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John Rockne #1
Dead Wood
Librarian note: An older cover for this edition can be found here.
An Ex-Cop Who Lost Everything. A Killer Who Will Stop At Nothing.
By the author of the Jack Reacher Cases, approved by Lee Child.
In the exclusive enclave of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a woman who builds custom guitars is murdered. A disgraced ex-cop turned private investigator is hired by the dead woman's father and immediately becomes the target of a violent ex-convict. An enigmatic music star performs damage control on her links to the dead woman. And a professional killer who idolizes Keith Richards is brought into town by a mysterious employer.
Dead Wood is what great mysteries are all about: love, hate, faith and vengeance, all wrapped up in an explosive story that simply refuses to let up.
An Ex-Cop Who Lost Everything. A Killer Who Will Stop At Nothing.
By the author of the Jack Reacher Cases, approved by Lee Child.
In the exclusive enclave of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a woman who builds custom guitars is murdered. A disgraced ex-cop turned private investigator is hired by the dead woman's father and immediately becomes the target of a violent ex-convict. An enigmatic music star performs damage control on her links to the dead woman. And a professional killer who idolizes Keith Richards is brought into town by a mysterious employer.
Dead Wood is what great mysteries are all about: love, hate, faith and vengeance, all wrapped up in an explosive story that simply refuses to let up.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2011
1586 people are currently reading
1916 people want to read
About the author
Dan Ames
208 books486 followersDan Ames is an international bestselling author and winner of the Independent Book Award for Crime Fiction. He is the author of The JACK REACHER Cases. You can learn more about him at authordanames.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
September 1, 2023
Dead Wood is the first book in the John Rockne mystery series by Dan Ames. In this first novel, we learn that Rockne was a police officer who made an error that cost the life of a kid and was cast off of the police force in disgrace. His older sister is the chief of police who gives him mostly a hard time but winds up being a helpful connection in his continuing career as a licensed private investigator.
Here in this novel, a special artist who creates guitars is murdered. Her father hires Rockne to investigate her death. Rockne discovers that the woman murdered had been commissioned by a popstar to make her an original guitar, and Rockne is carried along the murky waters of the latent big money schemes of music industry people. This is a strong mystery, but John Rockne is not a very strong detective.
This might be an OK way to start a series, but you can only go so far with an investigator that is less than capable. If I am to invest time in getting to know Rockne, he must have some skills that he is bringing to the table. He's not all that impressive in this first case.
Here in this novel, a special artist who creates guitars is murdered. Her father hires Rockne to investigate her death. Rockne discovers that the woman murdered had been commissioned by a popstar to make her an original guitar, and Rockne is carried along the murky waters of the latent big money schemes of music industry people. This is a strong mystery, but John Rockne is not a very strong detective.
This might be an OK way to start a series, but you can only go so far with an investigator that is less than capable. If I am to invest time in getting to know Rockne, he must have some skills that he is bringing to the table. He's not all that impressive in this first case.
August 3, 2015
Dead Wood is a fairly standard PI mystery thriller. It is set in a town just outside modern-day Detroit, and has what you expect from the genre. Our lead, John Rockne, is a private investigator who has things from his past that haunt him, who blindly stumbles into danger, and who has a love/hate relationship with the local cops. All the stuff we expect, and perhaps why we read the genre. Breaking from the standard tropes, our PI is married with two kids. But that doesn't matter beyond giving someone to voice when he is being an idiot (which, in PI fashion, is all the time). Oh, and he doesn't carry a gun.
Our mystery involves a standard dead body, complete with grieving father client. We have a music star and the glitzy world that implies to give some contrast to our more down on the streets PI. Like I said, pretty standard stuff.
The novel starts a little weak, in my opinion. We open with explaining why our damaged protagonist is damaged, which I thought was too much too soon, but it's really just a chapter or two before we get to the actual case we are here to read about. Even then, it starts a little slow.
But once it gets going, I found myself eager to continue and not finding excuses to distract myself with other things. The overall story ended up being more complex that I initially expected. There are a couple of times where I didn't understand why Rockne did what he did, but they were never egregious. Like most PIs, he routinely does things that are slightly stupid/dangerous, but he also tended to pay for those mistakes, which makes them ok in my book.
What may make this series worth your time is that the author obviously has plans that go beyond this story. Having not read the next one in the series, it is hard to know how fleshed out those plans are, if at all. They may simply have been a hook to get one to pick up the next book. But it's working, so there you go.
Overall, there is nothing particularly special about this novel (excluding the above paragraph), though there is nothing especially wrong with it either. If you read a lot of mystery books, and enjoy the PI mystery/thriller genre, this novel will entertain, and you should give it a shot. But if this genre isn't your go to, then there are probably better books to use to get yourself into it. That being said, this novel is short (about 200 pages) and only $3 (free on Kindle Unlimited), so you can hardly go wrong. I'll be picking up the next in the series.
Our mystery involves a standard dead body, complete with grieving father client. We have a music star and the glitzy world that implies to give some contrast to our more down on the streets PI. Like I said, pretty standard stuff.
The novel starts a little weak, in my opinion. We open with explaining why our damaged protagonist is damaged, which I thought was too much too soon, but it's really just a chapter or two before we get to the actual case we are here to read about. Even then, it starts a little slow.
But once it gets going, I found myself eager to continue and not finding excuses to distract myself with other things. The overall story ended up being more complex that I initially expected. There are a couple of times where I didn't understand why Rockne did what he did, but they were never egregious. Like most PIs, he routinely does things that are slightly stupid/dangerous, but he also tended to pay for those mistakes, which makes them ok in my book.
What may make this series worth your time is that the author obviously has plans that go beyond this story. Having not read the next one in the series, it is hard to know how fleshed out those plans are, if at all. They may simply have been a hook to get one to pick up the next book. But it's working, so there you go.
Overall, there is nothing particularly special about this novel (excluding the above paragraph), though there is nothing especially wrong with it either. If you read a lot of mystery books, and enjoy the PI mystery/thriller genre, this novel will entertain, and you should give it a shot. But if this genre isn't your go to, then there are probably better books to use to get yourself into it. That being said, this novel is short (about 200 pages) and only $3 (free on Kindle Unlimited), so you can hardly go wrong. I'll be picking up the next in the series.
October 11, 2011
John Rockne may have made many mistakes in his lifetime – haven’t we all – but it’s one in particular that sticks with him. While a young cop on the Grosse Pointe, Michigan police force he made a judgment call one bitter New Year’s evening, one that ended up costing a young man his life. Unable to face his fellow officers again Rockne walked away from the job, choosing to make his administrative leave permanent.
He didn’t leave Grosse Pointe entirely, however, instead setting up shop as a private investigator. And despite the seriousness of that past mistake Rockne has, for the most part, put it behind him. He has a beautiful wife, two young daughters he worships, and makes a modest living carrying a Nikon instead of a gun.
When a local artist is murdered in her guitar workshop the police write it off as a burglary gone bad. The young woman’s father doesn’t buy it. He’s convinced his daughter’s ex-boyfriend killed her, and hires Rockne to investigate the case further.
Before he knows it Rockne is in the crosshairs of an ex-con, a shadowy assassin, a high profile musician and her P.R. team in full damage control mode, and the Grosse Pointe Chief of Police to boot. Maybe that one more mistake is gonna hurt after all.
Fans of author Dani Amore’s trademark wit and sarcasm – so amply on display in her debut, Death by Sarcasm – will be pleased to know there’s plenty to be had in Dead Wood. Most often it rears its head in the form of Rockne trying to explain his way out of trouble to the two women in his life, his fiery tempered wife and his strong willed and arguably humor challenged older sister…who just happens to also be the Chief of Police.
Which isn’t to say the story is shortchanged at the expense of humor. Far from it. Dead Wood is proof positive that Amore’s strong first outing in Death By Sarcasm was no fluke. Settling into a more reserved presentation this time out, Amore paints a wonderfully detailed picture of the high class Grosse Pointe, often via bittersweet juxtaposition of its wealth with the squalor of the roughest outskirts of Detroit which back right up onto the doorsteps of Grosse Pointe’s rich and powerful.
The mystery is also satisfyingly nuanced. Credible threats and leads confront Rockne at every turn of his investigation, while he himself is a refreshing change of pace from the stereotypical sad sack private investigator who boozes and womanizes his way through the story. Instead, Rockne aims for “fair, honest and reliable,” which nevertheless doesn’t stop him from bending the law ever so slightly in pursuit of the truth. And though what he discovers brings closure to the matter at hand, it rips open that old wound he had thought finally scarred over.
Bad news for Rockne, good news for readers who will no doubt be making reservations for a return to Grosse Pointe as soon as possible.
He didn’t leave Grosse Pointe entirely, however, instead setting up shop as a private investigator. And despite the seriousness of that past mistake Rockne has, for the most part, put it behind him. He has a beautiful wife, two young daughters he worships, and makes a modest living carrying a Nikon instead of a gun.
When a local artist is murdered in her guitar workshop the police write it off as a burglary gone bad. The young woman’s father doesn’t buy it. He’s convinced his daughter’s ex-boyfriend killed her, and hires Rockne to investigate the case further.
Before he knows it Rockne is in the crosshairs of an ex-con, a shadowy assassin, a high profile musician and her P.R. team in full damage control mode, and the Grosse Pointe Chief of Police to boot. Maybe that one more mistake is gonna hurt after all.
Fans of author Dani Amore’s trademark wit and sarcasm – so amply on display in her debut, Death by Sarcasm – will be pleased to know there’s plenty to be had in Dead Wood. Most often it rears its head in the form of Rockne trying to explain his way out of trouble to the two women in his life, his fiery tempered wife and his strong willed and arguably humor challenged older sister…who just happens to also be the Chief of Police.
Which isn’t to say the story is shortchanged at the expense of humor. Far from it. Dead Wood is proof positive that Amore’s strong first outing in Death By Sarcasm was no fluke. Settling into a more reserved presentation this time out, Amore paints a wonderfully detailed picture of the high class Grosse Pointe, often via bittersweet juxtaposition of its wealth with the squalor of the roughest outskirts of Detroit which back right up onto the doorsteps of Grosse Pointe’s rich and powerful.
The mystery is also satisfyingly nuanced. Credible threats and leads confront Rockne at every turn of his investigation, while he himself is a refreshing change of pace from the stereotypical sad sack private investigator who boozes and womanizes his way through the story. Instead, Rockne aims for “fair, honest and reliable,” which nevertheless doesn’t stop him from bending the law ever so slightly in pursuit of the truth. And though what he discovers brings closure to the matter at hand, it rips open that old wound he had thought finally scarred over.
Bad news for Rockne, good news for readers who will no doubt be making reservations for a return to Grosse Pointe as soon as possible.
December 8, 2011
The dead wood of this book refers to both old wood salvaging from Michigan’s Lake St. Clair and the incredibly gifted guitars made of them by Jesse Barre, the young, talented, beautiful and recently murdered daughter of an elderly retired country western crooner/songwriter who is asking John Rockne, P.I. for help finding her killer.
The author gives us wonderfully complex characters, a P.I. who is not, as his wife says, Russell Crowe, a sister who is the Grosse Pointe’s Chief of Police and whose biting remarks about his sleuthing abilities would discourage a lesser mortal. And though John covers the barbs with clownish humor, he’s also a guy that isn’t easily discouraged. After all, as the author shows us, he’s successful at what he does since has a back-log of business waiting for him, if he can solve this murder case . And, John will get to the end of case or die trying, because people keep trying to kill him. From a retired CIA spook, to the low life characters who traffic in stolen property, it seems like everyone is trying to cut off some or all of him. He doesn’t quit, which is after all, what I’d want if I were were to ask a P.I. to help me find the killer of my daughter. And, because he doesn’t quit, the end has a very satisfying twist to it.
I very much admire an original story and the ability to make me turn the page again and again. So, for me, never mind that the book is only $.99 I’d happily pay a lot more for another John Rockne mystery.
This is a well deserved five star read!
RP Dahlke, Top 100 mystery/womensleuths on Kindle e-books
A DEAD RED CADILLAC
A DEAD RED HEART
A DANGEROUS HARBOR
The author gives us wonderfully complex characters, a P.I. who is not, as his wife says, Russell Crowe, a sister who is the Grosse Pointe’s Chief of Police and whose biting remarks about his sleuthing abilities would discourage a lesser mortal. And though John covers the barbs with clownish humor, he’s also a guy that isn’t easily discouraged. After all, as the author shows us, he’s successful at what he does since has a back-log of business waiting for him, if he can solve this murder case . And, John will get to the end of case or die trying, because people keep trying to kill him. From a retired CIA spook, to the low life characters who traffic in stolen property, it seems like everyone is trying to cut off some or all of him. He doesn’t quit, which is after all, what I’d want if I were were to ask a P.I. to help me find the killer of my daughter. And, because he doesn’t quit, the end has a very satisfying twist to it.
I very much admire an original story and the ability to make me turn the page again and again. So, for me, never mind that the book is only $.99 I’d happily pay a lot more for another John Rockne mystery.
This is a well deserved five star read!
RP Dahlke, Top 100 mystery/womensleuths on Kindle e-books
A DEAD RED CADILLAC
A DEAD RED HEART
A DANGEROUS HARBOR
February 27, 2019
Dead Wood - a review by Rosemary Kenny
A bold introduction to John Rockne - ex-policeman, now PI extraordinaire...his particular talent is surviving life-or-death scenarios that bely his down-to-earth practicality and his slightly hen-pecked domestic 'bliss'. Dan Ames hits exactly the right tone between Bruce Willis-like heroics and wimpy, slightly camp detectives like Columbo in his sure to be best-seller series of which Dead Wood is the primary example.
While waiting for a case to come along, Rockne is surprised to find getting involved in a possible revenge incrimination bid by the father of a brilliantly talented young woman who creates one-of-a-kind masterpiece guitars from the eponymous dead wood, brutally murdered while at a made-to-order specialist instrument for an up-and-coming country-pop princess.
The police, led by none other than Rockne's sister Ellen, the Chief of Police locally, are baffled and resigned to targeting the girl's ex-boyfriend, a reformed criminal her father hated. Ellen becomes resigned to the fact Rockne will continue to pursue the truth at all costs, especially after he is warned off and almost killed.
What's the truth and who will be at risk as a result? What happens to two Vietnam veterans who return to the city? Who is Melissa and what happens to her?
Grab yourself a copy of Dead Wood today and you'll be hooked!
(Luckily another book is available, so why not get both - John Rockne's the new PI in town and he's definitely not Dead Wood!
A bold introduction to John Rockne - ex-policeman, now PI extraordinaire...his particular talent is surviving life-or-death scenarios that bely his down-to-earth practicality and his slightly hen-pecked domestic 'bliss'. Dan Ames hits exactly the right tone between Bruce Willis-like heroics and wimpy, slightly camp detectives like Columbo in his sure to be best-seller series of which Dead Wood is the primary example.
While waiting for a case to come along, Rockne is surprised to find getting involved in a possible revenge incrimination bid by the father of a brilliantly talented young woman who creates one-of-a-kind masterpiece guitars from the eponymous dead wood, brutally murdered while at a made-to-order specialist instrument for an up-and-coming country-pop princess.
The police, led by none other than Rockne's sister Ellen, the Chief of Police locally, are baffled and resigned to targeting the girl's ex-boyfriend, a reformed criminal her father hated. Ellen becomes resigned to the fact Rockne will continue to pursue the truth at all costs, especially after he is warned off and almost killed.
What's the truth and who will be at risk as a result? What happens to two Vietnam veterans who return to the city? Who is Melissa and what happens to her?
Grab yourself a copy of Dead Wood today and you'll be hooked!
(Luckily another book is available, so why not get both - John Rockne's the new PI in town and he's definitely not Dead Wood!
August 29, 2018
Always on the lookout for good mystery-detectives stories, I stumbled upon this first book in the Rockne series by Dan Ames, and thought I’d give it a try. Honestly, I have very mixed feelings about this read, which revolves around a P.I., John Rockne, who’s not your standard investigator. He leads rather normal life, with a wife and two daughters, living and conducting his business in Gross Pointe, which is a wealthy town north-east of Detroit.
Not that I thought this book was so awful I didn’t finish it, but I wasn’t into the type of humor, nor the constant banter John Rockne had going on with his sister, Ellen, the Chief of Police in Gross Pointe. There was way too much gratuitous violence in this story. People dying and for what? When you finally get to the end of the book, and you’ll find out the reason behind the killings and the violence, it all seems pretty ridiculous, and far-fetched. That’s what bothered me.
Not sure if I want to read another book in this series. My rating is between a 1 and 2.
Not that I thought this book was so awful I didn’t finish it, but I wasn’t into the type of humor, nor the constant banter John Rockne had going on with his sister, Ellen, the Chief of Police in Gross Pointe. There was way too much gratuitous violence in this story. People dying and for what? When you finally get to the end of the book, and you’ll find out the reason behind the killings and the violence, it all seems pretty ridiculous, and far-fetched. That’s what bothered me.
Not sure if I want to read another book in this series. My rating is between a 1 and 2.
September 4, 2017
Received copy from author for honest review.
I really enjoyed this first part of a new series from the John Rockne series.
This centred around excop John Rockne and the murder of a prominent Guitar maker.
And the story had me hooked from the beginning with how John became a PI . It did not let up throughout and I will definitely read some more from this author.
I really enjoyed this first part of a new series from the John Rockne series.
This centred around excop John Rockne and the murder of a prominent Guitar maker.
And the story had me hooked from the beginning with how John became a PI . It did not let up throughout and I will definitely read some more from this author.
January 15, 2016
Finished reading: January 5th 2016
"It was like a beautiful melody to him that ended in a blazing crescendo of blood and violence, capped off by the silent applause of a roaring crowd inside his head."
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
December 6, 2011
A private investigator with a stained police past, family connections, and an incredible ability to find himself in dangerous situations is determined to find out who killed Jesse Barre. He has no idea that this case is directly connected with the case that ended his career as a police officer... the case that haunts him to this day.
I feel I should say straight away that I generally hate books written in first person. To this day, I have not gotten past page one of Robinson Crusoe because the first paragraph cures my insomnia every single time I attempt it.
Dead Wood is a very rare exception to my rule.
Dani Amore has managed to use first person (with a few tension building scenes of third person) in such a way that not only draws the reader in to the story, but gives them a vested interest in the character relating the events. John Rockne is my favorite type of male character - a tough guy who doesn't wear his machismo on his sleeve, a guy with feelings who hides them under wisecracks, and a guy driven to do what is right while seeming to blow off all of life's rules.
The characters in this book are well thought out and presented, the scenes are well set up, and the use of gallows humor is classic cop. The one issue I ran into is that with one particular character, food is a central part of every scene. This did not help my diet in the least.
I feel I should say straight away that I generally hate books written in first person. To this day, I have not gotten past page one of Robinson Crusoe because the first paragraph cures my insomnia every single time I attempt it.
Dead Wood is a very rare exception to my rule.
Dani Amore has managed to use first person (with a few tension building scenes of third person) in such a way that not only draws the reader in to the story, but gives them a vested interest in the character relating the events. John Rockne is my favorite type of male character - a tough guy who doesn't wear his machismo on his sleeve, a guy with feelings who hides them under wisecracks, and a guy driven to do what is right while seeming to blow off all of life's rules.
The characters in this book are well thought out and presented, the scenes are well set up, and the use of gallows humor is classic cop. The one issue I ran into is that with one particular character, food is a central part of every scene. This did not help my diet in the least.
June 15, 2015
This was a top notch mystery/thriller. John Rockne used to be a cop until he he made a deadly mistake that has haunted him ever since. Now he's a private investigator. When country singer, Clarence Barre, comes to him, asking him to find hid daughter's killer, John's first inclination is to decline. It appears to be a home invasion, a burglary that resulted in the young woman's death. However, as John soon discovers, there's much more to the case than meets the eye. He's led on a complicated chase from one suspect to the next, attempting to decipher the clues he obtains along the way, hoping to bring things to a satisfactory conclusion. Several times he is forced to fight for his life.
The main character had a wonderful sense of humor, which the author used to add some light moments to the story. He could also be a bit of a wuss at times, although in a totally endearing way. When it came to the case, however, he was like a bulldog with a bone, not about to let go. He's determined to find out the truth no matter what.
The author did a good job of moving the story along while holding your interest. There were several unexpected twists and turns that kept you guessing until the end. He also did a good job of tying everything up into a nice, neat little package, exactly like what you'd expect from a good crime writer. Really enjoyed this first book in the series. Definitely recommend.
The main character had a wonderful sense of humor, which the author used to add some light moments to the story. He could also be a bit of a wuss at times, although in a totally endearing way. When it came to the case, however, he was like a bulldog with a bone, not about to let go. He's determined to find out the truth no matter what.
The author did a good job of moving the story along while holding your interest. There were several unexpected twists and turns that kept you guessing until the end. He also did a good job of tying everything up into a nice, neat little package, exactly like what you'd expect from a good crime writer. Really enjoyed this first book in the series. Definitely recommend.
February 26, 2012
What attracted me to this thriller was the setting on Lake St. Clair and the background of ancient dead wood salvage. It was a very nicely integrated plot device and the story was well done. My only complaint was I found the nastiness of the protagonists older cop-sister to be annoying and downright distracting at times. For the most part the characters were well-crafted and the plot itself was clever and nicely done but I get put-off by consistently snarky, obnoxious characters and Ellen is one of the most snarky and obnoxious. Otherwise a good read.
April 18, 2012
An ex-cop turned private investigator is hired to find the killer of a woman who makes custom handmade guitars. More dead bodies and a look into the local music scene reveal an array of interesting and shady characters as the case evolves.
John has a tendency towards sarcasm and the banter between he and his sister, who happens to be the police chief, is amusing and adds a touch of humor to the story.
A good fast-paced crime mystery.
John has a tendency towards sarcasm and the banter between he and his sister, who happens to be the police chief, is amusing and adds a touch of humor to the story.
A good fast-paced crime mystery.
October 14, 2015
A fabulous thrilling story I truly loved reading and will read more as I get the books. This wonderful story was what the doc ordered excitement,laughs & a wee bit of sarcasm thrown in as well truly fabulous book. My heart felt thanks go to the author Dan Ames for the pleasure of reading this wonderful book and hope to read more. This book I would be so delighted to recommend to my friends so to all happy reading from wee me. ♥☺
October 17, 2011
Dead Wood is a fast-moving, tightly written mystery. This is the type of classic P.I. novel that I love, but that the major publishing houses don't seem to be interested in putting out any more. A fun, enjoyable read.
June 10, 2015
Okay read.
PI John Rockne, takes so many beatings but gets up and walks away. Even drives drunk. Relationships between him and Police Chief sister is written good. Many things happening, sometimes confusing.
PI John Rockne, takes so many beatings but gets up and walks away. Even drives drunk. Relationships between him and Police Chief sister is written good. Many things happening, sometimes confusing.
March 4, 2012
Good suspensful book.
July 20, 2018
I've come to the conclusion that I must really like Dan Ames' writing because even though he hits several of my pet peeves I continue to read his books. I really like the character of John Rochne. He's not one of the over the top private investigators who have more women than they can count and an entire arsenal in the trunk of their highly souped-up vehicle. John is a family man who does his best to get home to his wife and daughters every night. Granted, he doesn't always come home unscathed, but he does come home.
Dead Wood is the first of the John Rochne stories and while I really enjoyed it there are still those pet peeves I mentioned. Mr. Ames can't seem to find a tense he likes. There were several sections where I felt I was going to get whiplash from being jerked from past tense to present tense and back again. Please choose one and stick to it. Also, can you please get an editor? There are entirely too many typos, wrong words, missing words, etc for an author of this caliber.
My other pet peeve is profanity. Now I have to qualify this by saying this isn't the first Dan Ames book I've read, I knew going in what I was getting into, so this should tell you how much I enjoy his stories. But really? Can we put a lid on it? It seems everyone thinks they have to use the most vulgar profanity to show they are the toughest, edgiest writer on the block. Wrong again. All it shows, in my opinion is a lack of imagination. You can't come up with a way to create drama, toughness and characters with a edge unless you have filth coming out of their mouths? I sometimes want to write Mr Ames and ask him if he kisses his wife and children with that mouth. But, I know, that's just me. Also, be aware, there is some pretty strong violence in this book, but I have to give Mr Ames credit that he doesn't overdo the gory details.
All in all I really enjoyed the book and if not for the issues noted above I would have given it a solid 5 stars.
Dead Wood is the first of the John Rochne stories and while I really enjoyed it there are still those pet peeves I mentioned. Mr. Ames can't seem to find a tense he likes. There were several sections where I felt I was going to get whiplash from being jerked from past tense to present tense and back again. Please choose one and stick to it. Also, can you please get an editor? There are entirely too many typos, wrong words, missing words, etc for an author of this caliber.
My other pet peeve is profanity. Now I have to qualify this by saying this isn't the first Dan Ames book I've read, I knew going in what I was getting into, so this should tell you how much I enjoy his stories. But really? Can we put a lid on it? It seems everyone thinks they have to use the most vulgar profanity to show they are the toughest, edgiest writer on the block. Wrong again. All it shows, in my opinion is a lack of imagination. You can't come up with a way to create drama, toughness and characters with a edge unless you have filth coming out of their mouths? I sometimes want to write Mr Ames and ask him if he kisses his wife and children with that mouth. But, I know, that's just me. Also, be aware, there is some pretty strong violence in this book, but I have to give Mr Ames credit that he doesn't overdo the gory details.
All in all I really enjoyed the book and if not for the issues noted above I would have given it a solid 5 stars.
January 12, 2019
january 11, 2019 by judithhb,
Ames’ protagonist is John Rockne, an ex-cop turned private investigator. In this the first book in the series, we meet him as the youngest rookie on the Grosse Point, Michigan police force. Because of a good dead on his part, a man is dead, he is deemed to be responsible, and so is discharged from the force.
He becomes a private investigator, though not a very good one. He has no contacts, is not internet savvy and relies on his friend Nate, a reporter on The Grosse Pointe Times, to find names, addresses etc. He has a wife, who isn’t particularly supportive, and two daughters, to whom he goes home each night. And by the way, his sister is Grosse Pointe’s Chief of Police, an overachiever who makes our friend Rockne seem even less skilled.
The death of Benjamin Collins, the murder victim, haunts him and he determines that at some time, he will look further into the matter.
Meantime, he comes to the attention of Clarence Barre a famous country music singer. Barre’s daughter, Jesse builds custom guitars and is murdered one night while working in her studio. Barre hires Rockne to find out whodunnit and why.
There is much about the music industry, its players and mores.
Rockne blunders into the investigation that takes him on a dangerous course turning up more bodies and putting him in harm’s way on several occasions.
Ames has produced a character with a hapless, Charlie Chaplinesque quality to him. There are several scenes where Rockne is taking what should be a lethal dose of punishment only to, figuratively speaking, shake his head, pick himself up and get on with it.
In all, an entertaining story. One couldn’t help liking this rather obtuse detective. The plot is good, the characters believable although I would have preferred more about the wife and sister, both of whom appear to be on the sidelines of Rockne’s life.
I would give this book 4 stars because of the clever writing, spoiled by some proofreading and editing errors.
Ames’ protagonist is John Rockne, an ex-cop turned private investigator. In this the first book in the series, we meet him as the youngest rookie on the Grosse Point, Michigan police force. Because of a good dead on his part, a man is dead, he is deemed to be responsible, and so is discharged from the force.
He becomes a private investigator, though not a very good one. He has no contacts, is not internet savvy and relies on his friend Nate, a reporter on The Grosse Pointe Times, to find names, addresses etc. He has a wife, who isn’t particularly supportive, and two daughters, to whom he goes home each night. And by the way, his sister is Grosse Pointe’s Chief of Police, an overachiever who makes our friend Rockne seem even less skilled.
The death of Benjamin Collins, the murder victim, haunts him and he determines that at some time, he will look further into the matter.
Meantime, he comes to the attention of Clarence Barre a famous country music singer. Barre’s daughter, Jesse builds custom guitars and is murdered one night while working in her studio. Barre hires Rockne to find out whodunnit and why.
There is much about the music industry, its players and mores.
Rockne blunders into the investigation that takes him on a dangerous course turning up more bodies and putting him in harm’s way on several occasions.
Ames has produced a character with a hapless, Charlie Chaplinesque quality to him. There are several scenes where Rockne is taking what should be a lethal dose of punishment only to, figuratively speaking, shake his head, pick himself up and get on with it.
In all, an entertaining story. One couldn’t help liking this rather obtuse detective. The plot is good, the characters believable although I would have preferred more about the wife and sister, both of whom appear to be on the sidelines of Rockne’s life.
I would give this book 4 stars because of the clever writing, spoiled by some proofreading and editing errors.
May 2, 2019
Grosse Pointe, MI. New yrs. eve. Benjamin “Ben” Collins nude body was bobbing up/down in the freezing river.
Nate Becker (F/T Grosse Pointe Times reporter) had quite the article about it.
Jesse Barre (daughter, guitar maker) had been murdered.
Shannon Sparrow’s (singer/songwriter, musician/guitarist) guitar was missing.
Rufus Coltraine had been killed.
Grosse Pointe (Cabbage Patch), MI. John Rockne (PI, narrator) had found former inmate Laurence Grasso (Shannon’s ex-husband, Jackson State Prison, attempted murder).
John went to visit with Shannon.
Would John find any leads in Memphis, TN?
Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written PI thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great PI thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Slogan Books; BookSweeps; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Nate Becker (F/T Grosse Pointe Times reporter) had quite the article about it.
Jesse Barre (daughter, guitar maker) had been murdered.
Shannon Sparrow’s (singer/songwriter, musician/guitarist) guitar was missing.
Rufus Coltraine had been killed.
Grosse Pointe (Cabbage Patch), MI. John Rockne (PI, narrator) had found former inmate Laurence Grasso (Shannon’s ex-husband, Jackson State Prison, attempted murder).
John went to visit with Shannon.
Would John find any leads in Memphis, TN?
Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written PI thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great PI thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Slogan Books; BookSweeps; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
September 30, 2019
Intense intrigue and action!
John Rockne’s police career barely made it past his probationary period, but that is what happens when you mistakenly deliver a victim back to their murderer. Now Jack is a PI in Grosse Pointe where his sister, Ellen, is the Chief of Police. He is hired by Clarence Barre, a country singer/songwriter, to solve his daughter’s murder. Clarence is certain the killer is Jesse’s ex-con boyfriend, Nevada Hornsby, but his alibi checked out and police now believe Jesse’s death was a robbery-gone-wrong.
When John accepted the case he was not prepared for bizarre encounters with saw-wielding attackers, steroid pumped bodyguards and guitar-loving psychos. John is a devoted family man, not your stereotypical PI, and his wife and daughters expect him home every night sans bullet-holes.
I like the way the author bounces back and forth between Jack and the murderer, expanding the characters and building the scenario for the final battle. The storyline has surprising twists and turns. This is a real page-turner!
John Rockne’s police career barely made it past his probationary period, but that is what happens when you mistakenly deliver a victim back to their murderer. Now Jack is a PI in Grosse Pointe where his sister, Ellen, is the Chief of Police. He is hired by Clarence Barre, a country singer/songwriter, to solve his daughter’s murder. Clarence is certain the killer is Jesse’s ex-con boyfriend, Nevada Hornsby, but his alibi checked out and police now believe Jesse’s death was a robbery-gone-wrong.
When John accepted the case he was not prepared for bizarre encounters with saw-wielding attackers, steroid pumped bodyguards and guitar-loving psychos. John is a devoted family man, not your stereotypical PI, and his wife and daughters expect him home every night sans bullet-holes.
I like the way the author bounces back and forth between Jack and the murderer, expanding the characters and building the scenario for the final battle. The storyline has surprising twists and turns. This is a real page-turner!
August 31, 2019
Dead Wood. Dan Ames
John Rockne was a young police officer in Michigan. Barely off training. On new years eve, he gets dispatched a call. His last call before the end of his shift. Literally the last call of his career. A shirtless incoherent man is stumbling down the street in the freezing dead of winter. A man approaches him apologizing profusely for his friends condition, behavior. He's a close friend and bundles the young man in a jacket and said he will take him home. Officer Rockne agrees because it's a short distance away. The next morning the young man is found floating in a lake, dead. So is officer Rocknes career. Now A private investigator , he agrees to handle a case involving a murdered custom guitar maker. Nothing is routine about this case. Bodies are piling up. Non stop action from first to last page. Classic murder mystery. Enjoyed immensely!
John Rockne was a young police officer in Michigan. Barely off training. On new years eve, he gets dispatched a call. His last call before the end of his shift. Literally the last call of his career. A shirtless incoherent man is stumbling down the street in the freezing dead of winter. A man approaches him apologizing profusely for his friends condition, behavior. He's a close friend and bundles the young man in a jacket and said he will take him home. Officer Rockne agrees because it's a short distance away. The next morning the young man is found floating in a lake, dead. So is officer Rocknes career. Now A private investigator , he agrees to handle a case involving a murdered custom guitar maker. Nothing is routine about this case. Bodies are piling up. Non stop action from first to last page. Classic murder mystery. Enjoyed immensely!
July 6, 2018
Maybe it's my own tendency for sarcasm that made me love this book, more likely it's Dan Ames writing style and amusing (to me) banter between characters and witty thoughts or asides from John Rockne. Haunted by his past, John Rockne is determined to find some answers. He's a PI after
a rookie error pegs him as a "disgraced officer". His sister, is as sarcastic as her brother only more mean and she's the Chief of Police, making things difficult at times. Someone brutally murdered an exceptionally talented guitar maker. Her once famous, musician dad, hires Rockne to find out who killed his daughter. When the first suspect is murdered and proven to be innocent, John digs in and what ensues will have readers guessing who the culprit might be until the very end.
a rookie error pegs him as a "disgraced officer". His sister, is as sarcastic as her brother only more mean and she's the Chief of Police, making things difficult at times. Someone brutally murdered an exceptionally talented guitar maker. Her once famous, musician dad, hires Rockne to find out who killed his daughter. When the first suspect is murdered and proven to be innocent, John digs in and what ensues will have readers guessing who the culprit might be until the very end.
December 15, 2017
I happened to come across this at a writers conference (Sleuthfest) and am so glad I did. What a great character John Rockne is -- I fell in love with his voice (he's a PI) and that of his sister (the chief of police, who loves to bust his balls). Who have thought that Grosse Point would make such a good setting for a detective novel (with the exception of one movie)? The story follows a smart aleck PI as he investigates the death of a gifted guitar maker who is also the daughter of a famous country musician. It's also a fun peep into the world of celebrity musicians. I don't want to give anything away but the murderer was not at all who I thought it was.
April 3, 2023
4.5 stars
The humor in this book was right up my alley - dry, dark, and sarcastic. If you don’t like that kind of humor, you probs won’t like this book. Also, with the dark humor - the main character twice jokes about killing himself, and also jokes multiple times about men being raped in prison. Along with that, there’s an attempted rape scene (male on male), which I found completely unnecessary. Other than those instances, I loved the humor and actually found myself laughing out loud while reading.
I also enjoyed the Dahmer inspo at the beginning of the book. Fitting, since he was in a neighboring state. I definitely added the next book to my want to read list.
The humor in this book was right up my alley - dry, dark, and sarcastic. If you don’t like that kind of humor, you probs won’t like this book. Also, with the dark humor - the main character twice jokes about killing himself, and also jokes multiple times about men being raped in prison. Along with that, there’s an attempted rape scene (male on male), which I found completely unnecessary. Other than those instances, I loved the humor and actually found myself laughing out loud while reading.
I also enjoyed the Dahmer inspo at the beginning of the book. Fitting, since he was in a neighboring state. I definitely added the next book to my want to read list.
November 8, 2017
I thought this book rather dated. Some of the expressions used, jokes, references to a Sunbird car, etc. made this feel dated. I felt that this distracted from what was a good plot. I had seen how timber that has been underwater for hundreds of years was "harvested" and turned into beautiful and unique lumber on the TV show Dirty Jobs and was fascinated to find that it played such an important part in this book.
I further thought that most of the characters were very one-dimensional, especially the hero, his wife, sister and the musician and her retinue.
I further thought that most of the characters were very one-dimensional, especially the hero, his wife, sister and the musician and her retinue.
March 9, 2019
Hell of a Story!
One of the best stories I have read in years. I so much marveled at the characters.. Not your typical PI. Just your down to earth guy trying to make a living. Sister mean as a wild cat. But loves her brother even though difficult to see sometimes. Amazing story line, several surprises and some mean and ugly as snot bad guys.
Perhaps one or two of the sequels will come down to an old ladies price range. Not that $5.00 is over priced however on a social security it can be toooo much. Good reading all.
One of the best stories I have read in years. I so much marveled at the characters.. Not your typical PI. Just your down to earth guy trying to make a living. Sister mean as a wild cat. But loves her brother even though difficult to see sometimes. Amazing story line, several surprises and some mean and ugly as snot bad guys.
Perhaps one or two of the sequels will come down to an old ladies price range. Not that $5.00 is over priced however on a social security it can be toooo much. Good reading all.
January 12, 2025
There is nothing like an excellent detective mystery to charge the brain in pursuing the little titbit clues as to who the killer is.
Dead Wood featuring a cop turned PI, John Rockne, is such a mystery.
John left the Grosse Pointe police force after only six months of service under a cloud of negative judgement when a drunk somehow got killed after he released the man.
Six years later he is doing well as a PI. Till he got hired to investigate the death of a woman.
And the fingers start blistering simply that paging. Blame author Dan Ames should that happen to you too
And enjoy
Dead Wood featuring a cop turned PI, John Rockne, is such a mystery.
John left the Grosse Pointe police force after only six months of service under a cloud of negative judgement when a drunk somehow got killed after he released the man.
Six years later he is doing well as a PI. Till he got hired to investigate the death of a woman.
And the fingers start blistering simply that paging. Blame author Dan Ames should that happen to you too
And enjoy
March 4, 2019
If you want a mediocre crime novel with a touch of homophobia and unrealistic situations, this is for sure the book for you.
Get tasered, knocked unconscious and think your about to die your injuries are so bad? No problem just get up and continue on your day like that didn't just happen...multiple times, in like the same week. Literally finished this book to make sure I could fully hate every page.
Get tasered, knocked unconscious and think your about to die your injuries are so bad? No problem just get up and continue on your day like that didn't just happen...multiple times, in like the same week. Literally finished this book to make sure I could fully hate every page.
March 21, 2019
A Mystery for The Too Lazy To Think
This is the kind of book for the commuter who simply wants to appear busy while sitting on that train. Good for those too lazy to think about anything deep. Ames keeps the action going, developing sufficient interest to cause the reader to stay with the story to the end. Nothing deep here. Don't expect Grisham. Don't even expect Michael Connelly.
This is the kind of book for the commuter who simply wants to appear busy while sitting on that train. Good for those too lazy to think about anything deep. Ames keeps the action going, developing sufficient interest to cause the reader to stay with the story to the end. Nothing deep here. Don't expect Grisham. Don't even expect Michael Connelly.
April 10, 2020
I did not know that something from the bottom of the ocean could turn out so beautiful.
I like John Rockne---he reminds me a little of the TV show Spencer for Hire because they have the same investigation style.
I love the way John and the Chief of Police interact with each other.
This is a very good mystery - I thought I figured it out--and I am glad that I was surprised.
See if you can figure who did it.
I like John Rockne---he reminds me a little of the TV show Spencer for Hire because they have the same investigation style.
I love the way John and the Chief of Police interact with each other.
This is a very good mystery - I thought I figured it out--and I am glad that I was surprised.
See if you can figure who did it.
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