KOP Killer

Juno Mozambe Mystery #3

by Warren Hammond

Juno is on a mission…

Juno Mozambe and former chief Paul Chang once ruled Lagarto’s most powerful police force. But that was before Juno’s badge was revoked. Before Paul was murdered. Now Juno wants to take back what’s his: the Koba Office of Police.

Realizing the need for reform, he plans to install his former partner, Maggie Orzo, as the new chief. An honest chief could be the key to setting Lagarto on a new path. A better path.

But a project this daring is complicated. The muscle comes from a crew of dirty cops. The funding from a risky protection racket. The determination from a man willing to break all of the rules.

KOP can be his again. Lagarto can change.

Until, one at a time, the members of Juno’s crew start getting beheaded….

Genres: Science Fiction, Mystery, Noir, Cyberpunk, Detective, Fiction, Dystopia

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2012

About the author

Warren grew up in the Hudson River Valley of New York State. Upon obtaining his teaching degree from the University at Albany, he moved to Colorado, married his wife Kathy, and settled in the Platt Park neighborhood of Denver where he can usually be found typing away at the local coffee shop or browsing the selection at the Tattered Cover.

His first novel, KOP, was published by Tor Books in 2007. Its sequel, Ex-KOP, is due to hit shelves in October of 2008. Currently, he is writing KOP Killer, the third book in the KOP series.

Splitting his time between devouring science fiction and classic crime noir, he lists among his important influences Arthur C. Clarke, Orson Scott Card, Jim Thompson and James Ellroy. Warren is a serious music listener, specializing in blues, reggae and surf.

Always eager to see new places, Warren and Kathy have traveled extensively. Whether it’s wildlife viewing in exotic locales like Botswana and the Galapagos Islands, or trekking in the Himalayas, they’re always up for a new adventure.

Series:
* Juno Mozambe Mystery

Reviews

[Mark Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, you say? Dystopian? For starters. “Kop Killer” is straight-ahead bleak. Nobody can stop Juno Mozambe. And nobody better try. His nemesis leaves a trail of vile acts only worthy of the distant planet of Lagarto, where this sci-noir-fi mashup takes place, six and a half centuries in the future. From page one, Juno is on a tear and “Kop Killer” barely takes a breath as he discovers murder scenes so horrific they make the Hannibal Lecter appear capable of only grade-school slime by comparison. The bad guy knows ways to double down on the concept of beheading. And he’s into sculpture. Let’s leave it at that.

Juno is, literally, handicapped. There are few worthy of trust. Others aren’t what they seem. Identities shift, presumptions are challenged.

What keeps this whole series so compelling is Juno’s sense of justice and what he must endure it to bring it home, overcoming a “lifetime full of mistakes” and “failures of courage and pride.” Out there on the lonely, forsaken planet of Lagarto so far in the future, it all comes down will and conviction, two of the most human traits of all. “Kop Killer” is not for the squeamish or easily offended. (Some images cannot be unread.) But it’s a gripping portrait of a brutal world and one man’s relentless campaign to put it back on a better trajectory.

I recommend reading all the "Kop" books in order to understand Juno's dark journey.

[Crowinator · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juno is one bad mother --
Shut your mouth!
I'm just talkin' 'bout Juno.

[Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/06/...

Juno Mozambe is gonna take KOP (Koba Office of Police) back, and the first step is taking over protection of a brothel that Emil Mota (Juno’s arch enemy) has already claimed. With a motley crew of dirty cops, and an ex-prostitute/bodyguard named Maria, Juno takes a stand against the nightly riots that accompany rolling blackouts that plunge the city of Koba into darkness. When Muto gets wind of this, he’s not amused, and Juno’s intimidation tactics aren’t working against him anymore. When the men of Juno’s crew begin turning up slaughtered in the most brutal ways, Juno knows he’s up against someone, and something, bigger than Muto. Along with his former partner (and honest cop) Maggie, he vows to get to the bottom of it, before another man dies, and KOP is corrupt for good.

There were a few times when I thought I knew where Kop Killer was going. I so didn’t. Really didn’t. Kop Killer is the third in a series featuring Juno Mozambe, but if you haven’t read the first two, that’s ok, because the author does a great job on catching you up on events without info dump, although you might miss out on some of the emotional resonance gained from reading the first two. Kop Killer is a wonderful mashup of police procedural, (very) dark noir, and some of the creepiest sci fi you’ll ever read. There’s humor here too, of the blackest kind, and you may find your mouth twisting into a slow, grim smile, since it kind of creeps up on you. Koba is a humid, sticky, fly and lizard ridden, leafy green mess of a city and it’s such a part of the narrative, it’s almost its own character. As Juno gets deeper into the gruesome murderers that seem to stick to him like flies (couldn’t help it), even the jaded ex-cop can’t believe how depraved this killer is. We’re talking shape shifters (not what you thinks), a creepy doctor performing the most awful of experiments (just…ugh), and a group of cops so corrupt your mind will spin. I love my gray heroes, and Juno fits firmly in with the best of them. His heart is in the right place, even as things fall to pieces around him, and he’s fiercely loyal. It will certainly take someone like Juno to bring down KOP and make things better for the people of Koba, and I promise you’ll enjoy this dark and scary ride!

[Tim Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disappointment! I really liked the first two.

I gave up on page 136. Juno has turned into the Black Knight from Monty Python. His shaky arm ends up amputated. A doctor's there to fix it, but Hard Boiled Juno ain't takin' no advice. He's blowing off questions. He discards his friends. He's warned that the pain blockers will wear off soon. He's all "oh yeah huh?" and fighting people one-on-three. He gets pounded again, spits out a couple teeth, and carries on. Soon, he loses a leg, but he tears a boat apart with his teeth and uses his good hand to make a splint. He replaces his lost weapon for the thirtieth time. Tracks a bad guy to a warehouse. Enters the warehouse through the wall (two feet from an open door). One of his eyes is ruined in the process, but Juno blinks until he can see. Maggie shows up to help but he tears her head off and throws it at the bad guy ... what? Those last parts didn't happen? Well, they were going to.

I understand that there's a good story under all this, about how far one is prepared to go to get a good result, and also a possibly interesting plot about whodunit all the grisly murders. I know this because I skimmed the reviews here. They also told me that Hammond decided to go all horror movie with the murders, and I don't care for that.

Good series goes off the rails.
Your mileage may vary.

[Trax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Welcome to 2789, the dark, gritty, crime-ridden future. I really think each book got progressively darker and nastier as it went. Loved them though.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the morally murky world of crime fiction police work can be like scuba diving. That’s because some cops commit or allow certain crimes in order to stop others. When this practice begins it can be hard to tell the difference between right and wrong. So the cop is like a scuba diver who’s been under the water too long and doesn’t know which direction the surface lies. These types of police detectives are crime fiction staples. You’ve seen them in cop shows like “The Shield” and the novels of James Ellroy. Juno Mozambe, the protagonist of Warren Hammond’s Kop series of future noir novels is just such a detective, but you’ve never seen anyone like him because Juno walks a different beat in a different time; the city of Koba on the impoverished and decadent jungle planet, Lagarto, in the 28th century.

Readers first met Juno in Hammond’s 2007 debut novel “Kop,” which also introduced his partner, honest cop Maggie Orzo. In 2008 Juno and Maggie reteamed for “Ex-Kop” another tale that found him tackling a heinous crime on his home world, but this time without the protection of a badge. The two previous novels are fascinating blends of hardboiled crime noir, and sci-fi dystopia, but Hammond’s latest Juno Mozambe novel, “Kop Killer” is perhaps his grittiest and most fascinating thriller yet.

You don’t have to have read Hammond’s other two novels to enjoy and understand “Kop Killer,” but I recommend them and if you do it adds to the tension and emotional pay offs of the book. In the first few pages you’re reintroduced to Juno and his new status quo. He’s still without a badge, but now he’s a man with a mission; helping his former partner take control of the corrupt Koba Office of Police. Unfortunately for Maggie, Juno has taken it upon himself to finance her campaign and help her establish a power base. His means of doing so, a unit of corrupt cops that he’s black mailed into helping him take control of a protection racket.

Complicating matters further is the fact that a corrupt and powerful police captain Emil Mota controls the protection racket Juno has his eyes on and he’s not willing to let it go without a vicious and bloody fight. Juno of course is up for a fight, but by fighting back he stumbles upon an insidious serial killer and a number of dark, gruesome, and horrific secrets. So before he knows it Juno and his allies are caught up in a morally murky turf battle and murder investigation and the only way to survive is to kill a whole lot of people and make sure you don’t get caught.

If you’ve read Hammond’s other “Kop” novels you know what to expect, and the writer doesn’t disappoint with “Kop Killer.” In fact it’s darker and more brutal than his other novels. There were scenes that made me squirm. If you haven’t read Hammond’s other books prepare yourself for a story that reads like James Ellroy on another planet. The crime story elements all ring true and Lagarto feels like a fully fleshed out real world.  Plus the sci-fi elements of the story compliment the crime elements and make them feel even more powerful. It’s a nice cocktail of a story.

“Kop Killer” features an interesting and eclectic cast of characters that include awoman  that serves as an enforcer at a local brothel, the one seemingly honest cop in Juno’s gang, and a serial killer with a fascination for a unique and dangerous reptile. The real star of the show though is Juno himself.  He’s our narrator and in this book he’s a haunted and broken man trying to find something to make his life meaningful. It’s a fascinating struggle and a pretty noble one. I hesitate to call Juno heroic. He’d probably beat the crap out of anyone who called him that, but he is a fascinating man trying to do right in an extremely corrupt and violent world.

The climax of “Kop Killer” ties things up in a powerful and satisfying way so that if it is truly the end to Hammond’s exploration of the mean streets of Koba and Lagarto I’m fine, but if the writer decides he wants to come back to the world he created in the “Kop Trilogy” I’d love to see more. So If you’re looking for a powerful, gripping, and dark vision of crime on a possible future world I highly recommend “Kop Killer” and all of Warren Hammond’s Kop novels.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I put this book on my to-read-list in the first place, but I know I wouldn't do it again. Like many other modern books, it tries to be realistic and gritty by showing way too many hookers, having adult characters talk too much about sex, and having an utterly unlikable main character. Seriously. Juno couldn't keep his composure for one scene, and when he's not telling us how badass he used to be, he's getting pummelled. That happened way too often. There was also a lot of violence, and while I am not opposed to violent fiction, I find it tasteless to only use it for cheap shock value. Trust me, my tolerance on this is high. I did not object to the dozen or so mass rapes, the cannibalism and the massacres in Refugee, nor to the mutilations in Use of Weapons, but in KOP Killer, it was overly gratitious.

The book was not entirely without merit, it did have some pretty intense scenes. I liked how Juno spent half the book without one of his arms out of sheer stupidity, too. That was quite funny. It's not that he lost his arm in some stupid accident, no, he refuses, against all reason, to get a new arm. There was also a certain charme to the lizards running all over Warren Hammonds world. I like lizards, and apparently, so does he. The occasional good scene and a ton of lizards didn't redeem this book for me, however. I'd rate this 2.5 stars, rounded down for the sake of this review.

[Mouldy Squid · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this, the last of his Juno Mozambe trilogy, Hammond has firmly grasped what makes a science fiction novel science fiction. The plot is firmly nested in a SFnal device and the resolution of not just the main action, but the trilogy itself revolves around science fiction.

The novel is not without its flaws, however. One of the more compelling parts of the trilogy is the anti-hero character of Mozambe himself. Here, however, he spends a great deal of time wallowing in self-pity and self-loathing. This is not necessarily a bad thing, considering his character arc and his actions, however, Hammond overplays it and at times with tedious prose. There were several times where I was rolling my eyes and muttering "Get on with the story".

Still, not a bad set of books. The colony world of Lagarto is well conceived and just alien enough to remind the reader that they aren't on Earth. If you are looking for an undemanding, science fiction noir detective story, KOP, Ex-KOP and KOP Killer suits the bill. It is not necessary to have read either of the previous books, it is recommended and the reader will be much better off having done so.

[Tobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outstanding third book in the KOP series. Hammond is a Denver author who writes "hard-boiled" sci-fi. At least that's how he was sold to me a few years ago with the release of Ex-kop, the second in the series.

Of course, being me I went and started with Kop and LOVED it. Juno Mozambe was without a doubt a compellingly committed crazy-ass bad guy whose decided that he hated who he's become and took the first steps to redeem himself even while knowing that such a thing is impossible.

All three books, and this one is SO much more, start with a quick warm-up and then never let off the pacing. Gritty, twisted, knarly, and without mercy for any living thing - and that's just the planet on which the stories take place.

Hammond's KOP series should be atop the reading list of anyone who considers themselves a fan of crime, sci-fi, or noir.

I gave Kop Killer a 9/10 on my personal scale.

-tpl

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kop Killer by Warren Hammond

This book continues the story of Juno, a down on his luck ex-cop I met in Ex-Kop. Once again the book brings new meaning to gritty. Juno continues to struggles with his identity. This planet epitomizes an amoral environment.

Maggie, Juno’s Ying to his Yang, is forced to evaluate her moral stance regarding Juno’s actions. This soul searching takes it’s toll on both characters. Hammond has a rich imagination and carries some less savory current aspects of society to a logical progression to infamy. In many ways the book makes you uncomfortable. That, in no way, detracts from the story line. In fact making you squirm seems to be a goal of Hammonds and he does it well.

Old testament justice is an acceptable solution to many of Juno’s problems but he delves it out with less relish and more introspection than in the previous book. This story concludes well but I hope there is a follow up book.

I recommend it.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

This, the final book in the "kop" trilogy, is slightly discontinuous from the first two books, and lacks some of the plot twists and character development. The author seems to be substituting kinky sex and vulgar language for meaningful dialog, character development, and a smooth-flowing story line. The book seems "choppy," and the ending is ragged and somewhat anticlimactic. As a writer, the author does not seem to be improving his skills. Having the lead character (an ex-cop and enforcer) give up his weapon to a serial killer is a not-even-a-little-bit-believable act of insanity and stupidity that is completely out of character for the protagonist, and is reminiscent of low-quality TV cop shows.

[Andrew Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first two KOP books, I didnt think Juno and Lagarto could get more dirty, gritty and bleak....but they do. KOP Killer finds new depths of depravity for Juno while he deals with the aftermath of personal tragedies from the previous book.

If you liked Last Days you will love where Hammond takes Juno in this conclusion to the trilogy.

I loved this book and the series as a whole. It was a great mashup of scifi and noir with some unexpected horror thrown for the last one.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juno Mozambe is no longer a policeman and his wife has committed suicide. Now is is back one the streets taking over the protection racket in order to aid his former partner Maggie become police chief and protect the people. But a serial killer is on the loose and is now targeting the police while trying to frame Juno for the killings.

[Raphael · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my review for the previous book in the series (Ex-KOP), I wrote “It doesn't get more gritty than this”. Well...I stand corrected. This book is in it own category of grittiness. It's weird, it's funny, it's dark, it's bleak, it's dirty. It's a good book.

[nathaniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too irredeemable a character. While almost no one is treated well, the gay and trans community in particular come off bad - Basic Instinct era depictions. Quite a number of conveniences to propel the story and tidy ending.

The writing is easy (when it's not too disgusting) and some mystery elements were intriguing.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My expectations were totally shattered! I thought Juno was going to get in touch with his touchy-feely side.. but mid way thru this story, I really wanted to know what was going to happen! Good story! Hope there are more to come!

[H. R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice fusion of hard-boiled crime and science fiction. Third in a series, starting with KOP. Background of the city the novels occur in remind me of Lima. Great beach or long-haul fight reading.

[Doc Wabaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tight and gritty noir novel. It is set in the future. One warning though, this is extremely violent and sex-filled. So, stay away if you have sensibilities in those areas.

The writing is fast paced and gripping.

[Joshua · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books in this series much more than this one.

Kop Killer jumps the shark in its depiction of Juno as a tough-as-nails badass. I mean, he gets his hand traumatically amputated and the next day he's getting in fistfights and swimming in a filthy river. This is absurd to the point of comedy.

And while I know Juno's a *bad guy*, his transphobia is hard to stomach. I know that's probably how most real-world cops think about trans folk but the book didn't need a trans villain for him to loathe. I'm also really exhausted by every trans and queer character being a POS, at best, and usually a villain. It's offensive, obnoxious, and BORING!

Finally, and most damning, Kop Killer waters down the central theme of the first two books that power corrupts people and organizations, and that's why literally every single goddamn cop is corrupt. In this book the antihero learns that some corruption is bad - cops shouldn't do organized crime, for instance. But his virtuous compatriot accepts that some corruption is okay dokey - extrajudicial killings may be the only form of justice available. ¯⁠\⁠(⁠°⁠_⁠o⁠)⁠/⁠¯

That last part may even be true, but I certainly don't like the idea that police (or ex-cops) should be executioners.

Kop Killer is a real letdown after Kop and Ex-Kop. I'm gonna give Hammond another shot based on the first 2/3 of this trilogy, but he's on thin ice after this dumpster fire.

Addition: The more I think about it the more I wonder why this even needed to exist. Juno Mozambe could have been a great duology. This book doesn't put a period on Juno and Maggie's story - it just makes both characters worse and leaves everything basically how it was at the end of book 2. I suggest you skip it.

[Steven Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still attempting to give space opera (my #1 read genre) a break, then this book comes in finally from my local library. I have never read much noir crime fiction, but SciFi noir crime fiction was a new one when I read the first two books in this series.

Some definite changes in characters in this book. Juno is still as ruthless and dirty as any bad cop can be, but you still find yourself cheering him on even when running a protection racket. I was a little disappointed in how all groups of enemies were taken care of, I was hoping for a little more action.

I hope that this author writes more in this series, as I would like to see where Juno and Maggie go in the future. I hope that Juno gets his hand replaced, but it was interesting reading the antics of a one-handed dirty retired cop.

[Ricky Mikeabono · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe because I read this immediately after #2 in the series, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two in the trilogy. It was very directionless in the beginning, and I found myself disliking Juno. It wasn't as much of a mystery novel, until about halfway though, but then there were too many forced coincidences. Then the a critical part of the ending yet again involved the same trick he pulled in the first two novels. Still an enjoyable trilogy, I just wish this entry was better.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

It moves along well, and it's a decent story, but it's too over the top in several areas and tries a little too hard on the "noir" front.

[SteveRv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool book. Too bad he’s not writing these novels any more

[Chip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had no idea Lawrence Block had written a SF trilogy. (That’s a compliment.)

[Mario · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointingly homophobic.

[Brennan Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the world-building and characters, and the vision of a literally Third World hellhole. But the third in the series is getting a bit stale somehow. The first two were so strong, that I'm willing to keep going as long as he keeps writing them, though.

[Mistergone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoy the series overall and this book wasn't bad but it really had a weird sense of homophobia, I really don't want to think it was completely intentional but it was very off putting nonetheless.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this isn't the end of the story.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author and this series. I am hoping that the will be more but if not I'm looking forward to whatever Warren Hammond writes.

[Kaye Lynne Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review of "KOP Killer" here:
http://www.examiner.com/review/kop-ki...