What do you think?
Rate this book
Casey Holland Mystery #5
Knock Knock
The latest attack in a string of violent Vancouver home invasions kills senior Elsie Englehart. Security officer Casey Holland is devastated. She is supposed to be watching over elderly bus riders in an affluent, high-risk area, but she’s let Elsie down.
Determined to keep others safe, Casey escorts an elderly man home, but an armed intruder attacks them both. Hospitalized and angry, Casey struggles to regain control of her life, despite interference from family and colleagues—and the postponement of her long-awaited wedding.
Yet another home invasion compels Casey to take action, but at what cost to her health and her relationships? In Knock Knock, Debra Purdy Kong’s fifth installment of the Casey Holland series, the risks have never been higher and the consequences more deadly.
PRAISE FOR THE CASEY HOLLAND SERIES:
The National Post - “Kong’s writing is no-nonsense at best . . . the end result is a mystery that fits the bill.”
The Hamilton Spectator - “A good read with urban grit and a spicy climax.”
Quill & Quire - “The novel’s short, punchy chapters whisk the story along to a thrilling climax, while the characters’ relationships and rivalries provided a strong emotional anchor.”
Determined to keep others safe, Casey escorts an elderly man home, but an armed intruder attacks them both. Hospitalized and angry, Casey struggles to regain control of her life, despite interference from family and colleagues—and the postponement of her long-awaited wedding.
Yet another home invasion compels Casey to take action, but at what cost to her health and her relationships? In Knock Knock, Debra Purdy Kong’s fifth installment of the Casey Holland series, the risks have never been higher and the consequences more deadly.
PRAISE FOR THE CASEY HOLLAND SERIES:
The National Post - “Kong’s writing is no-nonsense at best . . . the end result is a mystery that fits the bill.”
The Hamilton Spectator - “A good read with urban grit and a spicy climax.”
Quill & Quire - “The novel’s short, punchy chapters whisk the story along to a thrilling climax, while the characters’ relationships and rivalries provided a strong emotional anchor.”
349 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2017
About the author
Debra Purdy Kong
12 books115 followersI've been writing and publishing mystery novels, short stories, personal essays, and articles for over 30 years.
Both books in my Alex Bellamy series, TAXED TO DEATH (now out of print) and FATAL ENCRYPTION center around white-collar crime and take place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
My newer series features transit security cop, Casey Holland. THE OPPOSITE OF DARK was originally released in 2011, followed by DEADLY ACCUSATIONS, BENEATH THE BLEAK NEW MOON, THE DEEP END, KNOCK KNOCK, and most recently THE BLADE MAN.
I've also published two humorous novellas, DEAD MAN FLOATING and A TOXIC CRAFT featuring campus security guard Evan Dunstan. They're currently out of print as well, but I hope to re-release them in the near future.
I've worked in retail and at a variety of clerical jobs over the years. I was also a security and communications officer for a security company, which served as useful research material for the Casey Holland series. I'm now retired from day jobs and a new grandma.
Both books in my Alex Bellamy series, TAXED TO DEATH (now out of print) and FATAL ENCRYPTION center around white-collar crime and take place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
My newer series features transit security cop, Casey Holland. THE OPPOSITE OF DARK was originally released in 2011, followed by DEADLY ACCUSATIONS, BENEATH THE BLEAK NEW MOON, THE DEEP END, KNOCK KNOCK, and most recently THE BLADE MAN.
I've also published two humorous novellas, DEAD MAN FLOATING and A TOXIC CRAFT featuring campus security guard Evan Dunstan. They're currently out of print as well, but I hope to re-release them in the near future.
I've worked in retail and at a variety of clerical jobs over the years. I was also a security and communications officer for a security company, which served as useful research material for the Casey Holland series. I'm now retired from day jobs and a new grandma.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 24, 2018
Yuck! I read the book into about 6 chapters and I couldn't read anymore. The story drags out and the characters are one dimensional. Just wasn't an interesting read. Great for falling asleep with.
May 9, 2018
Who is stalking the senior citizens of Vancouver?
Another great read by Debra Purdy Kong. It's not often I get to read a book located in my old "home town". Location well described, as well as the dangers we old folk can face just walking, taking transit, or driving a specific route home. For that matter, is anybody on foot or public transit ever completely sure they are safe? I've read several of Debra Kong's books and enjoyed them all. Her characters are always interesting and often in unusual ways. It's a long time since I lived in Vancouver and even though it has changed so much I recognize some parts of it, the people in my old neighborhood.
Doesn't life have crazy moments; imagine a complete misfit supposedly watching out for the safety of senior passengers on public transit. Are these people coming or going? Now imagine that misfit causing more problems than benefits, a real snobby sort who needs to learn a few manners. Casey Holland has her hands full as security officer, and dealing with a person who is not fitting in or not even seeming to care about the people he should, even with stepped up security. She's also trying to plan her wedding, yet still be avidly aware of those riders mostly elderly or frail, and whether they are being followed suspiciously when they get off the transit, she notices the women especially are often wearing more jewellery than they should, and talking about their lives with no thought of their own privacy. She does her best for them including hints on what can make them safer when they get home. But is it enough? In the meantime, Casey is still unable to have her wedding! Too much going on and so little time to plan. When a break-in happens to one of her regular customers, Elsie, resulting in a brutal attack that lands her in hospital, Casey steps up her vigilance, and even begins to escort some of the more vulnerable home, an action that has just begun to escalate into deadly crime and very nearly takes her own life.
A well-thought out story, a timely story, I really liked it, even with the fears and danger lurking in the shadows watching to take advantage of the elderly in this murder mystery. I'm glad I got to read it, it is compelling in its awareness of what is needed to protect the vulnerable.
Another great read by Debra Purdy Kong. It's not often I get to read a book located in my old "home town". Location well described, as well as the dangers we old folk can face just walking, taking transit, or driving a specific route home. For that matter, is anybody on foot or public transit ever completely sure they are safe? I've read several of Debra Kong's books and enjoyed them all. Her characters are always interesting and often in unusual ways. It's a long time since I lived in Vancouver and even though it has changed so much I recognize some parts of it, the people in my old neighborhood.
Doesn't life have crazy moments; imagine a complete misfit supposedly watching out for the safety of senior passengers on public transit. Are these people coming or going? Now imagine that misfit causing more problems than benefits, a real snobby sort who needs to learn a few manners. Casey Holland has her hands full as security officer, and dealing with a person who is not fitting in or not even seeming to care about the people he should, even with stepped up security. She's also trying to plan her wedding, yet still be avidly aware of those riders mostly elderly or frail, and whether they are being followed suspiciously when they get off the transit, she notices the women especially are often wearing more jewellery than they should, and talking about their lives with no thought of their own privacy. She does her best for them including hints on what can make them safer when they get home. But is it enough? In the meantime, Casey is still unable to have her wedding! Too much going on and so little time to plan. When a break-in happens to one of her regular customers, Elsie, resulting in a brutal attack that lands her in hospital, Casey steps up her vigilance, and even begins to escort some of the more vulnerable home, an action that has just begun to escalate into deadly crime and very nearly takes her own life.
A well-thought out story, a timely story, I really liked it, even with the fears and danger lurking in the shadows watching to take advantage of the elderly in this murder mystery. I'm glad I got to read it, it is compelling in its awareness of what is needed to protect the vulnerable.
February 23, 2018
I won this book on Goodreads. This is the first book I have read in the Casey Holland series but was able to understand the story. There have been man violent home invasions and the latest kills senior Elsie. Casey is upset since she is supposed to be watching the senior citizens. She escorts an elderly man home where she is beaten badly. After another home invasion Casey risks her health to try and figure out who is doing this. She is also planning her wedding, which her future mother-in-law is trying to take over.
June 22, 2018
Nerve-racking Hunt for a Killer
This is the second Casey Holland book I’ve read and the fifth in the series. The Vancouver setting is familiar to me which makes the story come to life. In this instalment, Casey Holland is torn between the demands of planning a much-anticipated wedding and her commitment to safeguarding seniors in her job as a security officer with the transit authority, MPT.
Casey’s world is sent spinning when an elderly woman is brutalized and killed. Casey takes the death personally and ramps up efforts to find the murderer. Knock Knock takes the reader on a nerve-racking hunt with Casey as she unravels clues that bring her closer to the killer and put her in harm’s way. Complicating matters are a devastating attack, circumspect colleagues, and a fast-approaching wedding.
Debra Purdy Kong has created a cast of believable characters who you’ll want to cheer for and hang out with. I’m looking forward to reading other books in the Casey Holland series.
This is the second Casey Holland book I’ve read and the fifth in the series. The Vancouver setting is familiar to me which makes the story come to life. In this instalment, Casey Holland is torn between the demands of planning a much-anticipated wedding and her commitment to safeguarding seniors in her job as a security officer with the transit authority, MPT.
Casey’s world is sent spinning when an elderly woman is brutalized and killed. Casey takes the death personally and ramps up efforts to find the murderer. Knock Knock takes the reader on a nerve-racking hunt with Casey as she unravels clues that bring her closer to the killer and put her in harm’s way. Complicating matters are a devastating attack, circumspect colleagues, and a fast-approaching wedding.
Debra Purdy Kong has created a cast of believable characters who you’ll want to cheer for and hang out with. I’m looking forward to reading other books in the Casey Holland series.
July 10, 2018
We’ve all heard of Knock Knock jokes. Well, this book is no joke. Debra Purdy Kong’s fifth book in the Casey Holland Mystery series is downright disturbing. Someone is preying on seniors in Vancouver’s affluent Kerrisdale neighbourhood. Someone who thinks that knock knock is a joke and doesn’t mind murdering an old man or snapping off an elderly woman’s finger to get a wedding ring. The book begins with a bloody home invasion that made me check my locks. When the banging started on Elsie Englehart’s door in the middle of the night, I prayed she was just having a bad dream or one of her neighbour’s needed a hand. Nope. Kong throws us right into the thick of it. Intense, intriguing, and well-crafted, Knock Knock, will keep your muscles tense until the end.
The protagonist in this cozy mystery is a strong tenacious woman who works as a senior security officer for Mainland Public Transport. When it becomes apparent that seniors are being targeted, Casey takes it upon herself to, not only investigate but, look after seniors. Walk them home. Check up on them. Drive them to appointments. She is unstoppable. Even when she ends up in the hospital after meeting Mr. Knock Knock face on. To complicate matters, Casey and Lou are engaged, and Lou’s scheming, insensitive mother keeps pushing Casey to choose a dress, or a centerpiece, when all Casey wants to do is find the killer who murdered Elsie Englehart and put the bastard behind bars. Furthermore, one of Casey’s new colleagues at MPT is an obnoxious liar who knows how to push everyone’s buttons and seems to get away with it. A jerk, yes, but could Philippe also be the killer?
The protagonist in this cozy mystery is a strong tenacious woman who works as a senior security officer for Mainland Public Transport. When it becomes apparent that seniors are being targeted, Casey takes it upon herself to, not only investigate but, look after seniors. Walk them home. Check up on them. Drive them to appointments. She is unstoppable. Even when she ends up in the hospital after meeting Mr. Knock Knock face on. To complicate matters, Casey and Lou are engaged, and Lou’s scheming, insensitive mother keeps pushing Casey to choose a dress, or a centerpiece, when all Casey wants to do is find the killer who murdered Elsie Englehart and put the bastard behind bars. Furthermore, one of Casey’s new colleagues at MPT is an obnoxious liar who knows how to push everyone’s buttons and seems to get away with it. A jerk, yes, but could Philippe also be the killer?
May 2, 2018
Casey is a security guard and one of the seniors, Elise, dies on her watch. She's upset as she should have been paying more attention. As she is helping another senior home they get attacked by an intruder. She's trying to recover and heal she wants to know what is going on and try to keep her soon to be mother - in - law from taking over the wedding plans.
I have not read any of the other books in this series, but there was enough information that I did not feel lost. The plot and characters were well done and I was happy to read it.
I have not read any of the other books in this series, but there was enough information that I did not feel lost. The plot and characters were well done and I was happy to read it.
August 12, 2020
Yet another great read. Never disappoints to suck me in. Knowing Vancouver somewhat, helps paint a more vivid picture. I really felt bad for the seniors. I wanted them to be safe from crazy home invaders.
March 16, 2018
Casey Holland keeps getting better, and this time, it's a touch more violent. Everything is amped up; the stakes, the drama and the pace. I can't wait to read the next of the series.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews