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Allan Stanton #2
One Kill Away
Halifax homicide detective Allan Stanton's walked away from his job to reconnect with his young son, until a killer starts methodically carving his way through the city's underbelly. His ex-partner needs help, and Stanton reluctantly returns.
The killer is definitely working through a list of victims, and he's leaving cryptic clues at his grisly crime scenes. Are they there to confuse the police? Or is there something more to them? As Stanton unravels this shocking central mystery, he becomes the target of an unexpected enemy--those next on the killer's list.
The killer is definitely working through a list of victims, and he's leaving cryptic clues at his grisly crime scenes. Are they there to confuse the police? Or is there something more to them? As Stanton unravels this shocking central mystery, he becomes the target of an unexpected enemy--those next on the killer's list.
462 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2013
598 people are currently reading
1629 people want to read
About the author
Alex MacLean
15 books122 followersAlex MacLean is the author of the Detective Allan Stanton mysteries—Grave Situation, One Kill Away, Sorrowful Road, Into Thin Air, and The Quiet That Followed—with a sixth on the way. He is also the author of The Banished, a historical novel of the Acadian expulsion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 21, 2015
My emotions ran from one end of the spectrum to the other in reading this book. As this was a new author for me, I really didn't know what to expect.
There are several story lines running throughout. My first impression after reading is so much sadness. I felt sorry for all the characters .. even the bad guy.
Detective Stanton has had enough of seeing the damage one human can do to another. His ex-wife has moved and taken their young son with her. He is now taking a few weeks off to reconnect with his son. Being a product of a broken home, I well understand how Allan and his son felt. But he is called back to duty when his partner has a personal crisis to deal with.
Audra (Allan's partner) is lead on a new case ... but gets interrupted when her teen-age daughter tries to kill herself by hanging. The bullying she has been dealing with at school finally becomes too much and she just wants the pain to end. Her parents both knew that 'something' was wrong, but had no idea how tormented she was.
When Allan takes over as lead, two men have been brutally murdered. Most are thinking these murders are gang-revenge related. But Allan has other ideas.
The killer has a list and he's leaving clues at each each grisly crime scene. As Stanton gets closer to the truth he becomes the target of the next expected victim. And Stanton and the killer collide.
Terrific book! I will go back and read the first of the series .. and I look forward to maybe another Stanton adventure in the future. I have no problem highly recommending this to anyone who likes crime/police procedurals.
I gave it a 4.5 ----- the only area I didn't particularly like was when Audra hands over all the reports on her case. She then retells everything she's done .. which we just finished reading. It felt like it was an unnecessary repeat.
Many thanks to the author to supplying this book in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
September 25, 2014
In my opinion, Alex Maclean's novel "One Kill Away" reinvents the police procedural. I don't make that statement lightly. Usually, emphasis in a thriller like this one is placed either on the investigators, the science, the killer or the victim. "One Kill Away" has found a way to perfectly balance the crime with the lives of all those who are touched by it.
The gruesome murder of a gang member in Halifax, Canada, sets off the search for a killer, one that eventually brings together the characters in a twisty, suspenseful and violent denouement. That's for all you whodunit fans - this is a solid and very satisfying crime story, with no gimmicks or convenient plot elements to taint the narrative.
There's also the story of a family struggling with the terrible effects of teen bullying, a father who is trying desperately to reconnect with his son, and another father trying to come to grips with the crime that tore his family to pieces.
What makes "One Kill Away" so unique is that none of these stories take a back seat; they are all integral to the main story, yet the characters are fleshed out so fully, and their experiences portrayed in so much detail and care, that each feels like a complete tale. The setting and tone of the book are note-perfect and build a realistic world inhabited by characters who engage the reader intellectually and emotionally. The fact that each story dovetails so nicely into the overall piece without so much as one false note speaks to Maclean's skill. This author deserves to be a major voice in crime fiction today and 'One Kill Away" should be required reading for anyone who is thinking about writing one of these books.
The gruesome murder of a gang member in Halifax, Canada, sets off the search for a killer, one that eventually brings together the characters in a twisty, suspenseful and violent denouement. That's for all you whodunit fans - this is a solid and very satisfying crime story, with no gimmicks or convenient plot elements to taint the narrative.
There's also the story of a family struggling with the terrible effects of teen bullying, a father who is trying desperately to reconnect with his son, and another father trying to come to grips with the crime that tore his family to pieces.
What makes "One Kill Away" so unique is that none of these stories take a back seat; they are all integral to the main story, yet the characters are fleshed out so fully, and their experiences portrayed in so much detail and care, that each feels like a complete tale. The setting and tone of the book are note-perfect and build a realistic world inhabited by characters who engage the reader intellectually and emotionally. The fact that each story dovetails so nicely into the overall piece without so much as one false note speaks to Maclean's skill. This author deserves to be a major voice in crime fiction today and 'One Kill Away" should be required reading for anyone who is thinking about writing one of these books.
January 13, 2014
This is the second novel in the Allan Stanton mystery series which takes place in the capital city of my home province - Halifax, Nova Scotia. For me this was more of a police procedural than a mystery this time around since we know 'whodunit' from page 1. Author MacLean again follows the formula of telling us the story from both the police's and the murderer's perspectives. We learn more about Stanton and are also drawn into a very affecting side story about his ex-partner, Lt. Audra Price. Like 'Grave Situation', this is a dark story and there is a little twist towards the end. Though I pretty much figured out how things were going to play out at the very end, I found this a very satisfying read and look forward to the next book.
April 5, 2015
A fairly good read set in Canada that has homicide detective Audra working a particularly nasty murder case when she is confronted with problems her middle school daughter is having. Audra has to leave the case and the Captain has to call in another detective from his leave time with his young son. When a second murder occurs things get tense as they close on the killer. The only downside to this book is lack of proofing and editing. Too many simple mistakes break up the flow.
April 26, 2017
Love Love Love!!!
Very detailed and well thought out plots. (Several plots)
I felt sorry for every character including Seth
This is a must read
Very detailed and well thought out plots. (Several plots)
I felt sorry for every character including Seth
This is a must read
May 17, 2022
Only three stars. Very well written but I hate series in which each book is not a "stand alone." This book left ALL the questions unanswered. I won't read another. But three stars because the writing is excellent and kept me wanting to find out what happens--I didn't sadly.
August 5, 2022
in KU. 3 book series. "Detective Allan Stanton" series. free for me, i am not understanding how i keep getting these book that are on KU but i am getting them free? is any1 else having issues when returning a KU book from their kindle (not on laptop) and for some reason it is charging me instead of doing the KU system. so then i wish to return the book because it didn't wanna do buying. wanted to do KU. so i have to call the 866 321 8851 and ask for a refund. i don't get it. so weird. and they say oh this happens sometimes? why? kind of frustrating for me. wow this is old February 25, 2014, it came out. contemporary urban fiction. vigilante justice. hard-boiled mysteries. so good. this is book 2 and i have not read any others. hope to do that soon. oh he is Canadian, love that!! my Canadian author list is getting bigger ...way cool!! toot toot!! what fun!
March 24, 2019
As with the one other Maclean book I have read I thought the characters in this story were excellent, especially Audra. I liked the Juxtapositioning of the characters, the murderer, the children, the back and forth action of the story lines. The retrospectives were the only part of the book which did not appeal to me, but that didn't mean I disliked the story. To the contrary it was well done, with no distractions except for my personal preference as to flashbacks, and the characters were wonderful, even those which were repetitive. Get it, read it, you will enjoy.
June 29, 2017
Keep the tissues handy!
What a roller coaster ride this book was. I was not expecting to have my heart so tugged at when I started reading. If you are triggered by highly emotional, or a story that has an attempted suicide in it, then you should prepare yourself before reading this. Very well written, and very impacting.
What a roller coaster ride this book was. I was not expecting to have my heart so tugged at when I started reading. If you are triggered by highly emotional, or a story that has an attempted suicide in it, then you should prepare yourself before reading this. Very well written, and very impacting.
August 29, 2019
Reality of crime
This book should be made into a movie! Excellent story line. Intense real charters. Shows the ugliness that is all to real in today’s world. What our police have to look at daily. With few rewards. I wait to se what Stanton’s choice is. I’m torn between wanting him to stand in the ugly void or stay with his family.
This book should be made into a movie! Excellent story line. Intense real charters. Shows the ugliness that is all to real in today’s world. What our police have to look at daily. With few rewards. I wait to se what Stanton’s choice is. I’m torn between wanting him to stand in the ugly void or stay with his family.
June 8, 2022
Very seldom do a give a 5 star rating for a book. This novel deserves every star. The character development, the varies story lines within one book kept me completely engaged. It's unusual for an author to be so detailed in the technical processes as well as so intuitive with characters emotions and reactions to the plot twist. Very well done.
May 6, 2017
Very good book it keeps you wondering what will happen next. It makes you not want to put it down
I chose this rating as I really enjoyed the book. Very intense story keeps you wanting to read to find out what will happen
I chose this rating as I really enjoyed the book. Very intense story keeps you wanting to read to find out what will happen
May 21, 2017
Unforgivable
A just man has everything stolen from him. Hiss loss is so great he builds an imaginary family to love and protect. W hen the police fail to punish the murderers, he plots and executes his own revenge. This author writes beautifully about guilt, love,and loss.
A just man has everything stolen from him. Hiss loss is so great he builds an imaginary family to love and protect. W hen the police fail to punish the murderers, he plots and executes his own revenge. This author writes beautifully about guilt, love,and loss.
June 14, 2017
A different crime novel
Told from the perspective of the killer and the police detectives. Well-developed, likeable characters; part of a series. Violent, of course, but not graphic. Some profanity, but not as offensive as most crime novels.
Told from the perspective of the killer and the police detectives. Well-developed, likeable characters; part of a series. Violent, of course, but not graphic. Some profanity, but not as offensive as most crime novels.
July 5, 2017
One Kill Away was an AMAZING BOOK!!!
The second book in this series was even better than the first one & I cannot wait to read the next one! Alex MacLean is VERY TALENTED & he did an AMAZING job writing this book!
The second book in this series was even better than the first one & I cannot wait to read the next one! Alex MacLean is VERY TALENTED & he did an AMAZING job writing this book!
August 29, 2017
I loved this book. I was hooked right from the start, I usually don't care for blood and gore, but it just entwined the main characters lives each with their own personal problems but yet all connected to one another.
November 4, 2017
Kept my interest
There was enough action to keep my interest. The characters definitely seemed real and made you feel for them and what they were going through. Hard to put the book down. Will definitely read more books by this writer.
There was enough action to keep my interest. The characters definitely seemed real and made you feel for them and what they were going through. Hard to put the book down. Will definitely read more books by this writer.
November 26, 2018
Detective Allan Stanton has left Halifax to visit his son. Meanwhile Detective Audra Price has been called to a murder scene. When personal events overtake Price, Allan Stanton is contacted and takes over the investigation.
An interesting read and mystery
An interesting read and mystery
December 19, 2018
5 Big Stars. RECOMMENDED
Well written and nicely paced read. Found myself in tears (on the bus ! ) at the description of the bullying. Look forward to reading more about Allan Stanton and finding out how Daphne recovers.
Well written and nicely paced read. Found myself in tears (on the bus ! ) at the description of the bullying. Look forward to reading more about Allan Stanton and finding out how Daphne recovers.
March 7, 2019
Stanton gets better
This one is better than the first in the series, as we get to see more dimensions to Stanton's character. The plot has some twists which helps keep your interest.I'll deep going in the series.
This one is better than the first in the series, as we get to see more dimensions to Stanton's character. The plot has some twists which helps keep your interest.I'll deep going in the series.
Read
October 26, 2021First book I have from this author but a bit confused. Bullying is an abhorrent act and plays a large part in this book and I’m not sure why it’s there or a large part of the story. It seems the author may be a activist against bullying and if so good for him
August 29, 2025
Absorbing……a very good read!
An imaginative, multifaceted storyline. Not over the top, or exaggerated like some crime novels. Gritty and realistic. Characters well portrayed. Holds your attention to the end, as a good crime novel should.
An imaginative, multifaceted storyline. Not over the top, or exaggerated like some crime novels. Gritty and realistic. Characters well portrayed. Holds your attention to the end, as a good crime novel should.
September 11, 2025
Exciting
Exciting, thought provoking, even a little emotional if you have children. This author puts the reader right beside the character as they work to discover who is killing these criminals. A book worth your time!
Exciting, thought provoking, even a little emotional if you have children. This author puts the reader right beside the character as they work to discover who is killing these criminals. A book worth your time!
May 29, 2017
Fran's rebiew
Very good read. Excellent story line. character development and plot development. I read the entire book today. Be sure to read this one.
Very good read. Excellent story line. character development and plot development. I read the entire book today. Be sure to read this one.
June 26, 2017
Suspensful
Full of suspense, hard to put down. Keeps you guessing. Makes you think what would you do if you were in a similar situation.
Full of suspense, hard to put down. Keeps you guessing. Makes you think what would you do if you were in a similar situation.
June 29, 2017
Riveting read.
Started reading this soon as I had finished Book 1. Work kept interrupting me but I persevered and am glad I did. The good guys won in the end.
Started reading this soon as I had finished Book 1. Work kept interrupting me but I persevered and am glad I did. The good guys won in the end.
September 12, 2018
Good characters
Starting to enjoy this series. The characters are well developed, and the intimate insights into their personal lives are exceptionally well done.
Starting to enjoy this series. The characters are well developed, and the intimate insights into their personal lives are exceptionally well done.
September 21, 2018
Another good read...
Interesting to read this series out of sequence: 3-1-2...thoughtfully described a good man, doing a more than difficult job...the horrors of inhumanity...
Interesting to read this series out of sequence: 3-1-2...thoughtfully described a good man, doing a more than difficult job...the horrors of inhumanity...
September 25, 2018
Great read
Getting to know the main little better and liking them more. Intense story line with a very intense finale. Read it!
Getting to know the main little better and liking them more. Intense story line with a very intense finale. Read it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews