Hold on to your seat for this roller-coaster mystery ride.

The Cleanest Kill has Detective Jack Murphy trying to figure out a cold case. Great story and well-crafted characters had me guessing until the very end. Looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.

I was a bit hesitant to start this series on book 8, but the author did a great job of giving enough back story and really setting the stage for this installment that it was easy to follow along. I enjoyed the police procedural aspect of the story along with the other elements thrown into the mix. It did read a bit predictable but the overall story was entertaining. So much so that I'm looking forward to reading the series from the beginning.

This book will be one of your favorites once read. The easy relationship between the two policemen assigned to a cold case with orders to get it solved quickly keeps you smiling as the team struggles along. Rick Reed has continued his great series with The Cleanest Kill. The community and the characters who live in it, are as familiar as your neighbor across the street and down two houses. You don't see them every day but really enjoy it when you do. The trip to the end will keep you guessing and surprise you in the end.

This book, which I received as a digital ARC through NetGalley, offered me delight and frustration in equal measure.

Delight because:
1) This is a new writer and new series to me, and I'm always thrilled to come upon a well-written crime series --
2) especially one that is write by an actual cop;
3) and furthermore, one which has the plot propulsion and character development of the very best crime books, along with realistic dialogue.

Frustration because there were definitely parts of the book that didn't live up to its potential.
First, the editing wasn't careful enough (even the strongest writers need an eagle-eye editing team.)
1) There were numerous continuity glitches, such as: a scene in a cemetery where the car under attack is a Camaro one moment, a Buick in the next paragraph, and a Camaro again by the time the police arrive; and some missing evidence (tire iron and broken bottles) are in Chapter 29 found by Sgt. Simms in the police property room behind some shelves, and then in Chapter 38 Sgt Walker finds them in a dead detective’s storage unit.

Other examples of things I'd expect an editor to catch: Within a couple lines of each other, one character shows a toothy smile and another a toothy grin; our main character, Jack, uses the word "infer" where it should have been "imply"; and Jack tells an Ohio state senator that he (as a part-time FBI agent) and the senator both work for the federal government (of course, Senator Needham works for the state of Ohio, not being a U.S. Senator.)

I've done something like 120 reviews of NetGalley books, and I've never gone into this detail before on another review. But this book had so much promise -- it had all the elements to, as they say, "transcend the genre."

I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy of The Cleanest Kill, the eighth novel to feature Detective Jack Murphy and his partner Detective Liddell Blanchard of the Evansville, Indiana PD.

It’s not going well in Evansville PD. A new mayor wants to promote unpopular Assistant Chief Richard Dick to Chief of Police but for that to happen he must be cleared of any involvement in the 37 year old unsolved murder of Max Day. Max’s family are sure he is the perpetrator and have been talking to the press about it. The current Chief has tasked Dick’s archenemies, Jack and Bigfoot as he is affectionately known, with solving the case but their task gets harder when Max’s remaining family is targeted.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Cleanest Kill which is another action packed investigation with a dash of cop humour to leaven the violence. It is told mainly from the detectives’ point of view but the reader is given a glimpse of the unidentified killer’s thoughts and actions. He is cold blooded to be sure but is it Double Dick (as he is less than affectionately known) or someone else? Mr Reed does an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension and suspicion in the reader’s mind. The solution came as a surprise because it is logical and the hints are all there but it just didn’t occur to me.

The novel is action packed with its fair share of gunshots and bodies. It makes for an exciting read and it had me turning the pages quickly to see what was coming next. It is not, however, all blood and gore. The dialogue is snappy and fun to read with its humour and personality clashes. It seems very natural and realistic. There is also a sprinkling of politics as the police department gets caught between the outgoing and incoming mayors, again natural and realistic.

I have been reading this series from the start so I feel that I know the characters well by now and always look forward to spending time with them. Jack and Bigfoot have an easy, humorous relationship which sometimes leads people to underestimate them. The are smart, tenacious investigators who refuse to give up, often putting themselves in danger to get a result. I found it interesting that the reader gets a better of view of Double Dick’s thinking. Before the reader often had to judge him on his actions and Jack’s views but this is much more up close and personal and his name is fairly apt.

The Cleanest Kill is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

The Cleanest Kill by Rick Reid
Jack Murphy #8

Jack Murphy and Liddell Blanchard have been tasked with cleaning up a 37 year old cold murder case to make sure Deputy Chief of Police, Richard Dick, is either exonerated or found guilty of the murder of Max Day. Richard and Max were on the same football team, had a fight before a big game and by morning Max was dead. A murderer was never found and there was rumor that it was swept under the rug by Richard’s father who was on t he police force at the time of the murder.

Jack and Liddell continue in this book much as they have in previous books with their friendly and irreverent back and forth as they work to solve the case. There is a bit of information shared on the personal lives of the two men and supporting characters make appearances. As they try to find out what is what there are assaults, murders and more that happen before the final showdown when the murderer is finally revealed.

I enjoyed this story but it was not quite as gripping as the previous two books that I have read. I was less invested in this book for some reason but it was well written and well done...just liked the other two books in the series that I have read a wee bit better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical-Underground for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

THE CLEANEST KILL by Rick Reed is a great mystery novel. I am glad I was picked to read this one because it is amazing. It has bit of everything, suspense, heart and great characters.

Should Richard Dick become the next chief of police of Evansville, Indiana or is he did murder Max and escape justice for 37 years? That the question Jack Murphy and his partner Liddell Blanchard have to answer and it's not pretty. Talk about a cold case. Also one that's entwined with Murphy's own life. His digging sets off a villain who goes after Max's remaining family, who always insisted that Dick was guilty. I'd not read the earlier books in this series but was fine with this as a standalone. It's a well done procedural that clearly shows Reed's background in law enforcement. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Awkward: (def.) when you’re a cop tasked with investigating your incoming chief of police for murder.

This is Detective Jack Murphy’s reality. Thirty-seven years ago, a high school student named Max Day was killed in a cemetery. Among those questioned at the time was Richard Dick, Max’ classmate & sworn enemy. The investigation was led by Richard’s father who was chief at the time & eventually it was shelved.

Jack & partner Liddell Blanchard make up the murder squad in Evansville, Indiana. There’s a new mayor ready to be sworn in & she wants to replace current chief Marlon Pope. Richard is her choice but Max’ remaining family have always maintained his father covered up his involvement. So Jack & Liddell are given their marching orders. Reopen the cold case & clear Richard for the top job.

They’ve barely begun when Max’s sister Reina is attacked in the same cemetery where he died. Evansville is one of those places where memories are long & everyone knows your business. The problem is getting people to talk & the investigation is not winning them many friends around the office either. Then tragedy strikes & they have a fresh body on their hands.

In alternate chapters, we spend time with Richard (known as “Double Dick” around the station) as he tries to quell rumours & mitigate the fallout from the investigation. He’s a pompous ass who’s butted heads with Jack for years & is determined nothing will prevent him from following in his father’s footsteps.

I love procedurals that include cold cases. There’s something appealing about an old mystery finally being solved so I really enjoyed this aspect of the story. It’s a complex & genuine head scratcher as we gradually find out who-dun-what & how it will all play out.

However….as I read, I began to ponder that age old question: how many “dick” jokes are too many? (Discuss amongst yourselves while I give you my take.) I realize the Richard’s name was chosen for this ongoing gag but it tested my patience, especially in terms of Liddell. He & Jack are 2 experienced detectives staring down a tense investigation that is tearing the town apart. And Liddell’s contribution largely consists of jumping on every opportunity to make a dick joke. Instead of picturing them based on the physical descriptions provided, over time they began to remind me of Beavis & Butt-head (heh heh heh…) IMHO, 2 or 3 times would be enough for readers to share a cheeky grin. After that, it’s just tired.

Which led to an odd situation. I actually preferred the 2 MC’s when they were separated & engaged with other characters. There’s a diverse cast & a couple of standouts for me were departing Chief Marlon Pope & the remarkable Amelia Day, Max’ mother. We also become familiar with our MC’s backgrounds & personal lives.

I must confess I haven’t read the other books in this series so don’t know if the author’s style of humour is a staple. The cold case element makes for a great story so if you’ve read & enjoyed previous outings this should be right up your alley.

3.5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed. Jack Murphy and his partner Liddell, are a great team.

The characters are all believable. The build up to Max's murder sounds like boys being boys. You believe the murderer has to be one of the three boys involved in the original fight that caused Max's death. As the story progresses other options as to how and why Mac's murder has gone unsolved for over 30 years make you wonder, who all was involved.

Thank you netgalley. I now need to go back and read some of Rick Reeds earlier books.

The Cleanest Kill is interesting and entertaining read. This is the first I have read in this series and I think I would read more. The author keeps your attention and I liked the characters.

I received an ARC copy via Netgally in hopes of my honest opinion and written review.
I have never read a Jack Murphy detective book nor any other Rick Reed novels.
I had great hopes from previous reviews that this would be a thrilling fast paced novel of crime and murder. There was plenty of both but with so much filler dialogue I lost interest about 60% into the novel which was a great disappointment. Nearing the end of the story and find out who the killer or killers were was a confusing wishy washy mess as if they wanted a twist but it just fell short.
Overall the character building and story was great. The writing was simple and easy to follow I just found it rather boring then thrilling.

This was a fun who-dun-it with classic humor between the hero and his partner. The bad guys are no surprise and all the deaths should have have announced a serial killer was about. It boggles the mind to understand how Dick Dick ever rose to the rank of Deputy Chief.

Such a huge fan of this series and these characters. Rick Reed is now a must read author for me.

There are changes coming to the town and that has caused concern from the highest level of the government to the police detectives, especially the ones not liked very well. But it's also brought a necessity to solve a thirty - seven year old unsolved crime.

Jack and Liddell are up and they know it could mean the end of their careers. But that doesn't stop them, as they say, in for a penny and all!

This is a must read if you love puzzles. This will keep you guessing and engaged. I love it.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 8th outing for Detective Jack Murphy and this time he has a dangerous and baffling cold case to solve. Someone clearly does not want this case solved after 37 years and is going too great lengths to make sure it isn't, putting Jack and his pal Liddell in the line of fire....as they tend to be in most of these books! There is not a slow moment in the book and the fact that Rick Reed, the author, is a former real life cop adds to the authenticity and grittiness of the story. While you don't need to read these in order it does help to explain much of the background of these two so find some time and go back and read The Cruelest Cut, the first in the series. You won't be sorry! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review.

In the eighth book of the Jack Murphy series an excellent cast of characters return to investigate a cold case. The stakes are a little higher than normal, but not out of reach in this enjoyable whodnit.