Kane

A Kane Novel #2

by Steve Gannon

Los Angeles is terrorized by a series of murders. One man can stop the killer: Detective Daniel Kane. But for Kane—devastated by personal tragedy and haunted by a secret that could destroy his family—to do so may cost him everything, even his life . . .

At times chilling, funny, and occasionally brutal, Kane is a nonstop thriller filled with complex characters, surprising twists, and unforgettable scenes. From a political firestorm that sends the investigation spinning out of control to an unexpected, breath-taking climax, Kane will keep you in suspense until the turn of the final heart-pounding page.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Procedural, Ebooks, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

444 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2011

About the author

I was a Navy brat, the oldest of four kids. My dad served as a captain in the US Navy, so our family moved around a lot—North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia. When my dad finally took a post at the Pentagon for the remainder of his career, we landed for good in Falls Church, Virginia.

After a high-school education under the not-so-gentle tutelage of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, I embarked for college one step ahead of a serious run-in with the Falls Church police—eventually completing my undergraduate education at Duke University and USC with a degree in physics. Following a stint as a systems engineer in the Southern California aerospace industry, I headed back to UCLA for graduate work, earning a DDS degree four years later. I passed the California Dental Board exam that summer and prepared to begin a new career.

At that point I think I had my first identity crisis. I liked school. Beat work. Plus it allowed me to put off deciding what I wanted to do with my life when I grew up. I had never really thought about the future much. I had just gone from day to day, surmounting one hurdle at a time. Now that I was finished with school, was this going to be it? Work?

Not that I don’t like work. I held down part-time jobs during most of my college years— retail sales in a bookstore, swing shift on a loading dock, nights as a bartender. Like that.

In retrospect, I think those jobs were as influential as my formal education in shaping who I am. I recall little of my advanced math courses (and by little I mean zero), and I haven’t practiced dentistry in years, but I do remember things I picked up working various jobs, things I have been able to use in my writing.

Anyway, I opened a dental office on the Westside of town and began my life as an adult. But not without a struggle. During the years I practiced dentistry in Brentwood (right down the street from where O.J. Simpson didn’t kill Nicole), I got my Screen Actors Guild card and “acted” in TV commercials, shamelessly promoting everything from luggage to beer. I also modeled in a worldwide print campaign for Camel cigarettes before “Joe Camel,” the famous R.J. Reynolds cartoon that more effectively targeted kids, took over the cigarette advertising reins. That job was fun. Except for the smoking.

And I wrote fiction. Lots of fiction. All kinds of fiction. Mostly short stories, but some longer pieces, too. Some even got published.

Upon retiring from dentistry in my mid-thirties, I spent a decade as a real-estate developer specializing in beachfront construction in Malibu. Homes for the stars. More recently I’ve served as executive director for an Idaho nonprofit that promotes classical music concerts and presents various educational programs. And I continue to write.

Okay, seems like a lot of careers for one guy, right? I agree. Bottom line, I guess I was always ready to take a chance on something new, which led me down a lot of unexpected paths. But one constant remained throughout, something that gave me a way to use all my experiences, both good and bad. Writing.

And in the end, that’s what I finally decided I wanted to do, even if I were to ever grow up . . . someday. I think it’s what I do best.

My first full novel, titled A Song for the Asking, was published to both critical and reader acclaim by Bantam Books. The book was inspired by the question: “Can a homicide detective who deals with the worst of human nature go home to a normal family life?” In doing the research for my fictional lead character, LAPD Detective Daniel Kane, I met some fascinating people, learned some unexpected things, and made some lifelong friends.

IMG_0206Since then I have continued the “Kane Novel” series, following with bestsellers Kane, a thriller, and Allison, a suspense tale told from the perspective of Kane’s only daughter, Allison. A fourth in the series, titled L.A. Sniper, is scheduled for release in 2014. Glow, a standalone novel that chronicles the e

Reviews

[Jim A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, police procedural novel. While the book follows the formula, detective (Kane) with family issues, control issues and problems with authority, it did keep my interest. There were times I thought it got bogged down with too much description, but that’s just me and my likes in a novel.

Second book by Gannon featuring Kane. Having not read the first one, I found myself wondering about the back story on some of side plots. But, it’s not like a person can’t follow the main story without having read the first. Just some relationships with family are not totally clear.

While I probably won’t go back and read the previous novel, A Song For The Asking, this one was pretty good, overall.

[Diana Hockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

KANE starts with a chilling scene of a murderer about to close in on his victim! From then on this novel gripped me in its thrall. The characters, except for the killer, are everyday people. The hero, Kane, is a bumbling dad but a tenacious detective, battling with the politics of the criminal investigation, marriage problems and private grief.

His wife, Catheryn, embarks on a tour with a Symphony Orchestra, leaving Kane to look after the family who appear to be normal teens. However, it becomes apparent to the reader and to Kane that his two youngest children have a secret which is affecting their behaviour, while the perpetrator moves ever closer...

I was very pleased to read about characters who played classical music, a rarity in fiction. Because I understood their mindset in this regard, I felt encouraged to invest more care in them.

Well-written and beautifully plotted, the tension rose at exactly the right moment and the ending was exceptionally satisfying. I look forward to Steve Gannon's next novel, "Allison."

[William Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This police procedural novel is a very good blend of a police manhunt for a smart, vicious serial killer, who is every bit as nasty as Thomas Harris's Francis Dolarhyde and Hannibal Lecter. That is juxtaposed by the extensive backstory of Kane, the LA Detective who is out to get him, and Kane's family. Good suspense, and a good, reasonably unpredictable ending. I would also note that the cop part of the story is told in the 1st person, which adds a nice immediacy to the telling. Like virtually all police detective stories these days, the main protagonist must battle the idiots and politicos up the chain of command as much as he does with the perp. If I have a quibble, it is that this has become terribly cliched, and the author makes some of Kane's LAPD supervisors too stupid and disruptive to be believable. In Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch books, he also has enemies up the chain, but they are more subtle and devious, which adds to the challenges and the drama. I grew up with Chicago cops, and stupid just isn't credible, even in LA. A second quibble is that if anything, the story spends a bit too much time on the backstory of the cop and his wife and kids. It's well done and adds to the climax, but I would prefer more dogged, tough, nit-picking police work to break the case leading up to it. That said, it is a good book and a good read.

William F. Brown currently has eight international suspense novels of his own on Kindle, including the recent and popular Burke's War and Burke's Gamble the first two books in his Bob Burke series.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Kanes stand together...no matter what"

"A Song for the Asking" has been one of my favorite novels since I read it many years ago (it is the first book in the Kane series and first was published in 1997). It is a phenomenal first book and to heighten your reading experience, you definitely should read it before "Kane" or the third book in the series -"Allison."

KANE was different from ASFTA. For one thing, it is told in first person voice and ASFTA was told in third person. By doing this, the reader really gets to know Dan Kane, a complex character. In ASFTA, we got to see more of the brutal, crude, abusive, alcoholic side of Kane. In KANE, he is on the wagon, contrite for past abuses, more loving to his family. It is three years after the events of ASFTA and much has happened but in some ways, the family is still stuck in the past.

Complex characterization, a no-holds-barred police procedural about a VERY nasty serial killer, believable characters, angst, tears, family love and misunderstandings - all wrapped together in KANE, this second book in the series.

Wonderful, lyrical writing and a series I recommend to all who will listen. I'm now off to read ALLISON.

[Nicko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story that grabs you early on and does not let go. Trust me, when the opening chapter was about Kane's family and not the murder case I did indeed roll my eyes but it all came full circle and blended perfectly creating an entertaining experience for the reader.

The less likable character is Kane's wife amazingly. The kids seemed to be overly insightful but I was fine with that. The killer is brilliant yet narcissistic so spot on. As for Kane, he comes across as a man fighting for his turn to be happy after a long streak of setbacks. He is not a super cop and that makes him relatable and relevant.

The pace is just right and the length is also exactly proportional to the narrative leaving my appetite for a good book fully satisfied.

Will certainly be checking out more of the Kane novels. Great book!

[Tulay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book.

This was mine first book to read by this author and learned couple new words too. Kane is a honest person but made couple bad decisions. Detailed description and information about the murders made me stop reading at bedtime. Kane family always stand together and support each other, loss of one made them stronger. Will be reading more books written by this author.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another edge-of-your seat novel in the Kane series by Steve Gannon. A definite 5 stars, this one was thrilling and nail-biting as a serial killer sets his sights just a bit too close to Kane's family.

I highly recommend!

[Pam Madson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I just love these books. They just keep getting better. There’s so much emotion you just feel so intense at times. I really could not put it down. Can’t wait to read more.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time for a Kane novel

This was my first Kane novel. I look forward to reading Novel 1 , then continuing on. I enjoy staying with a character thru several novels.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good characters and plot. This one wa more difficult for me as very graphic

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A serial killer is targeting Beautiful women who he meets at gyms. A task force is set up to catch him but things go wrong. Kane figures out who is the killer and the killer targets Kanes family

[Diana Scoville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent! Unstoppable, it’ll have you hooked from the first page. So beautifully written. Can hardly wait to read the next in this series by Steve Gannon.

[Robert Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Exciting Murder Mystery

This story was very complicated, but not confusing. The characterizations and plotting were very well done with unusual and exciting originality.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the majority of this book with my heart in my mouth. There are sections that will bring tears to your eyes. Will Dan be able to protect his family, or will they all perish?

[Bryana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not get into this book. The main character is just too much of an ass and too unlikeable. It took me forever to finish. The story line was great, but I found myself getting annoyed with the dialogue and putting it down quickly. Disappointed, because I definitely enjoy a good series, and had high hopes for this one.

[Rosemary Cantrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free Kindle book, but turned out to be a surprisingly good mystery. Kane is the detective, married to a concert cellist, with three children. A fourth child, his oldest son, died in an accident a short while before and the family and the marriage are still floundering.

The murderer is a serial killer who is killing whole families and torturing the wife and forcing the husband to watch, before killing him, too. The killer thinks he has developed the perfect crimes, as he has committed hundreds of murders over the years. The most recent ones are more for gaining attention than just for the thrill of the kill.

Eventually, Kane is able to break the case, while almost losing his own family in the process.

For someone who enjoys a good murder mystery where the killer and detective are truly opponents in a game, this will appeal to you.

[Irene Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this free audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was hooked from the first chapter and had difficulty pulling myself away. George Kuch does an excellent job as narrator and I found him easy to listen to. This is another exciting and action packed police thriller by Steve Gannon. It is obvious that Steve Gannon has done a great deal of research into police work and serial killers. The characters are fully developed. The author lets us see a very human and vulnerable side of Dan Kane, his doubts and insecurities. He also lets us see the dynamics within the Kane family, their secrets, losses, love for each other, and relationships. I’m anxious to read the next book in this series to see what develops next in the Kane family.

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Gannon's book, Kane is riveting. The only time I put it down was when I had to charge my kindle. It had me hooked from the beginning. Dan Kane's character is very complex. He's a man who lives for his job as a police detective. It gets more complicated when his firstborn, Thomas has a fatal accident. Trying to cope with his own grief, he has no time for his family, ignoring their struggles. On top of that, to further distractions, he's on a task force seeking to find a serial killer. It's a game of cat and mouse between Kane and the killer.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so much more than a police procedural, although honestly I picked this up to read because I thought it was just a police procedural. The many layers to this story fooled me, but in a very good way. This book is about a serial killer, yes, but it is also about family and loss and love and relationships, redemption, horror, dedication and tenacity. I found myself truly enjoying getting to know Dan Kane and his family, for better and for worse. I can feel that this book and its characters will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this.

[Patricia Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very exciting, page-turning novel by Steve Gannon. He is a detective faced with the task of catching a sadistic serial killer but has to deal with very emotional and difficult family issues. Although his children are having a difficult time dealing with the death of one of their brothers, their values are deeply rooted. Kane is also mourning his loss by burying himself in his work. Even though I was able to foresee what would happen by the middle of the book, my interest never dwindled.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good communication is a vital ingredient in any relationship whether with a spouse, children, co-workers.. LAPD detective Daniel Kane has poor communication skills and his mantra "this is not the right time, we'll talk later" doesn't seem to work. He issues commands to his children and expects immediate and complete obedience, no questions asked. I wanted to shake him and remind him to think first before jumping to conclusions which are often wrong.

A real page turner with interesting, well-defined characters.

No graphic sex or violence

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much less obvious in Kane are the complex family situations and relationships prevalent and the real grabber from the first in this series.

A serial killer who leaves his (bite) marks on the females of his prey, spends time stalking them first, cleverly working through the details of his visits and subsequent attacks.

Although I preferred the previous in this series, this one is also another 5-star.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book,a police book but shows the life and feelings of a family as they grow and go about life. The characters are great,very real and show so much emotion,its like all is happening right in front of you. This author has done a fine job of letting the reader be involved in the police officers life,his family and his job. What a wonderful enhancement of the family members,this is real life,not a normal 'story' family. Look forward to reading the next about the Kane family!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gannon's novel was a surprise for me in that I found it to be much better plotted and written than expected. His characters, both protagonists and antagonists, were well developed and, best of all, interesting. The plot made me think of some of Thomas Harris' works and I am a big fan. All in all, I will read the rest of the Kane sagas and look forward to doing so.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. A good detective/police drama. It was a little long and took awhile to get going, but once it did it was interesting and engaging. There was a lot of side story about Detective Kane's family and their struggles. If you like that kind of thing, you'll enjoy this book. If you want pure police/mystery/case solving, you might be annoyed at all the family drama.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in not expecting much and ended up really enjoying this book. Very well written and moves fast. I knew basically what the ending would be about a third of the way through the book but it deviated a little from what I thought it may be so was happy. All in all a great read for those that like cop novels especially when involving serial killers (which I find fascinating).

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping fast-paced murder mystery with good character development but a little clumsy on the interpersonal family relationships of the main character (Dan Kane) and his family. Good (chilling) crime spree, I would read another book by this author.

[Simon Gianoutsos · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay police procedural that dragged on a bit, particularly in terms of background context of Kane's family. I found it to be a bit too simplistic in style although it did have a reasonable amount of suspense and kept my interest enough to keep reading.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I carried this book around all day and read in spare moments and then was up all night finishing the story. This mystery thriller is well written with characters that catch your souls. I definitely would suggest this book and other in this series. Pick it up when you have time to read a good book.

[Flsunluvr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm surprised the author, Steve Gannon, does not have a law enforcement background. His writing is spot-on making this a quick-paced, interesting read. Enjoyed following Detective Kane through his high-profile murder case and personal life. I'm looking forward to reading more in the Kane series.