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Martin Preuss Mysteries #6
Cold Dark Lies
COLD DARK LIES is the sixth explosive entry in the riveting Martin Preuss Mystery series. When distraught Carrie Morrison hires Martin Preuss to find out how her younger brother wound up clinging to life in a disreputable Ferndale motel, the private detective thinks the story will be a familiar one—a young man takes a walk on the wild side and pays a terrible price. But the deeper Preuss digs, the more he realizes that nothing is as it seems in the brother’s world of secrets and lies. How is the young man involved with a missing prostitute? What’s the link to a local rap mogul who moonlights as the city’s main drug supplier? Why is a stone-cold killer out for revenge with Preuss in his cross-hairs? And—most upsetting of all—why is a local crime boss threatening Preuss’s beloved handicapped son Toby?
442 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2019
8 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 9, 2020
Martin Preuss isn’t exactly the cigar-chomping, fedora-wearing, gun-toting, wise-cracking private eye popularized so many decades ago. Like many classic private eye stories, he’s asked to investigate what happened in a seedy motel room filled with drugs, sex, violence, and blackmail. He ends up jousting with mobsters, with nightclub bouncers, and with henchmen that have their own ideas of how to carry out orders.
Yet, Preuss is a complex man with modern problems. He nearly ended it all after his wife, following an argument, stormed away in her car only to become mincemeat on the highway. It was his younger son Toby who pulled him back from the edge, his younger son, developmentally disabled, on a feeding tube, in a group home with round the clock care. What a juxtaposition between his family responsibilities to Toby and the seedy dirty world private investigators travel.
As far as the investigation goes, don’t make any predictions or assumptions about what happened or why. None of it gets resolved as you think it will. The writing is smooth. This one’s a powerful thrill ride from start to finish. It may be number six in the series, but there are no prerequisites to reading it.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
Yet, Preuss is a complex man with modern problems. He nearly ended it all after his wife, following an argument, stormed away in her car only to become mincemeat on the highway. It was his younger son Toby who pulled him back from the edge, his younger son, developmentally disabled, on a feeding tube, in a group home with round the clock care. What a juxtaposition between his family responsibilities to Toby and the seedy dirty world private investigators travel.
As far as the investigation goes, don’t make any predictions or assumptions about what happened or why. None of it gets resolved as you think it will. The writing is smooth. This one’s a powerful thrill ride from start to finish. It may be number six in the series, but there are no prerequisites to reading it.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
September 27, 2019
I won a kindle edition of this novel in a Goodreads Giveaway. While this is the sixth book in the series, it worked well as a standalone mystery novel.
Martin Preuss is a former police officer who is now working as a private detective. The plot focuses on the work for two separate clients. In the minor case, a woman believes her family may be related to the Purple Gang and wants Martin to determine if this is true. In the main case, a woman's brother is in a coma after being found in a motel. He had been beaten and had a syringe stuck in his arm. His sister wants to find out who, what, and why.
Besides the cases, Martin is dealing with items of a personal nature. His wife had left him and was taking the children to her parents house when she wrecked and was killed. His oldest son no longer lives with Martin. Martin generally hears from or about him if his son needs money or is arrested. Martin's youngest son, Toby, is the light of his life despite suffering a variety of health issues including "cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, visual impairments, microcephaly, and scoliosis".
This was a quick-paced novel set in and around Detroit, Michigan. Martin showed definite character growth during this sixth book in the series. The story line covered a lot of topics ranging from strong detective work, organized crime, drugs, prostitution, police informants, personal isolation, health issues, a father's love for his child, murder and friendship.
This story was thought-provoking, inspiring and extremely satisfying. I look forward to reading more of the series.
Martin Preuss is a former police officer who is now working as a private detective. The plot focuses on the work for two separate clients. In the minor case, a woman believes her family may be related to the Purple Gang and wants Martin to determine if this is true. In the main case, a woman's brother is in a coma after being found in a motel. He had been beaten and had a syringe stuck in his arm. His sister wants to find out who, what, and why.
Besides the cases, Martin is dealing with items of a personal nature. His wife had left him and was taking the children to her parents house when she wrecked and was killed. His oldest son no longer lives with Martin. Martin generally hears from or about him if his son needs money or is arrested. Martin's youngest son, Toby, is the light of his life despite suffering a variety of health issues including "cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, visual impairments, microcephaly, and scoliosis".
This was a quick-paced novel set in and around Detroit, Michigan. Martin showed definite character growth during this sixth book in the series. The story line covered a lot of topics ranging from strong detective work, organized crime, drugs, prostitution, police informants, personal isolation, health issues, a father's love for his child, murder and friendship.
This story was thought-provoking, inspiring and extremely satisfying. I look forward to reading more of the series.
September 22, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
When a man is found in a hotel room, suffering an overdose, Martin Preuss is hired to find out what happened to him. As usual, this takes him to the seamy side of Detroit. Involving Chaldean mobsters, a rapper/drug dealer, and assorted whackos.
Not bad, but a bit padded, IMO.
When a man is found in a hotel room, suffering an overdose, Martin Preuss is hired to find out what happened to him. As usual, this takes him to the seamy side of Detroit. Involving Chaldean mobsters, a rapper/drug dealer, and assorted whackos.
Not bad, but a bit padded, IMO.
November 18, 2019
I have read every book in Levin's Martin Preuss series. This one has the best plot line of them all, in my opinion. Levin is an astonishingly accomplished spinner of tales, touching convincingly on the darker side of human behavior without getting totally lost in its dirtiness. The light that beckons Preuss back from the edge of the abyss is his undying love and devotion to his son, Toby, who grounds Preuss in all that is good. It is a very effective counter to the blackness he sees in his detective work on a daily basis. Kudos, Dr. Levin.
May 17, 2020
Review for 'Cold Dark Lies' by Donald Levin
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for BooksGoSocial and Poison Toe Press.
This is the first book that I have read by this author. I am likely to read more of his books.
This is the 6th book in the 'Martin Preuss Mystery' series. However, this book can be read as a standalone without any problems.
The plot is a typical private eye one where a woman hires a PI to find out what really happened to her brother in a seedy motel room. It was quite slow paced and didn't have much action. However, I still couldn't stop reading it which surprised me!
The book is very well written with plenty of descriptions and strong characters which I enjoyed reading about, especially Preuss (rhymes with juice).
THE book seems to be in two halves really with half concentrating on Preuss's cases and the other half which talks about his son and his life which I enjoyed as it made me feel 'closer' to his character.
I was not expecting the ending so well done there, nothing worse than when you guess the ending of a book and your not even half way through!!
I would recommend it to fans of crime, mystery and detective novels.
442 pages
Free on kindle unlimited or £2.40 to purchase. I think this is a good price for this book.
Rated 4/5 ( I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon.Com and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads for more reviews
#ColdDarkLies #DonaldLevin #BooksGoSocial #PoisonToePress #NetGalley #BookReview
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for BooksGoSocial and Poison Toe Press.
This is the first book that I have read by this author. I am likely to read more of his books.
This is the 6th book in the 'Martin Preuss Mystery' series. However, this book can be read as a standalone without any problems.
The plot is a typical private eye one where a woman hires a PI to find out what really happened to her brother in a seedy motel room. It was quite slow paced and didn't have much action. However, I still couldn't stop reading it which surprised me!
The book is very well written with plenty of descriptions and strong characters which I enjoyed reading about, especially Preuss (rhymes with juice).
THE book seems to be in two halves really with half concentrating on Preuss's cases and the other half which talks about his son and his life which I enjoyed as it made me feel 'closer' to his character.
I was not expecting the ending so well done there, nothing worse than when you guess the ending of a book and your not even half way through!!
I would recommend it to fans of crime, mystery and detective novels.
442 pages
Free on kindle unlimited or £2.40 to purchase. I think this is a good price for this book.
Rated 4/5 ( I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon.Com and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads for more reviews
#ColdDarkLies #DonaldLevin #BooksGoSocial #PoisonToePress #NetGalley #BookReview
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
July 6, 2019
My thanks to Goodreads for a free copy of “ Cold Dark Lies” by Donald Levin.
Mr. Levin has written a workmanlike crime novel that will satisfy anyone who enjoys an excellent story that keeps the reader’s attention from start to exciting finish. I used the word “ workmanlike” as praise, meaning that the author skillfully used all the tools of storytelling. There is an interesting main character, Martin Preuss who is not just a skilled former police detective, working as a private
Detective, but is a man with a tragic past. His wife was killed in a traffic accident and their younger, developmentally handicapped son terribly injured. Their other son, blaming his father for the argument that sent the mother driving off in a haze of anger , ran away, is an addict and is lost to Martin. All that happens in the novel is affected by this past. Martin’s interaction with his invalid son is poignant , sad but beautiful.
The plot begins with Martin hired by a young woman to investigate why her brother was found on the floor of a hotbed motel nearly dead with a heroin needle in his arm. He simply was not the kind of person to use either drugs or prostitutes, she says. Preuss becomes involved in an investigation that takes him into the dark depths of Detroit where disposable people live desperate lives. What keeps him sane is his daily, loving interaction with his invalid son. It is easy for the reader to become immersed in Mr. Levin’s characters and story.There are no slow passages, no dangling threads or unanswered questions.
So, interesting people, a riveting plot and insight into human character: what more could a reader ask?
This was the first book by. R. Levin that I have read. I look forward to reading more.
Mr. Levin has written a workmanlike crime novel that will satisfy anyone who enjoys an excellent story that keeps the reader’s attention from start to exciting finish. I used the word “ workmanlike” as praise, meaning that the author skillfully used all the tools of storytelling. There is an interesting main character, Martin Preuss who is not just a skilled former police detective, working as a private
Detective, but is a man with a tragic past. His wife was killed in a traffic accident and their younger, developmentally handicapped son terribly injured. Their other son, blaming his father for the argument that sent the mother driving off in a haze of anger , ran away, is an addict and is lost to Martin. All that happens in the novel is affected by this past. Martin’s interaction with his invalid son is poignant , sad but beautiful.
The plot begins with Martin hired by a young woman to investigate why her brother was found on the floor of a hotbed motel nearly dead with a heroin needle in his arm. He simply was not the kind of person to use either drugs or prostitutes, she says. Preuss becomes involved in an investigation that takes him into the dark depths of Detroit where disposable people live desperate lives. What keeps him sane is his daily, loving interaction with his invalid son. It is easy for the reader to become immersed in Mr. Levin’s characters and story.There are no slow passages, no dangling threads or unanswered questions.
So, interesting people, a riveting plot and insight into human character: what more could a reader ask?
This was the first book by. R. Levin that I have read. I look forward to reading more.
March 22, 2020
Ex-cop Martin Preuss (rhymes with juice) is a private detective in partnership with octogenarian detective Manny Greene. Preuss is a widower who is estranged from his oldest son and devoted to the care of his severely disabled younger son Toby.
In Cold Dark Lies Martin is handed a case involving a well-to-do middle-aged man who has been found comatose in a seedy motel room. Manny Greene was initially going to take the case but he has been mysteriously preoccupied of late so Preuss steps in.
This is the type of crime novel that has the detective doggedly chasing clues that don't seem to go anywhere until they finally add up to a bigger picture. There's not a lot of action - some but really not much. There are some unexpected plot twists but overall it comes off a little flat.
I just never really got all that invested in either the character or the story. The plot is a bit weak, the pace is slooow, and the author tends to be repetitive. Surely there must be a better way to express the love and devotion that Preuss feels for his severely disabled son other than repeatedly referencing the boy's "beautific smile". I realize that sounds harsh but it seemed to me like a shortcut for trying to create a full dimensional character that never quite came into focus.
This is book 6 in The Martin Preuss Mystery Series. I haven't read any of the other books in the series and, honestly, probably won't be reading them in the future. It's not a bad book, just a little too bland for my taste.
***Thanks to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and author Donald Levin for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
In Cold Dark Lies Martin is handed a case involving a well-to-do middle-aged man who has been found comatose in a seedy motel room. Manny Greene was initially going to take the case but he has been mysteriously preoccupied of late so Preuss steps in.
This is the type of crime novel that has the detective doggedly chasing clues that don't seem to go anywhere until they finally add up to a bigger picture. There's not a lot of action - some but really not much. There are some unexpected plot twists but overall it comes off a little flat.
I just never really got all that invested in either the character or the story. The plot is a bit weak, the pace is slooow, and the author tends to be repetitive. Surely there must be a better way to express the love and devotion that Preuss feels for his severely disabled son other than repeatedly referencing the boy's "beautific smile". I realize that sounds harsh but it seemed to me like a shortcut for trying to create a full dimensional character that never quite came into focus.
This is book 6 in The Martin Preuss Mystery Series. I haven't read any of the other books in the series and, honestly, probably won't be reading them in the future. It's not a bad book, just a little too bland for my taste.
***Thanks to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and author Donald Levin for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2020
Many Thanks to NetGalley for providing my ARC
Martin Preuss is an ex-cop, currently working as a private investigator. He is hired by Carrie Morrison to find the truth about her comatose brother(Greg), who was found beaten and OD'ed on heroin, in a cheap motel.
The case looks clear except that all of Greg's friends insist that he had always been a health freak, and would have never used drugs.
The story goes like a treasure hunt, where Preuss goes solving puzzle after another.
The plot, in general, was good, and in all, I did not expect the ending
But there is a lot of things that prevented me from giving it more than 3 stars, There is a lot of characters, and it got me confused many times and had to go back to the previous chapters. For instance Harshi and clerk, his cousin, her father (who became her uncle on the next page 🙄). It was too much.
I think the main character, was well developed with all the backstories, I didn't get connected with the other characters
But what about the villain? I think he didn't get much light in the book.
I'm half pinning this on my pickiness when it comes to thrillers, or maybe I should have read the previous books to get more connected to the characters.
Martin Preuss is an ex-cop, currently working as a private investigator. He is hired by Carrie Morrison to find the truth about her comatose brother(Greg), who was found beaten and OD'ed on heroin, in a cheap motel.
The case looks clear except that all of Greg's friends insist that he had always been a health freak, and would have never used drugs.
The story goes like a treasure hunt, where Preuss goes solving puzzle after another.
The plot, in general, was good, and in all, I did not expect the ending
But there is a lot of things that prevented me from giving it more than 3 stars, There is a lot of characters, and it got me confused many times and had to go back to the previous chapters. For instance Harshi and clerk, his cousin, her father (who became her uncle on the next page 🙄). It was too much.
I think the main character, was well developed with all the backstories, I didn't get connected with the other characters
But what about the villain? I think he didn't get much light in the book.
I'm half pinning this on my pickiness when it comes to thrillers, or maybe I should have read the previous books to get more connected to the characters.
Read
July 14, 2020Pour yourself a cup of Manny's coffee and dig into this one. Before the book is over, you may switch to a cabernet or even a good bourbon. There is so much more to this mystery novel than just seedy hotels, drugs, prostitution, snarky gangster types and the machinations of society's underbelly in and around the city of Detroit. To say that this is Levin's Magnum Opus would taint his other previous Martin Preuss mysteries, but the argument could be made. COLD DARK LIES comes not only with well-constructed characters and a plot to match, but it delves into the psychological study of the protagonist, private investigator, Martin Preuss, his demons and the tender relationship with his disabled son (cerebral palsy, among other complications) and his past as a former police officer. There are twists and turns and unpredictability that keeps the reader turning the pages. There is even a character this reviewer cannot stand. But, isn't that like life? That is the sign of a writer who fleshes characters out well. FIVE STAR MATERIAL!!
May 19, 2020
Martin Preuss is a former police officer who now makes his living as a private investigator. Predictable plot? Not even close. Although this is the sixth book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone novel, which is a good thing since this is the first one that I have read. Martin is not only dealing with multiple cases in this book, but he is also dealing with personal issues of his own. This book is thought provoking with a quick pace. It covers a myriad of topics from organized crime to drugs, complete with an overdose, and prostitution as well as the love of father for his child. I am looking forward to reading more of this series. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
January 6, 2025
Carrie Morrison comes to Martin Preuss’s office seeking help in discovering what happened to her brother. She was told that he was found, half-dead, a needle in his arm, in a run-down Ferndale motel. She describes the brother that she thought she knew as sort of nerd, a hard working, successful man, with very little social life.
Preuss learns that the brother has been living a secret life filled with partying, hookers and drugs. Plus, he has somehow gotten himself mixed in with the dark world of Detroit’s Chaldean Mafia
When Preuss is summoned by the local crime boss (you don’t say no to these guys), he has a lot of question. The boss claims to want nothing more than to locate his missing niece, a 17 year old he says he raised. The photo of the niece that Preuss is given tells him that the young lady is already in over her head. But when his investigation doesn’t go the way the crime boss wanted he starts to threatens to harm to Preuss handicapped son, Toby. Preuss is having none of that and things turn ugly, quickly.
I've enjoyed every book in this series however, this is my favorite. They just keep getting better. The series is a compulsive read; however, note that this book could be a stand alone. An exciting read with strong characters, plenty of imagination and a quality that makes it hard to put down. I especially enjoyed the ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Martin Preuss Mystery #6.
#EmptyNestReader #instagram #Goodreads #ColdDarkLies #DonaldLevin #crimefiction #JanuaryReads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #KindleUnlimited
Preuss learns that the brother has been living a secret life filled with partying, hookers and drugs. Plus, he has somehow gotten himself mixed in with the dark world of Detroit’s Chaldean Mafia
When Preuss is summoned by the local crime boss (you don’t say no to these guys), he has a lot of question. The boss claims to want nothing more than to locate his missing niece, a 17 year old he says he raised. The photo of the niece that Preuss is given tells him that the young lady is already in over her head. But when his investigation doesn’t go the way the crime boss wanted he starts to threatens to harm to Preuss handicapped son, Toby. Preuss is having none of that and things turn ugly, quickly.
I've enjoyed every book in this series however, this is my favorite. They just keep getting better. The series is a compulsive read; however, note that this book could be a stand alone. An exciting read with strong characters, plenty of imagination and a quality that makes it hard to put down. I especially enjoyed the ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Martin Preuss Mystery #6.
#EmptyNestReader #instagram #Goodreads #ColdDarkLies #DonaldLevin #crimefiction #JanuaryReads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #KindleUnlimited
May 27, 2019
I appreciated the fact that it wasn't necessary to have read the other books in Levin's Martin Preuss Mystery series to enjoy and understand COLD DARK LIES. The whip-smart dialogue stood out, as well as the dry humor. The character's names are as priceless as their roles in the story:, Meeshell Lee, Jawslip Aklawi, Narendra Kalam, Alonzo Barber, Ray Tomatoes, and then simply, Debby Blair. And of course, Martin Preuss, which "Rhymes with juice." None of these characters are cliches, either. This quick-paced and muscular detective novel takes you through the Detroit streets, neighborhoods and alleyways with solid storytelling and a lot of tenderness.
May 4, 2019
Cold Dark Lies provides readers a mix of an investigative case that becomes a bit twisty and a back story which shares a father's love for his son. The author nicely mixes these 2 components to provide readers a satisfying read. 4 star recommended.
My thanks to goodreads and the book's giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain a copy of this book.
My thanks to goodreads and the book's giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain a copy of this book.
May 26, 2019
Thank you to author Donald Levin for this Kindle copy of Cold Dark Lies. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.
I really liked it. A handful of edit oversights, but that is very good in todays world. Nice pace with a nice set of characters and story line keep the reader involved in the action on the pages. A good read, and easily recommended.
I really liked it. A handful of edit oversights, but that is very good in todays world. Nice pace with a nice set of characters and story line keep the reader involved in the action on the pages. A good read, and easily recommended.
May 30, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written, and I could empathize with the main character His world revolved around his son who was disabled on many levels. And yet, he could dedicate himself to his job.. I won this through Goodreads and was happy about it.
July 2, 2022
Ah, Detroit, my home town for seven years (60's -70's). Lots of crime going on, apparently, also the murder capitol of the country in that era. Fun to read of local landmarks. Preuss's love for his son is a marvel to read about in a murder/detective mystery.
May 7, 2019
Kept my interest and attention from the first page to the last
September 1, 2019
Another excellent book in the Martin Preuss Mysteries Series!! A page-turner right from the start!!
February 19, 2020
Would have given this four stars, but it got a little long in the denouement. Levin does a good job of humanizing his PI, Preuss and walks the line between hard-boiled and contemporary styles.
December 2, 2021
I was quite interested in this book. Local author and
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews