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Detective Max Grady #2
One Cold Heart
Dragged into the case as the city of Pittsburgh marshals every resource they have on hand to combat a disaster, Detective Max Grady is faced with nearly impossible circumstances. A bitter man – cool and calculating – exacts his revenge on the city of Pittsburgh and the people he thinks have wronged him, not caring who dies in the process. Pulled into a maze of murder, violence and mixed motives, Grady trails a killer who knows no boundaries.
330 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 27, 2023
This is book two of the Detective Max Grady series and Grady is at the local hospital visiting Lieutenant William after making peace with him, who finally had his hip replacement, which Grady hopes will make his mood better, when the whole hospital seems to shake under their feet. He soon finds out that someone had placed a series of bombs in the hospital and took down one whole side of it, killing hundreds. Grady’s partner Detective Cassie Reynolds soon arrives at the Spring Grove Medical Center and the two are quickly out in charge of the investigation, to find out if it was indeed a deliberate act, or some sort of gas explosion. Grady is still his usual self and not exactly a people person, so when the FBI turn up and FBI Agent Reece Davidson tells them that he and his team are now in charge, he refuses to acknowledge it and carries on with his own investigation with his partner Cassie. She is quite used to his attitude with others and very good at smoothing things over, but Davidson has his boss riding him for updates every single hour of the day, to come up with answers and find whoever is responsible. Grady comes across ATF Agent Asher Boyle looking over the scene once the majority of visible survivors are recovered, and he has found evidence of what he tells Grady shows bombs were used to blow the building up. He is a former Marine and bomb tech and had a lot of experience with these matters, so knew what to look for. They take a calculated risk to check for more evidence, up close and personal, which almost ends in disaster, as the pile left after the explosions is very unstable.
When another bomb goes off in the city of Pittsburgh, Grady believes there must have been a connection with the large bombing at the hospital. But he needs to be able to prove what the link is, so they can narrow down who the suspect actually is and try to figure out why they are doing this. One angry man is seeking revenge for what happened to his wife and he has spent months preparing for this day, the day he gets to exact his revenge on all those he holds responsible. Whether he kills or injures innocent people at the same time doesn’t even come into consideration for this man. His grief has overwhelmed him and left him to follow a destructive path, seemingly without being stopped. The police and the FBI have little to go on and Grady also ends up having to deal with his brother Ben, who has the intelligence of a child, within the violent adult body of his father, with a temper to match at times. Having to be at the hospital, first visiting Williams and then in the aftermath of the bombing, brings back memories for Grady of the times he was there with their mother, after their father beat her badly so many times and even his children. Grady doesn’t really trust anyone and is pretty much a loner, only Cassie seeming to understand him and able to deal with him.
Distressing scenes for all the emergency services, people caught up in the events and the investigators to all deal with, as graphic descriptions are used in parts of the story. The bomber found out something after his wife’s death in the hospital, which made it clear that her death should not have happened. He has investigated this himself and tried to tell lots of different authorities about what he found, but no action was taken. He felt driven to take the drastic measures he did and he isn’t finished yet, not until all responsible have paid for their actions. Innocent and guilty are caught up in his drive fro revenge and Grady himself is placed in grave danger a number of times and only narrowly survives. There are few clues to who is behind it all, but once Grady (don’t ever call him Max!) and Cassie find a slight inkling of someone knowing more than they say initially, they are like a dog with a bone and manage to tease out the held back information, giving them their first real set of suspects. This is quickly narrowed down and now the chase is on to stop the bomber before he goes after his next target. A real game of cat and mouse, with the slightest detail managing to make the difference between life and death. Time is wasted as the FBI Agent tries to pull rank and to Grady is intent on finding out the identity of the bomber and what his next target will be. A cracking story of very realistic scenarios and one man’s extreme actions, seeking revenge for the death of a loved one, he blames on the actions of many. Not for the faint hearted as some scenes are very graphic in nature and the aftermath of the bombing is discussed in detail. Non-stop action almost from the very beginning, with readers knowing who the bomber is from the start, but only understanding his reasoning when the full story of corruption and greed comes out. Too close for comfort at some points and I’m sure this investigation will stick with Grady and Cassie for a long time afterwards. I can’t wait to see what case the author will come up with next to top this one! A read I couldn’t out down once I started and that I couldn’t wait to finish and to see what happened the whole way through. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
When another bomb goes off in the city of Pittsburgh, Grady believes there must have been a connection with the large bombing at the hospital. But he needs to be able to prove what the link is, so they can narrow down who the suspect actually is and try to figure out why they are doing this. One angry man is seeking revenge for what happened to his wife and he has spent months preparing for this day, the day he gets to exact his revenge on all those he holds responsible. Whether he kills or injures innocent people at the same time doesn’t even come into consideration for this man. His grief has overwhelmed him and left him to follow a destructive path, seemingly without being stopped. The police and the FBI have little to go on and Grady also ends up having to deal with his brother Ben, who has the intelligence of a child, within the violent adult body of his father, with a temper to match at times. Having to be at the hospital, first visiting Williams and then in the aftermath of the bombing, brings back memories for Grady of the times he was there with their mother, after their father beat her badly so many times and even his children. Grady doesn’t really trust anyone and is pretty much a loner, only Cassie seeming to understand him and able to deal with him.
Distressing scenes for all the emergency services, people caught up in the events and the investigators to all deal with, as graphic descriptions are used in parts of the story. The bomber found out something after his wife’s death in the hospital, which made it clear that her death should not have happened. He has investigated this himself and tried to tell lots of different authorities about what he found, but no action was taken. He felt driven to take the drastic measures he did and he isn’t finished yet, not until all responsible have paid for their actions. Innocent and guilty are caught up in his drive fro revenge and Grady himself is placed in grave danger a number of times and only narrowly survives. There are few clues to who is behind it all, but once Grady (don’t ever call him Max!) and Cassie find a slight inkling of someone knowing more than they say initially, they are like a dog with a bone and manage to tease out the held back information, giving them their first real set of suspects. This is quickly narrowed down and now the chase is on to stop the bomber before he goes after his next target. A real game of cat and mouse, with the slightest detail managing to make the difference between life and death. Time is wasted as the FBI Agent tries to pull rank and to Grady is intent on finding out the identity of the bomber and what his next target will be. A cracking story of very realistic scenarios and one man’s extreme actions, seeking revenge for the death of a loved one, he blames on the actions of many. Not for the faint hearted as some scenes are very graphic in nature and the aftermath of the bombing is discussed in detail. Non-stop action almost from the very beginning, with readers knowing who the bomber is from the start, but only understanding his reasoning when the full story of corruption and greed comes out. Too close for comfort at some points and I’m sure this investigation will stick with Grady and Cassie for a long time afterwards. I can’t wait to see what case the author will come up with next to top this one! A read I couldn’t out down once I started and that I couldn’t wait to finish and to see what happened the whole way through. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
January 10, 2023
Betrayal, greed, and vengeance!
Detective Max Grady of the Pittsburgh police department swings by the hospital on his way to work to look in on his boss who is recovering from a hip replacement surgery. What unfolds from there is an explosive series of events which will change countless lives forever. K. J. Kalis has penned an electrifying thriller shining the spotlight on the potential cost of unbridled avarice and inconsolable loss. It is common knowledge that the supply of organs available for transplant is dwarfed by the ever-growing demand. The anonymity and impartiality of the organ donation system is supposed to be beyond reproach – but is it? Is the system flawed, is it vulnerable? This riveting story takes off at a break-neck pace and follows Detective Grady and his partner, Detective Cassie Reynolds, as they investigate a mass casualty disaster at the local hospital. The action, the premise, and the unremitting tension held me glued to the pages until I had finished the very last line. While more than one character is guilty of unconscionable wrong-doing, it is difficult to say whose actions were more reprehensible given the reasons for their unthinkable behavior. I have no doubt that words like horrifying, captivating, spellbinding, and enthralling will be used by other reviewers for this latest installment of the Detective Max Grady thrillers. I highly recommend setting aside an evening for this thought-provoking tale. I am certain it will stick with me for some time to come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased review.
Detective Max Grady of the Pittsburgh police department swings by the hospital on his way to work to look in on his boss who is recovering from a hip replacement surgery. What unfolds from there is an explosive series of events which will change countless lives forever. K. J. Kalis has penned an electrifying thriller shining the spotlight on the potential cost of unbridled avarice and inconsolable loss. It is common knowledge that the supply of organs available for transplant is dwarfed by the ever-growing demand. The anonymity and impartiality of the organ donation system is supposed to be beyond reproach – but is it? Is the system flawed, is it vulnerable? This riveting story takes off at a break-neck pace and follows Detective Grady and his partner, Detective Cassie Reynolds, as they investigate a mass casualty disaster at the local hospital. The action, the premise, and the unremitting tension held me glued to the pages until I had finished the very last line. While more than one character is guilty of unconscionable wrong-doing, it is difficult to say whose actions were more reprehensible given the reasons for their unthinkable behavior. I have no doubt that words like horrifying, captivating, spellbinding, and enthralling will be used by other reviewers for this latest installment of the Detective Max Grady thrillers. I highly recommend setting aside an evening for this thought-provoking tale. I am certain it will stick with me for some time to come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased review.
January 5, 2023
One Cold Heart by KJ Kalis
Detective Max Grady Thrillers Book Two
Detective Max Grady was visiting his boss at Spring Valley Medical Center. Williams had finally got his hip surgery done. Of course, he didn’t want to be here, but he’d been told to play nice. So when what felt like an earthquake and evacuation calls rang out, it was up to Grady to get Williams to safety. And then the race was on. Someone had bombed the facility.
He was put in charge, and Grady doesn’t play nice with anyone. FBI thought they were in charge. As all the agencies got involved, Grady went down his path, as always, with his partner, Cassie Reynolds. They had a bomber loose in Pittsburgh, and he wanted to find and stop him.
This story pulled me in and had me turning the pages from beginning to end. I felt bad for the villain, although he took the wrong path for vengeance. The reader gets to see inside the minds of several characters through their POVs, yet the story still flows smoothly.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Detective Max Grady Thrillers Book Two
Detective Max Grady was visiting his boss at Spring Valley Medical Center. Williams had finally got his hip surgery done. Of course, he didn’t want to be here, but he’d been told to play nice. So when what felt like an earthquake and evacuation calls rang out, it was up to Grady to get Williams to safety. And then the race was on. Someone had bombed the facility.
He was put in charge, and Grady doesn’t play nice with anyone. FBI thought they were in charge. As all the agencies got involved, Grady went down his path, as always, with his partner, Cassie Reynolds. They had a bomber loose in Pittsburgh, and he wanted to find and stop him.
This story pulled me in and had me turning the pages from beginning to end. I felt bad for the villain, although he took the wrong path for vengeance. The reader gets to see inside the minds of several characters through their POVs, yet the story still flows smoothly.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
October 14, 2023
Sam Ware loved his wife more than anything in the world. He was therefore excited to learn that a new heart was going to be available to replace her diseased heart. The arrangements had all been made, the OR was prepped and the thoracic surgeon was available to perform the operation.
But something went wrong. At the last minute the heart was given to another recipient. What could have gone wrong? When Sam figured out what went wrong he began a program of revenge. He had a foolproof master plan. He had taken everything into account.
What he did not count on was Max Grady. Thus begins the tightly structured novel by accomplished storyteller K. J. Kalis. The reader sees the story from two alternating points of view: that of Sam Ware and that of Max Grady. Kalis makes Ware a sympathetic character as one who has unjustly been deprived of the love of his life, yet also never downplays his villainy.
Get ready for an exciting adventure and an emotionally satisfying journey in this wonderfully readable Max Grady story, "One Cold Heart."
But something went wrong. At the last minute the heart was given to another recipient. What could have gone wrong? When Sam figured out what went wrong he began a program of revenge. He had a foolproof master plan. He had taken everything into account.
What he did not count on was Max Grady. Thus begins the tightly structured novel by accomplished storyteller K. J. Kalis. The reader sees the story from two alternating points of view: that of Sam Ware and that of Max Grady. Kalis makes Ware a sympathetic character as one who has unjustly been deprived of the love of his life, yet also never downplays his villainy.
Get ready for an exciting adventure and an emotionally satisfying journey in this wonderfully readable Max Grady story, "One Cold Heart."
February 7, 2023
One Cold Heart kept me reading non-stop. Apparently, there is a worldwide business in selling organs for transplants putting donors and recipients of these organs in danger, it's a work chain involving people working with the patients awaiting transplants list, donors, doctors, hospitals, and clinics. This book explores this issue and also the bitter revenge one husband (who lost a wife who needed a transplant) takes against those responsible. He makes huge chaos and decides the ending of his saga. It also presents the dispute among which agency is responsible for the case, the need for power, and the need of sharing and making partnerships so everything can flow better.
A very good plot, and a well-written story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A very good plot, and a well-written story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 6, 2024
There are some good things and some really annoying things about One Cold Heart. First the good: Plenty of action, a good revenge type premise and the author was very attentive to details especially regarding procedures, etc. What I had a problem with was that, outside of Max’s sidekick Cassie, there is no one to cheer for or even partially likable. Max Grady, the primary character, is a flat out jerk. The FBI agent Reese is almost as rough and the scenes where they are together quickly devolve into a d*** swinging contest. Even Sam the bomber, whose motivation is plausible and even perhaps justified, fails to elicit much sympathy as he indiscriminately kills hundreds to make his point. I applaud the author for coming up with an interesting story, I just wish she could have told it better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2023
Sam Ware worked security at Spring Grove Medical Center for 15 years. His wife, Brenda, was scheduled for a much-needed heart transplant when all of a sudden 'her heart' went somewhere else. A glitch in the system was what Dr. Denise Carlson said. Then Brenda passed away without the heart. Sam went on his revenge mission. How many people will end up dying before he is caught? He thought bombing the hospital was the answer...but it wasn't. Will he find out what really happened to Brenda's heart and about the 'glitch'? A story that could happen. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2024
I loved this story.
Detective Max Grady was visiting his lieutenant in hospital when a bomb exploded at the other end of the hospital. Fortunately, he and his lieutenant were uninjured.
What follows is a fascinating story of a man whose wife was cheated out of a heart transplant and his revenge on the people he considered to be the perpetrators of his wife's death.
I could understand Sam's reasoning, but I could not agree with him. What he did was horrific.
This was an interesting story and well written.
It is the first book of this author I have read and hopefully, it will not be the last one.
Detective Max Grady was visiting his lieutenant in hospital when a bomb exploded at the other end of the hospital. Fortunately, he and his lieutenant were uninjured.
What follows is a fascinating story of a man whose wife was cheated out of a heart transplant and his revenge on the people he considered to be the perpetrators of his wife's death.
I could understand Sam's reasoning, but I could not agree with him. What he did was horrific.
This was an interesting story and well written.
It is the first book of this author I have read and hopefully, it will not be the last one.
February 1, 2023
What a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
January 25, 2024
Well done!
I have read quite a few books but this was really good. The plot was completely different from others of the same type story. The characters were pretty cool. Max was a great cop. I couldn't rate it any higher than 5 stars or I would have given it 10 stars. Can't wait for another great read from this author.
I have read quite a few books but this was really good. The plot was completely different from others of the same type story. The characters were pretty cool. Max was a great cop. I couldn't rate it any higher than 5 stars or I would have given it 10 stars. Can't wait for another great read from this author.
February 3, 2024
You have nothing to lose
A killer has nothing left to lose. Will Detective Max Grady be able to stop him? A local hospital has been bombed with too many casualties will Max & his partner Cassie be able to find the clues to catch the bomber? How can you stop someone that is looking for vengeance? A good read good characters
A killer has nothing left to lose. Will Detective Max Grady be able to stop him? A local hospital has been bombed with too many casualties will Max & his partner Cassie be able to find the clues to catch the bomber? How can you stop someone that is looking for vengeance? A good read good characters
January 7, 2023
How many wrongs make a right?
How many people have to die to settle a score?
When Sam’s wife dies because of not getting a heart transplant, his reaction is not to be taken lightly when he finds out why she didn’t get the transplant.
Edge of your seat reading! Great book.
How many people have to die to settle a score?
When Sam’s wife dies because of not getting a heart transplant, his reaction is not to be taken lightly when he finds out why she didn’t get the transplant.
Edge of your seat reading! Great book.
January 31, 2023
Good second act
Book 2 in this series was a thriller. There is probably a modicum of reality there that wouldn't be hard to fathom. Since money talks and greed never fails to exist, but revenge can be the worst outcome for the innocent.
Book 2 in this series was a thriller. There is probably a modicum of reality there that wouldn't be hard to fathom. Since money talks and greed never fails to exist, but revenge can be the worst outcome for the innocent.
January 13, 2024
Good story but.....
The book was spoilt by the main detective, Grady, an obnoxious arrogant and extremely unlikeable character.
The FBI agent was superfluous and his arrest of Grady was comedy time.
First time reading this author and last.
The book was spoilt by the main detective, Grady, an obnoxious arrogant and extremely unlikeable character.
The FBI agent was superfluous and his arrest of Grady was comedy time.
First time reading this author and last.
January 16, 2024
Payback is a Bitch
Anger and frustration spill over into action against any and all involved, and collect far to many in collateral damage. Max Grady has the instincts and intuition to solve the case. A great story from KJ Kalis
Anger and frustration spill over into action against any and all involved, and collect far to many in collateral damage. Max Grady has the instincts and intuition to solve the case. A great story from KJ Kalis
January 18, 2024
Really??
I was inclined to put down this book several times, but kept going in the hope that the characters and storyline could somehow miraculously transform into something with a degree of believability. I should have gone with my first instincts!
I was inclined to put down this book several times, but kept going in the hope that the characters and storyline could somehow miraculously transform into something with a degree of believability. I should have gone with my first instincts!
February 20, 2024
This is a great story by Kalis. Her character Max Grady developed well into what is he going to do next. She kept the interest level. Up and I found myself turning pages and not wanting to put it down. Her bomber was another interesting character. Loved it 5.
July 12, 2024
My first exposure to Detective Max Grady
Fast paced story of a man trying to correct the wrongs of a corrupt system via direct action which brings him into contact the tortured soul that is Max Grady
Fast paced story of a man trying to correct the wrongs of a corrupt system via direct action which brings him into contact the tortured soul that is Max Grady
February 26, 2025
Wow, K.J.Kalis is a new author to me but will be looking for more.
Good, whodone it, I really enjoyed it. Well written mystery, fast moving once someone starts looking for Macy, 4 months since she went missing. After hubby gets a ransom call, he realizes not just on a retreat. Quick read.
Good, whodone it, I really enjoyed it. Well written mystery, fast moving once someone starts looking for Macy, 4 months since she went missing. After hubby gets a ransom call, he realizes not just on a retreat. Quick read.
January 17, 2024
Enjoyable read
Good story that kept my interest throughout. I will read more from this author! Characters were likeable and I will look at more books in the series.
Good story that kept my interest throughout. I will read more from this author! Characters were likeable and I will look at more books in the series.
January 18, 2024
Gripping
Two killers, one driven by greed, one by revenge, a flawed detective, and some spectacular explosions. Who will be the next to die?
Two killers, one driven by greed, one by revenge, a flawed detective, and some spectacular explosions. Who will be the next to die?
January 21, 2024
typical cop story.
Enjoyed the back and forth between the FBi and local PD.
Having Sam working his revenge on the hospital and the doctor made for a good storyline.
Enjoyed the back and forth between the FBi and local PD.
Having Sam working his revenge on the hospital and the doctor made for a good storyline.
January 21, 2024
Excellent 3
January 25, 2024
One Cold Heart
First time reading this author and really enjoyed her writing style. Full of intrigue, twists and turns. Look forward to reading more of her books.
First time reading this author and really enjoyed her writing style. Full of intrigue, twists and turns. Look forward to reading more of her books.
February 7, 2024
Heartless
Thrilling till the end. A lot of planning that in life never goes as it should but in the world of books it does.
Thrilling till the end. A lot of planning that in life never goes as it should but in the world of books it does.
May 7, 2024
Great series
May 11, 2024
Read it straight through!
Excellent detective procedural. Hope there will be more Max Grady books. Liked most of Pittsburgh PD characters. Too much grumpiness.
Excellent detective procedural. Hope there will be more Max Grady books. Liked most of Pittsburgh PD characters. Too much grumpiness.
July 27, 2024
And 1/2.
September 26, 2024
Good Detective story
Max and partner take on the FBI and a mad bomber. It takes a while to figure out which is worse.
Max and partner take on the FBI and a mad bomber. It takes a while to figure out which is worse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews