When a boy raps on Detective Burgess’s car window summoning him to a burning commercial building now serving as a mosque, Burgess rushes through the intensifying flames to rescue a screaming woman and her baby locked in a closet.The young mother survives, but suffers traumatic muteness. Autopsy shows the infant was gravely ill, suggesting someone was trying to keep mother and child away from … hospitals that might have asked questions.Questioning suspicious, uncooperative refugees, members of a motorcycle gang, and shady businessmen, results in threats to Burgess’s family, newly grown by two adopted children.Burgess persists, certain that finding justice for the child and mute mother will solve everything, until a witnesses draws him and his team into a building… booby-trapped to explode.AWARDS:Winner of the Maine Literary Award for Crime FictionREVIEWS:”Flora pours on the intensity in this criminal, legal and moral maze.” ~Kirkus Reviews”It’s the richness of characterization, refreshing dialogue, and startlingly good writing that recommend Flora’s novel.” ~BooklistTHE JOE BURGESS MYSTERIES, in series orderPlaying GodThe Angel of Knowlton ParkRedemptionAnd Grant You Peace
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First off I would like to point out this book centers around a good deal of hot button issues: racial inequality, immigration, abuse of women, religious tolerance or lack there of. I believe the author deals with these very complex issues in a frank and realistic way that being said if any of these are trigger issues you may want to skip this installment of the series.
Secondly I must say that this is a compelling and heart wrenching story and I loved every word. It brings to life the very real and not always very pretty life of a police detective and his family and all the dangers that go with the badge. The pursuit of justice warts and all is alive and well in Joe Burgess and his squad. I love the elements of old school hard boiled detective stories as well as the softening edges as Joe develops from a 24/7/365 cop into a family man/cop. The kids and Chris are excellent lights in a sea of darkness surrounding this case. The author has a true gift I felt as if I was down there slogging through the questions and the paperwork and everything right alongside the guys. I was along for the roller coaster ride and it was fantastic! I highly recommend this book!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
This book is filled with lots of drama, suspense, even heartbreaking moments, it I could not put it down. Very realistic characters and storyline.
Definitely worth reading!!
“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
As the world changes, whole communities of people come to the United States for a new life. In Maine, Somalia areas are established, trying to keep to the old ways while some want to grab onto the new ways. And the conflict pulls in the police and Joe Burgess and his elite team of cops.
This can easily he read as a standalone novel of Joe, Perry and Kyle and their families. The shocks come early and continue through the book…..brutality against a young woman and her child., a mosque sat on fire, lack of communication or trust and guns…lots of guns.
Joe and his team work around the clock to find the people still trying to grab the young woman..even from the hospital.
You see teamwork, tension build while trying to gather information, and learn just how hard it is to follow the laws and still get the bad guys.
Joe is the senior detective, with brains and heart. Some super scary attacks become personal and involve hls own family. You see Joe and his son working things out under very trying times
Is it whites against Muslims, old versus new, young against old or is it something older, perhaps greed or hate or even love?
This is a look into a hard case full of action, bombs, guns, and with each page discover more information, confusion and the toll it takes on the best of cops.
Kate Flora makes you care deeply for the people and pulls you into the drama at work and in the private lives. It’s life and death. Five stars
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book, this is my honest review. Pick this book up and prepare to spend some time in Maine!
I prefer the Thea Kozak series, but both are VERY readable. I like Kate Flora’s books better than the Sue Grafton series.
AND GRANT YOU PEACE by Kate Flora
I think Joe Burgess should be granted the title of Chivalrous Knight of the Handkerchief. “Decades of binding up his city’s wounds — physical and emotional — with little squares of white cotton.”
“Hankies to stop tears, stop bleeding, bind broken bones and broken hearts.”
Some years ago I proposed waving handkerchiefs as a quiet signal of need for intervention . . . I still think it’s an idea with promise, and I like the addition of Hanky Man coming to the rescue.
Keeping people safe, despite the odds, dealing with reluctant witnesses and unrepentant bad guys, motorcycle gangs and fire in a mosque, all while trying to be there for their own families is a massive, tiring, discouraging job, “it was a thankless task,” and yet they persist. I want Joe Burgess and his team on my side when there’s trouble, including school problems. What a great meeting with the principal! “As I see it, there are three ways this can go . . . “
“Hoping. Wishing. It only came true in love songs and Disney movies . . . Putting your shoulder to the boulder and pushing, that got results.”
Brava for well-written books! I find comfort in this hero and hope there are many like him in the world, the thin blue line keeping others safe. Lessons for life, hope for justice.
“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” ― G.K. Chesterton
“And Grant You Peace” is for die-hard detective fans who like authentic details of life as a police officer, both the good and the bad. The politics and stretches of boring waiting, the stomach churning forensic details and crime scene gore, and the fast pace of getting closer to the truth. All of the Joe Burgess books have a true-life feeling without the phoniness of a ‘Joe Friday’ “Just the facts Ma’am” crime novel. This one will hook you on this character!