What do you think?
Rate this book
Dead Cold Mystery #23
Bleed Out
The Cold Cases team at the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx tend to focus on homicides. But now, Detective John Stone, head of the team, is curious about a two year-old rape case. A rape case where Sadie Byrne got HIV, turned out to be a rapid progressor and died of AIDS within a year. She never named her attacker.
In New York law that did not constitute homicide.
What did constitute homicide was what happened to Chuck Inglewood, when somebody slipped into his house and, with a razor sharp blade, cut through the veins and the arteries in his underarms and his inner thighs, and left him to bleed to death. Why he was murdered was a mystery nobody could solve. Why he didn’t fight back was a deeper mystery.
Nothing connected the two cases, except for the simple fact that Chuck Inglewood was Sadie Byrne’s uncle. A coincidence?
Detectives Stone and Dehan think not, but not even they are prepared for the dark web of deceit, betrayal and murder they were about to unravel…
In New York law that did not constitute homicide.
What did constitute homicide was what happened to Chuck Inglewood, when somebody slipped into his house and, with a razor sharp blade, cut through the veins and the arteries in his underarms and his inner thighs, and left him to bleed to death. Why he was murdered was a mystery nobody could solve. Why he didn’t fight back was a deeper mystery.
Nothing connected the two cases, except for the simple fact that Chuck Inglewood was Sadie Byrne’s uncle. A coincidence?
Detectives Stone and Dehan think not, but not even they are prepared for the dark web of deceit, betrayal and murder they were about to unravel…
218 pages, ebook
Published June 22, 2020
2017 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Blake Banner
150 books392 followersUSA TODAY and Amazon #1 bestselling author of the OMEGA and DEAD COLD MYSTERY series. Learn more about Blake Banner at his website: www.blakebanner.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 24, 2021
The previous book in this series had some serious drama going on. This one returned to the usual light hearted entertainment that I love.
Not that murder is light hearted of course, but these are cold cases and the entertainment is provided by Stone and Dehan as they investigate. They are quite the comedy duo. Played by the right actors these books would make a great TV series.
As usual, Stone solves the case - I did too which made me quite proud. This was the perfect book to read in a Doctor's waiting room. The time just flew past, and I was almost annoyed when my name was called and I had to put the book down. Now on to the next one.
Not that murder is light hearted of course, but these are cold cases and the entertainment is provided by Stone and Dehan as they investigate. They are quite the comedy duo. Played by the right actors these books would make a great TV series.
As usual, Stone solves the case - I did too which made me quite proud. This was the perfect book to read in a Doctor's waiting room. The time just flew past, and I was almost annoyed when my name was called and I had to put the book down. Now on to the next one.
December 7, 2022
This “novella” (only 147 pgs!) was more like a long short story than a novel. The plot, explained in the end, was convoluted and very thin. I’m sure the author meant to express how messed up families can be and the consequences of choices, but that was not well done, if that was his intent. Meh.
July 29, 2021
I liked it but I didn't love it.
This one was just over thought and over complicated. Less like twists and turns of the plot and more like random plot changes that made no sense starting with how Chuck was killed. Why would the killer of chosen that way to kill him? Why the convoluted plot at the end to reveal the killer when it was clearly one person.
Anyway not your heat Mr Banner but not a extremely bad book either
This one was just over thought and over complicated. Less like twists and turns of the plot and more like random plot changes that made no sense starting with how Chuck was killed. Why would the killer of chosen that way to kill him? Why the convoluted plot at the end to reveal the killer when it was clearly one person.
Anyway not your heat Mr Banner but not a extremely bad book either
April 15, 2021
Crime thrillers and whodunits are mostly character based. You get to see more about the detective rather than the case itself. However, this book concentrates only on the mystery and the case. A cold case of a girl being infected by HIV, probably by her rapist followed by the mysterious murder of her uncle who died without offering any restraint to the killer. There were only a limited suspects - the parents, the aunt, the boyfriend - and over the course of the case, your doubts keep on shuffling from one to another. The mystery was great, sometimes confusing, and the revelation was not something jaw dropping. I would rate it somewhere between 2-3 stars.
June 26, 2020
Another top notch investigation.
Once again Stone and Dehan take on a confusing cold case. This time there is murder, rape, family, money, power and lies. But as with each Banner Cold Case book (and, yes, this is Book 23), the author allows to along in the ride as the Cold Case Detectives reinvestigate, revamp and retune. And this is the formula for effective case work.
Once again Stone and Dehan take on a confusing cold case. This time there is murder, rape, family, money, power and lies. But as with each Banner Cold Case book (and, yes, this is Book 23), the author allows to along in the ride as the Cold Case Detectives reinvestigate, revamp and retune. And this is the formula for effective case work.
May 17, 2021
I thoroughly enjoy the Dead Cold series. They are well written. The main characters' banter is interesting, funny & believable. All of these books are pretty much stand, could be read out-of-order; but, the reader would miss out on the remarkable character development that goes with enjoying a series.
August 4, 2024
4 stars
Bleed Out is Book #23 in the Dead Cold Mystery series by Blake Banner.
Great series. Cold Cases. Crime and investigation. Mystery. Suspense. Detectives. Police procedural. Intrigue. Tension. Dramatic developments. Action. Engrossing.
Would make a great TV series.
Full Review to come.
Bleed Out is Book #23 in the Dead Cold Mystery series by Blake Banner.
Great series. Cold Cases. Crime and investigation. Mystery. Suspense. Detectives. Police procedural. Intrigue. Tension. Dramatic developments. Action. Engrossing.
Would make a great TV series.
Full Review to come.
June 27, 2020
Another barn burner
He can't write them fast enough for me. The team had another fascinating case and as usual there is no way the reader can find all the twist and turns necessary.
He can't write them fast enough for me. The team had another fascinating case and as usual there is no way the reader can find all the twist and turns necessary.
July 1, 2020
Again a story that keeps you gripped from the first page. lots of twists and turns from the rape to more murders, and not just the cold case one. I like many are looking forward to the next one please.
July 6, 2020
Bleed Out Blake Banner
NYPD Cold Case detectives Dehan and Stone, actually a married couple have taking on another cold case with enough twists, turns and giant craters to stop a tank. This is another outstanding whodunit Sherlockian mystery!! My highest recommendation!!
NYPD Cold Case detectives Dehan and Stone, actually a married couple have taking on another cold case with enough twists, turns and giant craters to stop a tank. This is another outstanding whodunit Sherlockian mystery!! My highest recommendation!!
July 12, 2020
Stone and Dehan, super detectives
Ok, just can’t get my fill of these mysteries and Stone and Dehan. Don’t know where he gets these twists but they are really really good. On to the next one.
Ok, just can’t get my fill of these mysteries and Stone and Dehan. Don’t know where he gets these twists but they are really really good. On to the next one.
October 26, 2022
A mystery in the best tradition of whodunits.
I thought that I had "the bull by the horns" by the first two chapters. Well, I was right, but there were so many twists, that I got dizzy and had to begin again.
Monica Beltrami. Montevideo, Uruguay.
I thought that I had "the bull by the horns" by the first two chapters. Well, I was right, but there were so many twists, that I got dizzy and had to begin again.
Monica Beltrami. Montevideo, Uruguay.
June 23, 2020
Another 5 star.
Love, love, love these books and the two main characters. Another cold case solved. Ready for the next one please Blake.
Love, love, love these books and the two main characters. Another cold case solved. Ready for the next one please Blake.
July 6, 2020
Great twists and turns
Thought I had it figured out then one twist lead to another. Ready for the next book.
Thanks Blake.
Becky
Thought I had it figured out then one twist lead to another. Ready for the next book.
Thanks Blake.
Becky
July 12, 2020
Another great read.
I am hooked, I have read every Dead Cold Mystery and can barely wait for the next! Keep writing them.
I am hooked, I have read every Dead Cold Mystery and can barely wait for the next! Keep writing them.
July 23, 2020
Smartly written.
Detective Stone is super smart, and with DEHAN as his partner, they work well together. The last twist was the best,
Detective Stone is super smart, and with DEHAN as his partner, they work well together. The last twist was the best,
July 27, 2020
Crazy!!!
This one has more curves and twists than the Mississippi River. I didn't figure any of this one out. Great!!
This one has more curves and twists than the Mississippi River. I didn't figure any of this one out. Great!!
August 4, 2020
Another awesome installment of the Dead Cold series. You can't go wrong with this series. Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good whodunit!
October 10, 2020
Great
I love the Stone and Dehan series. They work well and love well together. Their mysteries are always intriguing and hard to analysis.
More please Mr. Banner!
I love the Stone and Dehan series. They work well and love well together. Their mysteries are always intriguing and hard to analysis.
More please Mr. Banner!
April 5, 2021
I like this series!
July 5, 2021
Awesome great read love the ending. Can't wait for the results.
July 23, 2021
A very interesting books…love Stone and Dehan! They were made for each other!
May 8, 2022
Great series off to read the next one
November 18, 2022
Fantastic!
Another great mystery solved by the dynamic duo. Always a strong plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested.
Another great mystery solved by the dynamic duo. Always a strong plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested.
March 25, 2023
A great read as always
January 16, 2024
Same strengths, same weaknesses.
November 3, 2024
Not my favorite in the series. The story was good, but the pacing was a little wonky and the mystery wasn't all that mysterious.
January 25, 2025
My rating 4-1/2 stars
Read
June 27, 2020Every book in this series has been 5 stars! Keep them coming. You are the first author I've read that can almost write as fast as I read!!!
October 1, 2020
Good book! Fast-paced, intelligent and likeable protagonists and a good series. I rate this one 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews