The Asylum Thread: A Crime Thriller: Dan Reno Private Detective Noir Mystery Series

by Dave Stanton

Humiliated by a serial rapist in court, South Lake Tahoe’s sheriff and district attorney turn to Dan Reno for justice.

Dealing with his fiancée’s mental breakdown, Reno welcomes the distraction, but he knows the case makes no sense. Short of killing the criminal, what can he do?

Regardless, Reno begins investigating. As he peels back the layers, he learns the rapist has a genius IQ and is the brother of a Silicon Valley billionaire. Traveling to San Jose, Reno hooks up with his partner, Cody Gibbons, who has little patience or mercy for sexual predators. But the more they uncover about the rapist and his family, the deeper they descend into a grim rabbit hole with no clean exit.

Desperate for an angle, Reno and Gibbons finally find the necessary leverage, and a bloody reckoning becomes inevitable. But the resolution is one Reno never considered, and it’s only then that he learns how both criminal behavior and justice can be their own form of insanity.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2022

About the author

Dave Stanton is the author of eight novels in the Dan Reno private eye series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but for those who want to know, the order is: Stateline, Dying for the Highlife, Speed Metal Blues, Dark Ice, Hard Prejudice, The Doomsday Girl, Right Cross, and The Asylum Thread.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960, Dave Stanton moved to Northern California in 1961. He received a BA in journalism from San Jose State University in 1983. Over the years, he worked as a bartender, newspaper advertising salesman, furniture mover, debt collector, and technology salesman. He has two children, Austin and Haley, and lives with his wife, Heidi, in San Jose, California.

Stanton's eight novels all feature private investigator Dan Reno and his ex-cop buddy, Cody Gibbons.

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dave Stanton writes some really good noir stories and The Asylum Thread is no exception. It's the 8th book about Dan Reno private detective and his friend Cody Gibbons. This story is filled with twists I didn't see coming and some hard justice from desperate people. I have enjoyed every single one in this series and I hope there will be more. I have loved hard boiled detective stories since a very young age when I read Mickey Spillane and Raymond Chandler and this series is right up there. Justice is most often served without the rule of law, instead it most often is based on what is morally right and swift.

[Lisa Malmquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A serial rapist gets away with the crime and gets off on a technicality in court.
The Lake Tahoe Sheriff and District attorney are humiliated and out for justice. They go to Dan Reno to try and find it.
Dan Reno doesn't have a solution but starts to investigate anyway.
Reno finds out that the rapist is the younger brother to a Silicon Valley billionaire. Problem is the more Reno digs the more creepy stuff they find out about this guy and his family.
Reno teams up with his pal Cody Gibbons and they investigate everything they can about this guy trying to find an angle they can use.
But between the big money, bribes, crooked cops, crooked lawyers, Dan and Cody are having a hard time. The criminality of all the people involved has reached a new level. Plus they are dealing with two brothers both with genius level IQs.
A bit heavier than their usual outing but an interesting look.

[Linda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s just something about the duo of Reno and Gibbons that is addictive. Dan Reno really does try to do the right thing - even when the ‘right thing’ is subject to interpretation. On the other hand, Cody Gibbons will do just about anything to solve the problem presented to him. In The Asylum Thread, the 8th of the Dan Reno series, the bad guy is as despicable as they come and the world will be better off without him. Beginning with a brutal rape the Lake Tahoe area to San Jose, on to Las Vegas and even to Houston, the dynamic duo chase the bad guys, each getting what they deserved. I enjoy how Stanton weaves his story through the twists and turns of a very realistic investigation. There are some interesting side stories here too – Dan’s lady love Candi, Cody’s daughter Abbey, and even Dan’s relationship with Sheriff Marcus Grier. The Asylum Thread is another excellent book by Stanton that leaves me wanting more.

[Andrew Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m burning through this excellent series, featuring private investigators Dan Reno and Cody Gibbons. In this tale, they take on the task of finding a way of holding a known rapist to book for his crime(s). Thus far he’s managed to avoid prosecution, but the pair plan to find a way of taking the man off the street - by fair means or foul. It’s not the best book in the series, but the chemistry between the two main characters holds it together. In tandem, they remind me of the relationship between James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux and Clete Purcel. And that’s high praise indeed.

I’ve already started the next - and so far the latest - novel.

[John Cooksey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan and Cody, my favorite dynamic duo since Dave Robichaux and Clete Purcell, take on an amoral megalomaniac and his psychopathic sibling in this latest addition to the ‘Dan Reno Private Detective Noir Mystery series’. A fast paced, exciting chase through Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Reno, and back, with a viscerally gratifying conclusion, and a surprise assist from a most unlikely source. I received an ARC copy, and read it straight through without breaking. A compelling story indeed.

[Ronald J. Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Burnt out on James Lee Burke bullshit

This is clearly not Stanton’s best work, and I think I’ve read the entire series. Sadly, the latest Dan Reno effort reminded this reader of a Burke creation featuring Dave Robicheaux and his loyal muscle bound soulmate Cletis (regulars in Burke novels) of which I’ve read too many. Stupid, shallow, simplistic, violent, etc are adjectives that readily come to mind.

[Karla Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad that Dan and Cody are back!!

I have missed these guys!! And what a story this was. Justin was one very sick dude born from violence and lived only to rape and murder. Scary guy. Dan and Cody were their usual selves. Glad to see them doing so well. Excellent installment in this series! Keep 'em coming!!

[Ivon Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan and Cody ride again

This is a very entertaining book concerning Dan and his good buddy Cody Gibbons , when a serial rapist gets off scot free , Dan is asked to use his considerable skills in bringing justice . I've read all Dave Stanton books and I really liked this one for the psychological rather than physical battle of wills.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously, I like this series since I've read them all so far. Dan and his buddy Cody are well-developed and their relationship is interesting since they are both different and similar. A few of the minor characters, like Candi or Grier, could use some fleshing out. Maybe in a future installment. Wish we could have found our more about the killer's brother.
.

[Voncia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I have been waiting along time for this book to come out and it didn't disappoint. I was totally wrapped up in reading this book. I hope he keeps writing these Dan Reno books I love them.

[Michael Magner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Asylum Thread

This latest book from Dave Stanton is a non stop read , full of intrigue and thrilling adventures of Dan Reno and his sidekick Cody. This read continues the saga of Dan Reno and I look forward to the next book.

[Angela B. New · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the wait!

I love series and was glad this one was ready. I like Dan and Cody. They seem like average guys trying to make it work. Willingly to put their selves on the line for doing what's right.

[Angela Collopy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Dan and Cody adventure

Considerably more graphic but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Eight books in and still getting better. Start at the beginning and enjoy the ride

[Lee Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I have read all the Dan Reno books thus far and have enjoyed most of them. This one is a quick and enjoyable read. I am happy that Dan is finding a good life with Candi. I am also glad that Dave left his politics out of this one. I was about ready to stop reading him.

[Howard Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vegas, Silicon Valley and Tahoe

Another winner in the series that just keeps getting better. Lots of locations involved that are gone and sorely missed. Highly recommended. Ok only 1 left. Please write some more.

[Donald E. Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

As usual, Dave has released another book that I could not put down nor did I want it to end. I can hardly wait to see what Dan. Reno's next adventure consists of.

[Merri Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great author love his work. Dan Reno character is so real, Cody and their add to excitement love his books

[Lisa Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Enjoyable book with enough twists to make for a gratifying read. I'm now going to look for the next book in this series.

[Jim McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great escape

Whenever the world gives me lemons I switch off with a Dan Reno novel. Great characters and a great escape on the edge of my seat.