“Prior bad acts predict future bad acts.” —Harper McCoy
Fear grips an isolated mountain town after drug dealer Dalton Southwell kills a rogue dealer and his entire family. Score settled; message delivered. But Dalton’s best-laid plans go awry when his brother Dennie takes a bullet in the gut. In a panic, Dr. Buck Buckner is kidnapped from the local ER, a pharmacy is robbed and the owner murdered, and the killers melt into the rugged Tennessee hills. Buck’s physician father calls in Bobby Cain and Harper McCoy to rescue his son from killers who would have little use for him after he saves Dennie; or worse, the wounded man dies. But which direction and how far did they run? What hideaway did they burrow into? For Cain and Harper it’s a race against time to locate the killers, safely retrieve Buck, and settle their own score.
DP Lyle, MD is the Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Silver Award winning and Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, Scribe, Silver Falchion, and USA Best Book Award nominated author of many non-fiction books as well as numerous works of fiction.
He has worked with many novelists and with the writers of popular television shows such as Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, House, Medium, and Pretty Little Liars and others
For the past 35 years, he has practiced Cardiology in Orange County, California. He is the co-host, along with Jan Burke, of Crime and Science Radio, a twice-monthly program on Suspense Radio.
A high-octane murder and kidnapping adventure that will chill the reader to the bone has it weaves a story of intrigue, deception, trials, distresses filled with frustration. Dr Bradley Buckner is an ER doctor. He is doing locum work in Tanners Crossing Hospital. He is going home after his shift when he is kidnapped. A drug using woman who he had treated earlier for an infected wound sees it happen but she is not sure of what she is seeing as she has just shot up with her drug stash. She notifies the ER staff and an investigation begins. Dr Buckner’s father gets wind of his son being kidnapped and calls in the private investigators that are a brother and sister team who rescue and help those in predicaments. They both have a military background. They will work with local police. All the characters involved whether the good guys or their nemesis have very detail backstories. The cast of characters are all well defined making the chapters interesting reading. Murder, kidnapping, drug selling, drug use, lots of hidden secrets, panhandling, small town politics plus questionable decision make this a captivating written book with thrills and chills as the area of this small town is throughly search. I hung on tight as the book got off to a fast start and keep increasing in drama until its conclusion. I volunteered to read Prior Bad Acts. Thanks to the Review Crew for the opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my own. Looking forward to the next book featuring Cain and Harper and their investigations.
When Dr. Bradley “Buck” Buckner is kidnapped from a hospital parking lot in the small community of Tanner’s Crossroads, private investigators Bobby Cain and his sister Harper McCoy are hired by Buck’s father to track him down. Cain and Harper work with Police Chief Cassandra “Cassie” Crowe on the case, which is tied to drug dealer Dalton Southwell and his crew, who have arrived in town to carry out an execution-style killing. During the hit, Dalton’s brother, Dennie, suffers a serious gunshot wound, and this is the motivation behind the snatching of ER doctor Buck Buckner, the robbery of a medical supply store, and the use of a remote cabin for a hideaway. Buck is tasked with saving Dennie’s life. Will he succeed, and can Buck escape the clutches of his captors? During the investigation conducted by law enforcement, who also utilize the expertise of Cain and Harper, the body count rises. Can the criminals be stopped, or will they succeed in their plan of action?
Prior Bad Acts is the second book in A Cain/Harper Thriller Series, and the tension and suspense begin at the start of the story and are kept intense throughout, which keeps readers invested in turning the pages by creating apprehension about what might transpire next. As the criminals continue in their violent behavior, who are their upcoming targets? D.P. Lyle does a great job of meshing the ways law enforcement and the private investigators work together in order to track down Buck, survival unknown, and his abductors.
Readers get to know the characters and the underlying reasons they feel and behave in particular ways, albeit the reactions could lead to positive and/or negative consequences. Some of the chapters focus on different characters and readers can follow them through their own separate narratives. However, all of the characters’ actions impact one another, and the criminals and the non-criminals end up in a race to see who will come out on top. Lyle expertly shows the effects of drug addiction, and the use of some profanity fits in with the atmosphere and mood of the story. Prior Bad Acts can be read as a stand-alone, and it is a top-notch thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.
This is the first book I've read by D.P. Lyle, and the second book in the Cain/Harper Series. Let's just say I ordered the first book in the series by Chapter 2 in this book. I have to know the background of how Cain and Harper came to be! The duo are extremely well at what they do... which is "neutralizing" some very unsavory characters that are wreaking havoc with the local drug dealers and users, ER doctors, Police Department officers, and some very innocent persons that were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I read this in one sitting and enjoyed every fast paced page I turned. Cain and Harper have their "own" way of catching the bad guys. Ways that the local Chief of Police Cassie doesn't want to know or hear about. They have no rules, or regulations they feel they need to follow. Are they with the Special Ops? Black Ops? CIA? Who knows and who cares? As long as the job is complete. But how long will their luck hold until someone tries to bring them down? I will definitely be following this series, as well as reading D.P. Lyle's other books! I received a copy of this book and I’m reviewing it voluntarily.
Prior Bad Acts deals with the kidnapping of a doctor by a drug group, and the people hired to find and save him. First, I have to say this book is action-packed. There is always something exciting going on, and it was hard to put the book down without seeing what happened next. The plot was detailed, well-written, and flowed well. Definitely a thrill-a-minute!
My favorite part of the story, however, was the incredible detail the author applied to the characters, both "good" and "bad". I put those words in quotes because, as I learned more and more about each character and their backstory, those lines got a little blurry. Of course, the doctor and his potential rescuers are the good guys, and the drug cartel people are the bad guys, but it goes deeper than that. While killing and kidnapping is never excusable, the author did a great job of making me feel a least a bit of empathy for some of the "bad" characters.
This book is the best of both worlds...a great, exciting, fast-paced plot combined with enough deep character development to leave the reader thinking about it afterwards.
I loved this book; I didn’t realize it was the second in a series, but it stood alone great. I’d definitely like to go back and read the first book now and look forward to future books in the series. There was some violence, but no unnecessary gore; what little sexual activity there was wasn’t gratuitous and fit the story. The story itself was extremely exciting and well-woven. I liked the characters in Tanner’s Crossroads, but was especially intrigued by the two special ops type “fixers” as they used their military and CIA backgrounds to solve the case, or rather, cases, actually. I definitely recommend this book; I was provided a copy of the book, but these opinions are my own.
This reads great as a stand-alone, but you’ll love it a bit more of you also read #1! Lyle’s writing style supports the gritty suspense story that keeps you hanging onto every single word. If you’ve never read a book by Dp Lyle, start here. Then read everything else too. You’ll not be disappointed!
Prior Bad Acts is the second book in the Cain/Harper Thriller series by D.P. Lyle. From the first few pages the reader is informed of how experienced Cain and Harper have become to be able to offer help and rescue people from dangerous situations. Both have military experience which led to CIA involvement. The impression is given of many successful missions, yet each takes a toll on them both. Marcus Milner is their broker of cases. People come to Marcus needing help, mainly by word-of-mouth as was this situation with Dr Buckner’s father as the client. Bobby Cain and Harper McCoy, a brother and sister team, go out with their black Chevy Suburban with duffle bags of everything they could possibly need for any situation. Their backup for information is Mama B (Beatrice Baker) who is retired from US Naval Intelligence. This case is about a kidnapped ER doctor who is doing locum work in Tanners Crossing Hospital. Cain and Harper work with Chief of Police Cassie Crowe to put together what happened, why did it happen and where is Dr Bradley Buckner? From here to the final showdown is heaps of action, tension and good sleuthing instincts. All ends were neatly tidied up before the conclusion. Having not read any of the prolific novels D. P. Lyle MD has penned, I did not know what to expect. What I found was a well crafted book with great detail that enhanced the reading of every page. The only thing I was left wondering about was what stunt had Cain pulled while undergoing SEREs training that led him to Langley? My mind thought of Star Trek’s Spock inspired Kobayashi Maru test. Was it something similar or more devious? I am going to read the first book in this series and hope I find the answer within its pages. Recommend this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Prior Bad Acts is the second book in the Cain and Harper series, the first being Skin in the Game. The premise of the series is two siblings that were raised in a "gypsy family", are now " quasi righters of wrong. " Bobby Cain was trained by the US military in the lethal art of covert eliminations, and Harper McCoy, nurtured by the US Navy and the CIA to run black ops and wage psychological warfare, are now civilians. Of a sort. ( Character description from the first book). This "job" involves the kidnapping of Doctor Bradley "Buck" Buckner in Turner's Crossing, Tennessee. There are some illegal drug distributors with possible inside assistance from the local police. Why kidnap the doctor who was filling in for a doctor on maternity leave? Is it because his father is a doctor that owns a medical clinic in North Carolina, but how does the dead druggist fit in?
The story moves along quickly, D.P. Lyle has written a fast paced mystery/thriller, gritty, good dialog and characters you love and hate. The story ends with a satisfying conclusion, no cliff hangers. I look forward to the next Cain and Harper. The supporting cast are well developed. While you are waiting for the next adventure, I recommend Lyle's other series, Dub Walker and Jake Longly.
I received a free advance review copy from BookSirens. My review is being left
Dalton, a violent distributer of various illegal drugs, arrives in a small town, aiming to settle a score with Tommy. an underling who has decided to work with another gang. Tommy and his entire family are dispatched with gunfire, but before he dies, Tommy pulls a gun from the sofa cushions and gets off one shot, injuring one of Dalton's crew.
Dalton realizes the injury is serious, swings by the hospital, kidnaps a doctor, moves on to a pharmaceutical house where he empties the shelves and kills the pharmacist, and departs for the secluded hills nearby. There he breaks into a cabin, kills the owners, and sets the doctor up in a makeshift operating room.
The local police are an intelligent and efficient group and before long they have pieced together the sequence of events, and notified the doctor's father. He is a wealthy man, accustomed to having his say and he hires the mercenaries Harper and Cain to find his son.
Prior Bad Acts is an action packed, entertaining ride. I was pleased the the local small town cops are portrayed in a positive light, willing to accept the involvement of Harper and Cain but bringing their own experience and expertise to the hunt.
When three bad guys pull into this rural Tennessee town, they didn't know that they'd need a doctor. The pace is fast as things rapidly go wrong for them and a lot of other people before they can make it back to Memphis.
Harper and Cain are fascinating characters. Their backstories are unusual, as are their skills. Buck, Cassie, Hack, and Marla quickly endeared themselves to me as I turned the pages.
The author's writing style is sparse and gritty, reminding me of Vin Diesel's voiceover parts in the movie Pitch Black. It worked well to bring authenticity to the darkened world of Cain and Harper.
I read a free advance review copy in return for this honest review.
What an awesome story. There is action aplenty, suspense, unexpected twists, guys you love to hate, and good guys who are everything a reader could ask for. Here are protagonists who have character, loyalty, ability, and compassion, plus the skills they need to get things done. This book grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go until the last. I can't wait to find other books by this author. I have a feeling they will be just as good.
I received a review copy of this book from BookSirens at my request and this is my honest opinion. I would like to thank them and the author for the chance to read it.
Prior bad acts Is by far the best crime thriller one could possibly get their hands on. The plot, the suspense, the dark secrets, this book is action packed and will without a doubt get you on the edge of your seat. Everything just comes together in such a beautiful yet rugged way. Absolutely fantastic!
I enjoyed this mystery story. It reads at a steady pace, giving us a chance to get to know the characters and what each is up to. Once the suspense is built, you won't want to put it down until the exciting last pages. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy police procedurals. I received this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It´s fast-paced and believable as part of the story is what we so commonly read in the news. The plot has rhythm, the characters, especially Dr. Hunt, are charismatic, and even when circumstances are bad they can bring the best in each other. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
D.P.Lyle masterfully told another believable story. He is quickly be coming a favored author for me and my avid reading friends. Prior Bad Acts is realistically written is easily believable. You funded yourself wishing Cain and Harper were real. Looking forward to book #3
I received an electronic ARC of this excellent mystery from D. P. Lyle and BookSirens. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I happily added D.P. Lyle to my favorite author's list. Prior Bad Acts is the second of a series, so I have some catching up to do. This book is part of a series, but can very much stand-alone. I want more of Cain and Harper, however. The first Cain and Harper novel is titled 'Skin in the Game'. This author is quite prolific, with several series out there.
In Prior Bad Acts, we have very bad guys, very good guys, and a few characters, including Cain and Harper, who remain a little murky. Bobby Cain and his sister Harper McCoy are both skilled in varied talents and work on the side of the angels. Usually. Many of their skills were learned in the service of Uncle Sam, although some were picked up in their rambling, unrooted youth. Both now retired from the service to our country, they are working out of Nashville through the offices of Marcus Milner, Attorney. He makes the deals, sets up the accounts, handles the billing, etc. Leaving Cain and Harper to 'fix' things. They try to make things right, or at least to have them break even.
The new job is a blatant kidnapping in Turner's Crossroads, Tennessee. The victim, a locum tenens ER doctor working the day shift is kidnapped from the parking lot at the Emergency Room entrance to the small hospital in Turner's Crossroads as he leaves work for the day. Dr. Bradley "Buck" Buckner is the son of Dr. Frank Buckner who owns a large, prosperous medical clinic in North Carolina. Because Buck is not local, only temporarily replacing a staff doctor on maternity leave, it is thought that Dad's money would be the cause and solution to Buck's kidnapping. But not the death of the local druggist...
Enter the illegal drug distributors, both local and statewide. And to muddy the waters a bit more, we get to know a local who uses the various drugs pushed by local bad boy Tommy. Tommy whose entire family was murdered just minutes before the kidnapping. Things are getting really dicey in the Crossroads. Nobody is safe. Not only do we have bad guys in our little town, but they also seem to have a pipeline directly into the police station. As the entire force consists of only a dozen officers and two cars equipped with radios, and that is counting the two employees who are listed as 'volunteers', nobody can be spared, and nobody can believe they have a leak in their department. And then one of their own disappears.
BookSIRENS pub date October 20, 2020 Reviewed on Goodreads and BookSIRENS on September 17, 2020. Reviewed on October 20, 2020, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for review on Kobo or GooglePlay.
Book 2 in the series and it is awesome! A Dr. in NJ hires Cain&Harper to find his son, who is an ER Dr. in a small Tennessee town. He was kidnapped because of drug retribution gone bad and one of them got shot and they needed a doctor to fix him up. Over the top action!