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Boston Crime Thriller #3
The Penitent One
Boston Homicide Detective Michael Kelly has just been called to a gruesome crime scene at a church. A priest has been murdered, and Kelly's bosses see a media circus in the making.
Kelly sees a connection to a cold case that has haunted him for years.
With the FBI now involved, Kelly must use instincts honed on the tough streets of Dorchester to help investigators stay one step ahead of a cruel killer. And he must rely on the lifelong bonds forged on the streets where he grew up to provide him with answers.
Because this murdered priest was just the first step on an unrelenting path of vengeance—and the killer isn’t going to stop until his own twisted brand of justice gets served.
Brian Shea brings his background as a former detective to write propulsive, tautly plotted thrillers, and The Penitent One is his most intense book yet.
Kelly sees a connection to a cold case that has haunted him for years.
With the FBI now involved, Kelly must use instincts honed on the tough streets of Dorchester to help investigators stay one step ahead of a cruel killer. And he must rely on the lifelong bonds forged on the streets where he grew up to provide him with answers.
Because this murdered priest was just the first step on an unrelenting path of vengeance—and the killer isn’t going to stop until his own twisted brand of justice gets served.
Brian Shea brings his background as a former detective to write propulsive, tautly plotted thrillers, and The Penitent One is his most intense book yet.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2020
2870 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Brian Christopher Shea
52 books282 followersAuthor also writes under Brian Shea
BRIAN CHRISTOPHER SHEA has spent most of his adult life in service to his country and local community. He honorably served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. In his civilian life, he reached the rank of Detective and accrued ten years of law enforcement experience between Texas and Connecticut. Somewhere in the mix he spent five years as a fifth-grade school teacher. Brian’s myriad of life experience is woven into the tapestry of each character’s design. He resides in New England and is blessed with an amazing wife and three beautiful daughters.
Writing has always been a dream, but life seemed to find a way of interrupting. It wasn’t until recently that he dedicated time to this passion. His first book, The Camel’s Back, gave him a much-needed mental break from his work investigating atrocities against children. He allotted time in the morning each day. Usually waking at 5 to bang away on his manuscript. The second round of daily writing would occur after his children were asleep. He proved that working full-time and raising a family were no longer valid excuses to putting off his novel.
BRIAN CHRISTOPHER SHEA has spent most of his adult life in service to his country and local community. He honorably served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. In his civilian life, he reached the rank of Detective and accrued ten years of law enforcement experience between Texas and Connecticut. Somewhere in the mix he spent five years as a fifth-grade school teacher. Brian’s myriad of life experience is woven into the tapestry of each character’s design. He resides in New England and is blessed with an amazing wife and three beautiful daughters.
Writing has always been a dream, but life seemed to find a way of interrupting. It wasn’t until recently that he dedicated time to this passion. His first book, The Camel’s Back, gave him a much-needed mental break from his work investigating atrocities against children. He allotted time in the morning each day. Usually waking at 5 to bang away on his manuscript. The second round of daily writing would occur after his children were asleep. He proved that working full-time and raising a family were no longer valid excuses to putting off his novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 14, 2020
A Thrilling Adventure With The Boston Homicide Unit, Searching For A Ghost Of A Killer
A dead priest in the confessional at church opens a tumultuous tale, looking for a killer who leaves No evidence at his crime scenes, only a mark on each dead man ties them together. This is Detective Michael Kelly's church, where he spent much of his time growing up. Upon the sight on the priest's hand he is brought back to the killing of his partner, nine years ago...A haunting case he could never close...
An FBI Special Agent is assigned to assist, and Kelly is shocked to learn that they have been trying to apprehend the same killer for a decade! With no evidence, no leads and fear that murders will continue, Detective Kelly must use his knowledge of the streets of Dorchester, and the folks on them, to make any headway on this headache of a case...
The author uses his own background as a Detective to keep each scene real, as you feel yourself right there, traveling a disturbing path to hopefully keep the Unit alive and the streets clear of any more bodies...
A 5 STAR story in a series that I can Not get enough of!!#
A dead priest in the confessional at church opens a tumultuous tale, looking for a killer who leaves No evidence at his crime scenes, only a mark on each dead man ties them together. This is Detective Michael Kelly's church, where he spent much of his time growing up. Upon the sight on the priest's hand he is brought back to the killing of his partner, nine years ago...A haunting case he could never close...
An FBI Special Agent is assigned to assist, and Kelly is shocked to learn that they have been trying to apprehend the same killer for a decade! With no evidence, no leads and fear that murders will continue, Detective Kelly must use his knowledge of the streets of Dorchester, and the folks on them, to make any headway on this headache of a case...
The author uses his own background as a Detective to keep each scene real, as you feel yourself right there, traveling a disturbing path to hopefully keep the Unit alive and the streets clear of any more bodies...
A 5 STAR story in a series that I can Not get enough of!!#
August 28, 2020
I just finished a good book at that is always a good thing. This was the third book in the series and was the second best one with the first book being the best one. It was a good story , good dialogue and moved at a pretty good pace never got bogged down. I liked the characters and the secondary characters. it was a good police story in a police series but did not make me go wow. i was thinking about giving it 4 stars , but instead it gets 3.75 for two main reasons. One I am tired of main police detectives having troubled or uncetain relationships with their main squeeze. To me that is old and tried and you lose points lol. The second reason was that it had a very open ended ending setting you up for the next book. I know there is one more book to be written in the series however I felt it is cheesy when an author does this to force you to read the next book-points lost lol. I do say it is areal good book and give it a spin.
July 25, 2025
This is the third book of a series. Even though it is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone. In this one a priest is murdered in a confessional. Our protagonist and fellow cops investigate.
I have read the first three offerings from this series and this might be my least favorite. As you can see I still really enjoyed it so that just shows the quality of this series. I will start with the good aspects first. I was enthralled with the murder and the investigation from the very beginning. I love the concept as I do love a religious setting and having something more with this setting. That is what we have here. This book also excels at getting to know our characters including the minor characters. I probably felt connected to them more in this book. But alas this book did have some flaws. While I loved the murder concept I don't believe the author totally nailed it. As a Bostonian I can tell you a murder like that would grab this city. We really didn't see the public outcry in this book. I needed some more mood atmosphere. I also thought the twist with the antagonist was flat. I actually said we are going with these guys again. Not everything revolves around them. We need a little rest from them.
I am amazed that this author and series is not more well known. Three books in and I have not given less than a four star rating to any of them. While this book had some issues it was a great read that says I have to read the next one sooner than later.
I have read the first three offerings from this series and this might be my least favorite. As you can see I still really enjoyed it so that just shows the quality of this series. I will start with the good aspects first. I was enthralled with the murder and the investigation from the very beginning. I love the concept as I do love a religious setting and having something more with this setting. That is what we have here. This book also excels at getting to know our characters including the minor characters. I probably felt connected to them more in this book. But alas this book did have some flaws. While I loved the murder concept I don't believe the author totally nailed it. As a Bostonian I can tell you a murder like that would grab this city. We really didn't see the public outcry in this book. I needed some more mood atmosphere. I also thought the twist with the antagonist was flat. I actually said we are going with these guys again. Not everything revolves around them. We need a little rest from them.
I am amazed that this author and series is not more well known. Three books in and I have not given less than a four star rating to any of them. While this book had some issues it was a great read that says I have to read the next one sooner than later.
August 24, 2020
Great Series!!!
Another Great addition to the series!!! As always a well developed story and characters! Love the relationship Kelly has with his daughter and mom is a wonderful contrast to his Cop life. Can't wait for the next book. Keep them coming Mr. Shea!
Another Great addition to the series!!! As always a well developed story and characters! Love the relationship Kelly has with his daughter and mom is a wonderful contrast to his Cop life. Can't wait for the next book. Keep them coming Mr. Shea!
February 16, 2021
I don't know what to say. Disappointed. Let down a little. The first book was good. A set up with the background of our characters and a storyline. It was good. The second book was fabulous. It was brilliant. This book....it was a downfall from the second. Any questions you had with the first and second book was solved with this third one. But it was slow. Kinda boring. I pretty much skimmed it. Skimmed 80 percent of it and got the jist. Eh. I'll give it 3 stars. It was between good and bad.
August 11, 2020
Boston Homicide detective Michael Kelly gets a frantic phone call from childhood friend Father O'Brien about a murder at his church. Kelly arrives on scene to find newcomer Father Tomlin shot dead in the confessional. When forensics finds a distinctive X figure cut into the victim's left hand, Kelly sees a connection to the unsolved murder of his former partner Danny Rourke 8 years ago.
Kelly and the rest of the homicide team are surprised when the FBI becomes involved in the case. Special Agent Gray informs them that they have been tracking a serial killer who has been at large for 15 years. The BAU profile indicates he is ex-military or police and have given him the nickname of The Penitent One.
What is his motivation and who is next on the list towards his unrelenting path to justice? Kelly and Gray both have their own personal reasons for wanting to capture The Penitent One. It becomes a deadly confrontation for Kelly and his team to save long-time nemesis mobster Connor Walsh from becoming the next victim. A final bloody confrontation between Kelly, Gray and the Penitent One occurs in a remote wooded property.
This book was not as good as the first two books but is another solid entry in the Boston Crime Thriller series.
I received an eARC from Severn River Publishing with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
Kelly and the rest of the homicide team are surprised when the FBI becomes involved in the case. Special Agent Gray informs them that they have been tracking a serial killer who has been at large for 15 years. The BAU profile indicates he is ex-military or police and have given him the nickname of The Penitent One.
What is his motivation and who is next on the list towards his unrelenting path to justice? Kelly and Gray both have their own personal reasons for wanting to capture The Penitent One. It becomes a deadly confrontation for Kelly and his team to save long-time nemesis mobster Connor Walsh from becoming the next victim. A final bloody confrontation between Kelly, Gray and the Penitent One occurs in a remote wooded property.
This book was not as good as the first two books but is another solid entry in the Boston Crime Thriller series.
I received an eARC from Severn River Publishing with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
August 14, 2020
Recommend this novel to crime fiction fans. Can be read as a stand-alone. Best to read prior books.
As a crime fiction fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written police procedural. The serial killer storyline is complex and well-crafted, with good twists. The police characters are likable, as are many secondary characters. However, be warned that there are 40-50 named characters, many from earlier books and with little explanation. I made a cast list.
I enjoyed following Detective Michael Kelly and his team as they investigated. It was interesting to have a helpful FBI agent in the mix, actually participating in the investigation as part of Kelly’s team. I particularly enjoyed reading the police protocols and procedures, because of the fine details about crime scenes, evidence collection, taking photos, documentation, etc.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, as there are some backstories so I could make correct inferences about characters and some events. However, I recommend reading earlier books, because there are missing interpersonal backstories, ongoing police politics, and references to earlier cases. I will read the earlier books of this series.
As a crime fiction fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written police procedural. The serial killer storyline is complex and well-crafted, with good twists. The police characters are likable, as are many secondary characters. However, be warned that there are 40-50 named characters, many from earlier books and with little explanation. I made a cast list.
I enjoyed following Detective Michael Kelly and his team as they investigated. It was interesting to have a helpful FBI agent in the mix, actually participating in the investigation as part of Kelly’s team. I particularly enjoyed reading the police protocols and procedures, because of the fine details about crime scenes, evidence collection, taking photos, documentation, etc.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, as there are some backstories so I could make correct inferences about characters and some events. However, I recommend reading earlier books, because there are missing interpersonal backstories, ongoing police politics, and references to earlier cases. I will read the earlier books of this series.
August 17, 2020
I have been a fan of this series since the first book. I love the Boston setting and the interesting development of the characters, especially the protagonist, Michael Kelly.
This book started off with a bang...a priest is murdered in the confessional of a Dorchester Catholic Church. It’s a major case with all the politics that such a case brings with it. There is very little evidence to work with, but one piece seems to link the killer to several past murders including one that has haunted Mike for years.
Some new characters are introduced along with several reoccurring ones including Connor Walsh and Mike’s ongoing desire to end the reign of this long-time Boston mob boss. I also liked the FBI agent who joins Mike’s team for this case. Hope he appears in future books.
This book started off with a bang...a priest is murdered in the confessional of a Dorchester Catholic Church. It’s a major case with all the politics that such a case brings with it. There is very little evidence to work with, but one piece seems to link the killer to several past murders including one that has haunted Mike for years.
Some new characters are introduced along with several reoccurring ones including Connor Walsh and Mike’s ongoing desire to end the reign of this long-time Boston mob boss. I also liked the FBI agent who joins Mike’s team for this case. Hope he appears in future books.
August 6, 2020
Another superb Brian Shea crime thriller!
Michael Kelly is a homicide detective in the Boston neighborhood he grew up in. The murder of a priest in the confessional booth is strange enough but when a clue links it with the 8-year-old unsolved murder of his old partner, Mike realizes they might be looking for a serial killer.
This is a good crime series. I like the interaction between Mike and his childhood friends who have all gone different ways in life yet still remain loyal to each other. The story is believable. Mike and the other detectives on his team are not Supermen; they are just very good at their job. They are human with problems like everyone else with the added stress their jobs can place on relationships. I definitely give this book five stars and recommended it to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers.
Michael Kelly is a homicide detective in the Boston neighborhood he grew up in. The murder of a priest in the confessional booth is strange enough but when a clue links it with the 8-year-old unsolved murder of his old partner, Mike realizes they might be looking for a serial killer.
This is a good crime series. I like the interaction between Mike and his childhood friends who have all gone different ways in life yet still remain loyal to each other. The story is believable. Mike and the other detectives on his team are not Supermen; they are just very good at their job. They are human with problems like everyone else with the added stress their jobs can place on relationships. I definitely give this book five stars and recommended it to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers.
August 13, 2020
I enjoyed this book immensely, and as should be the case with any really good book, I got so caught up in the story that I lost all track of time and what was going on around me. The characters were likable, and the plot was intriguing and suspenseful. I had not read the previous books in the series, but I had no trouble keeping up with what was happening, and you can be sure I will be readIng them, and anything else Mr. Shea has written. I will also be on the lookout for his future books. I received an advanced copy of this book from the author, and am giving my honest and voluntary opinion.
August 11, 2020
This latest episode in Brian Shea’s Michael Kelly series is without a doubt the best yet. Not only is it filled with nonstop action and investigation into a couple of murders, it begins to tie loose ends from earlier books together If you are a fan of this series this is a must-read book, without providing any spoilers just grab a copy and get reading you won’t be sorry. While it would be great to have read the earlier books in this series, you could jump right into this story without having read them due to the brief coverage of former events and characters. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
August 14, 2020
Worth the wait
Once again Shea captivates and is spot on with another great police detective tale of a serial killer on the loose,yet again thing up loose ends from previous books with Det Kelly and his tenacity as an investigator but with his humanity still in tact. Book four in the series can't come too soon for me
Once again Shea captivates and is spot on with another great police detective tale of a serial killer on the loose,yet again thing up loose ends from previous books with Det Kelly and his tenacity as an investigator but with his humanity still in tact. Book four in the series can't come too soon for me
August 15, 2020
Friends
A terrific book, Brian Shea does it again. Filled with lots of action And A wonderful story of friends who are like brothers willing to fight to protect each other and to help make th world a better place Thank you.
A terrific book, Brian Shea does it again. Filled with lots of action And A wonderful story of friends who are like brothers willing to fight to protect each other and to help make th world a better place Thank you.
August 17, 2020
Brian Shea
I am extremely glad that I discovered Brian Shea’s books. I thoroughly enjoy them. The characters and stories are riveting! I highly recommend!
I am extremely glad that I discovered Brian Shea’s books. I thoroughly enjoy them. The characters and stories are riveting! I highly recommend!
August 12, 2020
Satisfying
The Boston Crime series is fast becoming one of my favorites. Very well written and beautifully executed. Each has been an absolute pleasure to read. Awaiting number four.
The Boston Crime series is fast becoming one of my favorites. Very well written and beautifully executed. Each has been an absolute pleasure to read. Awaiting number four.
August 21, 2020
Damn good read. Shea gets better and better after each new release. Typically the third book is a better read than the previous two. Fascinating plot and ending. Now the conjecture as to what is about to happen in Book #4. Don't enjoy waiting until mid June of next year to start reading Shea again.
Well written story with a cast of real characters and the feel of real life conflicts. Continue to feel that Bryan Shea is so very close to Michael Connelly in exciting police action drama. Lovin' it !!
Well written story with a cast of real characters and the feel of real life conflicts. Continue to feel that Bryan Shea is so very close to Michael Connelly in exciting police action drama. Lovin' it !!
Read
August 20, 2020The Penitent One (Boston Crime Thriller Book 3), my third read from author Brian Christopher Shea. Outstanding police fiction, well-written with characters & plot you can buy into with unexpected twists & turns. I look forward to Sign of the Maker (Boston Crime Thriller #4). I HAVE FOUND A NEW OUTSTANDING AUTHOR! "I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
September 27, 2020
The Michael Kelly saga continues. Brian Shea has a good grasp of police life in Boston with its closeness to underworld figures because of their childhood experiences and friendships. Can’t wait for the next installment, keep it going Mr. Shea.
September 23, 2020
Entertaining
Michael Kelly gets a call from his lifelong friend, now a Catholic Priest about the murder of another priest. There is a mark on the victim’s hand, the x as Kelly’s deceased partner. Is this the same killer?
Well choreographed storyline with interesting characters with a few twists and surprises.
Michael Kelly gets a call from his lifelong friend, now a Catholic Priest about the murder of another priest. There is a mark on the victim’s hand, the x as Kelly’s deceased partner. Is this the same killer?
Well choreographed storyline with interesting characters with a few twists and surprises.
November 15, 2020
It was only a few months ago that I finished the previous book in Shea's Boston crime series, Bleeding Blue, but I've been reading like crazy during this whole thing so The Penitent One (TPO) made it's way into my sights more quickly than anticipated. That's not a complaint though!
While I know the impossibility of this notion, given the time frame of finishing Blue and the release date of TPO, but it almost seemed like TPO was written for me since I specifically asked for a serial killer story, and I hope it's not the last one because Brian Shea nailed it! The story provided some closure on a few of Kelly's red cards on his Murder Board, while giving us more character development on several people. I don't want to spoil anything if I can help it, so I'll just say I feel everybody got their time in the spotlight.
My minor criticisms of TPO are mostly the same as other books in this series, such as parts of it reading like a procedure manual, but the one thing I think most Shea fans might agree on is that TPO could've been longer... or at the very least cut some of the procedural stuff in lieu of getting more into the head of the unsub (a term the show Criminal Minds [mentioned in this book] uses at least a dozen times each episode). It seemed like once they were hot on the trail of TPO the story just got into a big hurry to conclude. I was also a bit surprised that nobody even mentioned the possibility of chasing a contract killer, even with a reference to Carlos the Jackal. Serial killers; as well as mass and spree killers, are not the same thing as assassins/hitmen, even with quirks that originate from their backgrounds and signatures for their kills. The line that defines each of those terms was blurred in TPO, despite being confident Brian knows the difference.
TPO gave me the comforting feeling that both Brian and the readers (i.e. me) are settling into this series quite nicely. About the police procedural thing; I haven't read Shea's Nick Lawrence series, and I imagine it pops up there as well as part of his style. I'm just of the opinion that reading about how police officers work/think from somebody who actually wore a badge is great, but giving us context as to why things are done they way they are is more intriguing, like how Kelly checks for life signs on any would-be murder victim. Looking forward to the next one!
While I know the impossibility of this notion, given the time frame of finishing Blue and the release date of TPO, but it almost seemed like TPO was written for me since I specifically asked for a serial killer story, and I hope it's not the last one because Brian Shea nailed it! The story provided some closure on a few of Kelly's red cards on his Murder Board, while giving us more character development on several people. I don't want to spoil anything if I can help it, so I'll just say I feel everybody got their time in the spotlight.
My minor criticisms of TPO are mostly the same as other books in this series, such as parts of it reading like a procedure manual, but the one thing I think most Shea fans might agree on is that TPO could've been longer... or at the very least cut some of the procedural stuff in lieu of getting more into the head of the unsub (a term the show Criminal Minds [mentioned in this book] uses at least a dozen times each episode). It seemed like once they were hot on the trail of TPO the story just got into a big hurry to conclude. I was also a bit surprised that nobody even mentioned the possibility of chasing a contract killer, even with a reference to Carlos the Jackal. Serial killers; as well as mass and spree killers, are not the same thing as assassins/hitmen, even with quirks that originate from their backgrounds and signatures for their kills. The line that defines each of those terms was blurred in TPO, despite being confident Brian knows the difference.
TPO gave me the comforting feeling that both Brian and the readers (i.e. me) are settling into this series quite nicely. About the police procedural thing; I haven't read Shea's Nick Lawrence series, and I imagine it pops up there as well as part of his style. I'm just of the opinion that reading about how police officers work/think from somebody who actually wore a badge is great, but giving us context as to why things are done they way they are is more intriguing, like how Kelly checks for life signs on any would-be murder victim. Looking forward to the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2020
The Penitent One
Well written and easy to follow. This book was a pleasure to read. The characters were well laid out and you could feel the Boston connections with a force that put you there. It would make a really good movie.
Well written and easy to follow. This book was a pleasure to read. The characters were well laid out and you could feel the Boston connections with a force that put you there. It would make a really good movie.
September 16, 2020
I love this series!
Having grown up in Boston this brings back many things about east coast mannerisms.Mike Kelly is so Catholic and so Boston his procedural stuff is great, his team is great too, the complexity of dealing with old friends in difficult situations is well done....thanks Mr. Shea keep writing☺
Having grown up in Boston this brings back many things about east coast mannerisms.Mike Kelly is so Catholic and so Boston his procedural stuff is great, his team is great too, the complexity of dealing with old friends in difficult situations is well done....thanks Mr. Shea keep writing☺
October 16, 2020
Review of The Penitent One
I enjoyed This book, the 3rd in the Kelly series. It has child hood trauma, Political Interests, the gray area between legal and illegal. Kelly is juggling his own personal demons, finding out his true Family History, still coping with his divorce and spending quality time with his daughter. Fighting an attraction for his partner and trying to remain friends with a childhood friend who works for the Mob. The plot was outstanding and the Ending was very believable.
I enjoyed This book, the 3rd in the Kelly series. It has child hood trauma, Political Interests, the gray area between legal and illegal. Kelly is juggling his own personal demons, finding out his true Family History, still coping with his divorce and spending quality time with his daughter. Fighting an attraction for his partner and trying to remain friends with a childhood friend who works for the Mob. The plot was outstanding and the Ending was very believable.
November 28, 2020
Good series about any Irish cop in Boston.
September 3, 2020
I only just discovered Brian Shea about a month ago. He's one of the best authors I've never read and only because of Kindle is he now on my radar. My local library does not have any of his work on their shelves. I read the Nick Lawrence series first and thought it was pretty good. Well written but a little out there on the believe-ability, at least for me. Michael Kelly and the Boston Crime Thrillers have been totally enjoyable and have great plots. I'm not one to review the storyline that much. I just want to say this series has been a hit for me and hopefully will continue.
November 16, 2020
Enjoyed this book. Michael Kelly reminds me of my straight arrow detective, Dave
Robicheaux created by James Lee Burke and Joe Pickett from CJ Box.
Robicheaux created by James Lee Burke and Joe Pickett from CJ Box.
October 9, 2020
Too much filler,
150 pages of story and 150 pages of filler. Even if this was the first book you read in the series, by the time you are halfway through you know the back stories by heart and every police and crime scene procedure. Boring.
150 pages of story and 150 pages of filler. Even if this was the first book you read in the series, by the time you are halfway through you know the back stories by heart and every police and crime scene procedure. Boring.
September 4, 2024
Boston Detective Michael Kelly is called to a scene regarding a murdered Priest. A priest where Kelly went to church growing up as a kid; where he was taken in as a young boy, and he feels a personal connection to finding out what happened. However, there is a link discovered between this murder and a murder from years ago. A small marking the hand of the priest, left by the killer, is extremely similar to the case regarding O’Rourke, his old partner. Having really no leads to chase whatsoever, Kelly and team push to find any evidence, but the killer was extremely thorough. Another murder appears in the river nearby, but this happens to be the local mob boss’s number 2 man. A big red flag, but again, no evidence and the same small symbol. The question keeps coming up - Why? What is the connection between the Priest, the Mob, and Kelly’s old partner.
Kelly turns to his old friend who is part of this mob, someone he grew up with and is his best friend. Kelly also befriends an FBI agent, detective Gray, who is brought into the case because the killer has been on the FBI watch list for some time. Gray and Kelly team up, even to the point where they follow Kelly’s friend and even save his life. With a dramatic and suspenseful ending, the truth hits Kelly hard… and the red cards on his murder board are no more!
This was a really fun read, and I actually liked it more than the others in the series here. I highly recommend reading these and am excited for the next one.
Kelly turns to his old friend who is part of this mob, someone he grew up with and is his best friend. Kelly also befriends an FBI agent, detective Gray, who is brought into the case because the killer has been on the FBI watch list for some time. Gray and Kelly team up, even to the point where they follow Kelly’s friend and even save his life. With a dramatic and suspenseful ending, the truth hits Kelly hard… and the red cards on his murder board are no more!
This was a really fun read, and I actually liked it more than the others in the series here. I highly recommend reading these and am excited for the next one.
August 1, 2023
I read the first couple books in this series and I enjoy them. I also have read several books in the Harry Bosch series and enjoyed them as well, which is why I first decided to give this series a try. The series are similar in such that they are both police procedurals that focus on 'non-coventional' officers in homicide units. The settings are located in different cities and the officer's family situations are different, but the books are similar in intent. I would say the Boston Crime Thriller Series books have been a little more condensed, which I do prefer sometimes. It's probably a fine line for the author to walk between giving too many details and not enough. Give too many and a book can begin to feel drawn out and grow tiresome...give too few and you are left wondering how in the heck the police figured out who did it in the end.
These books are quick reads and the action starts from the very beginning and keeps the pages turning. I did like this one and will continue on in the series.
These books are quick reads and the action starts from the very beginning and keeps the pages turning. I did like this one and will continue on in the series.
Read
November 15, 2020Boston Homicide Detective Michael Kelly has just been called to a gruesome crime scene at a church. A priest has been murdered, and Kelly's bosses see a media circus in the making.
Kelly sees a connection to a cold case that has haunted him for years.
With the FBI now involved, Kelly must use instincts honed on the tough streets of Dorchester to help investigators stay one step ahead of a cruel killer. And he must rely on the lifelong bonds forged on the streets where he grew up to provide him with answers.
Because this murdered priest was just the first step on an unrelenting path of vengeance—and the killer isn’t going to stop until his own twisted brand of justice gets served.
Brian Shea brings his background as a former detective to write propulsive, tautly plotted thrillers, and The Penitent One is his most intense book yet.
Good series.
Priest undercover agent. Kelly's former partner dishonest.
Kelly sees a connection to a cold case that has haunted him for years.
With the FBI now involved, Kelly must use instincts honed on the tough streets of Dorchester to help investigators stay one step ahead of a cruel killer. And he must rely on the lifelong bonds forged on the streets where he grew up to provide him with answers.
Because this murdered priest was just the first step on an unrelenting path of vengeance—and the killer isn’t going to stop until his own twisted brand of justice gets served.
Brian Shea brings his background as a former detective to write propulsive, tautly plotted thrillers, and The Penitent One is his most intense book yet.
Good series.
Priest undercover agent. Kelly's former partner dishonest.
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