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A Luca Mystery #6
Cop or Killer?
Breaking the law to protect your family seems reasonable, until its not.
Detective Luca's life is shattered when he's accused of a revenge killing.
A corpse turns up and it doesn't look good for Luca. The body belongs to someone who harassed his precious Mary Ann, and the circumstances of death point a grisly finger at Luca. Suspicion spreads quickly that he has morphed into a killer and he's black balled.
But Luca's problems don't end there. While he scrambles to prove his innocence in the murder case, a mortal enemy is on the loose and has him in his cross hairs. Its a vicious serial killer he once put behind bars, a psychopath hell-bent on revenge.
Luca has nowhere to turn for help. With the department closing in one side and an escaped serial killer on the other, Luca is left on his own to clear his name and capture the escapee before he gets to Luca.
Failure means he loses his freedom - or his life.
Detective Luca's life is shattered when he's accused of a revenge killing.
A corpse turns up and it doesn't look good for Luca. The body belongs to someone who harassed his precious Mary Ann, and the circumstances of death point a grisly finger at Luca. Suspicion spreads quickly that he has morphed into a killer and he's black balled.
But Luca's problems don't end there. While he scrambles to prove his innocence in the murder case, a mortal enemy is on the loose and has him in his cross hairs. Its a vicious serial killer he once put behind bars, a psychopath hell-bent on revenge.
Luca has nowhere to turn for help. With the department closing in one side and an escaped serial killer on the other, Luca is left on his own to clear his name and capture the escapee before he gets to Luca.
Failure means he loses his freedom - or his life.
- GenresMystery
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2019
167 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Dan Petrosini
116 books176 followersDan is a USA Today and Amazon best seller author, who wrote his first story at the age of ten and enjoys telling stories and jokes.
Dan gets his story ideas by exploring the question; What if?
In almost every situation he finds himself in, Dan starts exploring what if this or that happened? What if this person died, was hurt, or did something unusual or illegal?
Dan’s non-stop mind spin provides him with plenty of material to weave into interesting stories.
A fan of books and films that have twists and are difficult to predict, Dan crafts his stories to prevent the reader from guessing correctly. He writes each and every day, forcing the words out when necessary and has written over twenty novels to date. It’s not a matter of wanting to write, Dan simply has to.
Dan passionately believes people can realize their dreams if they focus and act, and he encourages just that.
His favorite saying is – “The price of discipline is always less than the cost of regret”
Dan likes to remind people to get the negativity out of their lives. He feels it is contagious and advises people to steer clear of negative people. He believes having a true, positive mind set makes it feel like life is rigged in your favor. When he gets off base, he tells himself, ‘You can’t have a good day with a bad attitude.’
Married with two daughters and a needy Maltese, Dan lives in Southwest Florida. A New York native, Dan teaches at local colleges, writes novels, and plays tenor saxophone in several jazz bands. He also drinks way too much wine and never, ever takes himself too seriously.
He has an active blog at http://danpetrosini.com, where you can sign up for a newsletter featuring articles, his writing and special deals.
Dan gets his story ideas by exploring the question; What if?
In almost every situation he finds himself in, Dan starts exploring what if this or that happened? What if this person died, was hurt, or did something unusual or illegal?
Dan’s non-stop mind spin provides him with plenty of material to weave into interesting stories.
A fan of books and films that have twists and are difficult to predict, Dan crafts his stories to prevent the reader from guessing correctly. He writes each and every day, forcing the words out when necessary and has written over twenty novels to date. It’s not a matter of wanting to write, Dan simply has to.
Dan passionately believes people can realize their dreams if they focus and act, and he encourages just that.
His favorite saying is – “The price of discipline is always less than the cost of regret”
Dan likes to remind people to get the negativity out of their lives. He feels it is contagious and advises people to steer clear of negative people. He believes having a true, positive mind set makes it feel like life is rigged in your favor. When he gets off base, he tells himself, ‘You can’t have a good day with a bad attitude.’
Married with two daughters and a needy Maltese, Dan lives in Southwest Florida. A New York native, Dan teaches at local colleges, writes novels, and plays tenor saxophone in several jazz bands. He also drinks way too much wine and never, ever takes himself too seriously.
He has an active blog at http://danpetrosini.com, where you can sign up for a newsletter featuring articles, his writing and special deals.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. So much is going on, that it does bounce around a bit but thats what keeps you guessing and hooked until the end. Frank Luca is a great character and with all his struggles and problems a very believe able detective and not the normal superhero cop who misses nothing. The mystery is interesting and with two cases running at the same time, it never gets boring and with the home life adding to the compilation it made me want to skip to the end to see if I was going to be in tears at the end but with an audible book you can't do that so easily. Instead I sat on the edge of my seat and kept listening to see which direction the author was going to take you next. Looking forward to see how the next story plays out and where it goes.
Despite his girlfriend being a cop when she get threats from a low life Frank Luca steps in and warns him off. Things get really complicated for Luca when a psychopath he put away escapes prison and at the same time the low life he threatened is discovered dead. How can Luca track down the serial killer when his fellow officers are investigating him? Having a baby is another added stress that Luca could do with out but with time on all fronts running out, can he find what it takes to get the job done?
I liked the narrator. He has a slightly gruff voice which is just how I imagine Frank Luca talking.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Despite his girlfriend being a cop when she get threats from a low life Frank Luca steps in and warns him off. Things get really complicated for Luca when a psychopath he put away escapes prison and at the same time the low life he threatened is discovered dead. How can Luca track down the serial killer when his fellow officers are investigating him? Having a baby is another added stress that Luca could do with out but with time on all fronts running out, can he find what it takes to get the job done?
I liked the narrator. He has a slightly gruff voice which is just how I imagine Frank Luca talking.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 31, 2019
Cop or Killer? - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Cop or Killer? - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Dan Petrosini really knows his stuff! His character Frank di Luca, a New Orleans PD chief detective is emotionally, physically and perhaps mentally torn in many directions by circumstance and conditions beyond his control. Yet Cop or Killer? is not your run-of-the-mill crime-thriller - far from it!
Book 6 in Dan Petrosini's fabulous series has Frank as the MC, unashamedly exploring and expertly developing Frank's character (and those in his world), as the story unfolds.
Frank, just happens to find the acid-mutilated corpse of a man he'd threatened with just that fate, (hence the title) following the victim's previous criminal behavior involving his girlfriend Mary Ann. Who can he trust,.as it seems even his new Homicide partner doesn't believe his alibi is genuine?
Events gather speed, as a deadly serial killer escapes and plots revenge against Frank, while things at work seem to become overwhelming, as Frank has to solve not one, but two major crimes now he's been cleared of Garrison's murder by IA and his boss Chester. Can he get Mary Ann back as his partner again?
Uncertainty about Mary Ann's desire to become a mother and his own possible shortcomings, (as a father/the effect on his own career/changes in their relationship if they become parents), leads to Frank secretly seeing a counsellor, while his continued recovery from bladder cancer treatment means his bathroom visits now have to run to a timetable - not always convenient with an active professional life with Homicide. Will he be able to cope with how fatherhood may affect him?
I really like the way Dan Petrosini's not afraid to show his hero as human - flawed even - with issues recognised on many levels by all of us.
Also the way Frank's nervous at first about telling Mary Ann (or anyone at work), how he has self-doubts and disillusionment, while he struggles to do the right thing at all times and retain his identity and integrity. How much he needs other people to understand where he's coming from, until he realises that becoming a father will validate and strengthen him and that getting married will give his family the security and love they both need and deserve.
A thrilling and heart-warmingly satisfying police procedural, that is sure to be another best-seller for crime-thriller lovers everywhere...more please!
Cop or Killer? - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Dan Petrosini really knows his stuff! His character Frank di Luca, a New Orleans PD chief detective is emotionally, physically and perhaps mentally torn in many directions by circumstance and conditions beyond his control. Yet Cop or Killer? is not your run-of-the-mill crime-thriller - far from it!
Book 6 in Dan Petrosini's fabulous series has Frank as the MC, unashamedly exploring and expertly developing Frank's character (and those in his world), as the story unfolds.
Frank, just happens to find the acid-mutilated corpse of a man he'd threatened with just that fate, (hence the title) following the victim's previous criminal behavior involving his girlfriend Mary Ann. Who can he trust,.as it seems even his new Homicide partner doesn't believe his alibi is genuine?
Events gather speed, as a deadly serial killer escapes and plots revenge against Frank, while things at work seem to become overwhelming, as Frank has to solve not one, but two major crimes now he's been cleared of Garrison's murder by IA and his boss Chester. Can he get Mary Ann back as his partner again?
Uncertainty about Mary Ann's desire to become a mother and his own possible shortcomings, (as a father/the effect on his own career/changes in their relationship if they become parents), leads to Frank secretly seeing a counsellor, while his continued recovery from bladder cancer treatment means his bathroom visits now have to run to a timetable - not always convenient with an active professional life with Homicide. Will he be able to cope with how fatherhood may affect him?
I really like the way Dan Petrosini's not afraid to show his hero as human - flawed even - with issues recognised on many levels by all of us.
Also the way Frank's nervous at first about telling Mary Ann (or anyone at work), how he has self-doubts and disillusionment, while he struggles to do the right thing at all times and retain his identity and integrity. How much he needs other people to understand where he's coming from, until he realises that becoming a father will validate and strengthen him and that getting married will give his family the security and love they both need and deserve.
A thrilling and heart-warmingly satisfying police procedural, that is sure to be another best-seller for crime-thriller lovers everywhere...more please!
March 17, 2019
Cop or Killer? - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Dan Petrosini really knows his stuff! His character Frank Luca, a Florida PD chief detective is emotionally, physically and perhaps mentally torn in many directions by circumstance and conditions beyond his control. Yet Cop or Killer? is not your run-of-the-mill crime-thriller - far from it!
Book 6 in Dan Petrosini's fabulous series unashamedly explores and expertly develops not only MC Frank's character, but those in his world too, as the story unfolds.
By coincidence Frank just happens to find the acid-mutilated corpse of a man he'd threatened with exactly that fate, (hence the title) following the victim's previous criminal behavior towards Frank's girlfriend Mary Ann.
Who can he trust, when it seems even his new Homicide partner doesn't believe in Frank's innocence?
Events gather speed, as a deadly serial killer escapes and plots revenge against Frank, while things at work seem to become overwhelming, as Frank has to solve not one, but two major crimes.
I really like the way Dan Petrosini's not afraid to show his hero as human - flawed even - with issues recognised on many levels by all of us. Frank's nervous at first about telling Mary Ann (or anyone at work), how he has self-doubts and disillusionment, while he struggles to do the right thing at all times and still retain his identity and integrity.
A thrilling and heart-warmingly satisfying police procedural, that is sure to be another Dan Petrosini best-seller for crime-thriller lovers everywhere...more please!
Dan Petrosini really knows his stuff! His character Frank Luca, a Florida PD chief detective is emotionally, physically and perhaps mentally torn in many directions by circumstance and conditions beyond his control. Yet Cop or Killer? is not your run-of-the-mill crime-thriller - far from it!
Book 6 in Dan Petrosini's fabulous series unashamedly explores and expertly develops not only MC Frank's character, but those in his world too, as the story unfolds.
By coincidence Frank just happens to find the acid-mutilated corpse of a man he'd threatened with exactly that fate, (hence the title) following the victim's previous criminal behavior towards Frank's girlfriend Mary Ann.
Who can he trust, when it seems even his new Homicide partner doesn't believe in Frank's innocence?
Events gather speed, as a deadly serial killer escapes and plots revenge against Frank, while things at work seem to become overwhelming, as Frank has to solve not one, but two major crimes.
I really like the way Dan Petrosini's not afraid to show his hero as human - flawed even - with issues recognised on many levels by all of us. Frank's nervous at first about telling Mary Ann (or anyone at work), how he has self-doubts and disillusionment, while he struggles to do the right thing at all times and still retain his identity and integrity.
A thrilling and heart-warmingly satisfying police procedural, that is sure to be another Dan Petrosini best-seller for crime-thriller lovers everywhere...more please!
June 5, 2019
Great mystery story
An original fast moving story. Great police action having a dual story line. Realistic theory and action planning and execution brings the plot to a very satisfying conclusion, while retaining the story line to the very end. Well done.
An original fast moving story. Great police action having a dual story line. Realistic theory and action planning and execution brings the plot to a very satisfying conclusion, while retaining the story line to the very end. Well done.
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September 4, 2019By fantastic read as usual I have and will continue to read books by Dan and recommend his books to my fa
I have and will continue to read and recommend books by Dan The Luca series are page turners to the end
I have and will continue to read and recommend books by Dan The Luca series are page turners to the end
February 13, 2021
This book had Luca involved in two big cases. One captured my attention. It was like a game of chess between two masters of the game. The other one had me perplexed. Would a seasoned homicide detective really be that stupid? Luca had to know lying or lies by omission would make him a suspect. All I can say, Luca must have been blinded by love.
On the home-front, major changes are coming for Luca and Mary Ann. In all the books, Luca mentions real estate values. I am not sure why he does it or why I find it entertaining.
I really wanted to rate this book higher, but just couldn’t. I am very frustrated with the inconsistencies by this author. He tells a riveting story, however he can’t keep his own facts straight. It’s pretty ironic, since Petrosini writes criminal investigation novels, where facts means evidence. In the last book there were scenes that were inaccurate. Once again in this story, he doesn’t keep his own story straight. In the scene about Luca’s alibi, Frank told the Sheriff “I drove around trying to find Dwyer.” That makes no sense, as the dead body was found prior to Luca knowing Dwyer had escaped. It’s even repeated during the interview with the IA officers. I find this inexcusable. It makes me question if I should continue with this serial. Doesn’t Petrosini have someone review his books prior to publication?
On the home-front, major changes are coming for Luca and Mary Ann. In all the books, Luca mentions real estate values. I am not sure why he does it or why I find it entertaining.
I really wanted to rate this book higher, but just couldn’t. I am very frustrated with the inconsistencies by this author. He tells a riveting story, however he can’t keep his own facts straight. It’s pretty ironic, since Petrosini writes criminal investigation novels, where facts means evidence. In the last book there were scenes that were inaccurate. Once again in this story, he doesn’t keep his own story straight. In the scene about Luca’s alibi, Frank told the Sheriff “I drove around trying to find Dwyer.” That makes no sense, as the dead body was found prior to Luca knowing Dwyer had escaped. It’s even repeated during the interview with the IA officers. I find this inexcusable. It makes me question if I should continue with this serial. Doesn’t Petrosini have someone review his books prior to publication?
January 27, 2021
One old nemesis turns up dead and another escapes from prison in this fast paced police mystery.
I love Luca's dry humor and self-conscious insecurities nearly as much as his bad boy, bend the rules investigative style. This one has a series of complex plot twists, plenty of action and a whole lot of clues, including a few red herrings to keep the reader entertained as the detective works simultaneously to solve both a murder mystery and the tracking down of a brilliant serial killer who's escaped from the prison where Luca put him and where he very much belongs.
A great story, well read by Francis Kearney who's gravelly voice and inflection are perfect for this first person narrative. In my mind, Kearney is Detective Luca.
I love Luca's dry humor and self-conscious insecurities nearly as much as his bad boy, bend the rules investigative style. This one has a series of complex plot twists, plenty of action and a whole lot of clues, including a few red herrings to keep the reader entertained as the detective works simultaneously to solve both a murder mystery and the tracking down of a brilliant serial killer who's escaped from the prison where Luca put him and where he very much belongs.
A great story, well read by Francis Kearney who's gravelly voice and inflection are perfect for this first person narrative. In my mind, Kearney is Detective Luca.
January 16, 2021
A cop who has put plenty in prison, a psychopath is now after him
Then being accused of murder, trying to protect his family, then himself to prove not guilty is a challenge. Makes two interesting cases to follow. The narration added to the tension of this good plot. The author does deliver
Given audio for my voluntary review
Then being accused of murder, trying to protect his family, then himself to prove not guilty is a challenge. Makes two interesting cases to follow. The narration added to the tension of this good plot. The author does deliver
Given audio for my voluntary review
March 8, 2021
Really good
I've read a couple of books by this author now and enjoyed them. Now going off to find more. Sorry I don't post the story of the books I read as I think it spoils the read.
I've read a couple of books by this author now and enjoyed them. Now going off to find more. Sorry I don't post the story of the books I read as I think it spoils the read.
March 11, 2021
Five Thumbs Up!
Just enough doubt - did the cop do it? Petrosini has woven a good tale here, complicated enough and real-world enough to be believable. I liked the characters, too - their emotions are not overdone, and their relationship ups and downs play like real-life.
Just enough doubt - did the cop do it? Petrosini has woven a good tale here, complicated enough and real-world enough to be believable. I liked the characters, too - their emotions are not overdone, and their relationship ups and downs play like real-life.
February 4, 2022
Love this series!!
I like the pace of action and I like and dislike the characters! The glass in anyone makes us more interesting. Thank you Can Petrosini.
I like the pace of action and I like and dislike the characters! The glass in anyone makes us more interesting. Thank you Can Petrosini.
December 5, 2024
Sick
to death of glaring inconsistencies in the grammar and written English sentence structure . Can't anyone else see this ? In particular , editors .
to death of glaring inconsistencies in the grammar and written English sentence structure . Can't anyone else see this ? In particular , editors .
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews