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Behead Me
Retired FBI agent Cliff Knowles thought he was being hired by a Fortune 500 company just to find out why their sales of spare parts were down. He soon learns that where there's money there's mayhem - and murder. His investigation brings him to southwestern Utah where he finds that an employee of the company he's investigating recently lost his head - literally. Coincidence? Not a chance. When Cliff decides to venture into the desert to hunt a geocache, he is unaware that he is being hunted, too. In this harrowing tale of greed and guile, Cliff's survival depends on his only weapon - his wits. Cliff's FBI agent wife, Ellen Kennedy, returns to work after her maternity leave ready to pursue criminals of all stripes. Instead she finds that she is assigned to a convicted drug dealer and heroin addict who once attacked Cliff, but to investigate her for an entirely unexpected reason - to help her get a presidential pardon! Once again Cliff and Ellen end up working together pursuing justice and geocaches in their own inimitable style. Behead Me is a standalone book and, like all the other Cliff Knowles Mysteries, can be enjoyed without having read any of the earlier books.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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January 16, 2017Plot Summary:
The story is about a multi-millionaire company, API, which starts encountering huge losses all of a sudden. Primary research about the cause of the losses indicates that a competitor has taken over and is performing exceptionally well which causes API to incur losses. However, the VP and sales head soon conclude that it is not possible for the competitor to sell products of a fine quality at such low prices which opens way for foul play. They soon summon Cliff Knowles, a former FBI agent and now a private detective, to investigate the matter.
Cliff is a family man, married to Ellen, an FBI agent herself. The couple also has an infant child. Both Cliff and Ellen are working on their own cases. However, the API case soon gets bigger and more mysterious day by day and Cliff’s investigation even leads him to find out about an alleged murder in another city. The murder case also ropes in FBI for the investigation and soon Cliff and Ellen, along with several other federal agents, work together to uncover the secret of API’s malicious competitor and the accused in the murder.
Writing Style:
The writing style isn’t much complicated and is to the point. The author has smartly avoided undue details and long descriptions which keeps the book interesting right till the end. Although some of the FBI terms and rules explained by the author may be a bit difficult to understand, it doesn’t hamper the speed of reading or curb the reader’s interest. The book is written in such a way that it maintains the mystery throughout and raises one’s excitement level in the climax.
My Perception:
Since I have always loved detective and mystery books, I must admit that I loved this book too! It has thrill, suspense, mystery, action and everything in it to keep you glued to it. I must also admit here that I have read several murder mysteries previously but nothing like this book offers. The book is about a trade secret theft, which is unique and thrilling in its own way. If you love mystery books, this one can be a great read!
Read full review here: http://www.haloofbooks.com/behead-cli...
The story is about a multi-millionaire company, API, which starts encountering huge losses all of a sudden. Primary research about the cause of the losses indicates that a competitor has taken over and is performing exceptionally well which causes API to incur losses. However, the VP and sales head soon conclude that it is not possible for the competitor to sell products of a fine quality at such low prices which opens way for foul play. They soon summon Cliff Knowles, a former FBI agent and now a private detective, to investigate the matter.
Cliff is a family man, married to Ellen, an FBI agent herself. The couple also has an infant child. Both Cliff and Ellen are working on their own cases. However, the API case soon gets bigger and more mysterious day by day and Cliff’s investigation even leads him to find out about an alleged murder in another city. The murder case also ropes in FBI for the investigation and soon Cliff and Ellen, along with several other federal agents, work together to uncover the secret of API’s malicious competitor and the accused in the murder.
Writing Style:
The writing style isn’t much complicated and is to the point. The author has smartly avoided undue details and long descriptions which keeps the book interesting right till the end. Although some of the FBI terms and rules explained by the author may be a bit difficult to understand, it doesn’t hamper the speed of reading or curb the reader’s interest. The book is written in such a way that it maintains the mystery throughout and raises one’s excitement level in the climax.
My Perception:
Since I have always loved detective and mystery books, I must admit that I loved this book too! It has thrill, suspense, mystery, action and everything in it to keep you glued to it. I must also admit here that I have read several murder mysteries previously but nothing like this book offers. The book is about a trade secret theft, which is unique and thrilling in its own way. If you love mystery books, this one can be a great read!
Read full review here: http://www.haloofbooks.com/behead-cli...
November 28, 2016
See this and all of my reviews at Mystereity Reviews
Retired FBI agent Cliff Knowles is hired by a company to investigate possible theft of proprietary industrial plans, an investigation that leads him to shady business dealings, danger, and even murder.
Before you ask, Behead Me refers to a word puzzle. No blood and guts here, Behead Me is an engaging and absorbing mystery that will quickly draw you in and keep you turning pages. Cliff is an unflappable investigator, and I enjoyed how his methodology was neatly laid out. This wasn't one of those super-cop-hunches kind of solves, it was a realistic procedural, and I really enjoyed how Cliff ferreted out the smallest details and connected them to another case, and the presidential pardon sub-plot was heartwarming and added some human dimension to the story. Cliff's geo-caching adventure in the desert and the high speed chase at the end added a lot of action kept me on the edge of my seat.
I haven't read the other books in the series, so I can safely say that this book can be read as a standalone, or as an entry into the series. The few references to prior books were minor and didn't cause any confusion.
Overall, Behead Me is an intriguing and fascinating read and I definitely recommend it for fans of mysteries and procedurals.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
Retired FBI agent Cliff Knowles is hired by a company to investigate possible theft of proprietary industrial plans, an investigation that leads him to shady business dealings, danger, and even murder.
Before you ask, Behead Me refers to a word puzzle. No blood and guts here, Behead Me is an engaging and absorbing mystery that will quickly draw you in and keep you turning pages. Cliff is an unflappable investigator, and I enjoyed how his methodology was neatly laid out. This wasn't one of those super-cop-hunches kind of solves, it was a realistic procedural, and I really enjoyed how Cliff ferreted out the smallest details and connected them to another case, and the presidential pardon sub-plot was heartwarming and added some human dimension to the story. Cliff's geo-caching adventure in the desert and the high speed chase at the end added a lot of action kept me on the edge of my seat.
I haven't read the other books in the series, so I can safely say that this book can be read as a standalone, or as an entry into the series. The few references to prior books were minor and didn't cause any confusion.
Overall, Behead Me is an intriguing and fascinating read and I definitely recommend it for fans of mysteries and procedurals.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
March 7, 2020
It's been a busy year of geocaching for me so far, but I had some down time and decided to use it reading a Cliff Knowles story. As usual, the geocaching is spot on. I enjoyed the book, it was a story well told, though I did spot a few typos, so I'd suggest another pass by a proofreader or editor may be appropriate.
I always find a book more approachable and satisfying to read when it includes things I know or relate to. Since I also do geocaching, that aspect has drawn me in. I've driven through and lived in some of the cities around San Francisco and Silicon Valley, so I can relate to the traffic, cost of housing and geography as described. The FBI investigative procedures and the difficulties of building a case in a complex case is understandable, but unfamiliar enough to pique my interest.
I'd recommend this book as a fun read, especially for a geocacher.
I always find a book more approachable and satisfying to read when it includes things I know or relate to. Since I also do geocaching, that aspect has drawn me in. I've driven through and lived in some of the cities around San Francisco and Silicon Valley, so I can relate to the traffic, cost of housing and geography as described. The FBI investigative procedures and the difficulties of building a case in a complex case is understandable, but unfamiliar enough to pique my interest.
I'd recommend this book as a fun read, especially for a geocacher.
June 14, 2017
A nice addition to the Cliff Knowles series
Not my favorite of the series but a good read. People change and sometimes it's hard for law enforcement to accept this could be for the good...I like how it was addressed. Having a CHP for a dad I have heard many a tale with similar situation but not so similar results. Interesting outcome for the 'bad guys' choices.
Not my favorite of the series but a good read. People change and sometimes it's hard for law enforcement to accept this could be for the good...I like how it was addressed. Having a CHP for a dad I have heard many a tale with similar situation but not so similar results. Interesting outcome for the 'bad guys' choices.
January 2, 2021
This book deals with a number of storylines. There are said to be heading of someone bye I hit and run. There is industrial espionage. There was attempted murder on Cliff Knowles. And of course there is geocaching. This is a good book stretching from California to Las Vegas to Utah. Cliff gets to be in a high-speed chase with one of the suspects while Ellen is in the passenger seat.
May 6, 2016
Saw this at the semi local geocaching store and had to get it to add to the collection. I liked this better than the last one. The plot seemed to flow good. Geocaching was utilized as a great tool in the book. Not contributing to the necessary plot line per say, but as an addition to. Made Cliff seem a bit more real combining business and personal desires while on a trip. Good story overall, and a nice tight standalone book. Quick and easy read.
May 15, 2016
Behead Me, A Cliff Knowles Mystery (The Cliff Knowles Mysteries Book 6)by Russell Atkinson was by far the best one in the series. Mr. Atkinson has honed his craft to the extent that the story flowed along easily and kept this reader engaged to the extent I read and enjoyed in over two days. Even though this is the 6th in the series, it could easily be picked up and read without having read the previous books. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys mysteries.
July 2, 2016
Great read; Atkinson still improving!
These Cliff Knowles books keep getting better. The plots were always pretty good, but the writing style is improving noticeably. I can't decide if I like the fact the Cliff seems to often make the dumbest choices with minor details of his marriage or not. It makes him more realistic, I guess.
These Cliff Knowles books keep getting better. The plots were always pretty good, but the writing style is improving noticeably. I can't decide if I like the fact the Cliff seems to often make the dumbest choices with minor details of his marriage or not. It makes him more realistic, I guess.
July 1, 2016
Good reading
I got the first three books at a geocaching event and after reading one I knew I was hooked. It has just the right amount of mystery and humor to keep you interested. And I love that includes my hobby geocaching.
I got the first three books at a geocaching event and after reading one I knew I was hooked. It has just the right amount of mystery and humor to keep you interested. And I love that includes my hobby geocaching.
January 30, 2018
This was the best book in the series. Personally, I don't like the title. After a death early in the book that results in a beheading by windshield glass, the word behead was later used as part of a text riddle for a geocache puzzle. This put aside, several plot lines were nicely weaved together. A few geocaches were found, with danger in the desert from a spooked horse, followed with hiking with heat, dehydration, and a scorpion (whatever did happen to take scorpion sting anyway?). Story line includes semiconductor manufacturing, counterfeit parts (a huge deal in semiconductor manufacturing), inside FBI activities, a felony pardon review, and better developed characters and connections. I did feel like I could have outed Cliff in an instant when he posed as a quality consultant, yet it was close enough to believable when dealing with management. I liked Ellen's character as well. More geocaching was incorporated towards the end to complete an important part of the overall story. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews