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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Loved the banter between the PI and Sheriff.
Liked the author’s work and read them all. Will be watching this author for future reading.
Great author
Kept me interested.
Interesting but jumbled, repetitive and at times in need of a good editor.
I recommended this set of books to my husband as well. These are very well written and compelling
I loved every one of them! Hope to read more.
I enjoyed all three of these; they ‘happen’ in a Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe, and, since I grew up there, I appreciated the detail of the settings, roads, politics, etc. Good mysteries.
I enjoyed that it took place in Detroit, Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores. It was fun to know the roads and the neighborhoods.
This 3-book collection was pretty good. Characters and events were well written.
got bored in the 2nd one
If you are interested in a more detailed review, please check out my review of each individual book in the series (if you are that interested, that is.). For the most part I enjoyed all the books in this series. Books 1 & 2 have severe editing/continuity issues and book 3 feels like it was rushed; but even with those flaws I still enjoyed the reading. They are the typical crime/private investigator stories and a very good way to escape your every day life for a few hours. I think Mr Ames is slightly heavy-handed with the profanity and while there is indeed violence included, I did appreciate the fact that he didn’t parade out the details in all their gory glory. I feel fairly confidant in recommending the series. But don’t be looking for any highbrow prose. There’s a reason the name of the box set is Grosse Point Pulp.
I am enjoying these books, not quite done yet but already know I’ll continue til the end. Saw the name of the book and because I actually live in that area, it’s even more enjoyable. I can relate to most of the areas and places mentioned in the book. I always enjoy this author, never put down one of his books…
Enjoyed the characters
I enjoyed it. It’s not quite up to quality in other novels of thi type. But i liked it.
I liked these books so much I purchased the three behind this set. John Rockne is a funny guy with a serious job. I like his approach to all the world around him.
Great read, kept me coming back.
I enjoyed the story and the characters
This was a good read. Although set in England,police are police. Found easy to follow with not a ton of characters. Baci
I enjoyed this set!