A USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHORThe First Three Full-Length Books in a Bestselling, Award-Winning Mystery SeriesDEAD WOOD (John Rockne Mystery #1) In the exclusive enclave of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a woman who builds custom guitars is murdered. A disgraced ex-cop turned private investigator is hired by the dead woman’s father and immediately becomes the target of a violent ex-convict. An … target of a violent ex-convict. An enigmatic music star performs damage control on her links to the dead woman. And a professional killer who idolizes Keith Richards is brought into town by a mysterious employer. DEAD WOOD is what great mysteries are all about: love, hate, faith and vengeance, all wrapped up in an explosive story that simply refuses to let up.
HARD ROCK (John Rockne Mystery #2) Private Investigator John Rockne is determined to find out who is responsible for the brutal murder of a young man in Grosse Pointe. A contract killer known only as The Spook wants to keep the truth buried forever. Rockne quickly uncovers a series of dark secrets with ties to his own tortured past. HARD ROCK is a thrilling conclusion to the bestselling crime novel DEAD WOOD.
COLD JADE (John Rockne Mystery #3) Once a cop in the well-to-do Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe, John Rockne was dismissed from the force after making a tragic mistake that resulted in the brutal murder of a young man. Now working as a private investigator, John is hired by a man whose daughter is missing and he soon discovers the young woman was living a secret life under the name Jade. John quickly realizes the world Jade had entered was a dangerous one filled with thieves, drugs, pimps and murderers. He has no idea if he can find her…and bring her out alive.
“Dan Ames’ writing reminds me of the great thriller writers — lean, mean, no nonsense prose that gets straight to the point and keeps you turning those pages.” –Robert Gregory Browne, author of Down Among the Dead Men
“As gritty as the Detroit streets where it’s set, DEAD WOOD grabs you early on and doesn’t let go. As fine a debut as you’ll come across this year, maybe any year.” –Tom Schreck, author of Out Cold, A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery
“From its opening lines, Daniel S. Ames and his private eye novel DEAD WOOD recall early James Ellroy: a fresh attitude and voice and the heady rush of boundless yearning and ambition. Ames delivers a vivid evocation of time and place in a way that few debut authors achieve, nailing the essence of his chosen corner of high-tone Michigan. He also deftly dodges the pitfalls that make so much contemporary private detective fiction a mixed bag and nostalgia-freighted misfire. Ames’ detective has family; he’s steady. He’s not another burned-out, booze-hound hanging on teeth and toenails to the world and smugly wallowing in his own ennui. This is the first new private eye novel in a long time that just swept me along for the ride. Ames is definitely one to watch.” — Craig McDonald, Edgar-nominated author
“Dead Wood is a fast-paced, unpredictable mystery with an engaging
narrator and a rich cast of original supporting characters.” -Thomas Perry, New York Times bestselling author of The Butcher’s Boy.
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Not the greatest, but not the worst. Mystery trail keeps you interested.
This book was too dark and heavy for my taste. I read only the first few chapters.
Just a good read for sure. I enjoyed this as the detective had a wife and young family, yet got involved in a lot of stuff. He managed to survive and sometimes only because his police chief sister helped him out. They were snarky to one another and yet there was love leaking out too.
I enjoyed the books, they had good story lines, I like that it took 2 of the books to clear up the PI’s original mishap. I think the maturity level of the main character can be raised a bit, but, it didn’t take away from the book. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
As opposed to many writers this guy is very good at using the english language and his facts are accurate. The hero is rather a bumbling private detective. No weapon, related to the police chief who gives him no respect, but he is persistent and smart enough to solve the cases he takes on. Very entertaining.
Grew up near Grosse Pointe and love reading about places I know.
Can’t wait to read more!
It was terrible!
The hero always needs to be saved by someone else. Rather disappointing that way.
A detective series in the tradition of Mickey Spillane.
2 out of 3 ain’t bad. First 2 volumes run together and make a good story with unique characters. The third volume was a as stretch.
Fun read .. plots and twists and believable
Dnf
i enjoyed the series.
great read. well written. highly recommend
Dan Ames’ style of writing reminds me of some of the better writers of thrillers. He has a terrific approach and is completely no nonsense in that respect.
I enjoyed this book. Three stories all intertwined. Had to make myself put the book down when I went to bed or had something else to do.
John Rockne, the main character, was endearing as well as engaging! I couldn’t put this series down! I am still not sure which case was my favorite! I would read rhis series again, as well as buy the next book if finances allowed. Thanks to the author, Dan Ames!
I hope you enjoy these books as much as I did!
It was a great book that was a fast pace.
I lived in Grosse Pointe a long time ago, so I got this book out of nostalgia. I couldn’t finish it, which is rare for me. ;And I hardly remember the part that I did read. I didn’t like this book, but maybe you will. Chacun a son gout.