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Detective Parks #1
The Poisonous Ten
A woman is found in an abandoned house, the victim of cyanide poisoning which has mottled her skin and turned her blood a dark shade of purple. Detective David Parks, battling his standing within the LAPD, is brought on to solve the murder. He is joined by forensic toxicologist Jacqueline Isley to solve what becomes a series of gruesome murders: A famous photographer bleeds to death from his eyes while a woman's own body chokes her to death as it shuts down, organ by organ.
Lives are threatened as Det. Parks and Dr. Isley get closer to the truth behind this poisonous killer. But as their feelings for each other intesify, Parks will have to discover just what he's willing to sacrifice and how far he'll go in order to stop a killer whose thirst for justice knows no limits--and whose obsession for vengeance knows no ends.
Lives are threatened as Det. Parks and Dr. Isley get closer to the truth behind this poisonous killer. But as their feelings for each other intesify, Parks will have to discover just what he's willing to sacrifice and how far he'll go in order to stop a killer whose thirst for justice knows no limits--and whose obsession for vengeance knows no ends.
408 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
19 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Tyler Compton
9 books64 followersTyler Compton graduated from CSU, Sacramento in 2002 with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Film Studies. He has worked in the pool industry, as a server, bartender, and (for one hilarious evening) as club security.
He currently resides in Los Angeles where he's witnessed various forms of crime, including someone breaking into his apartment while he was in it.
His first novel, The Poisonous Ten, was recently an Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Mystery/Suspense category of the 2013 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. His second novel in the Detective Parks series, Wicked Games, was released in December of that same year. The third book in the series, The Blue Condition, was released in June of 2016.
He has just finished his first YA novel, a mystery titled The Fast out, due for release in May of 2018.
He currently resides in Los Angeles where he's witnessed various forms of crime, including someone breaking into his apartment while he was in it.
His first novel, The Poisonous Ten, was recently an Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Mystery/Suspense category of the 2013 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. His second novel in the Detective Parks series, Wicked Games, was released in December of that same year. The third book in the series, The Blue Condition, was released in June of 2016.
He has just finished his first YA novel, a mystery titled The Fast out, due for release in May of 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 12, 2014
The Poisonous Ten feels just like an episode of CSI. And that’s a good thing.
Detective Parks is just returning to work after an incident where his partner was found playing fast and loose with evidence against a child molester. Everyone is worried about Parks ability to get back on the job and the first case he is assigned to is a doozy. A dead woman, found in an abandoned house, staged for the police as if it were a play. There were high amounts of deadly gas in the room so a forensic toxicologist, Jacqueline Isley, is brought in to help with analysis. As the plot goes on, dead bodies continue to turn up with evidence making it clear that this was the work of one seriously sick puppy.
I like to categorize the mysteries I read and I would put this one in the “police procedural” category. I think it’s a very good example of this sub-genre of mystery.
I think the business of being a detective is shown very well. How the department operates, how the members of the department interact, how their motives drive what they do. The forensic toxicology is really interesting to me as is the use of social media and the internet to be able to find information quickly. The novel does a good job of giving you the feeling of being on the inside of a police investigation. This isn’t an Agatha Christie novel where clues are laid out for you if just can see them. This is more like real life where there are no clues for a long time and then suddenly one thing breaks loose and brings all the facts together. As a police procedural, be aware there is a lot more bad language and graphic violence than in a cozy mystery.
I like that I could tell the characters apart right from the beginning. They were each quite distinct from the beginning which is not always the case in a book that is the first in a series. The relationship between Dr. Isley and Det. Parks developed quite rapidly, something that normally bothers me. In this case, however, even Det. Parks seems surprised at how quickly they are becoming close so it actually worked. I like Parks and I’m sure I’ll be happy to revisit him in the next book in the series.
I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway program and this is my honest opinion.
Detective Parks is just returning to work after an incident where his partner was found playing fast and loose with evidence against a child molester. Everyone is worried about Parks ability to get back on the job and the first case he is assigned to is a doozy. A dead woman, found in an abandoned house, staged for the police as if it were a play. There were high amounts of deadly gas in the room so a forensic toxicologist, Jacqueline Isley, is brought in to help with analysis. As the plot goes on, dead bodies continue to turn up with evidence making it clear that this was the work of one seriously sick puppy.
I like to categorize the mysteries I read and I would put this one in the “police procedural” category. I think it’s a very good example of this sub-genre of mystery.
I think the business of being a detective is shown very well. How the department operates, how the members of the department interact, how their motives drive what they do. The forensic toxicology is really interesting to me as is the use of social media and the internet to be able to find information quickly. The novel does a good job of giving you the feeling of being on the inside of a police investigation. This isn’t an Agatha Christie novel where clues are laid out for you if just can see them. This is more like real life where there are no clues for a long time and then suddenly one thing breaks loose and brings all the facts together. As a police procedural, be aware there is a lot more bad language and graphic violence than in a cozy mystery.
I like that I could tell the characters apart right from the beginning. They were each quite distinct from the beginning which is not always the case in a book that is the first in a series. The relationship between Dr. Isley and Det. Parks developed quite rapidly, something that normally bothers me. In this case, however, even Det. Parks seems surprised at how quickly they are becoming close so it actually worked. I like Parks and I’m sure I’ll be happy to revisit him in the next book in the series.
I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway program and this is my honest opinion.
August 13, 2013
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
The book was overall pretty good. The story line was new and interesting. It constantly had me wondering how was the next murder going to happen because all the victims die in ways that I had never seen used before. T
That said I felt no real connection to the characters. I felt like they were kind of hollow. That might just be my opinion but because I couldn't connect with them it took me longer to get through the book then it would have.
To those who like crime shows and books this is a great read.
The book was overall pretty good. The story line was new and interesting. It constantly had me wondering how was the next murder going to happen because all the victims die in ways that I had never seen used before. T
That said I felt no real connection to the characters. I felt like they were kind of hollow. That might just be my opinion but because I couldn't connect with them it took me longer to get through the book then it would have.
To those who like crime shows and books this is a great read.
June 21, 2013
Detective Dave Parks has his hands full recovering from the previous case and loss of his partner. Returning to work he finds a mixture of his old team and fresh new talent. The first assignment is a poisoning case which spirals as the story progresses. This novel kept my interest to the final page. I will be looking forward to reading his upcoming releases. Thanks Mr. Tyler Compton for this fine work of fiction and Goodreads for introducing me to this authors work.
September 13, 2013
I just received this book as a first read by the author.
This book is a real page turner it follows Detective Parks as he recovering from the previous case and loss of his possibly corrupt partner. Returning to work his first assignment is a poisoning case which spirals as the story continues. I've been reading this book for a few hours now and it is really fun, who thought poisons could be so interesting.
This book is a real page turner it follows Detective Parks as he recovering from the previous case and loss of his possibly corrupt partner. Returning to work his first assignment is a poisoning case which spirals as the story continues. I've been reading this book for a few hours now and it is really fun, who thought poisons could be so interesting.
August 14, 2013
- Los Angeles references are fantastic.
- Poison is an interesting topic.
- This is intriguing. Even more than halfway through, I don't know who the killer is or why - it keeps me reading and guessing and I do want to find out/keep going.
- I like the line ending "...she ate her death."
- Solid ending.
- Overall: Fun read that kept me guessing until the end :)
- Poison is an interesting topic.
- This is intriguing. Even more than halfway through, I don't know who the killer is or why - it keeps me reading and guessing and I do want to find out/keep going.
- I like the line ending "...she ate her death."
- Solid ending.
- Overall: Fun read that kept me guessing until the end :)
February 17, 2014
Wow! This was a Goodreads win for me and a very exciting, fast pace book. I thought the plot was intriguing,very well thought out and well written. I was definitely on the edge of my seat for the majority of the book. Well done!
February 12, 2014
Good book enjoyed it
September 14, 2013
I really liked the story. It kept me guessing until the very end. I did have a problem with the language, too many curse words. There was also a scene that I could have done with out.
January 7, 2020
I am debating this as between a 3.5 and a 4. It was a great story concept. It had me guessing quite a bit and I was fascinated by the different toxins and poisons. The pacing was odd for me. It was fairly quick pacing. It started and the ball rolled, so to speak. The problem were some of the speed bumps. Action would happen and then we'd have a break where two characters go pulled aside and had a dialogue to give us character background. It pulled me out of the story a little. I want to read the next Parks novel because I do like the characters, I just hope the speed bumps get worked out a little smoother. Great story though.
June 4, 2017
Won on Goodreads. I read this book in 3 days - wow I could not put it down! I was hooked right away... I like it when the charters are smart and know their job. I look forword to reading more in this series.
September 27, 2018
4 star book deserved
Started a little slow but worked up to a good and surprise ending... I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next!
Started a little slow but worked up to a good and surprise ending... I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews