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Deputy Corus #1
Lines of Duty: Deputy Corus Mystery #1
The unique hero you didn’t know you needed. The series you didn’t know you’ve been missing.
From lauded author Mark Hazard comes a new off-beat crime series about a man with one name, a hidden past, and an uncontrollable urge to root out villainy.
Mere weeks after returning from his final deployment, Corus is a cadet at an elite police academy in Seattle. While doing grunt work at a local precinct, he comes across a set of diamonds taken from the scene of an unsolved hit-and-run. Not only did the diamonds go unclaimed, but the still-living victim is nowhere to be found. When the diamonds turn out to be fakes, it’s one too many oddities in an attempted murder with no suspects.
Instincts forged in covert action plunge Corus headlong into criminal ranks, but taking the fastest route to answers runs roughshod over the delicate procedural approach he’s supposed to be learning. Corus knows he’s threatening his new life and career in the process, but putting the mission before self-preservation is the hardest habit of all to break.
The one man who can help Corus sort through his issues is the least likely of all. Albert Chu is a cheery and childlike cadet who's failing the academy but has a knack for getting into Corus' head. In trying to rein Corus in, he ends up proving his mettle, and together they fight to prevent multiple murders and foil a kidnapping plot, even while the eye of the law they hoped to serve is turned on their actions.
Can Corus unite the lines of duty pulling him in different directions, or will he end up another casualty of the war he brought home?
Through Corus’ journey runs a cracking mystery/crime story with humor, thrills, and a cast of well-drawn side characters, from small-time gangsters and rodeo riff-raff to Corus' wife who grapples with her own grifter impulses. The Deputy Corus series is precisely the blend of action and depth that readers of James Patterson and Lee Child are looking for.
What readers are saying about the
“…Nuance of character development that is often lacking these days. - especially with books that deal with military or police.”“A heck of a caper that'll make you laugh a lot more often than most crime novels.”“Not at all the same cookie cutter outline that most crime writers follow for their main character. It's much more complex and enjoyable.”"Exactly the story I was waiting for!""In Lines of Duty, Hazard paints a scene with his words that transported me into a new world and created thought-provoking and enticing dilemmas. This story is entertaining and engaging. I recommend Lines of Duty 100% to anyone who loves a good mystery.""If you’re looking for a paint-by-numbers procedural, this isn’t the book for you, but if you crave deeply human crime drama with a fair share of thrills and humor, then this is a must-read."“This series is as enjoyable as Lee Child’s Reacher books.”
From lauded author Mark Hazard comes a new off-beat crime series about a man with one name, a hidden past, and an uncontrollable urge to root out villainy.
Mere weeks after returning from his final deployment, Corus is a cadet at an elite police academy in Seattle. While doing grunt work at a local precinct, he comes across a set of diamonds taken from the scene of an unsolved hit-and-run. Not only did the diamonds go unclaimed, but the still-living victim is nowhere to be found. When the diamonds turn out to be fakes, it’s one too many oddities in an attempted murder with no suspects.
Instincts forged in covert action plunge Corus headlong into criminal ranks, but taking the fastest route to answers runs roughshod over the delicate procedural approach he’s supposed to be learning. Corus knows he’s threatening his new life and career in the process, but putting the mission before self-preservation is the hardest habit of all to break.
The one man who can help Corus sort through his issues is the least likely of all. Albert Chu is a cheery and childlike cadet who's failing the academy but has a knack for getting into Corus' head. In trying to rein Corus in, he ends up proving his mettle, and together they fight to prevent multiple murders and foil a kidnapping plot, even while the eye of the law they hoped to serve is turned on their actions.
Can Corus unite the lines of duty pulling him in different directions, or will he end up another casualty of the war he brought home?
Through Corus’ journey runs a cracking mystery/crime story with humor, thrills, and a cast of well-drawn side characters, from small-time gangsters and rodeo riff-raff to Corus' wife who grapples with her own grifter impulses. The Deputy Corus series is precisely the blend of action and depth that readers of James Patterson and Lee Child are looking for.
What readers are saying about the
“…Nuance of character development that is often lacking these days. - especially with books that deal with military or police.”“A heck of a caper that'll make you laugh a lot more often than most crime novels.”“Not at all the same cookie cutter outline that most crime writers follow for their main character. It's much more complex and enjoyable.”"Exactly the story I was waiting for!""In Lines of Duty, Hazard paints a scene with his words that transported me into a new world and created thought-provoking and enticing dilemmas. This story is entertaining and engaging. I recommend Lines of Duty 100% to anyone who loves a good mystery.""If you’re looking for a paint-by-numbers procedural, this isn’t the book for you, but if you crave deeply human crime drama with a fair share of thrills and humor, then this is a must-read."“This series is as enjoyable as Lee Child’s Reacher books.”
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2019
592 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 23, 2019
Corus, (one name only), is just out of the army where he served in Afghanistan as sort of a troubleshooter as a Sgt. and received a battlefield commission at a Lt. Now back in the US he and his wife move from the east to Washington State, whee he used to live. He has enrolled in a special privately run law enforcement school planning to go into that field. He fails the written test near the end of the course mostly due to the poor grounding he got from a correspondence college course. Given a chance to repeat the program he is given a temp job going through old cases in the evidence room of the local sheriff's office. He comes across an unsolved case of hit and run and decides to look into it on his own. What he finds is much more than en expected and leads him into shady territory before he finishes up. He also seems he has an enemy from his service days who is out to get him. Not a bad read so I will be looking for the next book to see what happens.
September 4, 2019
This book was tedious, in my opinion. The plot seemed over-engineered. At first, I anticipated a gritty strugle making it through police academy..interesting. Then the plot turns into an involved plot, where the hero aids in a gem theft...huh? I confess that I never completely understood the stolen, then restolen, real and fake gems as they were woven through the story. The characters, especially Chu, were not well developed, as confusing at best, he went from puppydog, to surprisingly resourceful, back to puppydog. Even Corus ( one name only) isn't sure why he likes him. Lots of other characters were involved, adding limited value. The end teaser, of higher, insideous forces, out to get Corus' wife ( a grifter ..?) was aimed to generate interest in the next book. This irritates me, and seems lime a rookie writer ploy.
My advice: Keep it simple...straight forward plot...fewer characters we get to know.. Trust the writing and storytelling skills.
My advice: Keep it simple...straight forward plot...fewer characters we get to know.. Trust the writing and storytelling skills.
July 6, 2021
Making New Discoveries
After 12 years in the Army, most of them as an enlisted man, Corus is finishing his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. He could stay in and retire with 20 years service, but something is telling him that it’s time for other challenges in a new career in a different place.
So he returns stateside to his waiting wife, pulls up stakes, and heads to Seattle, Washington where he went to high school. Once there he begins preparation for a life in law enforcement, enrolling in an elite, fast-tracked training program .
Along the road Corus makes discoveries about himself, and encounters potential blocks in his newly chosen path. He also looks for the truth about a hit-and-run accident in the cold files, and is soon facing danger from those who don’t want the truth known.
After 12 years in the Army, most of them as an enlisted man, Corus is finishing his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. He could stay in and retire with 20 years service, but something is telling him that it’s time for other challenges in a new career in a different place.
So he returns stateside to his waiting wife, pulls up stakes, and heads to Seattle, Washington where he went to high school. Once there he begins preparation for a life in law enforcement, enrolling in an elite, fast-tracked training program .
Along the road Corus makes discoveries about himself, and encounters potential blocks in his newly chosen path. He also looks for the truth about a hit-and-run accident in the cold files, and is soon facing danger from those who don’t want the truth known.
January 30, 2020
I read this because of Amazon's description. In the beginning I was pulled in because of the author's ability to write, character ability, the ability to build suspense especially in a mystery. Unfortunately, the author then got bogged down in too much minutia developing the character and suspense. I'll try the second book in this series to see if it improves and whether or not Mark Hazard is able to right the ship or I must abandon ship! We will see.
June 25, 2020
This is a hard novel to describe. It's not really a police procedural. It's not a military action saga. Corus is a very complex Army get who struggles with the understanding of protocol, law, and justice. He's almost an antihero . I found the work extremely entertaining and did not want to put it down.
May 26, 2019
Great mix of Army and Police lifestyle
Mark Hazard has a winning new series. The main characters have a deep background yet to be explain. I am anxiously waiting for the next story.
Mark Hazard has a winning new series. The main characters have a deep background yet to be explain. I am anxiously waiting for the next story.
July 26, 2019
Good book
Very interesting take on what was not cops and robbers or spy thriller but a little bit of both. Intrigue and investigation, bad guys and heroes, well written character descriptions and plot with many moving parts. Read it.
Very interesting take on what was not cops and robbers or spy thriller but a little bit of both. Intrigue and investigation, bad guys and heroes, well written character descriptions and plot with many moving parts. Read it.
October 19, 2019
Interesting
Great beginning to series. I am hooked and want to start the next book. Respectable characters and quick witted - you will smile and laugh
Great beginning to series. I am hooked and want to start the next book. Respectable characters and quick witted - you will smile and laugh
October 27, 2019
Disjointed
Not nearly enough details to connect reasons for conclusion in many instances. Ending also could be more specific. Has potential if sequel is better written.
Not nearly enough details to connect reasons for conclusion in many instances. Ending also could be more specific. Has potential if sequel is better written.
November 17, 2019
Too many lines
It was hard to follow the lines of his life. It did not want me to read another book in the series.
It was hard to follow the lines of his life. It did not want me to read another book in the series.
December 6, 2019
Very well written leaving you with wanting more.
January 10, 2020
A good book.
April 27, 2020
Meh. Author chose to make this a continuing story as opposed to just a continuing character. Major turnoff for me.
May 20, 2020
Surprisingly good
There were a few things I got lost but overall a good book. Good story, interesting characters and well written. New author to read, yah
There were a few things I got lost but overall a good book. Good story, interesting characters and well written. New author to read, yah
May 24, 2020
First time reading this author’s work
It held my interest and hopefully the next in the series will too. So on to the Gray Line I go...
It held my interest and hopefully the next in the series will too. So on to the Gray Line I go...
May 31, 2020
Not bad for first book.
Looking forward to the next book in the series to see how this plot plays out. Nice flow to the story.
Looking forward to the next book in the series to see how this plot plays out. Nice flow to the story.
August 30, 2020
Superb
If Mr. Hazard had Random House in his pocket, he would be right up there with Sanford.
An excellent author.
If Mr. Hazard had Random House in his pocket, he would be right up there with Sanford.
An excellent author.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews