Lies in High Places

Andrea Kellner #1

by Dana Killion

A journalist. A sniper. A city on edge.

As investigative journalist Andrea Kellner is heading out of Chicago for a long weekend, a driver in front of her is shot and killed. The city’s gang violence problems have spilled onto a major expressway for the third time in a month.

Or is something else at play?

Her career faltering and marriage all but over, Andrea desperately needs a win, provided she can find out what’s really behind the shootings.

With a boss who wants her sitting on the sidelines—or back in his bed, a competitive co-worker who just wants her gone, and a detective blinded by his own past, Andrea must look past CPD’s explanation and discover the truth behind the shootings. Provided she can live to tell the story.

Lies in High Places is the first book in the Andrea Kellner crime fiction series. If you like complex plots and smart, ballsy, crime-solving women, you’ll love Dana Killion’s page-turning debut.

Pick up Lies in High Places to discover this exciting new series today!

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

284 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2017

About the author

Dana Killion grew up in a small town in northern Wisconsin, reading Nancy Drew and dreaming of living surrounded by tall buildings. A career in the apparel industry satisfied her city living urge and Nancy Drew evolved into Cornwell, Fairstein, and Evanovich.

One day, frustrated that her favorite authors weren’t writing fast enough, an insane thought crossed her mind. “Maybe I could write a novel?”

Silly, naïve, downright ludicrous. But she did it. She plotted and planned and got 80,000 words on the page. That manuscript lives permanently in the back of a closet. But the writing bug had bitten.

Her debut novel, Lies in High Places, was released in October of 2017. The Andrea Kellner series continues with The Last Lie (2018), Lies of Men (2019), Tell Me a Lie (2020), and The Liars Code (2022).

In May of 2023, Dana's debut memoir, Where the Shadows Dance was released. A story born of a life in turmoil and her husband's addiction.

Dana currently lives in Tucson with her kitty, Isabel, happily avoiding snow and mending her heart.

Reviews

[JJ Dahl]

I received the book as a gift. I read the entire series because I was hooked. This is a fast-paced, interest filled Whodunit. And no, you won’t peg who the murderer is until revealed at the end. Half way through the book, you will want to eat and drink with Andrea (besides picking up great tips for Chicago restaurants). You’ll want to be friends with her friends. Andrea is a former prosecutor just turned investigative journalist working for her philandering soon to be ex-husband. Isn’t that enough to make you want to read it? Headed out of town for a much needed respite, Andrea finds herself in the literal cross fire of a highway sniper. This is just the jump start her new career needs and the tenaciousiousness that made her a great prosecutor kicks in and leads to her pursuit of truth and justice. All the while, her ex is still trying to get back in her bed at the same time a hot, swaggering detective tries to protect her and stoke a flame. Ultimately solving the shooting spree, the nefarious Chicago politics Andrea expects gets turned upside down in an unexpected - and very personal way. Don’t pick it up at night if you have to be up early, you can’t put it down.

[Mary Anne Timchishen]

After reading the story summary, I asked for the set as a gift. I planned on reading these at night on my kindle before going to sleep. I should know better by now. Two chapters, or so, a night doesn’t cut it for me.

I thought the story was a little slow getting started but once we got to the first bump in the road, it really took off. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the book and looking forward to the rest.

My one complaint - they need a better proofreader - there were so many typos and mistakes, kind of throws a kink in the flow.

[Brandi Alcock]

This book was recommended to my by a friend of the author. She said the book featured a strong female lead in a realistic manner. The writing was crisp and the first party view made the book an easy read. This novel is a smart, well written mystery that kept me guessing. Well worth it!

[Mary Glenda Moran]

Spell-binding read

Highly recommended. Couldn’t figure it out until the very end 🤨 I usually figure out mysteries about half way, so the author knows how to hold on to her readers.

[Alix | The Bookish Alix]

Ehhh it was just okay for me. Too much politics and real estate dealings for me to keep up with lol.

[Wisconsin Alumni]

Dana Killion ’82
Author

From the author:
A journalist. A sniper. A city on edge.

As investigative journalist Andrea Kellner is heading out of Chicago for a long weekend, a driver in front of her is shot and killed. The city’s gang violence problems have spilled onto a major expressway for the third time in a month.

Or is something else at play?

Her career faltering and marriage all but over, Andrea desperately needs a win, provided she can find out what’s really behind the shootings. With a boss who wants her sitting on the sidelines—or back in his bed, a competitive co-worker who just wants her gone, and a detective blinded by his own past, Andrea must look past CPD’s explanation and discover the truth behind the shootings.

Provided she can live to tell the story.

Lies in High Places is the first book in the Andrea Kellner crime fiction series. If you like complex plots and smart, ballsy, crime-solving women, you’ll love Dana Killion’s page-turning debut.

[BookWorm]

Maybe 2.5 stars.

I thought the story had promise but it fell a bit flat. We weren't given enough to connect with Andrea and were just left to follow her almost blindly. All we really knew is that she was an attorney for some years and then for an unknown reason switched to journalism and was now working for her soon to be ex husband. Given the career change was relatively recent and there was no backstory about it being a burning passion, it seemed hollow to have Andrea constantly referring to her 'journalistic instincts'.

Having said all that the mystery was decent and layered. There were plenty of characters to keep track of. Although I was getting impatient for the big reveal and it maybe didn't quite live up to the hype. I'm not sure if I will continue with this series.

[Lesley]

Genre - murder, mystery, thriller
Time - contemporary
Location - Chicago

Andrea Killner has been an investigative journalist for 6 months. Her previous occupation was prosecutor with the attorney generals office. Her life is being turned upside down as she is going through a divorce and her soon to be ex husband is also her boss.
When she is involved in a highway accident that was initiated by the third sniper killing on the same stretch of road, Andrea is on the hunt for the biggest story in the city.
There are many surprises along the way with crooked polititians, gang involvement, and massive real estate dealings.
This is Chicago, after all!

[Jessica Woods]

Lies in High Places is a fast paced read driven by a complex mystery. Andrea gets caught up in a major wreck on the interstate When she's checking on the other drivers, she notices the driver that caused the accident appears to be a victim of the highway sniper. An investigation journalist, she begins to investigate using her former contacts from the district attorney's office. What the police are calling a gang war turns out to be a deeper widespread conspiracy. Twisty and turny, the story draws you in and keeps you guessing. My voluntary and unbiased review is based upon a review copy.

[Mary]

I have to rate the book four stars because I was reading as fast as I could to find out what was going on. However, it was a bit over the top with the character of Andrea in risky situations. ()Do not go out on an 11th floor terrace with someone you don't trust! Don't wander into empty buildings in derelict areas. ) Hard to say much without spoilers but there was a lot of evil scheming going on. Maybe Chicago really is that bad!

The truest moment in the book for me was Andrea's encounter with Father Brogan in which she felt cleansed of an incident--really a tragedy--in her past.

[BP34]

This is the first book in the Andrea Kellner crime fiction series. Fast paced and full of action this book will keep you sitting on the edge of your chair. A page turner for sure. Well written with lots of suspense, danger and drama. The storyline is very engaging and the characters are full of depth. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next one. I read an advance copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.

[Irida]

The author got me hooked from page 1. The story has a lot of twists and turns and the main character is a very likable and strong woman. The book is fast paced, interesting writing, humor included.
I highly recommend this book, it is better than I expected. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Judith]

This is a good story that debuts a promising author. As a Chicagoan I appreciate the use of real locals. It would benefit from a good proofreader. Mistakes seemed to increase toward the end of the book.

[Liza]

A driver on the freeway is shot and major road chaos ensues. Journalist Andrea is part of the chaos but she starts to look at the events as a planned disruption instead of random killings.

The story is well developed as she follows surprising leads.

Good book

[Brian O'Leary]

Too many layers of people conspiring together for something entirely simple that they were trying to accomplish. There were so many characters involved in the scam that you really never built up any disliking for any of them.

[Theresa Dybala]

I came across Lies in High Places by Dana Killion in a small independent bookstore on the "already read" bookshelf for 50 cents. What a great find! It's a lawyer turned journalist, political crime, detective story that takes place in Chicago. This is book 1 of 5 in a series.

[Jacqueline Ellison]

Mystery, suspense, twists and turns. A well written storyline with great characters that will keep you turning the pages. I voluntarily received this book to review for my honest opinion.

[Tom]

Well written. Good sense of the city. Ending was a bit contrived. I Recommend her books. Good depiction of friendships and relationships made the book satisfying.

[Tawnee Calhoun]

It was all right, nothing too exciting. Needs more action in the middle. Ending felt rushed.

[Beverly Norman]

This was too political themed for me.

[Leslie]

I love this series!

[Roxy LaFrance]

I'm just not bonding with the characters

[Gail]

Didn't see it coming

I kept wondering if Andrea would go back to her attorney role when it seemed journalism wasn't working out. Seems like investigating journalism is for her.

[Govno Nichevo]

I thought that this was a good read. This was a good paced and engaging story set in a political context.