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Quake City Investigations #2
To Kill A Conman
Everyone falls prey to the conman. One victim seeks revenge.
Stuart Baker makes a lot of dough from conning people. He always has a scheme or a scam on the go. His enemies outnumber his friends, but Baker doesn’t care about that. Crime pays too well.
His new girlfriend suspects his money is dirty. A business rival wants to take over his club. Baker’s latest victims want revenge.
Private investigator Danny Ashford is closing in on the scammer who hacked his bank card. But he also has another problem—his new neighbour asked him to have a word with her sleazy boss. Determined to help her out and give the man a scare, Danny’s about to discover that telling hardened criminals to lay off is not as easy as he thought it would be.
Broke and desperate, Danny doesn't think his life can get any worse. Then Baker is found murdered, and Danny becomes the main suspect.
With the help of sassy reporter Deepa Banwait, Danny must prove his innocence before the police lock him up and throw away the key…
TO KILL A CONMAN is a gripping contemporary crime noir mystery that will keep you hooked right up to the dramatic conclusion.
Check it out today!
Stuart Baker makes a lot of dough from conning people. He always has a scheme or a scam on the go. His enemies outnumber his friends, but Baker doesn’t care about that. Crime pays too well.
His new girlfriend suspects his money is dirty. A business rival wants to take over his club. Baker’s latest victims want revenge.
Private investigator Danny Ashford is closing in on the scammer who hacked his bank card. But he also has another problem—his new neighbour asked him to have a word with her sleazy boss. Determined to help her out and give the man a scare, Danny’s about to discover that telling hardened criminals to lay off is not as easy as he thought it would be.
Broke and desperate, Danny doesn't think his life can get any worse. Then Baker is found murdered, and Danny becomes the main suspect.
With the help of sassy reporter Deepa Banwait, Danny must prove his innocence before the police lock him up and throw away the key…
TO KILL A CONMAN is a gripping contemporary crime noir mystery that will keep you hooked right up to the dramatic conclusion.
Check it out today!
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2021
6 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Berry
41 books48 followersI've always written stories. I started out as a kid creating monster stories with a $5 typewriter from the early 1900's. Now I write novels: speculative fiction (SpecFic), crime fiction, or contemporary fiction according to whatever ideas occur to me. I live in Christchurch, New Zealand, about as far away from anywhere as it is possible to be. Earthquakes devastated the city in 2010 and 2011. They appear in my books. I've got a degree that I've never used and two diplomas, one in Hypnotherapy and the other in a subject I don't mention to anyone, as it was so long ago. I read widely: particularly SpecFic, YA, contemporary and non-fiction. My favourite author is Connie Willis, but I mostly read indie authors nowadays. I also enjoy copy-editing and proofreading other authors' manuscripts.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 17, 2023
Fun But Funky
I enjoyed it, but it was slightly amateurish. Too many coincidences in the hero's favor for example. In the first third the non-chronological storytelling was annoying, but that stopped.
I enjoyed it, but it was slightly amateurish. Too many coincidences in the hero's favor for example. In the first third the non-chronological storytelling was annoying, but that stopped.
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November 6, 2021Kevin has a knack of creating quirky, gritty, characters that are a lot of fun to read—and with a great plot that will keep you guessing until the end, this is a must read for fans of crime noir.
July 13, 2025
A Gripping, Clever, and Darkly Entertaining Crime Noir Kevin Berry Delivers Again
Kevin Berry's To Kill A Conman, the second installment in the Quake City Investigations series, is a smart, tightly plotted crime noir that perfectly balances suspense, dark humor, and a touch of social grit. Building on the compelling world introduced in book one, Berry delivers a sequel that stands strong on its own while deepening the characters and intrigue we’ve come to love.
At the heart of this novel is Danny Ashford, a down on his luck private investigator with a knack for stumbling into chaos. When his bank card is hacked, Danny begins tracking the culprit, but his personal problems multiply as he agrees to confront a shady employer on behalf of his neighbor. What begins as a small favor quickly spirals out of control when Stuart Baker a notorious conman and the center of a tangled web of grudges, scams, and shady dealings is found murdered. Suddenly, Danny finds himself not only entangled in a complex criminal underworld, but also the prime suspect in a case that could ruin his life.
Berry's writing is crisp and immersive, with dialogue that crackles and characters that leap off the page. Stuart Baker, in particular, is a fascinating figure: a manipulative and morally bankrupt man whose schemes have left a trail of bitter enemies. While Baker is far from sympathetic, Berry crafts him with enough charisma and complexity to make his downfall as compelling as it is inevitable.
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its supporting cast, especially the sharp witted journalist Deepa Banwait. Her dynamic with Danny adds both emotional depth and a welcome layer of humor to the otherwise grim tone. Together, they form an unlikely duo racing against time to unravel a mystery that keeps readers guessing at every turn.
Berry’s portrayal of Quake City is vivid and richly atmospheric. The setting gritty yet oddly charming acts as more than just a backdrop; it's an essential character in its own right. The city’s underbelly is full of colorful criminals, morally grey characters, and just enough twists to keep you on edge without feeling convoluted.
The pacing is pitch perfect. At just over 220 pages, To Kill A Conman is a brisk, binge worthy read. Yet Berry never sacrifices depth for speed. Every chapter pushes the plot forward, and each character arc is given room to breathe.
Whether you’re a fan of noir mysteries, psychological thrillers, or classic detective stories with a modern twist, this book offers something for everyone. It's both a cerebral puzzle and a raw, emotional ride a rare feat in a genre that too often leans heavily on formula.
Verdict: 5/5 stars.
To Kill A Conman is a masterclass in contemporary noir witty, gritty, and thoroughly engaging. Kevin Berry has crafted a mystery that’s not only satisfying in its resolution but deeply entertaining from start to finish. Don’t miss this one.
Kevin Berry's To Kill A Conman, the second installment in the Quake City Investigations series, is a smart, tightly plotted crime noir that perfectly balances suspense, dark humor, and a touch of social grit. Building on the compelling world introduced in book one, Berry delivers a sequel that stands strong on its own while deepening the characters and intrigue we’ve come to love.
At the heart of this novel is Danny Ashford, a down on his luck private investigator with a knack for stumbling into chaos. When his bank card is hacked, Danny begins tracking the culprit, but his personal problems multiply as he agrees to confront a shady employer on behalf of his neighbor. What begins as a small favor quickly spirals out of control when Stuart Baker a notorious conman and the center of a tangled web of grudges, scams, and shady dealings is found murdered. Suddenly, Danny finds himself not only entangled in a complex criminal underworld, but also the prime suspect in a case that could ruin his life.
Berry's writing is crisp and immersive, with dialogue that crackles and characters that leap off the page. Stuart Baker, in particular, is a fascinating figure: a manipulative and morally bankrupt man whose schemes have left a trail of bitter enemies. While Baker is far from sympathetic, Berry crafts him with enough charisma and complexity to make his downfall as compelling as it is inevitable.
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its supporting cast, especially the sharp witted journalist Deepa Banwait. Her dynamic with Danny adds both emotional depth and a welcome layer of humor to the otherwise grim tone. Together, they form an unlikely duo racing against time to unravel a mystery that keeps readers guessing at every turn.
Berry’s portrayal of Quake City is vivid and richly atmospheric. The setting gritty yet oddly charming acts as more than just a backdrop; it's an essential character in its own right. The city’s underbelly is full of colorful criminals, morally grey characters, and just enough twists to keep you on edge without feeling convoluted.
The pacing is pitch perfect. At just over 220 pages, To Kill A Conman is a brisk, binge worthy read. Yet Berry never sacrifices depth for speed. Every chapter pushes the plot forward, and each character arc is given room to breathe.
Whether you’re a fan of noir mysteries, psychological thrillers, or classic detective stories with a modern twist, this book offers something for everyone. It's both a cerebral puzzle and a raw, emotional ride a rare feat in a genre that too often leans heavily on formula.
Verdict: 5/5 stars.
To Kill A Conman is a masterclass in contemporary noir witty, gritty, and thoroughly engaging. Kevin Berry has crafted a mystery that’s not only satisfying in its resolution but deeply entertaining from start to finish. Don’t miss this one.
June 16, 2021
THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS
14th June 2021
TITLE: To Kill a Conman
AUTHOR: Kevin Berry
Star Rating: 4.5
To Sum Up
‘A cleverly plotted detective novel populated with a host of gritty and complex characters. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf
Review
I find the best part of a detective novel is often the characters. This is particularly so with PI novels where they always seem to be gritty and overly complex and packed full of regrets. I'm happy to report this is very much the case in To Kill a Conman. The bad guy, Stuart Baker, is thoroughly evil - but in a delightfully intriguing way - and the hero, Danny Ashford, is not only broke but he's the suspect in the conman’s murder! What follows is a compelling murder mystery written by an author who knows how to keep the reader guessing all the way to the very end.
In terms of the writing style, it's rather workmanlike, which fits well for this genre. The author tends not to overly describe the characters or setting but prefers to keep the plot moving with plenty happening and plenty of dialogue. Also, I'm delighted to report that the editing seems to be spot on - I didn't spot a single error!
All in all, this is a cleverly plotted murder mystery, and I'm very happy to recommend it to any reader who enjoys this sort of book. The author is a very capable writer who knows how to develop his often rather broken characters whilst, at the same time, never straying too far from the plot. This is a gripping, contemporary PI novel; if that happens to be your sort of thing, you won't go too far wrong with To Kill a Conman.
The Wishing Shelf
14th June 2021
TITLE: To Kill a Conman
AUTHOR: Kevin Berry
Star Rating: 4.5
To Sum Up
‘A cleverly plotted detective novel populated with a host of gritty and complex characters. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf
Review
I find the best part of a detective novel is often the characters. This is particularly so with PI novels where they always seem to be gritty and overly complex and packed full of regrets. I'm happy to report this is very much the case in To Kill a Conman. The bad guy, Stuart Baker, is thoroughly evil - but in a delightfully intriguing way - and the hero, Danny Ashford, is not only broke but he's the suspect in the conman’s murder! What follows is a compelling murder mystery written by an author who knows how to keep the reader guessing all the way to the very end.
In terms of the writing style, it's rather workmanlike, which fits well for this genre. The author tends not to overly describe the characters or setting but prefers to keep the plot moving with plenty happening and plenty of dialogue. Also, I'm delighted to report that the editing seems to be spot on - I didn't spot a single error!
All in all, this is a cleverly plotted murder mystery, and I'm very happy to recommend it to any reader who enjoys this sort of book. The author is a very capable writer who knows how to develop his often rather broken characters whilst, at the same time, never straying too far from the plot. This is a gripping, contemporary PI novel; if that happens to be your sort of thing, you won't go too far wrong with To Kill a Conman.
The Wishing Shelf
July 23, 2021
The main character, Danny Ashford is a determined P. I. but he is also not without his flaws and because of a few mistakes he has made, he finds himself in the clutches of the law when he is fingered as a suspect in the murder of a conman. Stuart Baker is cunning and very successful at scamming people and even Danny Ashford falls victim to one of Baker’s schemes which also gives him motive to kill. There are several conflicting scenarios that Danny finds himself in and the most compelling one is that, while vigorously trying to eliminate himself as a murder suspect, he also has to investigate the same crime that the police are in a rush to solve. Danny finds himself down on his luck with very few monetary resources and while being pursued by a very demanding landlord for back rent and other restless clients who want closure to their cases, the story erupts in humor as Danny tries to pacify and outwit his pursuers while keeping his nose to the ground for clues in the murder.
And while I'm not a huge fan of crime noirs, I decided to give this one a go. I was not disappointed. The story flows nicely and the author knows his craft; artfully applying his abilities to create interesting characters and at the same time he presents a twisting, enjoyable plot which is easily read and suspenseful.
As I mentioned, the characters are interesting, and the story held my interest from the beginning. Kevin Berry is an accomplished author, has published other works, and it shows in this one. The final twist in the last scene in the book surprised me and shocked me. Very well done and I look forward to reading more from Mr. Berry. Please keep those stories coming. I loved it!
And while I'm not a huge fan of crime noirs, I decided to give this one a go. I was not disappointed. The story flows nicely and the author knows his craft; artfully applying his abilities to create interesting characters and at the same time he presents a twisting, enjoyable plot which is easily read and suspenseful.
As I mentioned, the characters are interesting, and the story held my interest from the beginning. Kevin Berry is an accomplished author, has published other works, and it shows in this one. The final twist in the last scene in the book surprised me and shocked me. Very well done and I look forward to reading more from Mr. Berry. Please keep those stories coming. I loved it!
November 1, 2022
I've gotten a bit out of wack, but I think TO KILL A CONMAN is the third in the Quake City Investigations series (following on from SHOOTING MESSENGERS and THE POSSUM FUR PLOT). Either way it didn't matter, having read the first this one just flowed on, with central character PI Danny Ashford and the Quake City world. There's a map at the start of the novel to give you a flavour for this fictional place.
Comic, noir, cartoonish and really very engaging, the Quake City Investigations novels are an unusual combination of styles, featuring the aforementioned Danny Ashford and his sidekick Investigative reporter Deepa Banwait. I say sidekick but the working relationship between these two is as "unstraightforward" as just about everything in this series.
In this case, Ashford is mightily pissed off when a scammer hacks his bank card, leaving him broke and more than a bit desperate. Whilst also stepping up to help out a neighbour being threatened by a decidedly sleezy boss. The hacker, meanwhile, a man with a scheme or scam always on the go, shows up dead leaving Ashford with a name and reputation clearing task as well.
Needless to say the style here is very unusual. Following on from the first book I read it's sort of noir, sort of psychological thriller, sort of Dick Tracey cartoonish, sort of crime fiction, very funny, bit energiser bunny in some places, big leapy in others, entertainment in the main. Very different, and very enjoyable. Now just need to find the time to plug the gap that is THE POSSUM FUR PLOT.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Comic, noir, cartoonish and really very engaging, the Quake City Investigations novels are an unusual combination of styles, featuring the aforementioned Danny Ashford and his sidekick Investigative reporter Deepa Banwait. I say sidekick but the working relationship between these two is as "unstraightforward" as just about everything in this series.
In this case, Ashford is mightily pissed off when a scammer hacks his bank card, leaving him broke and more than a bit desperate. Whilst also stepping up to help out a neighbour being threatened by a decidedly sleezy boss. The hacker, meanwhile, a man with a scheme or scam always on the go, shows up dead leaving Ashford with a name and reputation clearing task as well.
Needless to say the style here is very unusual. Following on from the first book I read it's sort of noir, sort of psychological thriller, sort of Dick Tracey cartoonish, sort of crime fiction, very funny, bit energiser bunny in some places, big leapy in others, entertainment in the main. Very different, and very enjoyable. Now just need to find the time to plug the gap that is THE POSSUM FUR PLOT.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
May 25, 2021
Things get personal when PI Danny Ashford gets his account cleaned out by a conman and he must use all his skills to get back his money, before his landlady throws him out of his house. As he closes in on the culprit, he discovers that the unscrupulous Stuart Baker has a list of victims as long as his arm.
Then Stuart is found dead. And the police blame Danny.
The story turns into a frantic race against time as Danny, with the help of his reporter friend Deepa, must find the real killer before Danny is charged with the crime. And there’s no shortage of people with motives.
To Kill a Conman is a gritty thriller in the noir style, set in ‘Quake City’ with a side helping of humour. Danny and Deepa are a great team and I particularly love Deepa’s kick-butt style. It was very satisfying seeing how Danny and Deepa develop in this book, and I had no idea how the real killer was until the very end!
Then Stuart is found dead. And the police blame Danny.
The story turns into a frantic race against time as Danny, with the help of his reporter friend Deepa, must find the real killer before Danny is charged with the crime. And there’s no shortage of people with motives.
To Kill a Conman is a gritty thriller in the noir style, set in ‘Quake City’ with a side helping of humour. Danny and Deepa are a great team and I particularly love Deepa’s kick-butt style. It was very satisfying seeing how Danny and Deepa develop in this book, and I had no idea how the real killer was until the very end!
May 26, 2021
Strange yet compelling
Stuart Baker plays the perfect villain- selfish, narcissistic, and blind to the possibility of his own demise. I loved the colorful characters in this tale, and the twists and turns that kept me immersed. I did not care for much of the dialogue, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. Detective noir lovers will love it
Stuart Baker plays the perfect villain- selfish, narcissistic, and blind to the possibility of his own demise. I loved the colorful characters in this tale, and the twists and turns that kept me immersed. I did not care for much of the dialogue, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. Detective noir lovers will love it
May 25, 2021
Modern mystery noir
With town names like Sintown and Splittsville this is a true nod to noir. The PI is standard issue and the plot is simple but engaging. I found the characters interesting and the dialogue snappy. Overall a quick fun read for fans of noir.
With town names like Sintown and Splittsville this is a true nod to noir. The PI is standard issue and the plot is simple but engaging. I found the characters interesting and the dialogue snappy. Overall a quick fun read for fans of noir.
July 8, 2021
Excellent read. I truly enjoyed and loved this book. I found this storyline amazing. The characters kept me hooked to the very end of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2021
I really did enjoy this book, would love to read more of this series, I assume it's a series, anyway, Highly Recommend it and i actually didn't figure out who 'dun' it!!!! Great plot, and ending!
June 9, 2021
I am loving the Quake City books! This crime noir has interesting characters, drama, danger, personal problems, a touch of humour, and intrigue.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews