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John Keegan #1
Soft Case
Read the book that launched the John Keegan Mystery Series! When New York City's most famous man dies suspiciously, Homicide Detective John Keegan must follow a trail of corruption that may just lead to the top of city government...and the end of his career.Successful, rich people usually don't kill themselves. This is the thought that runs through Keegan's mind when he learns his partner, Rick Calhill, has scored them the Ronald Mullins case. Mullins had it all, money, power, and a beautiful wife. If anyone had a reason to commit suicide, it wasn't Mullins. Despite this, the mayor, a good friend of Mullins, is convinced the one-time tycoon killed himself. So is practically everyone else. Except Keegan's partner. At first, it appears Calhill hopes to use this case to catapult up the NYPD ladder. Then, a case full of corruption and intrigue unravels. So does Keegan's life.Keegan and Calhill investigate further, and find out Mullins was preparing a Senate run. They also discover marital problems, and friction between Mullins and his business partner. All of a sudden they can point a finger at half a dozen people who would want the software mogul dead. There is a pattern of corruption in Mullins' life and in city government, it seems, but before Keegan can make it near an answer, he is in handcuffs, framed, with his whole life falling to pieces around him.Suspended, threatened, and betrayed, Keegan decides to go it alone, armed only with his belief in justice, and a handful of people he has no choice but to trust. He learns truths about the people he respected most, truths he doesn't want to know. In the end, he risks his job, and his life to solve the biggest case the city has seen in decades.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2014
227 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 23, 2024
Good police procedural. Interesting circumstances. Gotta like the hero. Good to see some old technology used versus all the very hi tech stuff available today.
February 10, 2017
Wow is all I can say.
April 8, 2012
This is a good book that really has you thinking. I am from Long Island so I liked knowing of the places the characters were going to and moving through.
January 24, 2016
Read the updated version. Editing problems appear fixed.
January 19, 2023
0 🌟
Demeaning, crude, nasty, and full of foul language,...
I stopped about 45% of the way. I do not recommend this book. This book Is written by a man I not only refuse to finish reading his book but think needs help. Everything to him is turned into something sexual. It's hard to even tell what the plot is because his constant drooling and sexual comments override anything else in the book. Perhaps "Soft Case" is about exactly that topic? If so, I am not interested whatsoever!
"My libido doesn't get in the way of my logic."- this is a direct quote the author uses in the book. However, the author's libido directly gets in the way of his writing!
Other phrases hit me before I decided to give up on the book.
"I wanted to sleep with her."
"I needed to know her angle."
"It was part of the game."
Another example is when he speaks about his father's assistant, Jane. A sexual reference is made about her and all the people hired and how they need to be 28 or younger to work at his dad's dental practice & later in the office he fantasizes about being with 3 of the office girls.
Any of this behavior is unacceptable, unprofessional, and unbecoming of an officer! While on duty he was hitting on a lady he was questioning. This is beyond disturbing and frankly this author writing it bothers me just as much.
This is not okay!
Free or not, this book lets men with power treat women like candy to be picked up at their desire, tasted, and discarded at any point without consequences.
Demeaning, crude, nasty, and full of foul language,...
I stopped about 45% of the way. I do not recommend this book. This book Is written by a man I not only refuse to finish reading his book but think needs help. Everything to him is turned into something sexual. It's hard to even tell what the plot is because his constant drooling and sexual comments override anything else in the book. Perhaps "Soft Case" is about exactly that topic? If so, I am not interested whatsoever!
"My libido doesn't get in the way of my logic."- this is a direct quote the author uses in the book. However, the author's libido directly gets in the way of his writing!
Other phrases hit me before I decided to give up on the book.
"I wanted to sleep with her."
"I needed to know her angle."
"It was part of the game."
Another example is when he speaks about his father's assistant, Jane. A sexual reference is made about her and all the people hired and how they need to be 28 or younger to work at his dad's dental practice & later in the office he fantasizes about being with 3 of the office girls.
Any of this behavior is unacceptable, unprofessional, and unbecoming of an officer! While on duty he was hitting on a lady he was questioning. This is beyond disturbing and frankly this author writing it bothers me just as much.
This is not okay!
Free or not, this book lets men with power treat women like candy to be picked up at their desire, tasted, and discarded at any point without consequences.
November 22, 2024
A Great Mystery
I loved the POV of Keegan. It had humor, honesty, self deprecation
and a resolve to do right by himself and the innocent. I docked a star - though the swear use was mild, there were four instances of using Jesus' names as a swear that I couldn't overlook. Also, there is sex outside of marriage (no description) that some may want to know about.
I actually really loved the whole story ( above exceptions noted) and can recommend this as a very entertaining mystery. The motive is old time but Misak takes the reader on a wild ride getting to the reveal. Good job there. If it weren't for the swears and sex issues I could recommend this for any age, so I will say a reader who can overlook these issues will enjoy Soft Case.
I loved the POV of Keegan. It had humor, honesty, self deprecation
and a resolve to do right by himself and the innocent. I docked a star - though the swear use was mild, there were four instances of using Jesus' names as a swear that I couldn't overlook. Also, there is sex outside of marriage (no description) that some may want to know about.
I actually really loved the whole story ( above exceptions noted) and can recommend this as a very entertaining mystery. The motive is old time but Misak takes the reader on a wild ride getting to the reveal. Good job there. If it weren't for the swears and sex issues I could recommend this for any age, so I will say a reader who can overlook these issues will enjoy Soft Case.
October 12, 2024
Get an editor
This was a pretty good story. The characters were solid with depth. It was a good story line, a bit overused but still enjoyable.
What was not enjoyable was the many grammar and sentence structure mistakes. Several times I had to read and reread a sentence to try to make sense.
Thank you
This was a pretty good story. The characters were solid with depth. It was a good story line, a bit overused but still enjoyable.
What was not enjoyable was the many grammar and sentence structure mistakes. Several times I had to read and reread a sentence to try to make sense.
Thank you
July 18, 2025
Absolutely loathed the main character. Finished the book because I found the “mystery” intriguing. The end is ridiculous and I never found out how the killer managed the deed anyway. Also the editing is execrable. Words missing everywhere to the point I had to guess what the sentence said based on context.
February 28, 2020
Fast moving story but . . . .
Strong story line but believable. Hero comes across as a "real" man hyped on testosterone but he doesn't really show another side. Didn't like his view of females, seems just too much without redeeming characteristics.
Strong story line but believable. Hero comes across as a "real" man hyped on testosterone but he doesn't really show another side. Didn't like his view of females, seems just too much without redeeming characteristics.
July 9, 2020
Good story, horrible editing
Great story but really bad editing. Bad grammar, misspelled words, and leaving words out of a sentence really made it difficult read. The only reason I have it two stars was because I did enjoy the story.
Great story but really bad editing. Bad grammar, misspelled words, and leaving words out of a sentence really made it difficult read. The only reason I have it two stars was because I did enjoy the story.
July 29, 2020
John Keegan is a detective and assigned to investigate a possible suicide of a prominent businessman turned politician. He is a weak, not very likable character but is a good investigator. I rate this a 3.5.
February 28, 2021
'Soft Case: A John Keegan Mystery' pulled me in from the beginning. I loved the story line and how it played out. The lead had me cracking up. Full of great characters, action, thrills and mystery. I can't wait to read more. A great add to your tbr list.
August 8, 2017
Decent story
Some spelling errors and a hurried ending
Characters were interesting, but I felt the story lacked the 'hook' that draws you into the story
Some spelling errors and a hurried ending
Characters were interesting, but I felt the story lacked the 'hook' that draws you into the story
August 19, 2020
Editing very bad
It had so many missing words sometimes you had to guess at it to make sense. Too bad as the author has potential.
It had so many missing words sometimes you had to guess at it to make sense. Too bad as the author has potential.
April 30, 2021
Interesting
This is a book you read for the story, not for the rather pedestrian writing. The characters are annoying at best, and the book desperately screams for an editor
This is a book you read for the story, not for the rather pedestrian writing. The characters are annoying at best, and the book desperately screams for an editor
June 22, 2021
Worst proofreading job ever.
If not for that, I would have rated the book a 5. As it is, someone should be fired...just my opinion.
If not for that, I would have rated the book a 5. As it is, someone should be fired...just my opinion.
August 27, 2021
Review
Gave this book a 5 star rating because it was very entertaining. Great style of humor throughout. Kept my interest from start to finish.
Gave this book a 5 star rating because it was very entertaining. Great style of humor throughout. Kept my interest from start to finish.
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November 2, 2021Awesome story telling
My first time with this author. I'm already looking at his other books to download. I'm hooked, he's great at telling stories.
My first time with this author. I'm already looking at his other books to download. I'm hooked, he's great at telling stories.
October 8, 2022
Interesting
I found this book full of twists and turns and really enjoyed it. Didn't want to put it down. Looking forward to seeing what else John Misak offers
I found this book full of twists and turns and really enjoyed it. Didn't want to put it down. Looking forward to seeing what else John Misak offers
July 10, 2023
Great police thriller
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of drama and suspense. Loved the main character John. A great read!
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of drama and suspense. Loved the main character John. A great read!
March 7, 2025
A good and interesting story well told.
John Keegan has his hands full trying to solve a murder before someone kills him and hides all the evidence.
John Keegan has his hands full trying to solve a murder before someone kills him and hides all the evidence.
July 3, 2025
Outstanding!!!
I especially liked the little quips the author put in John Keegan's mind which made me wonder if that's the way Mr. Misak himself thinks in real life...smiling.
I especially liked the little quips the author put in John Keegan's mind which made me wonder if that's the way Mr. Misak himself thinks in real life...smiling.
August 16, 2025
I was hooked from the opening page . I read Grisham, Patterson, Corbin, Rankin and others and John Misak is right up there with them. Looking forward to reading more of his material.✌️😊
February 16, 2017
Good Mystery with an Antihero Protagonist
This one kept me reading despite an unlikeable protagonist and a truly awful digital conversion. Detective John Keegan doesn't care much about anything, as we learn in the first chapter; he's a cop because it's the only thing he can't resist other than a pretty woman. How he unravels an open and shut suicide case is the story... And quite a good one.
As for the digital conversion, sentences are fractured, some are jumbled, words are misspelled, every "rn" became "m".... Very annoying if you have a proofreader's eye!
This one kept me reading despite an unlikeable protagonist and a truly awful digital conversion. Detective John Keegan doesn't care much about anything, as we learn in the first chapter; he's a cop because it's the only thing he can't resist other than a pretty woman. How he unravels an open and shut suicide case is the story... And quite a good one.
As for the digital conversion, sentences are fractured, some are jumbled, words are misspelled, every "rn" became "m".... Very annoying if you have a proofreader's eye!
March 23, 2014
very poor editing.
November 1, 2015
I'm a sucker for detective books.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews