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Ace Johnson: Things Aren’t What They Seem
Secrets, Lies, and a Fight for Justice Ace Johnson Is Back on the Case
Ace Johnson thought he’d finally found peace. Fresh from his honeymoon with Kathy, the retired detective was ready to settle into a quiet life. But crime never sleeps.
When a wealthy businessman is brutally murdered, the police and district attorney are quick to pin the crime on a troubled teen employee. Case closed.
Or is it?
The boy’s friends refuse to believe the official story and turn to Ace for help. As he investigates, Ace uncovers dark secrets, powerful enemies, and a conspiracy that reaches further than anyone imagined. The closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous the case becomes. Someone is willing to kill to keep their secrets buried. The police and district attorney quickly arrest a teenage employee with a troubled past. They call it an open-and-shut case, eager to close the books. But something doesn’t add up.
With the clock ticking, Ace must navigate a dangerous maze of small-town secrets, powerful enemies, and a deadly conspiracy that threatens everything he holds dear. But in a town where justice is bought and sold, can one man stand against the system?
With corruption, deception, and a web of lies closing in around him, Ace must race against time to expose the truth. But in a town where justice is up for sale, will he survive long enough to uncover it?
Fans of gripping murder mysteries, thrilling crime fiction, and pulse pounding detective novels won’t be able to put this book down. If you love authors like Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and David Baldacci, this page-turner is a must-read!
👉 A pulse-pounding mystery packed with twists, courtroom drama, and shocking revelations. Get your copy now and join Ace Johnson in his most thrilling case yet!
Ace Johnson thought he’d finally found peace. Fresh from his honeymoon with Kathy, the retired detective was ready to settle into a quiet life. But crime never sleeps.
When a wealthy businessman is brutally murdered, the police and district attorney are quick to pin the crime on a troubled teen employee. Case closed.
Or is it?
The boy’s friends refuse to believe the official story and turn to Ace for help. As he investigates, Ace uncovers dark secrets, powerful enemies, and a conspiracy that reaches further than anyone imagined. The closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous the case becomes. Someone is willing to kill to keep their secrets buried. The police and district attorney quickly arrest a teenage employee with a troubled past. They call it an open-and-shut case, eager to close the books. But something doesn’t add up.
With the clock ticking, Ace must navigate a dangerous maze of small-town secrets, powerful enemies, and a deadly conspiracy that threatens everything he holds dear. But in a town where justice is bought and sold, can one man stand against the system?
With corruption, deception, and a web of lies closing in around him, Ace must race against time to expose the truth. But in a town where justice is up for sale, will he survive long enough to uncover it?
Fans of gripping murder mysteries, thrilling crime fiction, and pulse pounding detective novels won’t be able to put this book down. If you love authors like Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and David Baldacci, this page-turner is a must-read!
👉 A pulse-pounding mystery packed with twists, courtroom drama, and shocking revelations. Get your copy now and join Ace Johnson in his most thrilling case yet!
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2024
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3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 23, 2025
Another thrilling story
Ace Johnson: Things Aren’t What They Seem by Gary Bryant
I fell for Ace Johnson in the first book—his character is so thoughtfully built—and this installment only deepens that admiration. Now retired and savoring his honeymoon, Ace should be coasting: he’s married his steadfast friend Kathy, he has recently helped Lily, a teen he befriended, along with several other young women when they cracked the case.
Yet his conscience keeps tugging, reminding him that he’s never been one to sit still when a mystery calls.
That call arrives fast. A wealthy businessman is found murdered, and a teenage boy is discovered at the scene. Open-and-shut? Not for Ace. Trusting his instincts, he launches an independent investigation and soon finds himself navigating a tangle of secrets, shifting motives, and quiet conspiracies. The tension builds cleanly, clue by clue, as Ace pushes past easy answers to pursue real justice.
Ace remains a standout protagonist—kind, perceptive, and quietly relentless, with a fatherly steadiness that grounds the story. Kathy is a wonderful counterbalance, offering warmth and clear-eyed pragmatism, and the supporting cast feels lived-in rather than decorative.
If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with solid investigative momentum, this is a satisfying, page-turning follow-up. Strongly recommended.
Ace Johnson: Things Aren’t What They Seem by Gary Bryant
I fell for Ace Johnson in the first book—his character is so thoughtfully built—and this installment only deepens that admiration. Now retired and savoring his honeymoon, Ace should be coasting: he’s married his steadfast friend Kathy, he has recently helped Lily, a teen he befriended, along with several other young women when they cracked the case.
Yet his conscience keeps tugging, reminding him that he’s never been one to sit still when a mystery calls.
That call arrives fast. A wealthy businessman is found murdered, and a teenage boy is discovered at the scene. Open-and-shut? Not for Ace. Trusting his instincts, he launches an independent investigation and soon finds himself navigating a tangle of secrets, shifting motives, and quiet conspiracies. The tension builds cleanly, clue by clue, as Ace pushes past easy answers to pursue real justice.
Ace remains a standout protagonist—kind, perceptive, and quietly relentless, with a fatherly steadiness that grounds the story. Kathy is a wonderful counterbalance, offering warmth and clear-eyed pragmatism, and the supporting cast feels lived-in rather than decorative.
If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with solid investigative momentum, this is a satisfying, page-turning follow-up. Strongly recommended.
January 10, 2026
This book is a gripping and well paced mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Ace Johnson is a strong, believable lead, a retired detective who just wants a quiet life, but can’t ignore his instincts when a young man is blamed for a murder that doesn’t add up.
The story moves fast, with plenty of twists and rising tension as Ace uncovers dark secrets and powerful enemies. I liked how the case felt realistic and emotionally grounded, especially the way the teens fight to clear their friend’s name.
If you enjoy detective thrillers with heart, suspense, and a strong sense of justice, this is a great read.
The story moves fast, with plenty of twists and rising tension as Ace uncovers dark secrets and powerful enemies. I liked how the case felt realistic and emotionally grounded, especially the way the teens fight to clear their friend’s name.
If you enjoy detective thrillers with heart, suspense, and a strong sense of justice, this is a great read.
October 11, 2024
Family, Friendship and Life's Purpose
Ace Johnson is a sequel to 'Ace of Hearts' written by Gary Bryant. The flow of the story is smooth, though quite mysterious. The main characters play their roles pleasantly. There's a strong love for family, friendship and doing God's purpose. This is a must read sequel to his first book. Great job, Gary!
Ace Johnson is a sequel to 'Ace of Hearts' written by Gary Bryant. The flow of the story is smooth, though quite mysterious. The main characters play their roles pleasantly. There's a strong love for family, friendship and doing God's purpose. This is a must read sequel to his first book. Great job, Gary!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews