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Joe Burgess #5
Led Astray
Responding to a "shots fired" call at an abandoned warehouse, Detective Joe Burgess realizes his worst nightmare when he finds one rookie officer shot dead and two other officers--one his lieutenant--gravely wounded.
With two brother officers near death, Burgess must race the clock to find and arrest the one person angry enough to seek revenge against the Portland police, before the rookie officer's funeral turns into a killing field.
Winner of the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction
"Flora pours on the intensity in this criminal, legal and moral maze." ~Kirkus Reviews
"Flora writes cops so convincingly it's hard to imagine she's never worn the badge herself." ~Bruce Robert Coffin, author of Among the Shadows.
THE JOE BURGESS MYSTERIES, in series order
Playing God
The Angel of Knowlton Park
Redemption
And Grant You Peace
Led Astray
ABOUT KATE FLORA
Kate Flora developed her fascination with people's criminal tendencies as a lawyer in the Maine attorney general's office. When Kate isn't writing, or teaching writing at Grub Street in Boston, she can be found in her garden, waging battle against critters, pests, and her husband's lawnmower.
With two brother officers near death, Burgess must race the clock to find and arrest the one person angry enough to seek revenge against the Portland police, before the rookie officer's funeral turns into a killing field.
Winner of the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction
"Flora pours on the intensity in this criminal, legal and moral maze." ~Kirkus Reviews
"Flora writes cops so convincingly it's hard to imagine she's never worn the badge herself." ~Bruce Robert Coffin, author of Among the Shadows.
THE JOE BURGESS MYSTERIES, in series order
Playing God
The Angel of Knowlton Park
Redemption
And Grant You Peace
Led Astray
ABOUT KATE FLORA
Kate Flora developed her fascination with people's criminal tendencies as a lawyer in the Maine attorney general's office. When Kate isn't writing, or teaching writing at Grub Street in Boston, she can be found in her garden, waging battle against critters, pests, and her husband's lawnmower.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2016
193 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Kate Flora
54 books127 followersKate Flora grew up on a chicken farm in Maine where the Friday afternoon trip to the library was the high point of her week. She dreamed of being able to create the kind of compelling, enchanting worlds of the books she disappeared into every week, but growing up in the era when “help wanted” ads were still sex-segregated, she felt her calling was to go to law school and get the job they told her she couldn’t have.
After law school, Kate worked in the Maine attorney general’s office, protecting battered kids, chasing deadbeat dads, and representing the Human Rights Commission. Those years taught her all a crime writer needs to know about the human propensity to commit horrible acts. After some years in private practice, she decided to give writing a serious try when she quit the law to stay at home for a few years with her young sons. That ‘serious try’ led to ten tenacious and hellacious years in the unpublished writer’s corner, followed, finally, by the sale of her Thea Kozak series.
Kate’s eighteen books will include eight Thea Kozak mysteries, five gritty Joe Burgess police procedurals, a suspense thriller (written under the name Katharine Clark), two true crime books, Death Dealer and Finding Amy (co-written with Joseph Loughlin, a Portland, Maine Deputy Police Chief), a Maine game warden's memoir, A Good Man with a Dog, co-written with Roger Guay, and a book about police shootings from the police point of view, Shots Fired: The misunderstandings, misconceptions, and myths about police shootings, co-written with Joseph K. Loughlin. Finding Amy was a 2007 Edgar nominee as well as a Maine Literary Award finalist, and has been optioned for a movie. Kate’s award-winning short stories have been widely anthologized and Redemption and And Grant You Peace, her third and fourth Joe Burgess mysteries, won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction.
Flora's fiction, nonfiction, and short fiction have been finalists for the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer Awards.
She is a founding member of the New England Crime Bake, the region's annual mystery conference, and the Maine Crime Wave. With two other crime writers, she started founded Level Best Books, where she worked as an editor and publisher for seven years. She served a term as international president of Sisters in Crime, an organization founded to promote awareness of women writers’ contributions to the mystery field. Currently, she teaches writing and does manuscript critiques for Grub Street in Boston.
She has two sons (one into film and the other into photovoltaics) two lovely daughters-in-law, an adorable eight-year-old grandson and five granddogs, Frances, Otis, Harvey, Oscar, and Daisy. When not conducting research for her novels and nonfiction—research that includes riding an ATV through the Canadian woods or hiding in a tick-infested field waiting to be found by search and rescue dogs—Kate can often be found in her garden, waging war against the woodchucks and her husband’s lawnmower, or in the kitchen, devising clever and devious ways to get the men in her life to eat their vegetables.
After law school, Kate worked in the Maine attorney general’s office, protecting battered kids, chasing deadbeat dads, and representing the Human Rights Commission. Those years taught her all a crime writer needs to know about the human propensity to commit horrible acts. After some years in private practice, she decided to give writing a serious try when she quit the law to stay at home for a few years with her young sons. That ‘serious try’ led to ten tenacious and hellacious years in the unpublished writer’s corner, followed, finally, by the sale of her Thea Kozak series.
Kate’s eighteen books will include eight Thea Kozak mysteries, five gritty Joe Burgess police procedurals, a suspense thriller (written under the name Katharine Clark), two true crime books, Death Dealer and Finding Amy (co-written with Joseph Loughlin, a Portland, Maine Deputy Police Chief), a Maine game warden's memoir, A Good Man with a Dog, co-written with Roger Guay, and a book about police shootings from the police point of view, Shots Fired: The misunderstandings, misconceptions, and myths about police shootings, co-written with Joseph K. Loughlin. Finding Amy was a 2007 Edgar nominee as well as a Maine Literary Award finalist, and has been optioned for a movie. Kate’s award-winning short stories have been widely anthologized and Redemption and And Grant You Peace, her third and fourth Joe Burgess mysteries, won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction.
Flora's fiction, nonfiction, and short fiction have been finalists for the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer Awards.
She is a founding member of the New England Crime Bake, the region's annual mystery conference, and the Maine Crime Wave. With two other crime writers, she started founded Level Best Books, where she worked as an editor and publisher for seven years. She served a term as international president of Sisters in Crime, an organization founded to promote awareness of women writers’ contributions to the mystery field. Currently, she teaches writing and does manuscript critiques for Grub Street in Boston.
She has two sons (one into film and the other into photovoltaics) two lovely daughters-in-law, an adorable eight-year-old grandson and five granddogs, Frances, Otis, Harvey, Oscar, and Daisy. When not conducting research for her novels and nonfiction—research that includes riding an ATV through the Canadian woods or hiding in a tick-infested field waiting to be found by search and rescue dogs—Kate can often be found in her garden, waging war against the woodchucks and her husband’s lawnmower, or in the kitchen, devising clever and devious ways to get the men in her life to eat their vegetables.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 29, 2016
I ᖇEᑕEIᐯEᗪ TᕼIᔕ ᗷOOK ᖴOᖇ ᖴᖇEE ᖴᖇOᗰ EᗷOOK ᗪIᔕᑕOᐯEᖇY. TᕼIᔕ Iᔕ ᗰY ᕼOᑎEᔕT ᖇEᐯIEᗯ.
My very first book by this author and I should say, I have another TBR book to add on my list. As per the title, this is book 5. But you need not read the previous series to know about this story. It's a standalone. Story is about there's a shooting going on and the targets are the police. 1 down and 2 seriously injured. Without further clues, Sgt Joe Burgess have to rely on his team of people to look for witnesses and evidence left by the perp/ perps. The tension, suspense and thrill is there while reading. The tension is along with the police, you'll be worried who's going down next. Then there's this idiotic captain who favoured the media more than the wellness of his fellow men. Multiple times in my head, I was wishing that the perps might target him next. And I wonder why he managed to climb that position when he's so useless. Aside from the suspense, thrill and tension, there's some funny parts whereby.. Joe's superiors always " Joe, report" So take off the comma, we have Joe Report. His new nickname. And when he thought of his tomb stone if he were to shot dead by the perp, it might be "Good cop but died of stupidity. Cos he's thinking of not wearing the vest.
While reading the end, the reasons of the vigilante against the police will leaves your mouth opening and thought back " How sick can the world be?"
My very first book by this author and I should say, I have another TBR book to add on my list. As per the title, this is book 5. But you need not read the previous series to know about this story. It's a standalone. Story is about there's a shooting going on and the targets are the police. 1 down and 2 seriously injured. Without further clues, Sgt Joe Burgess have to rely on his team of people to look for witnesses and evidence left by the perp/ perps. The tension, suspense and thrill is there while reading. The tension is along with the police, you'll be worried who's going down next. Then there's this idiotic captain who favoured the media more than the wellness of his fellow men. Multiple times in my head, I was wishing that the perps might target him next. And I wonder why he managed to climb that position when he's so useless. Aside from the suspense, thrill and tension, there's some funny parts whereby.. Joe's superiors always " Joe, report" So take off the comma, we have Joe Report. His new nickname. And when he thought of his tomb stone if he were to shot dead by the perp, it might be "Good cop but died of stupidity. Cos he's thinking of not wearing the vest.
While reading the end, the reasons of the vigilante against the police will leaves your mouth opening and thought back " How sick can the world be?"
May 19, 2017
THE best police procedural I've read!
Author Kate Flora has delivered-up a whopper of a book, starring Detective Sergeant Joe Burgess as the totally dedicated, no nonsense, tough-yet-vulnerable, police officer who gives nothing less than his all in
the pursuit of justice. There is a killer (killers?) on the loose, who has already killed one police officer, wounded two others and is the likely suspect in another murder, and it appears that this person(s)) is, both, daring and smart ... making it obvious to Burgess and his fellow police officers that they are going to have to work as hard or harder than they've ever worked in order to find the perpetrator(s), bring them (?) into custody, and deliver-up justice for the wrongs that have been committed.
And thus begins a page-turner of a book, full of exceptionally well fleshed-out characters, an intricate but highly-plausible plot and enough action to satisfy all but the most demanding critic.
... and the dialog, humor and real-life situations that author Flora fills the book with only add to the authenticity and believability of the book ... kudos, Kate Flora, for an awesome book!
Author Kate Flora has delivered-up a whopper of a book, starring Detective Sergeant Joe Burgess as the totally dedicated, no nonsense, tough-yet-vulnerable, police officer who gives nothing less than his all in
the pursuit of justice. There is a killer (killers?) on the loose, who has already killed one police officer, wounded two others and is the likely suspect in another murder, and it appears that this person(s)) is, both, daring and smart ... making it obvious to Burgess and his fellow police officers that they are going to have to work as hard or harder than they've ever worked in order to find the perpetrator(s), bring them (?) into custody, and deliver-up justice for the wrongs that have been committed.
And thus begins a page-turner of a book, full of exceptionally well fleshed-out characters, an intricate but highly-plausible plot and enough action to satisfy all but the most demanding critic.
... and the dialog, humor and real-life situations that author Flora fills the book with only add to the authenticity and believability of the book ... kudos, Kate Flora, for an awesome book!
June 19, 2020
Good thriller!
Really like Joe Burgess, the main character in the book. As a detective it's up to him to solve his co-worker's attempted murder. It appeared the man went to meet someone and then was tortured for some reason. Now he's in a coma, his wife at his side. Joe has so many questions he needs answered. The signs indicate he more than likely knew the person or persons he met with because there was no evidence of him feeling threatened. So why were they meeting in a remote location and in secret? Could it have been gang members he was going to meet? The mafia? A colleague who had information about something going on at work? Nothing made sense. So Joe started with nothing, interviewing friends, neighbors, family members, in an attempt to piece together the events leading up to his hospital stay. Joe worked with another officer to get the answers they need to solve the case. This was a fast paced read I truly enjoyed. It was fun watching Joe working non-stop to find a killer. Especially when there's the chance of more policemen and women being targets for whoever is determined to eliminate them. And what better place to do that than at the funeral everyone will be attending the next day. An ambush would be perfect. They'd be sitting ducks.
Once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. Suspenseful with interesting characters I'd like to meet again. I will definitely be checking out more of the author's work. Thank you for a very entertaining read!
Really like Joe Burgess, the main character in the book. As a detective it's up to him to solve his co-worker's attempted murder. It appeared the man went to meet someone and then was tortured for some reason. Now he's in a coma, his wife at his side. Joe has so many questions he needs answered. The signs indicate he more than likely knew the person or persons he met with because there was no evidence of him feeling threatened. So why were they meeting in a remote location and in secret? Could it have been gang members he was going to meet? The mafia? A colleague who had information about something going on at work? Nothing made sense. So Joe started with nothing, interviewing friends, neighbors, family members, in an attempt to piece together the events leading up to his hospital stay. Joe worked with another officer to get the answers they need to solve the case. This was a fast paced read I truly enjoyed. It was fun watching Joe working non-stop to find a killer. Especially when there's the chance of more policemen and women being targets for whoever is determined to eliminate them. And what better place to do that than at the funeral everyone will be attending the next day. An ambush would be perfect. They'd be sitting ducks.
Once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. Suspenseful with interesting characters I'd like to meet again. I will definitely be checking out more of the author's work. Thank you for a very entertaining read!
May 14, 2017
My first book by this author and it is a GREAT read.
December 1, 2016
*NOTICE: I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. This is my voluntary, independent and honest review.* Holy Moses!! I've read only one other book by Kate Flora - one of her Thea Kozac mysteries - and I didn't much care for it. So it comes as something of a shock that Led Astray (A Joe Burgess Mystery) absolutely blew me away. I can't remember reading a police procedure/thriller more intensely gripping than this tale of murdered cops in Portland, ME and the police detective who leads the manhunt to identify and apprehend whoever is responsible. Central to the novel is the rivetingly portrayed Detective Sergeant Joe Burgess, the "meanest cop in Portland." Burgess is complex, a great bear of a man (grizzly, not teddy), who has seen far too much of the worst humanity has to offer. A Viet Nam vet with thirty years on the police force, he relies on his instinct, his fellow officers, and his training to solve crimes, to keep the public safe, and to keep himself alive. In this race against time, he runs on equal parts caffeine and true grit, enduring bullet wounds, sleepless nights, and the frustratingly slow pace of an investigation that needs to conclude before more cops die. At the same time, he's beset by worry over his newly acquired family. This curmudgeon who has lived a solitary life now has a live-in fiancee with two children and a newly-discovered teenage son of his own. Hs love and concern for them, plus his grief and anger at the deaths and injuries of his fellow cops, are dangerously distracting emotions when he needs clear focus on the case. His struggles to balance personal and professional aspects of his life add depth and humanity to the character portrayal. Other major characters in the novel are well-drawn also. The narrative is rich with descriptive nuances that reinforce the dark, gritty, intense mood of the plot. The dialogue rings true and adds to both mood and character development. Ms. Flora dots all her i's and crosses all her t's in the plot details, and keeps the suspense building to near-agonizing levels before the heart-stopping climax. The novel ends on an unexpectedly emotional note of catch-your-breath calm and relief - I actually found myself shedding a few tears. I haven't read the four Joe Burgess novels that precede Led Astray, but based on this fabulous fifth entry, I've put them on my "To Read" list.
October 13, 2016
In Led Astray, author Kate Flora gives us a tense, nail-biter of a thriller, involving the Portland, ME PD in multiple police shootings. Protagonist Joe Burgess is the lead in trying to catch the killer before the city explodes, and more tragedy ensues.
The book details not only the thorny procedural problems of meticulously working through a complex and difficult case in a race against time, with lives on the line, it shows just what is at stake every day for good police on the job. In their desperate quest to prevent further shootings, the men and women who serve and protect must set aside great personal pain and family concerns to counter the absolute horrors besieging them. Every stolen minute with loved ones may be the last, and they do their job with a feeling they may be in the crosshairs at any moment. Kate Flora shows us decent people bravely doing an impossible job, despite all their flaws and imperfections. It gives us a greater understanding of the immense sacrifice involved in dealing with the worst of humanity every day.
Good characters, a suspenseful plot, and the setting of a city on the edge of coming apart. Definitely a great read.
The book details not only the thorny procedural problems of meticulously working through a complex and difficult case in a race against time, with lives on the line, it shows just what is at stake every day for good police on the job. In their desperate quest to prevent further shootings, the men and women who serve and protect must set aside great personal pain and family concerns to counter the absolute horrors besieging them. Every stolen minute with loved ones may be the last, and they do their job with a feeling they may be in the crosshairs at any moment. Kate Flora shows us decent people bravely doing an impossible job, despite all their flaws and imperfections. It gives us a greater understanding of the immense sacrifice involved in dealing with the worst of humanity every day.
Good characters, a suspenseful plot, and the setting of a city on the edge of coming apart. Definitely a great read.
November 21, 2016
If you like police procedurals, you'll love this book. If you like mysteries, you'll love this book. If you like thrillers, you'll love this book. This book starts off very fast and the suspense builds and builds. It doesn't let down, not even once. Sgt. Burgess is called out for shots fired. As he starts towards the location, he finds a young rookie officer dead. Then as he approaches the building, he finds another officer shot and further into the building he finds his lieutenant shot and another man shot. Four victims. Burgess works the case with his team while at the same time takes the time to be with his family. It's nice to see the interaction of the families that these officers are involved with. They provide a great counterbalance to the havoc that the officers are dealing with. My one little complaint is that there were a few mistakes in book. But, please, don't let this minor thing prevent you from reading this very exciting book. This is the first book of this series I have read and I'll definitely be reading the others and adding this author to my favorite's list!
March 6, 2017
I had the pleasure of interviewing Kate Flora on “Local Authors with Kameel Nasr”. But I knew her for several years and read her other books, so I’m prejudice to her writing. Kate is an artist who tries to make sure every detail is true. She gives a believable picture of the life of police and the way they investigate a crime. This latest Joe Burgess novel ups the odds because we dealing with a cop killer, not just a homicide. The action starts as three cops are missing. It turns out that a young cop is dead and two others are seriously injured. One seems to be targeted. On my TV program I forgot to ask about a police captain who is disliked by the rest of the force but ends up tangled in the acts of brutality against the force. Don’t all organizations have an uptight boss that everyone hates? But it seems to be special in a police force when life and death are at stake. If you like books about cops and crime, this is one of your books.
Kameel Nasr is author of The Symphony Heist
Kameel Nasr is author of The Symphony Heist
October 26, 2016
If you're a fan of Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series, Kate Flora's Joe Burgess ranks right up up there! Keeps you on the edge of your seat, with characters you love to hate and some that make you feel like you're looking in the mirror. Having worked in law enforcement, in Portland, many years ago, Flora's got a great feel for Portland, the neighborhoods, the catholic guys & cops. Can't wait for the next installment.
January 15, 2017
A timely mystery, about a police detective hunting a person killing police officers in Portland, Maine. Joe Burgess is a believable detective, torn between his family at home and their desire for his safety, and his police family, who are in jeopardy. The mystery, of course, is WHY someone is targeting the police. But the best part of Kate Flora's latest is HOW -- how Joe balances (or doesn't balance) these conflicting pressures. Highly recommended.
July 10, 2019
Joe Burgess
A new author for me. This was a great read. Characters were fully developed and did not need to read the earlier ones to follow the story. Editing was superb. Loved Joe Burgess and will now have to read the others in the series. This tells the story of a family of cop killers. The mystery was interesting and kept me hooked throughout. Like the way the author put the pieces together for the reader. A delightful read and highly recommend it.
A new author for me. This was a great read. Characters were fully developed and did not need to read the earlier ones to follow the story. Editing was superb. Loved Joe Burgess and will now have to read the others in the series. This tells the story of a family of cop killers. The mystery was interesting and kept me hooked throughout. Like the way the author put the pieces together for the reader. A delightful read and highly recommend it.
January 4, 2018
Led Astray – Kate Flora
I received this book (electronic version) at a discounted price from Bookbag, it sounded like my kind of story (I LOVE police procedurals) and I thought for $1.99, I would give it a try. All I can say is WOW! I was not disappointed. I believe I was barely into Chapter 2 when I immediately went to Amazon and purchased the entire series (5 books to date).
Joe Burgess is a detective sergeant in Portland, ME, with a reputation for being “Portland’s meanest cop”, who responds to a ‘shots fired’ call and finds mayhem upon his arrival. One officer is dead, and another is gravely wounded, and no one is certain why war is being waged on the police. The ensuing story is mesmerizing as Joe and his team investigate the scene and the situation. As another commanding officer goes missing, Joe and his team struggle to find him, identify and catch the perpetrator and bring peace back to Portland.
The characters are memorable, realistic, believable and very enjoyable, with each character enmeshed in their own personal problems as well. The dialogue is true to form and had me laughing out loud at times, as the exhausted investigative crew bantered amongst themselves. If you enjoy Lucas Davenport (Sandford), Alex Cross (Patterson), JP Beaumont (Jance) & Jack Reacher (Child), then you will want to add Joe Burgess to your bookshelves!!
I received this book (electronic version) at a discounted price from Bookbag, it sounded like my kind of story (I LOVE police procedurals) and I thought for $1.99, I would give it a try. All I can say is WOW! I was not disappointed. I believe I was barely into Chapter 2 when I immediately went to Amazon and purchased the entire series (5 books to date).
Joe Burgess is a detective sergeant in Portland, ME, with a reputation for being “Portland’s meanest cop”, who responds to a ‘shots fired’ call and finds mayhem upon his arrival. One officer is dead, and another is gravely wounded, and no one is certain why war is being waged on the police. The ensuing story is mesmerizing as Joe and his team investigate the scene and the situation. As another commanding officer goes missing, Joe and his team struggle to find him, identify and catch the perpetrator and bring peace back to Portland.
The characters are memorable, realistic, believable and very enjoyable, with each character enmeshed in their own personal problems as well. The dialogue is true to form and had me laughing out loud at times, as the exhausted investigative crew bantered amongst themselves. If you enjoy Lucas Davenport (Sandford), Alex Cross (Patterson), JP Beaumont (Jance) & Jack Reacher (Child), then you will want to add Joe Burgess to your bookshelves!!
February 15, 2021
Truly a distinguished police procedural. It's disappointing that the series is ending here. (Which makes it a bit odd that some new characters have been introduced). The bloodiness of the opening chapter is difficult to reads, but the story flows well from there.
A crime which seems impossible to solve is worked through in credible steps, the result being the result of meticulous and often boring work plus some luck. As usual, Burgess' life partner Chris borders on saintly. There is, though, less attention paid to the non-work lives of the police, which actually helps the story have velocity. As usual, Burgess, described one more time as the surliest and toughest member of Portland's force, is a lot more sensitive and caring than he is overbearing and annoying.
Of course no book is perfect, and this is no exception. Sixteen members of the Portland police force are a lot to keep in mind. Paul Cote remains obnoxious, and one wonders how he keeps his job since he is never described as doing anything positive. As an aside, I must admit as a Portland resident that I worry about our police force a bit, since the similar series by Bruce Coffin has a similar obnoxious and counterproductive senior police administrator.
Anyway, I read a lot of procedurals, and this one could compete for pick of the litter.
A crime which seems impossible to solve is worked through in credible steps, the result being the result of meticulous and often boring work plus some luck. As usual, Burgess' life partner Chris borders on saintly. There is, though, less attention paid to the non-work lives of the police, which actually helps the story have velocity. As usual, Burgess, described one more time as the surliest and toughest member of Portland's force, is a lot more sensitive and caring than he is overbearing and annoying.
Of course no book is perfect, and this is no exception. Sixteen members of the Portland police force are a lot to keep in mind. Paul Cote remains obnoxious, and one wonders how he keeps his job since he is never described as doing anything positive. As an aside, I must admit as a Portland resident that I worry about our police force a bit, since the similar series by Bruce Coffin has a similar obnoxious and counterproductive senior police administrator.
Anyway, I read a lot of procedurals, and this one could compete for pick of the litter.
April 1, 2021
An otherwise peaceful end of shift turns horrid when Sgt. Joe Burgess is called to the scene of two officers who are not responding to dispatch. He finds one down and one injured and the shocking news that his lieutenant has been taken. A confusing crime scene, an injured but alive lieutenant Vince and Burgess and his team have quite the puzzle to solve. Possibly the most perplexing part is why was Vince there to begin with? As the team dives into this mystery what will they uncover? Pick up your copy to find out!
I am a huge fan of this author in general and this series in particular. These stories have a dark, gritty realism that jumps off the page. The characters be they cops, victims or perpetrators come alive and draw you into the case from beginning to end. If you like hardcore detectives who get the job done you will love Joe Burgess and his crew. The stories can be read as stand alone but if you start from book one you’ll have a much richer reading experience.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I am a huge fan of this author in general and this series in particular. These stories have a dark, gritty realism that jumps off the page. The characters be they cops, victims or perpetrators come alive and draw you into the case from beginning to end. If you like hardcore detectives who get the job done you will love Joe Burgess and his crew. The stories can be read as stand alone but if you start from book one you’ll have a much richer reading experience.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
May 23, 2022
I received a review copy from the author via eBook Discovery and this is my honest opinion. This is an excellent police procedural that keeps the reader on their toes. I have loved the Joe Burgess series from the very beginning and Ms. Flora has yet to disappoint. Her characters are solid, believable, and more than a little rough around the edges, but if one of my family members had been injured in some way they are the types of officers I'd want on the case. Are they a bit "out there"? Sure they are. But this reader bonded with them from the first few pages of the first book and that hasn't changed. I'm not sure what I will do if Ms. Flora ever decides to end this series. I know I won't be happy.
July 12, 2019
This was an excellent police procedural...my only complaint is that Joe has so many aches and pains and much of the story talks about them. He's so tired; he gets no sleep; his knee hurts; he worries about this and that...and on and on. Enough already! I did love the fact that he is so often tempted to rush things and has to keep telling himself: "Tortoise - not hare!!" I love the location - Portland, Maine. I love his family. It really is a good series. If you decide to read it, start with #1. Even though you could read any one of these as a stand alone (there is NEVER a cliffhanger), they are so much better as the cast grows and changes.
November 23, 2019
An abandoned warehouse, officers are down, an ambush. Entering they felt fear, it was real. The killer was playing with them. Call to the chief, one dead, and three down. Why was Lieutenant Melia there made no sense to Burgess. A call from his son Dylan, then Chris, words of love, that took him fifty years to say. A positive thing to hang on to. Gripping plot of revenge and no cop was safe. How many would be shot at before they got the killer’s. An emotional look at how they push themselves to find the answers to stop this nightmare. A nice touch was the meaning of Chris and his family to Joe,
June 3, 2017
In her 5th Joe Burgess novel, Kate Flora takes you inside the head of a tough experienced cop as he deals with a killer who is targeting police officers - including some of his best friends. At the same time he is working to solve the case he is trying to come to terms with how to deal with his unexpected family after years alone. Good read.
March 18, 2018
Wishing this wasn't the end.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the Joe Burgess series. I wish I could pick up the next book and keep in reading about Detective Burgess' ongoing career but I've already read them all. I'm going to miss them: Joe, Terry, Stan, Melia, Remy, Press and the whole team.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the Joe Burgess series. I wish I could pick up the next book and keep in reading about Detective Burgess' ongoing career but I've already read them all. I'm going to miss them: Joe, Terry, Stan, Melia, Remy, Press and the whole team.
October 27, 2024
A good plot. The author, unfortunately, continues her use of awkward phrases, weird word choices, and really trite or unbelievable dialogue. In this work an 9 year old speaks like a 40 year old, which I think is her attempt to paint the kid as old beyond her years, but it does not work.
Flora's attitude towards police, the public, and humanity is still refreshing.
Flora's attitude towards police, the public, and humanity is still refreshing.
October 14, 2017
" Led Astray "s the title of this book, however anyone purchasing this book
Will be far from being " Led Astray ", this novel is a strong foundation for
The author to put " Pen to paper " creating a series.
Will be far from being " Led Astray ", this novel is a strong foundation for
The author to put " Pen to paper " creating a series.
April 6, 2020
Story not too bad, but a lot of time spent in preachy family pulp. Story took place in Portland Me., which drew me to the book, but nothing of the city other than street names in the book. It might as well have been in Kansas.
March 4, 2021
Well written and with great characters, as always, and this time even more emotional and with quite a few funny expressions. Very entertaining and easy to read.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
March 6, 2021
Good story but with issues.
I enjoyed the premise, the plot, and the characters. There were some editorial issues, but they distracted minimally from the story. I gave this 3 stars because the background seemed shallow and made the story drag rather than create suspense.
I enjoyed the premise, the plot, and the characters. There were some editorial issues, but they distracted minimally from the story. I gave this 3 stars because the background seemed shallow and made the story drag rather than create suspense.
March 9, 2021
Strap in and hang on for the ride of your life. Non-stop action keeps you biting your nails. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
April 1, 2021
So much action! From the first page it was nonstop. Ms. Flora always does such a good job with providing action. I don’t really think that’s the point of her books, though. She always sneaks a life lesson in there for her readers.
April 28, 2025
Top notch police procedural
Tightly plotted, strong and believable
characters. Vivid portrayal of the relationships and complicated dynamics within a police department, and the extra stresses when they are themselves targets.
Tightly plotted, strong and believable
characters. Vivid portrayal of the relationships and complicated dynamics within a police department, and the extra stresses when they are themselves targets.
October 28, 2017
Hands down, the best book in this series.
January 9, 2019
It was time for the series to end, but, all in all, it was good entertainment.
October 23, 2019
Like this series and I think it's the best of the five. It's about Maine a police detective work!!
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