Hook

by Steve Williams

"Williams intelligently constructs a gripping crime drama, and it’s no less suspenseful for the fact that the identity of the killer is never concealed from readers." - Kirkus Reviews.

Detectives Mitchell and Sandovan are drawn into a homicide investigation unlike any in their experience: the violent hit-and-run of a man despised by almost everyone who knew him. Devin McDonald was an abrasive co-worker, neighbor, and online commenter. After leaving work one night he is cut down by a car. There are no witnesses. As they interview his personal and professional acquaintances, Mitchell and Sandovan discover that their victim was more often an antagonist. They sift through his personal life, but are stymied by dead ends. Only when the killer begins to taunt the police are they able to find some promising leads.
Complicating matters, Mitchell is shocked in his personal life by revelations about two people he thought he knew. It takes every resource he can muster to bring a killer to justice, and in doing so he is forced to make a decision that changes his life forever.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2021

About the author

Steve Williams is a 25-year veteran of the advertising industry. He has created award-winning ads and commercials that have been recognized in Cannes, New York, Toronto and Los Angeles. He left his job as Chief Creative Officer at a national ad agency to concentrate on writing. He has been a marketing columnist and freelance writer, and is now based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (an hourʼs drive from the Rocky Mountains).

Reviews

[MiMi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, well paced story where two detectives search for the killer in what seems to be a random hit and run. The victim is just downright mean. A nuisance in real life and online. When it got out that he was killed, the general consensus was “someone finally had enough of him uh?” Yes, in fact someone did. He was sick of his bullying. He’d had enough and finally decided he was going to do something about it. He was the last person to be suspected.

Initially I thought the story was drawn out. The way the detectives were running around in circles and hitting dead ends, clocking out and leaving work at work at the end of the day…it didn’t really sit well with me I wanted a bit more drama. I wanted them working at all hours of the day. Woken up to a case in the middle of the night. However, at the conclusion (quite satisfying I might add) I thought it painted a realistic detective life. Not all cases are solved; especially crimes done by first time (and only time) offenders.

I also enjoyed the relationship between Mitchell and Mya. I would’ve like to have read a bit more with the relationship of Sandovan and his wife had. We really didn’t get much of her until the very end.

Nonetheless it was an okay read.

DISCLOSURE: A sincere thank you to Goodreads for gifting me this book through the Giveaways. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Karen ReadsALot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for another Goodreads Giveaway! Quick paced cops vs bad guy. Liked the characters. Sets up nicely for the next book. Made for TV.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and quick read

I enjoyed the book. It was a standard who done it, the characters were believable enough although I didn't quite love them. All in all, a good read for an evening.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable crime to be solved story with personable characters that is brought to resolution with an openness to future story possibilities. 4 star recommended book.

My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good cop thriller

This was a good original story. The characters were interesting. It was a fast paced police story. You knew they would succeed but you didn't know how. A couple of nice twists at the end. I hope there will be more.

[Mike B · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this was a perfect crime fiction thriller. Down-to-earth, realistic characters, solid police work with no silly adornment. No needless complexity. I won this as a giveaway, and it did the trick. I’m a new fan, and I can’t wait to read the next book by Steve Williams.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband read and rated this book and said that he really enjoyed it. The story kept his attention and was intriguing and fast-paced. Character development was good with likable characters. There was enough of a twist at the end to keep events unexpected and set the storyline up for sequels. Thanks to the author for the Goodreads giveaway!!