Red Sky Hill

Jake Cashen #4

by Declan James

A local businessman is found tortured to death at the foot of Ohio’s infamous Red Sky Hill. No one heard his screams. No one came to help.

Detective Jake Cashen catches the case that terrifies his small town. In his fifteen years as an investigator, Jake’s never seen a more gruesome crime scene. The victim, Craig Albright has no known enemies but the site of his murder has been shrouded in secrets and myths for generations.

On the other side of Red Sky Hill lies a secretive settlement known to locals as “the Hill People.” Many fear there are untold numbers in the cloistered community and that they're armed to the teeth. Census takers and tax collectors have been run off for years. Suspicion in town runs rampant and Jake fears vigilante justice will take hold before he can solve the crime. But he knows the key to unraveling the truth and stopping a ruthless killer will force him to go up that hill once and for all. Alone.

What he finds when he gets there shakes him to his core.

Red Sky Hill is the engrossing fourth book in the Detective Jake Cashen thriller series. A former police detective, author Declan James brings you authentic crime fiction that will keep you on the edge of your seat with twists you'll never see coming. Perfect for fans of Connelly, Box, Dugoni and Baldacci.

Genres: Mystery

334 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2023

About the author

Before putting pen to paper, Declan James’s career in law enforcement spanned twenty-six years. Declan’s work as a digital forensics detective has earned him the highest honors from the U.S. Secret Service and F.B.I. For the last sixteen years of his career, Declan served on a nationally recognized task force aimed at protecting children from online predators.  Prior to that, Declan spent six years undercover working Vice-Narcotics. 

An avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Declan enjoys hunting, fishing, grilling, smoking meats, and his quest for the perfect bottle of bourbon. He lives on a lake in Southern Michigan along with his wife and kids.

For more information visit https://declanjamesbooks.com

Reviews

[Ashli Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Jake Cashen book and another great one by Declan James! I really enjoyed this book and was so glad it came out EARLY!!! I can’t wait for the next!

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Sky Hill🤔

Red Sky Hill is the next book in the Jake Cashen series and I must say I am really enjoying Jake and his investigations❣️ At the end of the last book we get a glimpse of what’s coming…Gemma is showing a house that’s for sale, when they stumble upon a dead body😳

Jake is called in to investigate and boy oh boy what an investigation..with a couple twists👍 I won’t say more but I will say if you love a murder mystery and law enforcement stories, then these are definite must haves.

That brief glimpse at the end of the next book….I can’t wait😊 I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️‍🩹

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Jake gets one gritty murder case. Tense, and a nail biter the farther you get into the story. Another great suspenseful read. As for the political side of the story, this book just amps up the fight that's coming for the sherrif's office. On to book 5.

[Staci Troilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better. What everyone recognizes as a cartel hit of a local, soon-to-be-retired businessman turns out to be much more complicated than anyone guessed.

There aren’t a bunch of linked mysteries in this story. It’s a straightforward investigation of a murder (an admittedly gruesome one) that requires solid detective work. We get that from our hero, following along as he deciphers clues and breaks witnesses. When everything clicks at the end, it does so with brains rather than brawn, which I found a refreshing change.

All of my favorite secondary characters are back (shout-out to Max). King Rex makes a cameo, and we meet many of his family members. This is an ongoing subplot of the series that is every bit as interesting as each book’s crime. There’s also political infighting, and the machinations of a few jealous, bitter rivals promises trouble on the horizon. It’s these, and a host of other reasons, I’m racing to read the next book.

This has been my favorite so far. Easy to read, and easy to recommend.

[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is called to a murder by his sister Gemma, a realtor. She and prospective buyers have found the homeowner tied to a chair, brutally tortured and murdered. The kiiling is reminiscent of those done by a cartel.

Turns out victim Craig Albright was living way above his means and funneling drugs through his property. This property was once owned by "the Hill people" to whom Craig was somehow related. This secretive community lives in the woods, keeps to themselves and don't allow strangers. As Jake gets deeper into the investigation, he needs to head up the 'Hill" to interview someone with information on the killing.

It's complicated and has a twist ending you won't see coming.

[Benjamin A. Peckham,Sr]

Family is everything

Roots mean more than anything to some people. Jake thought he knew what "roots" and family and their importance in life were. Then a local man is found horrifically tortured and killed and, suddenly he had to look at people around him differently. How far would someone go to protect themselves or something, or someone?

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this series gets better with each book. I'm interested and invested in the characters. This case involves a torture death of a local businessman. I thought the premise was interesting and well executed. The author does a great job of describing the work to solve the case. I would highly recommend this book and series.

[bonnie kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Sky Hill

I love this series. It has a lot of excitement and slot of thrills. You won't want to put the book down. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book and series.

[Beth Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

Detective Cashen gets a call no one in law enforcement wants to get…his sister found a body. It’s a horrific scene that too many communities have been witness too. Drugs, cartels, all things that are Headlines in Daily Papers…But is it?

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

Declan James is a genius. Jake Cashen is a fabulous character. With a great crew, and a damn good Sheriff to watch over him, he always catches the bad guys! I highly recommend these books.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story. Especially enjoyed and found well written the story about the folks living up the hill. Very different, and lots of back stroy.

Also, the character of Rex is fascinating and adds to the storyline.

Look forward to reading more

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do yourself a big favor and skip the first chapter- all you need to know is there’s a brutal murder that the entire book Is about. Otherwise, you might have nightmares all night. This is a quick read, like most of the Detective Cashen books, but is also good with a few great pivots near the end.

[Doug Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful plot twists.

I have to say the way the plot twists - several times - it will keep you guessing until the end. Also have to say, be careful; it's all too easy to read these books in one sitting. Can't say when I've read a better thriller.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read in the Jake Cashen series. It's a little lighter on police-work than the other one I'd read, but the solving of the murder and figuring out the identity of the perpetrator was still realistic.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A horrendous murder with a surprise ending

Jake Cashen is investigating the murder of a local citizen. As things go along, it seems that there are many twists and turns.
The likely suspect is in custody but there are other clues that just might point elsewhere. Another great book!

[Billy · Rating 5 out of 5]

another amazing job, Jake

Jake is a very good detective! You have to get up really early to pull one over on him. Just when you think you know….. you are wrong again!
Enjoy the story and try to figure out the true killer.

[Walt Mccluskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red sky Hill

One of the better small town cops run into big trouble but work their way out of it stories that I have seen. The ending before the arrest of the killer was unforeseen by me and made a logical conclusion.

[Diane Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series

Excellent addition to a fantastic series! Declan James has fast become a favorite author for me. Love this series and looking forward to the next one.

[Katie Carwardine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Jake Cashen. The twists in this story keep you guessing. Who are the “hill” people? Who killed Craig Albright? You’ll never guess until the very end.

[Michelle Strommen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book as always. Declan James is an amazing author. Great story, get me guessing. Jake is a great detective. Can’t wait for book 5

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! Can’t wait for the next one!!

[Jim E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this latest episode in the life of Jake Cashen. The story was good, even if the ending was somewhat improbable. The book is a very easy read, as it consists almost entirely of dialog.

[Devin Coryell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 / 5

[Billy B. Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

always a twist in the who done it

Not a bad read just the same old same ol diversion in the who done it. You always that they arrested is not the killer.

[Patsy Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what story. The murder was brutal to read. But this is a very good book. Loving this series.

[Beverly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Sky Hill

I liked this book and this series. The suspect was a surprise, though, but the other guy got what was coming to him. I know, it’s only a book

[Jenny Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, never saw the ending coming.

[Cal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sets the scene for further trouble. Drugs, money, gruesome murder.

Setting - 5
Plot/Story - 5
Characterization - 5
Writing - 3

[Brenda Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read. Thriller.