Drive To Kill

by Sam Jones

LAPD has a name for cop killers. Dead Men Walking.

FBI Agent Dean Blackwood gave up the undercover life for a desk job, traded whiskey for coffee, and swore he’d never look back.

Until he found his best friend bleeding out.

They had just stepped off the sand, surfboards under their arms, when the gunfire erupted.

Dean ran after the shooters, instincts firing before reason. By the time he got back, Joey was on the ground, blood pooling in the surf.

But Joey was just the beginning. Someone is hunting down members of an elite LAPD unit, one by one.

The LAPD calls it a string of unsolved murders. Dean calls it a pattern.

A grieving widow begs for justice. A relentless reporter digs where she shouldn’t. The deeper Dean goes, the more bodies stack up, and the more he realizes this isn’t just another case. The truth is buried under layers of corruption, and someone is willing to kill to keep it there.

Dean tried to start over, but they shouldn’t have killed his friend.

This time, there’s no going back.

Packed with high-speed chases, mob bosses, brutal fight scenes, and explosions, Drive to Kill is perfect for fans of fast-paced action, lone wolf antiheroes, and edge-of-your-seat thrillers. This is book 1 of 8 in the Dean Blackwood FBI Mystery Thriller series.

Following extensive fan feedback, this book has been fully updated for a faster, sharper, and even more action-packed experience. Welcome to Edition 2 – February 10, 2025.

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2024

Reviews

[Nora Wolfenbarger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story, but a bit redictable for my taste.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fen is burning both ends of the candle in this story. He watches people from the small town he is going to be teaching a painting class to pull a dead body in the river. Then he meets a lady that has stirred up feelings he thought was long dead with his wife Sally. But then he is asked to help the local police department solve the case. This could cause him big trouble because secrets in small towns tend to rise to the top when you least expect them too. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Jolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Kill the prequel to the Dean Blackwood series. Dean Blackwood saw his twin brother Tommy run over and die when he was a teen. They never discovered the driver. Dean joined the FBI as an undercover agent. He developed a drinking problem because of his job. This is the first book in the series.
Drive To Kill 4/18-4/23/2025 Drive To Kill by Sam Jones is the continuation of the story of Dean Blackwood, FBI agent, and how he worked to capture corrupt LAPD officers single-handed. The story is very dynamic and pass-paced. Highly recommend to those who enjoy this type of thriller.

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[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know how this book got so highly rated. I’m all for bigger than life characters, but Dean Blackwell just wasn’t very interesting. The story was ultimately simple, and the bad guys had no depth. They worked successfully for years and then took action that was supposed to build tension but was just overly contrived.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book I've read in this series or by the author and it was about a 2.5 for me.

Typical burnout story of a good guy, this one an FBI agent but one that seems to get into/out of dangerous situations. He's been relegated to working a desk in Oregon after a situation at his last post in El Paso- which is referred to but not sufficiently explained.

His divorce, banishment by FBI are all related to "the situation" but he's here in LA to visit his son and swears he's changed. He wants more time with his son (whom he refers to as Pal-ly and not by his name?) but soon gets embroiled in another situation when his best friend is killed in a random shooting. He refuses to let it go- nor can he stop the "leprechaun" or voice in his ear constantly taunting him.

He gets the bad guy, there is family fallout and he's back on the front lines of investigations for the bureau.

Unsure about this series, mainly due to "the leprechaun voice".

[Barbara Creager Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean Blackwell was content in his secluded cabin just relaxing and laying low while recovering from his previous fast paced FBI duties and addiction to alcohol. All he wanted was to get closer to his son who lives with his ex and be more of a father than he had previously been. All the while struggling with his urges and thoughts about his brothers early death. Wanting to move closer to his son, he takes a job that gets him into more than he had bargained for. Dean gets sucked into this case that uncovers deception within the LAPD and could also solve his brothers early death. The drive to solve the case could be a means to the end of Dean and his son. I couldn’t put this book down, definitely a page turner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An L.A. policeman is killed in a drive by and the FBI is sent to investigate. Then within days a second policeman is killed in the same manner. FBI agent Dean Blackwood is no ordinary agent and he immediately knows these two were killed by the same person, for the same reason; he's just not sure who the killer is or the reasons are...yet. What Blackwood does know that this investigation is going to get ugly; very ugly. Before the case is solved it will involve the head of the LA police dept., an Armenian mob organization and Blackwood's own father. And with the help of Layla, a dogged reporter, Blackwood may stay alive to have a relationship with his young son.
(Thanks to the author and the publisher for an advance copy)

[Judi Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a start of a new series following Dean Blackwood. He was a former Army Ranger but had to leave because of an injury and now is a FBI Agent. He wants to wind down his time with the FBI, move to LA and be with his son more. He is divorced and his wife does not really allow Dean to see their son very much because of the dangers of his career.

He is given, one more job, and he can get a desk job with the FBI and then spend his time with his son. Dean is also fighting drinking..

Dean is funny, and dangerous and I really enjoyed reading the first one and will definitely continue with the series!!!

[Jenn H · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy crime drama books then this is for you. This book is full of twists and turns FBI/Cop jargon that makes it believable. Dean is an FBI agent who gets pulled into a case that’s extremely similar to the unsolved case of his murdered twin brother that happened when they were kids. While on the case he’s trying to patch up his life, fix his home life, maintain a relationship with his son and keep cops from dying…. All in a days work.
If you enjoy crime mysteries- this is a book for you!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bri Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book was great. Truly a thriller.

FBI agent Dean Blackwood had been on a hiatus from the FBI for the last 3 years, but on a visit to LA he is dragged into a case that ends up with him finding the person who murdered his brother when they were kids.

There will be a second book and this book has a great lead up to that!

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[JOAN SALLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I've read by this author and definitely a keeper! Definitely a stay up late read, as lots of action to keep you reading. FBI agent Dean Blackwell, recovering from a previous case, is back to work trying to find out who is killing cops and why. Will he solve this and also find out what happened to his brother several years ago?

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Jennifer Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

LAPD, FBI, bad guys, good guys. Who do you trust? Special Agent Dean Blackwood has his hands full trying to solve this case, maintain his relationship with his young son, and figure out who has his back and who just wants to shoot him in the back. Lots of fun twists and turns in this book. It was hard to put down. Grateful for the advance copy. Definitely recommend this one.

[Marlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! I suggested my library purchase this book and I am glad they did! Dean is going through a lot of demons, I admire how much he loves his son. This book had a lot of action, which kept me interested. I look forward to reading more books in this series. I love the fact Dean has a dog.

[Reads lotsa stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI Special Agent Dean Blackwood. A murder mystery that turns its own pages. Packed full of twists and turns with clues hiding from all to see. It is a great story for crime junkies. It has murder and mayhem galore. The characters are well developed and very likable. Couldn’t put it down!

[Spooky Bookish Bit*h · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an advanced reader copy and I absolutely loved this book! It hooked me right from the start! Dean is a bad@ss and the story sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat! Could not put it down!

[Connie Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!

Sam Jones I don't know where you got your idea about these books but boy I am glad you did I really enjoyed reading them they are my kind of books! If you like these kinds of books I suggest you read these!

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5****

Not my usual genre but talk about action filled! That would be an understatement. Reading how the criminal element worked in the story makes one wonder how much of it could relate to the way some agencies might compare.

[Karen Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read!

I truly loved reading this book. It was full of intensity, some scary moments, heartfelt and those moments of who did the crime? The author did an amazing job of putting everything together. I truly look forward to reading more books by this author. Happy Reading!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drive To Kill (A Dean Blackwood FBI Mystery Thriller Book 2), my first read from author Sam Jones, an author I'd not heard of before this book. A 368-page Vigilante Justice Thriller. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author and in this series with Midnight Kill (A Dean Blackwood FBI Mystery Thriller Book 3) the next book in this series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Brian Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action

Lots of different things happening, both in the story location and in the main character’s head. The action is pretty much non-stop. Suspense and the voice on his shoulder make for a gripping story. Highly recommended.

[Rick Farlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

GOOD STORYLINE

I enjoyed the story about a rogue FBI agent who has a lot of experience and too many personal problems. What I didn’t enjoy was a lot of unnecessary abrasive language, which was totally unnecessary.

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fast paced story! I love that Dean is such a normal guy with real problems! Trying to overcome addiction and spend time with his son while juggling work! Great suspense! Loved the book!

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

He wanted to cut people out of their share??? Thank you, Director Wheelan. I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense

I enjoyed this book, though the plot felt a bit like a runaway train toward the end. I plan to read the next one in the series as the characters are relatable.

[Cody Blocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean Blackwood is great. Sam Jones has all of the right thriller tropes in this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Larry Harmse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zero subtlety and 100% predictable. As much as I love staying with a series once I start, this was one and done for me.

[Brian Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking for a new series to read and am looking forward to the next book. Great story line. I found it difficult to put down.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book started reading the second one

[Lorraine Woloszyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT READ!

Much action and suspense!! Very hard to put the book down and excited about picking it back up. Murder and mystery. Dean is a powerful character.