and have been a fan ever since the first book. I always feel like an insider picking out the metropolitan Detroit locales. This book is quite a page-turner, focusing on mysterious circumstances within Catholic church. Needless to say, August gets involved to right the wrongs brought upon innocent people. We have many of the wonderful characters from the previous books, plus some new ones. I highly recommend this book (and the other three books in the August Snow series) -- great fast-paced adventure! I received this book as an advance reader copy from NetGalley and appreciate the opportunity to read it prior to it's November 7, 2023 publication date.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

[Connie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Lots of twist & turns especially when aren't familiar with the inner working of the Vatican

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I seem to be the odd man out, but this book wasn't to my taste. The dialogue was just too belligerent and macho.

[Leane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book in this series, if not as spectacular as the preceding August Snow episode—the addition of his Scandinavian setting’s intro to the book and his enduring relationship with his professor girlfriend adds both a disquieting and harmonious Tone to the novel as August jets back to Detroit due to a close friend’s health scare. This book dives deep into both the realities and the mythology of the Catholic Church, especially through the urban Detroit lens, and philosophical, political, and religious issues get their airing as August investigates his friend Father Grabowski’s past, dances with a few devils from his own past, and ancient assassins and covert societies. Some of the plotting does test credibility; however, like previous books in the series (and I repeat from my previous review of #3, Dead of Winter) the “amalgamation of strong CH development, indelible place (Detroit), brisk pacing, trenchant and humorous prose, and a continuous building of tension and release. His food descriptions are equal if not better than Parker's Spenser. The gritty urban streets of Detroit's Mexicantown as remarkable as Joe Ide's LA.” His use of climate and urban landscapes add to the Tone. “His pacing and fight scenes reminded me of Hurwitz's Orphan series in that he gives you just enough detail while he forwards the action. Secondary CHs are well-developed--even the bad guys--and August Snow is complex and always on a learning curve. The violence is pervasive and in this book borders on carnage; however, it always serves the narrative even when it feels excessive. Mack Jones balances this violence with an internal and dialogue-driven examination of motivation, faith, and the variables in humanity that allows me to take the leap with him even when I am sometimes feeling that like other suspense authors he is allowing his CHs to get away with (no legal consequence) in the name of practical justice”. Red Flags: Violence, child sexual abuse, and vulgar language. Readalikes include Joe Ide, Matt Goldman, and George Pelecanos.

[Notsodeepdenise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book on a Goodreads Giveaway and received a copy from the publisher. It was pdretty good and I would read the books leading up to it. The characters are well-drawn and I wanted more of their story. Yes, all of August Snow's friends. I liked the murder story too-good twists. I thought the writing was ok. How many times and how many characters threaten a "foot up the ass" of someone else??

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love August Snow!!! Each book is a treasure!

[Tom Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Mack Jones does an excellent writing job in all of his novels. However, where he shines the most brightly is as a messenger who explains in very clear, believable term what it is like to live in this era without white skin, or a privileged background. There is a sense of community in these novels among the characters of all colors, and he describes how these people are bound together by that experience of being so close to the edge. Still his characters rely on each other in having to make their way and justify their behavior to a systemic majority that rules the American roost. One can get lost in Jones' narratives about belief systems, ethnic background, faiths, and a shared sense of community, and he can effectively invite all readers to experience this life in his writings. Mr. Jones is an outstanding author.

[Randy Horshok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixed emotions on Deus X

I always have bittersweet feelings when reading SMJ's books! They are always captivating and exciting-- I am in a hurry to finish it, knowing I won't figure out the whodunit until he reveals it. But, it is always frustrating, knowing I now have to wait a year (+) until his next offering! Deus X keeps you guessing and even teeters on the edge of sci-fi. Another long wait for the next August Snow story.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth book of August Snow. Always enjoy being in Detroit with August and his good friends Jimmy, Lucy, Tomas and the moms. The narrative surrounding the Knights Templar, church and the Vatican made for a gripping story. Excellent read.

[Brian Earnest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book in a Goodreads giveaway and saw it is the fourth book in a series. So I read the previous books in order and loved them and Deus X, I like the main character and his crew. Reminds me of the Spencer's books by Robert B. Parker. Love this series.

[Bookphile · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, for spoiler-y reasons in the blurred sections.

I enjoyed this installment in the series. August is a very vivid and fun character, even if he is a bit more commando than I usually go for in my books. Still, if you're looking for something action-packed, you can't go wrong with these.

I could definitely do without the anti-fatness that rears its head from time to time in the book. It's the mundane, common kind of anti-fatness I run into in a lot of books, where bad characters have bigger bodies and characters insult other characters by commenting on their body size.

Another little critique I have is that, other than the older ladies, pretty much every woman ever in this series is hot to some extent.

Now, on to what I didn't like so much in this book. Granted, this already has something of a fantastical edge, given that modern-day Templars are involved. However, I'm not a fan of supernatural elements in general, so that's always going to dim my enjoyment of any book, not just this one.

I appreciate the way social commentary is baked into these novels, and as a white person, it sometimes stings to read. I appreciate that discomfort. It's the way I learn, grow, and evolve as a human being. I can't think of a single point he makes in this book that isn't warranted. There aren't words strong enough to describe how absolutely abhorrent the Catholic church's treatment of indigenous children has been, and I appreciate reading characters of color talking about their experiences living in the U.S. I don't doubt some people will want to dismiss this as Jones having an "agenda", which is really just code for saying, "I don't want to think about marginalized people's lived experiences."

I get the impression this might be the last book in the series, or that we might not see August again for a while. I'd be okay with that because I think August deserves a break. If this series is over, though, I hope to see other books by Jones because I very much enjoy his writing.

[Tj · Rating 5 out of 5]

One if the best ongoing series today. Snow is an exquisite character- a righteous man with a strict set of morals. He surrounds himself with other gear characters that you just want to spend time with. And then add on an intriguing mystery, and you have a 5 star book.

[Viccy · Rating 4 out of 5]

August Snow is in Norway, hanging out with his main squeeze, Tatiana. She is a professor at the University of Oslo. Her mother is a high society do-gooder, who supports the Somali community in Norway. August is working with the Oslo police to bring down a serial killer, but he receives a call from Detroit and he has to return. Things have gone really bad in his absence. His dear friend and nextdoor neighbor has had a heart attack and Father Grabowski is suffering from pancreatic cancer. However, a modern day Knights Templar group is hunting the Franciscan priest, who has been set-up by the bishop in Detroit. August must defend himself and protect Father Grabowski. Another great adrenaline ride from Stephen Mack Jones. Recommended.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Soho Press, Soho Crime for an advance copy of this thriller that looks at the failures in systems, trust, relationships, and in the morals of many of things people used to rely on, and how easily corrupted these institutions have become, and will continue to be.

Many things that were once venerated have become almost relics of the past, based on the fact that the trust people once had for these institutions has deteriorated. Many could come back. Hopefully government will, bringing back good people, not grifters or traitors. Trust in Doctors is at an all time low, due more again to grifters and insurance companies, but again that could come back. The Catholic Church, well that is a hard one. Once so powerful it decided who could get buried in cemeteries, who could marry what faith, what movies to watch and richer than the richest man in Babylon, the Church has taken a lot of hits, scandals dealing with child abuse the worst. Churches are closing, dioceses are folding into each other, and doing what they can. In a section of Detroit though, something is stirring, something the church might not want to admit too, but something that is putting people at risk. Deus X by poet, playwright and author Stephen Mack Jones is the fourth book in the August Snow series, and places our hero right in the sights of a group who seek to return the Church to its dark past and go medieval on some of Snow's friends.

August Snow is enjoying a quiet rest in Norway, spending time with his love and her family, all while assisting the local police in capturing a elite member of society who enjoys killing people. Snow is called back home to Mexicantown, a part of the southwest end of Detroit to help some friend who have has some difficult times. Snow is an ex-policeman, but these are things that Snow can't threaten or hit, so he feels out of his element. However Snow does take an interest in a local fixture, Father Michael Grabowski who has left the priesthood after almost three decades, and seems to be wasting away. Rumors are swirling around the Father, that he knows more about the hanging death of a young priest, or other darker rumors. Another priest Father Dominioni Petra, has come to town, accompanied by a man that Snow doesn't know, but knows the type. A killer. Snow begins to investigate and finds a dark little group of fanatics who would like to remake the Church in their own image, no matter how many souls it might take.

This is my first encounter with August Snow, and my first reading of Stephen Mack Jones, and I really enjoyed it. Snow has a real feel, a person who while comfortable doing some work in Norway, really needs the streets, the smells, the feel, and the people that he knows around him. Snow if very well developed, and I enjoyed the little things, especially the food references, all of which sound really good. The cast around Snow are also interesting, especially the older characters. I don't know why but they had a realness to them, a purpose that sometimes is lacking in characters in series books. Jones has a real gift for dialogue and setting scenes, a richness of description that can tell the smells of a kitchen, or about a man tied to a chair in Norway. The story is quite good too, one that builds upon itself, and most of all makes sense. A very good thriller, and one I will be quick to recommend.

Being the fourth book, there is a little figuring of relationships, but Jones does a good job of keeping that clear and easy to follow. A very good story, and a series that I will have to hop on and follow.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Mack Jones, creator of August Snow – Detroit’s Mexican-African American knight in shining armor – wants to ponder, in his fourth novel, the cost of doing what’s morally right, no matter what. As the book opens, August is visiting his girlfriend’s family in Sweden but while there, he seems to have tracked down and caught a serial killer. That’s just the first chapter. He gets an urgent call from his sometime housemate, Lucy Three Rivers, that her adoptive mothers are in crisis. One of them is in the hospital with a heart problem.

Lucy is a young woman August basically scraped off the streets, and she’s a techno whiz. She’s using her tech talent at the moment to help her “mom” even though she now has a “straight” job. She’s also willing to go off reservation for August. Lucy sees no wrong in what she’s doing, for her, it’s the right thing, no matter the consequence. Her right and wrong boundaries are squishy.

While visiting the hospital, August overhears a heated conversation (or part of one) between his family priest, Father Grabowski, and a remarkably sinister looking man. While he’s not sure exactly what’s up, his concern intensifies when he finds the good father passed out drunk when he stops by one morning. He sobers him up and gets him to talk.

I don’t want to give away too much of this complicated and twisty plot, but Father Grabowski also has things he’s done in the past “for the right reason” that he now regrets. The Father’s moral boundaries, as a Catholic cleric, are not so squishy as Lucy’s. August has two tasks in this book: figuring out what the Father did, and protecting him from harm as there seem to be some very lethal folks looking for him. Just protecting him proves difficult enough.

August, meanwhile, pretty much daily grapples with the amount of violence that he must use to accomplish his ends – often “doing what’s right,” but it still feels wrong. All of these conundrums -from Lucy’s to Grabowski’s to August’s daily battle with the dark side of the world – are a matter of degree, but all are ultimately the same question. For August it’s begun to impact his relationship with his girlfriend, Tatina. They are not married but shared a “commitment” ceremony in the last novel (Dead of Winter, 2021).

This book, of course, is not a polemic. Jones is a very quotable and funny writer, and he’s great with sidebar characters, of whom there are many. He’s a bit like Robert B. Parker’s Spenser – on steroids. Even Spenser took a chill pill every now and then. August shares Spenser’s love of the finer things in fashion as well as the finer things in food, chowing down everything from chili tacos to donuts to swigging down a good amount of bourbon. These books are nothing if not a great cultural food tour of Detroit.

If these books were any different in tone, I’d almost categorize them as cozy, with August’s circle of supportive friends and neighbors and the food tours. However, the level of violence and intrigue puts them into a darker place. I love August, even though he sometimes veers toward the super-human. I’m glad he’s around though, and I enjoyed this trip through the darker recesses of the Catholic church. This was a fast and fun read.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

Another fascinating and creative read, though also another indictment of the Catholic churches handling of the wayward priests issue. August Snow returns from Norway, where he was instrumental in solving a murder case, because his beloved neighbor, Sylvia, is in the hospital having had a heart attack. Her boarder and friend Lucy Three Rivers is distraught, Sylvia and her friend Carmela like her mothers. While they keep vigil at the hospital, August is told that his friend Father Michael Grabowski has retired and is acting weird, withdrawn, living with Jimmy Radmon. Father sloughs it off, but research reveals that he was forced out probably by Bishop Henry "Deke" McKinney, whom Augustus dislikes. He believes Deke is corrupt, power hungry, and, indeed, he is headed for the Vatican. Father Grabowski confesses to having done some bad things as a young priest. He had a relationship with a drug lord in South America and was compelled through a series of letter he receives in getting rid of some priests that were bad...read pedophiles. He sends them to Juan Diego Delacruz, head of the Diego Cartel, and they disappear. Now Father Grabowski is accused of being a pedophile. Preposterous!

August investigates. He is threatened by unknown men, who turn out to be a rogue sect not unlike the Templars, who are assassins. They intend to kill Father Grabowski and anyone who gets in their way...read Augustus. He kills them instead, and further research leads him to believe that the bishop is behind the killings, as he had ordered the earlier deaths. He had been a ruthless bully in his seminary, Vian Crucis Divinity School, where he led a group called "Electus Virtuous" and one of the students ends up dead. Now to be lauded in Italy, the Bishop is trying to clean up any evidence of his corruption. Father Grabowski is the last person who can come between him and his goals. Snow snafus his goals with the help of Parker, Deke's driver, who is Compliance at the Vatican and is investigating Deke, and Father Dominioni Petra, an assumed name for a member of the Criminal Investigation arm of the Vatican, also looking into the allegations against Father Grabowski. Father is found innocent of all the trumped-up charges and reinstated into the Franciscans. All this accomplished by Snow and his godfather Tomas and plenty of shooting. Sylvia recovers. Unfortunately, Father Grabowski, who is battling pancreatic cancer (though seeming to improve with the help of the witch, Sister Nuru) dies peacefully.

There are the usual good food places named and enjoyed, the violent defenses with multiple guns and knives, the strong language and the great story. I love this series and can't wait for another installment.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of eBook

Ex-Detective August Snow, “committed” to his heart’s true love, Tatia Stadtmueller, is in Norway to spend time with Tatia and her family. He finds himself assisting the Oslo police in apprehending a serial killer.

But when August’s neighbor, Sylvia Zychek, suffers a heart attack, he rushes home to Detroit. August considers Sylvia and her friend, Carmela, part of his extended family.

But his return to Detroit puts August against modern-day Knights Templar who are on a mission of vengeance involving the Catholic church. Together with Lucy Three Rivers, Jimmy Radmon, and his godfather Tomás, August is determined to protect Father Michael Grabowski, the Franciscan priest who’d baptized him, and, at the same time, keep the folks of Mexicantown safe.

But who has targeted Father Grabowski . . . and why?

=========

Fourth in the author’s August Snow series, this book contains sufficient backstory for readers new to the series or to be read as a standalone. All of the expected characters are in place, well-defined and believable. Former Marine, ex-detective August Snow is tough, but he’s gentle and caring with his elderly neighbors . . . tough when he needs to be but a man who cares about others who loves to cook, and who is dedicated to keeping those around him in his hometown safe.

Action-packed, the story grabs readers from the outset. But it’s in the relationships between the characters that the narrative shines. The storyline with the Vatican and the Knights Templar is both intriguing and informative; the history is fascinating.

Readers should know that, although the dialogue feels authentic and real, there’s considerable use of an offensive expletive [and this lowers the rating for the book]. Those who enjoy action-packed thrillers with a heartwarming protagonist and a touch of history will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Soho Press, Soho Crime and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#DeusX #NetGalley

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series. This particular novel is the best of them all (4, so far), and most polished as well. Even though the whole organization behind everything that happened was a tad far fetched, and you may have to suspend your disbelief a bit, I thought it was all very well written. Of course I loved seeing some of my old friends from this series, getting together again and all…. the ending was very sad though.
I hope the author Jones will write another novel in this series very soon. I’d love to know what happens next with everyone.

***Side note to author; all the comments about the Bishop character being a “whale”, “fat”, “corpulent”, and “doughy” are fatphobic, and seriously gross. I don’t care who this character is as a person or what they have done in life - there is no reason to treat people this way, period. Real, or made up in your head. Your readers see this, and are judging you for it. We now know how you think/feel about the people you see on the street. Perform a stop it, please, or you will lose all your readers.

The best parts of this novel were of course the snarky humor the author injects into the conversations the characters had with each other. My favorites were to be found at the 2:30:10 section (True Dat), the 3:50:30 section (You are such a cynic..!), that epic ‘your mom’ joke that I just can’t seem to find, even though I thought I’d bookmarked, and the diatribe/put down Thomás made at 7:42:54 of the audiobook.

The splendid narrator Luis Moreno is the main reason all these August Snow audiobooks work so well. He is aces in my book, and I hope he continues to voice August, and all the other characters in this series, for as long as it runs. His voice characterizations are *chef’s kiss*. You rule, my dude.

Thank you Recorded books, Inc., and everyone else involved in this audiobook.

4 stars, but the author lost a star from me because of fatphobic remarks in his novel.

[Caitlin Gonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

August Snow is living in Oslo with his girlfriend Tatina and her family. Even though he is no longer a Detroit detective, he can’t help but get involved when a family friend is threatened by individuals claiming to protect the Catholic church. Father Michael Grabowski, a Franciscan priest has known August his entire life. There has never been a hint of impropriety. And yet, someone has accused Grabowski of a terrible crime. With a mysterious priest asking about August’s priestly friend, August wants to why before something deadly happens.

This is the first novel by Stephen Mack Jones, but it is the fourth in his August Snow series. I do not feel like this is a stand-alone novel. There were some references to his past, nothing that disturbed the story, but it made me feel like I was only hearing part of the conversation.

The characters are fully fleshed out. I started to compare August to James Patterson’s Alex Cross, but there are limited similarities. August might be more like Alex’s friend Sampson. There is quite a bit of cussing, but I actually related to it. In the heat of the moment or at highly emotional states, certain swear words feel necessary. Tomas and Lucy are my favorite characters, however, and I am wondering if the previous books have more on them.

As far as the mystery, I had a feeling I knew what it was about right off the bat. There have been many novels that have used this technique. It doesn’t take away from the novel. Instead, it made reading go faster because I wanted to see what August and company would do in the finale.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

[Patrick Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth book in the August Snow series finds the ex Detroit policeman desperately trying to protect old friend and Franciscan priest Michael Grabowski from modern-day Knights Templars sworn to protect the name of the Catholic church by all means necessary. The good padre has done many good works for the poor over the course of his lufetime. Yet, the recent suicide of another local priest suggests something dark is going on and how he might be connected to this.

The situation becomes more complicated and more deadly when a priest - Francis Dominioni Petra - arrives from the Vatican with a deadly entourage of body guards/assistants. A terrible crime has been committed in the name of faith. August struggles to determine who is seeking justice and who is trying to bury the past, and why is Father Grabowski in the crosshairs of each. Against this background Snow struggles with with own doubts about his Catholicism. Can he save his friend and his faith?

As always the characters in the book are well developed and as interesting as they are diverse. Snow, his thoughts and situation, are unique. His goodness, the moral center of all his stories, continues to make him a great main character.

A warning: any August Snow book is a threat to your waistline. The delicious food and drink described in the book are the best advertisement for the restaurants in Detroit (even if they are fictional). Note to self: find out if they are real.

The other interesting thing is how the city of Detroit changes from economic wasteland to the target of gentrification. All told a great story and a worthy addition to the series.

[Michelle Adamo #EmptyNestReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

August Snow is a former detective with the Detroit police department. A wrongful discharge lawsuit left him very wealthy and he is a very generous man. Not one to live the high life, Snow is living back in the area of Detroit known as Mexicantown in his parent’s original house.

Father Michael Grabowski, the life-long priest of Snow’s family parish has suddenly announced his retirement under suspicious circumstances. Snows knows that there another area priest recently took his own life under questionable circumstances and Snow begins to suspect that someone has put Grabowski in the crosshairs, but who?

Snow's concerns increase when a mysterious priest, claiming to be from the Vatican, comes to Detroit. The man is part of the an extreme sect, a sort of “modern day Templar” a group of military men who are very wealthy and have sworn to support the church at all costs. Snow is trying to keep Grabowski hidden until he can determine why they are showing a special interest in him?

A fast-moving, fun read with plenty of excitement and unanticipated twists and turns. This is book 4 of 4 in the August Snow series by Stephen Mack Jones. I’ve listened to and enjoyed each of them on audiobooks. Narrator #LuisMorreno I have not been able to locate any information of a pending fifth book in the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for the rat-a-tat-tat of character defining dialogue that is fast paced, colorful and clearly brilliant in execution. A divine nasty, cold-blooded, Catholic-priest-abuse thriller that sparkles with crisp repartee action. Never a question who is the good guy and who are the bad guys, the character-driven appeal of this Detroit cop thriller does everything to set the "retired cop thriller trope" up as an original. This was my first introduction to August Snow, the Black Detroit cop, who loves his city and especially his community and neighbors (those colorful neighborhood characters: elderly couple Carmelo and Sylvia, his "adopted" Ojibwa tech-brilliant daughter Lucy Three Rivers, August's godfather Tomas, and local developers Jimmy and Carlos, and the reason for August's return to Detroit from Oslo where he had been with his love, Titana: retired priest Father Grabowski. My favorite character, however, was the darling good witch Sister Nuru who plays an important part in salvaging these boys' health and souls.

The plot: When Father Grabowski is caught in the crosshairs of Catholic priest assassins who have been abusing parishioners, August ~ who was baptized by Father Grabowski ~ knows otherwise and sets out to both save Father Grabowski and get to the bottom of the things.

If you're a foodie, Jones' gourmet descriptions of restaurant dishes and family recipes will make you want to jump on a plane to Detroit.

[Joni Hubred · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the fourth installment of this series, former Detroit detective August Snow barrels into the world of dark secrets held by Catholic priests: one dead, one dying, and one desperate to hold onto his power. While reading the first few pages, I wondered which circle of hell August Snow had fallen into. After his capture of a depraved criminal in Norway, he jets back to Detroit when a member of his chosen family suffers a health crisis. He's quickly drawn into a mystery involving his long-time friend Father Michael Grabowski and a conspiracy to hide secrets that threaten the Catholic church. Jones has created an authentic character in Snow, who fiercely protects and supports the people he loves. His relationship with a young computer whiz is particularly endearing, as is his willingness to walk into strange territory to bring healing and comfort to Father Grabowski. As someone who lived in metro Detroit for 20 years, I also enjoy the way Jones works the city into these stories - it's clear he knows Detroit and its people well. You don’t have to read the first three novels to enjoy this one, but why wouldn’t you?