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A Kane Novel #4

L.A. Sniper

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In the streets of Los Angeles, a sniper is hunting cops. Panic grips the city as Detective Daniel Kane tracks the killer, embarking on the most terrifying investigation of his career. Building to an electrifying climax, L.A. Sniper tells a story of heartbreak and loss, of love and redemption, and surprisingly, of hope.

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2015

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About the author

Steve Gannon

13 books39 followers
I was a Navy brat, the oldest of four kids. My dad served as a captain in the US Navy, so our family moved around a lot—North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia. When my dad finally took a post at the Pentagon for the remainder of his career, we landed for good in Falls Church, Virginia.

After a high-school education under the not-so-gentle tutelage of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, I embarked for college one step ahead of a serious run-in with the Falls Church police—eventually completing my undergraduate education at Duke University and USC with a degree in physics. Following a stint as a systems engineer in the Southern California aerospace industry, I headed back to UCLA for graduate work, earning a DDS degree four years later. I passed the California Dental Board exam that summer and prepared to begin a new career.

At that point I think I had my first identity crisis. I liked school. Beat work. Plus it allowed me to put off deciding what I wanted to do with my life when I grew up. I had never really thought about the future much. I had just gone from day to day, surmounting one hurdle at a time. Now that I was finished with school, was this going to be it? Work?

Not that I don’t like work. I held down part-time jobs during most of my college years— retail sales in a bookstore, swing shift on a loading dock, nights as a bartender. Like that.

In retrospect, I think those jobs were as influential as my formal education in shaping who I am. I recall little of my advanced math courses (and by little I mean zero), and I haven’t practiced dentistry in years, but I do remember things I picked up working various jobs, things I have been able to use in my writing.

Anyway, I opened a dental office on the Westside of town and began my life as an adult. But not without a struggle. During the years I practiced dentistry in Brentwood (right down the street from where O.J. Simpson didn’t kill Nicole), I got my Screen Actors Guild card and “acted” in TV commercials, shamelessly promoting everything from luggage to beer. I also modeled in a worldwide print campaign for Camel cigarettes before “Joe Camel,” the famous R.J. Reynolds cartoon that more effectively targeted kids, took over the cigarette advertising reins. That job was fun. Except for the smoking.

And I wrote fiction. Lots of fiction. All kinds of fiction. Mostly short stories, but some longer pieces, too. Some even got published.

Upon retiring from dentistry in my mid-thirties, I spent a decade as a real-estate developer specializing in beachfront construction in Malibu. Homes for the stars. More recently I’ve served as executive director for an Idaho nonprofit that promotes classical music concerts and presents various educational programs. And I continue to write.

Okay, seems like a lot of careers for one guy, right? I agree. Bottom line, I guess I was always ready to take a chance on something new, which led me down a lot of unexpected paths. But one constant remained throughout, something that gave me a way to use all my experiences, both good and bad. Writing.

And in the end, that’s what I finally decided I wanted to do, even if I were to ever grow up . . . someday. I think it’s what I do best.

My first full novel, titled A Song for the Asking, was published to both critical and reader acclaim by Bantam Books. The book was inspired by the question: “Can a homicide detective who deals with the worst of human nature go home to a normal family life?” In doing the research for my fictional lead character, LAPD Detective Daniel Kane, I met some fascinating people, learned some unexpected things, and made some lifelong friends.

IMG_0206Since then I have continued the “Kane Novel” series, following with bestsellers Kane, a thriller, and Allison, a suspense tale told from the perspective of Kane’s only daughter, Allison. A fourth in the series, titled L.A. Sniper, is scheduled for release in 2014. Glow, a standalone novel that chronicles the e

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5 stars
481 (53%)
4 stars
290 (31%)
3 stars
103 (11%)
2 stars
24 (2%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Tulay.
1,202 reviews2 followers
April 2, 2017
Excellent series.

Detailed and descriptive story of Kane family. Loss of a son, wife is clear of cancer for two years.
Dr. Luther Cole DDS, had loving, happy marriage also. Their only child was diagnosed with ASD, Autism Spectrum disorder. Tragedy completely destroyed Dr. Cole.
Kane is busy trying to catch the sniper killing LAPD officers, working with supervisor that's making his job harder.
Emotional story, highly recommend this series.
Profile Image for Montzalee Wittmann.
5,235 reviews2,344 followers
July 16, 2017
L.A. Sniper (A Kane Novel #4) by Steve Gannon that was a Kindle Scout book. It was an emotional roller coaster during the book, a duel story going with the family and the crime. There was too much detail about guns and other things that I got tired of reading. The ending was half expected and emotional. This is the kind of book a person would pick up to read right before getting on a plane so they have something to read. Something not too heavy, not too worried about getting involved, but interesting to read.
Profile Image for Maggie.
Author 41 books404 followers
May 24, 2015
LAPD homicide detective Dan Kane, a smart cop with a musically talented wife and a trio of mostly grown children, is assigned to the joint task force to catch a cop killer.

There’s no love lost between Kane and Lt. Snead, the head of the task force. Snead feels Kane is an insubordinate wild card; Kane desperately wants to catch the killer and keep his job

As Kane and Snead butt heads in the daily meetings, the cop killer ups the ante with more killings, murdering cops in pairs at fake call-outs. Meanwhile, Kane’s family matters take a front seat in his priorities. His youngest has trouble in school, his reporter daughter wants inside scoop on the story. His wife is offered a prestigious advancement, but she has to ace her cancer checkup first.

During the investigation, Kane brushes up against the killer, alerting the sniper of the scale and scope of the manhunt. Furious, the killer targets Kane next. The reader is left to wonder if Kane will become another mortality statistic or if he will get his man.

Kindle Scout winner Steve Gannon wrote a tearjerker with the grit of a police procedural and the pacing of a thriller. Part way through this story, I had to take a breather because I did not want anything bad to happen to Kane or his family. I couldn’t stay away long – I had to know how this one ended!

I savored every word, my emotions soaring and plummeting in the hands of this talented author.

Maggie Toussaint, aka Rigel Carson, for Muddy Rose Reviews
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,426 reviews67 followers
February 26, 2015
Wowser - another one out of the ballpark by Gannon

I have been a huge Steve Gannon fan ever since I read "A Song for the Asking (A Kane Novel Series Book 1)" (one of the few books I've read multiple times). I've also thoroughly enjoyed the other books in this series - "Kane (A Kane Novel Series Book 2)" and "Allison (A Kane Novel Series Book 3)."

This fourth book in the series is a winner too. Dan Kane, LAPD homicide detective, is calmer in this offering. He is still on the wagon, is supportive of Kate's music, and is being decent to his kids and not a dictator in his own home. But that just adds another dimension to a very complex character.

Gannon has a real talent for displaying family foibles and yet having his readers fall for his characters despite all their weaknesses (or maybe it's because of the weaknesses).

Gannon is a pro with dialogue and characterizations. His characters come alive on the page and the reader ends up feeling all their angst, no matter how out of control.

In L.A. SNIPER, a madman has started killing L.A. cops. And Kane is appointed to the Task Force charged with stopping him. He is his normal irascible self and finds himself fighting not only the sniper but his bosses as the action ramps up.

I love this family, would love to have their beach house in Malibu. There wasn't a big Kane beach party in this book and I missed that. Also, be warned there are some major plot twists in this tale.

The next book in this great series - INFIDEL - is supposed to be coming soon. I'm not sure of Gannon's definition of "soon" but I'm ready right now to find out what happens next.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the Kindle Scout program.
Profile Image for Diana Hockley.
Author 9 books46 followers
March 10, 2015

Steve Gannon's books are always good value. I have read the previous Dan Kane novels - all of them - and enjoyed them. This one was no exception.

Gannon manages to make the characters jump out of the page and as this is written in the first person from Kane's perspective, it was doubly satisfying. I liked the pacing, the quality of the writing and in-depth depiction of all the characters. The description of the technical aspects of a snipers 'work" are terrifying and it is a grim reminder that these killers do exist and practice their trade too many times in many countries.

I'm giving no spoilers - I just want to recommend this book most highly to anyone who might be thinking of buying it. You not be disappointed!
2,279 reviews50 followers
December 12, 2017
Engrossing novel detailing the execution of police officers and the cop determined to catch the murderer .

Police officers being killed by the sniper are detailed to perfection by the author who builds the case slowly through the narration of the killer and narration of the officer determined to catch him.
Profile Image for Bob.
1,984 reviews20 followers
August 25, 2018
Detective Daniel Kane is a Detective in LA who gets the lead in tracking down a killer who is targeting cops. The clues are scarce and he is battling his boss who is hoping he fails. The case draws national attention as more cops are killed and the task force grows. Meanwhile Kane wife is waiting for a good report on after cancer recovery before taking on a job as principle cellist for the symphony, his oldest son is in town from NY, his daughter is working for the local TV news station and his young son is going through teenage problems which keep him on the go. A good tale with a twist at the end.
Profile Image for Lisa Weaver.
Author 7 books40 followers
April 16, 2015
Superlative!

This is my first exposure to Steve Gannon’s Kane series, and it is a treasure! L.A. Sniper raises the bar on the Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense genres, following Detective Dan Kane as he seeks to bring the person responsible for the horrific slayings of L.A. police officers to justice.

Detective Kane has earned a spot on my top ten heroes of all times list. Life has dealt him some unkind cards, including the tragic loss of a son, and the specter of his beloved wife’s serious illness, but those challenges have shaped him into a man with heart.

In addition to an outstanding lead, L.A. Sniper features a beautifully detailed backdrop, gritty realism, and heart-pounding suspense. The family dynamics are brilliantly REAL! Gannon strips his characters down to their bones, revealing their hopes, their dreams, their fears, and, indeed, their souls.

The novel is impeccably crafted and beautifully executed. At times shockingly brutal; at times heart-wrenchingly poignant, but always strikingly compelling. Forget about keeping a stiff upper lip when you reach the end of this book. But amidst unspeakable tragedy there is hope, too. And Gannon paints that hope in a way that makes the tragedy all the more moving and impactful. And perhaps that is the most impressive part of this stellar offering.


Profile Image for Fiona Quinn.
Author 80 books511 followers
April 8, 2015
This was my first time reading a Det. Kane book, but now I will have to go back and catch up on the series. Gannon is an excellent storyteller/ emotional manipulator. Indeed, Gannon had me sobbing towards the end of the book - perhaps when you get to that part, you'll be reading in private and not say at your daughter's dance class.

One of the writerly techniques that I thought Gannon handled so masterfully was that he presented exquisite details about the sniper (police serial killer), his gun and bullet choices, his set up, his mental health issues and made them so vivid and tangible, it felt like a story on the nightly news -an ongoing assault on the police force instead of a made up story. Bringing all of those details to bear and making them an interesting and integral part of the plotline was quite a balancing act, and Gannon performed flawlessly.

High adrenaline. High emotions. Highly rated. And excellent read!
13 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2018
Hard to put down. I'm a longtime reloader, rifleman, ex MP and correctional officer I was pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of his weapon and ballistics narrative. The story was compelling, with a wide range of emotions, love, anger, sorrow and tears.

This would be an interesting novel for men with a similar background as mine. very good author, I will read be reading more of his books.
Profile Image for Margaret.
62 reviews14 followers
September 8, 2015
This novel was so good that I wanted it to go on forever. It was a perfect combination of a great mystery and great characters. The characters weren't perfect and the ending wasn't what I thought it would be but you'll want to read it. I will wait, not so patiently, for Mr. Gannon to write another Kane family mystery.
Profile Image for Robert Ullrich.
Author 17 books89 followers
February 10, 2018
Gut wrenching good.

This is my first Steve Gannon novel, but it won't be the last. Hardest part of reviewing a good novel is to not say too much. As crime thrillers go, this one stacks up with my favorite author, John Sanford. Coming from me, there is no higher praise.
Profile Image for Jim Morgan.
95 reviews
October 4, 2018
I read a lot--probably 70 books a years, but this is probably the worst in a long time. It is a complicated story line and well written but I have to think Gannon must have a grudge against cops. For a perceived transgression, a monster goes on a cowardly murder rampage killing about 20 innocent people, mostly cops. Not many books written about a dentist being a main character or villain but this story not only kills many innocents but imagine the impact on hundreds of others. Then the killer gets off easy. I don't recommend this book for anywhere but the trash can.
167 reviews
April 16, 2023
Excellent

I prefer non fiction books over fictional works. But this book was an expertly written page turner.

The author skillfully set up the plot without dragging out the writing. He expertly added pieces, drama and tragedy where needed. The final result was an exception fictional book that read like a true crime book.
Although the story was full of twists and turns along with some tragic outcomes, it was suspenseful and quick moving.
The character development also was expertly created which further enhanced the book.

Great read.
Profile Image for Allison.
848 reviews26 followers
March 19, 2017
This book would have been highly entertaining if the author had just stuck to writing a police procedural. Where he went wrong was in the few romance sections which were jarring as they slipped into soft porn style, and his family conversations which also didn't ring true. I also didn't realize this was #4 in a series with lots or references to previous cases. in retrospect, I could have spent my time in better ways.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
784 reviews38 followers
September 1, 2017
Good story that shows the extremes someone will go to when suffering from the loss of a family member because of a "mistake." People grieve in different ways: Detective Kane had his own loss, but the L.A. sniper taking out the LAPD has his own grievances. A touching, heart-felt story and the ability to accept or let it consume you.
Profile Image for Julie.
937 reviews8 followers
November 24, 2017
Every one of the Kane books gets better and better - and when I've given them all five stars, I think "nothing can surpass this one" and there we go, the next one is even more thrilling. I cannot say enough about how much I am loving this series by Steve Gannon.

READ THE SERIES! Can you hear me now?
2 reviews
July 22, 2019
awesome!,well written,I definitely will read all of his books,Great finish...highly recommend his work to other readers!

Awesome,well written,I definitely would recommend this book to others.Great finish.hope there are more Kane reads to follow!...I have to go back now and read the rest of his books since LA Sniper was my first by him!I'm
250 reviews5 followers
September 17, 2018
This is a great series!

This series is moving,real,and heart breaking. True to life's tragic turns ,loss and belief that life can also be good. This touched me because I've been there and life does go on. Thank you Steve Gannon.
34 reviews
December 9, 2018
Read!

Great story. The life of a policeman, his family, the pressures of the job, and the raw human emotion of the tragedies that make us all become involved in one way or another, whether it is to our liking or not; make this story worth reading and enjoying.

314 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2019
Very good book !

Very detailed with unexpected happenings... I like how Kane kept after Snead with his theories, and that he was close with all teams. Didn’t expect the end - at all !! LOVE a mystery that is THAT good !

206 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2019
More than a mystery. The reader always knew the bad guy

The merciless vengeance of a despairing father creates havoc. The tragedies that follow show just how unfair life cab be.
Profile Image for Diana Scoville.
39 reviews2 followers
November 18, 2019
The Detective Kane series is one of the best I’ve ever read.

The books in Steve Gannon’s beautifully written series has captured me as no other. Have already downloaded #s 5 and 6. Do not miss these novels.
94 reviews3 followers
March 22, 2017
Kane it is!

Good story! Dan's character is just how I picture a police dective to be. Story line with his family involvement was great. No man that loves his family can truly put them to the side when he is working - they are with him every minute of the day.
26 reviews
June 12, 2017
Easy reading

Plot was well constructed and the ending a bit of a surprise. I consider this type of book brain candy as opposed to life changing.
1 review
July 9, 2018
Crime stories

If like you the cops getting the bad guy, as I do its a good read. The plot is interesting and keeps you going
21 reviews
August 13, 2018
Good story telling

The in depth detail of both the characters and the police process. But also showing how officers are stymied by bosses that are political
Profile Image for Carol.
977 reviews
October 3, 2018
LAPD faces a killer murdering its own - and the remarkable detective who drives the investigation with insight to find him.
4 reviews
December 31, 2018
I will miss Catherine.


Can't imagine reading another in this series without her character! It was bad enough that she had cancer, but killing her off depressed me
5 reviews
January 4, 2019
Excellent!

Fast moving and gripping story of police, family, and above all, love. (No, NOT sappy!) I recommend to all my friends and family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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