Published: June 25, 2012
Words: 119,152 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781476172651

Short description

“Well-written, engaging and sure to keep you up.” --- Kirkus Reviews. - Homicide Detective Ned Danes discovers that an ambitious Deputy D.A. has concealed evidence of an accused murderer's innocence in order to secure a headline-grabbing conviction. Danes torpedoes the corrupt Deputy D.A.'s case, and for his honesty, Danes is exiled to the tiny basement office of the Cold Case Squad. And then...

Extended description

“Set in the modern day, this straightforward, fast-paced detective novel cages a truly twisted villain.”

“The reader is thrust into a page-turning, clever narrative that continually morphs from police procedural, thriller, courtroom drama, and gritty evaluation of a serial rapist and killer.”

“...the relentless pace allows for little introspection.” (Read more) “Set in the modern day, this straightforward, fast-paced detective novel cages a truly twisted villain.”

“The reader is thrust into a page-turning, clever narrative that continually morphs from police procedural, thriller, courtroom drama, and gritty evaluation of a serial rapist and killer.”

“...the relentless pace allows for little introspection.”

“Grace relishes the accurate and disturbing details, providing top-quality entertainment....”

“...a relentless story.”

“Well-written, engaging and sure to keep you up.”

--- Kirkus Reviews

Homicide Detective Ned Danes discovers that an ambitious Deputy D.A. has concealed evidence of an accused murderer's innocence in order to secure a headline-grabbing conviction. Danes is warned that a smart guy would keep his mouth shut. More interested in being a good guy than a smart one, Danes torpedoes the corrupt Deputy D.A.'s case, and for his honesty, Danes is exiled to the tiny basement office of the Cold Case Squad.
Working in his forgotten outpost Danes becomes obsessed with finding the real killer who the Deputy D.A.’s scheme has allowed to run free. But just as he seems to be closing in Danes receives a plea for help from an old friend.
FBI agent Phillip Abbott has been put on leave for his last sixty days before his forced retirement. He has that long to catch a drug-cartel hit man whose specialty is murdering entire families. Completely alone, Abbott needs a courageous cop like Ned Danes to back him up.
While Danes knows that Abbott has a seventeen-year-old adopted daughter named Jessica, it is only after Danes agrees to help catch the killer that he discovers that the hit man murdered Jessica's entire family.
While Danes knows that Abbott has a seventeen-year-old adopted daughter, it is only after Danes agrees to help Abbott catch the killer that he discovers that the hit man murdered the girl’s entire family. Abbott promised her that he would get the monster no matter what it took and Danes soon learns that Abbott is willing to do anything, including breaking the law and possibly going to prison, to keep that promise.
And after Danes and Abbot do all that, Ned still has a killer of his own to catch.
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Tags

fbi, thriller, suspense, mystery, action, police procedural, emotional, police, serial killer, detective, new york, hit man, killer, courtroom, david grace, crime novel

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Reviews

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Review by: Susan Slomski on Oct. 31, 2012 :
The Concrete Kiss by David Grace is one of those books that once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. I found it extremely interesting and the suspense was great. It sort of reminded me of a bad cop/good cop type of situation but it was so much more than that. It in a way was two stories in one, Ned Danes trying to find the real killer and then there is the story of FBI Agent Phillip Abbott who is trying to find who killed his adopted daughter Jessica's parents. I don't want to write any spoilers and you can read the Author's Overview yourself so there is no need for me to repeat it but what I can tell you is that these stories are related and it all comes together. It may sound confusing but believe me it isn't, it does have a lot going on which of course has me turning page after page to see what happens next but it wasn't confusing at all.

The characters were developed well. I felt a connection with the main character, Ned Danes, rather quickly. This homicide detective stood up for what he knew was right and it cost him a 'promotion' right into the basement as head of the 'cold cases.' Then his determination plus standing for his principles really made me cheer him on. Not only was Ned's character totally developed but all the characters were developed nicely. Then there is Walter Plackman who is developed toward the end of the story in such a way that made a very large impact. I like the way the author lead me up to that point with the suspense building then finally the climax. I thought that was done effectively.

This is one story filled page after page of exciting action, suspense, and mystery that is sure to keep you up and reading long past your bedtime.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Dorothy May Mercer on Oct. 16, 2012 :
This is the first book I have read by David Grace. I read a lot of books by new authors. Not all are good. This one was the exception. If you enjoy a good cop thriller, you will like this book. It has mystery, suspense, serial killers, beautiful young women as victims, plenty of twists and surprises, and a cop that won't quit until he gets his man. The autistic young woman, as heroine, who is rarely verbal, but communicates on her computer is a nice addition, giving us a rare glimpse into the thought process of an autistic person.
Dorothy May Mercer, Author and Publisher
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Karen Lee Benton on Oct. 15, 2012 :
This is also my first David Grace, but it won't be the last.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Kay on Oct. 14, 2012 : (no rating)
This is the first book by David Grace that I have read. But it won't be the last. The two story lines are good and I couldn't put it down. Ned, who is after a serial killer of young girls, is a straight shooter who follows the letter of the law to do what is right. And Phil, after a contract hitman, will do anything to get his man. Their common area is they both want the killers off the streets.
It is a great read, just what I needed to give my mind a break from work.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Ruth Ann Hixson on Oct. 02, 2012 : (no rating)
The Concrete Kiss
By David Grace

David Grace's novel The Concrete Kiss is two books in one. One plot is of a serial killer who kidnaps young women and tortures them before he kills them. Det. Ned Danes attempt to find him with some bizarre twists and delays as he tries to help FBI Agent Phillip Abbott, who helped Danes out of jam. Abbott and his adopted seventeen-year-old daughter are trying to find the serial killer who killed Jessica's parents, her brother and her sister.
Jessica is autistic and uses a computer to communicate. From the age of twelve when her family was killed, Jessica uses the computer to hack into companies, organizations and government computer programs in an effort to find the killer.
When Phil reaches the FBI's mandatory retirement age he forced to take an extended leave of absence to use up his vacation time. He contacts Danes to help him find the killer. Danes takes a leave of absence from his job and together the go after the killer. While Phil is ready to risk it all to find him and kill him, Danes insists on working within the law. They have many arguments about what procedure they will use to find the killer. Jessica uses her computer to search cyberspace to find him.
They track him in Rochester, New York, and Phil gets shot in a parking lot gun battle. He ends up in the hospital and the killer gets away. Danes tracks him to an airport, and just before the killer gets in his plane, he pulls his gun and Ned shoots him. After Ned gets through talking to the police, he goes back to his old job and Phil goes home.
Ned still has to find his own serial killer. Through a strange twist of events, a girl that the killer had kidnapped and she escapes from his van but her head hits the road and she is in a coma. When she wakes up....I don't want to spoil the end of the story for you.
This is a well written book with a lot of excitement that will keep you reading past bedtime. Have a happy read.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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