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Dedicated to Death #1
The First Shot
For Tampa homicide lieutenant Carl Kane, death is his life. If a single award existed for sinking himself into his work, he’d have two.
But the latest crime scene he’s called to, an old abandoned factory, leaves him with more bodies than leads. Three drug dealers are found shot to death—not an uncommon sight in the least. The problem lies with the pair of middle-aged women—bound, gagged, and executed—found at the same location.
Before he can sink his teeth into the initial investigation, Kane is called out to another multiple homicide. He comes up with only more questions when the second group of murders appears connected to the first. As the lieutenant tracks down the few leads, he begins to get a clearer picture of those he seeks. That picture quickly turns crystal clear when Kane finds himself face-to-face with someone that “armed and dangerous” doesn’t even begin to describe.
But the latest crime scene he’s called to, an old abandoned factory, leaves him with more bodies than leads. Three drug dealers are found shot to death—not an uncommon sight in the least. The problem lies with the pair of middle-aged women—bound, gagged, and executed—found at the same location.
Before he can sink his teeth into the initial investigation, Kane is called out to another multiple homicide. He comes up with only more questions when the second group of murders appears connected to the first. As the lieutenant tracks down the few leads, he begins to get a clearer picture of those he seeks. That picture quickly turns crystal clear when Kane finds himself face-to-face with someone that “armed and dangerous” doesn’t even begin to describe.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2016
3208 people are currently reading
1833 people want to read
About the author
E.H. Reinhard
46 books181 followersE.H. Reinhard is the author of over twenty novels in the crime fiction and police procedural genres. Residing in sunny Tampa Florida, when not putting pen to paper, or more accurately, keys to keyboard writing his next novel, Reinhard is an avid fisherman and a general enjoyer of everything outdoors.
To see what he's been up to lately, you can find him on social media, or can contact him directly using the contact form at: http://ehreinhard.com.
Find him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ehreinhardau...
To see what he's been up to lately, you can find him on social media, or can contact him directly using the contact form at: http://ehreinhard.com.
Find him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ehreinhardau...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
May 21, 2017
Very well written police procedural along the lines of Connelly's Bosch series or Sandford's Davenport series.
More violence than Connelly, but then the criminals Reinhard depict are true bad asses.
Give it a try.
More violence than Connelly, but then the criminals Reinhard depict are true bad asses.
Give it a try.
Want to read
January 2, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/2/2018)! 💝
May 17, 2017
I was disappointed by this book. The overall concept and plot line was good (until the end), but the book is poorly written. As other reviewers have noted, it is full of overly-detailed descriptions of people, actions, and conversations. Many of the characters have "couple-of-inches-long" hair and we get every detail of their height, weight, and clothing. It slows down the action and isn't necessary. We are told that Kane puts coffee in his creamer and throws away the packages. It isn't relevant. We learn that Hank's wife uses two bathrooms to get ready in the morning which we do not need to know. The club employee that was jogging uses a route that is "around four miles on the nose". Which is it? Around 4 miles? Or 4 miles on the nose? It can't be both!
November 18, 2017
This is a 3.5 star read.
I have read all the "Cases Of Lieutenant Kane" series and one of the "Agent Hank Rawlings" books and I must say, if I were to be honest, that this first of the "Dedicated To Death" series falls far short of the author's previous exemplary work.
While the plot was good and the ending romped home to a stunning conclusion, I found the author struggling to get into the rhythm of the story from the beginning until about a third of the way through the book. I'll agree with previous reviews to say that the constant overuse of descriptions regarding height, weight and features of people was considerably distracting. The sentences were also invariably short so that it read in a staccato fashion and didn't ensure a smooth flow of the prose.
I'm not going to write (haha) the series off based on this one book though; I do have the second in the series which I'll read before I pass final judgement.
I have read all the "Cases Of Lieutenant Kane" series and one of the "Agent Hank Rawlings" books and I must say, if I were to be honest, that this first of the "Dedicated To Death" series falls far short of the author's previous exemplary work.
While the plot was good and the ending romped home to a stunning conclusion, I found the author struggling to get into the rhythm of the story from the beginning until about a third of the way through the book. I'll agree with previous reviews to say that the constant overuse of descriptions regarding height, weight and features of people was considerably distracting. The sentences were also invariably short so that it read in a staccato fashion and didn't ensure a smooth flow of the prose.
I'm not going to write (haha) the series off based on this one book though; I do have the second in the series which I'll read before I pass final judgement.
May 26, 2019
"Gritty thriller"
What we've come to expect from this writer. A well-constructed police procedural that's high on action, doesn't pull any punches and tells it like it is. If true grit is your thing and to heck with getting in touch with your feelings, then this will be right up your street.
What we've come to expect from this writer. A well-constructed police procedural that's high on action, doesn't pull any punches and tells it like it is. If true grit is your thing and to heck with getting in touch with your feelings, then this will be right up your street.
June 28, 2020
Dedicated to Death book #1
Told from the point of views of both the detective and the criminals and using the first and third person narrative “The First Shot” is all about murder, mayhem, little clues, lots of blood, of course violence but most of all sleuthing.
Tampa lieutenant Carl Kane is the action hero who tracks down leads to catch the perpetrators and bring them to justice. In this first episode Kane is called to an abandoned factory where three drug dealers are found shot to death alongside are two middle-aged women bound, gagged and executed…what happened here? Kane will find out…and the fun begins or should.
To love this type of story you really need to be a fan of over the top, questionable action and a shaky conclusion. Forget literature, the writing is not awful but very verbose and uses a lot of acronyms, yes, guess what they mean, of course if you read a lot of this type of book you may figure out the signification…good luck. The premise in this story is different. It is about a bunch of crooks that murder each other and are always a step ahead of the authority. By the end one of them confesses…just like that….hum. Boy do we have information: details of every place and what every person wore, how tall they were, how much they weighed, you get my drift, things gets boring after a while. Yes, like many police story Kane is at odds with his boss…not really news here…not much more to say…
The story has its moment, so don’t get me wrong, I did like it enough to read it to the end.
Told from the point of views of both the detective and the criminals and using the first and third person narrative “The First Shot” is all about murder, mayhem, little clues, lots of blood, of course violence but most of all sleuthing.
Tampa lieutenant Carl Kane is the action hero who tracks down leads to catch the perpetrators and bring them to justice. In this first episode Kane is called to an abandoned factory where three drug dealers are found shot to death alongside are two middle-aged women bound, gagged and executed…what happened here? Kane will find out…and the fun begins or should.
To love this type of story you really need to be a fan of over the top, questionable action and a shaky conclusion. Forget literature, the writing is not awful but very verbose and uses a lot of acronyms, yes, guess what they mean, of course if you read a lot of this type of book you may figure out the signification…good luck. The premise in this story is different. It is about a bunch of crooks that murder each other and are always a step ahead of the authority. By the end one of them confesses…just like that….hum. Boy do we have information: details of every place and what every person wore, how tall they were, how much they weighed, you get my drift, things gets boring after a while. Yes, like many police story Kane is at odds with his boss…not really news here…not much more to say…
The story has its moment, so don’t get me wrong, I did like it enough to read it to the end.
January 1, 2017
Beginning with, "The First Shot", Author E.H. Reinhard has written a series of books that are prequels to his original series featuring Tampa Homicide Detective Carl Kane. (And trusty partner Hank Rawlings). The first of these prequels still has Carl partnered with Hank Rawlings, both still working for the crafty Captain Bostock.. (Hank gets his own series by joining FBI later on). also Carl has not yet interacted with Callie the super hot bar maid working for "Lefty's Bar". Being a big fan of Reinhard's Carl Kane series this seems like an excellent idea. Carl and Hank are called out to an abandoned cigar factory after reports of several dead bodies. The detectives first come across two women that were bound, gagged, and brutally executed outside the factory. However inside, the detectives find local gangsters Charles Treadwell, Michael Woodward, and LaMarcus Taylor all shot to death. With a lot of forensics that don't help with the case left on the scene Carl and Hank have a lot of digging to do. Before the detectives make headway with this unusual case another multi shooting victims case lands on their desk. At a local Gentleman's club, "Emerald Palace", five bodies are left after a robbery overnight. Blood and clues also reveal a sixth man also died but body has disappeared. With a plot that moves at breakneck speed this one is packed with action. Carl and Hank must survive several shoot outs, car chases, and with killers who murder at the drop of a hat. Just over 220 pages this one is over pretty much as fast as the first chapter blazes by. Carl and Hank don't have any time for conversations into the off the job lives. The supporting characters from Carl's team don't really get any depth at all. Luckily I remembered a lot of these support characters from the first set of series books. That's a shame. Author E.H. Reinhard should have slowed it up a bit and given the plot space to breathe. Don't get me wrong, I liked the story. Blowing through it in just over three hours was a bummer. It appears the second book in this new "Death" series goes about the same way. A solid three stars out of a possible five stars for, "The First Shot". (3.25 stars better sums up it's rating)
January 24, 2017
Just read first shot
I've now read a few E H Reinhard novels and enjoyed every one of 'em !! Gritty and real stories and characters - what's not to like yeah ?! Keep 'em coming EH !!!
I've now read a few E H Reinhard novels and enjoyed every one of 'em !! Gritty and real stories and characters - what's not to like yeah ?! Keep 'em coming EH !!!
June 25, 2017
Don't really know what to say about this book. It's just too much bodies pilling up, person out of control and killing anybody that crosses his way, and the police trying to catch something. The start was good, but it ended up there.
April 22, 2017
Almost completely lacking in plot. No build up of suspense. Stilted dialogue. I truly believe a high school sophomore could have written a better book.
May 20, 2018
wow, kinda reminds me of Sandra Brown's style of villain, horrific. I gave it for starts because it did pull me in and cause all kinds of emotions.
May 8, 2019
Great book
I didn't even realize I was almost at the end of the book! Easy engulfing read. Kane is driven and thorough.
I didn't even realize I was almost at the end of the book! Easy engulfing read. Kane is driven and thorough.
November 17, 2017
Talk about a stone cold remorseless killer! This was a terrible book even though the police ultimately prevailed. I will probably never feel safe again. I think I need a gentle romance next.
August 20, 2020
I'm in no rush to read book two!
January 16, 2020
Best book I've read so far this year. I will be reading other books by this author.
April 29, 2021
A great crime mystery with a ruthless killer.
The dialogue between police colleagues is believable and appreciated because they treat each other with respect Too many crime novels create detectives and officers who are so jaded and burnt out that they do not carry on a normal relationship with one another. Normal procedural details are included but sometimes overly done as in describing handshakes every time.
The dialogue between police colleagues is believable and appreciated because they treat each other with respect Too many crime novels create detectives and officers who are so jaded and burnt out that they do not carry on a normal relationship with one another. Normal procedural details are included but sometimes overly done as in describing handshakes every time.
November 25, 2017
First Shot begins in the Reinhard fashion with the point of view switching between third person and first person—first person when Lt. Kane is the narrator and third person when the chief antagonist is the narrator. Also, true all the other Reinhard books that I have read there are no real page numbers, just position numbers and percentage read numbers. Reinhard is a master of handling first and third persons POVs so don’t let that discourage you from getting this book. I can guarantee you that you will be in for a ride on a rocket sled.
Reinhard really has his shit together when it comes to writing police procedurals and all his books fall into that category to one degree or another. He has a real good grip on what happens during crime scene investigations and at crime labs and the ME’s office.
Reinhard reminds me of many earlier writers who have their protagonists describe every move they are making in great detail—I opened the door and walked over behind my desk, pulling out the chair which squeaked in protest as I settled my full weight down on the leather seat. One way of looking at this kind of detailed description is that it’s a way of stretching the length of the book, of adding to the page count even when real page numbers aren’t used as with this book.
This story has an explosive ending that will knock your socks off. This book is an absolute read if you are really into blood and guts thriller. This story is not for the squeamish and weak stomached.
I will be reading this book over and over again as time passes.
Reinhard really has his shit together when it comes to writing police procedurals and all his books fall into that category to one degree or another. He has a real good grip on what happens during crime scene investigations and at crime labs and the ME’s office.
Reinhard reminds me of many earlier writers who have their protagonists describe every move they are making in great detail—I opened the door and walked over behind my desk, pulling out the chair which squeaked in protest as I settled my full weight down on the leather seat. One way of looking at this kind of detailed description is that it’s a way of stretching the length of the book, of adding to the page count even when real page numbers aren’t used as with this book.
This story has an explosive ending that will knock your socks off. This book is an absolute read if you are really into blood and guts thriller. This story is not for the squeamish and weak stomached.
I will be reading this book over and over again as time passes.
August 26, 2018
I'm giving Reinhard's book a high rating despite some weak characters and sketchy behavior; numerous implausible scenarios; and unlikely timelines. I'm sure that the demanding reader won't object when Reinhard's excellent prose, imaginative scenarios, fairly good adherence to police procedures, and excellent weaving of procedural and personal activities are seen.
Sadly, there are some embarrassingly rookie errors, such as blood-spatter evidence at the end of chapter 15 that magically appears on a wall. Another is a victim's snatching the bad guy's mask off but no description of checking fingernails for DNA evidence. Despite such potholes, it's a page-turner, almost at the level of can't-put-down.
Read it! (If you really don't like it, send me some hate-mail; my Trash is woefully empty.
Sadly, there are some embarrassingly rookie errors, such as blood-spatter evidence at the end of chapter 15 that magically appears on a wall. Another is a victim's snatching the bad guy's mask off but no description of checking fingernails for DNA evidence. Despite such potholes, it's a page-turner, almost at the level of can't-put-down.
Read it! (If you really don't like it, send me some hate-mail; my Trash is woefully empty.
February 1, 2017
It took me a while to become engrossed with this book but nonetheless, I could not put it down. It started with several cold blooded murders which were performed for no obvious reason. Then it became a process of following along as the detectives attempted to solve the crimes. Along the way a few more murders were committed, again with no obvious motive. I think the book gave a decent insight into how the police work crimes. It seemed very realistic. I was quite satisfied with the ending. It was chilling and very real.
My only criticism with this book is the jargon. For some reasons the author assumes his readers understand American police acronyms. The book is littered with them. Many are guessable but some will forever remain a mystery to me.
My only criticism with this book is the jargon. For some reasons the author assumes his readers understand American police acronyms. The book is littered with them. Many are guessable but some will forever remain a mystery to me.
April 1, 2018
The First Shot is the appropriately titled first book in the Carl Kane detective/police series from EH Reinhard. It's a good, fast-paced read in which we are introduced to Kane and his cohorts at the Tampa Police Department. The story is told from both the point of view of the criminals and of the police, which works most of the time but sometimes lifts some of the suspense from the story. But, I've also read the second book in this series and this problem does not recur in book #2. The author here has created an interesting character with a back-story that we get only a small peek into in this first installment. The action is well written and it's a book you will not want to put down. An excellent beginning to this series.
January 25, 2017
A well written crime thriller slash police procedural. Unlike so many crime thrillers I've read lately, this one doesn't make everyone around the main character look like an idiot in order to make the main character look smarter. Everyone in the police department and neighboring departments come off as real, live characters doing what you would expect of them. The case isn't solved by dumb luck as so many other crime thrillers, this one is solved by hard work and good old fashioned following the leads. Reinhard thinks out his stories and keeps them on a real-world level. Characters are well developed and believable, including the background characters. A great read!
June 2, 2017
As a homicide detective, Tampa Detective Carl Kane is accustomed to death. But his latest case, three dead drug dealers and two middle-aged women killed execution style at the same scene, has him stumped. When he gets another multiple homicide with the same M.O., he knows he has a problem on his hands, but even he’s unprepared for the madman he’s now chasing.
The First Shot by E. H. Reinhard is pretty tense noir mystery, with vivid descriptions of some pretty gruesome action (a warning for the benefit of the squeamish), and brief glimpses into the minds of the characters.
The First Shot by E. H. Reinhard is pretty tense noir mystery, with vivid descriptions of some pretty gruesome action (a warning for the benefit of the squeamish), and brief glimpses into the minds of the characters.
September 22, 2017
Lieutenant Carl Kane. The only life he has is his job. He is a Homicide Detective. This book is a pretty good Read! He is on the trail of a group of kidnappers. Lots of murders and blood. Just as the first case starts getting organized, another one pops up. Lieutenant Kane and his partner are Scrambling to solve these cases. The Story moves very smoothly , it just seems to rush a little at the end. If you like mystery stories you will want to read this one. Good Read, Santa Mike.
January 29, 2017
Fantastic
I had to read this quietly as got distracted by others, it was worth persevering with, I am glad I don't live in America, gun laws so lax. This detective was a gentleman and it had elements of warmth with the camaraderie of his fellow officers. I don't need to describe the book but a good read. This author is authentic
I had to read this quietly as got distracted by others, it was worth persevering with, I am glad I don't live in America, gun laws so lax. This detective was a gentleman and it had elements of warmth with the camaraderie of his fellow officers. I don't need to describe the book but a good read. This author is authentic
February 12, 2017
This is a good police procedural. I like that the main bad guy is totally evil; shooting everyone, as a lot of hardcore criminals do. There is no redeeming feature to this man. I also like how it is a stupid mistake that trips him up but on a side note, how long does ice last in a car in Tampa? Overall a good read.
May 7, 2021
I have a brother-in-law who was a police detective and the main character seemed quite true to what it really is like. The villain was beyond vicious, he was inhumane. Don't read it if truly violent crime puts you off. Quite an excellent police procedural with a true to life solution trigger. I really enjoyed it, despite the clinically anti-social personality of the villain.
June 12, 2017
I enjoyed this book. The story was pretty interesting and the action was fun. At times, I was a little frustrated with the style of writing. Felt it was a little too repetitive at times. Otherwise, great book and can't wait to continue with the series! If you're looking for a quick read(though it took me a while to finish it), I would recommend this book!
November 12, 2017
Murder & Mayhem
Slow start but got better. I would have liked to know more background on Kane also his personal life, it would make me understand him better. Also it is hard to accept that there are people who can murder without a conscience but there are more than people know. I look forward to reading the next book.
Slow start but got better. I would have liked to know more background on Kane also his personal life, it would make me understand him better. Also it is hard to accept that there are people who can murder without a conscience but there are more than people know. I look forward to reading the next book.
August 24, 2018
This bad guy, David is the worst!
Such a simple statement, but nothing else describes David better. A character with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The First Shot makes you thankful for detectives like Kane, that work more hours than they should, that pursue nuggets of info that might not lead anywhere, until they do.
Such a simple statement, but nothing else describes David better. A character with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The First Shot makes you thankful for detectives like Kane, that work more hours than they should, that pursue nuggets of info that might not lead anywhere, until they do.
August 26, 2018
Too much
Very good book with a great storyline! Just one thing bothered me throughout....It seems like the author gets paid by the word.....my phone rang in my pocket, I reached in and pulled it out, the display read ----, I pushed talk....come on already! My phone rang so I answered it would have sufficed. Just one example. Happens a lot throughout.
Very good book with a great storyline! Just one thing bothered me throughout....It seems like the author gets paid by the word.....my phone rang in my pocket, I reached in and pulled it out, the display read ----, I pushed talk....come on already! My phone rang so I answered it would have sufficed. Just one example. Happens a lot throughout.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews