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The Color Dead: A Dickie Floyd Detective Novel
"If this book does not get your pulse pounding, have someone call the paramedics."
Detective Josefina Sanchez has been taken.
She and her partner, Dickie, had been sent to Gorman, a remote northern outpost in Los Angeles County, where a man had been executed in the woods. Three days later, Josie has vanished.
Had she returned to the mountains over the weekend on her own? If so, what might have happened to her? Or could her disappearance have something to do with any of her other cases, especially one involving the Mexican mafia? The idea that Josie was randomly taken must also be considered, however unlikely.
Dickie and Floyd must find Josie. Their search takes them from the streets of Los Angeles up to the wilds of the Tejon Pass where they find themselves at odds with residents of the backcountry. But time is running out, and nothing will deter the veteran detectives in the search for one of their own. Not even heavily armed and dangerous mountain men.
"Fans of hard-boiled police procedurals are going to love this series."
"Could not put it down . . . the plot keeps you guessing right up till the last page."
"Danny R. Smith has raised the bar for police procedurals."
"Not since Joseph Wambaugh has any author articulated the experiences and relationships of those in law enforcement as Danny Smith does."
"A riveting page-turner that keeps you wanting more."
"Smith has done it again; taken his readers right into the middle of another high-tension, all-too-true to life case."
"Danny Smith's books should be on the same shelf as those of Michael Connelly, Joseph Wambaugh, and Elmore Leonard. The Color Dead is a gripping page-turner that is darned near impossible to put down for the night. It never disappoints and is one of those rare reads that makes you want more when the last page has been turned. Here's hoping he follows up with another one soon." - Dennis Slocumb
Detective Josefina Sanchez has been taken.
She and her partner, Dickie, had been sent to Gorman, a remote northern outpost in Los Angeles County, where a man had been executed in the woods. Three days later, Josie has vanished.
Had she returned to the mountains over the weekend on her own? If so, what might have happened to her? Or could her disappearance have something to do with any of her other cases, especially one involving the Mexican mafia? The idea that Josie was randomly taken must also be considered, however unlikely.
Dickie and Floyd must find Josie. Their search takes them from the streets of Los Angeles up to the wilds of the Tejon Pass where they find themselves at odds with residents of the backcountry. But time is running out, and nothing will deter the veteran detectives in the search for one of their own. Not even heavily armed and dangerous mountain men.
"Fans of hard-boiled police procedurals are going to love this series."
"Could not put it down . . . the plot keeps you guessing right up till the last page."
"Danny R. Smith has raised the bar for police procedurals."
"Not since Joseph Wambaugh has any author articulated the experiences and relationships of those in law enforcement as Danny Smith does."
"A riveting page-turner that keeps you wanting more."
"Smith has done it again; taken his readers right into the middle of another high-tension, all-too-true to life case."
"Danny Smith's books should be on the same shelf as those of Michael Connelly, Joseph Wambaugh, and Elmore Leonard. The Color Dead is a gripping page-turner that is darned near impossible to put down for the night. It never disappoints and is one of those rare reads that makes you want more when the last page has been turned. Here's hoping he follows up with another one soon." - Dennis Slocumb
298 pages, ebook
Published May 1, 2019
212 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Danny R. Smith
16 books109 followersDanny R. Smith spent 21 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the last seven as a homicide detective. He now lives in Idaho where he works as a private investigator and consultant. He is blessed with a beautiful family and surrounded by an assortment of furry critters whom he counts among his friends.
Danny is the author of the Dickie Floyd Detective Novel series and the Rich Farris Detective series. He writes about true crime and other topics in his blog, The Murder Memo.
He has appeared as an expert on numerous podcasts and shows including True Crime Daily and the STARZ channel’s WRONG MAN series, and is the host of Unsolved Murders with Danny Smith on the Dr. Carlos Crime Network podcast.
Danny is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild and the Public Safety Writers Association.
Be sure to follow Danny on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/danny...
Danny is the author of the Dickie Floyd Detective Novel series and the Rich Farris Detective series. He writes about true crime and other topics in his blog, The Murder Memo.
He has appeared as an expert on numerous podcasts and shows including True Crime Daily and the STARZ channel’s WRONG MAN series, and is the host of Unsolved Murders with Danny Smith on the Dr. Carlos Crime Network podcast.
Danny is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild and the Public Safety Writers Association.
Be sure to follow Danny on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/danny...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 31, 2022
Danny did it again
Well, each book I read as I progress through this series is another book that I can’t put down once I start. Danny Smith better get busy, I’m going to need more to read here fairly soon.
Well, each book I read as I progress through this series is another book that I can’t put down once I start. Danny Smith better get busy, I’m going to need more to read here fairly soon.
June 5, 2025
Whew! Another great read from Danny R Smith!! Josie is in trouble big in this one and we don’t even know her status until over halfway through the book!! Dicky and Floyd will find her tho.. won’t they..?? I love this series and am totally attached to all of the main characters, I love seeing how they evolve as the books continue. Thanks again for the great read!!
May 27, 2019
My new favorite in police procedurals
This my forth book in the Dickie Floyd series. These books have everything. Superb plotting, a realistic characterization, the bond between Dickie and Floyd draws the bond that exists between partners. You feel as if you are part of the story from beginning to end.I look forward eagerly for the fifth installment. The depiction of the La County Sheriffs Department couldn’t be more realistic.
This my forth book in the Dickie Floyd series. These books have everything. Superb plotting, a realistic characterization, the bond between Dickie and Floyd draws the bond that exists between partners. You feel as if you are part of the story from beginning to end.I look forward eagerly for the fifth installment. The depiction of the La County Sheriffs Department couldn’t be more realistic.
April 27, 2019
I received an ARC from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. All I can say is WOW!! This book has everything: action, suspense, tension, police procedural, great characterization, and tight dialogue. I think this is the best Dickie/Floyd book in the series to date. And without giving away any details or spoilers, I have to tell you that the ending is the BEST I have come across in a long time. When you read it you'll know what I'm talking about. Don't miss out cause that would be criminal!! Oh, and so you don't think that all is peaches and cream, I could do without a lot of the profanity, but I have about as much chance of that changing as flying to the moon. So I guess I've learned to take the bad with the good because the good is definitely worth it.
April 20, 2019
"Pinkish red... the color dead." That is only one thing I learned from this amazing police procedural. Full of action and lots of twists, you won't want to put this book down until you have finished the last page. The amount of detail in this book shows that the author has had many years of experience as a police detective.
Dickie's partner, Josie, goes missing after they pick up a murder case in the mountains. Dickie is sure that she went back to investigate without him on the weekend and that something has happened to her. He enlists Floyd's help to find Josie, in the hopes that she is still alive.
This book involves anti-government survivalist, grow operations, many different levels of law enforcement, and snakes in the woods.
I can't wait for the next Dickie Floyd Detective Novel!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.
Dickie's partner, Josie, goes missing after they pick up a murder case in the mountains. Dickie is sure that she went back to investigate without him on the weekend and that something has happened to her. He enlists Floyd's help to find Josie, in the hopes that she is still alive.
This book involves anti-government survivalist, grow operations, many different levels of law enforcement, and snakes in the woods.
I can't wait for the next Dickie Floyd Detective Novel!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.
July 28, 2019
My first from this author. While he is clearly versed in police procedure, this story moved with leaden shoes. A major portion of the book was devoted to the the design, discussion, and execution of a strategy that turned into a dead end. Chapters were devoted to a major search effort that discovered nothing. The plight of the missing woman was revealed very late in the story. The twist regarding the actual bad guy was plausible, but when the correct guilty party was figured out, the book ended abruptly with no confrontation and apprehension. I felt like the author was driven by a word quota, making the story plod for too long, then suddenly discovered the word quota was met and bailed out, leaving the ending to our imagination. I will read more...
November 29, 2020
Autopsy and aero bureau
I love the intrigue in the Dickie Floyd series. Brought back memories when I attended autopsies on some of my murder cases in Compton. Although, when I went...there was no protective gear to don when witnessing the autopsy. That was in late 70’s, and 80,s. I also was very friendly with a pilot from the LASD aero bureau, also called ‘Psycho’. Did a couple fly-alongs with him and his partner, so the helicopter adventure brought back fun memories. The coroners tagged me with nickname “Gold gun” as I carried a gold Llama gun with pearl grips. Detectives from Compton PD were very familiar with the staff at the coroners office.
I love the intrigue in the Dickie Floyd series. Brought back memories when I attended autopsies on some of my murder cases in Compton. Although, when I went...there was no protective gear to don when witnessing the autopsy. That was in late 70’s, and 80,s. I also was very friendly with a pilot from the LASD aero bureau, also called ‘Psycho’. Did a couple fly-alongs with him and his partner, so the helicopter adventure brought back fun memories. The coroners tagged me with nickname “Gold gun” as I carried a gold Llama gun with pearl grips. Detectives from Compton PD were very familiar with the staff at the coroners office.
June 16, 2021
Dickie Floyd Does It Again
Another fabulous tale in the Dickie Floyd series. As always, Smith provides plenty of rich, gritty detail as Richard and Floyd look for Dickie’s missing partner in mountains filled with rednecks, poachers, tweakers, survivalists and anti-government wackos. This is an awesome series that wraps fast-paced plots with likeable, realistic characters while providing a truthful glimpse into what it means to be a cop. As always, I can’t wait to join Dickie, Floyd and Josie on their next case.
Another fabulous tale in the Dickie Floyd series. As always, Smith provides plenty of rich, gritty detail as Richard and Floyd look for Dickie’s missing partner in mountains filled with rednecks, poachers, tweakers, survivalists and anti-government wackos. This is an awesome series that wraps fast-paced plots with likeable, realistic characters while providing a truthful glimpse into what it means to be a cop. As always, I can’t wait to join Dickie, Floyd and Josie on their next case.
February 28, 2024
What a Great Mystery/ Thriller
This is the fourth book in a series. The stories follow LA Sheriff Department homicide detectives as they solve cases and imprison bad guys. This episode is all about Dickie's partner having gone missing. The department is checking all possibilities to try and find her! The story ends with a bit of a cliff- hanger so I am going to dive into the next book in the series. This book was great for not having gore or sex. There is a bit of violence, but nothing to cause nightmares.
This is the fourth book in a series. The stories follow LA Sheriff Department homicide detectives as they solve cases and imprison bad guys. This episode is all about Dickie's partner having gone missing. The department is checking all possibilities to try and find her! The story ends with a bit of a cliff- hanger so I am going to dive into the next book in the series. This book was great for not having gore or sex. There is a bit of violence, but nothing to cause nightmares.
June 12, 2021
This was a boring mystery. The author, a former LA police officer tells it in first person of one of the main characters Dicky, but it is told almost the story unfolds and evolves, so there is no actual story just a facts and discovery, so the reader never gets involved or cares about any of tue characters. Worst of all the bad guy isn’t caught at the end of the book.
Won’t be reading any others in the series.
Won’t be reading any others in the series.
December 12, 2019
I love the other books in this series. I love Dickie. (I haven't read the book after this one, yet.) The books just keep on getting better and better. There is a serious quality in this one that really impressed me ... It may be Dickie, Floyd, and Josie but to my mind it is just as good an adventure as one Harry Bosch and Armand Gamache might have. Read about Dickie and see if you agree.
March 7, 2023
Yet another great book in the Dickie Floyd series.
If you want to get a picture of the banter in law enforcement (and the humor) and how the mind of a cop works then I highly recommend this as well Danny’s other books. This one will also be popular with those who live in the SCV and are familiar with driving the Tejon Pass.
If you want to get a picture of the banter in law enforcement (and the humor) and how the mind of a cop works then I highly recommend this as well Danny’s other books. This one will also be popular with those who live in the SCV and are familiar with driving the Tejon Pass.
July 2, 2019
I've read all of Danny Smith's books and have enjoyed all of them but this was my favorite!
His police experience shows in his writing and all of the stories are good and the great humor is an added bonus.
His police experience shows in his writing and all of the stories are good and the great humor is an added bonus.
May 10, 2020
Another great story
They are in the mountains north of LA this time where the anti-government, survivalists, and other people live. None of them friendly to the LASD. Dickie and Floyd are trying to find Josie who has disappeared over the weekend. Another excellent read.
They are in the mountains north of LA this time where the anti-government, survivalists, and other people live. None of them friendly to the LASD. Dickie and Floyd are trying to find Josie who has disappeared over the weekend. Another excellent read.
August 23, 2023
Nothing as it seems
Dickie and Floyd team up again even though they have been separated as partners when Dickies new partner is missing , could it be Mexican mafia, mountain survivalists , its a good page turner.
Dickie and Floyd team up again even though they have been separated as partners when Dickies new partner is missing , could it be Mexican mafia, mountain survivalists , its a good page turner.
July 12, 2019
great read
Love the characters. Could not put it down. I have gotten 5 more of the series. Best series ever. Don’t pass it up.
Love the characters. Could not put it down. I have gotten 5 more of the series. Best series ever. Don’t pass it up.
September 24, 2019
A fun and fast paced series of books with realistic characters, fun banter and plotlines that make you turn each page faster than the last.
December 20, 2021
I love all his books. The character development is stellar - you feel like you know them. It's no nonsense, engagingly real. I have about read all his books so he needs to get busy.
April 3, 2022
Mr. Smith’s Dickie Floyd books just get better with every novel. The Cold Dead was the best so far. I didn’t want it to end. Now I look forward to the next.
July 6, 2022
5 star1rst 3, now cliffhanger ending!
Still great but in book 4 resorts to cliffhanger ending. What a shame, now hesitant to buy from who I thought was a 5 star author.
Still great but in book 4 resorts to cliffhanger ending. What a shame, now hesitant to buy from who I thought was a 5 star author.
January 31, 2023
Love the Josie character - hope she comes back in another story!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews