In Double Takedown, book six in the Mike Stoneman series by Kevin G. Chapman, we follow two NY homicide detectives as they unravel a murder at a theater in an intricate dance of high-stakes suspense.
Two years after the pandemic shut down the world, NY homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and his partner Jason Dickson are at a charity ballet for an evening out with their wives. When an audience member suddenly dies during the performance, they soon realize they are spectators to a murder.
At first nothing looks suspicious about the death of Alex Bishop, lead actor in a moribund Broadway show, Godfather: The Musical. But with the cause of death uncertain, questions begin to swirl. Mike and Jason pick up the case to find out exactly what caused this mysterious death. The show’s director/producer had a motive and opportunity, and when the detectives find incriminating evidence on his personal laptop, the case is quickly closed. Or is it?
From the first page, readers are pulled into this police procedural that doesn’t let up until the very last page.
What seems to be a cut and dried medical case is scheduled for trial a year later, but when Mike and Jason are approached by a private investigator named Sterling Wright, they find the third act is just beginning. The case hits major snags, and Mike and Jason investigate Sterling’s accusations with private surveillance. The two partners begin with a list of people close to Alex, unraveling a complicated choreography of deceit and lies in which the dead man’s supposed friends tell a different story behind the scenes. As they dig deeper into Alex’s life, the detectives uncover connections that stretch throughout the boroughs of New York, turning this local case into a mystery that at first looks like an open and shut case, but takes a drastic turn to something more sinister.
Double Takedown is a fascinating and involved police procedural that guides readers expertly through the investigative process.
This stand-alone mystery will keep readers on their toes! Lovers of thrillers, suspense, and mysteries won’t miss a step if they dive into Double Takedown before reading the earlier books in the series. Chapman intricately weaves all the necessary details of his characters into the plot and subplot to present a complex tale of a police investigation his readers will relish. The pacing flows gracefully, keeping readers’ attention focused page after page. Other suspects emerge from the wings, presenting a stage full of interesting characters that provide nuance and balance to the story, and you’ll find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat whenever Mike and Jason drill down on a possible suspect.
Chapman masterfully blends meticulous police work with high stakes suspense, delivering a richly layered narrative that will keep crime thriller fans guessing at every turn. With an intricate plot and memorable characters, Double Takedown stands out as a must-read for those who crave the perfect mix of action and intrigue.
Aged in Charcoal by Jeffrey Ridenour is a classic hardboiled detective novel set in 1960s Bay area California. This novel features dirty cops, bribes, an inept justice system, and Stu Fletcher, an ex-cop turned detective, who despite his jaded outlook wants to do the right thing.
