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“Williams, a marketing and advertising veteran, skillfully and realistically depicts the fast-paced atmospheres at the ad agency and the police department. He supports his convincing character relationships with quick, naturalistic dialogue, and uses humor with a light touch to help offset the story’s more grisly elements.” - Kirkus Reviews. "This clever, modern thriller is a study in contrasts. Gruesome images such as a human head impaled on a public park fence may threaten to turn your stomach, but before you get truly traumatized, experienced author Steve Williams will get you laughing at—and with—the folks faced with solving this hideous crime." - ForeWord Clarion Reviews.
When a human head is impaled on the wrought-iron fence of the Doyle Public Gardens, Detectives Sal Mitchell and Eddie Sandovan catch the case. The victim’s identity sheds no light on why he was murdered. Donald Kess was the president of a city college. His colleagues can’t fathom who would have wanted him dead. A second head appears, stuck brazenly on the fence surrounding city hall. Councilman Vic Danelli was a corrupt public official, with a predilection for strippers, bribes, and influence peddling. As Mitchell and Sandovan struggle to find a connection between the two brutal murders, Mitchell’s life is further complicated by the stress of his relationship with advertising executive Mya Laing. Mya and the ad agency she works for are in the middle of the industry’s biggest pitch of the year, for a brilliant Japanese industrialist and client from hell. Mya and the agency are pulling ninety-hour workweeks. Mitchell is doing the same. The pressure of the pitch intensifies when Mya’s agency is shortlisted for the $100 million account. The pressure of Mitchell’s case is ratcheted up when a third head is found, on the fence of the city’s cemetery. High-powered lawyer Thurstrum Carter is a partner in a firm whose DNA is a combination of pit bull and pit viper. There are plenty of people who may have wanted him dead. But there is still no common thread between the three murders. The media is having a feeding frenzy, excoriating the police for failing to make an arrest, while secretly hoping more heads will roll. As Mitchell and Sandovan dig deeper into the victims’ lives, they find the men had one thing in common. The detectives race to find out who the next target might be. At the height of the new business pitch between two bitter agency rivals, Mya is snatched from her condo in the dead of night. Mitchell assumes the worst, that Mya was kidnapped as leverage against him in his case. Mitchell shrewdly tracks down the killers, cracking their resolve and putting an end to their vendetta. Then he gets help from an extraordinary source in finding Mya, unknowingly leaving a loose end with the power to end his career.
"Williams, a marketing and advertising veteran, skillfully and realistically depicts the fast-paced atmospheres at the ad agency and the police department. He supports his convincing character relationships with quick, naturalistic dialogue, and uses humor with a light touch to help offset the story’s more grisly elements. Indeed, this enjoyable novel’s main shortcoming is that it feels too short. While the story has a gratifying ending, readers may wish they were able to spend a bit more time with the characters." – Kirkus Reviews
When a human head is impaled on the wrought-iron fence of the Doyle Public Gardens, Detectives Sal Mitchell and Eddie Sandovan catch the case. The victim’s identity sheds no light on why he was murdered. Donald Kess was the president of a city college. His colleagues can’t fathom who would have wanted him dead. A second head appears, stuck brazenly on the fence surrounding city hall. Councilman Vic Danelli was a corrupt public official, with a predilection for strippers, bribes, and influence peddling. As Mitchell and Sandovan struggle to find a connection between the two brutal murders, Mitchell’s life is further complicated by the stress of his relationship with advertising executive Mya Laing. Mya and the ad agency she works for are in the middle of the industry’s biggest pitch of the year, for a brilliant Japanese industrialist and client from hell. Mya and the agency are pulling ninety-hour workweeks. Mitchell is doing the same. The pressure of the pitch intensifies when Mya’s agency is shortlisted for the $100 million account. The pressure of Mitchell’s case is ratcheted up when a third head is found, on the fence of the city’s cemetery. High-powered lawyer Thurstrum Carter is a partner in a firm whose DNA is a combination of pit bull and pit viper. There are plenty of people who may have wanted him dead. But there is still no common thread between the three murders. The media is having a feeding frenzy, excoriating the police for failing to make an arrest, while secretly hoping more heads will roll. As Mitchell and Sandovan dig deeper into the victims’ lives, they find the men had one thing in common. The detectives race to find out who the next target might be. At the height of the new business pitch between two bitter agency rivals, Mya is snatched from her condo in the dead of night. Mitchell assumes the worst, that Mya was kidnapped as leverage against him in his case. Mitchell shrewdly tracks down the killers, cracking their resolve and putting an end to their vendetta. Then he gets help from an extraordinary source in finding Mya, unknowingly leaving a loose end with the power to end his career.
"Williams, a marketing and advertising veteran, skillfully and realistically depicts the fast-paced atmospheres at the ad agency and the police department. He supports his convincing character relationships with quick, naturalistic dialogue, and uses humor with a light touch to help offset the story’s more grisly elements. Indeed, this enjoyable novel’s main shortcoming is that it feels too short. While the story has a gratifying ending, readers may wish they were able to spend a bit more time with the characters." – Kirkus Reviews
- GenresThriller
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2013
2 people are currently reading
728 people want to read
About the author
Steve Williams
7 books36 followersSteve Williams is a 25-year veteran of the advertising industry. He has created award-winning ads and commercials that have been recognized in Cannes, New York, Toronto and Los Angeles. He left his job as Chief Creative Officer at a national ad agency to concentrate on writing. He has been a marketing columnist and freelance writer, and is now based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (an hourʼs drive from the Rocky Mountains).
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 30, 2022
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This is a police procedural dealing with a serial killer who has committed a heinous killing and leaves the head of the victim on a gate near the police station. We follow the two man detective team while they attempt to find the killer, while people continue to disappear. We might even see the disappearance of someone they care about.
I really enjoyed this book. I was initially put off by the cover, because I thought for sure this would be a boy book, but there was also a cast of strong women, so it can appeal to everyone. The book mostly revolves around the detectives, but there is a side plot surrounding the girlfriend of one who is working to win the advertising business of a very rich and eccentric Japanese business man. The story behind the killings is interesting, even if it could have been a little bit more fleshed out. I enjoyed where it went and found it to be very enjoyable.
This is a police procedural dealing with a serial killer who has committed a heinous killing and leaves the head of the victim on a gate near the police station. We follow the two man detective team while they attempt to find the killer, while people continue to disappear. We might even see the disappearance of someone they care about.
I really enjoyed this book. I was initially put off by the cover, because I thought for sure this would be a boy book, but there was also a cast of strong women, so it can appeal to everyone. The book mostly revolves around the detectives, but there is a side plot surrounding the girlfriend of one who is working to win the advertising business of a very rich and eccentric Japanese business man. The story behind the killings is interesting, even if it could have been a little bit more fleshed out. I enjoyed where it went and found it to be very enjoyable.
May 27, 2020
Finding heads literally spiked on display leads the detectives to find a connection. Meanwhile Mya is trying to land the biggest client of the century for a product sale. Intriguing and edge of your seat excitement. Didn't realize it's second in a series, so I definitely want to read the first and third in this series for the characters to continue. The criminals in this book you can understand where they are coming from too.
July 27, 2018
A Hole in one.
This is a great thriller for those who enjoy a good golf tie in. There are interesting characters who work to solve some beheadings. At the same time, the lead detective`s girl friend is kidnapped. Is this connected or is there a different reason for the kidnapping. A good thriller with some interesting twists.
This is a great thriller for those who enjoy a good golf tie in. There are interesting characters who work to solve some beheadings. At the same time, the lead detective`s girl friend is kidnapped. Is this connected or is there a different reason for the kidnapping. A good thriller with some interesting twists.
July 27, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Win Copy
This is a quick paced thriller with golf references. A string of beheaded murders coincide with the kidnapping of one of the detectives’ girl friend. Is it tied in or is it a completely different story. You just have to read the story to find out the many twists in the story.
This is a quick paced thriller with golf references. A string of beheaded murders coincide with the kidnapping of one of the detectives’ girl friend. Is it tied in or is it a completely different story. You just have to read the story to find out the many twists in the story.
May 20, 2020
Good reading until the "Happily Ever After" ending.
June 2, 2020
Kept me reading til 3am. Couldn’t go to bed without finishing. Interesting blend of mixed morals.
April 7, 2023
I received this Kindle book from Goodreads.com in exchange for an honest review. 2.5* meh read. I’m not sure about all the high ratings on this book. I thought it was average writing.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews