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The Drop Zone
A dark and suspenseful debut
Detective T.J. Peterson has a problem, and it’s not just how much he’s drinking or the daily, silent, tormenting video calls from his estranged daughter. A Catholic priest has been bludgeoned to death in church, apparently by a symbol of his faith, and an unidentified woman’s body had been found. He’s barely holding it together. When a deranged teenager, a possible witness, crosses his path, he is propelled into a sleazy, violent world of underage prostitution, sexual abuse, and human trafficking as he pursues a merciless killer.
A stylish and riveting exploration of both the consequences of depravity and the sometimes-extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.
Detective T.J. Peterson has a problem, and it’s not just how much he’s drinking or the daily, silent, tormenting video calls from his estranged daughter. A Catholic priest has been bludgeoned to death in church, apparently by a symbol of his faith, and an unidentified woman’s body had been found. He’s barely holding it together. When a deranged teenager, a possible witness, crosses his path, he is propelled into a sleazy, violent world of underage prostitution, sexual abuse, and human trafficking as he pursues a merciless killer.
A stylish and riveting exploration of both the consequences of depravity and the sometimes-extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2015
1 person is currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Bob Kroll
7 books17 followersFull name: Robert E. Kroll
Bob Kroll has been writing professionally for more than thirty-five years. His work includes books, stage plays, radio dramas, TV documentaries, as well as historical docu-dramas for Canadian and American museums. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Bob Kroll has been writing professionally for more than thirty-five years. His work includes books, stage plays, radio dramas, TV documentaries, as well as historical docu-dramas for Canadian and American museums. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 16, 2019
This is a dark, ugly crime story. The setting is an East Coast port city oozing with sleaze, probably modelled on Halifax, but without the vitality and charm which makes it an attractive city. The atmosphere is gritty containing themes of underage prostitution, human trafficking, child porn, corrupt cops, and corrupt politicians, leading businessmen, and a psychiatrist, along with drug dealers and street hustlers. The main locations are dangerous alleyways, dilapidated apartments and rundown strip malls, slimy dives and an empty warehouse harbouring runaways, street people, and criminal acts.
I had difficulty liking or empathizing with any of the characters, so this was a slow read for me. I did feel it was mostly well written in the noir style, but some parts moved at a choppy pace. The protagonist is an emotionally damaged, tormented cop. He sleeps little and drinks himself into a stupor. His wife was killed in a car accident while with another man. In his grief he became a workaholic, frequenting the dark streets to solve crimes. His teenaged daughter, feeling neglected, ran away to Vancouver. She now haunts him almost daily with silent phone calls showing a dingy, sordid room with scattered drug paraphernalia.
He has been dismissed by the police force but pocketed the badge which he was ordered to turn in. No longer under police rules and legal restraints, he uses the badge when necessary to carry out revenge and his own kind of street justice. With his runaway daughter in mind, he has become obsessed with the trafficking of young girls and helping them escape their situations. He now feels free of police legalities, breaking and entering to obtain evidence, beating up criminals and threatening suspects at gunpoint.
The story ends with criminals from high positions and lowlifes brought to justice, but not without violence, injury and deaths. There is very little happiness here, and I see that two sequels have already been published. I hope that the protagonist makes some positive changes in his life, but don’t think it likely. 2.5 Stars.
I had difficulty liking or empathizing with any of the characters, so this was a slow read for me. I did feel it was mostly well written in the noir style, but some parts moved at a choppy pace. The protagonist is an emotionally damaged, tormented cop. He sleeps little and drinks himself into a stupor. His wife was killed in a car accident while with another man. In his grief he became a workaholic, frequenting the dark streets to solve crimes. His teenaged daughter, feeling neglected, ran away to Vancouver. She now haunts him almost daily with silent phone calls showing a dingy, sordid room with scattered drug paraphernalia.
He has been dismissed by the police force but pocketed the badge which he was ordered to turn in. No longer under police rules and legal restraints, he uses the badge when necessary to carry out revenge and his own kind of street justice. With his runaway daughter in mind, he has become obsessed with the trafficking of young girls and helping them escape their situations. He now feels free of police legalities, breaking and entering to obtain evidence, beating up criminals and threatening suspects at gunpoint.
The story ends with criminals from high positions and lowlifes brought to justice, but not without violence, injury and deaths. There is very little happiness here, and I see that two sequels have already been published. I hope that the protagonist makes some positive changes in his life, but don’t think it likely. 2.5 Stars.
November 12, 2020
If you are into flawed, damaged, and tormented protagonists this novel will be a favorite!
“The Drop Zone” introduces T. J. Peterson. A police detective in an unnamed urban municipality in Eastern Canada. Peterson has lost his wife, his daughter, his faith in God and his fellow man – and quite possibly… his job. His wife he lost to a traffic accident while she was with another man. His daughter is a teenage runaway who torments him with silent video calls of a derelict room furnished with an unmade bed and empty syringes.
Peterson, burnt out and hungover, is tasked with solving the brutal murder of a Catholic priest. His investigations lead him to the dark and depraved world of teenage prostitution and sex trafficking.
The ‘Drop Zone‘ of the title is a condemned dockyard warehouse where homeless teenagers have left graffiti and the detritus of their desperate lives. This is a place that is deeply personal for Peterson because of his daughter. When he encounters a young woman in dire straits, he becomes more than invested in the outcome of his case.
The gritty subject matter of this novel gives it a ‘noir’ feel. A fast-paced novel with writing that moves the plot along with interest, including some jaw-dropping and at times heart-rending scenes.
Although the setting was unnamed, and the fact that artistic license was taken by the author, I acknowledge that the novel was loosely set in my home city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. His vivid descriptions ensured that there remained a frisson of recognition for certain places described.
The satisfying ending was tied up quite neatly, though the personal issues faced by Peterson are left open making room for further novels in a series.
I purchased this ebook for my ‘in-person’ book club, Whodunit. Though dark in subject, I enjoyed the novel and look forward to more in the series by Bob Kroll.
“The Drop Zone” introduces T. J. Peterson. A police detective in an unnamed urban municipality in Eastern Canada. Peterson has lost his wife, his daughter, his faith in God and his fellow man – and quite possibly… his job. His wife he lost to a traffic accident while she was with another man. His daughter is a teenage runaway who torments him with silent video calls of a derelict room furnished with an unmade bed and empty syringes.
Peterson, burnt out and hungover, is tasked with solving the brutal murder of a Catholic priest. His investigations lead him to the dark and depraved world of teenage prostitution and sex trafficking.
The ‘Drop Zone‘ of the title is a condemned dockyard warehouse where homeless teenagers have left graffiti and the detritus of their desperate lives. This is a place that is deeply personal for Peterson because of his daughter. When he encounters a young woman in dire straits, he becomes more than invested in the outcome of his case.
The gritty subject matter of this novel gives it a ‘noir’ feel. A fast-paced novel with writing that moves the plot along with interest, including some jaw-dropping and at times heart-rending scenes.
Although the setting was unnamed, and the fact that artistic license was taken by the author, I acknowledge that the novel was loosely set in my home city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. His vivid descriptions ensured that there remained a frisson of recognition for certain places described.
The satisfying ending was tied up quite neatly, though the personal issues faced by Peterson are left open making room for further novels in a series.
I purchased this ebook for my ‘in-person’ book club, Whodunit. Though dark in subject, I enjoyed the novel and look forward to more in the series by Bob Kroll.
July 9, 2015
Great characterization! It makes me want to read more of this author.
wish-list-possibles
October 22, 2019The first of the Peterson trilogy
December 31, 2021
Grisly subject matter, but I really enjoyed the local settings in this mystery featuring a police officer with a sad back story and ongoing troubles.
December 1, 2015
Through my reading adventure this year, I learned that I like a good crime/mystery novel. Well, I can find myself getting lost in just about any genre as long as it is well written. The Drop Zone didn’t really keep me guessing but it hooked me with T.J. Peterson’s character and the situation with his daughter. I really, REALLY wanted to know what happened with her.
It is definitely not a Disney ending type of book where everything is tied up in a neat little bow. Not in the least bit. If you pick up this book you can expect : cops, good ones and bad, criminals, child prostitution, infidelity, psychiatric issues, drinking and murder.
The overall feel of the book was like film noir, gritty and real. Kroll brings us such a beautifully flawed character with Peterson. Flawed, resilient, frustrated and combating his own demons. There is such an old school feel with this book.
I’m guessing that this is just the first taste we get of Peterson’s character. I’m hoping that there will be a sequel to this novel and my questions are answered in the next book. Fingers Crossed.
This was my first novel by Bob Kroll.
A copy of this book was provided by the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review
It is definitely not a Disney ending type of book where everything is tied up in a neat little bow. Not in the least bit. If you pick up this book you can expect : cops, good ones and bad, criminals, child prostitution, infidelity, psychiatric issues, drinking and murder.
The overall feel of the book was like film noir, gritty and real. Kroll brings us such a beautifully flawed character with Peterson. Flawed, resilient, frustrated and combating his own demons. There is such an old school feel with this book.
I’m guessing that this is just the first taste we get of Peterson’s character. I’m hoping that there will be a sequel to this novel and my questions are answered in the next book. Fingers Crossed.
This was my first novel by Bob Kroll.
A copy of this book was provided by the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review
February 8, 2017
I read "The Drop Zone" as soon as it was released. I found it captivated my imagination and kept me wanting to continue. Knowing that Mr. Kroll is a Maritimer, I was constantly watching for examples of local cities scares.
Mr. Kroll has a superb level of language and uses it to aptly describe both the scenes and his characters.
Several times I thought I had everything figured out only to find another curve ball.
My biggest disappointment was that Mr. Kroll's second book wasn't released earlier. I shall have to do a bit of a review while I read "The Hell of it all". Here's hoping the last book in this trilogy will be released in the coming months.
Congratulations, Mr. Kroll on your first foray into fiction as I noted that your career seemed to have been primarily in the realm of non-fiction.
Mr. Kroll has a superb level of language and uses it to aptly describe both the scenes and his characters.
Several times I thought I had everything figured out only to find another curve ball.
My biggest disappointment was that Mr. Kroll's second book wasn't released earlier. I shall have to do a bit of a review while I read "The Hell of it all". Here's hoping the last book in this trilogy will be released in the coming months.
Congratulations, Mr. Kroll on your first foray into fiction as I noted that your career seemed to have been primarily in the realm of non-fiction.
May 21, 2015
The Drop Zone is the first book in a new crime mystery series by Bob Kroll focusing on detective T.J. Peterson, a character with a heavy and dark past that still haunts him today, making him cranky, an alcoholic and quite the tormented person.
The book deals with the dark recesses of the depraved human mind, child pornography and trafficking and of course, murder. Two murders in fact, and Peterson has the task of solving both seemingly unrelated cases that were dropped in his lap recently.
The more he investigates the crime, the more he realizes that there is much more to it all than just a murders. It is a road paved with corruption, and Peterson and his partner, Danny, have to walk it to unravel it all. And what they unravel, might just cost Peterson his sanity and soul, both which already hang by a thin thread.
Overall it was a great read with an true anti-hero and a story line that, well, let just say, hinted at a rough world that is difficult to digest for the best of us. If you like dark, gritty crime mysteries, this book is a great choice to pick up.
Full review at http://mysterysequels.com/the-drop-zo...
The book deals with the dark recesses of the depraved human mind, child pornography and trafficking and of course, murder. Two murders in fact, and Peterson has the task of solving both seemingly unrelated cases that were dropped in his lap recently.
The more he investigates the crime, the more he realizes that there is much more to it all than just a murders. It is a road paved with corruption, and Peterson and his partner, Danny, have to walk it to unravel it all. And what they unravel, might just cost Peterson his sanity and soul, both which already hang by a thin thread.
Overall it was a great read with an true anti-hero and a story line that, well, let just say, hinted at a rough world that is difficult to digest for the best of us. If you like dark, gritty crime mysteries, this book is a great choice to pick up.
Full review at http://mysterysequels.com/the-drop-zo...
April 28, 2016
The author lives in Halifax, and the setting, though not specifically defined, is meant to be Halifax, but only the cheapest shopping strips, most run-down apartments, and slimiest dives. The cops are mostly jaded, shallow, or on the take, and the main character (a cop) is seriously messed-up.
All of this is to be expected in a gritty crime novel, but together with inhuman criminals who prey on women, young girls and children, the story oozes sleaze, and on top of all that the main character failed to engage me. I thought about abandoning the book part way through, life's too short and all that, but slogged on because he's a local author, and in fact a friend of a friend.
I've enjoyed other 'gritty' crime novels, but now that I'm finally finished this one (yay!) I'll go take a shower to help erase the sleaze.
All of this is to be expected in a gritty crime novel, but together with inhuman criminals who prey on women, young girls and children, the story oozes sleaze, and on top of all that the main character failed to engage me. I thought about abandoning the book part way through, life's too short and all that, but slogged on because he's a local author, and in fact a friend of a friend.
I've enjoyed other 'gritty' crime novels, but now that I'm finally finished this one (yay!) I'll go take a shower to help erase the sleaze.
May 20, 2015
THE DROP ZONE by Bob Kroll. 3***
Bob Kroll takes the reader into a deep, dark underground world which highlights the depths of which human depravity can sink to.
Detective T.J. Peterson has the gritty task of solving the crime of two seemingly unconnected murders.
His personal life is in tatters which impinges upon his professional life. His investigation leads him to uncover underage prostitution, whilst tracking an evil killer.
I have given this novel three stars, as the plot didn't always flow smoothly and there was no clear, crisp ending. Maybe the author intends to write a follow up?
By Peggy Sutton AKA Galadriel
________________________________________
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review
Bob Kroll takes the reader into a deep, dark underground world which highlights the depths of which human depravity can sink to.
Detective T.J. Peterson has the gritty task of solving the crime of two seemingly unconnected murders.
His personal life is in tatters which impinges upon his professional life. His investigation leads him to uncover underage prostitution, whilst tracking an evil killer.
I have given this novel three stars, as the plot didn't always flow smoothly and there was no clear, crisp ending. Maybe the author intends to write a follow up?
By Peggy Sutton AKA Galadriel
________________________________________
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review
June 21, 2015
Thank you goodreads for sending me a copy of this book. It reads like an old time detective novel set in modern times. I liked the writing style and yet at times it felt discordant. The plot flow felt interrupted. We'd be flowing merrily along and then go over the waterfall. The ending left openings for another book I'm guessing. There's not a lot of happiness in the story. It's a view of the dark seedy side of life. I'd go another half star if I had the option.
March 25, 2015
Not a bad read,for the most part it held my interest. If it was not for the daaaaaaaa ending I would have been a little more excited about this book.
June 15, 2015
Reads like a noir book set in today's time. Makes you want to read to the end to find out the outcome and it does not disappoint.
Received copy from First Reads program.
Received copy from First Reads program.
July 5, 2015
Check out my book review at http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/just...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews