City of Bones

Ava Gold #3

by Blake Pierce

In the rough streets of 1920s New York City, 34 year-old Ava Gold, a widower and single mom, claws her way up to become the first female homicide detective in her NYPD precinct. She is as tough as they come, and willing to hold her own in a man’s world.

When Ava is called in to investigate the murder of a young woman beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, she quickly realizes this is no typical murder—and that she is up against no typical serial killer. To find him, her search will lead her into the rough streets and docks of burgeoning Brooklyn.

But Ava, facing resentment and opposition from her all-male police force, has been transferred to a downtown precinct, and hazed relentlessly in the hope that she will become miserable enough to drop out. Ava, pushed to the edge, will have to rely on her brilliant intellect to enter the killer’s mind, to prove herself, and to stop him before he strikes again.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2021

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the character of Ava Gold. Strong female protagonist set in the 1920’s - a female who is tough, smart and has a wicked right/left hook. As a widow of a former police detective, and now a newly appointed Detective herself, not only does she have to battle crime, she has to battle ignorance, prejudice and a host of problems from people who resent her in being in a man’s business.

Third in the series, the Ava Gold series just keeps getting better and better. I recommend starting with book 1 of the series if interested. This is one of my favorite series from Blake Pierce.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good! Not much to say about it!

[Penelope Sturm-Borkert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting & Action-Packed

Ava Gold is a character that grows better in each book! The storyline is exciting & action packed. I love the investigative techniques - so different from running a computer background!

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although still being new in the Police force, Ava is steadily growing the number of cases she solves, and she, therefore, can get good reviews in the papers for her police station. She continues, however, to struggle with prejudice - she is the first and only detective in New York City -, and with the mob. In this story, she is sent to the Brooklyn Police Station to work on the case of a journalist's death, she not only finds the culprit but also discovers some officers who are receiving payment from the mob to turn to the other side when bad deeds are happening. A very good plot and well-written story that keeps the reader entertained and looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
As a member of the author's ARC team, I downloaded a free copy of this book through Bookfunnel and this is my honest opinion.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finishing this, City of Bones, the third in the Ava Gold series, I’m a confirmed fan. Ava is as tough as they come. Raised and taught by a champion boxer, she is becoming an instinctively strong detective. Too bad she faces so much prejudice and harassment from her male colleagues.

Ava is not deterred by her colleagues, mob bosses or feelings of guilt at not being with her son as much as she’d like. She trudges on and ends up solving her third big case. This time solo.

I really like the way these books are tied so closely together. They’re seamless. I don’t like the fact that there are a wealth of grammatical errors throughout all three. The first was the worst, nearly every page of the book. I don’t understand. Was there no proofing prior to publication? Nevertheless, I enjoy them enough to carry on.

Thanks Blake Pierce for a new heroine in Detective Ava Gold.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

City of Bones (Ava Gold #3) was a great read by Blake Pierce. 34 year old Ava Gold is clawing her way up to becoming the first female homicide detective in the NYPD. She is also a widower and a single mom. She’s also very tough and will hold her own in a mans world. Ava is called to investigate a murder of a young woman under the Brooklyn Bridge. She realizes quickly that this isn’t a typical murder. This investigation takes her through the rough streets and docks of Brooklyn. All of the male police force faces Ava with resentment and opposition. I loved reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.

[BlueFalkon95 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Gold a widow looking for her husbands murder. Ava a detective is usually teamed up with NYPD Detective Frank but in this murder mystery in City of Bones Ava goes out on her own. Ava is becoming well known wherever she goes. I am awed by Ava's strong character who knows her own mind, and quick to seek out any clues to solve the murders. City of Bones, is full of twists and turns and clues to the murder sends Ava anywhere including dead ends and red herrings. This book is not for a quick reader as this book can leave you on the edge of your seat.
I received this book for free from Blake Pierce in exchange for my honest review - good or bad.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Ava Gold is sent away from her precinct to let things cool off. She's sent to Brooklyn to solve the murder of a female reporter. And she does just that. I love the way she can think through a problem and see the answer even when others can't. And it's sure a good thing her dad taught her to box or she would be dead! And I like that they say she is sore and her hands are beat up after she fights, instead of making it seem like there are no consequences for punching someone and taking punches from them.

[Debbie Joyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Gold is still battling the male dominated police force in New York City. She is sent to a Brooklyn precinct to help them where she is sent out without a detective partner to investigate a female journalist's death. This book is very well written and keeps you turning pages to see what happens next! Can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

New York City 1920 and a life for a woman detective
The hazing, the resentment from fellow cops
An unusual murder below the Brooklyn bridge
Pushing her, to prove she can and stop the killer
Well written series, and Ava is good in her role
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my
honest opinion

[Joy Johnson]

Reading the Ava Gold series, your interest certainly takes hold as the relatively new female detective goes about her duties as she attempts to solve the journalist's murder. Strong opposition from the Male detectives does not phase her!

[Arthur Okun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Detective Novel. Ava Gold has worked hard to overcome the fact she a woman in a mens
Profession, Pins and needle in every chapter.

[Linda Millet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series

Liked the setting of th 1920's, and that of a woman making it in a man's world. Would recommend this series to my sisters.😊😊

[Vkm3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun series that takes place in the 1920’s centered around Detective Ava Gold.

[valerie smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Gold

I absolutely love the Ava Gold ssries, trying to imagine what it was like for woman back then. It's hard enough these days, really good read.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice sequel, easy read.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn’t really a mystery but still a decent read.

[Bill Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this character. The plat and pacing are great, as always with this author.

[§amantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf

[Dorothy Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Excellent Book

This book should be a ten star 🌟 book or more I started this book on Saturday afternoon and stayed up until Sunday morning at 1:00AM I could not put it down I have read all of Blake's books but this series I find fabulous can not wait for the next one to come out I highly recommend this book to everyone Dorothy Schaefer