Six months after a drug cartel infiltrated Charleston, Ronan McCullough continues to fight the drug war that plagues the city. His investigations are halted when the body of a mutual acquaintance, Sarah Gilmore, is found in the trunk of a burning car. In an investigation that takes him deep into the professional and personal life of the victim, McCullough discovers secrets lurking in her past, … and a tangled web of personal and professional conflicts, suspicion, and betrayal. Was Sarah killed for those reasons or something larger? As Ronan seeks answers, his life and the lives of those closest to him are used as pawns in a deadly game that has no ending.
more
First, let me say that this is my first read featuring Ronan McCullough, but now that we’ve met and I know he’s practically in my backyard, I’ll definitely have to check out the first book in the series. I saw Charleston in the blurb, but I so rarely see a book set so close to home that I just assumed it was South Carolina, so I was excited to see that these characters were just down the road a piece – and if you’re from these parts, you know that can mean anything from a block or two to a couple hundred miles. Anyway, I really liked Ronan. He’s a bit of a grump, but I know a few of those myself and like them, he’s a lovable grump – at least from my standpoint. Of course, I didn’t have to work with him. Fortunately, Ronan has those around him to help temper that grumpiness, especially Ty, plus it doesn’t hurt that he’s quite good at what he does. As I mentioned at the beginning, this is my first read in this series, but if I was missing something, I didn’t notice it, so I would say this one works as a standalone. The story has good pacing for a procedural/thriller, the case is gritty, and Eliot Parker has created characters that practically leap off the page. I certainly enjoyed it and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre.
A KNIFE’S EDGE (A Ronan McCullough Novel Book #2) by Eliot Parker is the latest edge-of-your-seat police procedural/thriller featuring Sgt. Ronan McCullough set in Charleston, WV. Even though this is the second book in the series and begins soon after the end of book one, it can easily be read as a standalone.
Sgt. Ronan McCullough has been battling the drug war in his town for most of his career. While surprising Ty at a formal function, a Hummer comes barreling through the plate glass wall of the convention center. Ty works to save lives while Ronan inspects the wreckage. A dead man is at the wheel with a gun shot to the head and the restrained and slashed body of Sarah Gilmore, a mutual friend of Ronan and Ty’s is found dead in the trunk.
Ronan and his partner Eric are not assigned the case, but he cannot stop himself from becoming involved. When Sarah was killed she was working for BTech, a new tech company which will be taking over all of the crime scene blood testing for the Charleston PD. As Ronan investigates, he discovers Sarah and BTech have secrets and the more he uncovers the more danger his nephew and his boyfriend are in.
Ronan is a veteran detective who is as intelligent as he is prickly. He has difficulty playing nice with others at work, but he is brilliant at what he does. His boyfriend, Ty is a head nurse in the ER at the local hospital and is the softer side that Ronan needs. Mr. Parker does a wonderful job of bringing them to life as well as Ronan’s partner and nephew.
The plot is well paced and intriguing. I was continually trying to figure out who I could believe and trust. The surprise twists and turns kept me turning the pages. There is a lot of action, blood and murder, but I never felt it was gratuitous.
I loved this police procedural/thriller and Ronan. I am looking forward to many more books in this series!
Ronan’s family is in the thick of another dangerous crime wave. Blood science, research, money, and cops sometimes just don’t mix. Ty’s insights are invaluable, and Ronan rules. This is a criminal investigation for the books and a family saga in the mix. Bravo to Eliot Parker on this thriller. I was very impressed and can’t wait for Ronan’s next case.