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Dead Cold Mystery #27
Knife Edge
Two crime scenes, two multiple murders.
Two multiple murders that had too much in common to be mere coincidence.
Cherise Brown, her small daughter Shevron, her husband Earl. The only survivor, eight year-old Leroy who witnessed the whole thing. His story, that his father broke his sister’s neck, his mother stabbed his father in the back and his dad, before dying, in a kind of berserker rage, took the knife and killed his mother.
Four years later Leroy Brown is murdered along with his adoptive sister, Lea. He is stabbed in the back, while his sister’s throat is cut, in a tool shed in the back yard of his adoptive family. The only survivor, his adoptive brother, Marcus Mitchell, now trapped in a catatonic depression, unable to move or speak, unable to tell anybody his story.
When the mysterious Sonia Laplant brings new evidence, and Stone and Dehan begin to investigate, they soon discover that not only are the two murders intimately linked, they are impossible to explain. Because the killer simply could not have been there…
Two multiple murders that had too much in common to be mere coincidence.
Cherise Brown, her small daughter Shevron, her husband Earl. The only survivor, eight year-old Leroy who witnessed the whole thing. His story, that his father broke his sister’s neck, his mother stabbed his father in the back and his dad, before dying, in a kind of berserker rage, took the knife and killed his mother.
Four years later Leroy Brown is murdered along with his adoptive sister, Lea. He is stabbed in the back, while his sister’s throat is cut, in a tool shed in the back yard of his adoptive family. The only survivor, his adoptive brother, Marcus Mitchell, now trapped in a catatonic depression, unable to move or speak, unable to tell anybody his story.
When the mysterious Sonia Laplant brings new evidence, and Stone and Dehan begin to investigate, they soon discover that not only are the two murders intimately linked, they are impossible to explain. Because the killer simply could not have been there…
216 pages, ebook
First published May 3, 2021
About the author
Blake Banner
195 books425 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 25, 2021
Twenty seven books in and it seems I have caught up with the author. I hope he is going to write me some more soon!
Knife Edge is extremely good. Dehan and Stone get themselves caught up in two cases which have links and similarities and it takes a lot of clever thinking for them to solve both cases. I must admit I had my own ideas and did not understand why they kept looking past my main suspect, but there were still surprises at the end.
The overall tone of this book was lighthearted (despite the subject matter) and Stone and Dehan joked their way through it. I love their sense of humour, their relationship and their life style. They eat a lot of delicious meals!
So after 27 books this is still a great series and I seriously hope it is not going to end soon!
Knife Edge is extremely good. Dehan and Stone get themselves caught up in two cases which have links and similarities and it takes a lot of clever thinking for them to solve both cases. I must admit I had my own ideas and did not understand why they kept looking past my main suspect, but there were still surprises at the end.
The overall tone of this book was lighthearted (despite the subject matter) and Stone and Dehan joked their way through it. I love their sense of humour, their relationship and their life style. They eat a lot of delicious meals!
So after 27 books this is still a great series and I seriously hope it is not going to end soon!
September 2, 2021
Nope! Nope! Nope!
I called it from the very start of the case and the fact that it took the entire book to unveil as a potential theory - and then was revealed with such confidence like Stone knew it was a possibility the whole time was just so annoying.
Also if these are continuations of a series other stories lines need o be acknowledged. So no one is mentioning what happened to Dehan 2 books ago? There is no angst about it at the precinct or from her? What about the whole baby saga?
Aghhhh finish it up Banner or improve on your 'twists' as they are no longer shocking or thrilling
I called it from the very start of the case and the fact that it took the entire book to unveil as a potential theory - and then was revealed with such confidence like Stone knew it was a possibility the whole time was just so annoying.
Also if these are continuations of a series other stories lines need o be acknowledged. So no one is mentioning what happened to Dehan 2 books ago? There is no angst about it at the precinct or from her? What about the whole baby saga?
Aghhhh finish it up Banner or improve on your 'twists' as they are no longer shocking or thrilling
May 4, 2021
I guessed both mysteries almost at once...
June 7, 2021
John Stone and Carmen Deehan are partners who run the cold case unit in New York's 43rd precinct, they're also husband and wife.
When Sonia Laplant brings new evidence to them on the 6 year old murder of her sister Cherise her partner Earl Brown and her niece Shevron they reopen the case. It leads them down a murky road but what actually happened on that night as her nephew Leroy was the only survivor? Shevron had a broken neck, Earl had been stabbed in the back and Cherise had been stabbed several times in the stomach.
Bill and Emma Mitchell two prominent doctors in psychiatry and psychoanalysis feel for the boy and offer to adopt him and integrate him into their family. Sonia insists that the boy is called Lee as she's always called him that as she doesn't like the name Leroy and they're happy to do this. They have a ten year old boy Marcus and a six year old daughter Lea.
One Sunday morning Bill and Emma are having breakfast and the kids are at the bottom of the garden playing in the shed when a blood curdling scream is heard and for a brief moment both parents are frozen to their seats. When a second scream comes they rush to the shed to find a gruelling scene their daughter Lea and Lee lay dead and Marcus is found under a tarpaulin in a catatonic state and is still the same six years later traumatised by the events he saw. Leah has had her throat cut and Lee's been stabbed in the back. Stone and Dehan are brought in to see if they can make sense of what happened and Lee's the link that brings the two cases together.
When Sonia shows them her evidence she informs them that Lee had discovered that Bill was having an affair with a colleague Dr. Margaret Wagner and was trying to blackmail him the case takes another twist.
So what really happened at Cherise's home the night of the murders and why? What happened at the Mitchell house that fateful Sunday morning? Why hasn't Marcus received any therapy since the event? Will all the main protagonists still be around at the end of the investigations? You'll have to read the book to find out.
When Sonia Laplant brings new evidence to them on the 6 year old murder of her sister Cherise her partner Earl Brown and her niece Shevron they reopen the case. It leads them down a murky road but what actually happened on that night as her nephew Leroy was the only survivor? Shevron had a broken neck, Earl had been stabbed in the back and Cherise had been stabbed several times in the stomach.
Bill and Emma Mitchell two prominent doctors in psychiatry and psychoanalysis feel for the boy and offer to adopt him and integrate him into their family. Sonia insists that the boy is called Lee as she's always called him that as she doesn't like the name Leroy and they're happy to do this. They have a ten year old boy Marcus and a six year old daughter Lea.
One Sunday morning Bill and Emma are having breakfast and the kids are at the bottom of the garden playing in the shed when a blood curdling scream is heard and for a brief moment both parents are frozen to their seats. When a second scream comes they rush to the shed to find a gruelling scene their daughter Lea and Lee lay dead and Marcus is found under a tarpaulin in a catatonic state and is still the same six years later traumatised by the events he saw. Leah has had her throat cut and Lee's been stabbed in the back. Stone and Dehan are brought in to see if they can make sense of what happened and Lee's the link that brings the two cases together.
When Sonia shows them her evidence she informs them that Lee had discovered that Bill was having an affair with a colleague Dr. Margaret Wagner and was trying to blackmail him the case takes another twist.
So what really happened at Cherise's home the night of the murders and why? What happened at the Mitchell house that fateful Sunday morning? Why hasn't Marcus received any therapy since the event? Will all the main protagonists still be around at the end of the investigations? You'll have to read the book to find out.
October 31, 2021
Storyline is too predictable. Forensic evidence has omissions and/or inconsistencies.
I decided to read this entry in the series, because of the 5 star ratings. IMHO, the storyline is unnecessarily convoluted, possibly in an effort to muddle the plot’s predictability. It was easy to guess the gardening shed murderer, because I didn’t believe the crime scene as described—plus the blood evidence or lack/omissions of same. As for the family murders, I suspected a character early on and was certain of the murderer before halfway into the book.
I had yuuuge problems with the forensics—specifically blood evidence inconsistencies or omissions—more so if the cold case murders took place as posited by police. However, blood evidence/forensic details are not even consistent with the murders as they were perpetrated in reality. Plus, the ME’s reconstruction of a victim’s death—given the man’s physical condition and pathophysiology of his wound—is implausible.
Overall, a disappointing read.
I decided to read this entry in the series, because of the 5 star ratings. IMHO, the storyline is unnecessarily convoluted, possibly in an effort to muddle the plot’s predictability. It was easy to guess the gardening shed murderer, because I didn’t believe the crime scene as described—plus the blood evidence or lack/omissions of same. As for the family murders, I suspected a character early on and was certain of the murderer before halfway into the book.
I had yuuuge problems with the forensics—specifically blood evidence inconsistencies or omissions—more so if the cold case murders took place as posited by police. However, blood evidence/forensic details are not even consistent with the murders as they were perpetrated in reality. Plus, the ME’s reconstruction of a victim’s death—given the man’s physical condition and pathophysiology of his wound—is implausible.
Overall, a disappointing read.
May 15, 2021
Fatal Families
Stone and Dehan have another cold case. When Sonia Lapland brings "new evidence" in the murder of her nephew to the detectives, it seems unconventional. Why would this woman have kept the picture she feels may be the key to Lee's murder for all these years?
The beginning of all cold case investigation is file review and discovery. Stone and Dehan find that the young boy murdered in their latest case was the sole survivor of an earlier murder. does witnessed the murder of his sister, and his parents as a young child. That case was deemed a result of brutal family violence. Sonia's nephew us adopted into a successful family of doctors.
Lee's presence upsets a balance of marital power and creates issues with their two birth children. Lee is unable to adjust and adapt and his influence and acting out lead to another murder - Lee, himself, and Leah, the youngest child, leaving the surviving child, Marcus catatonic.
Stone and Dehan have another cold case. When Sonia Lapland brings "new evidence" in the murder of her nephew to the detectives, it seems unconventional. Why would this woman have kept the picture she feels may be the key to Lee's murder for all these years?
The beginning of all cold case investigation is file review and discovery. Stone and Dehan find that the young boy murdered in their latest case was the sole survivor of an earlier murder. does witnessed the murder of his sister, and his parents as a young child. That case was deemed a result of brutal family violence. Sonia's nephew us adopted into a successful family of doctors.
Lee's presence upsets a balance of marital power and creates issues with their two birth children. Lee is unable to adjust and adapt and his influence and acting out lead to another murder - Lee, himself, and Leah, the youngest child, leaving the surviving child, Marcus catatonic.
June 3, 2022
In Castle Hill, New York, lives the Mitchell family. Emma and Brad, the parents, and Marcus and Lea, their children. They are a well off family; both parents doctors, one in the psychology field and one in the sociology field. Not too far from here lives Leroy, an underprivileged boy with his mother, father, and sister. After a horrific tragedy wreaks havoc on his family, Leroy is put into the foster care system.
The Mitchell's adopt Leroy, welcoming him into their home with open arms. Until one day tragedy strikes again this time leaving both Lea and Leroy dead with Marcus as the only witness. Too bad he is in a catatonic state and unable to relay any information. With that the case goes cold.
Six years later, Detectives Stone and Dehan with NYPD are brought some new evidence to try to crack the case wide open. Through many unexpected events and twists in the storyline, will the detectives be able to solve the case before it's too late?
The Mitchell's adopt Leroy, welcoming him into their home with open arms. Until one day tragedy strikes again this time leaving both Lea and Leroy dead with Marcus as the only witness. Too bad he is in a catatonic state and unable to relay any information. With that the case goes cold.
Six years later, Detectives Stone and Dehan with NYPD are brought some new evidence to try to crack the case wide open. Through many unexpected events and twists in the storyline, will the detectives be able to solve the case before it's too late?
July 2, 2021
Thoughtful and absolutely entertaining!
This book was the last in the series of cold case mysteries. I have waited to do this review so as to try to encompass the entire series (to date).
I have read hundreds of books in my time, but this series of murder mysteries has kept me reading for months now (I read slow in order to take in each nuance offered up to help solve the murder on my own, which rarely happened!). I really loved how the author slowly developed the relationship between the two main characters, eventually ending in their very strong love for each other, despite their differences.
I look forward to more in this series, if that happens?
At any rate,there are many more books by Mr. Banner I plan on reading next!
Happy reading to all, and to Mr. Banner, please keep them comming!!!
This book was the last in the series of cold case mysteries. I have waited to do this review so as to try to encompass the entire series (to date).
I have read hundreds of books in my time, but this series of murder mysteries has kept me reading for months now (I read slow in order to take in each nuance offered up to help solve the murder on my own, which rarely happened!). I really loved how the author slowly developed the relationship between the two main characters, eventually ending in their very strong love for each other, despite their differences.
I look forward to more in this series, if that happens?
At any rate,there are many more books by Mr. Banner I plan on reading next!
Happy reading to all, and to Mr. Banner, please keep them comming!!!
May 7, 2021
Knife Edge. Blake Banner
A cold case has been reopened by homicide Detectives Dehan and Stone. A husband and wife team. Initially they are grasping at straws with the many options of investigating. Initially a small child witnesses his father being stabbed by his mother . The father was raping his little sister. The young boy then murders his mother with the same knife. His Aunt witnessed the entire incident. What then unfolds his a very complex series of additional murders, bribery. A classic whodunnit mystery. Enjoyed immensely!! Twist and turns to the very last page! My highest recommendation!
A cold case has been reopened by homicide Detectives Dehan and Stone. A husband and wife team. Initially they are grasping at straws with the many options of investigating. Initially a small child witnesses his father being stabbed by his mother . The father was raping his little sister. The young boy then murders his mother with the same knife. His Aunt witnessed the entire incident. What then unfolds his a very complex series of additional murders, bribery. A classic whodunnit mystery. Enjoyed immensely!! Twist and turns to the very last page! My highest recommendation!
May 14, 2021
Another Great Who Done It
Author continues to keep these two detectives at the forefront of my reading list... just enough evidence is presented for it to be several people until the end and then usually an unsuspected person turns out to be the perp. Love the characters Stone and Dehan and interaction between the two. I would suggest developing a storyline where through some explicable rationale Dehan ends up nailing the motivation and naming the guilty while John is still working through the case.
Author continues to keep these two detectives at the forefront of my reading list... just enough evidence is presented for it to be several people until the end and then usually an unsuspected person turns out to be the perp. Love the characters Stone and Dehan and interaction between the two. I would suggest developing a storyline where through some explicable rationale Dehan ends up nailing the motivation and naming the guilty while John is still working through the case.
May 29, 2021
I love these books like I don't know what but I can't get enough of Stone and Dehan. I have two things to say about this one. One, I had the solution in the first couple of chapters. And two the way he writes about the Bronx and its geography drive me a little nuts! From misspelled names to wait directions with north south streets going east west and some intersections that don't quite exist. As a native New Yorker and former resident of "The Bronx" these anomalies drive me a little nuts. That aside, I can't wait for the next one!
July 30, 2021
The last in this series until October 2021. I have read them all. In this one I figured out the one killer early on. Sweet. Also no surprise suspects at the end.
A good story with both John and Debate acting like real folks and not super heroes. I like that.
As usual these tow detectives eat and drink very well....They appear to have plenty of money as good taste. Argentine Sirloin, you don't see that on many menus....costly I assume. And how much Bushmill.do.they go.through? A good drink.
Will.look forward to October
A good story with both John and Debate acting like real folks and not super heroes. I like that.
As usual these tow detectives eat and drink very well....They appear to have plenty of money as good taste. Argentine Sirloin, you don't see that on many menus....costly I assume. And how much Bushmill.do.they go.through? A good drink.
Will.look forward to October
March 8, 2022
Frustrating
Who did it was pretty obvious from the start, I had figured that Marcus had done it but yet the 2 detectives never even thought of it??? That is unbelievable and was frustrating to keep reading and thinking "are they ever going to get it?". In the other books they were too good to not have considered it long before and them throwing out all the other options was, well, frustrating.
Who did it was pretty obvious from the start, I had figured that Marcus had done it but yet the 2 detectives never even thought of it??? That is unbelievable and was frustrating to keep reading and thinking "are they ever going to get it?". In the other books they were too good to not have considered it long before and them throwing out all the other options was, well, frustrating.
May 15, 2022
orange and cypress trees
An interesting case as always. I am a native Brooklynite but rarely spent any time in the Bronx other that to drive through it on my way north. Two things that puzzled me was your reference to orange and cypress trees growing on, I believe the Mitchell’s property. The other how did a frail younger child pull a knife from an older larger child? That strains credulity.
An interesting case as always. I am a native Brooklynite but rarely spent any time in the Bronx other that to drive through it on my way north. Two things that puzzled me was your reference to orange and cypress trees growing on, I believe the Mitchell’s property. The other how did a frail younger child pull a knife from an older larger child? That strains credulity.
February 8, 2023
Drawn out
These last few books I've noticed the author repeating the plot but this book was the worst offender. Its like he stretched a short story to double the length! If he needs filler the expound on the background characters. What's the dynamic with Mo & the chief after what happened in the previous books. Let the detectives do more than work, eat & drive. Hell, go have drinks w/ Frank. Something!
These last few books I've noticed the author repeating the plot but this book was the worst offender. Its like he stretched a short story to double the length! If he needs filler the expound on the background characters. What's the dynamic with Mo & the chief after what happened in the previous books. Let the detectives do more than work, eat & drive. Hell, go have drinks w/ Frank. Something!
May 4, 2021
Another amazing cold case solved by the dynamic duo of John Stone and Carmen Dehan. There's a finite number of bad actors, lots of mystery and intrigue. The case itself is sad in that it involves children and the evil inflicted on them by adults. The devastation caused by this evil and mismanagement by the remaining adults perpetrates the cycle.
May 12, 2021
Another great read from Blake Banner, John and Carmen, open another cold case involving a child who witnessed his mother kill his father, and his sister was killed at the same time.
Then the story moves to a few years later, when the said child is killed in another murder, I will not say more as I don't want to spoil the story.
Then the story moves to a few years later, when the said child is killed in another murder, I will not say more as I don't want to spoil the story.
June 12, 2021
Knife Edge
A who done it! That really presents a maze of questions as to who was were and why lie when the truth would have settled the whole story and saved several lives, but that seems to be the nature of people to hide and cover up to avoid blame. Everyone has secrets they wouldn’t share with anyone family,friends,doctors or ministers not even themselves.
A who done it! That really presents a maze of questions as to who was were and why lie when the truth would have settled the whole story and saved several lives, but that seems to be the nature of people to hide and cover up to avoid blame. Everyone has secrets they wouldn’t share with anyone family,friends,doctors or ministers not even themselves.
August 4, 2024
4 - 4.5 stars
Knife Edge is Book #27 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.
Knife Edge is Book #27 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.
May 30, 2021
Great Story
Another twister that you can't figure out to the end. I have read every book in this series and I believe each one is as good if not better than the last one. Highly recommend if you like great detective stories.
Another twister that you can't figure out to the end. I have read every book in this series and I believe each one is as good if not better than the last one. Highly recommend if you like great detective stories.
June 4, 2021
Always good
The banter between Dehan and Stone is always so real. The plot great as usual. Also the options of who dunnit leave me guessing right to the very end.
Looking forward to the next paradox.
Thanks Blake.
The banter between Dehan and Stone is always so real. The plot great as usual. Also the options of who dunnit leave me guessing right to the very end.
Looking forward to the next paradox.
Thanks Blake.
June 29, 2021
Good but.......
Good read but Dehan has not learned to deduct as she should be able to by now! She has the best teacher but can't follow his methods.
I'll continue to read any that come in this series though...... John is my favorite detective!
Good read but Dehan has not learned to deduct as she should be able to by now! She has the best teacher but can't follow his methods.
I'll continue to read any that come in this series though...... John is my favorite detective!
August 6, 2021
Wow! Another winner in the Dead Cold Series.
In spite of the fact that I really knew what the end result of the mystery was, I was still drawn in by the development of the characters. As usual, a well-told story with well-developed characters.
In spite of the fact that I really knew what the end result of the mystery was, I was still drawn in by the development of the characters. As usual, a well-told story with well-developed characters.
August 28, 2021
What next...
These are cookie cutter stories just rewrite everything and change the name of the bad guys and the crime committed one good thing the author has stopped Dehan talking with her mouth full of food.
These are cookie cutter stories just rewrite everything and change the name of the bad guys and the crime committed one good thing the author has stopped Dehan talking with her mouth full of food.
October 20, 2021
another Great read
This series gets better and better. Wow. I have to say I knew it but wasn’t sold on it on how it turned out. Carmen and John trying to get to the bottom of one murder that got to the bottom of one before. Love this couple
This series gets better and better. Wow. I have to say I knew it but wasn’t sold on it on how it turned out. Carmen and John trying to get to the bottom of one murder that got to the bottom of one before. Love this couple
November 19, 2021
Slick Stone
Ok, a great read but…. I had it figured out about 1/4 of the way through. Not brilliant but maybe because I’m a retired Police officer. Anyway, it was a great read as always, keep em coming
Ok, a great read but…. I had it figured out about 1/4 of the way through. Not brilliant but maybe because I’m a retired Police officer. Anyway, it was a great read as always, keep em coming
February 28, 2022
Knife edge
Very confusing direction through the entire tale with what had been a first thought as I read the book. Stone had reviewed every possible hypothesis for what might have happened except that one.
Very confusing direction through the entire tale with what had been a first thought as I read the book. Stone had reviewed every possible hypothesis for what might have happened except that one.
May 8, 2022
Knife Edge
This is a n awesome and amazing story! It is so real and could happen to any family. It's also a very sad story. No one would want to ever believe it could happen to their family. I highly recommend this book!
This is a n awesome and amazing story! It is so real and could happen to any family. It's also a very sad story. No one would want to ever believe it could happen to their family. I highly recommend this book!
June 4, 2022
Wonderful study on human behavior
An excellent book with very interesting and very human emotions and some really sad consequences. Well written, well researched and exteremly entertaining. Looking forward to the next " who done it".
An excellent book with very interesting and very human emotions and some really sad consequences. Well written, well researched and exteremly entertaining. Looking forward to the next " who done it".
August 4, 2022
Death of a child
People that have a child murdered act in some of the strangest ways. One mother may become depressed and forget her other children while another may smother the child. Read! Interesting.!
People that have a child murdered act in some of the strangest ways. One mother may become depressed and forget her other children while another may smother the child. Read! Interesting.!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews