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Derek Cole #1
Heartless
A Suspense Thriller That Will Keep You On The Edge Of Your Seat
(First in the Derek Cole Suspense Thriller Series)
Still struggling after the vicious murder of his wife, Private Investigator Derek Cole is a detective on the edge. When he is hired by a wealthy family to protect them from the son they were told had died at birth, Cole is thrust into a medical mystery that may push him too far. As Cole unravels the mystery and reveals the cover up that a team of doctors put in play twenty years earlier, Cole comes face to face with a new breed of terror.
Before this suspenseful and thrilling mystery is solved, Cole will need to resolve his troubled past and will realize that murderers aren’t the only heartless people in the world.
˃˃˃ The New Face of Horror
Alexander Black should not have lived. Born a conjoined twin, he shared but one heart with his twin brother. When doctors, desperate to save one child, rip Alexander apart from his twin and their shared heart, they expected him to die.
But Alexander refused to die.
Smuggled away and hidden by doctors who tried to keep his existence a secret while trying to unravel the mystery of his life, Alexander grows. And as he grows, so too does his desire for revenge.
˃˃˃ A Mystery Solved
As Private Investigator Derek Cole uncovers the doctor's twisted plot, his investigation finds him face to face with a horror greater than any he could have ever imagined.
˃˃˃ Praise for Heartless
"An enjoyable read from the first to the last page. I truly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to be so thoroughly engrossed in a story they forget to carry out planned tasks. A well written story that I would highly recommend" Gillian
"From the moment I started to read this book, I was immersed in the story! The storyline, the events, the idea of it all will firmly old your attention until the very last word." Turckman
“Alexander Black is one of the scariest characters to enter the horror genre in a long time. Great premise and spot-on story-telling” John P
"I really can't say enough about this book. I just loved it. I've read it twice now. I love mysteries that keep me guessing, and this one does exactly that." Laura Pope
"Interesting and intriguing. I can't wait to read the next book! If you want a book to stimulate your imagination, this book is for you! Well-written indeed!" LH Thompson
(First in the Derek Cole Suspense Thriller Series)
Still struggling after the vicious murder of his wife, Private Investigator Derek Cole is a detective on the edge. When he is hired by a wealthy family to protect them from the son they were told had died at birth, Cole is thrust into a medical mystery that may push him too far. As Cole unravels the mystery and reveals the cover up that a team of doctors put in play twenty years earlier, Cole comes face to face with a new breed of terror.
Before this suspenseful and thrilling mystery is solved, Cole will need to resolve his troubled past and will realize that murderers aren’t the only heartless people in the world.
˃˃˃ The New Face of Horror
Alexander Black should not have lived. Born a conjoined twin, he shared but one heart with his twin brother. When doctors, desperate to save one child, rip Alexander apart from his twin and their shared heart, they expected him to die.
But Alexander refused to die.
Smuggled away and hidden by doctors who tried to keep his existence a secret while trying to unravel the mystery of his life, Alexander grows. And as he grows, so too does his desire for revenge.
˃˃˃ A Mystery Solved
As Private Investigator Derek Cole uncovers the doctor's twisted plot, his investigation finds him face to face with a horror greater than any he could have ever imagined.
˃˃˃ Praise for Heartless
"An enjoyable read from the first to the last page. I truly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to be so thoroughly engrossed in a story they forget to carry out planned tasks. A well written story that I would highly recommend" Gillian
"From the moment I started to read this book, I was immersed in the story! The storyline, the events, the idea of it all will firmly old your attention until the very last word." Turckman
“Alexander Black is one of the scariest characters to enter the horror genre in a long time. Great premise and spot-on story-telling” John P
"I really can't say enough about this book. I just loved it. I've read it twice now. I love mysteries that keep me guessing, and this one does exactly that." Laura Pope
"Interesting and intriguing. I can't wait to read the next book! If you want a book to stimulate your imagination, this book is for you! Well-written indeed!" LH Thompson
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2014
About the author
T. Patrick Phelps
15 books31 followersOn average, every 4.8 minutes, someone in the world downloads a book authored by T Patrick Phelps.
A fan of sandwiches, single malt scotch and books with the unique ability to steal sleep, Phelps has been writing professionally for over two decades. Phelps is the author of the Derek Cole Suspense Thriller Series, which includes "Heartless," "Those of the Margin," "The Observer." ,"The Devil's Snare," "Still Heartless," and the most recent novel in the series, "Deathly Reminders."
When not creating worlds and sending characters through misery and death, Phelps is an interior fire fighter for his local volunteer fire department. The author lives in Central New York with his wife, two kids and two dogs.
A fan of sandwiches, single malt scotch and books with the unique ability to steal sleep, Phelps has been writing professionally for over two decades. Phelps is the author of the Derek Cole Suspense Thriller Series, which includes "Heartless," "Those of the Margin," "The Observer." ,"The Devil's Snare," "Still Heartless," and the most recent novel in the series, "Deathly Reminders."
When not creating worlds and sending characters through misery and death, Phelps is an interior fire fighter for his local volunteer fire department. The author lives in Central New York with his wife, two kids and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 24, 2018
Horribly presented. I only got as far as 3% in and I'd seen 6 apostrophe errors and this sentence, "...or find a reason the reason to keep the babies joined"........which might be missing a comma but makes no sense without.
I just don't understand why authors put books out before getting them checked. Surely, they have at least one pal who knows what punctuation is and could give it a look-over for them ?? Better that than slinging it out for public consumption without bothering, trust me !!
As it was, I knew I was going to need to suspend belief with the story itself but thought I'd try and see how I got on but never really encountered the need since I didn't get that far !!
Not for me at all.
I just don't understand why authors put books out before getting them checked. Surely, they have at least one pal who knows what punctuation is and could give it a look-over for them ?? Better that than slinging it out for public consumption without bothering, trust me !!
As it was, I knew I was going to need to suspend belief with the story itself but thought I'd try and see how I got on but never really encountered the need since I didn't get that far !!
Not for me at all.
January 1, 2016
"Unbelievable"
Perhaps I'm a little 'heartless' in my assessment of this one. The whole premise is unbelievable - therefore this isn't a suspense thriller - it's fantasy. Those readers who enjoy the genre will lap it up no doubt.; but it does nothing for me.
Perhaps I'm a little 'heartless' in my assessment of this one. The whole premise is unbelievable - therefore this isn't a suspense thriller - it's fantasy. Those readers who enjoy the genre will lap it up no doubt.; but it does nothing for me.
December 20, 2024
Intriguing
Definitely worth the read. This story had me not wanting to put it down. I needed to know everything. The writing was top notch, the characters were fantastic, it was a joy to read
Definitely worth the read. This story had me not wanting to put it down. I needed to know everything. The writing was top notch, the characters were fantastic, it was a joy to read
October 15, 2018
Wonderful!
Wow! I must say I have never read anything like this before. Filled with suspense, mystery, twists and turns, this book has everything! Try Heartless. You won’t be disappointed.
Wow! I must say I have never read anything like this before. Filled with suspense, mystery, twists and turns, this book has everything! Try Heartless. You won’t be disappointed.
February 8, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange of a honest review.
This is the first time I read a book by T. Patrick Phelps, and I am extremely impressed by the author's work. It will not be wrong to say that this book is a complete package of mystery, thriller, suspense, murder, and medical fields. The author has made sure to include every aspect in a way that it all looks balanced and doesn't increase any other field over another one in any way.
Whilst reading the book, I was trying to solve the mystery of Alexander too with the novel's lead Cole. The minute I got to a climax point, the author would change the entire situation putting me back to square one. In some ways, I could relate to Alexander on the revenge aspect. When you are done wrong, you wouldn't care who played a lesser part and who played a bigger part - all the individuals were involved and that is what matters.
The book is a great read for people who love the genres - mystery, murder, medical, thriller, suspense - all combined in to one.
This is the first time I read a book by T. Patrick Phelps, and I am extremely impressed by the author's work. It will not be wrong to say that this book is a complete package of mystery, thriller, suspense, murder, and medical fields. The author has made sure to include every aspect in a way that it all looks balanced and doesn't increase any other field over another one in any way.
Whilst reading the book, I was trying to solve the mystery of Alexander too with the novel's lead Cole. The minute I got to a climax point, the author would change the entire situation putting me back to square one. In some ways, I could relate to Alexander on the revenge aspect. When you are done wrong, you wouldn't care who played a lesser part and who played a bigger part - all the individuals were involved and that is what matters.
The book is a great read for people who love the genres - mystery, murder, medical, thriller, suspense - all combined in to one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2022
A chilling tale about conjoined twins, born chest to chest, that were separated at birth. They both shared one heart. Only one should survive but......
Years later PI Derek was hired by Thomas O'Connell to protect him from his long lost twin, Alexander Black. His story was unbelievable.
Alexander and Dr. Strauss were seen leaving Piseco Lake after three murders occurred. Derek knew he needed to visit the scene of the crime hoping the police had already left. Upon arriving he was face to face with the Police Chief Ralph Fox of Piseco Lake. They decided to work together to unravel the mystery of Alexander and Dr Strauss. (Ralph is cool).
As bodies of doctors started piling up from Alexander's list they knew the clock was ticking before the next doctor was killed.
This Fictional story will keep you intrigued from beginning to end with mystery, suspense, lies and betrayal. The ending will surprise you.
Years later PI Derek was hired by Thomas O'Connell to protect him from his long lost twin, Alexander Black. His story was unbelievable.
Alexander and Dr. Strauss were seen leaving Piseco Lake after three murders occurred. Derek knew he needed to visit the scene of the crime hoping the police had already left. Upon arriving he was face to face with the Police Chief Ralph Fox of Piseco Lake. They decided to work together to unravel the mystery of Alexander and Dr Strauss. (Ralph is cool).
As bodies of doctors started piling up from Alexander's list they knew the clock was ticking before the next doctor was killed.
This Fictional story will keep you intrigued from beginning to end with mystery, suspense, lies and betrayal. The ending will surprise you.
April 19, 2015
Stopped reading it about 1/3 of the way through because I felt no attachment to any of the characters. Interesting plot idea, but it doesn't matter how interesting it is if I don't care what happens.
May 3, 2018
Aomewhat different to the last book from this series I read (number 6, I think) and while the PI procedural is still present this has a plot with a slighly surreal/supernatural element. Some while after Cole sets up his freelance investigations - and working alone - he is contracted to provide protection for a young man. The 'job' turns out to be somewhat more complex.
Another pacey read - well worth following through the series.
Another pacey read - well worth following through the series.
March 11, 2019
An absolute read..
After a very ling time I found a very nice engaging suspense thriller to read... It never ler me put it down... Although some facts were unreal and unbelievable.... However, I was so into the story, i can't put it down... Finished the book in two days... And am waiting to get y hands onto the next part of thw series... Hearrless is a must read for those who love thrillers and suspenses....
After a very ling time I found a very nice engaging suspense thriller to read... It never ler me put it down... Although some facts were unreal and unbelievable.... However, I was so into the story, i can't put it down... Finished the book in two days... And am waiting to get y hands onto the next part of thw series... Hearrless is a must read for those who love thrillers and suspenses....
February 28, 2020
Hard to put down while trying to stay awake. The premise is so unusual yet Mr. Phelps makes you feel like it is a possibility. Though I wished the bad guy was dead in the end, (not leaking anything as "Still Heartless" gives that away. I still want to read "Still Heartless". I never read Mr Phelps before but thank you sir. I am home sick with cancer and reading is my life. I read this one in short order.
July 7, 2020
I found this story to be good for a science fiction book which is a venue I rarely ever read. While the story stretched the imagination I did find it to be a good story. The author held your attention with his writing and I found I kept going back to the book to find out what happened next. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves science fiction or just a different type story for enjoyment.
January 10, 2023
An interesting fairy tale.
This was an interesting book to read and hope it never happens. The characters are well developed, even if it that’s the whole book to get the information on all the characters. Derek has a lot of problems to over come to get to the completion of the book. There wasn’t a problem Alex didn’t have, with the first being himself. This book had a lot of characters made for “Hell”. Read and put together all the characters and enjoy.
This was an interesting book to read and hope it never happens. The characters are well developed, even if it that’s the whole book to get the information on all the characters. Derek has a lot of problems to over come to get to the completion of the book. There wasn’t a problem Alex didn’t have, with the first being himself. This book had a lot of characters made for “Hell”. Read and put together all the characters and enjoy.
March 26, 2018
Well done
I read the 2nd book first and enjoyed it so much I got the first to fill in some information. Well, I enjoyed it as much as the 2nd. Well written, great characters, nice twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out you quickly realize that you don't. Highly recommend with one caveat, be prepared to get nothing else done until you finish it.
I read the 2nd book first and enjoyed it so much I got the first to fill in some information. Well, I enjoyed it as much as the 2nd. Well written, great characters, nice twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out you quickly realize that you don't. Highly recommend with one caveat, be prepared to get nothing else done until you finish it.
February 22, 2019
Different
I really did enjoy this book even though I'm not a fan of slightly supernatural stuff . What I appreciated most was the lack of profanity and sex which the storyline supported without it on its own . Actually very refreshing . I didn't realize the lack until I went to write this review which made me glad I read this book
I really did enjoy this book even though I'm not a fan of slightly supernatural stuff . What I appreciated most was the lack of profanity and sex which the storyline supported without it on its own . Actually very refreshing . I didn't realize the lack until I went to write this review which made me glad I read this book
May 19, 2019
I was surprised where this book took me. It was so interesting and kept my attention. It was full of surprises, twists, and turns. I loved the characters and the plot. It was unusual. I want to know what happens next of course. The author will keep you in suspense. I am going to be following this author now.
September 24, 2019
Closer to a 3.5. I really enjoyed the story, as wildly improbable as it was, but the errors were ridiculous. In one spot, in a story about "going public", "public awareness", etc, the author actually left the L out of public. That's a pretty glaring error, might want to take another editing run with it.
May 14, 2020
Originally thought story was going to be a little too strange, but I kept on reading because of the strangeness of the story. The more I read, the more interesting the story became until I felt compelled to read on to the finish. At the end, I felt the time was well spent and felt the story was strange but fun and interesting. If you like fictional mysteries, this is worth the read!
June 24, 2018
Ghostly
A really spooky book sent a real chill down my spine from the first page to the last.if you want a horror or Dracula then this book is a must there is also a sequel if you like this one.
A really spooky book sent a real chill down my spine from the first page to the last.if you want a horror or Dracula then this book is a must there is also a sequel if you like this one.
September 19, 2018
Gave me the willies!
I enjoyed the plot twists and turns. The two heroes were complex, likeable characters. The evildoers were mostly unsympathetic characters though you can't help but feel sympathy for Alexander. I do recommend this and look forward to the next in the series.
I enjoyed the plot twists and turns. The two heroes were complex, likeable characters. The evildoers were mostly unsympathetic characters though you can't help but feel sympathy for Alexander. I do recommend this and look forward to the next in the series.
August 23, 2017
Great book - am now about to start the second one because I enjoyed it so much.
May 19, 2018
Good book; compelling plot and lots of action. I enjoyed the protagonist and there were plenty of antagonists to despise. I rate this one 4.7 stars.
March 12, 2019
Wow different and good
I've never read a book like this it was different from any other book. Thankfully this would not happen in real life.
I've never read a book like this it was different from any other book. Thankfully this would not happen in real life.
October 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this suspense thriller. Couldn't put the book down. Great read.
October 22, 2019
Çontinous twists and turns.
About the time you think you have something figured out there is an another twist. Thoroughly interesting story. Will refer to my friends.
About the time you think you have something figured out there is an another twist. Thoroughly interesting story. Will refer to my friends.
July 8, 2020
Recommend the book...
I thoroughly enjoyed the book... It was hard to put down. Definitely recommend the book. Let me on my toes, waiting for the next thing to happen.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book... It was hard to put down. Definitely recommend the book. Let me on my toes, waiting for the next thing to happen.
February 8, 2026
Great sci-fi mystery
Like all sci-fi, the plot is rather unbelievable, but is filled with suspense. A great read. Highly recommended, although a bit gruesome.
Like all sci-fi, the plot is rather unbelievable, but is filled with suspense. A great read. Highly recommended, although a bit gruesome.
October 22, 2016
Very different, but great!
No heart! Okay... that's a new one, but such an awesome concept. Loved the book, and can't wait to read the next one in the series!
No heart! Okay... that's a new one, but such an awesome concept. Loved the book, and can't wait to read the next one in the series!
February 6, 2020
Eerily dark and fascinating
It reminded me a little of Frankenstein. I liked how it made medical sense of something so medically impossible. It's why I like science fiction so fun, it's stories you know are not probable, but yet what if. Good read
It reminded me a little of Frankenstein. I liked how it made medical sense of something so medically impossible. It's why I like science fiction so fun, it's stories you know are not probable, but yet what if. Good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews