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The Circle-A Killings
Returning from Moscow, Lorenzo Rossi finds himself forced to quit his job as head of the Vatican police. And to make matters worse, his fiancée, CIA Agent Cathy Doherty, calls off their wedding. Just as Rossi is settling into his new life as a visiting academic at Cambridge University, the CIA persuades him to rejoin Cathy in catching the killer of three American billionaires. Barely on speaking terms, the two devise a plan to befriend the CIA’s main suspect. As they get closer to the suspect and his coterie of friends, Rossi and Cathy realise that they’re being played for fools. But why? Everything points to an international conspiracy. As friends and foes drop dead around them, they arrive at the truth. But to prove it they need to set a trap. A trap that turns them from hunter to prey. Will they survive to tell their tale? Praise for The ‘A great crime story... that whisks the reader away.’– Lovereading.co.uk ‘An enjoyable, fast-moving, suspenseful story.’ – Mystery People ‘[Heary] brings a sense of excitement and authenticity to his writing that pulls the readers along for the ride.’ – Good Reading Magazine
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2020
39 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 15, 2020
This is a story with relentless wrongdoing thrills in an ethos of connivance, worldwide legislative issues and reconnaissance. Rossi and Cathy first showed up in 'The Concordat', however on the off chance that you acknowledge they have history, this peruses well as an independent. The plot is multilayered, and it keeps you speculating. It deals with numerous levels, wrongdoing examination, political interest and the noir exercises of the knowledge administrations. Observing the executioner is difficult to do. Rossi and Cathy add an enthusiastic side to the story. They have a sentimental history, and this shows in their cooperations. The dynamic between them is captivating. The story has an addictive quality with activity, kinship, trick and brutality.
October 7, 2020
Not my kind of novel.
First, I will say that I have not read the first book and although that did not detract from reading this one I feel it may have affected my enjoyment of this one.
I really did not get the relationship between Lorenzo and Cathy at all. I understand that she has called off their engagement but did not really understand why. At one point, Cathy said it was due to Lorenzo’s mother, and at another time it was because of Lorenzo’s attitude towards women and his feelings as to how they should behave once they are married. Both reasonable but why then did she spend the whole book showing jealousy and making any excuse to parade in front of him in very few clothes?
Despite this the plot started off well, various American billionaires are being killed, and a symbol is left at every location pointing the finger at an anarchist group emanating from Cambridge University. Lorenzo lost his job at the Vatican (presumably something that happened in the previous book). He got a job as a lecturer at the university with a brief to try and infiltrate this group. To his horror, Cathy is also drafted in as a mature student to get close to the honourable Percival Benbow and his friends as they are chief suspects.
As the book progresses, it becomes obvious that the university students are not responsible, and as the bodies pile up, Cathy and Lorenzo must discover the truth. And this is where I also got lost, I realised that it was something to do with the superpowers trying to disrupt events and cause problems about the EEC but finished the book none the wiser as to what had actually happened.
I notice that all the other reviews are brilliant, but as I always prefer to be honest, I just did not get this book at all.
Dexter
Elite Book Group received a copy of the book to review
First, I will say that I have not read the first book and although that did not detract from reading this one I feel it may have affected my enjoyment of this one.
I really did not get the relationship between Lorenzo and Cathy at all. I understand that she has called off their engagement but did not really understand why. At one point, Cathy said it was due to Lorenzo’s mother, and at another time it was because of Lorenzo’s attitude towards women and his feelings as to how they should behave once they are married. Both reasonable but why then did she spend the whole book showing jealousy and making any excuse to parade in front of him in very few clothes?
Despite this the plot started off well, various American billionaires are being killed, and a symbol is left at every location pointing the finger at an anarchist group emanating from Cambridge University. Lorenzo lost his job at the Vatican (presumably something that happened in the previous book). He got a job as a lecturer at the university with a brief to try and infiltrate this group. To his horror, Cathy is also drafted in as a mature student to get close to the honourable Percival Benbow and his friends as they are chief suspects.
As the book progresses, it becomes obvious that the university students are not responsible, and as the bodies pile up, Cathy and Lorenzo must discover the truth. And this is where I also got lost, I realised that it was something to do with the superpowers trying to disrupt events and cause problems about the EEC but finished the book none the wiser as to what had actually happened.
I notice that all the other reviews are brilliant, but as I always prefer to be honest, I just did not get this book at all.
Dexter
Elite Book Group received a copy of the book to review
July 1, 2020
I am delighted to share a 5 * review of this fantastic book as part of my first #blogtour!
This is Sean Heary's much anticipated follow-up to the first novel in this series - The Concordant.
I'll admit that this author is new to me and therefore I have not read the first in the series. However, this works well as a stand alone book and I found the relationship between Cathy and Rossi really intriguing and endearing, so would like to go back and read the first to fully understand what happened between them. I plan to do this in the near future!
I have always enjoyed a crime thriller book - and this certainly fits that brief. However, this book also dabbles in the world of politics and has a very strong theme of espionage throughout, so it is a little different to much of what I've read before, and I really enjoyed the originality of it.
As well as being original, the plot is also complex, intriguing and relevant. It is about the fight for, or against, a United Europe and the struggles and downfalls of global politics.
My favourite aspect of the book was definitely the mixture of dark and light. Like any good crime thriller, there is suspense, murder and violence. But, there is also the chemistry and the humour and sarcasm displayed by the two main characters - Cathy and Rossi.
Overall, this has been a great fast paced thriller which has taken me out of my reading comfort zone but has still been very enjoyable.
I am looking forward to reading more by this author!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Sean Heary's much anticipated follow-up to the first novel in this series - The Concordant.
I'll admit that this author is new to me and therefore I have not read the first in the series. However, this works well as a stand alone book and I found the relationship between Cathy and Rossi really intriguing and endearing, so would like to go back and read the first to fully understand what happened between them. I plan to do this in the near future!
I have always enjoyed a crime thriller book - and this certainly fits that brief. However, this book also dabbles in the world of politics and has a very strong theme of espionage throughout, so it is a little different to much of what I've read before, and I really enjoyed the originality of it.
As well as being original, the plot is also complex, intriguing and relevant. It is about the fight for, or against, a United Europe and the struggles and downfalls of global politics.
My favourite aspect of the book was definitely the mixture of dark and light. Like any good crime thriller, there is suspense, murder and violence. But, there is also the chemistry and the humour and sarcasm displayed by the two main characters - Cathy and Rossi.
Overall, this has been a great fast paced thriller which has taken me out of my reading comfort zone but has still been very enjoyable.
I am looking forward to reading more by this author!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 7, 2020
Lorenzo and Cathy are back! I really loved these characters in the previous book and they are even better now. The banter between them is great and made me laugh all the time. It gives you the time to take a breather because the story is as filled with action as the first one was.
As I said in my former review I am still not keen on politics, but the author is such a wonderful story teller that I put that aside. The story is always so good that I cannot say no when I am asked to review them. I did not regret agreeing the first time and I most certainly did not regret it now.
You really don’t know who you can trust. A person you thought was an ally, can stab you in the back a few moments later.
Lorenzo and Cathy were about to get married, but it was cancelled. Now that they are working together again, will the spark (if there is one left) be rekindled or will they go their separate ways once more?
You don’t have to have read the first book first, but it’s a bonus. It helps you understand certain things better.
A very entertaining read. 4,5 stars.
Thank you, Sean Heary
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
As I said in my former review I am still not keen on politics, but the author is such a wonderful story teller that I put that aside. The story is always so good that I cannot say no when I am asked to review them. I did not regret agreeing the first time and I most certainly did not regret it now.
You really don’t know who you can trust. A person you thought was an ally, can stab you in the back a few moments later.
Lorenzo and Cathy were about to get married, but it was cancelled. Now that they are working together again, will the spark (if there is one left) be rekindled or will they go their separate ways once more?
You don’t have to have read the first book first, but it’s a bonus. It helps you understand certain things better.
A very entertaining read. 4,5 stars.
Thank you, Sean Heary
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
June 21, 2020
I have never read this author before or the book before this one. This did not matter for I was taken in by the subject matter from the very beginning. It opens with a killing that really sets up the book. What you don’t know is who or why is behind the killings. Rossi is asked to join the team to investigate the killings for they believe the organization could be started at the college he is now teaching in England. Of course, there is something from a previous book because I believe he takes the job because it will help him get his mind off of his love Cathy who called off their marriage.
Well not to be for Cathy arrives in London and together they work together solving who is behind the killings which end up taking them to the U.S. Reading this fast-paced story with many twists and turns I also began to wonder are they going to be together this time or is Rossi going to be once again left wondering what happened. Read this fast-paced and very good story to see what happens. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Well not to be for Cathy arrives in London and together they work together solving who is behind the killings which end up taking them to the U.S. Reading this fast-paced story with many twists and turns I also began to wonder are they going to be together this time or is Rossi going to be once again left wondering what happened. Read this fast-paced and very good story to see what happens. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
September 16, 2025
I won’t lie, this took a while to get through and threatened to almost throw me back into a reading slump but I powered through so I never have to read it again.
Oh gosh, from the plot to the characters to the writing.. sorry but this was trash. I apologise I know it can be hard to bear all you have on a piece of paper and there will be people who appreciate and I pray you have more of those but as for me it’s a no. Maybe it may also be pushed on by me entering the series having not read the previous books.
The plot was so chaotic and I still don’t understand what the killings were for and what the whole hullabaloo is about project genesis. I have no idea where romance or chemistry was between rossi and Cathy.. I was so confused, even their spycraft was absolutely shoddy and unintelligibly unbelievable.
Suffice to say I’m done with the writer and series.. 2.5⭐️s purely for a distraction.
Oh gosh, from the plot to the characters to the writing.. sorry but this was trash. I apologise I know it can be hard to bear all you have on a piece of paper and there will be people who appreciate and I pray you have more of those but as for me it’s a no. Maybe it may also be pushed on by me entering the series having not read the previous books.
The plot was so chaotic and I still don’t understand what the killings were for and what the whole hullabaloo is about project genesis. I have no idea where romance or chemistry was between rossi and Cathy.. I was so confused, even their spycraft was absolutely shoddy and unintelligibly unbelievable.
Suffice to say I’m done with the writer and series.. 2.5⭐️s purely for a distraction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2020
The world’s richest people are being systematically murdered, and an anarchist movement may—or may not—be to blame. Returning from Moscow, Lorenzo Rossi finds himself forced to quit his job as head of the Vatican police and finds himself involved.
I was hoping to like this book as the subject matter was appealing and relevant to the political/quasi revolutionary climate we find ourselves in these days.
Problem is, in my youth I read a lot of books featuring larger than life, egotistical types of the James Bond ilk. When I got into the REAL working world these were people that I came to abhor. Lorenzo Rossi falls pretty much in that category in my mind. Don’t blame the author- it’s all on me for this review.
September 24, 2020
From the outset, Sean Heary launches us once again into the merciless world of political intrigue and murder. Set against the deceptively tranquil backdrop of Cambridge University in England, The Circle-A Killings is a cleverly constructed thriller that will keep you hanging in suspense until the very end, not only for its nail-biting, whodunnit mystery, but also for the tantalising will-they/won't-they? relationship between its protagonists, (ex) Inspector General Lorenzo Rossi and CIA Agent Cathy Doherty.
A thoroughly enjoyable book that oozes style and panache at every complicated twist and turn. It will leave fans of Heary's charming Italian detective begging for more.
A thoroughly enjoyable book that oozes style and panache at every complicated twist and turn. It will leave fans of Heary's charming Italian detective begging for more.
July 26, 2020
A gripping thriller that had me guessing like a who-done-it. Rossi and Cathy from The Concordat are back together searching for the assassin of some of the world's richest people. The plot is excellent, but you need to be a little patient to understand what's going on. Lots to do about the European Union, the CIA and the Russian. Although a sequel it works well as a stand alone book. I recommended this book to fans of fast pace noir thrillers.
September 23, 2020
This story opens with a killing that lays the groundwork for the whole book and makes the reader wonder who and why they took place. Three American billionaires are killed and Rossi and Cathy must work together after their failed relationship, to solve the reason behind the killings. A great combination of of political intrigue, conspiracy and suspense in what I would classify as a Noir Thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2020
Strategically planned killing
A thrilling fast paced story of planned homicides to take over rich and powerful men for political plot tings to take over the country. Thrilling ad and incredibly well- written.
A thrilling fast paced story of planned homicides to take over rich and powerful men for political plot tings to take over the country. Thrilling ad and incredibly well- written.
April 20, 2020
A fantastic sequel to The Concordat.
Rossi and Cathy return, but this time on different terms. A complex and intriguing plot. Worth the read!
Rossi and Cathy return, but this time on different terms. A complex and intriguing plot. Worth the read!
April 21, 2020
New city - very different circumstances! Great sequel from the author. Definitely recommend.
May 1, 2020
Fast-paced thriller
Well written and fast paced thriller. Vivid descriptions take the reader to the scenes of the crimes as the book follows the protagonists in their pursuit of the Circle-A-Killer.
Well written and fast paced thriller. Vivid descriptions take the reader to the scenes of the crimes as the book follows the protagonists in their pursuit of the Circle-A-Killer.
July 4, 2020
Some sequels pick up exactly where the previous book left of. Generally speaking, the one’s I’ve read tend to have a bit of a gap. Sean’s created a little bit of a gap, but not much in the grand scheme of things. Yet emotionally, we’re way past where we left The Concordat.
The thing that intrigued me the most about this story was the motivation behind them. In The Concordat, it felt very religious. Looking back, I realise it’s more political than religious so I’m not sure how I missed that. Or maybe I forgot?
Either way, this suspense is stemmed from someone’s wealth. The richer you are, the more likely you are to die. O! And that’s the other thing! This is about a serial killer not a single object!
I think at the end of every chapter I had a suspect in mind. At several points I was partially correct in my theory for the who, why and how. Yet I never nailed it. Sean’s writing sucks you in, gives you all the clues you need (in hindsight I can see this) and yet doesn’t give you quite enough to figure it out.
The information you have to make your theories is exactly what Lorenzo and Cathy have. In several spots I had a brainwave SECONDS before I read one of the characters having the same brainwave. It keeps you involved without ever being obvious which is amazing!
The thing that intrigued me the most about this story was the motivation behind them. In The Concordat, it felt very religious. Looking back, I realise it’s more political than religious so I’m not sure how I missed that. Or maybe I forgot?
Either way, this suspense is stemmed from someone’s wealth. The richer you are, the more likely you are to die. O! And that’s the other thing! This is about a serial killer not a single object!
I think at the end of every chapter I had a suspect in mind. At several points I was partially correct in my theory for the who, why and how. Yet I never nailed it. Sean’s writing sucks you in, gives you all the clues you need (in hindsight I can see this) and yet doesn’t give you quite enough to figure it out.
The information you have to make your theories is exactly what Lorenzo and Cathy have. In several spots I had a brainwave SECONDS before I read one of the characters having the same brainwave. It keeps you involved without ever being obvious which is amazing!
January 12, 2024
This is a story with fast-paced crime thrills in an ethos of conspiracy, global politics and espionage. Rossi and Cathy first appeared in 'The Concordat', but if you accept they have history, this reads well as a standalone.
The plot is multilayered, and it keeps you guessing. It works on many levels, crime investigation, political intrigue and the noir activities of the intelligence services. Discerning the killer is hard to do.
Rossi and Cathy add an emotional side to the story. They have a romantic history, and this shows in their interactions. The dynamic between them is intriguing. The story has an addictive quality with action, camaraderie, conspiracy and violence.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
The plot is multilayered, and it keeps you guessing. It works on many levels, crime investigation, political intrigue and the noir activities of the intelligence services. Discerning the killer is hard to do.
Rossi and Cathy add an emotional side to the story. They have a romantic history, and this shows in their interactions. The dynamic between them is intriguing. The story has an addictive quality with action, camaraderie, conspiracy and violence.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews