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Tool: Taggart McGill Mystery #3
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2026
About the author
D.L. Hammons
7 books232 followersDL 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.
BOGO - his follow up to TWIST is due out December 2026.
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.
BOGO - his follow up to TWIST is due out December 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 2, 2026
Wow! What an ending to this series!
Twisty, emotional, heartfelt, a bit of humor, and an ending that left me feeling some sort of way.
The seemless flow of this story was perfect. The pacing ebbs and flows, but picks up at just the right spots to keep you engaged.
I'm sad to see the series end! Love thr scooby gang and their growth throughout the books.
Favorite quotes:
"The public is so quick to place a negative label on things, or people they don’t understand.”
"Everyone wants to stand out in one way or another, to separate themselves from the pack, yet we spend a lot of time and effort trying to fit in."
"Live your life by your rules, nobody else’s. If someone objects… Fuck’em."
Twisty, emotional, heartfelt, a bit of humor, and an ending that left me feeling some sort of way.
The seemless flow of this story was perfect. The pacing ebbs and flows, but picks up at just the right spots to keep you engaged.
I'm sad to see the series end! Love thr scooby gang and their growth throughout the books.
Favorite quotes:
"The public is so quick to place a negative label on things, or people they don’t understand.”
"Everyone wants to stand out in one way or another, to separate themselves from the pack, yet we spend a lot of time and effort trying to fit in."
"Live your life by your rules, nobody else’s. If someone objects… Fuck’em."
July 31, 2026
It was so nice to finally get to read the conclusion to this series. I've almost completely switched what genre I read since I finished the first two, but it was nice to return to a mystery for a bit.
I adore this gang, and I'm so glad the author chose to keep them all together for the last book. I would have missed Tunes, Chewy, and Delta way too much if we hadn't gotten to spend time with them in this one. It felt like returning to old friends, and I love their dynamic together.
Now the story itself wasn't as strong as the previous two, it felt like it was all a bit too easy and like the gang was never in any serious danger, but it was still a solid read. It's been a treat to follow Taggart through these and he's gone through such a great character development. I love how he can now accept that he doesn't need to do everything on his own and that his friends got his back. He needs them, and I love that he accepts that.
Which is why I'm not a fan of the ending. I understand it, but I don't think it stays true to his character arc. I also don't think the epilogue tied it together as well as I hoped it would, but at least it gave us some hope for the future.
Overall it was a solid way to end this series, tho nowhere near as good as the previous two. Still, I'm glad to have followed them through these books, and if the epilogue had been a bit longer and a little bit more satisfying, it would have been another five star read just for how much I love this bunch.
I adore this gang, and I'm so glad the author chose to keep them all together for the last book. I would have missed Tunes, Chewy, and Delta way too much if we hadn't gotten to spend time with them in this one. It felt like returning to old friends, and I love their dynamic together.
Now the story itself wasn't as strong as the previous two, it felt like it was all a bit too easy and like the gang was never in any serious danger, but it was still a solid read. It's been a treat to follow Taggart through these and he's gone through such a great character development. I love how he can now accept that he doesn't need to do everything on his own and that his friends got his back. He needs them, and I love that he accepts that.
Which is why I'm not a fan of the ending. I understand it, but I don't think it stays true to his character arc. I also don't think the epilogue tied it together as well as I hoped it would, but at least it gave us some hope for the future.
Overall it was a solid way to end this series, tho nowhere near as good as the previous two. Still, I'm glad to have followed them through these books, and if the epilogue had been a bit longer and a little bit more satisfying, it would have been another five star read just for how much I love this bunch.
August 19, 2026
6 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a huugggeeee fan of books 1 & 2 in the Taggart McGill series, it’s safe to say… I did, in fact, cry. 😭
Words can’t express how honored I am to have been here to witness the journey these characters have gone through and to see just how much they’ve grown from the first book all the way to the final page.
Not only did we get the gang back together, but we got another manhunt, a series of unexpected surprises, and a mystery that brings our beloved characters together for one final case that was truly the perfect—and most emotional—goodbye.
It was fun, fast-paced, and well-written, and the clues, or “breadcrumbs” as the author calls them, sprinkled throughout the book were so much fun to spot. I’ve known these characters for three books now, and I’ve had the opportunity to read many books from this author, yet somehow, I STILL fail to see the twist coming at the end. 🤣
You would’ve thought I would have learned my lesson not to trust D.L. Hammons by now, but here he goes, pulling the rug right out from under my feet yet again, and I could not be more thankful for it.
It hurts to say goodbye, but it’s also such a bittersweet way to close one chapter. And thanks to me—you guys get the epilogue, which wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t kept pestering the author to give me one final chapter to say goodbye to my platonic soulmate. (Yes, Taggart and I are besties. I have it in writing. Ask the author. 😂)
Thank you so much, D.L. Hammons, for writing one of my absolute favorite mystery series and giving me some of the best characters I’ve ever bonded with on such a personal level. I’m honestly still mourning the loss now that I’ve closed the final book. 😭
As a wise person once said, this isn’t goodbye…
And I LOVE TAGGART MCGILL!!! ❤️
As a huugggeeee fan of books 1 & 2 in the Taggart McGill series, it’s safe to say… I did, in fact, cry. 😭
Words can’t express how honored I am to have been here to witness the journey these characters have gone through and to see just how much they’ve grown from the first book all the way to the final page.
Not only did we get the gang back together, but we got another manhunt, a series of unexpected surprises, and a mystery that brings our beloved characters together for one final case that was truly the perfect—and most emotional—goodbye.
It was fun, fast-paced, and well-written, and the clues, or “breadcrumbs” as the author calls them, sprinkled throughout the book were so much fun to spot. I’ve known these characters for three books now, and I’ve had the opportunity to read many books from this author, yet somehow, I STILL fail to see the twist coming at the end. 🤣
You would’ve thought I would have learned my lesson not to trust D.L. Hammons by now, but here he goes, pulling the rug right out from under my feet yet again, and I could not be more thankful for it.
It hurts to say goodbye, but it’s also such a bittersweet way to close one chapter. And thanks to me—you guys get the epilogue, which wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t kept pestering the author to give me one final chapter to say goodbye to my platonic soulmate. (Yes, Taggart and I are besties. I have it in writing. Ask the author. 😂)
Thank you so much, D.L. Hammons, for writing one of my absolute favorite mystery series and giving me some of the best characters I’ve ever bonded with on such a personal level. I’m honestly still mourning the loss now that I’ve closed the final book. 😭
As a wise person once said, this isn’t goodbye…
And I LOVE TAGGART MCGILL!!! ❤️
August 13, 2026
The Gang is Back!
I absolutely love this series! It’s like a modern version of Scooby doo! I feel like I have been waiting forever for this third and final book to come out. All I can say is that it was definitely worth the wait! It’s one of those books where you can’t put it down and when you have to, you can’t stop thinking about it. Highly recommend!
I absolutely love this series! It’s like a modern version of Scooby doo! I feel like I have been waiting forever for this third and final book to come out. All I can say is that it was definitely worth the wait! It’s one of those books where you can’t put it down and when you have to, you can’t stop thinking about it. Highly recommend!
August 1, 2026
I have really been enjoying this series. I really tend to read a lot of the same types of books so ones that are a bit different in their characters intrigues me.
Hope to read more by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hope to read more by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews