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Clean Kill (Bloodline)
Lies run thicker than blood.
When Blake Salinger went to work that day, everything seemed normal. His life was structured and routine. All he wanted was a little excitement--he just never expected to be arrested for his own father's murder.
Caught between the lies of corrupt cops and a silver-haired stranger, Blake flees across Los Angeles to learn the truth of his father's mysterious past. The deeper he goes, the bigger the lies become. The only certain thing is that he can't run forever.
The secrets come thick and fast in a new relentless thriller novel. Full of lies and conspiracies, this rocket-paced ride follows a man pitted against his own family, the LAPD and a corrupt government agency.
Clean Kill was previously published as Keeping with Killers and has since undergone developmental edits to bring the reader an enhanced experience. This novel is the first instalment of a three-part story, followed by Dead Ties and Last Hunt .
When Blake Salinger went to work that day, everything seemed normal. His life was structured and routine. All he wanted was a little excitement--he just never expected to be arrested for his own father's murder.
Caught between the lies of corrupt cops and a silver-haired stranger, Blake flees across Los Angeles to learn the truth of his father's mysterious past. The deeper he goes, the bigger the lies become. The only certain thing is that he can't run forever.
The secrets come thick and fast in a new relentless thriller novel. Full of lies and conspiracies, this rocket-paced ride follows a man pitted against his own family, the LAPD and a corrupt government agency.
Clean Kill was previously published as Keeping with Killers and has since undergone developmental edits to bring the reader an enhanced experience. This novel is the first instalment of a three-part story, followed by Dead Ties and Last Hunt .
260 pages, Paperback
Published January 22, 2018
739 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Adam Nicholls
89 books156 followersAdam Nicholls grew up in the southwest of England, where he studied creative writing while working a variety of full-time jobs. When his Mason Black series was first published, he quickly became a bestseller and then went on to create a name for himself in the thriller genre. Adam now lives with his wife in Bristol.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 29, 2018
Clean Kill started off with a surprising amount of promise. The first few chapters had me engaged, genuinely curious about how things would play out. As the story progressed, though, it became more and more convoluted, and it seemed to lose its grip on reality. The whole thing felt like one of those direct-to-video action flicks starring a former A-list celebrity that really just needed the paycheck, so they signed on for the film. That may sound more disparaging than I intended because I usually enjoy those types of movies, and, for the most part, I had a fun enough time with Clean Kill.
The main protagonist of Clean Kill is Blake, who, up until today, was just a salesman that was excellent at his job. Then the cops show up and inform him he’s being arrested for the murder of his estranged father that he didn’t even know was dead. If that wasn’t crazy enough for one day, while he’s being interrogated at the police station, a silver-haired man that looks vaguely familiar helps break him out, sending him on a wild goose chase through Los Angeles, revealing secrets about his family that he wouldn’t have believed just 24-hours prior.
The biggest issue I had with Clean Kill was the shocking lack of motivation for most of the main players. The author, Adam Nicholls, makes it a point to discuss how distant Blake and his father were, yet we’re still asked to buy that this weak relationship is the motivation for the entire story. Then there’s the love story - which, admittedly, is not a focus of the novel, but more of a B-plot - and Nicholls gives Blake’s best friend a boyfriend for virtually no reason. It doesn’t add to the drama at all, and I’d even argue that it weakens it. If this character was a girlfriend or wife, I might have felt more attached to her safety. As written, though, it felt like a waste of time, and made her a completely pointless character.
The vast majority of the story was action, which made the short book fly by. Nicholls didn’t waste much time on character development, which was definitely one of the problems, but also kept the pace constantly moving forward. So it’s a double-edged sword. I feel like the best books manage to find a better balance between the two.
I listed to the audiobook version, and at just over five hours in length, Clean Kill managed to keep my attention the entire time. The narration by Paul Gewuerz is good, but I didn’t like the fact that he gave the main character one voice, and then almost all the other male characters a guttural, deep voice that all sounded similar. He seemed to have a hard time keeping the voices consistent, outside of Blake. There is a chapter late in the book that has two of these male characters speaking to each other, and I had a hard time keeping straight which one was which. It would’ve been nice if the narrator played with tone and speed of speech as well, instead of just giving the majority of the characters deep voices. Overall, though, Gewuerz does a nice job delivering the emotion of the story, which is what is most important to me.
Clean Kill isn’t a great book, but it isn’t terrible either. Unfortunately, this means that it falls into the mediocre, forgettable middle. I’m sure there are better options out there for action thrillers like this, but if you’re looking for that mindless, B-movie fun in novel form, Clean Kill fits the bill well enough.
Full disclosure: I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.
The main protagonist of Clean Kill is Blake, who, up until today, was just a salesman that was excellent at his job. Then the cops show up and inform him he’s being arrested for the murder of his estranged father that he didn’t even know was dead. If that wasn’t crazy enough for one day, while he’s being interrogated at the police station, a silver-haired man that looks vaguely familiar helps break him out, sending him on a wild goose chase through Los Angeles, revealing secrets about his family that he wouldn’t have believed just 24-hours prior.
The biggest issue I had with Clean Kill was the shocking lack of motivation for most of the main players. The author, Adam Nicholls, makes it a point to discuss how distant Blake and his father were, yet we’re still asked to buy that this weak relationship is the motivation for the entire story. Then there’s the love story - which, admittedly, is not a focus of the novel, but more of a B-plot - and Nicholls gives Blake’s best friend a boyfriend for virtually no reason. It doesn’t add to the drama at all, and I’d even argue that it weakens it. If this character was a girlfriend or wife, I might have felt more attached to her safety. As written, though, it felt like a waste of time, and made her a completely pointless character.
The vast majority of the story was action, which made the short book fly by. Nicholls didn’t waste much time on character development, which was definitely one of the problems, but also kept the pace constantly moving forward. So it’s a double-edged sword. I feel like the best books manage to find a better balance between the two.
I listed to the audiobook version, and at just over five hours in length, Clean Kill managed to keep my attention the entire time. The narration by Paul Gewuerz is good, but I didn’t like the fact that he gave the main character one voice, and then almost all the other male characters a guttural, deep voice that all sounded similar. He seemed to have a hard time keeping the voices consistent, outside of Blake. There is a chapter late in the book that has two of these male characters speaking to each other, and I had a hard time keeping straight which one was which. It would’ve been nice if the narrator played with tone and speed of speech as well, instead of just giving the majority of the characters deep voices. Overall, though, Gewuerz does a nice job delivering the emotion of the story, which is what is most important to me.
Clean Kill isn’t a great book, but it isn’t terrible either. Unfortunately, this means that it falls into the mediocre, forgettable middle. I’m sure there are better options out there for action thrillers like this, but if you’re looking for that mindless, B-movie fun in novel form, Clean Kill fits the bill well enough.
Full disclosure: I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2020
Messy storyline characters do not tie in
Read
March 18, 2021Excellent book
April 8, 2018
Clean Kill - Bloodline Series Bk 1 - Written by Adam Nicholls
Who can you trust?????
When Blake Salinger went to work that day, everything seemed normal. His life was structured, routine. Boring, even. All he wanted was a little excitement - he just never expected to be arrested for his own father's murder. Caught between the lies of corrupt cops and a silver-haired stranger, Blake flees across Los Angeles to learn the truth of his father's mysterious past. The deeper he goes, the bigger the lies become. The only certain thing is that he can't run forever. The secrets come thick and fast in a new relentless spy novel. Full of lies and conspiracies, this rocket-paced thriller follows a man pitted against his own family, the LAPD, and a corrupt government agency.
What did I like? Well, I loved the style of writing from this author!!!! The author sent me the whole Bloodline Series and I read them one after another and could not put them down. Great read, every one of them.
What will you like? Exciting, unusual, sensational, stimulating and thrilling. All of the books in the series are this way. The storyline is solid and interest-holding, the characters are fully developed and grow with every page. Each book is arousing and thought-provoking but with the right touch of mystery. This writer is going places and I am going with him. I have one book left to read and I can’t wait to get to it. I received this book from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
Who can you trust?????
When Blake Salinger went to work that day, everything seemed normal. His life was structured, routine. Boring, even. All he wanted was a little excitement - he just never expected to be arrested for his own father's murder. Caught between the lies of corrupt cops and a silver-haired stranger, Blake flees across Los Angeles to learn the truth of his father's mysterious past. The deeper he goes, the bigger the lies become. The only certain thing is that he can't run forever. The secrets come thick and fast in a new relentless spy novel. Full of lies and conspiracies, this rocket-paced thriller follows a man pitted against his own family, the LAPD, and a corrupt government agency.
What did I like? Well, I loved the style of writing from this author!!!! The author sent me the whole Bloodline Series and I read them one after another and could not put them down. Great read, every one of them.
What will you like? Exciting, unusual, sensational, stimulating and thrilling. All of the books in the series are this way. The storyline is solid and interest-holding, the characters are fully developed and grow with every page. Each book is arousing and thought-provoking but with the right touch of mystery. This writer is going places and I am going with him. I have one book left to read and I can’t wait to get to it. I received this book from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
April 6, 2020
Clean Kill by Adam Nichols
Clean Kill is the first book in the Bloodline series. I knew from the beginning that I would want to read the entire series. Mr. Nichols makes his characters come alive. Mr. Nichols makes me eager to read one page and turn to the next to find out what is going to happen.
How can it get any worse after one is “framed” for murder? Well, for Blake Salinger it does. We follow him through all the twists and turns as he tries to discover the truth. Who does he believe? Is it the police? Is it the stranger who comes into his life saying he can help Blake? How does his father, who he believes is dead, play into the mystery?
Pick up your copy of Clean Kill to find out for yourself the truth. You will not be disappointed.
04.06.20
Clean Kill is the first book in the Bloodline series. I knew from the beginning that I would want to read the entire series. Mr. Nichols makes his characters come alive. Mr. Nichols makes me eager to read one page and turn to the next to find out what is going to happen.
How can it get any worse after one is “framed” for murder? Well, for Blake Salinger it does. We follow him through all the twists and turns as he tries to discover the truth. Who does he believe? Is it the police? Is it the stranger who comes into his life saying he can help Blake? How does his father, who he believes is dead, play into the mystery?
Pick up your copy of Clean Kill to find out for yourself the truth. You will not be disappointed.
04.06.20
April 13, 2018
Clean Kill, was an incredible read!!
Clean Kill is definitely a page turner, can't put down read, until the very end!!
Blake Salinger is a normal everyday kinda guy. Being notified that his Father, a Father who he hasn't been in his life, for many, many years. Blake winds up on the run, from a mysterious Agency, with men out to find him. Looking forward to the continuation of the story in Book 2!!
Clean Kill is definitely a page turner, can't put down read, until the very end!!
Blake Salinger is a normal everyday kinda guy. Being notified that his Father, a Father who he hasn't been in his life, for many, many years. Blake winds up on the run, from a mysterious Agency, with men out to find him. Looking forward to the continuation of the story in Book 2!!
August 29, 2018
Explosive! Intriguing! Worth all 5 stars!
I haven't read books by this writer before as I can remember, but WOW! I am glad I did because I love reading thrillers, and I have a few favorite writers, and Adam will be joining my list! This was gritty, action filled from beginning to end, and the characters are well defined so we as readers have no problem deciding whose side we choose to "root" for in the end! I will continue on with book two for sure!
I haven't read books by this writer before as I can remember, but WOW! I am glad I did because I love reading thrillers, and I have a few favorite writers, and Adam will be joining my list! This was gritty, action filled from beginning to end, and the characters are well defined so we as readers have no problem deciding whose side we choose to "root" for in the end! I will continue on with book two for sure!
November 3, 2020
A Who's Who with a twist of Spies.
It hurts when you've been estranged from family. It hurts to find out a parent has died. It hurts to be accused of a crime you didn't commit. It hurts to feel betrayed. But it really hurts to find yourself, shot, beaten and on the run. Blake Salinger winds his way through a maze of discovery and enlightenment as he attempts to reconnect with a life that may all have been a lie.
It hurts when you've been estranged from family. It hurts to find out a parent has died. It hurts to be accused of a crime you didn't commit. It hurts to feel betrayed. But it really hurts to find yourself, shot, beaten and on the run. Blake Salinger winds his way through a maze of discovery and enlightenment as he attempts to reconnect with a life that may all have been a lie.
February 25, 2018
I loved this book and did not want to put it down until I had completely finished it. Everything you need for a great, engaging read. I loved reading this book as it captivated me from the start. I was entertained by the characters and fully caught up in all the relationships. The characters were extremely well done and really pulled you into their lives.
January 25, 2021
This story is part of a box set I have.
I enjoyed this story, one a little different from his others, where an 'innocent' is suddenly plunged into organised crime and professional hitmen.
Good writing and fast-paced with plenty of action. Thoughts and feelings are not ignored, giving the tale both reality and depth.
Recommended, though it does end on a cliffhanger.
I enjoyed this story, one a little different from his others, where an 'innocent' is suddenly plunged into organised crime and professional hitmen.
Good writing and fast-paced with plenty of action. Thoughts and feelings are not ignored, giving the tale both reality and depth.
Recommended, though it does end on a cliffhanger.
October 10, 2018
Excellent.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of action. There were many twists and turns too but sometimes it was hard to know who was the good guy or the bad guy? I loved the characters. Want to read the next one
I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of action. There were many twists and turns too but sometimes it was hard to know who was the good guy or the bad guy? I loved the characters. Want to read the next one
November 2, 2018
I loved this fast paced book. It was full of action and killings. The characters were very interesting. There sure was a lot of emotion too. I am going to look into more of this series from this author.
August 27, 2020
Lots of action but I struggled to keep track of the storyline and the characters. It seemed a little disjointed and confusing and I had to flip back several times to re-read parts to make any sense of them. Not sure I'm interested enough in the plot to read the next in the series.
April 1, 2021
I was surprised by the number of negative remarks here because I quite enjoyed this story. It may have been edited since these other readers have read it because I did not find editing or tense errors as others did.
The story was suspenseful and, like the protagonist, you had no idea who to trust.
The story was suspenseful and, like the protagonist, you had no idea who to trust.
January 28, 2018
Finished it overnight. Couldn’t stop reading. Had to order the next one too! Which doesn’t come til tomorrow!
July 9, 2018
A page turner with lots of twists and turns.
Read
September 3, 2018Pretty good...but it was pretty short...it was apparently book #1 of a series.
March 18, 2021
Nice book
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews