Tool: Taggart McGill Mystery #3

by D.L. Hammons

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2026

About the author

DL Hammons wrote his first piece of fiction decades ago to impress a girl (he was moderately successful) and never looked back.

Growing up as a military brat, DL moved around quite a bit as a kid. After graduating from LSU and raising a family in several southern states, he now makes his home in Central Arkansas, where he has spent the last dozen years perfecting his voice, splitting his writing time between YA and Adult Mystery/Suspense. Besides being an author, DL claims that the most interesting thing about him is that he lacks a sense of smell. Other passions include (but are not limited to) his family (including his two mini-Australian Sheppards), music, movies, video gaming, and cool weather camping.

MOVING FEAR - his YA Supernatural Horror debut is due out early 2026.

Reviews

[Renee Benavente · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book in the Taggart McGill Mystery series was absolutely incredible, and it was definitely my favorite of the three. Although I gave all three books five stars, this one completely surprised me. I could not figure out who the killer was, and with so many suspects and moving pieces, the ending left me speechless.

Without giving away any spoilers, this story follows Taggart, Cassie, and their three friends—Delta, Chewy, and Tunes—as they once again find themselves caught in the middle of a murder and another mystery to solve.

My heart broke for Taggart in this book. He has been through so much in his life, and I loved seeing the way Cassie stands by his side through it all.

I give the entire series five stars. Each book features a different mystery while also allowing readers to experience the characters’ growth along the way.

This isn’t just a thriller series—it’s also a story about friendship, love, and kindness, which makes it even more special.

[Hijabi_booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I hated saying goodbye to these characters, but that's the mark of a truly great series. I've loved watching them grow, overcome challenges, and build meaningful relationships throughout all three books. By the end, they felt like friends I'd been on the journey with from the very beginning. Tool was a satisfying conclusion, full of heart, growth, and emotion. D.L. Hammons created characters I'll genuinely miss, and I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for an engaging, character-driven read.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

TOOL is a tense, intelligent slow burn where perception is as dangerous as evidence. Hammons crafts a world where morality is blurred, loyalties are fragile, and truth cuts deeper than any weapon. A sharp, unsettling finale that lingers long after the last line.