Book Review: An Ace and a Pair by Blake Banner

An Ace and a Pair
Author: Blake Banner
Series: A Dead Cold Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Right House (August 10, 2017)

Description: He's a dinosaur...she's got a bad attitude. The Captain wants them gone, so she gives them the Cold Cases files. The one's nobody gives a damn about...

USA TODAY & Amazon 2-million copy bestselling author BLAKE BANNER is at his best in this mystifying crime series!

Detective John Stone of the NYPD has the best arrest record in the 43rd precinct. But he’s a dinosaur who belongs to another age. Detective Carmen Dehan has such a bad attitude that nobody at the precinct can stomach her. Captain Jennifer Cuevas wants them both out of the way and thinks they make a perfect pair. So she gives them the Cold Cases file – the cases nobody gives a damn about.

Ten years back Nelson Hernandez and his four cousins were playing poker in a dive at Hunts Point. Somebody came in, blew them away and beheaded and castrated Nelson, leaving his head and his balls on the table. There was no shortage of suspects, the Jersey Mob, the Triads from Manhattan, or the 43rds own bent cop, Mick Harragan. But nobody was ever charged, and the night of the murder Mick Harragan went missing with Nelson’s wife, Maria.

Now Stone and Dehan plan to find him – whatever the consequences…

My Thoughts: AN ACE AND A PAIR begins a new mystery series by Blake Banner. This police procedural begins a series. 

John Stone has been a NYPD homicide detective for more than 20 years. He has been very successful. But a new boss would like to ease him aside to bring in younger detectives who are more comfortable with modern techniques. John isn't willing to gracefully step aside. 

In the hopes of easing him out, his captain assigns him to working cold cases. He is also assigned a new partner. Detective Carmen Dehan has a bad attitude and hasn't made any friends in the precinct. 

The two decide that the first case they will work on is the unsolved murder of Nelson Hernandez and his four cousins who were murdered while playing poker. There are lots of suspects. Nelson was trying to take over the area and run the drug and crime activities. The Jersey Mob, the Triads, and another Hispanic mob all had reasons to want Nelson dead. And a dirty cop known to John could also have had a hand in it. He disappeared shortly after the murders. 

As John and Carmen look into the case, they are also building a strong working relationship. They uncover old witnesses and gradually put the pieces together. 

This was an entertaining mystery with fascinating characters and a nicely twisty plot. 

I bought this one November 3, 2018. You can buy your copy here.