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Detective Johnny Mann #4
Kiss & Die
Ruby is looking for love- but her kiss is deadly... A serial killer is on the loose and it appears to be a woman-her target, adulterous businessmen. After picking them up in bars, she brutally tortures her victims before decapitating them. Meanwhile, Hong Kong detective Johnny Mann is still struggling to deal with his dead father's legacy of corruption and triad involvement. His nemesis CK Leung is determined to bring Johnny into the triad fold and has now deployed the most dangerous weapon-his daughter Victoria-beautiful but deadly. Falling into a downward spiral, Johnny is on the verge of destroying everything he holds dear while Ruby continues her terrifying murder spree. Johnny needs to pull himself together fast, because Ruby is getting nearer and is closing in for the kill... A nerve-shredding thriller that will grip fans of James Patterson and Karen Rose
463 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2010
23 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Lee Weeks
15 books90 followersI was born in Devon of Welsh parents. My father was a detective, my mother a nurse. I left school with just one O level in Art and by seventeen I was living in Sweden.
I loved reading Henry Miller whilst listening to Neil Young. I travelled in France and settled in Germany at twenty-one, where I worked in a bar. I came back to the UK to study for a year or two and then went to live in Hong Kong. There I fell into the hands of triads.
A detective once told me to go home and I really should have listened him, I would have saved myself a near-death experience, but then I would never have had the material for my books.
Years later, one marriage down and two children fledged, I am writing my stories. Some are based on my life, all carry a part of me and my experiences.
Taken from Author's Amazon page
I loved reading Henry Miller whilst listening to Neil Young. I travelled in France and settled in Germany at twenty-one, where I worked in a bar. I came back to the UK to study for a year or two and then went to live in Hong Kong. There I fell into the hands of triads.
A detective once told me to go home and I really should have listened him, I would have saved myself a near-death experience, but then I would never have had the material for my books.
Years later, one marriage down and two children fledged, I am writing my stories. Some are based on my life, all carry a part of me and my experiences.
Taken from Author's Amazon page
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 7, 2013
The fourth Johnny Mann novel continues to expand on the diverse heinous subject matters of the previous instalments (THE TROPHY TAKE, THE TRAFFICKED, DEATH TRIP). From people trafficking, serial killers who take macabre trophies from their victims, to Triad warfare and illicit snuff films – Lee Weeks maintains a freshness to the Hong Kong police procedural series ensuring each situation Mann faces is unique yet linked by a broader sense of continuity.
Mann is one hell of a character, plot aside; it’s his story that drives the series. Still recovering from his father’s involvement in the Triads as a successful businessman, Mann himself also operated as an undercover operative in the criminal underworld, infiltrating the Triads and living the life – a fact his brothers in arms haven’t forgotten. Not only does Mann have personal connections with the criminal underworld, his fellow police still question his commitment to the right side of the law. Lee Weeks exposes Mann’s history in KISS AND DIE to the point where Mann himself questions his allegiance – in part due to failed ops and the conniving and sassy Victoria, daughter of Triad crime boss CK who uses her womanly arsenal to seduce the seemingly incorruptible cop.
Brimming with violence and exploitation of minority groups living in squalor, KISS AND DIE introduces Mann to a whole new world of pain and suffering. The inhabitants of the notoriously poor and criminally-inflicted community of the Mansions are being overrun by a new kind of fear – youngsters out to impress the Triad bosses. Delusions of grandeur and an overwhelming thirst for blood results in many causalities without cause. It is within this decaying environment, Ruby, a sadistic serial killer like no other flourishes, murdering foreign businessmen in vivid stomach churning detail – perhaps Weeks’ crowing achievement at capturing a killers essence. Mann and his team face adversity at every point of the investigation with only street smarts and persistence knocking down the barriers.
KISS AND DIE is a great read. The plot is straightforward and throws up a twist here and there (with a particularly nasty revelation at the end of the book), the Triads are more than cardboard cut-out criminals but rather three dimensional and pivotal to the ongoing series, while Mann, himself continues to grow with each instalment as a person and as a cop. Lee Weeks once again entertains with yet another solid entry into the Johnny Mann series. Once again, I’m eagerly anticipating reading the next instalment – 4 stars.
My review of DEATH TRIP (Johnny Mann #3) can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Mann is one hell of a character, plot aside; it’s his story that drives the series. Still recovering from his father’s involvement in the Triads as a successful businessman, Mann himself also operated as an undercover operative in the criminal underworld, infiltrating the Triads and living the life – a fact his brothers in arms haven’t forgotten. Not only does Mann have personal connections with the criminal underworld, his fellow police still question his commitment to the right side of the law. Lee Weeks exposes Mann’s history in KISS AND DIE to the point where Mann himself questions his allegiance – in part due to failed ops and the conniving and sassy Victoria, daughter of Triad crime boss CK who uses her womanly arsenal to seduce the seemingly incorruptible cop.
Brimming with violence and exploitation of minority groups living in squalor, KISS AND DIE introduces Mann to a whole new world of pain and suffering. The inhabitants of the notoriously poor and criminally-inflicted community of the Mansions are being overrun by a new kind of fear – youngsters out to impress the Triad bosses. Delusions of grandeur and an overwhelming thirst for blood results in many causalities without cause. It is within this decaying environment, Ruby, a sadistic serial killer like no other flourishes, murdering foreign businessmen in vivid stomach churning detail – perhaps Weeks’ crowing achievement at capturing a killers essence. Mann and his team face adversity at every point of the investigation with only street smarts and persistence knocking down the barriers.
KISS AND DIE is a great read. The plot is straightforward and throws up a twist here and there (with a particularly nasty revelation at the end of the book), the Triads are more than cardboard cut-out criminals but rather three dimensional and pivotal to the ongoing series, while Mann, himself continues to grow with each instalment as a person and as a cop. Lee Weeks once again entertains with yet another solid entry into the Johnny Mann series. Once again, I’m eagerly anticipating reading the next instalment – 4 stars.
My review of DEATH TRIP (Johnny Mann #3) can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
February 13, 2012
Blurb From Goodreads
Ruby is looking for love, her target, adulterous businessmen. After picking them up in bars, she brutally tortures her victims before decapitating them. Meanwhile, Hong Kong detective Johnny Mann is still struggling to deal with his dead father's legacy of corruption and triad involvement. His nemesis CK Leung is determined to bring Johnny into the triad fold and has now deployed the most dangerous weapon, his beautiful but deadly daughter Victoria. Falling into a downward spiral, Johnny is on the verge of destroying everything he holds dear while Ruby continues her terrifying murder spree. Johnny needs to pull himself together fast, because Ruby is getting nearer, and is closing in for the kill.
My Review
Ruby is a ruthless killer, she targets businessmen and slowly takes them apart. Detective Mann has his own issues to deal with, his legacy of being the son of a Triad leader and the millions it brings with it. His team members don't know if they can trust him and now a young girl has been dismembered as part of a new wild gang initiation and Mann is on the case. If all that wasn't bad enough both the Triad leader and his daughter have their eye on Mann and more importantly his money and ties in their community. Can they persuade him to turn his back on the law and embrace his criminal ties?
What a fantastic read! From the first chapter, which by the way is one of the most graphic and brutal descriptions I have read in a long time. It really isn't for the light hearted and you will know if it is for you within two pages and you are flung in at the deep end.
The story pace is good, it starts fast and brutal and then slows just a bit but enough to keep you intrigued and turning the pages. There are lots of twists and turns, surprises and even a few O.M.G moments. I enjoyed it so much I went looking for more and found I have read the first book but not two and three so have now bought them and would have read them in sequence had I realized. Definitely not for those with weak stomachs or faint hearts, thrilling and packed full of action so 5/5 for me.
Ruby is looking for love, her target, adulterous businessmen. After picking them up in bars, she brutally tortures her victims before decapitating them. Meanwhile, Hong Kong detective Johnny Mann is still struggling to deal with his dead father's legacy of corruption and triad involvement. His nemesis CK Leung is determined to bring Johnny into the triad fold and has now deployed the most dangerous weapon, his beautiful but deadly daughter Victoria. Falling into a downward spiral, Johnny is on the verge of destroying everything he holds dear while Ruby continues her terrifying murder spree. Johnny needs to pull himself together fast, because Ruby is getting nearer, and is closing in for the kill.
My Review
Ruby is a ruthless killer, she targets businessmen and slowly takes them apart. Detective Mann has his own issues to deal with, his legacy of being the son of a Triad leader and the millions it brings with it. His team members don't know if they can trust him and now a young girl has been dismembered as part of a new wild gang initiation and Mann is on the case. If all that wasn't bad enough both the Triad leader and his daughter have their eye on Mann and more importantly his money and ties in their community. Can they persuade him to turn his back on the law and embrace his criminal ties?
What a fantastic read! From the first chapter, which by the way is one of the most graphic and brutal descriptions I have read in a long time. It really isn't for the light hearted and you will know if it is for you within two pages and you are flung in at the deep end.
The story pace is good, it starts fast and brutal and then slows just a bit but enough to keep you intrigued and turning the pages. There are lots of twists and turns, surprises and even a few O.M.G moments. I enjoyed it so much I went looking for more and found I have read the first book but not two and three so have now bought them and would have read them in sequence had I realized. Definitely not for those with weak stomachs or faint hearts, thrilling and packed full of action so 5/5 for me.
September 7, 2015
I can honestly say that I could not put this book down.
A friend of mine got me it as a birthday present saying that the cover reminded her of me. When I saw the cover I didn't know what to say cause she obviously sees me as a violent person (which I assure you I am not) but turns out she thought of me because of my love for crime novels.
This was a great book to read, the characters where intriguing and what made it great was that the characters where realistic which made me care about them and their wellbeing throughout the book.
The killer Ruby was interesting and even though her killing scenes where explicit and brutal, it made me want to know why she was doing this to these men. Was it cause she was betrayed by a man and wanted to take her anger out on all of these other men or was it cause she was just crazy?
Now I won't give any spoilers away but I can say that the little twist at the end had me shocked. I did not see that coming at all.
What this book did beautifully was that it kept me thinking about it days after finishing it. It had me to the point where I couldn't think of starting any of my other books that are craving my attention. I ranted about this book to all of my friends and then when I found out that this was actually the fourth book in the series, it made me desperately want to the read the previous books just so I could have an excuse to read this book again.
I do recommend this book to people who love a good mystery.
A friend of mine got me it as a birthday present saying that the cover reminded her of me. When I saw the cover I didn't know what to say cause she obviously sees me as a violent person (which I assure you I am not) but turns out she thought of me because of my love for crime novels.
This was a great book to read, the characters where intriguing and what made it great was that the characters where realistic which made me care about them and their wellbeing throughout the book.
The killer Ruby was interesting and even though her killing scenes where explicit and brutal, it made me want to know why she was doing this to these men. Was it cause she was betrayed by a man and wanted to take her anger out on all of these other men or was it cause she was just crazy?
Now I won't give any spoilers away but I can say that the little twist at the end had me shocked. I did not see that coming at all.
What this book did beautifully was that it kept me thinking about it days after finishing it. It had me to the point where I couldn't think of starting any of my other books that are craving my attention. I ranted about this book to all of my friends and then when I found out that this was actually the fourth book in the series, it made me desperately want to the read the previous books just so I could have an excuse to read this book again.
I do recommend this book to people who love a good mystery.
August 25, 2024
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime.
Pace: Medium.
Format: Paperback.
Pages: 456
Rating: 3*
An interesting concept, a serial killer targeting adulterous businessmen. I really like the main character Detective Johnny Mann. His backstory is compelling, especially with him constantly fighting himself over his late father's triad connections. The way he isn't always sure who he can trust and that he will never be free of these past relationships is intriguing on it's own. However, there is a murderer and so Mann must try to put his past behind him to solve the mystery.
The detail put in for each of the victim's deaths is truly gruesome so if you're not one for gore, this may not be for you. Ruby is a truly sadistic serial killer (even though it seems they have a moral reason for their kills - only those who are cheaters), and the kills are explained in vivid detail. The mystery into why Ruby kills is interesting too. Was she treated badly by a man and is venting her frustrations? Or does she just have a sick sense of vigilante justice?
Overall a great book with a twist that shocked me. The downfall for me is that it seemed as if this were two different stories trying to merge into one. Both were good stories that would have been better in their own individual books. It was still well-written though so that helped it scrape the extra star. I would definitely recommend it and will be reading more by this author in the future.
Pace: Medium.
Format: Paperback.
Pages: 456
Rating: 3*
An interesting concept, a serial killer targeting adulterous businessmen. I really like the main character Detective Johnny Mann. His backstory is compelling, especially with him constantly fighting himself over his late father's triad connections. The way he isn't always sure who he can trust and that he will never be free of these past relationships is intriguing on it's own. However, there is a murderer and so Mann must try to put his past behind him to solve the mystery.
The detail put in for each of the victim's deaths is truly gruesome so if you're not one for gore, this may not be for you. Ruby is a truly sadistic serial killer (even though it seems they have a moral reason for their kills - only those who are cheaters), and the kills are explained in vivid detail. The mystery into why Ruby kills is interesting too. Was she treated badly by a man and is venting her frustrations? Or does she just have a sick sense of vigilante justice?
Overall a great book with a twist that shocked me. The downfall for me is that it seemed as if this were two different stories trying to merge into one. Both were good stories that would have been better in their own individual books. It was still well-written though so that helped it scrape the extra star. I would definitely recommend it and will be reading more by this author in the future.
January 13, 2016
There's a policeman in Hong Kong - although there are other police officers, apparently all crimes have to be solved by him but he's busy drinking himself to death. And in amongst all the Triad-related nefarious goings-on there's a serial killer murdering people as gruesomely as possible - but without anyone noticing.
By the end, the police are knee-deep in corpses & most of the survivors must look like Frankenstein's monster but the author wraps it up as though it's a happy ending.
By the end, the police are knee-deep in corpses & most of the survivors must look like Frankenstein's monster but the author wraps it up as though it's a happy ending.
October 12, 2011
I could not put this thriller down.
It's def not for the feint-hearted, the death scenes are quite grotesque and explicit.
However, the plot and characters (esp the hero, Johnny) are so interesting and this propelled me forward.
This is the 3rd book in the series and was fine to read as a stand alone book although I'd like to read the previous ones.
It's def not for the feint-hearted, the death scenes are quite grotesque and explicit.
However, the plot and characters (esp the hero, Johnny) are so interesting and this propelled me forward.
This is the 3rd book in the series and was fine to read as a stand alone book although I'd like to read the previous ones.
October 30, 2018
Did not finish.
January 3, 2025
I didn't love this. The writing style feels like it's trying to be a Hollywood blockbuster rather than a crime novel, which I'm sure appeals to a lot of people but it isn't for me. There are 2 interweaving storylines that are tentatively linked but don't mesh particularly well. The characters were for the most part unlikeable.
I actually didn't see the twist at the end of the book coming, so I'll give it that. And there is one character I liked - Shrimp. Even though I didn't particularly think it was a great read I'm sure there are a fair few crime fans who would enjoy it.
I'll point out that there are some majorly graphic sexual and torturous themes so if that's a problem for you please avoid this one at all costs.
I actually didn't see the twist at the end of the book coming, so I'll give it that. And there is one character I liked - Shrimp. Even though I didn't particularly think it was a great read I'm sure there are a fair few crime fans who would enjoy it.
I'll point out that there are some majorly graphic sexual and torturous themes so if that's a problem for you please avoid this one at all costs.
July 18, 2025
This isn't a crime story.
it's a story with crime in it.
The Hong Kong police sound very stupid, which they aren't.
The whole story doesn’t knit together well.
There are a number of ideas floating around in it...
and they just don't gel together.
And the lead characters just seem like unreal people...and they all have phones...but when someone is "missing" no seems to be able to track their phone....stupid stuff
it's a story with crime in it.
The Hong Kong police sound very stupid, which they aren't.
The whole story doesn’t knit together well.
There are a number of ideas floating around in it...
and they just don't gel together.
And the lead characters just seem like unreal people...and they all have phones...but when someone is "missing" no seems to be able to track their phone....stupid stuff
September 7, 2019
Kiss and Die is the finale to the Johnny Mann series by Lee Weeks.
Such a fantastic gripping thriller.
Johnny has to face his enemies as killings take place across the city.
The deadly killer is targeting adulterous business and torturing them.
Johnny Mann and his team need to work fast before the next murder.
A suspenseful page turner until the end!
Such a fantastic gripping thriller.
Johnny has to face his enemies as killings take place across the city.
The deadly killer is targeting adulterous business and torturing them.
Johnny Mann and his team need to work fast before the next murder.
A suspenseful page turner until the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2022
The ending was surprising but the switch between two different plotlines that felt like they were forced at the end wasn't very good. Also the overly sexual descriptions of every female character was really disturbing to read. The main detective guy also wasn't much of a good character. There's so many better books out there to read.
Read
September 23, 2023DNF - 30%
I had to stop reading because this book was wayyyy too dark and I was not in the right headspace.
I could feel God telling me to put it down, and with good reason. I'm actually concerned that a writer could describe death and rape on such a graphic level.
I thought this would be like the mindf series but that was tame compared to this!!
I had to stop reading because this book was wayyyy too dark and I was not in the right headspace.
I could feel God telling me to put it down, and with good reason. I'm actually concerned that a writer could describe death and rape on such a graphic level.
I thought this would be like the mindf series but that was tame compared to this!!
June 22, 2020
A very clever book, loved every bit of it, except losing NG... That was pretty devastating! He's been a pretty prominent, and well loved character from the very start! That was a twist I didn't see coming, but that's just another reason this book is so good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2019
Genius as always
Love her writing so gripping, so well written. An absolute pleasure to read,have bought them all! Lee weeks you are brill
Love her writing so gripping, so well written. An absolute pleasure to read,have bought them all! Lee weeks you are brill
August 24, 2019
Well written but it took me too long to read as I wasn't keen on the triad connection.
January 10, 2021
This book is my favourite of Lee Weeks books, it was the 1st I read and from there had to read the rest. Fast paced, action packed and great stories
April 30, 2021
This book is certainly not for a faint heart. The gruesomeness portrayed in the writing, is equivalent to watching a movie (Saw) brutal, bloody and disturbing. Loved the suspense revealed at the end.
November 18, 2024
A review from 18 November 2010: Finished reading 'KISS & DIE' by Lee Weeks! Terror, thrills, law&order and drama! A nerve-shredding thriller with a nail biting end! ;-)
June 25, 2019
Really enjoyed this book I thinj Lee Weeks keeps you guessing till the end
March 5, 2017
Couldn't put this book down. Brilliant plot and real twist at the end.
May 21, 2015
Although this book appears to be about a female serial killer, that is actually more of a sub plot to the lead detective, Johnny Mann's Triad connections. The book would stand on its own without the serial killer plotline (and we love serial killers. In a totally non-creepy way). In fact, the book would have been better without it because that was our main problem with it. It made the book feel like there were two separate books trying to be merged into one and it didn't fit.
The serial killer, Ruby, was as irritating as nettle rash to the eyeball. She had a room of dolls and would assign her victims as a father to individual dolls. We think the way she talked to the dolls was meant to come across as creepy, but it was childish and annoying. There was also no way to guess who the killer was. In a book that has characters of different nationalities - Chinese, African and Indian - her nationality wasn't given. It just said she 'wasn't Chinese'. And when the killer was revealed, it seemed unbelievable. Serial killers would be our chosen subject on Mastermind (again, in a non-creepy way) so we know that the people closest to them often don't know, and they can appear to be the nicest person in the world, but this felt more like it was done for shock value. Especially as Ruby was so childish and giggly, yet her real identity was completely different.
The rest of the book was interesting, as we don't know much about the Triad or Hong Kong, so it was nice to read a crime book that wasn't set in America or the UK. The scenes with the 49ers (teenagers recruited by the Triad) were chilling and fascinating. Johnny Mann made for an interesting character. He was trying to shake off his father's Triad connections and distance himself from that world, yet was being pressurised by his bosses to exploit those connections and delve deeper into the criminal world. And we loved the fact his weapon of choice were shurikans. That's much better than guns.
So take Ruby out of the book and it's worth a read. But unfortunately, she irritated us too much for us to score it higher.
The serial killer, Ruby, was as irritating as nettle rash to the eyeball. She had a room of dolls and would assign her victims as a father to individual dolls. We think the way she talked to the dolls was meant to come across as creepy, but it was childish and annoying. There was also no way to guess who the killer was. In a book that has characters of different nationalities - Chinese, African and Indian - her nationality wasn't given. It just said she 'wasn't Chinese'. And when the killer was revealed, it seemed unbelievable. Serial killers would be our chosen subject on Mastermind (again, in a non-creepy way) so we know that the people closest to them often don't know, and they can appear to be the nicest person in the world, but this felt more like it was done for shock value. Especially as Ruby was so childish and giggly, yet her real identity was completely different.
The rest of the book was interesting, as we don't know much about the Triad or Hong Kong, so it was nice to read a crime book that wasn't set in America or the UK. The scenes with the 49ers (teenagers recruited by the Triad) were chilling and fascinating. Johnny Mann made for an interesting character. He was trying to shake off his father's Triad connections and distance himself from that world, yet was being pressurised by his bosses to exploit those connections and delve deeper into the criminal world. And we loved the fact his weapon of choice were shurikans. That's much better than guns.
So take Ruby out of the book and it's worth a read. But unfortunately, she irritated us too much for us to score it higher.
Read
April 19, 2011Ruby is looking for love– but her kiss is deadly…
A serial killer is on the loose and it appears to be a woman–her target, adulterous businessmen. After picking them up in bars, she brutally tortures her victims before decapitating them.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong detective Johnny Mann is still struggling to deal with his dead father's legacy of corruption and triad involvement. His nemesis CK Leung is determined to bring Johnny into the triad fold and has now deployed the most dangerous weapon–his daughter Victoria–beautiful but deadly.
Falling into a downward spiral, Johnny is on the verge of destroying everything he holds dear while Ruby continues her terrifying murder spree. Johnny needs to pull himself together fast, because Ruby is getting nearer and is closing in for the kill…
A nerve-shredding thriller that will grip fans of James Patterson and Karen Rose
A serial killer is on the loose and it appears to be a woman–her target, adulterous businessmen. After picking them up in bars, she brutally tortures her victims before decapitating them.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong detective Johnny Mann is still struggling to deal with his dead father's legacy of corruption and triad involvement. His nemesis CK Leung is determined to bring Johnny into the triad fold and has now deployed the most dangerous weapon–his daughter Victoria–beautiful but deadly.
Falling into a downward spiral, Johnny is on the verge of destroying everything he holds dear while Ruby continues her terrifying murder spree. Johnny needs to pull himself together fast, because Ruby is getting nearer and is closing in for the kill…
A nerve-shredding thriller that will grip fans of James Patterson and Karen Rose
December 21, 2011
A little gory, so avoid if you don't like that.
This was a good read. I've read better thrillers but this is a good average one.
After reading this book I discovered that it was the 4th book in a series. Although it is completly readable on it's own, some parts about Johnny Mann's past will seem a little rushed. Presumably this would not be the case had I read the others first!
This was a good read. I've read better thrillers but this is a good average one.
After reading this book I discovered that it was the 4th book in a series. Although it is completly readable on it's own, some parts about Johnny Mann's past will seem a little rushed. Presumably this would not be the case had I read the others first!
March 4, 2024
4/5! I really enjoyed the book, I got through the ending fast. The plotwist ending!!!! Never thought it was Nina, SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN LOVE WITH SHRIMP, they were so cute until it wasn’t. I NEED TO WRITE THIS - this book is criminally underrated like why is no one talking about it. It’s so unknown that it’s annoying. I need more people to talk about it SO I CAN. ☹️🙂
June 15, 2011
loved this book, the third in the series
September 21, 2012
In my opinion one of the best in the series, suitably gory and vicious.
September 4, 2012
Grabbed my attention right from the beginning and just couldn't put it down. Would recommend to anyone. Brilliant!!
February 5, 2013
Gruesome novel but an interesting insight into life in Hong Kong post 1997.
February 7, 2013
I couldn't put this book down! A little graphic so not one for the feint hearted! Such a good read and I guarantee you won't be disappointed by it.
July 1, 2013
not bad
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews