Boston is under attack again. A bomber has targeted the city.

Upon investigation, Detective Kelly finds a link to a notorious bomb-maker. Only problem is he has been behind bars for several years. Did he have an apprentice who's carrying on his work?

As more people are injured and killed in these bombings, Kelly is increasing frustrated and can't seem to get out ahead of the bomber. With the city at stake and the clock literally ticking, one wrong move could have catastrophic consequences.

Well-written, this thriller is action-packed with twists and turns around every corner. Featured characters are solidly drawn. I enjoyed the blend of professional along with the personal lives ... make them seem more credible. Although 4th in the series, this is easily read as a stand along. I do, however, recommend reading the books in order .. it's quite a series.

Many thanks to the author / Severn River Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this hard-boiled mystery / crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

If you are looking for a book that that has thrills and who done it and why this author writes the best. The is one of the most riveting books I have read of him. He covers all the bases but the best is that he wraps everything up at the end the who and why. I have recommended this author to many people as a must read. Modern day events explained by a someone that you would think planned the whole plot. Stories taken right out of the news.

Sign of the Maker is book 4 in the Boston Crime Thriller series by Brian Shea. In this book our hero Boston Homicide Detective Mike Kelly faces a ruthless bomber who targets specific people in Boston.

This was my first book by Brian Shea and it didn't disappoint at all. The book is superbly written and the story is dark, gritty, compelling and captivating. This was a fast-paced book that built up the excitement levels already from page 1. If you like me love crime books, police procedurals and great characters, then this is a must read. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Severn River Publishing for the opportunity to read this book and to share my honest review.

I’ve read the previous books in this series and have always thought it was a solid 4 star police procedural. I have to say that this latest installment fell flat for me. It was missing something. The other books had so many more layers, more drama, more excitement... this one read like a fast-paced action flick made just for the action scenes. I would have liked a little more depth. I’m wondering if maybe the characters have run their course and this is the end of the series? I don’t really see where the author can go next. I wasn’t left wanting more and I had no unanswered questions. It will be interesting to see if there is another in this series and what the story will be.

On that note, if you are looking for a quick, police procedural to read, pick this one up. It can be read as a stand alone. However, as a series reader, I definitely think you need to read the earlier books to really get an understanding of the characters.

Thank you #netgalley and #severnriverpublishing for the eARC.

This book chronicles the hunt for a bomber with a specific list of targets. The detectives involved carry heavy burdens of responsibility as the death toll rises and they race against time to find the killer.

If the goal of a good novel is to keep the reader engaged, this book succeeded well.

The story is enhanced by the brief life stories of those interweaving through the book, and the story is gripping and nuanced because of it.

It is an insight into the reality facing the police at such times and their frustrations and tenacity in the face of such horror is dealt with sympathetically.

I did feel a bit let down by the lack of follow through on some of the evidential reveals, but again this speaks more to the humanity of the detectives than a cleanly tied up plot.

A good read for those who like evolving dramas and police procedurals.