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Daggers & Steele #3
Time to Steele
Detective Jake Daggers doesn’t care for the unexpected, so he’s perfectly content when he and his half-elf partner Shay Steele’s next case seems to involve nothing more than a madman with a hammer.That’s when a dude in a purple bathrobe shows up claiming to be from the future.Now the body count’s rising, and Daggers is forced to enlist the self-professed time traveler’s help in navigating uncharted waters rife with elven prostitutes, bratty gnomes, and undiscovered magics.Can Daggers and Steele catch the killer in time, or will they have to find TIME TO STEELE?
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2015
28 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Alex P. Berg
32 books99 followersHi! I'm mystery, fantasy, and science fiction author Alex P. Berg. Be sure to check out my bestselling Daggers & Steele series, a fun, fast-paced fantasy/noir mystery hybrid! I've also written urban fantasy, epic sci-fi, and more.
My review rating system is as follows:
5 = Amazing, I absolutely loved it! (Fantastic!)
4 = A very good book, although I had a few quibbles with it. (Great!)
3 = A book I liked, but either it had a few more serious problems or I didn't connect well with it. (Good!)
2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not good...)
1 = I hated or DNF'ed this book. (Real bad!)
Connect with me at: www.alexpberg.com
My review rating system is as follows:
5 = Amazing, I absolutely loved it! (Fantastic!)
4 = A very good book, although I had a few quibbles with it. (Great!)
3 = A book I liked, but either it had a few more serious problems or I didn't connect well with it. (Good!)
2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not good...)
1 = I hated or DNF'ed this book. (Real bad!)
Connect with me at: www.alexpberg.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 27, 2017
Time to Steele (Daggers & Steele #3) by Alex P. Berg is another get book in the series. I like them better in audible version because the narrator adds such great depth to the books but they are still good. This one would probably a 5 star with the narrator.
I love the characters and how they interact with each other. They are fun, energetic, great dialogue, great action, adventure, and always a great story. The fantasy if just right too. Truly fun books to read or listen to! One great series.
I love the characters and how they interact with each other. They are fun, energetic, great dialogue, great action, adventure, and always a great story. The fantasy if just right too. Truly fun books to read or listen to! One great series.
June 7, 2017
The first two installments of Alex P. Berg's Daggers & Steele series were damn fine books, fun supernatural murder mysteries. But with Time to Steele, the third book in the series, I feel like Berg has really hit his stride.
The mystery in Time is more complicated than the first two books, but it's neither contrived, confusing, nor convoluted. I don't necessarily read books like this trying to guess for myself who the killer is, but I found myself doing that while flipping through the pages. Berg's way with words is again on full display here, and he continues to create and flesh out a lively supernatural world that's just enough like our own to easily envision such a place might actually exist.
At times, this book reminded me of the Castle season 6 episode "Time Will Tell" -- and not just because of the supposed time-traveling witness. The dynamic between Daggers and Steele is starting to take shape and grow some depth, and Berg strikes just the right balance between development and patience. It's not a slow burn, but they're not rushing off into bed with each other, either.
Still, it's nice to see the way our partners are growing closer. It's an emotionally satisfying journey, even if we haven't reached the proverbial payoff yet. That's the thing with character and relationship development; it occasionally takes time, and the good writers are the ones who make the journey just as much fun as the destination.
To risk another Castle comparison; right now, Daggers and Steele are sort of in mid-season 3 mode. Minus the impossibly square-jawed loser doctor with the motorcycle.
Some of the pacing issues from the first two books were ironed out in Time to Steele, and the result is another delightful read, one that is both tons of fun and intriguing in its own right. Berg's twist on the murder mystery genre is a breath of fresh air, and it's proof that a writer needn't come up with a grand idea to be original. Just the smallest twist, complete with well-written characters, can do wonders.
The mystery in Time is more complicated than the first two books, but it's neither contrived, confusing, nor convoluted. I don't necessarily read books like this trying to guess for myself who the killer is, but I found myself doing that while flipping through the pages. Berg's way with words is again on full display here, and he continues to create and flesh out a lively supernatural world that's just enough like our own to easily envision such a place might actually exist.
At times, this book reminded me of the Castle season 6 episode "Time Will Tell" -- and not just because of the supposed time-traveling witness. The dynamic between Daggers and Steele is starting to take shape and grow some depth, and Berg strikes just the right balance between development and patience. It's not a slow burn, but they're not rushing off into bed with each other, either.
Still, it's nice to see the way our partners are growing closer. It's an emotionally satisfying journey, even if we haven't reached the proverbial payoff yet. That's the thing with character and relationship development; it occasionally takes time, and the good writers are the ones who make the journey just as much fun as the destination.
To risk another Castle comparison; right now, Daggers and Steele are sort of in mid-season 3 mode. Minus the impossibly square-jawed loser doctor with the motorcycle.
Some of the pacing issues from the first two books were ironed out in Time to Steele, and the result is another delightful read, one that is both tons of fun and intriguing in its own right. Berg's twist on the murder mystery genre is a breath of fresh air, and it's proof that a writer needn't come up with a grand idea to be original. Just the smallest twist, complete with well-written characters, can do wonders.
June 12, 2015
Intriguing
Steele and Daggers just keep getting better and better. I enjoyed this murder mystery starring hard-boiled Detective Daggers and his partner, half-elven Detective Steele. There's a lot of head bashing and plot twists, as well as - never mind, I'll let you find out for yourself.
Steele and Daggers just keep getting better and better. I enjoyed this murder mystery starring hard-boiled Detective Daggers and his partner, half-elven Detective Steele. There's a lot of head bashing and plot twists, as well as - never mind, I'll let you find out for yourself.
June 30, 2015
Love is in the air - and so is murder. And let's not forget the wise-cracks! Just my kind of book!
July 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this third book in this series - full of excitement, thrills and amusing quips between the characters.
When a man is found brutally tortured and murdered, it's up to Detectives Daggers and Steele to find out who and why, but this first murder inevitably leads them to a connected second, where they find an intruder, the same intruder who also appeared at the first murder scene. An intruder who claims he is from the future and has to stop the murders from happening, although he is way too late on these two now! Of course, his claim sounds ludicrous, but maybe using his time travelling powers is the only way they can find the culprit and prevent any more murders from happening.
I loved the interaction between the characters in this book and finally Daggers accepts his feelings for Steele, but will she reciprocate them? I guess we'll find out more in the next book!
When a man is found brutally tortured and murdered, it's up to Detectives Daggers and Steele to find out who and why, but this first murder inevitably leads them to a connected second, where they find an intruder, the same intruder who also appeared at the first murder scene. An intruder who claims he is from the future and has to stop the murders from happening, although he is way too late on these two now! Of course, his claim sounds ludicrous, but maybe using his time travelling powers is the only way they can find the culprit and prevent any more murders from happening.
I loved the interaction between the characters in this book and finally Daggers accepts his feelings for Steele, but will she reciprocate them? I guess we'll find out more in the next book!
April 15, 2025
"Time to Steele" by Alex P. Berg started off strong, pulling me in with its engaging premise. There were moments I truly enjoyed, and the story had a solid pace. However, as the novel progressed, the author seemed to introduce too many red herrings. By the time I reached the conclusion, it felt like Berg had lost track of the various plot threads, ultimately resorting to a quick, almost magical resolution that left more questions unanswered than resolved. For me, that was a letdown, and it’s the main reason I couldn’t give it a higher rating.
September 16, 2018
This third book in the Daggers and Steele series wasn't as nicely crafted as the first two I've read, but the characters have shown some growth during this journey. The storyline was a bit confusing, as attempted twists just start making the reader confused. The pace was as fast as previous novels, but it was like redlining a sports car in neutral.
July 12, 2017
Great next book in the series. An ending that doesn't get all wrapped up in a bow, but still ends on a good note. A deepening understanding of not only Daggers and Steele but the supporting characters as well. This is turning into something better and better. Well done.
April 26, 2018
Intriguing, you will love Daggers and his partner Steele plot is easy to read, you feel like you are riding along with them. Murder, wise cracks, interesting dialog along the way. Each book in series gets better, well done, readers will definitely enjoy this series.
July 13, 2017
I'm really enjoying this series. It has everything I love in UF: solid mystery, well-balanced characters and romance, humor and great world-building. I love it.
May 11, 2018
favourite so far due to daggers and Steele character development. otherwise standard writing but enjoyable to read
July 19, 2018
So far the best of the first three. Love the way it shows a male thought process of trying to understand his female work partner.
End of the book finally pulls the threads of the story together.
End of the book finally pulls the threads of the story together.
August 3, 2018
Another fun adventure with these likeable characters
Lots of twists and turns, chortle, chases, and culinary references to kolaches. I've enjoyed all the books in the series.
Lots of twists and turns, chortle, chases, and culinary references to kolaches. I've enjoyed all the books in the series.
December 14, 2019
Good fun read. We are getting the know all the characters better.
The building relationship between Daggers and Steele is a lot of fun. The mystery was well done and the writing is enjoyable.
The building relationship between Daggers and Steele is a lot of fun. The mystery was well done and the writing is enjoyable.
May 29, 2015
In this, the third of the Steele books the crime fighting duo are out to solve the mystery of a time travelling assassin who is leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. In between clues Detective Daggers continues to come to grips with his attraction to his partner and generally whipping himself into shape. A fun series with lots of quips and fantasy action that will make fans of Simon R. Green and Glenn Cook happy they came along for the ride.
July 18, 2016
I enjoyed this fantasy mystery/romance. It's in the same vein as the two previous stories. The MC is a detective, has a partner and crew, and a case to solve. This one possibly involves time travel.
The MC is also trying to work up the courage to ask out his partner for a date.
The ending leaves a little to the reader's imagination, or else I misunderstood.
The MC is also trying to work up the courage to ask out his partner for a date.
The ending leaves a little to the reader's imagination, or else I misunderstood.
August 23, 2016
I enjoyed this book, though not as much as the previous two. Not enough to knock it down to three stars, but it was close. One I felt there was too much time spent on Daggers acting like a middle schooler with a crush. It didn't add anything to the story and annoyed me. Second, I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending. I wanted a little more closure.
June 16, 2015
interesting..set in an alternate universe. part steampunk, part mystery....good characters. but this plot lacked definition. I liked the way it left the main character with questions about reality.
August 5, 2015
great read, can't wait for # 4.
July 1, 2016
I was a great read . I think Daggers and Steel are a good pair.Keeping
each other in check was funny and always had wit to the gestures.
The story of the homicides were intriguing.
each other in check was funny and always had wit to the gestures.
The story of the homicides were intriguing.
February 29, 2016
This series is more and more reminding me of Castle. I'm enjoying it still!
April 5, 2016
hilarious and sweet
The fact I can get it right away with a lot more fun and addicting and I don't think that
The fact I can get it right away with a lot more fun and addicting and I don't think that
May 4, 2016
Another great read. I'm enjoying the neuances of how the world works in the books. The characters are genuine and I can't wait to read the next one.
April 23, 2017
3.5 stars. I enjoyed it, but Daggers is worrying a bit too much about "what Steele meant by that" stuff in this one. He is mellowing, so he is less of a jerk, but now he is mooning a bit. lol.
The mystery was interesting and out of left field and I loved how it wrapped up.
Looking forward to the next one!
The mystery was interesting and out of left field and I loved how it wrapped up.
Looking forward to the next one!
Read
June 15, 2017A great fantasy mystery. I loved the character development and interaction. The story line is well done and I did not figure out who had committed the murders until the end. This is a very entertaining story best I have read in months.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews