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Daggers & Steele #5
Crucible Steele
The temperature outside is dropping like a stone, but for Detective Jake Daggers, things are finally heating up. He’s on solid ground with his partner, Steele, he’s overcome his personal demons, and his most recent homicide seems delightfully run-of-the-mill.
Until someone from Daggers’ past rears his unwelcome head.
Now secrets are being unearthed, like roots of a fallen tree—one that could be rotten to its core. And it’s Daggers doing the digging, without anyone to watch his back.
A chill wind blows, and snowflakes are falling. They burn—like droplets of CRUCIBLE STEELE.
Until someone from Daggers’ past rears his unwelcome head.
Now secrets are being unearthed, like roots of a fallen tree—one that could be rotten to its core. And it’s Daggers doing the digging, without anyone to watch his back.
A chill wind blows, and snowflakes are falling. They burn—like droplets of CRUCIBLE STEELE.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2016
28 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Alex P. Berg
32 books97 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. (Still good!)
2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not very good...)
1 = Unfortunately, I hated this book. (Real bad!)
DNFs get no star rating.
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. (Still good!)
2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not very good...)
1 = Unfortunately, I hated this book. (Real bad!)
DNFs get no star rating.
Connect with me at: www.alexpberg.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 6, 2017
As a general rule, if you write a series centered, at least in part, around two characters who grow closer and closer as the series progresses, the last thing you want to do is tell a story that involves splitting those two characters up.
See Castle season 8.
But Crucible Steele, the fifth book in the Daggers & Steele series, not only bucks that rule, it manages to tell a gripping tale in the process. Alex P. Berg gives protagonist Jake Daggers some real depth in this book, which is the real strength of this entry, and he even manages to develop Daggers' relationship with Steele even further.
Not bad, considering they spend not even half the book in each others' presence.
The case harkens back to someone from Daggers' past, and he finds himself facing some tough, almost impossible, choices. This is the darkest of the series so far, and while the shift in tone might be off-putting to some, it's not so jarring that it detracts from the story. In fact, Daggers himself makes sure things never get too dark.
Corrupt cops, organized crime, modern-day noir feel... in a lot of ways, Crucible Steele embodies the crime procedural. But Berg's attention to detail, his ability to keep his characters at the center of everything, makes this entry far more than the paint-by-numbers cop caper it could've turned into.
Next toTime to Steele, Crucible Steele is the best of the series so far. This is still a pleasant, at-time whimsical read, a mystery that doesn't waste its time getting lost in the weeds and makes sure to give you the same character moments you've come to expect from this series. Berg has another winner here -- this one with a good bit of meat on the bone.
See Castle season 8.
But Crucible Steele, the fifth book in the Daggers & Steele series, not only bucks that rule, it manages to tell a gripping tale in the process. Alex P. Berg gives protagonist Jake Daggers some real depth in this book, which is the real strength of this entry, and he even manages to develop Daggers' relationship with Steele even further.
Not bad, considering they spend not even half the book in each others' presence.
The case harkens back to someone from Daggers' past, and he finds himself facing some tough, almost impossible, choices. This is the darkest of the series so far, and while the shift in tone might be off-putting to some, it's not so jarring that it detracts from the story. In fact, Daggers himself makes sure things never get too dark.
Corrupt cops, organized crime, modern-day noir feel... in a lot of ways, Crucible Steele embodies the crime procedural. But Berg's attention to detail, his ability to keep his characters at the center of everything, makes this entry far more than the paint-by-numbers cop caper it could've turned into.
Next toTime to Steele, Crucible Steele is the best of the series so far. This is still a pleasant, at-time whimsical read, a mystery that doesn't waste its time getting lost in the weeds and makes sure to give you the same character moments you've come to expect from this series. Berg has another winner here -- this one with a good bit of meat on the bone.
August 22, 2020
While this story went a slightly different direction, with Daggers mostly on his own, the story was well written and really pulled me in. The growth in the relationship between Daggers and Steel was also enjoyable and well done.
Between a good plot, lots of action and great character interaction, this was quite a page turner.
Between a good plot, lots of action and great character interaction, this was quite a page turner.
August 12, 2017
Campy series continues to please..
Daggers and Steele are like Rina Lazarus and Peter Decker, but they are both cops and Steele is a half-elf. This installment sees their partnership reach a new level, and a new mysterious foe emerges..
Daggers and Steele are like Rina Lazarus and Peter Decker, but they are both cops and Steele is a half-elf. This installment sees their partnership reach a new level, and a new mysterious foe emerges..
May 11, 2017
Very good series
This is my favorite book of the series so far! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a twist on the grizzled detective mystery.
This is my favorite book of the series so far! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a twist on the grizzled detective mystery.
July 28, 2017
Urban Fantasy at its finest.
December 28, 2017
Another enjoyable mystery. Best read in order to keep up with the interpersonal relationships of our lead characters. Silly, funny and clever.
February 24, 2020
What an amazing series as good as Glenn Cooks the Garret files
What an amazing series as good as Glenn Cooks the Garret Files, I suggest it for everyone who likes fantasy.
What an amazing series as good as Glenn Cooks the Garret Files, I suggest it for everyone who likes fantasy.
June 12, 2016
Yet another charming episode in the series...
.....literally. My analogy for this series of books is as follows: picture yourself in front of your TV watching your favorite Cop show. For an hour you get to spend time with characters you like, enjoying the snappy dialogue and watching a mystery get solved. Of course this is TV, so the fantasy production values aren't that complex. But all the other stuff makes up for it. In the end, you can't wait till next week. Try it.
.....literally. My analogy for this series of books is as follows: picture yourself in front of your TV watching your favorite Cop show. For an hour you get to spend time with characters you like, enjoying the snappy dialogue and watching a mystery get solved. Of course this is TV, so the fantasy production values aren't that complex. But all the other stuff makes up for it. In the end, you can't wait till next week. Try it.
March 1, 2016
Mystery noir with humor. Perfect.
Yes it's corny and cliched to a degree. But it is deliberately so, since it is written exceptionally well. It's fun, lighthearted and occasionally deep- unexpectedly so. Read it.
Yes it's corny and cliched to a degree. But it is deliberately so, since it is written exceptionally well. It's fun, lighthearted and occasionally deep- unexpectedly so. Read it.
June 17, 2016
I absoutely love this series. Each one has been getting better and better.
I really enjoy the mix of gumshoe and fantasy and the characters are wonderful. I can't wait to start the next one. If you are reading this, the series is worth starting.
I really enjoy the mix of gumshoe and fantasy and the characters are wonderful. I can't wait to start the next one. If you are reading this, the series is worth starting.
March 15, 2016
This is the best book in the series. The characters are well established and the action/adventure is great .
June 27, 2016
This series keeps getting better and better!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews