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Dead Cold Mystery #1-4
A Dead Cold Box Set
THE DEAD COLD MYSTERY SERIES: BOOKS 1-4
Book 1: An Ace And A Pair
Detective John Stone of the NYPD has the best arrest record in the 43rd precinct. But he’s a dinosaur who belongs to another age. Detective Carmen Dehan has such a bad attitude that nobody at the precinct can stomach her. Captain Jennifer Cuevas wants them both out of the way and thinks they make a perfect pair. So she gives them the Cold Cases file – the cases nobody gives a damn about.
She has no idea just how hot a cold case can get.
Ten years back Nelson Hernandez and his four cousins were playing poker in a dive at Hunts Point. Somebody came in, blew them away and beheaded and castrated Nelson, leaving his head and his balls on the table. There was no shortage of suspects, the Jersey Mob, the Triads from Manhattan, or the 43rds own bent cop, Mick Harragan. But nobody was ever charged, and the night of the murder Mick Harragan went missing with Nelson’s wife, Maria.
Now Stone and Dehan plan to find him – whatever the consequences…
Book 2: Two Bare Arms
It was November in New York. It was raining, it was cold and the trees all looked like skeleton’s hands. And Detective John Stone was having a problem with habeas corpus, because all there was of the body, was two bare arms. Two bare arms that somebody, twelve years ago, had put in a lock up in the East Bronx. What they had done with the rest of the woman, nobody knew. But as Stone and Dehan start to investigate, two things become clear: whoever killed the woman, wanted her arms to be found, as a boast, as a challenge. And that meant they were dealing with a psychopath – a serial killer.
But who –the biker with a taste for beating up women? Or his best pal the Satanist and devotee of Crowley? Or perhaps the neurotic IT freak who spent his leisure hours surfing the net for porn? Or maybe somebody else…?
One thing Stone understands clearly, whoever it is, is a master of misdirection…
Book 3: Garden of The Damned
When the body of a tramp was found in a dumpster on Lafayette and Bryant in the Bronx, with no papers and no ID, the case was filed as unsolved – another victim nobody cared about, shot by some punk nobody cared about.
That was twelve years ago.
Then Detective Stone notices that the ‘tramp’ had a hundred dollar haircut and manicured nails. That makes him curious. He wants to know, who dresses a murder victim up as a tramp, then leaves them in full view in a dumpster? But the answers he gets are not the ones he expects, and before long their investigation leads Stone and Dehan to St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, and the darkest recesses of the human soul.
It also leads them to some of the most powerful men in New York. Some, like Conor Hagan, head of the Irish Mob, are known criminals. But others are not… Stone’s problem is deciding which of them are just criminals, and which are truly evil. That is, until ghosts start appearing from Dehan’s past. Then things get complicated…
Book 4: Let Us Prey
It seemed to be a cold case like any other. So much so that Stone and Dehan hadn’t even considered reviewing it – until private investigator Karl Baxter requested a copy of the police file. Then Stone got curious.
Why did a second rate PI in the Bronx want to look into the case of a low life petty criminal found tied to a chair in his apartment, beaten and shot through the heart? And that question led to other questions, like, whose was second pool of blood on the floor? If there was a second victim, where was the body?
Unfortunately, a chat with Baxter only raises more questions that threaten to drive Stone crazy: who is the mysterious Tamara Gunthersen? And what was the gig she did for the even more mysterious Geronimo dos Santos, back in 2015? At every turn the questions get deeper, and the women more tempting - and more dangerous. Until the strain on Stone and Dehan’s partnership threatens to make it snap.
Book 1: An Ace And A Pair
Detective John Stone of the NYPD has the best arrest record in the 43rd precinct. But he’s a dinosaur who belongs to another age. Detective Carmen Dehan has such a bad attitude that nobody at the precinct can stomach her. Captain Jennifer Cuevas wants them both out of the way and thinks they make a perfect pair. So she gives them the Cold Cases file – the cases nobody gives a damn about.
She has no idea just how hot a cold case can get.
Ten years back Nelson Hernandez and his four cousins were playing poker in a dive at Hunts Point. Somebody came in, blew them away and beheaded and castrated Nelson, leaving his head and his balls on the table. There was no shortage of suspects, the Jersey Mob, the Triads from Manhattan, or the 43rds own bent cop, Mick Harragan. But nobody was ever charged, and the night of the murder Mick Harragan went missing with Nelson’s wife, Maria.
Now Stone and Dehan plan to find him – whatever the consequences…
Book 2: Two Bare Arms
It was November in New York. It was raining, it was cold and the trees all looked like skeleton’s hands. And Detective John Stone was having a problem with habeas corpus, because all there was of the body, was two bare arms. Two bare arms that somebody, twelve years ago, had put in a lock up in the East Bronx. What they had done with the rest of the woman, nobody knew. But as Stone and Dehan start to investigate, two things become clear: whoever killed the woman, wanted her arms to be found, as a boast, as a challenge. And that meant they were dealing with a psychopath – a serial killer.
But who –the biker with a taste for beating up women? Or his best pal the Satanist and devotee of Crowley? Or perhaps the neurotic IT freak who spent his leisure hours surfing the net for porn? Or maybe somebody else…?
One thing Stone understands clearly, whoever it is, is a master of misdirection…
Book 3: Garden of The Damned
When the body of a tramp was found in a dumpster on Lafayette and Bryant in the Bronx, with no papers and no ID, the case was filed as unsolved – another victim nobody cared about, shot by some punk nobody cared about.
That was twelve years ago.
Then Detective Stone notices that the ‘tramp’ had a hundred dollar haircut and manicured nails. That makes him curious. He wants to know, who dresses a murder victim up as a tramp, then leaves them in full view in a dumpster? But the answers he gets are not the ones he expects, and before long their investigation leads Stone and Dehan to St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, and the darkest recesses of the human soul.
It also leads them to some of the most powerful men in New York. Some, like Conor Hagan, head of the Irish Mob, are known criminals. But others are not… Stone’s problem is deciding which of them are just criminals, and which are truly evil. That is, until ghosts start appearing from Dehan’s past. Then things get complicated…
Book 4: Let Us Prey
It seemed to be a cold case like any other. So much so that Stone and Dehan hadn’t even considered reviewing it – until private investigator Karl Baxter requested a copy of the police file. Then Stone got curious.
Why did a second rate PI in the Bronx want to look into the case of a low life petty criminal found tied to a chair in his apartment, beaten and shot through the heart? And that question led to other questions, like, whose was second pool of blood on the floor? If there was a second victim, where was the body?
Unfortunately, a chat with Baxter only raises more questions that threaten to drive Stone crazy: who is the mysterious Tamara Gunthersen? And what was the gig she did for the even more mysterious Geronimo dos Santos, back in 2015? At every turn the questions get deeper, and the women more tempting - and more dangerous. Until the strain on Stone and Dehan’s partnership threatens to make it snap.
804 pages, Kindle Edition
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About the author
Blake Banner
150 books392 followersUSA TODAY and Amazon #1 bestselling author of the OMEGA and DEAD COLD MYSTERY series. Learn more about Blake Banner at his website: www.blakebanner.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 6, 2021
The basic plotlines of the stories were good, but the main character, Detective John Stone, was simply not believable as a detective from the Bronx in New York City. Every chapter or so you're brought up short by British terminology used not only in John Stone's thoughts and conversation but in other characters, too. For instance, we don't have "plane" trees here. The North American version is the sycamore tree. People don't decide not to go to university; they decide not to go to college. We don't hire a car; we rent a car. We don't rent a lockup; we rent a storage unit. We don't take a rasher of bacon; we take a slice of bacon. Kennebunkport is in Maine, not Vermont... and so on.
The author asserts that he writes a book in a month. I think it would be helpful to have an American editor read through the books and fix these little inaccuracies before publication. If details like this don't bother you, you'll probably enjoy the books.
The author asserts that he writes a book in a month. I think it would be helpful to have an American editor read through the books and fix these little inaccuracies before publication. If details like this don't bother you, you'll probably enjoy the books.
July 15, 2022
What Can Dinosaurs Do? I'd Say, Give Him A Cold Case And He Can Do Anything!
As I have already read and reviewed Book1 I'll deal with books two through four. After knowing, from book one, John Stone could, quite possibly, solve any cold case, ANY cold case! I know nothing of criminal investigation and the ability that Stone exhibits is amazing. Very little forensic evidence is enough to get Detectives Stone and Dehan a tiny grip on what eventually becomes a solution. Don't get me wrong, its never a walk in the park for the good detectives to solve a cold case. Their work, as portrayed here is thorough and well thought out. And there were a few twists I anticipated in the four volumes but most seemed to gobsmack me so often I was starting to flinch when they hit! I just couldn't put down my book when I knew I needed to. You know, that silly stuff we gotta do? The working, sleeping and eating things? Blake Banner is a consummate thriller author.
As I have already read and reviewed Book1 I'll deal with books two through four. After knowing, from book one, John Stone could, quite possibly, solve any cold case, ANY cold case! I know nothing of criminal investigation and the ability that Stone exhibits is amazing. Very little forensic evidence is enough to get Detectives Stone and Dehan a tiny grip on what eventually becomes a solution. Don't get me wrong, its never a walk in the park for the good detectives to solve a cold case. Their work, as portrayed here is thorough and well thought out. And there were a few twists I anticipated in the four volumes but most seemed to gobsmack me so often I was starting to flinch when they hit! I just couldn't put down my book when I knew I needed to. You know, that silly stuff we gotta do? The working, sleeping and eating things? Blake Banner is a consummate thriller author.
October 17, 2018
A warming trend
In spite of its’ title of “A Dead Cold Box Set” this box set will warm your heart with the tale of Detectives Dehan and Stone. You will be intrigued by their growing ability to know what the other is thinking. You’ll wonder if their personal relationship grows into a physical one. I won’t tell, READ THIS BOX SET TO TELL. I read book 1 separately which inspired me to seek out this box set. I will now be seeking the next box set containing books 5 to 8. The author, Blake Banner, will continue to keep me on the edge of my seat & amaze me with additional tales of these two detectives.
In spite of its’ title of “A Dead Cold Box Set” this box set will warm your heart with the tale of Detectives Dehan and Stone. You will be intrigued by their growing ability to know what the other is thinking. You’ll wonder if their personal relationship grows into a physical one. I won’t tell, READ THIS BOX SET TO TELL. I read book 1 separately which inspired me to seek out this box set. I will now be seeking the next box set containing books 5 to 8. The author, Blake Banner, will continue to keep me on the edge of my seat & amaze me with additional tales of these two detectives.
May 8, 2021
Overall good stories
The overall premises of this set of books is very good. Unfortunately the author doesn't seem to realize that Americans don't speak the English language the same as the rest of the world. If you're going to use New York City as the base of the series, then they have to speak and think as an American would. The of the cars mentioned are also not available in the United States. Irritating
The overall premises of this set of books is very good. Unfortunately the author doesn't seem to realize that Americans don't speak the English language the same as the rest of the world. If you're going to use New York City as the base of the series, then they have to speak and think as an American would. The of the cars mentioned are also not available in the United States. Irritating
September 3, 2020
Easy to read, but needs better research
These books are page turners. However, I nearly screamed when he tried to put Kennebunkport in Vermont. No! Kennebunkport is in Maine. If you are going to make up places and street names, please use fictional towns.
These books are page turners. However, I nearly screamed when he tried to put Kennebunkport in Vermont. No! Kennebunkport is in Maine. If you are going to make up places and street names, please use fictional towns.
January 28, 2018
Excellent mystery series. Some US readers may find some portions a bit confusing as the author frequently uses terms and descriptions appropriate to his apparently British background. Detective John Stone drives the car that the author may have or desire (an English model Jag) with right hand drive. When his very NY native partner borrows the car, there is no mention of any challenges. Time references are European (e.g., half-four, full noon). The lawn is called the garden. Ford does not sell or market their Ka model in the US. While at times humorous to note these discrepancies, I still found each of the four novels to be very entertaining, well-crafted mysteries. Well worth the read.
August 17, 2022
Cold Cases Come to Life
All four books were so entertaining and very different types of mysteries. It was hard to put down once you started each book with so many twists and turns, and interesting characters especially detectives Stone and Dehan. Their rapport and banter keeps things lively and love all the meals they share from the breakfasts to all the succulent steak dinners. It helped them think about the clues they were gathering and figuring out what they meant and determining the next steps to take. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoy mysteries and uncovering what really happened all those years ago???
All four books were so entertaining and very different types of mysteries. It was hard to put down once you started each book with so many twists and turns, and interesting characters especially detectives Stone and Dehan. Their rapport and banter keeps things lively and love all the meals they share from the breakfasts to all the succulent steak dinners. It helped them think about the clues they were gathering and figuring out what they meant and determining the next steps to take. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoy mysteries and uncovering what really happened all those years ago???
January 2, 2022
Excellent detective series
NYPD police detectives John Stone and Carmen Dehan have had a hard time with former partners and authorities. So they are assigned to work cold cases as a way to get them out of everyone’s hair. Surprising everyone, they are a dynamic team who are clearing cold cases. The mysteries are challenging. The camaraderie between Dehan and Stone is fun to watch. The third story here was the weakest, but even so I am giving this series 5 stars and buying the next 4 books immediately.
NYPD police detectives John Stone and Carmen Dehan have had a hard time with former partners and authorities. So they are assigned to work cold cases as a way to get them out of everyone’s hair. Surprising everyone, they are a dynamic team who are clearing cold cases. The mysteries are challenging. The camaraderie between Dehan and Stone is fun to watch. The third story here was the weakest, but even so I am giving this series 5 stars and buying the next 4 books immediately.
February 24, 2022
He and She. Detectives and best friends. Steaks and beers. Guns and knives.
The writer does not make any mistakes, especially in grammar, nor spelling. The professional and intimate relationship between the characters , Stone and Dehan, is always honest and forthright. It is interesting to follow their journey. You expect these law enforcement partners to sully their commitment to their profession or their personal intimacy - they do not. The stories were interesting, realistic and enjoyable. Characters are likeable. Author is talented.
The writer does not make any mistakes, especially in grammar, nor spelling. The professional and intimate relationship between the characters , Stone and Dehan, is always honest and forthright. It is interesting to follow their journey. You expect these law enforcement partners to sully their commitment to their profession or their personal intimacy - they do not. The stories were interesting, realistic and enjoyable. Characters are likeable. Author is talented.
February 14, 2019
Consistently Cool
I read the first four as one multi-story piece and was impressed with the flow as well as the faint humour that maintains the same unassuming level throughout.
I do find myself slightly irritated with the recurring naivety of the leading man who cannot read women and yet is in every way smart knowledgeable and deductive.
Otherwise I am satisfied with the constant need for revelation and my quiet enjoyment of the excellent writing.
I read the first four as one multi-story piece and was impressed with the flow as well as the faint humour that maintains the same unassuming level throughout.
I do find myself slightly irritated with the recurring naivety of the leading man who cannot read women and yet is in every way smart knowledgeable and deductive.
Otherwise I am satisfied with the constant need for revelation and my quiet enjoyment of the excellent writing.
June 12, 2020
Enjoyed every story in this box set. Having never read anything by this author, I took a chance and boy was I glad I did. Each story will keep your interest. The characters of John Stone and Carmen Dehan will stay with you and you want to read more about them (of course) and their twisty turny
cases. Don't hesitate to get this set. Needless to say I will be getting all the others in this series because they are that good.
cases. Don't hesitate to get this set. Needless to say I will be getting all the others in this series because they are that good.
March 15, 2018
First book - An Ace and a Pair - 4 stars
2nd book - Two Bare Arms - 4 stars
3rd book - Garden of The Damned - 4 stars
4th book - Let us Pray - 4 stars
I enjoyed all four of the books in this set. I would compare this favorably with the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly - I liked it that much! I will certainly read more by Blake Banner.
2nd book - Two Bare Arms - 4 stars
3rd book - Garden of The Damned - 4 stars
4th book - Let us Pray - 4 stars
I enjoyed all four of the books in this set. I would compare this favorably with the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly - I liked it that much! I will certainly read more by Blake Banner.
June 13, 2018
Loved this series!!
This was my first time reading this author's work and I loved the boxed set! Stone and Dehan were matched up well and are complementary to each other. I enjoyed the mysteries surrounding the cold cases and they kept me intrigued. I will be reading more by this author!
This was my first time reading this author's work and I loved the boxed set! Stone and Dehan were matched up well and are complementary to each other. I enjoyed the mysteries surrounding the cold cases and they kept me intrigued. I will be reading more by this author!
January 25, 2019
Great interaction between Stone and Dehan.
Quite entertaining books with not mush slow time. The two detectives are very likeable and smart and I like they way they interact and care about each other. I’m not sure how they can do their jobs so well with all of that drinking! I’ll definitely want to buy the next box of 4 books.
Quite entertaining books with not mush slow time. The two detectives are very likeable and smart and I like they way they interact and care about each other. I’m not sure how they can do their jobs so well with all of that drinking! I’ll definitely want to buy the next box of 4 books.
March 27, 2020
The author states that he writes a book a month in the afterword. The characters border on caricature, the plots are overly convoluted, and there is far more information about the routes driven than is of any interest to a reader who is not familiar with New York City, but . . . they are a nice distraction in a time of worldwide pandemic.
April 6, 2020
Quirky
Two misfit detectives are airlines to cold cases. They form a formidable partnership and a stribg, affectionate friend ship. Their cases are full of twists and turns red herrings and crossed paths. Never a dull moment, I cannot wait to read more. Just one point, hassocks are for kneeling on and cassocks are for wearing!
Two misfit detectives are airlines to cold cases. They form a formidable partnership and a stribg, affectionate friend ship. Their cases are full of twists and turns red herrings and crossed paths. Never a dull moment, I cannot wait to read more. Just one point, hassocks are for kneeling on and cassocks are for wearing!
July 3, 2021
The dead child series
Loved it all. As usual,. It was exciting, suspense filled, funny, and just a fantastic "who done it." I would recommend it to anyone who loves this type of book. Each new volume is just a little bit better than type play one. Can't wait to finish the entire series, and then hope for more ¡
Loved it all. As usual,. It was exciting, suspense filled, funny, and just a fantastic "who done it." I would recommend it to anyone who loves this type of book. Each new volume is just a little bit better than type play one. Can't wait to finish the entire series, and then hope for more ¡
December 26, 2021
Dead Cold Series 1-4
I greatly enjoyed reading this series of cold cases being solved by an odd couple of police. One dinosaur and another one with a really bad attitude! Together they open up four different unsolved cold cases and discover many reasons for them being unsolved. They make a great team.
I greatly enjoyed reading this series of cold cases being solved by an odd couple of police. One dinosaur and another one with a really bad attitude! Together they open up four different unsolved cold cases and discover many reasons for them being unsolved. They make a great team.
May 18, 2022
Action packed
Blake Banner keeps the action moving while using a writing style That is enjoyable plus well documented. Banner also in his writing style had me having to use a dictionary for a change while enjoying this set of books .😎
Bravo Blake Bravo great writing. Looking forward to more of the same
Blake Banner keeps the action moving while using a writing style That is enjoyable plus well documented. Banner also in his writing style had me having to use a dictionary for a change while enjoying this set of books .😎
Bravo Blake Bravo great writing. Looking forward to more of the same
January 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this four-book boxed set. I especially appreciated that he managed to work through the plot of each book without gratuitous sex. I would have rated at five star except for the language. every time I sat down to read, there were multiple F bombs to try to overlook. Five star, except for that.
June 10, 2024
the Dead Cold Series
I liked the stories even though there was a lot of murders. I liked the books the best because I know most of the areas where everything takes place. I just hope the description of how bad most of the Bronx is not true.
Also the main characters seem real and very human.
I will read the next series.
I liked the stories even though there was a lot of murders. I liked the books the best because I know most of the areas where everything takes place. I just hope the description of how bad most of the Bronx is not true.
Also the main characters seem real and very human.
I will read the next series.
August 6, 2024
This was an entertaining and fun read. You can hear "the Bronx" in the way the writer spells words, talks, and describes situations. I find myself reading like I'm from the Godfather. (Ba da bing!) The partnership between the police keeps you hopeful for more. The main characters lines make me laugh out loud when I read in quiet places. I'm on to the next series.
April 9, 2025
Cliche ridden garbage. Does the author know how far Texas is from NYC? He has this NYPD detective drive his personal Jaguar to Texas instead of taking a plane. That's at least a 20 hour drive. Pretty odd choice when you're doing a murder investigation.
I made it through the first book of the set, but I can't keep going.
I made it through the first book of the set, but I can't keep going.
January 28, 2018
4 Good books.
I have read the first four Banner books and I have books 5 and 6 standing by. I have really enjoyed these books. Reminds me somewhat of the Robert B. Parker Spenser themed books.
I have read the first four Banner books and I have books 5 and 6 standing by. I have really enjoyed these books. Reminds me somewhat of the Robert B. Parker Spenser themed books.
February 13, 2018
Good police procedural
Here’s a new partnership delving into cold cases for the NYPD. The writing is good, the characters memorable and the plots twisted enough to be interesting. I’ll be looking for more of these .
Here’s a new partnership delving into cold cases for the NYPD. The writing is good, the characters memorable and the plots twisted enough to be interesting. I’ll be looking for more of these .
February 21, 2018
Very good series. Keeps you quessing. Great fast read. Really enjoyed the series. Can't wait to read more of his works.
Good works. Great characters. Fast paced. Recommend. Will read more of his work. Really enjoy. Thanks for the stories. Grat
Good works. Great characters. Fast paced. Recommend. Will read more of his work. Really enjoy. Thanks for the stories. Grat
March 6, 2018
I would give 3 1/2 if possible. Like any group of books there are highs and lows - but kept me reading through all 4.
It is not a "gotta read" but a pleasant way to get acquainted with some new characters.
It is not a "gotta read" but a pleasant way to get acquainted with some new characters.
July 16, 2018
Cold case murders
Just found this author and love the plot lines and the inner action between the two cops. Wonderful books for men or women who like fast reads and good story lines.
Just found this author and love the plot lines and the inner action between the two cops. Wonderful books for men or women who like fast reads and good story lines.
April 15, 2020
Lots of fun, great characters!
I started this series because a reviewer said something to the effect of, “....finally, a male author able to develop characters....”. My thoughts exactly! Haven’t enjoyed a series this much since Spencer .
I started this series because a reviewer said something to the effect of, “....finally, a male author able to develop characters....”. My thoughts exactly! Haven’t enjoyed a series this much since Spencer .
June 23, 2020
Awesome series
I am so loving Stone and Dehan. Best boxed set I have read in a very long time. I am super excited to start the next set.
Highly recommend! Mr. Banner does an amazing job keeping it interesting and moving.
I could actually see this as a TV SERIES!
I am so loving Stone and Dehan. Best boxed set I have read in a very long time. I am super excited to start the next set.
Highly recommend! Mr. Banner does an amazing job keeping it interesting and moving.
I could actually see this as a TV SERIES!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews