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Reflections in a Dragon's Eye
Would you give your soul to stop the dragon…?
Former boxer KO Bannon won’t. He can’t because it would mean losing himself—for good this time—to the bottle, condemning him to a life on the streets away from his beloved daughter and grandson. He can’t allow himself to go back there, to where he saw the body splash into the freezing water of the Baltimore Harbor. And the dragon that watched them both.
Would you condemn another’s soul to catch the dragon…?
Detective Sgt. John Mankiller would. If it means stopping the killing of innocent women. For him, the end justifies the means… when you need it to. Not so for his partner, Maria Ruiz. Though desperate to crack the case and save the life of the next woman, the question remains: Is the price, of one life for another, too high?
Would you offer your soul to be the dragon…?
Marty Hightower would. Smooth, handsome, privileged, and rich, he likes nothing more than to seduce a woman and see the light in her eyes fade away as her life leaves her. For him, it’s the ultimate high. Except with the last woman, the one that fought him and caused him to rush her end on the waters of the Baltimore Harbor as the dragon watched them both.
The paths of the witness, the cops, and the murderer will inevitably collide when what is right could stand in the way of saving the next life. Set in the streets and around the waters of Baltimore and perfect for fans of James Patterson, Stuart MacBride, and Michael Connelly, this atmospheric police thriller posits how far the ends should justify the means.
“Readers get… a frighteningly careful murderer. Builds to a riveting final act and a worthy payoff.” — Kirkus Reviews
Former boxer KO Bannon won’t. He can’t because it would mean losing himself—for good this time—to the bottle, condemning him to a life on the streets away from his beloved daughter and grandson. He can’t allow himself to go back there, to where he saw the body splash into the freezing water of the Baltimore Harbor. And the dragon that watched them both.
Would you condemn another’s soul to catch the dragon…?
Detective Sgt. John Mankiller would. If it means stopping the killing of innocent women. For him, the end justifies the means… when you need it to. Not so for his partner, Maria Ruiz. Though desperate to crack the case and save the life of the next woman, the question remains: Is the price, of one life for another, too high?
Would you offer your soul to be the dragon…?
Marty Hightower would. Smooth, handsome, privileged, and rich, he likes nothing more than to seduce a woman and see the light in her eyes fade away as her life leaves her. For him, it’s the ultimate high. Except with the last woman, the one that fought him and caused him to rush her end on the waters of the Baltimore Harbor as the dragon watched them both.
The paths of the witness, the cops, and the murderer will inevitably collide when what is right could stand in the way of saving the next life. Set in the streets and around the waters of Baltimore and perfect for fans of James Patterson, Stuart MacBride, and Michael Connelly, this atmospheric police thriller posits how far the ends should justify the means.
“Readers get… a frighteningly careful murderer. Builds to a riveting final act and a worthy payoff.” — Kirkus Reviews
338 pages, Paperback
Published September 18, 2023
11 people want to read
About the author
Bradley Harper
27 books107 followersBradley Harper MD is a retired US Army Colonel and pathologist with extensive experience in autopsies and forensic investigation. A lifelong fan of Sherlock Holmes, upon retirement from the army Harper received his associate degree from Full Sail University and master’s from Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland, both in creative writing.
His debut novel, A KNIFE IN THE FOG, was published in October 2018 It was a finalist for a 2019 Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America for Best First Novel by an American Author and is a Recommended Read by the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate. It went on to win Killer Nashville’s 2019 Silver Falchion as Best Mystery. The audiobook, narrated by former Royal Shakespearean actor Matthew Lloyd Davies, won Audiofile Magazine’s 2019 Earphone Award for Best Mystery and Suspense. The book is also available in Japan via Hayakawa Publishing abnd in German via DryasVerlag.
Harper’s second novel, QUEEN’S GAMBIT, won Killer Nashville’s 2020 Silver Falchion Award twice, once for Best Suspense, and again as Book of the Year.
A short animated film, DARK TRYST, based on Harper’s short story and comic book of the same name, has won numerous awards at film festivals around the world, including Best Super Short Film at the London Movie Awards, the New York Movie Awards, and the Paris Film Awards, and Best Horror at the Tokyo Short Film Festival.
His collaborations include REFLECTIONS IN A DRAGON’S EYE, a police procedural thriller he co-wrote with debut novelist Lydia Galehouse, and MY TIME WITH GENERAL COLIN POWELL, co-written with Leslie Lautenslager, who worked with GEN. Powell for over 25 years.
His most recent work, MAIDEN VOYAGE, concerning an art heist by a trio of female thieves aboard the Titanic, was released Nov 18, 2025.
A short film, LEVIATHAN, based on A KNIFE IN THE FOG, is currently making the rounds in various film festivals.
His debut novel, A KNIFE IN THE FOG, was published in October 2018 It was a finalist for a 2019 Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America for Best First Novel by an American Author and is a Recommended Read by the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate. It went on to win Killer Nashville’s 2019 Silver Falchion as Best Mystery. The audiobook, narrated by former Royal Shakespearean actor Matthew Lloyd Davies, won Audiofile Magazine’s 2019 Earphone Award for Best Mystery and Suspense. The book is also available in Japan via Hayakawa Publishing abnd in German via DryasVerlag.
Harper’s second novel, QUEEN’S GAMBIT, won Killer Nashville’s 2020 Silver Falchion Award twice, once for Best Suspense, and again as Book of the Year.
A short animated film, DARK TRYST, based on Harper’s short story and comic book of the same name, has won numerous awards at film festivals around the world, including Best Super Short Film at the London Movie Awards, the New York Movie Awards, and the Paris Film Awards, and Best Horror at the Tokyo Short Film Festival.
His collaborations include REFLECTIONS IN A DRAGON’S EYE, a police procedural thriller he co-wrote with debut novelist Lydia Galehouse, and MY TIME WITH GENERAL COLIN POWELL, co-written with Leslie Lautenslager, who worked with GEN. Powell for over 25 years.
His most recent work, MAIDEN VOYAGE, concerning an art heist by a trio of female thieves aboard the Titanic, was released Nov 18, 2025.
A short film, LEVIATHAN, based on A KNIFE IN THE FOG, is currently making the rounds in various film festivals.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 29, 2023
An absoute peach of a book that breathes new life into police procedurals. Review to follow!
September 26, 2023
Dr. Harper in his third full length novel has tried and succeeded to do something new. The authors put the reader into a moral dilemma of do you sacrifice the living to give peace to the dead?
September 29, 2023
MUST READ!
After waiting for this book to finally come available-it did NOT disappoint. Everything about the story, the trials of addiction and the mystery of murder even the possibility of love, was just one of the best books I’ve ever read! Can’t wait for the next one.
After waiting for this book to finally come available-it did NOT disappoint. Everything about the story, the trials of addiction and the mystery of murder even the possibility of love, was just one of the best books I’ve ever read! Can’t wait for the next one.
August 19, 2023
A dark secret lurks in the depths of Baltimore Harbor. Detectives William Mankiller & newly-promoted Maria Ruiz may have found a key. Could "KO," a broken-down pugilist recovering from the throes of detox, be the vital witness they're desperate to find? Perhaps this recovering alcoholic is describing only his recollections of a night filled with drunken hallucinations?
"Reflections" is a compelling tale in which the demands for answers must be weighed against the sacrifice required of a vulnerable soul.
(I received a copy of the book early for the purpose of giving a review.)
"Reflections" is a compelling tale in which the demands for answers must be weighed against the sacrifice required of a vulnerable soul.
(I received a copy of the book early for the purpose of giving a review.)
September 27, 2023
Reflections in a Dragon's Eye, A Review. LAS.
This is an excellent story, well written, with a great plot and interesting, believable characters. I'm hoping there's a sequel.
This is an excellent story, well written, with a great plot and interesting, believable characters. I'm hoping there's a sequel.
September 27, 2023
Redemption
At first I was concerned that I would not like the book as I am not into dragons. But I loved the plot and especially how KO found redemption with faithful friends.
At first I was concerned that I would not like the book as I am not into dragons. But I loved the plot and especially how KO found redemption with faithful friends.
December 7, 2023
This story was a very welcome break from my typical fantasy and sci-fi reads, with a heavy emphasis on character development that set it apart from many of the other modern mystery/thrillers I've read. In particular, it felt as though the emphasis in this story was placed not on a charismatic killer or a pair of clever detectives (though both aspects were present), but on an unexpected witness, a former boxer named K.O., and the moral quandary he faced when his ability to aid the investigation efforts threatened his newfound sobriety. I also appreciated the priest character, Father Tomas, who was refreshingly ardent, intelligent, and well-intentioned in a genre that oftentimes waxes cynical on matters of faith and charity.
Having read and enjoyed A Knife in the Fog- Harper's historical mystery revolving around Jack the Ripper- I was eager to see what he could do with a more modern setting, and he did not disappoint. I suspect that the other author, Lydia Galehouse, contributed insight and wit to the story as well, and I will be on the lookout for future works with her name on them.
Having read and enjoyed A Knife in the Fog- Harper's historical mystery revolving around Jack the Ripper- I was eager to see what he could do with a more modern setting, and he did not disappoint. I suspect that the other author, Lydia Galehouse, contributed insight and wit to the story as well, and I will be on the lookout for future works with her name on them.
July 22, 2023
I love the tension/chemistry between the protagonist, K.O., and the antagonist, Marty! I think these characters are perfectly written! Not surprising, since this novel is co-written by one of my favorite authors, Bradley Harper!
The mystery is top-notch! The character work here is great, too. You really come to care for K.O., and Marty is genuinely terrifying!
Father Tomas is another favorite. I love what he does for K.O. (no spoilers here!).
If you're a Bradley Harper fan or really if you're just a fan of good books in general, you should put this one on your TBR.
And much credit also to Lydia Galehouse, who is clearly a talented author herself!
The mystery is top-notch! The character work here is great, too. You really come to care for K.O., and Marty is genuinely terrifying!
Father Tomas is another favorite. I love what he does for K.O. (no spoilers here!).
If you're a Bradley Harper fan or really if you're just a fan of good books in general, you should put this one on your TBR.
And much credit also to Lydia Galehouse, who is clearly a talented author herself!
December 2, 2023
A drunken has-been fighter, KO OBannon, sleeping it off sees a murder. A serial killer thinks he's above the law. A new rookie detective, Maria Esperanza, and her veteran boss, a Cherokee named Mankiller are on the hunt. The string of murders all have the same pattern - young vulnerable women looking for something better, who simply disappear. Until this one - now they have a body and the beginnings of a case. Join Maria and Mankiller as they track their way through the seamy streets of Baltimore. Can KO remember what he saw? Can they keep him alive until he tells them? Wild tales of a dragon don't help - or do they? Harper has crafted another mystery worth reading.
March 13, 2024
What a great story!
Starting with a stroke of a knife at the stroke of midnight, serial killer Marty claims another unsuspecting victim. But this time, he's made a mistake.
Will the unlikely duo of sleuths (a cop working her first homicide case and a former boxing champion turned homeless alcoholic who reported seeing a dragon kill our victim) catch Marty before he can kill the witness's own daughter?
I was so wrapped up in the story, its plot twists and turns, the tension the authors have built and their memorable characters, that I read this wonderfully sculpted story in one setting. It was an day well spent.
Starting with a stroke of a knife at the stroke of midnight, serial killer Marty claims another unsuspecting victim. But this time, he's made a mistake.
Will the unlikely duo of sleuths (a cop working her first homicide case and a former boxing champion turned homeless alcoholic who reported seeing a dragon kill our victim) catch Marty before he can kill the witness's own daughter?
I was so wrapped up in the story, its plot twists and turns, the tension the authors have built and their memorable characters, that I read this wonderfully sculpted story in one setting. It was an day well spent.
October 16, 2023
I was hooked from page one. Mr. Harper does a fabulous job of embedding you into the pages. The way you get dipped into every character's mind is flawless. I felt KO’s struggles along with the detective's urge and Marty’s frustration. Looking forward to seeing what happens next. This is sure to be an incredible series.
October 24, 2023
A unique police procedural where the morality question takes center stage in bringing a savage killer to justice. People and places are so well described that the reader can see them, and feel the cold. Mankiller and Ruiz look like a winning duo with a lot of work ahead of them to clean up the criminal Baltimore streets and waters. Can't wait to see what's next for them.
October 29, 2025
Excellent read, enjoyed the thrilling ending!
November 27, 2023
Reflections in a Dragon's Eye is a gritty police story with enormous stakes. It is populated by well developed characters, written with grace and care. A strong vein of hope runs through the book that takes it to a different level. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews