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Scott Priest
The Rogue Element
Homicide Detective Scott Priest had never considered himself to be anything more than an average, hard-nosed cop who did his best to uphold the Priest lineage of average, hard-nosed cops. But that simple notion is about to be put to the ultimate test.
The Denver police department is in turmoil after two of its own are gunned-down by a fellow officer. The motives for the shooting are unclear, but speculation mounts that a criminal element within the department is responsible. As he struggles through a grisly murder case involving a hotel room attendant, Detective Priest will also find himself on the front lines of a secret investigation into members of his own unit - men he once trusted with his own life. Before it is all over, Priest will question whether or not there is anything left to trust, including the Priest family name itself.
It is a battle that he never could have dreamed of waging. And it's only just begun.
Book I of the Rogue Series
The Denver police department is in turmoil after two of its own are gunned-down by a fellow officer. The motives for the shooting are unclear, but speculation mounts that a criminal element within the department is responsible. As he struggles through a grisly murder case involving a hotel room attendant, Detective Priest will also find himself on the front lines of a secret investigation into members of his own unit - men he once trusted with his own life. Before it is all over, Priest will question whether or not there is anything left to trust, including the Priest family name itself.
It is a battle that he never could have dreamed of waging. And it's only just begun.
Book I of the Rogue Series
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2014
About the author
John Hardy Bell
8 books46 followersJohn Hardy Bell writes dark, gritty crime thrillers where every case is a battle of strategy, pressure, and survival.
His Grisham & Sullivan Crime Thriller Series follows former FBI agent Camille Grisham and Denver homicide detective Chloe Sullivan as they track calculated killers who plan carefully, adapt quickly, and never lose control.
Grounded in procedural realism and driven by psychological tension, his stories explore the cost of pursuing justice—and what happens when the truth refuses to stay buried.
You can find out more about John, get the latest on upcoming releases, so simply say hello, by visiting http://www.johnhardybell.com
His Grisham & Sullivan Crime Thriller Series follows former FBI agent Camille Grisham and Denver homicide detective Chloe Sullivan as they track calculated killers who plan carefully, adapt quickly, and never lose control.
Grounded in procedural realism and driven by psychological tension, his stories explore the cost of pursuing justice—and what happens when the truth refuses to stay buried.
You can find out more about John, get the latest on upcoming releases, so simply say hello, by visiting http://www.johnhardybell.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 19, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first volume in a series. At first glance it may seem to be only a police procedural but it is also a story about a police family -- where the father and his two sons are/were police officers, possible corruption within the force, a romance and a murder mystery. Scott Priest is a detective with the Denver Police Department -- a Department where his father was an officer [now retired] and his brother was an officer who was killed on duty. So Priest has a lot to live up to as his family is highly regarded within the force. For me, the murder mystery and the possible corruption angle in this book are well done but pretty standard. What intrigued me about this story is the main character Priest and his family -- there is a lot to unravel here. His father is suffering from Alzheimer's. Priest's brother's law enforcement work and death on duty and how that affected his family is certainly a long dark shadow which Priest believes he cannot fully rise above. I wish more time had been spent exploring the family dynamics, however, I think that might be delved into further in future volumes. This is a quick and interesting read -- but be warned, it ends on cliffhanger. I will be continuing with the series.
As I listened to the book -- the narrator, George Kastrinos, did a very good job. Without giving anything away, I especially enjoyed the narrator's tone in conveying the conversation Priest has with his father near the end of the book.
This is the first volume in a series. At first glance it may seem to be only a police procedural but it is also a story about a police family -- where the father and his two sons are/were police officers, possible corruption within the force, a romance and a murder mystery. Scott Priest is a detective with the Denver Police Department -- a Department where his father was an officer [now retired] and his brother was an officer who was killed on duty. So Priest has a lot to live up to as his family is highly regarded within the force. For me, the murder mystery and the possible corruption angle in this book are well done but pretty standard. What intrigued me about this story is the main character Priest and his family -- there is a lot to unravel here. His father is suffering from Alzheimer's. Priest's brother's law enforcement work and death on duty and how that affected his family is certainly a long dark shadow which Priest believes he cannot fully rise above. I wish more time had been spent exploring the family dynamics, however, I think that might be delved into further in future volumes. This is a quick and interesting read -- but be warned, it ends on cliffhanger. I will be continuing with the series.
As I listened to the book -- the narrator, George Kastrinos, did a very good job. Without giving anything away, I especially enjoyed the narrator's tone in conveying the conversation Priest has with his father near the end of the book.
May 13, 2019
Great mystery, great characters, and a series with a lot of potential. Ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, but it was a good one and I felt very satisfied with the story. With that said, I can't wait for the next installment. Hopefully we won't have to wait long!
February 20, 2020
LOVE HIS BOOKS
I accidentally stumbled on his first book. Never heard of him before, read the summary of the book I held in my hand and thought I would give it a read. Well since I have read all of them and pre ordered his newest one coming out soon.
I accidentally stumbled on his first book. Never heard of him before, read the summary of the book I held in my hand and thought I would give it a read. Well since I have read all of them and pre ordered his newest one coming out soon.
December 24, 2014
Excellent story.
Scott Priest is a detective and a good cop - through and through. Unfortunately, thanks partly to the press, the Denver Police Department where he works is getting a bad rap, and some higher ups are beginning to believe the allegations are true. Not Scott, he stands by his fellow detectives and the department and dares anyone to say anything differently. But during the course of one day, an investigation into the murder of a lowly hotel maid open's Scott's eyes to the possibility that corruption may be a big part of the workings of the City he's dedicated his life to.
It doesn't take a whole life of action and fast paced scenarios to keep the reader engrossed in this book. Bell has a way of weaving a story that keeps you reading until the very end, page by tantalizing page. A captivating, well plotted book. It's a short read, and it'll leave you wanting more, but it's what all police novels should be. Highly recommended. Can't wait for the next installment.
Scott Priest is a detective and a good cop - through and through. Unfortunately, thanks partly to the press, the Denver Police Department where he works is getting a bad rap, and some higher ups are beginning to believe the allegations are true. Not Scott, he stands by his fellow detectives and the department and dares anyone to say anything differently. But during the course of one day, an investigation into the murder of a lowly hotel maid open's Scott's eyes to the possibility that corruption may be a big part of the workings of the City he's dedicated his life to.
It doesn't take a whole life of action and fast paced scenarios to keep the reader engrossed in this book. Bell has a way of weaving a story that keeps you reading until the very end, page by tantalizing page. A captivating, well plotted book. It's a short read, and it'll leave you wanting more, but it's what all police novels should be. Highly recommended. Can't wait for the next installment.
January 11, 2016
Okay.
A little cookie cutter, but carries on the story from the Grisham/Sullivan book. Perhaps the next book will tie it all together.
A little cookie cutter, but carries on the story from the Grisham/Sullivan book. Perhaps the next book will tie it all together.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews