What do you think?
Rate this book
Duke Dempsey Mysteries #1
The Holy City Murders
Duke Dempsey is a private investigator in 1938 Charleston, SC. Thrust into the case of a lifetime when the Vatican comes calling and hires Duke to find an invaluable relic. Charleston is also hit with the mysterious murders of a prominent priest of St. Patrick's Cathedral and a local cop. Duke is forced into a partnership with the presiding detective, Johnny Stampkin, to find the relic and solve the murders. The case takes a multitude of twists and turns as they navigate through Roman Catholic puzzles, Civil War secrets, and a Nazi Assassin.
- GenresMysteryFictionHistorical
266 pages, ebook
Published July 29, 2019
104 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Ron Plante Jr.
4 books101 followersRon Plante is a Search and Rescue Coordinator for the US Coast Guard and author. He has worked for the Coast Guard for over 25 years. Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA he has since lived in numerous places including Honolulu, Hi; Miami, FL; and now resides in Charleston, SC with his family.
He enjoys reading and writing thriller mysteries. You can also find him lounging on Folly Beach taking in some sun or at a local golf course. He loves bourbon, southern food, and the beach.
He enjoys reading and writing thriller mysteries. You can also find him lounging on Folly Beach taking in some sun or at a local golf course. He loves bourbon, southern food, and the beach.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 25, 2021
Holy city murders was a real fast paced book that had me going all day today reading it. It took me all day but I did read it in one sitting.
The characters were pretty exciting. My favorite is Duke Dempsey a private investigator from Charleston, SC. He is tough, smart and professional on this case of a lifetime.
However because I am Catholic clergy I am always sensitive towards how Catholic characters are handled. This author did a fantastic job of accurately portraying the Catholic Church.
The plot line was quite exciting and it’s covered in an area, Charleston, but I am very familiar with. I especially liked how they included Fort Sumner into the story.
It was a good story I enjoyed it and I hope you will too
I recommend it
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters were pretty exciting. My favorite is Duke Dempsey a private investigator from Charleston, SC. He is tough, smart and professional on this case of a lifetime.
However because I am Catholic clergy I am always sensitive towards how Catholic characters are handled. This author did a fantastic job of accurately portraying the Catholic Church.
The plot line was quite exciting and it’s covered in an area, Charleston, but I am very familiar with. I especially liked how they included Fort Sumner into the story.
It was a good story I enjoyed it and I hope you will too
I recommend it
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 16, 2020
Thank you BookSirens, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and RON PLANTE jr. for the Advanced Readers Copy of THE HOLY CITY MURDERS.
This is the first of a series featuring private investigator Duke Dempsey. It is set in Charleston, South Carolina in the southeastern part of the United States. The time is 1938 or 1939, just before the outbreak of World War 2. Hitler is in full charge of Germany.
Duke had been a city police detective in the historic city but had been terminated for digging up dirt on his superior officers. He went into business for himself as a P.I. (private investigator). After one major case, he was able to set up an office in a new bank building. However, it was basically a struggle for him. Duke’s former detective partner Johnny Stampkin is still on the force.
The story opens with SS Lieutenant Dieter Abetz murdering the manager of the motel in which he is living. Then the bodies of Father Lorenzo (a U.S. Civil War history buff) of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Officer Frank Lutz are discovered on a pier on the Charleston waterfront.
A nun, Sister Adie, from St. Patrick’s hires Duke to find a religious artifact that Father Lorenzo was safekeeping for the Pope in Rome. The relic has disappeared. Duke’s fee from the Church is quite hefty.
Mary Crosby, a wealthy and very pretty young woman also comes into Duke’s life. Connor Murphy, first mate of a container ship at the pier where the double homicide took place, is another key player.
The U.S. Civil war has a major influence on the dual investigations of murder and theft carried out by Duke, Stampkin and Sister Adie. Additional crimes are committed along the way.
A thoroughly enjoyable introduction to Duke Dempsey and his friends. In terms of characters and story, this book gets FIVE STARS. In terms of grammar, spelling and use of a container ship when none really existed, the book gets THREE STARS. It needs a professional copy editor to review it.
Despite its minor shortcomings, this book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for mystery fans and history fans.
GO! BUY! READ!
This is the first of a series featuring private investigator Duke Dempsey. It is set in Charleston, South Carolina in the southeastern part of the United States. The time is 1938 or 1939, just before the outbreak of World War 2. Hitler is in full charge of Germany.
Duke had been a city police detective in the historic city but had been terminated for digging up dirt on his superior officers. He went into business for himself as a P.I. (private investigator). After one major case, he was able to set up an office in a new bank building. However, it was basically a struggle for him. Duke’s former detective partner Johnny Stampkin is still on the force.
The story opens with SS Lieutenant Dieter Abetz murdering the manager of the motel in which he is living. Then the bodies of Father Lorenzo (a U.S. Civil War history buff) of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Officer Frank Lutz are discovered on a pier on the Charleston waterfront.
A nun, Sister Adie, from St. Patrick’s hires Duke to find a religious artifact that Father Lorenzo was safekeeping for the Pope in Rome. The relic has disappeared. Duke’s fee from the Church is quite hefty.
Mary Crosby, a wealthy and very pretty young woman also comes into Duke’s life. Connor Murphy, first mate of a container ship at the pier where the double homicide took place, is another key player.
The U.S. Civil war has a major influence on the dual investigations of murder and theft carried out by Duke, Stampkin and Sister Adie. Additional crimes are committed along the way.
A thoroughly enjoyable introduction to Duke Dempsey and his friends. In terms of characters and story, this book gets FIVE STARS. In terms of grammar, spelling and use of a container ship when none really existed, the book gets THREE STARS. It needs a professional copy editor to review it.
Despite its minor shortcomings, this book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for mystery fans and history fans.
GO! BUY! READ!
December 13, 2019
Okay when I started this book wasn't sure I was gonna read it and the reason was the 1st and 2nd chapter was flip flopped in the usual books I read. There are murders happening in South Carolina and the first 2 are respective people. While reading this book I was definitely hooked by the 4th chapter and finished it in record time. This book is between good and evil and in a round about way it touches on what is going on in today's world. There is an assassin going around trying to find a relic that belongs to the church and he will kill anyone that gets in his way. Duke who is an ex-policeman turned detective who teams up with his old partner to solve the murders. In the meantime a nun from the church hires Duke to find the relic for the church. Assassin is always one step ahead of them.
While reading the book it gave me a Dan Brown feel (DaVinci Code) because it's based around the pope but with American history thrown in. I would like to thank Book Sirens and the author for this ARC for my honest review. I am giving this book 4.5 rating and hope that this author comes out with more because I would like to know more about Duke's past.
While reading the book it gave me a Dan Brown feel (DaVinci Code) because it's based around the pope but with American history thrown in. I would like to thank Book Sirens and the author for this ARC for my honest review. I am giving this book 4.5 rating and hope that this author comes out with more because I would like to know more about Duke's past.
December 10, 2019
A little difficult to get into the book and accustomed to the writing style. After several chapters the story starts to emerge and you can identify more with the time period. I would liken the style to an old black and white narrated TV show about a PI. The year that this is occurring is a little hazy at first and there is a lot of history used in the storyline. The plot and who is involved can be detected but the how and why have a few twists. Overall an interesting book and if you like history a nd the Low Country of SC all the better. Good for a first time author.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 24, 2020
I received a copy of this book from BookSirens in exchange of an honest review
When I read the blurb of this book, I assumed I would drawn into a Dan Brown-ish goose chase. A Christian relic, the church, a murderer on the loose looking out for a relic. Although set during the second World War, I would not call it a historical fiction, as it could easily be set in present day as well.
What I loved about the book is the fast pace, the story progressed without making me feel it is rushed, yet there were a lot of things going on. I really liked the protagonist Duke Dempsey, former cop turned private detective, with a strong moral compass and exceptional skills.
There were few things about the book which were a bit off-putting, but they are minor and does not require a second thought as it did not affect the storytelling nor the plot in any way.
When I read the blurb of this book, I assumed I would drawn into a Dan Brown-ish goose chase. A Christian relic, the church, a murderer on the loose looking out for a relic. Although set during the second World War, I would not call it a historical fiction, as it could easily be set in present day as well.
What I loved about the book is the fast pace, the story progressed without making me feel it is rushed, yet there were a lot of things going on. I really liked the protagonist Duke Dempsey, former cop turned private detective, with a strong moral compass and exceptional skills.
There were few things about the book which were a bit off-putting, but they are minor and does not require a second thought as it did not affect the storytelling nor the plot in any way.
February 11, 2021
The Holy City Murders was a riveting tell involving a cop, private eye, and a couple of nazis. This book will reel you in and keep you wanting for more. If you like crime, mystery, and thriller type novels this book is for you. It will keep you on your seat. It also has a little romance thrown in. I can’t wait to start the next book.
Read
May 4, 2021This is a quick read. This book is in the genre of noir. It reminds a cross between Maltese Falcon and Indian Jones. It does not have a complex story line.
October 25, 2020
Duke Dempsey, formerly a Charleston PD detective, is out on his own as a private investigator, and although business is looking good, he’s still adjusting to his inglorious ouster from public service and the hit he took to his self-esteem and reputation. He’s had success with some big cases but nothing as big as his latest, finding a missing relic for none other than the Pope! Tied up with his investigation is the double homicide his former partner, Johnny Stampkin, is dealing with down on the docks of the Charleston port. A local priest, Father Lorenzo, a favorite in the Holy City as Charleston is known, has been vicious stabbed, and his companion, an off-duty Charleston cop, has had his throat slashed. Father Lorenzo was supposed to have been the safeguard of the Church’s relic, and no one knows where it is. As Duke and Johnny’s cases entwine and the bodies continue to pile up, they desperately pool their resources to go after the killer and find the precious artifact.
The Holy City Murders is the debut novel in the Duke Dempsey Mystery series by author Ron Plante, Jr. I found the main characters – Duke, Johnny, Margo, and Mary – likable and engaging, and the time period of the events appealing. The city of Charleston, South Carolina, made for an appealing setting with its humid, laid-back charm, recognizable landmarks, and unique opportunities because of its diversity for this and future books in the series. I thought the story was very good with the simultaneous police and private investigations of the two former partners. However, I knew who the secret spy was pretty quickly, so the mystery was really how this person would be revealed and how the protagonists would figure things out.
There were a couple of drawbacks for me in the story, though. First, the dialogue seemed more suited to the streets of New York, Chicago, Boston, or Philly. I choose to believe this was done to emphasize the patter seen in traditional detective noir. But Duke is a southern boy, a Charlestonian native, he even brings this up a couple of times, and I don’t see it in the language. Having said this, I still enjoyed the patois.The other beef I have, and I see that previous reviewers noted it as well, was the plethora of grammatical issues in the version of the story being read. I read an Advance Readers Copy I received from Book Sirens, and there were numerous problems of this nature. However, a quick look at the finished version currently available for purchase or download shows that many of these issues have been found and corrected. Based on that examination, I’m adding an additional star to my original rating.
With the look and feel of a noir detective story, there is so much to enjoy in Duke Dempsey and The Holy City Murders. The story doesn’t end here, and I look forward to reading more about Duke and his crowd as the series continues. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy a grittier mystery (than a cozy), noir detective stories, historical mysteries, or even a mystery that features Civil War elements.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Readers Copy from Book Sirens.
April 29, 2020
I received this advance copy in return for an honest review.
When I review books, I look at the setting, plot and characters to help me express my opinion on the book.
The plot uses the prewar conflict in Europe to create a situation in South Carolina at the time when the average citizen didn't think about the impact Nazi Germany would have not just in Europe, but in the rest of the world. Some public leaders try their best to minimize the impact of Nazi Germany capturing not only countries, but the public mind. One of those is the Pope who decides to send a relic for for safekeeping to a local Catholic priest in Charleston to prevent it falling into Nazi hands. Unfortunately, he and a local policeman are killed by an unknown assailant and the relic whereabouts are now unknown. Duke Dempsey is hired by the Vatican to find it. What begins is a race that forces Duke and his friends to search for the relic as the Nazi representative does the same, but not hesitating to kill when he doesn't get his answers. Throw in some Confederacy history and it takes more brains then brawn for Duke to fulfill his obligations.
I loved the description of Charleston in the late 1930s, it evokes the feeling of the city as the a grand old dame that's still having a fine time.
Duke Dempsey is presented as a typical Noir detective, a former police detective whose history with his old job has a lot of bitter moments. Johnny Stampkin, Duke's old partner, who is still with the police, is a grouchy old pro whose determination and steadfastness balance out Demsey's somewhat erratic leaps of logic and intuition in solving crimes.
Overall, the book is reasonably close to 4 stars for me, a detective story which has both the puzzle to be figured out and enough action to want to turn the pages to find out what happened. I like the puzzles based on the knowledge of military history and the police work involved finding out information that these days, is found thanks to a search engine.
However, there are a few bugbears that I hope will be ironed out in the follow-up books. Some minor characters, like Mary Crosby are very likely to pop up in the later books, but too much time is spent on them and that detracts from the plot, unlike for example the time spent describing Duke's secretary. Also, there is too much exposition in the beginning of the book when it comes to varying situations or explaining motivations. I also felt that the antagonist's motives should have been slowly unraveled over the course of the book, instead the reader hears them right in the beginning when they're not invested in the character.
In conclusion, this is a fun book set in the South of USA in 1938 about adventures of the Private Eye Duke Dempsey. I enjoyed the setting and the historical events being woven into the plot, but too much focus on non-essential characters and too much exposition at the beginning of the book make this a solid 3.5 stars. Pulled up to 4 stars mostly due to the fact that it's the start of a series that has potential.
When I review books, I look at the setting, plot and characters to help me express my opinion on the book.
The plot uses the prewar conflict in Europe to create a situation in South Carolina at the time when the average citizen didn't think about the impact Nazi Germany would have not just in Europe, but in the rest of the world. Some public leaders try their best to minimize the impact of Nazi Germany capturing not only countries, but the public mind. One of those is the Pope who decides to send a relic for for safekeeping to a local Catholic priest in Charleston to prevent it falling into Nazi hands. Unfortunately, he and a local policeman are killed by an unknown assailant and the relic whereabouts are now unknown. Duke Dempsey is hired by the Vatican to find it. What begins is a race that forces Duke and his friends to search for the relic as the Nazi representative does the same, but not hesitating to kill when he doesn't get his answers. Throw in some Confederacy history and it takes more brains then brawn for Duke to fulfill his obligations.
I loved the description of Charleston in the late 1930s, it evokes the feeling of the city as the a grand old dame that's still having a fine time.
Duke Dempsey is presented as a typical Noir detective, a former police detective whose history with his old job has a lot of bitter moments. Johnny Stampkin, Duke's old partner, who is still with the police, is a grouchy old pro whose determination and steadfastness balance out Demsey's somewhat erratic leaps of logic and intuition in solving crimes.
Overall, the book is reasonably close to 4 stars for me, a detective story which has both the puzzle to be figured out and enough action to want to turn the pages to find out what happened. I like the puzzles based on the knowledge of military history and the police work involved finding out information that these days, is found thanks to a search engine.
However, there are a few bugbears that I hope will be ironed out in the follow-up books. Some minor characters, like Mary Crosby are very likely to pop up in the later books, but too much time is spent on them and that detracts from the plot, unlike for example the time spent describing Duke's secretary. Also, there is too much exposition in the beginning of the book when it comes to varying situations or explaining motivations. I also felt that the antagonist's motives should have been slowly unraveled over the course of the book, instead the reader hears them right in the beginning when they're not invested in the character.
In conclusion, this is a fun book set in the South of USA in 1938 about adventures of the Private Eye Duke Dempsey. I enjoyed the setting and the historical events being woven into the plot, but too much focus on non-essential characters and too much exposition at the beginning of the book make this a solid 3.5 stars. Pulled up to 4 stars mostly due to the fact that it's the start of a series that has potential.
October 7, 2019
I have been a bit surprised by how much I enjoy historical mysteries. It is not something I actively avoided or sought out before declaring 2019 the year of mystery for myself, but I have certainly had a soft spot for historical mysteries; especially post World War I novels in both the UK and the New England region in the U.S. This one is set a little later (the 1930s) and in the U.S. South and I did not enjoy it as much as I have the others.
I thought this was a very interesting premise: two groups of people trying to find a religious relic in order to protect their own way of thinking. The bad guy kills several good guys, including the one who knows where the relic currently is. A police detective, private detective and a nun now need to find said relic (and yes, they may walk into a bar, too).
The author is clearly knowledgeable about Charleston and its history. There were some great nuggets of information strewn throughout this novel, wish there would have been a little more.
The narrative of this book was difficult for me. I like reading books with snippets of information from the antagonists' point of view, but they need to be clearly distinguished from other points of view. Often, a chapter would begin with what the Nazi is doing or thinking and switch a paragraph or two later to the private detective's story line. It was a bit muddled for me.
I think there was a lot of information pointing at this being a new author. He has some interesting ideas and a decent story here. With a little more practice and some character work, I think this may be a fun author to read in the future.
Thank you to Book Sirens and the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a very interesting premise: two groups of people trying to find a religious relic in order to protect their own way of thinking. The bad guy kills several good guys, including the one who knows where the relic currently is. A police detective, private detective and a nun now need to find said relic (and yes, they may walk into a bar, too).
The author is clearly knowledgeable about Charleston and its history. There were some great nuggets of information strewn throughout this novel, wish there would have been a little more.
The narrative of this book was difficult for me. I like reading books with snippets of information from the antagonists' point of view, but they need to be clearly distinguished from other points of view. Often, a chapter would begin with what the Nazi is doing or thinking and switch a paragraph or two later to the private detective's story line. It was a bit muddled for me.
I think there was a lot of information pointing at this being a new author. He has some interesting ideas and a decent story here. With a little more practice and some character work, I think this may be a fun author to read in the future.
Thank you to Book Sirens and the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2021
Definitely an enjoyable read! It was refreshing to read a book that captured the true sense of NOIR writing and brought back fond memories of reading Queen, Hammett, Spillane, and many others. Great character development and integration of the growing NAZI influence in Germany and the world as early of 1938. The plot revolves around Hitler's attempt to locate and loot all sorts of "Holy" relics whether they be church related or merely relics of other powerful leaders. Have to admit, I did not pick up on the twist regarding the true identity of one of the characters until about 3/4's of the way thru. Can't wait to pick up book 2 of the Duke Dempsey Mysteries!
September 1, 2019
I was a bit unsure as the book began, but it really starts to shine when the author introduces "Duke," the ex-cop-turned-private eye, a result of police politics and city corruption. His dialogue and story arc are reminiscent of classic noir. The Charleston, SC setting combined with civil war era history in the World War II era, is a unique backdrop to this noir mystery populated with interesting characters and murders to be solved.
June 30, 2021
Refreshing! Great read!
This was a great mystery. It was different than other mysteries. The action took place in a different time and the writer did a great job depicting that. I will definitely read the next installment.
This was a great mystery. It was different than other mysteries. The action took place in a different time and the writer did a great job depicting that. I will definitely read the next installment.
December 18, 2019
The Holy City Murders is a fast paced detective novel which reads like a throwback to the Dick Tracey and the Untouchables novels . Private Detective Duke Dempsey and Police Detective Johnny Stampkin, an unbeatable investigative team, are engaged in solving a particularly gruesome murder involving the highest levels of Church and State. Ron Plante Jr takes us back to the old cops and killers days in this his first novel.
Duke Dempsey is a private investigator formerly a detective in the Charleston Police Dept. He is engaged by the Vatican to find an ancient holy relic and finds himself overlapping with his former partner who is coincidentally investigating a gruesome murder of a priest. It quickly becomes apparent that both cases will only be solved if the two work together.
The novel begins rapidly with the murderer identified and then the murders are described. It is a rough beginning because the narratives are choppy and it is difficult to understand connections. For example, the murderer talks about his mission, how something goes wrong, how he doesn’t like his motel room, how he has to kill the caretaker and then he slips in that he is an SS officer working directly for the Fuhrer. The second chapter finally shifts to two murders on the dock. The third then shifts to a hungover detective. Finally by the chapter 4 the story takes on a full head of steam and becomes interesting. I believe many people will not make it this far, which is a shame. Even the thoughts switch from one character to another within paragraphs making it confusing for me.
Duke Dempsey is a great character. He is smart and intuitive. He solves puzzles even when others don’t know what to look for. For me he is a highlight. I am a little disappointed in his partner Johnny Stampkin. He is said to be an excellent detective and mentor but we didn’t see much of his talent in the story.
Once the story starts it is very exciting and fast paced. There are interesting twists. However, I feel that murderer’s collaborator is obvious and should be better concealed. For example, the murderer’s cover is blown he indicates his collaborator will have to take over. On virtually the next page the collaborator moves to the forefront making it far too obvious.
I enjoy the book from a historical perspective especially the City of Charleston and then the Nazi and Vatican perspective re: religious relics. I recommend this book, but I feel there is need for improvements in writing style and story flow. I give it a 3 on 5. I want to thank BookSirens for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Duke Dempsey is a private investigator formerly a detective in the Charleston Police Dept. He is engaged by the Vatican to find an ancient holy relic and finds himself overlapping with his former partner who is coincidentally investigating a gruesome murder of a priest. It quickly becomes apparent that both cases will only be solved if the two work together.
The novel begins rapidly with the murderer identified and then the murders are described. It is a rough beginning because the narratives are choppy and it is difficult to understand connections. For example, the murderer talks about his mission, how something goes wrong, how he doesn’t like his motel room, how he has to kill the caretaker and then he slips in that he is an SS officer working directly for the Fuhrer. The second chapter finally shifts to two murders on the dock. The third then shifts to a hungover detective. Finally by the chapter 4 the story takes on a full head of steam and becomes interesting. I believe many people will not make it this far, which is a shame. Even the thoughts switch from one character to another within paragraphs making it confusing for me.
Duke Dempsey is a great character. He is smart and intuitive. He solves puzzles even when others don’t know what to look for. For me he is a highlight. I am a little disappointed in his partner Johnny Stampkin. He is said to be an excellent detective and mentor but we didn’t see much of his talent in the story.
Once the story starts it is very exciting and fast paced. There are interesting twists. However, I feel that murderer’s collaborator is obvious and should be better concealed. For example, the murderer’s cover is blown he indicates his collaborator will have to take over. On virtually the next page the collaborator moves to the forefront making it far too obvious.
I enjoy the book from a historical perspective especially the City of Charleston and then the Nazi and Vatican perspective re: religious relics. I recommend this book, but I feel there is need for improvements in writing style and story flow. I give it a 3 on 5. I want to thank BookSirens for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
February 21, 2021
The Holy City Murders- Ron Plante Jr.
I found this very hard to believe but one of the fiction styles of the thriller/murder mystery that I have not ever read was the “Gumshoe Detective” style. I have never read any Micky Spillane Mike Hammer novels. In fact, as close as I have come is probably James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux and James MacDonald’s hard core and cut characters. Yet, it is not an overly loaded with violence. It was a good, quick read and I am glad that I read the book.
The Holy City Murders takes place in Charleston, SC just prior to World War II. Our hero-in-charge is a Private Investigator name Duke, whom used to be a local policeman, but got caught up in the crossfire of some political quagmire that left the mud in the wrong place – on Duke’s shoes. He moved on and had a successful gig going that was keeping him above water in the usual mix of divorce characters.
Somehow, the Vatican stumbles across Duke and has a Sister Adie hire Duke to find some old relic of great importance in explaining the death of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church, specifically the Vatican, really want to get this piece of history back. Hey, I ain’t making this stuff up.
Along the way, a couple of characters get killed and Duke brings in one of his old buddies from the police force, that since the Vatican is writing the check, and they are in Italy, and they want someone giving them reliable first-hand information. Okay, but I just can’t see her running down the alley like with Batman and Robin in comic book style. POW! KAPOOK! Bam! Are you with me?
And, of course. The Germans, aka Hitler, has an assassin in the area working the case at all costs. The guy is supposedly first-rate and he does seem more than capable. He seems to show up at the darndest times.
In spite of the somewhat unbelievable parts of the book, The Holy City Murders is a good read and the book does work. Hey, I wish that I could write a story this good. So, if you want a good, quick read and have some time to kill, give this one a shot. 3 stars
I wish to thank Book Sirens for providing a copy of this book for an honest review …
I found this very hard to believe but one of the fiction styles of the thriller/murder mystery that I have not ever read was the “Gumshoe Detective” style. I have never read any Micky Spillane Mike Hammer novels. In fact, as close as I have come is probably James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux and James MacDonald’s hard core and cut characters. Yet, it is not an overly loaded with violence. It was a good, quick read and I am glad that I read the book.
The Holy City Murders takes place in Charleston, SC just prior to World War II. Our hero-in-charge is a Private Investigator name Duke, whom used to be a local policeman, but got caught up in the crossfire of some political quagmire that left the mud in the wrong place – on Duke’s shoes. He moved on and had a successful gig going that was keeping him above water in the usual mix of divorce characters.
Somehow, the Vatican stumbles across Duke and has a Sister Adie hire Duke to find some old relic of great importance in explaining the death of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church, specifically the Vatican, really want to get this piece of history back. Hey, I ain’t making this stuff up.
Along the way, a couple of characters get killed and Duke brings in one of his old buddies from the police force, that since the Vatican is writing the check, and they are in Italy, and they want someone giving them reliable first-hand information. Okay, but I just can’t see her running down the alley like with Batman and Robin in comic book style. POW! KAPOOK! Bam! Are you with me?
And, of course. The Germans, aka Hitler, has an assassin in the area working the case at all costs. The guy is supposedly first-rate and he does seem more than capable. He seems to show up at the darndest times.
In spite of the somewhat unbelievable parts of the book, The Holy City Murders is a good read and the book does work. Hey, I wish that I could write a story this good. So, if you want a good, quick read and have some time to kill, give this one a shot. 3 stars
I wish to thank Book Sirens for providing a copy of this book for an honest review …
February 3, 2023
Is hardboiled your thing? Are you all about period pieces? Do you long for the banter and charm of bygone days? Do you like your heroes tall, dark, and handsome? And absolutely adore them when they are stronger and smarter, if also flawed? Well, have I got a beau for you!
Meet Duke Dempsy, disgraced Homicide Detective, formerly of the Charleston PD, now hanging out his sign as Private Dick. He is all of that and more. He’s from that man’s man mold that has long since been archived, for all the wrong reasons. But thank god we still have authors willing and able to recreate them, if only in the pages of enthralling novels.
This introduction to the man and his city has it all. It’s got intrigue, mystery, deceit, grit, gumption, and of course dames, spies, Nazis, and nuns.
It’s 1930s America and too few people are paying attention to the ambitions of a certain new leader of Germany and it’s too far into a long hot drought in the Low Country. The last thing anyone wants is a double homicide at the docks. To add a whole barrel of fuel to it, the victims are one of the city’s favorite clergy and one of CPD’s finest. And it’s only going to get worse.
For the sake of his loyal secretary, Duke gets drawn into finding out what happened to the padre and making sure that justice is served. Things get more complicated from there. A mysterious new client makes a request that just might end up costing Duke more than he is ready to pay. On the upside, Duke’s personal life gets interesting when a very uptown dame picks his regular watering hole for a little downtown adventure.
It’s not just all the best basic ingredients that make this a great weekend escape, it is seasoned with history and setting and all the emotions of whole relationships. You will hold your breath, bite your tongue, and cheer for the heroes. But not everyone is who they seem or makes it out alive.
Holy City Murders is a great read that sets a high standard for the rest of Duke’s adventures. Let’s hope that he doesn’t let us down.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Meet Duke Dempsy, disgraced Homicide Detective, formerly of the Charleston PD, now hanging out his sign as Private Dick. He is all of that and more. He’s from that man’s man mold that has long since been archived, for all the wrong reasons. But thank god we still have authors willing and able to recreate them, if only in the pages of enthralling novels.
This introduction to the man and his city has it all. It’s got intrigue, mystery, deceit, grit, gumption, and of course dames, spies, Nazis, and nuns.
It’s 1930s America and too few people are paying attention to the ambitions of a certain new leader of Germany and it’s too far into a long hot drought in the Low Country. The last thing anyone wants is a double homicide at the docks. To add a whole barrel of fuel to it, the victims are one of the city’s favorite clergy and one of CPD’s finest. And it’s only going to get worse.
For the sake of his loyal secretary, Duke gets drawn into finding out what happened to the padre and making sure that justice is served. Things get more complicated from there. A mysterious new client makes a request that just might end up costing Duke more than he is ready to pay. On the upside, Duke’s personal life gets interesting when a very uptown dame picks his regular watering hole for a little downtown adventure.
It’s not just all the best basic ingredients that make this a great weekend escape, it is seasoned with history and setting and all the emotions of whole relationships. You will hold your breath, bite your tongue, and cheer for the heroes. But not everyone is who they seem or makes it out alive.
Holy City Murders is a great read that sets a high standard for the rest of Duke’s adventures. Let’s hope that he doesn’t let us down.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 17, 2020
I enjoyed this story very much. A detective novel with a difference, The Holy City of Charleston - so named because of its multitude of churches and spires - at the time of the second world war, combines the complex relationships of ex colleagues and friends with international intrigue and some romance. I liked the simplicity with which this story was told, along with the clever use of multiple perspectives on single scenes. In a way, this use of perspective is almost like watching a scene in a movie, which perspective that shifts from one character to another seamlessly, thus bringing more dimension to a scenario. I think this strategy plays out particularly well in the case of the Holy City Murders.
The narrator is, in many ways, a very good fit for this book. His style and command of accents is very good considering the challenging range he had to work with. With a measure and tone that is evocative of both a time gone by and a specific place, the narrator beings characters like Duke to life with words. The only negative points I would note are the narrator's tendency to pause at odd moments in a sentence, although I can't accurately tell if this is error or a common idiosyncracy. Whether this habit was intentional or not, it was distracting for at least the first part of the book before I got used to it and stopped noticing this odd quirk. The quality of the recording - quiet background noise at times - was also a trifle distracting and off-putting.
All in all, though, I would rate this audiobook as being very, very good, a compulsive read and already one of my favourite of its genre. The negative points, of which there are few, are not enough to detract very far from this excellent book and I would give it a 4.5 star rating if I could.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The narrator is, in many ways, a very good fit for this book. His style and command of accents is very good considering the challenging range he had to work with. With a measure and tone that is evocative of both a time gone by and a specific place, the narrator beings characters like Duke to life with words. The only negative points I would note are the narrator's tendency to pause at odd moments in a sentence, although I can't accurately tell if this is error or a common idiosyncracy. Whether this habit was intentional or not, it was distracting for at least the first part of the book before I got used to it and stopped noticing this odd quirk. The quality of the recording - quiet background noise at times - was also a trifle distracting and off-putting.
All in all, though, I would rate this audiobook as being very, very good, a compulsive read and already one of my favourite of its genre. The negative points, of which there are few, are not enough to detract very far from this excellent book and I would give it a 4.5 star rating if I could.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 16, 2020
“That’s what makes this country great, Sister. I can live my life how I want. It’s called freedom and I’ll be damned if some nut job in a cute mustache is going to come and take that away. “~ Duke Dempsey
The Holy City of Murders is a very thrilling and vintage type story.
The story takes place in 1938 in South Carolina Charleston. Duke Dempsey is an ex cop and now private detective. He is a very stoic man but at times snarky.
He also loves his old buddy Evan Williams . There’s nothing that a cold glass of Williams can’t fix. Dempsey has a sense for love of justice that puts him in some tough situations.
Duke gets an offer by the Vatican to search for a sacred relic that’s in Charlestón. They send a nun named Addie to keep a watch on him and get the relic back to it’s home the Vatican .
The thing is that he isn’t the only in search of this important piece. This person is also looking for this artifact thinking it will change the world.
Duke with the help of his partner Stampkin will have to play a game of cat and mouse and see who will get the relic first. Not only that but also see who is causing so much blood run through the streets of the Holy City.
Both Duke and this mysterious person have a sense of righteousness but who is right and who will get the relic ?
I honestly loved Dempsey he had a great personality. Not too stoic with a hint of humor. I felt myself transported to the story and could imagine the style of clothing and the streets of that time period . I can’t wait to read the second book. This book was offered to me by book sirens and didn’t think I would enjoy so much. So thank you.
The Holy City of Murders is a very thrilling and vintage type story.
The story takes place in 1938 in South Carolina Charleston. Duke Dempsey is an ex cop and now private detective. He is a very stoic man but at times snarky.
He also loves his old buddy Evan Williams . There’s nothing that a cold glass of Williams can’t fix. Dempsey has a sense for love of justice that puts him in some tough situations.
Duke gets an offer by the Vatican to search for a sacred relic that’s in Charlestón. They send a nun named Addie to keep a watch on him and get the relic back to it’s home the Vatican .
The thing is that he isn’t the only in search of this important piece. This person is also looking for this artifact thinking it will change the world.
Duke with the help of his partner Stampkin will have to play a game of cat and mouse and see who will get the relic first. Not only that but also see who is causing so much blood run through the streets of the Holy City.
Both Duke and this mysterious person have a sense of righteousness but who is right and who will get the relic ?
I honestly loved Dempsey he had a great personality. Not too stoic with a hint of humor. I felt myself transported to the story and could imagine the style of clothing and the streets of that time period . I can’t wait to read the second book. This book was offered to me by book sirens and didn’t think I would enjoy so much. So thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2020
THE HOLY CITY MURDERS, by Ron Plante Jr. was fast-paced! So much action! The farther I went into the story, the faster I read. A lot of suspense filled each page, with well executed clues that helped to solve the mystery; along with amazing characters; especially Duke Dempsey, with his well-liked personality, great details, an unforgettable title, and because of all the situations characterized by violence.
This was a killer that had to be a pro because he was hand picked for this special mission, because this one had a different outcome; and he always had a reason for every decision he made. But, what was he after that made this mission so much more important, and why?
Then, Duke Dempsey was hired by the Vatican to find a missing item. What was it, and why does the Vatican want it? This mystery deepens as we dive, head-long into the story, and more clues keep popping up that might lead us a little closer to the missing item.
Then the Holy City Killer Strikes again, and the padre gets killed. Why? How many more lives will be lost? Could the Relic that Duke and Johnny are looking for be on the boat? Who were the only ones that knew about the boat? And, why was Miss Crosby kidnapped? Was she part of a senister plan, or an after thought? A great five star read!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a killer that had to be a pro because he was hand picked for this special mission, because this one had a different outcome; and he always had a reason for every decision he made. But, what was he after that made this mission so much more important, and why?
Then, Duke Dempsey was hired by the Vatican to find a missing item. What was it, and why does the Vatican want it? This mystery deepens as we dive, head-long into the story, and more clues keep popping up that might lead us a little closer to the missing item.
Then the Holy City Killer Strikes again, and the padre gets killed. Why? How many more lives will be lost? Could the Relic that Duke and Johnny are looking for be on the boat? Who were the only ones that knew about the boat? And, why was Miss Crosby kidnapped? Was she part of a senister plan, or an after thought? A great five star read!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 17, 2020
epub ARC; 176 pages
Here we have an unusual beast in a hard-boiled detective story that successfully emulates the Chandler/Hammett originals. What makes it stand out is the setting - not the L.A./New York cities we are more used to but Charleston, South Carolina. Some of the characters are almost stereotypes - the gifted detective drummed out of the police in disgrace for not acceding to the endemic corruption and now drinking himself into an alcoholic grave; the honest cop who regrets not standing with our hero, Duke Dempsey. And, given the pre-war period (1938) the Nazi antagonist ('One of Heydrich's spies' as a victim correctly identifies him) plus a couple of ladies who are not who they first seem...
I thoroughly enjoyed this rattling good yarn (though 'thoroughly' is perhaps not quite accurate: the grammar nazis - for once a suitable description! - will slate it but once into the narrative that becomes unimportant). Along the way I picked up some history, some detail about the Catholic church - and charmingly, some genuine Carolinan English usage!
Even though I had my suspicions about the identity of the 'mole' - enough clues were given! - it was a surprise to get to the 'reveal'.
I had no hesitation in checking to find further books and am delighted to discover there is at least one more which I'll be reading soon.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Here we have an unusual beast in a hard-boiled detective story that successfully emulates the Chandler/Hammett originals. What makes it stand out is the setting - not the L.A./New York cities we are more used to but Charleston, South Carolina. Some of the characters are almost stereotypes - the gifted detective drummed out of the police in disgrace for not acceding to the endemic corruption and now drinking himself into an alcoholic grave; the honest cop who regrets not standing with our hero, Duke Dempsey. And, given the pre-war period (1938) the Nazi antagonist ('One of Heydrich's spies' as a victim correctly identifies him) plus a couple of ladies who are not who they first seem...
I thoroughly enjoyed this rattling good yarn (though 'thoroughly' is perhaps not quite accurate: the grammar nazis - for once a suitable description! - will slate it but once into the narrative that becomes unimportant). Along the way I picked up some history, some detail about the Catholic church - and charmingly, some genuine Carolinan English usage!
Even though I had my suspicions about the identity of the 'mole' - enough clues were given! - it was a surprise to get to the 'reveal'.
I had no hesitation in checking to find further books and am delighted to discover there is at least one more which I'll be reading soon.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 22, 2020
I found this story a little bit slow to start off but, after the first couple of chapters I wanted to read more. Definitely not a “whodunit” but “who is the informant?” An intriguing story set during WW2 times of a Charlston detective and a P.I. who was formerly his partner in the police force. They have teamed up to track down a Nazi spy and trained killer who is in search of a sacred relic. There must be a leak in the system as the pair are faced with a trail of bodies as the killer seems to always be one step ahead of them.
I was a bit disappointed with the character of the killer. He began as a ruthless being with no emotions and calculating his every move with almost perfection. Yet he ended up making mistakes which didn’t fit in with his original character. I expected more strength in his demise. The informant was a no brainer for me. There could only be one person telling the enemy where to go, what to do and when.
If this is a first book in a series then it is a good introduction to the setting and characters involved. It will be interesting to see how they develop.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was a bit disappointed with the character of the killer. He began as a ruthless being with no emotions and calculating his every move with almost perfection. Yet he ended up making mistakes which didn’t fit in with his original character. I expected more strength in his demise. The informant was a no brainer for me. There could only be one person telling the enemy where to go, what to do and when.
If this is a first book in a series then it is a good introduction to the setting and characters involved. It will be interesting to see how they develop.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 14, 2024
I enjoyed visiting the police/crime environment of the 1940s. Shades of Sam Spade, who is my favorite detective of all time. All of the slang, smoking, drinking, all of the things that were "cool" back then. The characters are well-developed and realistic. There are unexpected developments, suspense, and all types of action. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series and can't wait to see where Mr. Plante takes Duke and his friends and frenemies.
The only criticism I have is that the book desperately needs the services of a proofreader. Most of the time it appears that Mr. Plante's brain was moving faster than his fingers and words were left out. Also, I can't say too much about using the wrong character's name when I often confused my own children's names. All this to say, have family and friends or anyone read your book for you to catch 90% of the errors. Don't let this "minor" problem prevent you from reading this series. The book is enjoyable enough to overlook the errors. I can't wait to see what's coming next.
The only criticism I have is that the book desperately needs the services of a proofreader. Most of the time it appears that Mr. Plante's brain was moving faster than his fingers and words were left out. Also, I can't say too much about using the wrong character's name when I often confused my own children's names. All this to say, have family and friends or anyone read your book for you to catch 90% of the errors. Don't let this "minor" problem prevent you from reading this series. The book is enjoyable enough to overlook the errors. I can't wait to see what's coming next.
May 5, 2021
The Holy City Murders is the first novel in the Duke Dempsey Mystery series...it’s an action packed 1930’s thriller based in Charleston.
We are introduced to the likeable Duke Dempsey, a whisky lover PI with a photographic memory and his ex police partner, detective Stampkin who embark on a thrilling ride to catch a slick Nazi assassin who has killed a Catholic priest and off duty cop on his mission to obtain an important sacred relic on the orders of Hitler.
It’s a great historical crime story jammed full of action and mystery, there are a few twists and turns, however, it was easy to figure out who the other Nazi spy is but that didn’t spoil the story. I am looking forward to reading Duke’s next case.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We are introduced to the likeable Duke Dempsey, a whisky lover PI with a photographic memory and his ex police partner, detective Stampkin who embark on a thrilling ride to catch a slick Nazi assassin who has killed a Catholic priest and off duty cop on his mission to obtain an important sacred relic on the orders of Hitler.
It’s a great historical crime story jammed full of action and mystery, there are a few twists and turns, however, it was easy to figure out who the other Nazi spy is but that didn’t spoil the story. I am looking forward to reading Duke’s next case.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 7, 2021
This was a fun read, as fun as murder and assassins can be 😂😂
The writing was well-done and flowed so easily I sped through this one. I love that it's set in the 1930s. Reminds me of old black & white detective TV shows which I LOVED growing up.
Duke is the perfect fit for how detectives were portrayed during that timeframe and I adore him. I will definitely be continuing this series as this was such a short read you don't get a full sense of just who he is yet.
I sincerely appreciate Book Sirens and the publisher for providing an E-Copy of this book. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
The writing was well-done and flowed so easily I sped through this one. I love that it's set in the 1930s. Reminds me of old black & white detective TV shows which I LOVED growing up.
Duke is the perfect fit for how detectives were portrayed during that timeframe and I adore him. I will definitely be continuing this series as this was such a short read you don't get a full sense of just who he is yet.
I sincerely appreciate Book Sirens and the publisher for providing an E-Copy of this book. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
June 20, 2020
The first torture/murders are a priest and a street-wise cop on the pier, but certainly not the last ones performed by the fanatic nazi specialist on a mission from the fuhrer. The police detective is very sharp and his former partner (now a PI) joins in when given an amazing case from The Church. It's a fascinating story with lots of twists and misdirection in the months immediately prior to the German invasions in Europe. Very riveting!
Narrator Gene Blake has a very emotive delivery well suited to the material.
I won the audio in a giveaway and will look for more!
Narrator Gene Blake has a very emotive delivery well suited to the material.
I won the audio in a giveaway and will look for more!
March 27, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily:
Wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but when I first saw the cover I knew I needed to read it. It has everything that you could come to love from a detective noir book (which is where I would characterize this book). I grew to love the main character Duke, and his story unfolding in front of me was a thing of beauty. I absolutely love how he developed throughout the book and how the other characters developed around him. The story was fasted paced and I found myself unable to put this book down. The history was richly interwoven within the novel and I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick read that will keep you entertained from page one.
Wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but when I first saw the cover I knew I needed to read it. It has everything that you could come to love from a detective noir book (which is where I would characterize this book). I grew to love the main character Duke, and his story unfolding in front of me was a thing of beauty. I absolutely love how he developed throughout the book and how the other characters developed around him. The story was fasted paced and I found myself unable to put this book down. The history was richly interwoven within the novel and I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick read that will keep you entertained from page one.
October 7, 2020
My thanks to the Author publishers and BookSirens for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Set in Charleston in 1938 this starts out as an engaging old fashioned 'Gumshoe' style detective story. However before long Nazi agents searching for a priceless ancient religious relic are involved, and the body count mounts. Atmospheric entertaining with terrific characters this is an intriguing story with even for me an easily guessed twist.
Recommended.
Set in Charleston in 1938 this starts out as an engaging old fashioned 'Gumshoe' style detective story. However before long Nazi agents searching for a priceless ancient religious relic are involved, and the body count mounts. Atmospheric entertaining with terrific characters this is an intriguing story with even for me an easily guessed twist.
Recommended.
June 17, 2020
This book caught my attention because I went to college in SC, I love history and I love a good mystery!! The bonus having a story that was like a Dan Brown novel was irresistible. This book did not disappoint! Duke is a complicated guy for sure and I thoroughly enjoyed his character. This was a well researched book and the facts the author gave about Charleston was great. And finally the story! Fast paced which made for a quick read!!! Can’t wait for more Duke stories.
I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2020
A great thriller which I found very hard to put down. Set in 1938 in Charleston, South Carolina, Duke Dempsey is a private investigator who gets involved in a major case when a Catholic priest and a local cop are murdered. Things become further entangled with a missing relic, secrets and a Nazi spy, the plot is full of twists and turns and I didn't guess the end!
This is a traditional style of thriller, reminiscent of Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade et al. I'm pleased to say that this is book two in a series and, hopefully there will be more to come. I was given an advance copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review, which I'm delighted to leave. Highly recommended.
This is a traditional style of thriller, reminiscent of Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade et al. I'm pleased to say that this is book two in a series and, hopefully there will be more to come. I was given an advance copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review, which I'm delighted to leave. Highly recommended.
March 12, 2021
Crime! Thriller! Mystery! Murder! Conspiracy!
A glued to your seat read! A real page turner!
A classic noir with a bit of gruesomeness!
A classic old school PI. Fast paced, action packed,hard boiled detective.
What amazing interesting characters!
I highly recommend this book. Enjoy every page.
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
A glued to your seat read! A real page turner!
A classic noir with a bit of gruesomeness!
A classic old school PI. Fast paced, action packed,hard boiled detective.
What amazing interesting characters!
I highly recommend this book. Enjoy every page.
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews