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Dennis Cunningham #1
Color of Blood
Dennis is glad to be back at work. His wife’s death left him devastated but he’ll do anything to lose himself into work at the Inspector General’s office of the CIA. A brilliant, if prickly investigator, he’s spent his career chasing down the Agency’s thieves and liars. When his boss forces him to take a low-level assignment to investigate a missing employee in Australia, he soon finds that even in the red dust of the Outback, there is romance – and death – just a sweltering heartbeat away.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2018
432 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Keith Yocum
13 books111 followersKeith Yocum was born in Ridgecrest, California, the civilian town supporting the China Lake Naval Weapons Center in the Mojave Desert. He grew up overseas as an Army brat, including long stints in the Panama Canal Zone and Western Australia. He has an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a graduate degree in journalism. He had an extensive career in publishing, including publications like The Boston Globe and The New England Journal of Medicine. He lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and is the author of eleven novels. His espionage thriller "Valley of Spies," was picked by Kirkus Reviews as one of the best indie mysteries, crime stories, thrillers of 2019. He was a semi-finalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award with his Vietnam War mystery "Daniel."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 29, 2017
Color of Blood by Keith Yocum is an interesting book with international intrigue, romance, mystery, suspense and more. It started out a bit slow then picked up and didn't stop. Enjoyed it.
May 15, 2021
This is excellent writing. The author, a former journalist, has the ability to lay out a complex story without getting bogged down.
MC works for CIA. He is given an apparently demeaning and pointless assignment after returning to work from extended sick leave. However, the assignment turns into an increasingly dangerous search for the truth.
Various personal details about the MC are slowly revealed. We keep learning more about him right up to the end.
Even the minor characters have distinct personalities.
Best of all, lots of the action takes place in Australia!
Highly recommend this book.
MC works for CIA. He is given an apparently demeaning and pointless assignment after returning to work from extended sick leave. However, the assignment turns into an increasingly dangerous search for the truth.
Various personal details about the MC are slowly revealed. We keep learning more about him right up to the end.
Even the minor characters have distinct personalities.
Best of all, lots of the action takes place in Australia!
Highly recommend this book.
April 6, 2021
The characters really make this story of an investigator for the CIA. After time off because of his wife's death, Dennis Cunningham is sent to Australia to investigate the disappearance of a young agent. This investigation seems to over, but then Dennis starts thinking way outside the box and involves Judy, an Australian Federal Police officer. There is quite a bit of sometimes dark humor in this story.
April 9, 2021
Great book… Really well written and very different from the usual fare
I was quite surprised by this story, I will definitely read more of this series. The writer draws his characters finally and has a nice steady pace.
I was quite surprised by this story, I will definitely read more of this series. The writer draws his characters finally and has a nice steady pace.
May 30, 2018
Color of Blood is an exhausting crazy ride about the daily danger that may occur in hunt for the truth with an action and a lot of intrigue—a chilling, satisfying escape.
August 12, 2016
GREAT
At last a hero who is confused fallible and tenacious.. somebody who does not have steely blue eyes and the innate grace of a cat and is karate trained to the 84th dan. Dennis is a proper name for a real guy who happens to have a talent but does not need to bait able to strip and clean a Kalashnikov in the pitch black in 9 seconds. Ok he fumbles a bit and has a bit of luck at times but he is as believable as fish n chips. Well done Mr Yocum long time since I enjoyed a book as well as this one
At last a hero who is confused fallible and tenacious.. somebody who does not have steely blue eyes and the innate grace of a cat and is karate trained to the 84th dan. Dennis is a proper name for a real guy who happens to have a talent but does not need to bait able to strip and clean a Kalashnikov in the pitch black in 9 seconds. Ok he fumbles a bit and has a bit of luck at times but he is as believable as fish n chips. Well done Mr Yocum long time since I enjoyed a book as well as this one
February 19, 2020
This is the first novel by Keith Yocum that I have read and I really enjoyed it. The main character is certainly complex and the story moved along and was well developed. Yocum lives on Cape Cod but the events didn’t take place anywhere near there and of course free from the local public library
May 1, 2021
refreshing to have a "spy" /thriller style novel set somewhere other than the US or Europe, extra enjoyable as I've been to many of the places in Australia where parts of the story were set, so could imagine it well. Main character was also not a typical alpha/Bourne type; I really could believe this person existed - as a side note their interactions with their new love interest were refreshingly realistic for all the quirks and foibles of a person re entering the world of new romances. Would read more from this author, especially as I now know there's a further book with same main characters. I may well have guessed the final twist, but the road to get there was done well - in essence, a great story .
May 4, 2017
This story makes you understand why people hate politics and government cover-ups. To prevent one atrocity, they feed another dangerous one, all the while lining the pockets of those making the deals. The author has done a lot of research on the topic and has woven an interesting story about the politics behind the war in Iraq, although most of the story takes place in Australia. It was an easy book to read and get caught up in the lives of Dennis and Judy. It has intrigue, romance, and danger. As it drew closer to the end, I wasn't sure how it would end. Good suspense.
August 28, 2025
A well-written mystery, it appears well researched and involves a number of puzzles to make the reader think. That it includes the poetry of Wilfred Owen is, in my book, a bonus. I also love the Australian connection. Yocum gives the distinctly Australian feeling, without overdoing it. Characterisation is excellent. Each character is very distinct and three-dimensional.
A CIA Investigator, believing he is being fobbed off with a trivial task upon his return to work, finds himself embroiled in a convoluted mystery that puts his own life at risk.
A CIA Investigator, believing he is being fobbed off with a trivial task upon his return to work, finds himself embroiled in a convoluted mystery that puts his own life at risk.
October 3, 2024
Just Ok
This book took me a very long time to finished I believe I started it sometime in May and just finished it now at the start of October. Don’t get me wrong it was a decent book but it didn’t really scream to me. I would find myself getting bored throughout the book and end up reading another book. If I had to put the story together as a whole tho it was good just found it hard to stay focused on 2.5 stars sense they don’t let us put half stars
This book took me a very long time to finished I believe I started it sometime in May and just finished it now at the start of October. Don’t get me wrong it was a decent book but it didn’t really scream to me. I would find myself getting bored throughout the book and end up reading another book. If I had to put the story together as a whole tho it was good just found it hard to stay focused on 2.5 stars sense they don’t let us put half stars
December 20, 2023
A bit tedious in a few spots. But overall a good tale with interesting characters and a twisting plot that, while not shocking, leaves you half-full. The Good News is that Yocum’s next in the series takes up the path that continues adding to the first mystery.
I’d recommend these works as very close to that elusive Fifth Star.
I’d recommend these works as very close to that elusive Fifth Star.
September 12, 2017
Exciting read!
I love a good mystery and this was good. By the end I was turning the pages faster and faster. Loved Dennis, but that so many sad things happened to him starting with his parents was a little bit of a stretch. Still all in all will read another by this author.
I love a good mystery and this was good. By the end I was turning the pages faster and faster. Loved Dennis, but that so many sad things happened to him starting with his parents was a little bit of a stretch. Still all in all will read another by this author.
June 30, 2018
Intrigue at its finest
Sometimes it so fast moving that the story is hard to follow. It does hold your interest. The end comes almost in the last page and it's a bit of a downer. It's convoluted like soy story should be.
Sometimes it so fast moving that the story is hard to follow. It does hold your interest. The end comes almost in the last page and it's a bit of a downer. It's convoluted like soy story should be.
April 5, 2021
Dennis is wildly passionate about what he does. He delivers. Sometimes you want to rein him in but then who would do what needs to be done. He is a thinker and an action man. I started two books before this one looking for one to draw me in. This one did. I will look for more by this author.
April 16, 2021
Fast Paced Book
Really enjoyed reading this book. Great characters and storyline. Quite a few twists and turns that kept you wondering to the very end who was the bad guys. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
Really enjoyed reading this book. Great characters and storyline. Quite a few twists and turns that kept you wondering to the very end who was the bad guys. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
April 17, 2021
Excellent thriller
This is an excellent thriller with some quirky characters and an interesting plot. Dennis, who works for the CIA is an unusual hero but he is certainly interesting. Once I got into the story and characters I couldn't put it down.
This is an excellent thriller with some quirky characters and an interesting plot. Dennis, who works for the CIA is an unusual hero but he is certainly interesting. Once I got into the story and characters I couldn't put it down.
June 10, 2021
I enjoyed this story very much - so much so that I would have given it 5 stars, except that I can't stand pronoun agreement errors. Will someone please come up with some gender neutral pronouns that make sense?
May 3, 2025
a page turner
I usually don’t like many mysteries written by men because they don’t hv a lot of character development but this one did. I love series but it is often difficult to find one that keeps my attention. I look forward to continuing this series.
I usually don’t like many mysteries written by men because they don’t hv a lot of character development but this one did. I love series but it is often difficult to find one that keeps my attention. I look forward to continuing this series.
April 5, 2021
Great read
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. It rattles along with a few twists that genuinely surprise. Dennis is quite a character with a tragic past.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. It rattles along with a few twists that genuinely surprise. Dennis is quite a character with a tragic past.
April 8, 2021
Wow, what a ride! If even a 10th of what is hinted at in this book is true, it’ll scare the bejeebers out of any reader, it did me. A slick, sexy look at the CIA and its underbelly.
April 25, 2021
Color of Blood
What a good read with a totally different story line, a refreshing change. I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading more about Denise the Menice.
What a good read with a totally different story line, a refreshing change. I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading more about Denise the Menice.
May 22, 2021
Great edge of your seat thriler
Great characters, great plot, great writing, what more could you want? The next book in the series! Can't wait to read it!
Great characters, great plot, great writing, what more could you want? The next book in the series! Can't wait to read it!
November 14, 2022
Plot twists
Dennis and Judy make an unlikely team, but they are well suited in many ways. Great character build, good mysteries. I enjoyed Color of Blood!
Dennis and Judy make an unlikely team, but they are well suited in many ways. Great character build, good mysteries. I enjoyed Color of Blood!
April 18, 2024
It was slow and uninteresting at first, but after about 30% things started to happen. It was ok.
March 25, 2017
Fast pace
Do not start this read late in the evening if you have to work the next morning. The characters are well developed.
Do not start this read late in the evening if you have to work the next morning. The characters are well developed.
October 16, 2022
Suspenseful CIA Mystery
This book began with an inspector general for the CIA given a trivial case that took him to Western Australia. There are lots of turns in the story. Lots of interesting facts about Australia . If you like crime suspense, you will like this story.
This book began with an inspector general for the CIA given a trivial case that took him to Western Australia. There are lots of turns in the story. Lots of interesting facts about Australia . If you like crime suspense, you will like this story.
February 20, 2017
Australian scenary of the terror threat and futility of the intelligence agency because of its internal fights. Well written. The ones who chose to become bad guys are not one-dimensional characters, which is rather rare in thrillers.
- Nie jestem szpiegiem. CIA zatrudnia nie tylko szpiegów - zapewniał Dennis Cunningham swoją 28-letnią córkę, kiedy w rozmowie telefonicznej z Australii zdecydował się ujawnić dla jakiej firmy pracuje. Tym razem zadanie zlecone śledczemu przez firmę polega na wytropieniu młodego agenta, zatrudnionego pod przykrywką w amerykańskim konsulacie w Perth, który zniknął przed kilkoma tygodniami. Dennisa nie przekonują tropy wskazujące, że agent może już nie żyć. Z właściwym sobie uporem, wbrew przełożonym z Langley dąży do rozwiązania trudnej sprawy, długo zresztą nie potrafiąc się zorientować kto, z jakich powodów go okłamuje. Towarzyszy mu australijska policjantka.
To trzecia książka Keitha Yocum. I choć na olbrzymim amerykańskim rynku wydawniczym jest on w dalszym ciągu plasowany wśród pisarzy "niskobudżetowych", mile mnie zaskoczył. Niewątpliwie przyczyniła się do tego jego świetna znajomość Australii, w której przez jakiś czas mieszkał i z której uczynił ciekawe tło, nie tylko krajobrazowe, dla interesującej akcji. Nawet fakt, że znowu mamy tu do czynienia przede wszystkim z praniem brudów wewnątrz służb mniej mnie raził niż u niektórych innych autorów. Pewnie dlatego, że motywy działania tych, którzy znaleźli się po niewłaściwej stronie gry powiązane zostały w dość wiarygodny sposób z sytuacją polityczną z niedalekiej przeszłości (sześć miesięcy w 2007 roku), o której dużo wiemy.
- Nie jestem szpiegiem. CIA zatrudnia nie tylko szpiegów - zapewniał Dennis Cunningham swoją 28-letnią córkę, kiedy w rozmowie telefonicznej z Australii zdecydował się ujawnić dla jakiej firmy pracuje. Tym razem zadanie zlecone śledczemu przez firmę polega na wytropieniu młodego agenta, zatrudnionego pod przykrywką w amerykańskim konsulacie w Perth, który zniknął przed kilkoma tygodniami. Dennisa nie przekonują tropy wskazujące, że agent może już nie żyć. Z właściwym sobie uporem, wbrew przełożonym z Langley dąży do rozwiązania trudnej sprawy, długo zresztą nie potrafiąc się zorientować kto, z jakich powodów go okłamuje. Towarzyszy mu australijska policjantka.
To trzecia książka Keitha Yocum. I choć na olbrzymim amerykańskim rynku wydawniczym jest on w dalszym ciągu plasowany wśród pisarzy "niskobudżetowych", mile mnie zaskoczył. Niewątpliwie przyczyniła się do tego jego świetna znajomość Australii, w której przez jakiś czas mieszkał i z której uczynił ciekawe tło, nie tylko krajobrazowe, dla interesującej akcji. Nawet fakt, że znowu mamy tu do czynienia przede wszystkim z praniem brudów wewnątrz służb mniej mnie raził niż u niektórych innych autorów. Pewnie dlatego, że motywy działania tych, którzy znaleźli się po niewłaściwej stronie gry powiązane zostały w dość wiarygodny sposób z sytuacją polityczną z niedalekiej przeszłości (sześć miesięcy w 2007 roku), o której dużo wiemy.
October 8, 2016
Paranoia?
The story begins on an interesting note with an investigator working with the CIA's inspector general, returning to work after being on leave to deal with both personal and professional problems, being given what seems like a humdrum mission in Australia. A junior agency agent has gone missing. There is, of course, much more involved. The complexity and the too often intervention of fate are a bit hard to believe, but the plot is intriguing with a paranoid (maybe) agent trying to uncover agency wrongdoing . What is unnecessary is the unconnected and incredible drama involving the Australian love interest. This is a good book that good editing could have made much better.
The story begins on an interesting note with an investigator working with the CIA's inspector general, returning to work after being on leave to deal with both personal and professional problems, being given what seems like a humdrum mission in Australia. A junior agency agent has gone missing. There is, of course, much more involved. The complexity and the too often intervention of fate are a bit hard to believe, but the plot is intriguing with a paranoid (maybe) agent trying to uncover agency wrongdoing . What is unnecessary is the unconnected and incredible drama involving the Australian love interest. This is a good book that good editing could have made much better.
February 9, 2017
Keeps Reader's attention
Easy read. Well worth a read. Not as wonderful as Daniel, the author's first book, but an excellent piece of work for first book in this genre. Character portrait of Dennis particularly rich.
Easy read. Well worth a read. Not as wonderful as Daniel, the author's first book, but an excellent piece of work for first book in this genre. Character portrait of Dennis particularly rich.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews