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Daggers & Steele #1
Red Hot Steele
Detective Jake Daggers likes his murder investigations the way he likes his women--straightforward, easy, and with a killer body.
So when his older-than-dust partner throws his back out on a goblin raid, his captain assigns him a new running mate--a sexy young half-elf by the name of Shay Steele.
It seems like a match made in Daggers' imagination, but Steele's no pushover. She's a powerful forensic psychic, and she's got sass oozing out of her boots.
In a debut case teeming with fire mages, foundries, and a dead guy who's crispier than bacon, it's pretty clear Daggers isn't the only one getting a heaping helping of RED HOT STEELE.
***
This is book one of the Daggers & Steele mystery series. Book two, COLD HARD STEELE, is now available. Search for it above or use the following link: smarturl.it/chsamebook
So when his older-than-dust partner throws his back out on a goblin raid, his captain assigns him a new running mate--a sexy young half-elf by the name of Shay Steele.
It seems like a match made in Daggers' imagination, but Steele's no pushover. She's a powerful forensic psychic, and she's got sass oozing out of her boots.
In a debut case teeming with fire mages, foundries, and a dead guy who's crispier than bacon, it's pretty clear Daggers isn't the only one getting a heaping helping of RED HOT STEELE.
***
This is book one of the Daggers & Steele mystery series. Book two, COLD HARD STEELE, is now available. Search for it above or use the following link: smarturl.it/chsamebook
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2014
448 people are currently reading
1360 people want to read
About the author
Alex P. Berg
32 books99 followersHi! I'm mystery, fantasy, and science fiction author Alex P. Berg. Be sure to check out my bestselling Daggers & Steele series, a fun, fast-paced fantasy/noir mystery hybrid! I've also written urban fantasy, epic sci-fi, and more.
My review rating system is as follows:
5 = Amazing, I absolutely loved it! (Fantastic!)
4 = A very good book, although I had a few quibbles with it. (Great!)
3 = A book I liked, but either it had a few more serious problems or I didn't connect well with it. (Good!)
2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not good...)
1 = I hated or DNF'ed this book. (Real bad!)
Connect with me at: www.alexpberg.com
My review rating system is as follows:
5 = Amazing, I absolutely loved it! (Fantastic!)
4 = A very good book, although I had a few quibbles with it. (Great!)
3 = A book I liked, but either it had a few more serious problems or I didn't connect well with it. (Good!)
2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not good...)
1 = I hated or DNF'ed this book. (Real bad!)
Connect with me at: www.alexpberg.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
June 25, 2017
Red Hot Steele (Daggers & Steele #1) by Alex P. Berg is a fun, snarky, clever book that I gulped down in one read. What fun! Witty, good mystery, great fantasy, crazy characters, snappy dialogue, and it made me smile a lot! Just what I needed! I listened to the audio version and the narration was perfect. Great job. I originally gave it a 4 star but I just kept thinking of it so if it was effecting me that much I figured it was worth a 5 star, esp. when I wanted the next book right away.
January 24, 2016
While reading this, I'd decided to wait and see if the plot would save it. It didn't.
The mystery was lukewarm at best - one of those where the protagonists attack everyone except the person responsible.
Now, I like urban fantasies with male leads. I definitely don't mind anti-heroes. However, not everyone can write such characters. Even those you love to hate have to be written well. They don't have to be good. One of my favourite characters ever is a necromancer who doesn't really give a damn about his fellow man (an understatement if there ever was one).
This book with its creep of a main character tries too damn hard that it is embarrassing at times. There are many overbearing, impolite, hard characters, but not many are as this one. Every woman he meets in this so-called investigation is first checked-out. You know, it is very important how hot or old you are to get to the truth.
The first time he sees his new partner (he doesn't know that then) he calls her sweetheart. None of the things he says or does in the course of the story are funny or endearing.
We are constantly told by him or others around him how great his deductive skills are. You know, takes a lot of skill to stumble from one suspect to another accusing them of things until one of them says 'oh, you got me'. Unless you count the other two detectives (I would prefer their story to this), there was no real investigation.
As for Shay Steele, his new partner, I thought she would have more of a backbone. I lost count how many times she rolled her eyes.
And let me just leave a couple of gems here if nothing but to remind myself of the things I didn't like in this book.
I have a feeling most of these things were planned to be funny and entertaining, but they failed miserably. And that is the thing - it all went overboard.
Some people shelved this as romance. There is not a hint of it here (fortunately). The world has its peculiarities, but it lost me the moment Jake Daggers opened his mouth.
I have the second book too. I'll think about giving these characters another chance, but I'll wait until I forget most of what I've read here and maybe try to read it.
Maybe.
The mystery was lukewarm at best - one of those where the protagonists attack everyone except the person responsible.
Now, I like urban fantasies with male leads. I definitely don't mind anti-heroes. However, not everyone can write such characters. Even those you love to hate have to be written well. They don't have to be good. One of my favourite characters ever is a necromancer who doesn't really give a damn about his fellow man (an understatement if there ever was one).
This book with its creep of a main character tries too damn hard that it is embarrassing at times. There are many overbearing, impolite, hard characters, but not many are as this one. Every woman he meets in this so-called investigation is first checked-out. You know, it is very important how hot or old you are to get to the truth.
The first time he sees his new partner (he doesn't know that then) he calls her sweetheart. None of the things he says or does in the course of the story are funny or endearing.
We are constantly told by him or others around him how great his deductive skills are. You know, takes a lot of skill to stumble from one suspect to another accusing them of things until one of them says 'oh, you got me'. Unless you count the other two detectives (I would prefer their story to this), there was no real investigation.
As for Shay Steele, his new partner, I thought she would have more of a backbone. I lost count how many times she rolled her eyes.
And let me just leave a couple of gems here if nothing but to remind myself of the things I didn't like in this book.
I have a feeling most of these things were planned to be funny and entertaining, but they failed miserably. And that is the thing - it all went overboard.
Some people shelved this as romance. There is not a hint of it here (fortunately). The world has its peculiarities, but it lost me the moment Jake Daggers opened his mouth.
I have the second book too. I'll think about giving these characters another chance, but I'll wait until I forget most of what I've read here and maybe try to read it.
Maybe.
December 21, 2014
Wow... that was very good. And also hard to describe without spoiling it.
Snarky Cop, Sassy Cop, Murder Mystery, set in a city that reminded me of Ankh-Morpok. Seriously, this book reminded me of cross between the Nightwatch books by Terry Pratchett and the TV series Castle.
Give it a read.
And don't read the spoiler. I had to rewrite this review twice to get rid of it.
Snarky Cop, Sassy Cop, Murder Mystery, set in a city that reminded me of Ankh-Morpok. Seriously, this book reminded me of cross between the Nightwatch books by Terry Pratchett and the TV series Castle.
Give it a read.
And don't read the spoiler. I had to rewrite this review twice to get rid of it.
March 28, 2018
2.5-3 stars
Red Hot Steele is a mediocre detective story with fantasy elements used as window dressing.
Daggers is a crusty wise cracking detective who no longer has a senior partner. He gets called in to the captain's office for a sit down talk. Also in the office, is young female half elf. Daggers ignores her as the captain tells him he is getting a new partner. Daggers is not happy. Then Steele is noticed and Daggers says, “About time the higher-ups pitched in for a secretary.” So, that's how Detectives Daggers and Steele start off as a crime fighting team. Steele is the rookie, young and a woman.
The story is told from Daggers POV and has a kind of a big city-ish snarky attitude. Here's a sample:
Daisy is the worst kind of woman, a heartbreaker and a home wrecker, but in the literal sense not the figurative. She’s a foot and a half of steely eyes and cold shoulders, and she’s got the meanest slap in the seven boroughs. She’s my nightstick.
It tones down a bit (or I got used to it) as the story progresses. Steele, while potentially interesting, is pretty much a cardboard character. Nothing particularly is red hot about Steele in this installment of the series.
The murder victim is a dark elf and a potential suspect is a fire mage. This aspect of the story falls completely flat for me.
None of the paranormals are anything special and doesn't interject a dimensional aspect to the plot to make the story more interesting.
The story is pretty much a Daggers one-man show with some mildly interesting supporting characters. The chemistry between Daggers and Steele really doesn't start emerge until toward the end of the book.
In spite of some major holes, the story does have a certain entertainment value. For me, this book is a "fun read." The story moves along at decent pace making it a fairly quick read even for a slow reader such as myself. I may check out the next book in the series to see if there is an improvement.
Red Hot Steele is a mediocre detective story with fantasy elements used as window dressing.
Daggers is a crusty wise cracking detective who no longer has a senior partner. He gets called in to the captain's office for a sit down talk. Also in the office, is young female half elf. Daggers ignores her as the captain tells him he is getting a new partner. Daggers is not happy. Then Steele is noticed and Daggers says, “About time the higher-ups pitched in for a secretary.” So, that's how Detectives Daggers and Steele start off as a crime fighting team. Steele is the rookie, young and a woman.
The story is told from Daggers POV and has a kind of a big city-ish snarky attitude. Here's a sample:
Daisy is the worst kind of woman, a heartbreaker and a home wrecker, but in the literal sense not the figurative. She’s a foot and a half of steely eyes and cold shoulders, and she’s got the meanest slap in the seven boroughs. She’s my nightstick.
It tones down a bit (or I got used to it) as the story progresses. Steele, while potentially interesting, is pretty much a cardboard character. Nothing particularly is red hot about Steele in this installment of the series.
The murder victim is a dark elf and a potential suspect is a fire mage. This aspect of the story falls completely flat for me.
None of the paranormals are anything special and doesn't interject a dimensional aspect to the plot to make the story more interesting.
The story is pretty much a Daggers one-man show with some mildly interesting supporting characters. The chemistry between Daggers and Steele really doesn't start emerge until toward the end of the book.
In spite of some major holes, the story does have a certain entertainment value. For me, this book is a "fun read." The story moves along at decent pace making it a fairly quick read even for a slow reader such as myself. I may check out the next book in the series to see if there is an improvement.
April 16, 2018
This is a fun book and I liked it. But why only three stars then?
Primarily I struggled with the caricature of the primary protagonist Detective Daggers. He probably had a first name too, I don't remember it and I put the book down like two minutes ago. But that is the problem, he wasn't a fully fleshed character through the entire book but instead was a walking caricature of every detective ever, from old time noir style, to brutal kick in the door seventies, to brilliant deductive scientists from every era.
If Daggers was a caricature, then every other character including the second protagonist, the brand new Detective Steele (I do remember her name, Shay, not sure why that one stuck and the other didn't) are cardboard cut outs to surround Daggers and make him look good. They have no motivations, or even existence outside of how they amplify Daggers.
Finally, I picked the right villain the first time that person made an appearance in the story, never waivered in that opinion through the entire book, spent the last third of the book ranting at the pages "WHY AREN'T YOU LOOKING AT THIS PERSON!!!!", and was finally revealed to be right. OK, I've read a LOT of detective fiction, it's one of my favorite kinds of fiction, so maybe I had an advantage, but a well crafted mystery should have kept me, if not guessing, at least not completely certain of the bad guy for nearly the entire book.
In spite of all these flaws, I liked it. It reads fast, the humor works for the complexity of the story and the caricature and cardboard cut outs pose no threats to anyone. It's like reading an old time comic book both in it's simplicity and in it's pure enjoyment of being what it is. The book never pretended to moralize, or educate, but simply to entertain, and even with the flaws above it certainly did that.
I expect I'll read more in the series, but they will need to be spaced out to avoid simplicity overload. I can recommend this book as a great filler when you need a break from something heavier, or if you are on a beach or something and just don't want any challenges in your story.
Primarily I struggled with the caricature of the primary protagonist Detective Daggers. He probably had a first name too, I don't remember it and I put the book down like two minutes ago. But that is the problem, he wasn't a fully fleshed character through the entire book but instead was a walking caricature of every detective ever, from old time noir style, to brutal kick in the door seventies, to brilliant deductive scientists from every era.
If Daggers was a caricature, then every other character including the second protagonist, the brand new Detective Steele (I do remember her name, Shay, not sure why that one stuck and the other didn't) are cardboard cut outs to surround Daggers and make him look good. They have no motivations, or even existence outside of how they amplify Daggers.
Finally, I picked the right villain the first time that person made an appearance in the story, never waivered in that opinion through the entire book, spent the last third of the book ranting at the pages "WHY AREN'T YOU LOOKING AT THIS PERSON!!!!", and was finally revealed to be right. OK, I've read a LOT of detective fiction, it's one of my favorite kinds of fiction, so maybe I had an advantage, but a well crafted mystery should have kept me, if not guessing, at least not completely certain of the bad guy for nearly the entire book.
In spite of all these flaws, I liked it. It reads fast, the humor works for the complexity of the story and the caricature and cardboard cut outs pose no threats to anyone. It's like reading an old time comic book both in it's simplicity and in it's pure enjoyment of being what it is. The book never pretended to moralize, or educate, but simply to entertain, and even with the flaws above it certainly did that.
I expect I'll read more in the series, but they will need to be spaced out to avoid simplicity overload. I can recommend this book as a great filler when you need a break from something heavier, or if you are on a beach or something and just don't want any challenges in your story.
July 19, 2018
This is a very well done private eye type story. If you love this genre, then please do not let my 3 star rating dissuade you. It is 3 stars for ME simply because I prefer more relationships. I really do love the characters. Daggers is quite snarky and intuitive. Steele is a bit naive and working on it. There are other characters in and about. The mystery is quite good. Though, I deduced the villain quite quickly, I had no reason beyond gut instinct, so it was built well.
At this point, I am unsure if I will continue in this series - I just may to see if the relationships develop with time and the lack herein is just because it is a "first" book.
At this point, I am unsure if I will continue in this series - I just may to see if the relationships develop with time and the lack herein is just because it is a "first" book.
September 30, 2016
I dragged my way through this, but I simply found the lead character obnoxious and abrasive. By the end his attitude towards his new partner was improved, but the mystery and the world weren't interesting enough to get me to read any more. [I mean, I knew who the murderer was as soon as they showed up.] I'd simply rather read the Garrett, P.I. books by Glen Cook.
February 13, 2016
Not a bad read if you want a quick little detective mystery story.
I found the story dragged a little for me with Daggers' snarky commentary. I know everyone's a little different, but I found it tiring after a little while
I didn't mind this, and if for any reason the other books in this series are free, I wouldn't mind checking it out. I just wouldn't go out of my way to read it.
I found the story dragged a little for me with Daggers' snarky commentary. I know everyone's a little different, but I found it tiring after a little while
I didn't mind this, and if for any reason the other books in this series are free, I wouldn't mind checking it out. I just wouldn't go out of my way to read it.
May 3, 2016
Received as freebie on Amazon.
I liked the blurb on this book, so I took a chance and started it. I was not disappointed.
A really enjoyable book with two main characters who are thrown together as partners to solve a 'magic' murder.
The writing was really very good and this resulted in a very good story. Both main charaters Daggers and Steele are very good together and this made for a witty repartee between them.
Good story and will read more in series.
I liked the blurb on this book, so I took a chance and started it. I was not disappointed.
A really enjoyable book with two main characters who are thrown together as partners to solve a 'magic' murder.
The writing was really very good and this resulted in a very good story. Both main charaters Daggers and Steele are very good together and this made for a witty repartee between them.
Good story and will read more in series.
July 3, 2017
The story introduces Det. Daggers to us as a man who likes to test the line and push the big red button that says, "Do Not Push." His latest stunt lands him with a new partner, Det. Shay Steele, who both intrigues him and causes him to roll his eyes. She's beautiful, smart, and holds her own against the "boy's club" of the department, especially against Daggers. Together they take on their first case together and prove to each other that they are the perfect partner/team.
I have had this book for at least a year in my TBR and I regret putting off reading this book so much.
Because it was part of Amazon's Kindle First - I went ahead and got it even though I was apprehensive about the book and feared that this was going to be just another slow paced, Noir inspired detective series with supernatural flavoring that was either rushed through, super slow, or just overall flat.
Instead I was thrilled to discover an immersive story line that wasn't slow or rushed through, intriguing characters that I came to adore, and writing and dialogue that was very well done. I love the world build and I thought the mystery meshed well with the introduction to the characters and setting and the relationship growth between the main characters.
Look forward to the 2nd book and would highly recommend.
I have had this book for at least a year in my TBR and I regret putting off reading this book so much.
Because it was part of Amazon's Kindle First - I went ahead and got it even though I was apprehensive about the book and feared that this was going to be just another slow paced, Noir inspired detective series with supernatural flavoring that was either rushed through, super slow, or just overall flat.
Instead I was thrilled to discover an immersive story line that wasn't slow or rushed through, intriguing characters that I came to adore, and writing and dialogue that was very well done. I love the world build and I thought the mystery meshed well with the introduction to the characters and setting and the relationship growth between the main characters.
Look forward to the 2nd book and would highly recommend.
May 28, 2016
At first, I was going to give this book a 3.5 rating but then I slept on this and when I woke up I thought I still liked it quite a lot, so 4 solid stars..
Red Hot Steele is a mystery crime thriller centered around two detectives, Daggers, the old detective, and Steele, his new partner after his old partner quit the job. Tension happens at first but Det. Steele proves herself a tough cookie in a man's profession. She impresses Daggers who is not easily impressed by anyone. The two tackle the murder of Reginald, a con artist who was soon to marry a rich man's daughter. The two try to find out who killed him especially with the help of Det. Steele's psychic ability, since she is half fae and all that.
I am a huge fan of crime tv and books in general and this was a great novel because it managed to get personal with the characters as well as provide a great mystery. It's a rare thing in book's world. I loved how the relationship between Steele and Daggers progressed from "I don't trust you" to at least acknowledging her a good detective, which he doesn't do often. I also loved the little glimpses of each other they managed to sense and that indicates how good they are at observing and deduction.
There was a twist at the end that I really loved because it managed to reveal another layer of Det. Steele and also bring her down a bit to Dagger's level. Not that she wasn't awesome but it gives her equal grounds.
Red Hot Steele is a mystery crime thriller centered around two detectives, Daggers, the old detective, and Steele, his new partner after his old partner quit the job. Tension happens at first but Det. Steele proves herself a tough cookie in a man's profession. She impresses Daggers who is not easily impressed by anyone. The two tackle the murder of Reginald, a con artist who was soon to marry a rich man's daughter. The two try to find out who killed him especially with the help of Det. Steele's psychic ability, since she is half fae and all that.
I am a huge fan of crime tv and books in general and this was a great novel because it managed to get personal with the characters as well as provide a great mystery. It's a rare thing in book's world. I loved how the relationship between Steele and Daggers progressed from "I don't trust you" to at least acknowledging her a good detective, which he doesn't do often. I also loved the little glimpses of each other they managed to sense and that indicates how good they are at observing and deduction.
There was a twist at the end that I really loved because it managed to reveal another layer of Det. Steele and also bring her down a bit to Dagger's level. Not that she wasn't awesome but it gives her equal grounds.
October 28, 2015
A fun murder mystery that kept me guessing. I think that Daggers and Steele had the entire cast of characters responsible for the murder. Nicely written with good, interesting characters. Well paced and a smooth read.
February 28, 2018
It had a decent plot but the characters and the writing really REALLY sucked. I'm not sure if the author was attempting at a parody of crime novels or if he actually thought his writing was good.
I only finished it to see who the murderer was. I had it figured out in the first few chapters.
I only finished it to see who the murderer was. I had it figured out in the first few chapters.
June 7, 2015
DNF - will not go past page 16 or whatever I landed on. Could not stand the narrator at all. Wich is a shame cause I was so intrigued by the blurb and the books premise.
June 16, 2015
I really loved these characters - the main ones AND the side characters. Wit, humour, wise-cracks and a great mystery!
November 15, 2015
I loved this! A combo of paranormal action/suspense and film noir with tons of absolutely laugh-out-loud politically incorrect, sarcastic humour.
The character of Detective Daggers could be right out of a Sam Spade novel. He's rude, crude, completely disrespectful and smart-assed, and I could not get enough of him! He definitely had the best lines throughout the book, and I literally laughed out loud many times while reading this.
But Daggers' new half-elf female partner manages to hold her own with Daggers just fine, and she gets her fair share of good verbal shots in too. The burgeoning professional relationship between the two oil-and-water detectives sets up what could be a terrific ongoing series . . . as long as the author isn't planning them to hook up on a personal level - fingers crossed. This is a great odd-couple partnership that has some great potential to it.
The plot was also interesting and fun, although so far the paranormal aspects are fairly minimal, it was really the gritty crime atmosphere that took centre stage in this. I really did get a serious film noir-esque vibe off this book, and it was just terrific. I absolutely LOVED how politically INcorrect Daggers is with everyone he comes into contact with. His brutal honesty and utter lack of concern about who he irritates, offends or downright pisses off was hugely entertaining, especially in our current society where it seems that the main hobby of the majority of the world is hunting down every possible thing to be offended by. Daggers is a major breath of fresh air for those of us who DON'T participate in the PC-directive!
There is some violence, but nothing excessive, and no sex. This is a character-driven story, and it's peopled with a darned great cast of characters. Recommended for paranormal readers more interested in the action aspect than any romantic storyline. This was a blast to read, and I will definitely check out future installments in this series!
The character of Detective Daggers could be right out of a Sam Spade novel. He's rude, crude, completely disrespectful and smart-assed, and I could not get enough of him! He definitely had the best lines throughout the book, and I literally laughed out loud many times while reading this.
But Daggers' new half-elf female partner manages to hold her own with Daggers just fine, and she gets her fair share of good verbal shots in too. The burgeoning professional relationship between the two oil-and-water detectives sets up what could be a terrific ongoing series . . . as long as the author isn't planning them to hook up on a personal level - fingers crossed. This is a great odd-couple partnership that has some great potential to it.
The plot was also interesting and fun, although so far the paranormal aspects are fairly minimal, it was really the gritty crime atmosphere that took centre stage in this. I really did get a serious film noir-esque vibe off this book, and it was just terrific. I absolutely LOVED how politically INcorrect Daggers is with everyone he comes into contact with. His brutal honesty and utter lack of concern about who he irritates, offends or downright pisses off was hugely entertaining, especially in our current society where it seems that the main hobby of the majority of the world is hunting down every possible thing to be offended by. Daggers is a major breath of fresh air for those of us who DON'T participate in the PC-directive!
There is some violence, but nothing excessive, and no sex. This is a character-driven story, and it's peopled with a darned great cast of characters. Recommended for paranormal readers more interested in the action aspect than any romantic storyline. This was a blast to read, and I will definitely check out future installments in this series!
May 30, 2021
This book started poorly.
I kept reading and reading in hope it would get better, which it did not. I guess I'm the one to blame - I should learn to ditch a crappy book after a few pages, but I'll never learn.
The hugest problem are the main characters. They are wrong on so many levels that they become unsufferable.
Detective Daggers is an alpha male, who thinks he is very witty (but spends most of the time asking "Huh?") and the best detective in town (but his investigation process is lackluster at best). Also he's a mysonigist and spends half the book thinking about female bodies.
This could have worked if it was presented as some sort of dark shadow (anti-heroes can be interesting) or if he was somewhat evil (a talented jerk which readers love to hate) but instead he is simply dated.
Detective Steele is not better. The good-looking female who must prove she is a good detective (in an enviroment which does not value her) but spends the whole novel rolling her eyes and hardly uttering a word regarding the case they are working in. Very very disappointing.
The case itself could have been interesting if the author had cared to develop it. But running from accusation to accusation until you happen to stumble upon the actual culprit is a bit stupid.
I don't now, I think the 2-pages chapters did not help to keep an athmosphere either - but it may be my personal preference.
I kept reading and reading in hope it would get better, which it did not. I guess I'm the one to blame - I should learn to ditch a crappy book after a few pages, but I'll never learn.
The hugest problem are the main characters. They are wrong on so many levels that they become unsufferable.
Detective Daggers is an alpha male, who thinks he is very witty (but spends most of the time asking "Huh?") and the best detective in town (but his investigation process is lackluster at best). Also he's a mysonigist and spends half the book thinking about female bodies.
This could have worked if it was presented as some sort of dark shadow (anti-heroes can be interesting) or if he was somewhat evil (a talented jerk which readers love to hate) but instead he is simply dated.
Detective Steele is not better. The good-looking female who must prove she is a good detective (in an enviroment which does not value her) but spends the whole novel rolling her eyes and hardly uttering a word regarding the case they are working in. Very very disappointing.
The case itself could have been interesting if the author had cared to develop it. But running from accusation to accusation until you happen to stumble upon the actual culprit is a bit stupid.
I don't now, I think the 2-pages chapters did not help to keep an athmosphere either - but it may be my personal preference.
April 11, 2025
*Red Hot Steele* by Alex P. Berg was a tough read for me. The protagonist often came across as racist, misogynistic, and at times, borderline sociopathic. This wouldn’t necessarily be a problem if he were meant to be an antihero, but as a homicide detective, his behavior felt disingenuous—especially considering how actual investigations are conducted. While I understand this is fiction, the portrayal felt unrealistic and, at times, frustrating.
As for the storyline itself, it was fairly predictable. I knew who the antagonist was from the moment she entered the scene, and there was very little direct interaction with her throughout the book. Her motivations remained unclear, and rather than a compelling mystery, it felt more like a simple case of “Yep, this person killed them—just accept it.” More time was spent on the protagonist's thoughts about women's bodies than on developing the murderer’s motivations, which made the resolution feel unsatisfying.
As for the storyline itself, it was fairly predictable. I knew who the antagonist was from the moment she entered the scene, and there was very little direct interaction with her throughout the book. Her motivations remained unclear, and rather than a compelling mystery, it felt more like a simple case of “Yep, this person killed them—just accept it.” More time was spent on the protagonist's thoughts about women's bodies than on developing the murderer’s motivations, which made the resolution feel unsatisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2015
This is the first book in a new fantasy detective series featuring detectives Daggers and his new partner Steele as they get to know each other and the way things work in the big city. There is lots of action, and the mystery is entertaining if not challenging, but it’s the patter and characterizations that really make the book fun. Fans of Vlad Talos and Garrett should give this series a try.
September 3, 2019
My husband picked this as an audiobook for a road trip. I did not enjoy it. I will probably use this for my “Book with a character you intensely dislike” category in the 2019 Extreme Reader Challenge. My husband maintains that the main character grows as the series goes on, but I was appalled enough by his overdone sexism and racism to have no desire to continue.
October 23, 2016
A pretty good story in the style of early American "gum shoe" mysteries, except that it's set in a world with fairies, dwarves, goblins, etc. The protagonist is likable and the mystery works - all tied up at the end. I will certainly look out for book 2.
January 5, 2015
Fun read
Giggled a few times and enjoyed the mystery. Could figure out some items before the ending, but nothing earth shattering to ruin the enjoyment.
Giggled a few times and enjoyed the mystery. Could figure out some items before the ending, but nothing earth shattering to ruin the enjoyment.
Want to read
November 5, 201511/3/15 - Kindle free download.
February 1, 2016
3.5 stars. Fun, though it took me a little while to get into the humor. Silly good times.
January 14, 2016
Red Hot
I think the name gives the book too much credit. It was okay, but nothing earth shattering new. Amusing, but that's about it. Don't think I'd care to read the second.
I think the name gives the book too much credit. It was okay, but nothing earth shattering new. Amusing, but that's about it. Don't think I'd care to read the second.
January 26, 2016
3.5 Stars! Funny whodunit! Good read!
October 18, 2020
Not as red and hot as I wished, and way too many daggers.
Jake Daggers is a detective and he's got a new partner - a prescient supposedly hot half-elf named Steele. Their first job together is solving a murder mystery while trying not to kill each other, I guess. The book is set in a somewhat fantasy setting which I can't quite firmly put. On one hand, we have mentions of not having electricity, rickshaws and a fire mage (a single one and not a combat one). On the other hand, we have a pretty modern police apparatus, mentions of things like salmonella and thermite (plays a large part in the story), and lamplighters. The first two were discovered in 1899 and 1900, as Wikipedia helpfully suggests, while the gas lamps not requiring lamplighters were already out in 1800s and were replaced with electric lights near the end of 19th century. They could also be oil lamps, too. I'm not trying to pedantic, my point is I don't understand where are we? Magic exists but is not described at all. Not enough exposition is given to all these background questions and we're left with short dissonant sketches that never form a coherent picture.
My second problem is that the main mastermind appears in the book for exactly two scenes before being revealed in the end. On one hand, using the genre metagame rules I got a firm feeling that this is indeed the culprit, leaving me waiting for specific details in the end. On the other hand, that's not particularly rewarding, I feel that this character should've been more proactive during the investigation itself.
The last problem I perceive is the imbalance between the humor and the serious. Daggers and Steele have to have witty banter, obviously, and Daggers has to have his snarky internal monologue but it quite often falls flat because there's just way too much of it. Sometimes it drops into outright parody. Make up your mind, man! Is this tongue-in-cheek or not?
Jake Daggers is a detective and he's got a new partner - a prescient supposedly hot half-elf named Steele. Their first job together is solving a murder mystery while trying not to kill each other, I guess. The book is set in a somewhat fantasy setting which I can't quite firmly put. On one hand, we have mentions of not having electricity, rickshaws and a fire mage (a single one and not a combat one). On the other hand, we have a pretty modern police apparatus, mentions of things like salmonella and thermite (plays a large part in the story), and lamplighters. The first two were discovered in 1899 and 1900, as Wikipedia helpfully suggests, while the gas lamps not requiring lamplighters were already out in 1800s and were replaced with electric lights near the end of 19th century. They could also be oil lamps, too. I'm not trying to pedantic, my point is I don't understand where are we? Magic exists but is not described at all. Not enough exposition is given to all these background questions and we're left with short dissonant sketches that never form a coherent picture.
My second problem is that the main mastermind appears in the book for exactly two scenes before being revealed in the end. On one hand, using the genre metagame rules I got a firm feeling that this is indeed the culprit, leaving me waiting for specific details in the end. On the other hand, that's not particularly rewarding, I feel that this character should've been more proactive during the investigation itself.
The last problem I perceive is the imbalance between the humor and the serious. Daggers and Steele have to have witty banter, obviously, and Daggers has to have his snarky internal monologue but it quite often falls flat because there's just way too much of it. Sometimes it drops into outright parody. Make up your mind, man! Is this tongue-in-cheek or not?
June 16, 2017
This was an interesting book. Most likely because I’ve only dabbled my toes in a few urban fantasy books and this one took a hard left turn. While many I’ve read were all situated in our world and during relatively current times, this one is not. It’s also not written in a traditional writing style. Alex Berg appears to have latched onto more of a detective noir style. It’s not a style I’m accustomed to and it threw me quite a bit throughout the book.
Jake Daggers is definitely what one would consider a red-blooded male. His mind is frequently in the gutter and his appreciation for women is only in what they can do for him physically. He also always likes to have the last word.
Meet Shay Steele. She’s trying to break into a world that’s dominated by man and she’s not about to let Jake Daggers get in her way.
I think of Jake Daggers as a giant boulder rolling around trying to get things done, while Shay Steele is a nasty, sharp blade that cuts to the chase. Of the two, I’d have to say Shay is probably the smarter of the two even if Jake has a high closure rate in the department. If I ever elect to read any more of this series, it will be for her alone. Jake Daggers rubbed me the wrong way.
In this realm of urban fantasy, the monsters are all out in the open. As far as I can tell, the city is entirely made up and the main mode of transportation is the rickshaw. Throw in the fact there aren’t guns and bladed weapons are only for the military, I’ll admit I was uncomfortable. My mind couldn’t quite seem to grab on to anything and be fully pulled into the book. The world building felt incomplete and the storyline felt chaotic.
Jake Daggers is definitely what one would consider a red-blooded male. His mind is frequently in the gutter and his appreciation for women is only in what they can do for him physically. He also always likes to have the last word.
Meet Shay Steele. She’s trying to break into a world that’s dominated by man and she’s not about to let Jake Daggers get in her way.
I think of Jake Daggers as a giant boulder rolling around trying to get things done, while Shay Steele is a nasty, sharp blade that cuts to the chase. Of the two, I’d have to say Shay is probably the smarter of the two even if Jake has a high closure rate in the department. If I ever elect to read any more of this series, it will be for her alone. Jake Daggers rubbed me the wrong way.
In this realm of urban fantasy, the monsters are all out in the open. As far as I can tell, the city is entirely made up and the main mode of transportation is the rickshaw. Throw in the fact there aren’t guns and bladed weapons are only for the military, I’ll admit I was uncomfortable. My mind couldn’t quite seem to grab on to anything and be fully pulled into the book. The world building felt incomplete and the storyline felt chaotic.
December 31, 2023
“Red Hot Steele” is a paranormal police procedural featuring hardened detective Jake Daggers and his new partner Shay Steele.
The book should probably be called “Daggers” as Steele's main role seems to be around so that Daggers has someone to insult.
Jake's brain and mouth are out of control and his preferred method of detecting involves hitting people or intimidating them.
Most of his jokes aren't particularly amusing and, despite his constant presence, he remains annoyingly one-dimensional.
Shay, on the other hand, is a half-elf with, she claims, the occasional ability to 'see' flashes of what happened at a crime scene – the Holmes to his Watson in some ways.
The crime they are tasked with investigating is the murder of a young man who was due to marry the daughter of a very rich man. But it soon emerges that he was not who he seemed, not by a long shot.
Their joint investigation points them to an impressive number of suspects, none of whom are guilty, but their persistence finally pays off.
It's the kind of book that is better than the sum of its parts, but not by a great degree.
Maybe the series is just firming up and the characters will come together – I'll read one more in the series to find out.
3 Stars.
The book should probably be called “Daggers” as Steele's main role seems to be around so that Daggers has someone to insult.
Jake's brain and mouth are out of control and his preferred method of detecting involves hitting people or intimidating them.
Most of his jokes aren't particularly amusing and, despite his constant presence, he remains annoyingly one-dimensional.
Shay, on the other hand, is a half-elf with, she claims, the occasional ability to 'see' flashes of what happened at a crime scene – the Holmes to his Watson in some ways.
The crime they are tasked with investigating is the murder of a young man who was due to marry the daughter of a very rich man. But it soon emerges that he was not who he seemed, not by a long shot.
Their joint investigation points them to an impressive number of suspects, none of whom are guilty, but their persistence finally pays off.
It's the kind of book that is better than the sum of its parts, but not by a great degree.
Maybe the series is just firming up and the characters will come together – I'll read one more in the series to find out.
3 Stars.
April 28, 2020
This is the first book by Alex Berg that I have read. I had purchased the first three books of this series in a set via Bookbub, so a special offer (I'm a scot), some time ago. I purchase a lot of books this way and I generally choose either authors I have read and liked before or new books with an interesting plot or character according to the blurb. This means that I read a lot of real dross but every so often you come across books that are fun to read and you want to read more.
This book is one of the latter. Don't get me wrong, it isn't the best book I have ever read, at its heart it is just a run of the mill detective mystery. But, But, But ...
The characters are interesting and engaging and it is set in a weird and different world. Don't over analyse where it is set or how believable it is, just enjoy it as a well written mystery.
The one thing that elevates it above the run of the mill is the writing. Alex Berg can string sentences that make sense together which many of the authors that I have read recently cannot and I didn't spot any big holes in the story. Three and a half stars. Off now to start book two.
This book is one of the latter. Don't get me wrong, it isn't the best book I have ever read, at its heart it is just a run of the mill detective mystery. But, But, But ...
The characters are interesting and engaging and it is set in a weird and different world. Don't over analyse where it is set or how believable it is, just enjoy it as a well written mystery.
The one thing that elevates it above the run of the mill is the writing. Alex Berg can string sentences that make sense together which many of the authors that I have read recently cannot and I didn't spot any big holes in the story. Three and a half stars. Off now to start book two.
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