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Dead Cold Mystery #17
The Fall Moon
When Karl and Christen Redfern were brutally murdered in their apartment in the Bronx, a lot of things were never explained, like why he was stabbed only twice, with clinical precision, but she was stabbed twenty times in the heart, in a crazed frenzy; like what happened to their Chevy Impala, and why Christen’s sister, Ingrid, had never reported it missing. But the biggest mystery of all was perhaps where Karl and Christen’s daughter Amy had disappeared to, along with her boyfriend, Charlie, on the very night of her parents’ murder.
These were the questions Detective Carmen Dehan of the 43rd Precinct had been asking herself for the past six years. But when she persuaded her partner, Detective John Stone, to take this as their next cold case, he was anything but prepared for the passion with which she would then pursue that investigation – an investigation that would take them from the Bronx to Iowa, and then Arizona and the Mexican border, an investigation with layers of dark secrets that would ultimately bring them face to face with Sinaloa’s most ruthless Sicario, and test their relationship to the very limit.
These were the questions Detective Carmen Dehan of the 43rd Precinct had been asking herself for the past six years. But when she persuaded her partner, Detective John Stone, to take this as their next cold case, he was anything but prepared for the passion with which she would then pursue that investigation – an investigation that would take them from the Bronx to Iowa, and then Arizona and the Mexican border, an investigation with layers of dark secrets that would ultimately bring them face to face with Sinaloa’s most ruthless Sicario, and test their relationship to the very limit.
314 pages, ebook
Published May 16, 2019
1978 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Blake Banner
153 books400 followersUSA TODAY and Amazon #1 bestselling author of the OMEGA and DEAD COLD MYSTERY series. Learn more about Blake Banner at his website: www.blakebanner.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 10, 2020
I love this series and really enjoyed this book too, but it was not one of Banner's very best ones.
The cold case Stone and Dehan was researching was interesting, the results were dramatic and the book was written with its usual fast pace and exciting action. My small problem was Dehan who behaved very oddly, upsetting the pair's normal relationship and denying me their usual humorous banter. I missed that.
Still an enjoyable read and hopefully the dynamic duo will be back on the same side in the next book.
The cold case Stone and Dehan was researching was interesting, the results were dramatic and the book was written with its usual fast pace and exciting action. My small problem was Dehan who behaved very oddly, upsetting the pair's normal relationship and denying me their usual humorous banter. I missed that.
Still an enjoyable read and hopefully the dynamic duo will be back on the same side in the next book.
August 19, 2024
I have been binge-reading the series, not because they are exceptional but rather because they are easy reads, the characters are likeable, well sort of, and I just want to know how things develop. I decided to overlook the repetitious writing and I managed mostly not to get too annoyed by Stone always being right, always knowing better and never telling Dehan exactly what, why and how. He never has time to do that, duh!!
Actually, this one was better than most, better plot, more interesting, but the ending was just horrible. I had nightmares and really felt spooked. Too much.
Of course they ( especially Stone) should be dead 1000 times over by now, but the reader has to accept that he is superman. And that made me decide to stop reading the rest of the series for a while. I am going for a good, more pleasant book now.
PS. A good editor should have spotted the mistakes. The most annoying one being the cell phone that Dehan left at the hotel and which she used nevertheless later that day before retrieving it from the receptionist . Stupid mistake.
Actually, this one was better than most, better plot, more interesting, but the ending was just horrible. I had nightmares and really felt spooked. Too much.
Of course they ( especially Stone) should be dead 1000 times over by now, but the reader has to accept that he is superman. And that made me decide to stop reading the rest of the series for a while. I am going for a good, more pleasant book now.
PS. A good editor should have spotted the mistakes. The most annoying one being the cell phone that Dehan left at the hotel and which she used nevertheless later that day before retrieving it from the receptionist . Stupid mistake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2021
I have read all the 16 previous books in the series. This was my least favorite of the series but I did like the story line overall, just not as much the previous.
Dehan's characters makes choices that I don't agree with and the first half the book I was confused as to what seemed like a totally different character and choices. By the middle of the book, I realized what the author was doing but still wasn't sure I liked the way it was done. I finished the book and thought the overall story was good but didn't like the way Dehan's vigilante streak was portrayed in the beginning, it was confusing.
Dehan's characters makes choices that I don't agree with and the first half the book I was confused as to what seemed like a totally different character and choices. By the middle of the book, I realized what the author was doing but still wasn't sure I liked the way it was done. I finished the book and thought the overall story was good but didn't like the way Dehan's vigilante streak was portrayed in the beginning, it was confusing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2019
Not what I expected. Cold case murders morph into drug-smuggling crime fiction
I enjoyed the synergy between NYPD cold case detectives, Carman Dehan and John Stone. Unbelievably, they’re married to each other, but I rolled with it because I love the two characters. The initial cold case storyline and subplots—the murder of a drug addicted couple; their missing daughter and boyfriend; and the execution murders of two Camacho gang members—is convoluted but very well-plotted. Dehan and Stone track the missing daughter to Iowa, followed by the drug dealer’s men. The FBI becomes involved before the 50% mark, and the focus switches to the Sinaloa cartel, drug smuggling from Mexico, and FBI anti-drug operations.
I’m not fond of reading about drug smuggling, cartel assassins, drug gang violence, FBI drug operations at the Mexican border, and multi-jurisdictional politics of drug interdiction.
I read on, because I was invested in Dehan and Stone and wanted to follow their investigation—no matter that the plot had taken a huge turn. Although this book was not quite what I expected, I’m glad I finished it, because the cold case murders and the missing couple subplots were satisfyingly resolved.
3 stars for a very readable book.
PS
This book needed a good copy editor for punctuation and grammar problems.
I enjoyed the synergy between NYPD cold case detectives, Carman Dehan and John Stone. Unbelievably, they’re married to each other, but I rolled with it because I love the two characters. The initial cold case storyline and subplots—the murder of a drug addicted couple; their missing daughter and boyfriend; and the execution murders of two Camacho gang members—is convoluted but very well-plotted. Dehan and Stone track the missing daughter to Iowa, followed by the drug dealer’s men. The FBI becomes involved before the 50% mark, and the focus switches to the Sinaloa cartel, drug smuggling from Mexico, and FBI anti-drug operations.
I’m not fond of reading about drug smuggling, cartel assassins, drug gang violence, FBI drug operations at the Mexican border, and multi-jurisdictional politics of drug interdiction.
I read on, because I was invested in Dehan and Stone and wanted to follow their investigation—no matter that the plot had taken a huge turn. Although this book was not quite what I expected, I’m glad I finished it, because the cold case murders and the missing couple subplots were satisfyingly resolved.
3 stars for a very readable book.
PS
This book needed a good copy editor for punctuation and grammar problems.
May 27, 2019
The Fall Moon. Blake Banner
Detective Stone and Dehan are NYPD homicide detectives. They work cold cases. One particular homicide, a horrifically brutal one has caught Detective Dehans attention. She convinced Stone to help her investigate. They are not only partners, but are married to each other. This is extremely rare, and in all probability highly unlikely in real life. Nevertheless, this is an extremely well written mystery full of action. Excuse my comment about they being married and partners in Homicide, but in my experience as a police officer, highly unlikely. But what the hell, this was a fantastic read and I enjoyed it immensely!
Detective Stone and Dehan are NYPD homicide detectives. They work cold cases. One particular homicide, a horrifically brutal one has caught Detective Dehans attention. She convinced Stone to help her investigate. They are not only partners, but are married to each other. This is extremely rare, and in all probability highly unlikely in real life. Nevertheless, this is an extremely well written mystery full of action. Excuse my comment about they being married and partners in Homicide, but in my experience as a police officer, highly unlikely. But what the hell, this was a fantastic read and I enjoyed it immensely!
July 20, 2020
Great Read......With A Twist
Some books grab me like a cold blast of winter and take my breath away. Others, like this one, show me a puzzle and give me just enough information......... so now it's understood where the mystery exists and I set it aside.
But an hour later, I'm asking myself, "wait, how did he know that it wasn't her?" And I'm back at it until 3 am realizing that I'm not nearly as Clever as the Author!
Kudos Blake Banner, you Deceived and Entertained Me!
And for that you get an A+, a Gold Star and a 5 Rating!
And most certainly, I'll have another 'helping' soon, Thanks.
Some books grab me like a cold blast of winter and take my breath away. Others, like this one, show me a puzzle and give me just enough information......... so now it's understood where the mystery exists and I set it aside.
But an hour later, I'm asking myself, "wait, how did he know that it wasn't her?" And I'm back at it until 3 am realizing that I'm not nearly as Clever as the Author!
Kudos Blake Banner, you Deceived and Entertained Me!
And for that you get an A+, a Gold Star and a 5 Rating!
And most certainly, I'll have another 'helping' soon, Thanks.
June 3, 2019
Another cold case mystery with the intrepid Dehan and Stone. However Dehan comes into her own for this one.
Dehan desperately wants this case. Will she find the answers she is looking for?
How will Stone cope with this?
A difficult one which could possibly damage the dynamics between Dehan and Stone.
Plenty of twists and turns which are by now expected but with an unexpected ending.
Enjoyed this, now waiting for the next...........
Dehan desperately wants this case. Will she find the answers she is looking for?
How will Stone cope with this?
A difficult one which could possibly damage the dynamics between Dehan and Stone.
Plenty of twists and turns which are by now expected but with an unexpected ending.
Enjoyed this, now waiting for the next...........
September 18, 2019
“THE FALL MOON” ISN’T JUST FOR ROMANCE
While investigating a 6-year-old ‘Cold Case’ double homicide, Detectives Stone and Dehan encounter more then two dead bodies brutally stabbed to death.
The Mexican mob, crooked cops, and two dead teenagers are just some of the pieces of the puzzle confrontation our crime-fighting couple. Throw in a cross-country trip to Iowa, Arizona and California and you begin to get the idea that this isn’t just ‘any ordinary cold case’.
While investigating a 6-year-old ‘Cold Case’ double homicide, Detectives Stone and Dehan encounter more then two dead bodies brutally stabbed to death.
The Mexican mob, crooked cops, and two dead teenagers are just some of the pieces of the puzzle confrontation our crime-fighting couple. Throw in a cross-country trip to Iowa, Arizona and California and you begin to get the idea that this isn’t just ‘any ordinary cold case’.
November 20, 2022
This was my favorite novel in the series. The plot was intriguing and kept me guessing. There was tension and doubt, plus deep moral questions about justice. What I liked: Stone and Dehan are great characters and there was added richness to their stories; the involvement of multiple states law enforcement and the FBI; the twist at the end. What I didn’t like: this author still has grammar issues and needs a good editor; the wimpy Inspector; how much free reign they have when pursuing their cases just doesn’t ring true. Overall, a pretty good book.
January 6, 2026
My gosh. What a mess and now he’s starting with poetry and amateur physics. Carmen’s rants are unbearable. I’ve never read a romance novel but I imagine this is similar to a very bad one. Every character in the books uses the expressions “$2 gets you $20” and “2 plus 2 equals 5”. Banner you are a sloppy lazy writer. Hopefully for your sake it’s just that you don’t care rather than that you suck. As a reader the lack of care is pretty frustrating… “they we thinking of having kids so when they killed Brad they also killed his unborn children…” are you feeakin kidding me. Pure garbage…
September 26, 2019
So sad to see it all end
I’m so sorry to see Cold Case Mysteries come to an end. The Fall Moon was the seventeenth and final in the series. It was as good if not better than the other sixteen. If you ,the reader, are planning to read Blake Danner’s novels, start with book one. They keep getting better and better. Dr. C. 💑🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🎊🎉
I’m so sorry to see Cold Case Mysteries come to an end. The Fall Moon was the seventeenth and final in the series. It was as good if not better than the other sixteen. If you ,the reader, are planning to read Blake Danner’s novels, start with book one. They keep getting better and better. Dr. C. 💑🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🎊🎉
July 27, 2021
Wow! Loved this one. Dehan was on fire and had a big agenda. Too bad Stone didn't know about it. They finally got on the same page and all ended well. There was a lot of dialog between them this time and much of it was so funny. They are a great couple and it is fun reading their chatter. This was a good one and I would give it an extra star if I could.
August 4, 2024
3.5 stars
The Fall Moon is the seventeenth book in the Dead Cold Mystery series by Blake Banner.
Great series. Cold Cases. Crime and investigation. Mystery. Suspense. Detectives. Police procedural. Intrigue. Tension. Dramatic developments. Action. Engrossing.
Would make a superb TV series.
Full Review to come.
The Fall Moon is the seventeenth book in the Dead Cold Mystery series by Blake Banner.
Great series. Cold Cases. Crime and investigation. Mystery. Suspense. Detectives. Police procedural. Intrigue. Tension. Dramatic developments. Action. Engrossing.
Would make a superb TV series.
Full Review to come.
May 27, 2019
Another Tremendous Story
These dead cold mystery’s are amazing. As the story goes on the read just gets better and better!! The characters are full and real and you need to read this adventure!!!!
GMR
These dead cold mystery’s are amazing. As the story goes on the read just gets better and better!! The characters are full and real and you need to read this adventure!!!!
GMR
June 11, 2019
Another enjoyable shoot 'em up
I like Stone and Dehan and I get a kick out of t heir adventures. This book shows that no matter how intelligent you may be ,you can still be stupid about affairs of the heart. It is so true.
I like Stone and Dehan and I get a kick out of t heir adventures. This book shows that no matter how intelligent you may be ,you can still be stupid about affairs of the heart. It is so true.
August 12, 2019
Best one yet...I believe I've said that before!!
Rated at #5..only because there is no higher number on chart!!
Love the people in the stories! Love the stories! Love your other series also!! Thank you so much for filling my empty hours with all that you do!!
Annette Graham
Rated at #5..only because there is no higher number on chart!!
Love the people in the stories! Love the stories! Love your other series also!! Thank you so much for filling my empty hours with all that you do!!
Annette Graham
May 17, 2020
Every Blake Banner book engages you from the first page and keeps your interest to the very end. The banter between Detectives Stone and Dehan add to the interest with their lively wit and humor. I loved the book and highly recommend it.
July 4, 2021
I know I've been banging on about giving Dehan more air time and credit but she was plain stupid in this book. Her actions were sporadic most of the book and not considered and then she did the one thing that drives me crazy about Stone - she kept things to herself without telling him! Grrr
December 3, 2021
The fall.moon
Very different from the previous parts of the series with a lot of characters from a variety of places with the big problem of drugs as the thread to connect it all. Still good logical conclusion.
Very different from the previous parts of the series with a lot of characters from a variety of places with the big problem of drugs as the thread to connect it all. Still good logical conclusion.
October 11, 2022
I'm bleeding...
What a hair rising mistery! I couldn't stop reading, and got almost certain that this one would be the last novel of the series... if I didn't have already bought the next one! Ha, ha, ha!!!
Monica Beltrami. Montevideo, Uruguay.
What a hair rising mistery! I couldn't stop reading, and got almost certain that this one would be the last novel of the series... if I didn't have already bought the next one! Ha, ha, ha!!!
Monica Beltrami. Montevideo, Uruguay.
October 16, 2022
A Real Page Turner
I enjoyed this book. The bad guys get their justice. The heroes do well too. There's poetic justice. The people seem very real. A complex narrative. Drugs, domestic violence and love.
I enjoyed this book. The bad guys get their justice. The heroes do well too. There's poetic justice. The people seem very real. A complex narrative. Drugs, domestic violence and love.
August 11, 2023
Intense !!!
Really really enthralled with their relation ship and there back and forth bantering. Stone was a mess emotionally and physically. I felt bad for him.. Joyce in boise,I'd
Really really enthralled with their relation ship and there back and forth bantering. Stone was a mess emotionally and physically. I felt bad for him.. Joyce in boise,I'd
October 18, 2024
I felt this book really expanded on Dehan's character and shined a little more light on the type of person she is and has become as a result of her partnership with Stone. This was a particularly good mystery, I really enjoyed reading along as each new clue or question came about.
May 27, 2019
Great book
Very suspenseful. Keeps you guessing until very end. Love the interaction between these two. Don't know what else to say.
Very suspenseful. Keeps you guessing until very end. Love the interaction between these two. Don't know what else to say.
June 3, 2019
Blake Banner
I enjoy all of Stone and Dehan’s adventures and this was a good addition to the series. I highly recommend!
I enjoy all of Stone and Dehan’s adventures and this was a good addition to the series. I highly recommend!
June 5, 2019
Great read
I am enjoying the Dead Cold series very much. Stone and Dehan are two of my favourite characters. I love their interaction. Keep them coming.
I am enjoying the Dead Cold series very much. Stone and Dehan are two of my favourite characters. I love their interaction. Keep them coming.
November 1, 2019
Very mature plot. Page turner
December 31, 2019
I am really enjoying these novels. so much so that i have read all 20 novels in this series. I'm now going to start reading the Omega series.
June 21, 2021
Awesome story wow the ending had me on the edge of the seat..great story. Keep them coming
January 9, 2022
they did it again
Stone and Dehan are off and running. Will their marriage hold together? This cold case take many hit turns. This story really picked up action.
Stone and Dehan are off and running. Will their marriage hold together? This cold case take many hit turns. This story really picked up action.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews