Three Cold Nights

Detective Max Grady #5

by K.J. Kalis

Detective Max Grady has always been three steps ahead of the game—until now.

Struggling to hold his career and personal life together, Max is back with the Pittsburgh PD… barely. The cases he's working are mundane, and his heart’s no longer in the job—just enough effort to keep his badge.

Then a brutal triple murder shatters the calm of a quiet, suburban neighborhood, where the worst offense is usually a minor traffic violation. It’s not a murder-suicide, but beyond that, nothing adds up.

As Max digs deeper, he realizes this might be the most twisted and dangerous case of his career—one that could break him in ways he never saw coming, mentally, physically, and emotionally. And this time, he may not come out ahead.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2024

Reviews

[Tricia Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. We find out who the murderer is near the beginning, but the story develops well. I felt all the characters were interesting
If you like a good detective tale I recommend that you read this book.

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

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Top Notch Thriller

What a great thriller. An entire family wiped out and few suspects. Max is hired back after previously being fired. He is going to AA and required to see a psychologist. His relationship with his co-detective Cassie is brittle to say the least. I read this in two days. Could not bear to read it a bit at a time.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

💥 Best one yet!

Max Grady may well be one of the best, if not the best, homicide detective the Pittsburgh Police Department has, but he is also a very troubled man with a complicated past. Recently re-hired by the Pittsburgh PD, Max soon finds himself assigned to the brutal triple homicide of a family. Naturally, the department is looking for a quick resolution to the grisly murders but clues are scarce. Max is pushed to his limit by pressures from the job, his family (his brother is institutionalized), his strained relationship with Cassie Reynolds (the detective that is his partner), and the beckoning call of his inner demons birthed from a wildly traumatic childhood. It is little wonder that he used to search for solace at the bottom of a bottle, but that is no longer a viable option. With the help and support of AA and under the watchful eye of his sponsor, Frankie Turner, he is managing sobriety one day at a time all while juggling his numerous responsibilities. Regardless of all this, upon finding the terrified family dog at the murder scene, Max steps up to offer the poor pup a new home. This story has everything I look for in a great thriller. The pace is brisk and there is plenty of intrigue and danger along the way. The characters are interesting and believable in that they have both strengths and weaknesses, they have hopes and regrets, and despite their flaws, most of them are just trying to make a positive difference in the world.
An added bonus, at least for me, was seeing a hardened homicide detective with poor interpersonal skills reconnect with his softer side through the companionship of a traumatized dog. I have enjoyed all the previous Max Grady thrillers but, for me, this is the best one yet. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

[Philip Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective on the verge of relapsing to alcohol dependency realizes who done it - 4 stars

A Pittsburgh family is killed - Father, mother and two children. Only the family dog (Patch) survived. The murderer is clear to the reader; he (Adam Duffy) is not a run-of-the-mill guy. Adam is a PhD candidate with an anger problem and an ego which many times too large.

The reader is familiar with both the killer and the Detective for their simultaneous journey into depression. Detective Max Grady adopts the victim's family dog. Max's behavior - bad attitude and empathy for the dog - is intended to gain some sympathy from the reader. Max is a workaholic and is antisocial. Max has been an ongoing problem for the understaffed Pittsburgh PD. While police procedure is mostly followed, Max walks away at inopportune time to calm himself. In the past, alcohol has been Max's stress reliever and still seems to be an option even though Adam goes to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA ) regularly. He also sees a Pittsburgh PD psychologist as a condition of keeping his job. Max becomes friends with the dog as the killer becomes more unhinged.

Max's partner, Cassie Reynolds, is stressed out by Max's uncivil and his ruff demeanor with everyone he interacts with. Even though Max loves his job and is good at it, he considers leaving because he realizes that, at least recently, his words turn people off.

The killer does not seem to realize the enormity of his problem. He is convinced that everyone is against him and that there has been a conspiracy to convince his long-term girlfriend to drop him. In every instance of Adams's unexpected violence, blood flows freely out of each victim.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with Max attending an AA meeting and then leaving. His next stop is to see his police shrink. Max has been having issues and as part of his being rehired by the police dept., he was required to attend. After leaving and going to headquarters he is questioning why he is having issues. This eventually goes on the backburner when he and his partner, Cassie, are sent to a scene where three members of a family were murdered. While at this scene, Max takes on a new responsibility which will have an impact on him.

As Max and Cassie are searching for clues to the killer, Cassie is having issues with Max's attitude and she brings it to the Lt.'s attention. It seems that Max has an attitude which when contact individuals, it seems harsh. Things go on like this for a while before another member of the family is killed. At this point in the investigation, they have no clue as to is the killer. Max on his own begins taking another look at it and then comes up with an idea who the killer is. He even goes as far as doing a stakeout.

To discover what Max learned as part of his stakeout, what following event brought things to a head and how everything worked out in the end, then you need to read this book. In addition, discover what responsibility Max took on while at the murder scene.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Cold Nights by KJ Kalis
Detective Max Grady Thrillers Book Five
Detective Max Grady has been reinstated as a detective for the Philadelphia PD, but he had things he had to promise to do. Go to AA and talk with a psychologist. He didn’t like it either, but he was doing it. Only having to talk about his past to the doctor has it all coming up, and he couldn’t even drink to make it go away.

Plus, he knows something is happening with his work partner, Detective Cassie Reynolds. He saved her life some months back, but she’s putting off a cold vibe. He knows his quirks, but she’s always there to balance him.

Their new case, involving four murders, needs to be solved, but with all his past issues popping up, Grady is having difficulty getting back into his groove and seeing all the threads that come together to solve it.

I enjoy the Max Grady series. Although some of the stories are tough to read, they entranced me from beginning to end.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...

[Ralph Phares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Grady, former Pittsburg PD Detective who left the force under less-than-stellar circumstances, is back at his same job. But it's on a less than cordial basis with everyone in the department. Even His partner, Cassie Reynolds, is in a less than cordial mood. Max spent most of his former career time under the influence of alcohol. Now he's attending AA meetings on a daily basis, starting first thing in the morning. And he's attending meetings at other times of the day as well.

As our story opens we see Max dealing with some minor aggravations when he catches a calls that quickly develops into a triple homicide, an family. And nothing seems quite as it should, which puts Max into a kind of "alert mode". the suspense rachets up several notches. This level of suspense maintains for a good portion of the book that means the reader, like me, keeps flipping those pages and skips bedtimes, meals and, well, you get the idea. Max is certainly worth reading!

This book is an ARC from the author and this review is provided under no coercion.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Max Grady has many quirks that tend to make him very difficult to work with, and yet, he is one of the best detectives in the Pittsburgh PD. Needing to make changes, he is attending AA meetings and spending time with the department psychiatrist. Unfortunately, facing his past may be the biggest hurdle he needs to cross — but not one he is ready to deal with.

The triple murder of a family requires the best of Max and his partner Cassie. But working together seems to create problems. Can they get past all the ‘stuff’ and solve this case before more people die?
In order for my mind to work through all the ins and outs of this story, I took 2 days to read it. It really is amazing how a perpetrator can rationalize their evil deeds.

I received an early copy through BDM, LLC and BookSprout. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max is one of the best detectives in the Pittsburgh, PA department but carrying so much baggage, he finds solace in the bottom of a bottle. So he gets fired. But then he tries to get it together and goes to AA with his sponsor, Frankie and seeing a psychiatrist, the department rehires him and he with his partner, Cassie who is totally aloof toward him are assigned the murder of an entire family except the family dog which he adopts. With no actual clues left behind it is tough, except that the murderer likes to play cat and mouse with Max and we know who the murderer is. All I can say is I couldn't put this book down. It is a roller coaster you are one and you can't get off until the end. Will this case bring Max back down? Will the pup be his rescue dog? What about Cassie? I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s dark days for Max. He’s spent his life avoiding his troubles by throwing himself into work. Except now work is not working. He’s trying to fix himself and all the issues that have cropped up over the years but it just seems like the more he tries the deeper and raker things seem. When he really needs his mojo to solve a huge case it’s rough goings.
I don’t know if like is the right word to use since this book has some twisted things going on. But you get drawn in and you’re there in the thick of things trying and hoping that Max can get it together and solve it. This is a dark time for Max but it’s an enthralling book for the reader!.

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

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great thriller this is, you’re in for a crazy ride. A whole family is dead, three members killed one night and the other one the next night, are these crimes related? Who killed them?
Max is back in the Pittsburgh police and has been assigned along with Cassie to this case. She has been acting strange with him while he has been trying to figure out why along with the demons of his past.
While working the case, with no clues as to who the killer is he keeps seeing the face of his dead father superimposed on the victim’s faces.
With lots of twists and turns, and with the brilliance of Max’s detective deductions they are finally able to find the killer and stop him from killing another innocent person.
Best book yet of the series.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grady is struggling with life in general and his relationship with Cassie is at a very low point. He feels unsettled and as if not wanted at his job, by his partner, or by his brother, and then he is working on a triple homicide. A family has been killed and later on the fourth remaining member of such group also turns up horrifically killed. What is the motive and who did it? Grady will have to surpass his difficulties and change his ways to work as a team with Cassie to solve the crime. This is a different thriller as Grady is rethinking everything is his life and most of the things are happening inside his head. There is a good plot, the story is well-written and entertaining.

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

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first of the series for me, and what an introduction. There were small mentions of previous books that served to whet my appetite for what came before. I never felt lost in the series considering that this is the 5th book. I found the characters to be well rounded and believable, especially Max. A flawed-but-trying character with his own terrible past. We learn very quickly of the horrendous murders and the perpetrator and the sick reasons they were committed. I was invested immediately in the story. Now, I have to go back and read the first 4.
I received this book from BookSprouts and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.

[L.a.l · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you first start reading this book, you have no idea that a tragedy is in the works and you are wondering how the partner relationship is going to progress. Suddenly, with a triple murder to investigate, the plot thickens and you are absorbed into the book. I like that the author keeps two story lines running until they intersect for the conclusion.
The emotions of all the characters are well developed and, at the end you still see some of the tensions.
Cannot wait to see where the next book goes.

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

[Eric Cousineau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first exposure to this author and it definitely will not be my last! This book is a real page turner. A wonderfully crafted action-packed story with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat right to the last page.

Max Grady is a brilliant detective who struggle with his internal demons while trying to solve multiple crimes. The well-developed characters, each with their own individual quirks, make for an interesting read as they follow the twists and turns in the story. Hopefully there will be more to this series

Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Bruce Tamanaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

Max Grady, back with the Pittsburgh PD, and partnered with Cassie Reynolds have their hands full with the multiple murders.

Good plot changes that keep things moving until the suspenseful end.

Grady, also has his personal devils to work with, and they make life difficult. With some help, Grady is able to put them to bed, to get the job done.

The book is exciting and entertaining. I enjoyed reading the book.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has a great cast of characters and we learn more about them as people with each book.  Max is a complex character with flaws like all humans which makes him easy to relate to. 

We know who the murderer is long before Max figures it out but that does not spoil anything.  This is a great fast paced thriller. Once you get into it,  it is hard to put down. 

I'm looking forward to seeing what Max's next adventure will be. 

[Big Fat Hairy Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max has recently rejoined the Pittsburgh Police Department after a tumultous time in his life. Right off the bat, he and his partner pick up a triple homicide, a family of three. Trying hard to put his troubled past behind him, Max sorts through the clues in an effort to catch the killer before he strikes again. This is a gritty, dark, detective thriller with a compelling story that captivates the reader.

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

[Colin Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest in the series see the police department coming to terms with their losses and going on to new cases, However, Max's relationships with his partner and colleagues has suffered along with Max's mental health. He doggedly investigates his case and eventually gets his man and his relationship with his partner may have improved, the next book will prove whether I am right or not. An enjoyable read.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an ending to the series. It had me hooked from the first page to the last.. it’s a pity it was the last Max book. I was fascinated by the story, this author can’t half just write a good thriller that’s for sure. I loved it. What are we going to get next I wonder, cannot wait. Very highly recommended.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know people probably won't agree but I really like Max. I love that he's trying. He knows he's flawed but he's trying. I love Patch too. Poor baby. This was one incredible book. And I really want a lot more of Max. I like how his brain works, the way he solves the crime. This was a great thriller.

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

[Dennis Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max is having difficulty living with his past, to the point where he falls off the wagon briefly. Meanwhile he and his partner catch a triple homicide, a father, mother and son. Then the daughter is murdered in a separate attack. Max’s partner, Cassie, is having troubles dealing with his moodiness, his idiosyncrasies. Can they solve the murders? Can they survive as partners? ENJOY!

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Reading this book helps to understand the stress and obstacles a police officer faces everyday. When you have to look at the horrors committed by some unknown person for reasons you have no clue about it's no wonder alcohol, suicide and cops go hand in hand.

[Emmy McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Max Grady and his partner Cassie are involved in a four person murder case. They arrive on the scene to find two victims of gunshots and one stabbing. Later, they have another stabbing victim all in the same family. A great book.

[Nicholas Binns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thed Cold Nights

Another excellent read. Kalis writes a really good read.

It's my 5th book, thus completing the series.

Hopefully not too long before another one is written.

[Eleanor Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Action from start to finish, with a mixed cast of characters.