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KILLER TRADE: A Karla Dixon Thriller
SOME FORTUNES ARE BUILT ON BLOOD
When billionaire Edwin Wolcott is found murdered in his Manhattan townhouse, his widow Catherine hires the only person she trusts to answer the question the police can' where did eight hundred million dollars go?
Karla Dixon is a forensic financial investigator. A former Army Special Investigator who served under Jack Reacher. A woman who can follow money through shell companies, offshore accounts, and corporate veils that would take a team of federal agents years to untangle.
The money trail leads Dixon into the dark heart of one of New York's most powerful families — and the deeper she digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes.
When the violence hits close to home, Dixon realizes she's no longer just tracking stolen assets.
She's hunting a killer. And the killer is hunting her.
KILLER TRADE is the first book in the Karla Dixon thriller series from USA TODAY bestselling author Dan Ames, writing in the world of Jack Reacher by permission of Lee Child.
For fans of Lee Child, David Baldacci, Lisa Gardner, Gregg Hurwitz, and Karin Slaughter.
When billionaire Edwin Wolcott is found murdered in his Manhattan townhouse, his widow Catherine hires the only person she trusts to answer the question the police can' where did eight hundred million dollars go?
Karla Dixon is a forensic financial investigator. A former Army Special Investigator who served under Jack Reacher. A woman who can follow money through shell companies, offshore accounts, and corporate veils that would take a team of federal agents years to untangle.
The money trail leads Dixon into the dark heart of one of New York's most powerful families — and the deeper she digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes.
When the violence hits close to home, Dixon realizes she's no longer just tracking stolen assets.
She's hunting a killer. And the killer is hunting her.
KILLER TRADE is the first book in the Karla Dixon thriller series from USA TODAY bestselling author Dan Ames, writing in the world of Jack Reacher by permission of Lee Child.
For fans of Lee Child, David Baldacci, Lisa Gardner, Gregg Hurwitz, and Karin Slaughter.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2026
About the author
Dan Ames
303 books518 followersDan Ames is an international bestselling author and winner of the Independent Book Award for Crime Fiction. He is the author of The JACK REACHER Cases. You can learn more about him at authordanames.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 7, 2026
great read
As always you have a knack for drawing the reader into living what is going on in your books.
Thank you for doing what you do.
Michael
As always you have a knack for drawing the reader into living what is going on in your books.
Thank you for doing what you do.
Michael
June 9, 2026
I gave this book a 3 star rating mainly because it was a tad screwy on its time elements.
Without giving up to much of the story we learn that the victim was 71 years old.
The widow of the victim informs Karla Dixon that she has been married for 27 years.
The victim had two children - a boy children and a girl children. The widow also claims to have two children.
The boy children informs Karla Dixon that his father has been busting his ass for his entire 34 years.
That is 7 more years than the marriage. So do we have some sort of out of wedlock situation or what?
So while this time element doesn't take away from the story - it does keep me wondering - WHAT UP?
So if Mr Ames can get himself a REAL EDITOR - and correct some of this timeline stuff - I'd up my rating.
Without giving up to much of the story we learn that the victim was 71 years old.
The widow of the victim informs Karla Dixon that she has been married for 27 years.
The victim had two children - a boy children and a girl children. The widow also claims to have two children.
The boy children informs Karla Dixon that his father has been busting his ass for his entire 34 years.
That is 7 more years than the marriage. So do we have some sort of out of wedlock situation or what?
So while this time element doesn't take away from the story - it does keep me wondering - WHAT UP?
So if Mr Ames can get himself a REAL EDITOR - and correct some of this timeline stuff - I'd up my rating.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Killer Trade is the first book in a brand new series about Karla Dixon by Dan Ames. It is set in the Reacher adjacent universe. Karla was once one of Jack Reachers investigators in the 110th MP. Now she has her own company investigating financial crimes and she appears from time to time in Ames series Jack Reacher's Special Investigators, but now she gets her own series. I declare, it's a good first and a intriguing story to read. For those that think this is just a numbers game I tell you there is also a good deal of action. I can really recommend this book. I also thank the author for giving me an advance copy. It's available on the 13th of April.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Killer Trade - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Jack Reacher's ex-Special Investigator Karla Dixon is hired by a multi-billionaire, murder victim's widow, in Dan Ames' breathtaking financial crime-thriller, Killer Trade.
In a shocking yet fascinating storyline, when Dixon gets closer to the truth things take a very dark turn and the bodycount rises fast.
An excitingly twisty murder-mystery that you're sure to love, find out who's behind the scam of billions, and an unexpected discovery that shows one victim in a new light, when you get a copy of Killer Trade today!
Jack Reacher's ex-Special Investigator Karla Dixon is hired by a multi-billionaire, murder victim's widow, in Dan Ames' breathtaking financial crime-thriller, Killer Trade.
In a shocking yet fascinating storyline, when Dixon gets closer to the truth things take a very dark turn and the bodycount rises fast.
An excitingly twisty murder-mystery that you're sure to love, find out who's behind the scam of billions, and an unexpected discovery that shows one victim in a new light, when you get a copy of Killer Trade today!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a new series featuring Karla Dixon, a forensic financial investigator. Her first case comes about when the death of a billionaire leads to the discovery that $800 million is missing. The trail for where the money went is easy enough to find, but no so for who is behind the movement.
While reviewing the financial records, she also discovers from payments that have been made for years with no supporting documentation.
Then there's the danger, especially when more than one person ends up dead. But that won't deter Karla from completing the job, even with the twist along the way.
While reviewing the financial records, she also discovers from payments that have been made for years with no supporting documentation.
Then there's the danger, especially when more than one person ends up dead. But that won't deter Karla from completing the job, even with the twist along the way.
May 20, 2026
Meet Karla Dixon
Mr. Ames has taken the development of one of Lee Child's, Reacher characters! Karla is wired for financial accounting! She is very good at her job and she shows the motto of the 110th is more than just words! She accepts jobs and delivers what the client asks for and is paid per the initial agreement. She is a very self motivated person and like the members left of the 110th, she delivers! Thanks, Mr. Ames please write another adventure for her!
Mr. Ames has taken the development of one of Lee Child's, Reacher characters! Karla is wired for financial accounting! She is very good at her job and she shows the motto of the 110th is more than just words! She accepts jobs and delivers what the client asks for and is paid per the initial agreement. She is a very self motivated person and like the members left of the 110th, she delivers! Thanks, Mr. Ames please write another adventure for her!
Review of advance copy received from Author
An investigative novella thriller (first in a series) with a great storyline and a strong female main character. Karla Dixon tries to solve a financial investigation and ends up with a series of murders to solve. Contains plenty of action, lots of suspense, and a surprise conclusion. Very enjoyable read and a book I would highly recommend. Bring on more adventures with Karla Dixon.
April 13, 2026
I found this book interesting from the first pages and putting it down when I had finish .
I always look forward to this authors books.
This is a new series introducing Dixon forensic financial investigator.
Catherine comes to her after her husband had died, wanting answers the missing money,
where did it go. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
I always look forward to this authors books.
This is a new series introducing Dixon forensic financial investigator.
Catherine comes to her after her husband had died, wanting answers the missing money,
where did it go. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
April 19, 2026
A suspenseful audit?
Ames demonstrates mastery of another complex world of international finance and financial auditing. He successfully sustains suspense and attention while moving the story forward using a subject of "boring" forensic auditing--quite a feat.
Ames demonstrates mastery of another complex world of international finance and financial auditing. He successfully sustains suspense and attention while moving the story forward using a subject of "boring" forensic auditing--quite a feat.
June 8, 2026
an expanded Reacher Universe
Interesting tale about Karla Dixon who had been in the army with Reacher.
I liked the symmetry with Reacher. I felt that Dixon was true to the Reacher Universe.
Looking forward to the second Dixon tale.
Three and a half stars
Interesting tale about Karla Dixon who had been in the army with Reacher.
I liked the symmetry with Reacher. I felt that Dixon was true to the Reacher Universe.
Looking forward to the second Dixon tale.
Three and a half stars
June 18, 2026
When a billionaire is found murdered, Karla is the one for the job. Will she be able to solve the case before anything else happens. Full of suspense and questions to keep you trying to guess what really happened. Love this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Forty plus years ago a woman mysteriously disappeared from a party. Mysteriously indeed!
Then Karla Dixon, a forensic financial investigator, got hired to investigate the disappearance of $ 800 000 000 from a murdered billionaire.
And Karla Dixon is an ace.
I loved her systematic
if sometimes unusual approach to the puzzle presented to her.
And welcome to a new series featuring a character that is bound to become as famous as had Reacher's cronies featured by popular author Dan Ames in other series already.
Welcome Karla Dixon!
Then Karla Dixon, a forensic financial investigator, got hired to investigate the disappearance of $ 800 000 000 from a murdered billionaire.
And Karla Dixon is an ace.
I loved her systematic
if sometimes unusual approach to the puzzle presented to her.
And welcome to a new series featuring a character that is bound to become as famous as had Reacher's cronies featured by popular author Dan Ames in other series already.
Welcome Karla Dixon!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews