In The Guilty Dead, P. J. Tracy has written anofher exceptional book. Intriguing and riveting - it's a great Monkeywrench mystery.

I approached this entry in the Monkeewrench series with a bit of trepidation as it is the first one to be written solely by Tracy Lambrecht since the death of her mother, P.J. I needn't have worried. The transition from writing team to single writer is seamless.

Monkeewrench is working on a new software program that can analyze metadata in a fraction of the time currently needed, and unofficially working with a friend in the FBI, to use this program to zero in on dark web chatter about a possible terrorist attack in Minneapolis. Meanwhile Rolseth and Magozzi are investigating the death of a Minneapolis mover and shaker on the anniversary of his son's death of a heroin overdose. It's obviously a suicide. Except his wife and daughter insist it couldn't have been. And he shot himself using the wrong hand. They soon learn he was sure his son's death was also murder, and not the accidental overdose it had been ruled.

The Guilty dead is yet another sure fire winner in this brilliant series.
Detectives Magozzi and Rolseth have their work cut out for them but luckily have the help of the Monkeywrench gang, and although Grace is nearly due to give birth to her and Magozzi's baby she's determined to be of help.
A powerful industrialist is found dead, at first it appears to be a suicide but it soon becomes apparent it was murder. They're are many dark secrets to be revealed about this family. Add to the mix Monkeywrench discovering a terrorist attack could be imminent in the city everyone is on high alert whilst trying to deal with all the investigations. What I find really enjoyable about these stories is the camaraderie and Great dialogue between the characters and a superb plot.
A powerful thriller with many strands and and twists, throughly enjoyable.
My thanks to net galley and publishers Crooked Lane books for opportunity to review this book honestly.

The Guilty Dead: Monkeewrench Bk 9 - Written by PJ Tracy
Dead men tell no tales…but their pasts can’t keep a secret.

Gregory Norwood is Minnesota’s most beloved philanthropist, and the story of his son’s overdose was splashed across the front page of all the papers. When a photojournalist sets out to get a candid shot of the highly successful businessman on the one-year anniversary of his son’s death, he’s shocked to find Norwood dead with a smoking gun in his hand. The city is devastated, and Minneapolis detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth are called in to handle the delicate case. It should be open and shut, but something is not right. Norwood's death is no suicide. With no suspects and an increasing tangle of digital evidence that confounds the Minneapolis Police Department’s most seasoned cops, Magozzi calls on Grace MacBride, Monkeewrench Software’s founder and chief computer genius and the soon to be the mother of their child together. She and her motley crew of partners begin to unravel connections between Norwood’s death and an even larger plot. Norwood wasn’t the first, won’t be the last, and by the end, maybe just one of many to die. The breakneck, high stakes race to find his killer and save the lives of hundreds make P. J. Tracy's The Guilty Dead her most outstanding novel yet.

What did I like? Holy Cow, this was the most awesome, complicated suspense thriller that I have read and this whole series is going to be on my favorite list. I just fell in love with Leo Magozzi and Grace MacBride. Leo is so laid back but yet so clever! The whole Monkeewrench thing is awe-inspiring. I just wish that I had that talent!

What will you like? Well, after you fall in love with Leo and Grace you can flip your head back and forth with the pages turning so fast that you're going to have whiplash. Riveting action, complicated twists, and turns, astounding supporting characters, mind-blowing computer talents, incredible police work, and a shocking ending. Highly recommend this read. I received this from the author and Net Gallery with no other compensation.

A wealthy philanthropist has died of an apparent suicide--exactly one year after the drug overdose of his son. Leo Maggozi and Gino Rolseth realize quickly that there's more to the death than meets the eye. They consult with the Monkeewrench gang to help them sort out some of the high tech challenges that arise in the investigation, especially after it becomes clear that terrorists are threatening the city. Can the police and Monkeewrench stop the terrorists in time?

I've always enjoyed this series but I've missed the last several books. It still has a nice blend of police procedural and techno-thriller elements. With a host of memorable characters, the series will appeal to thriller readers and mystery lovers.

4.5 stars Another solid entry in the Monkeewrench series. One murder leads to another and past history comes to light. Luckily the Monkeewrench gang and Gino and Magozzi are there to solve the crimes. A fast-paced page-turner and a perfect way to spend an afternoon with "old friends".

Readers of the Monkeewrench series will not be disappointed. An added bonus is more background information on the main characters. Even though there is a lot of technical matter, it isn't incomprehensible for non-computer savvy readers. And, as usual, lots of action, especially at the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC. I've heard a lot about the skillful writing of PJ Tracy, and also about the Monkeewrench series, which made me request for this new release. I've to say, I did expect a lot more than the book offered. However, I enjoyed my time reading, and here is my unbiased review.

Gregory Norwood, a wealthy philanthropist commits suicide, on the death anniversary of his son Trey, who died of a drug overdose. When Gino and Magozzi are summoned to the scene, they see compelling evidences that make them declare a homicide instead of a possible suicide. They also find more blood traces on the scene, which further points them to finding more dead people.
Strong family ties, a buried secret, lies, love and betrayal. A killer from past is on loose, and if they don't catch him on time, he'll burn the city to ashes (Too dramatic?).

This is one of those books, which should be finished just because I've started with it, and don't want to drop out. I wish so hard for something exciting to happen in every preceding chapter, but the story lacked any substance in it, and the characters were more dramatic than realistic. Having read tons of crime thrillers, I'd normally think ahead of the chapters to come, with a little prediction in mind. While some authors blow the minds, to make all the predictions wrong, some just doesn't. unfortunately, I do have count this one among that particular category. I would like to give 3.5 stars for the writing and the precise Title of the book.

The latest Monkeewrench novel focuses more on the police members of the cast than on the actual Monkeewrench computer geniuses. A wealthy man commits suicide on the anniversary of his son's accidental overdose death ... or does he? A terrorist plot to blow up the Minneapolis FBI offices ...or is it? Lots of red herrings, terrific characters, and a overall a very quick read. I personally didn't mind that this entry in the series seemed more focused Magozzi and Rolseth. I understand that one of the two authors passed away in late 2016, and this is the first of the series to be written by only one author. I will be interested to see how the series progresses.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for access to the digital ARC in return for my honest opinion.

I typically love everything P.J. Tracy writes, but this one was somewhat disappointing. Her team of brilliant misfits always get drawn into bizarre and mysterious predicaments that local law enforcement gets stuck on, and that's what made me a fan. I love each person on this quirky team... but the marriage and baby thing was a terrible mistake in my view. I skipped through pages of all that mushy baby junk, since that's definitely NOT what I read Tracy's book for. Must say, I'll skip future books if that secondary theme continues. Not up to her usual standards.

This is one of my favorite series. I was afraid it would end after the death of one of the authors but the daughter who took it over is doing just fine.

Gregory Norwood is an icon in Minnesota. A wealthy philanthropist who turns up dead. Originally thought to be a suicide until Leo and Gino find evidence to the contrary. His death takes place on the day that he and his wife and daughter are due to spread the ashes of his son who has died from an overdose.
On the Monkeewrench side of things. Grace is due to have her baby any day and the gang is testing new software to aid the FBI in tracking terrorist chatter. Are these 2 things connected? Of course they are. With a crime that took place over 20 years ago, the plots connect and once again Monkeewrench saves the day.
I love the relationships in this book and I have enjoyed following them from the first book.

Love the Monkeewrench gang. You could start here....but you are going to go back to read the rest of them anyway so start at the beginning for the full experience.

I enjoyed it enough to read it in one go, that being said I almost wanted the plot to be faster, harder, pushier in some way to really make it over the top. It worked well as part of the series, and I definitely like that there were some little details (like the painting) which followed all the way through. Emotive, and easy to invest in the characters.

A decent addition to this excellent series. This one wasn't quite as good as some of the previous books in the series and I think this was partly down to the Monkeewrench crew taking more of a back seat.

This book has the ability to hook the reader early on, and keep the suspense and emotion high as the story continues. Lots of red herrings swim by along the way, keeping the reader wondering as alternatives work out. The story had a number of great moments that stayed with me after I had finished reading. The characters were different and very well described. Each character had a plot arc and surprising events. The book is a police procedural with quite a few side plots to keep the interest level and suspense high. Toward the end, a baby is born in the aftermath of a bombing, giving an emotional kick. I definitely recommend this book.

Wow what a fabulous read, full of drama and tension and very hard to put down. I was up late reading this as the chapters kept flowing and I just had to know what was going to happen next. Really enjoyed it, the characters are great, the story line was exciting and thrilling, a very well deserved 4 stars.

Amazing in its plotting and fully fleshed out characters who have relationships not expected. Secrets, tenacity, greed, murder throughout

This was a good read, but not great. I really liked the characters of Gino and Magozzi and found myself skipping the pages about Grace and MonkeeWrench to get to the murder and storyline involving the detectives. It was a bit slow and tedious in some parts, but overall a nice mystery and had me questioning who was involved. It may help to read the prior books in the series to be more invested in the characters. An overall solid mystery.

The Monkeewrench gang is back and with a boom this time. New murders, old murders, political shenanigans, a possible terrorist attack on City Hall and oh did I mention Grace is ready to give birth at any time? Strap on your seat beat, lap belt and harness. This is one thrilling ride!

Highly recommended. Due to be released in August 2018.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this arc.

I've loved the Monkeewrench Gang from book 1 in this 9 books to-date series. The 8th book was somewhat disappointing for me as it seemed to be missing some of the edginess and pacing.. As it was the first book following the death of one of the co-authors of the series, understandable and forgivable.

Some of that missing edginess has returned with this book. The pacing of the story was full-speed ahead.....I could feel the increasing pressure of the minutes and hours slipping away. There were actually 2 different crimes but it all felt like one big Gordian knot. Are the bad guys really good guys? Are the good guys really bad? Is the FBI guy going "rogue"? Oh fun!

Except for the sappiness over Grace's pregnancy and delivery, the Gang is BACK!

4.5 stars rounded up.