The Concrete Kiss

“Set in the modern day, this straightforward, fast-paced detective novel cages a truly twisted villain.”

“The reader is thrust into a page-turning, clever narrative that continually morphs from police procedural, thriller, courtroom drama, and gritty evaluation of a serial rapist and killer.”

“...the relentless pace allows for little introspection.”

“Grace relishes the accurate and disturbing details, providing top-quality entertainment....”

“...a relentless story.”

“Well-written, engaging and sure to keep you up.”

--- Kirkus Reviews

Homicide Detective Ned Danes discovers that an ambitious Deputy D.A. has concealed evidence of an accused murderer's innocence in order to secure a headline-grabbing conviction. Danes is warned that a smart guy would keep his mouth shut. More interested in being a good guy than a smart one, Danes torpedoes the corrupt Deputy D.A.'s case, and for his honesty, Danes is exiled to the tiny basement office of the Cold Case Squad.

Working in his forgotten outpost Danes becomes obsessed with finding the real killer who the Deputy D.A.’s scheme has allowed to run free. But just as he seems to be closing in Danes receives a plea for help from an old friend.

FBI agent Phillip Abbott has been put on leave for his last sixty days before his forced retirement. He has that long to catch a drug-cartel hit man whose specialty is murdering entire families. Completely alone, Abbott needs a courageous cop like Ned Danes to back him up.

While Danes knows that Abbott has a seventeen-year-old adopted daughter named Jessica, it is only after Danes agrees to help catch the killer that he discovers that the hit man murdered Jessica's entire family.

While Danes knows that Abbott has a seventeen-year-old adopted daughter, it is only after Danes agrees to help Abbott catch the killer that he discovers that the hit man murdered the girl’s entire family. Abbott promised her that he would get the monster no matter what it took and Danes soon learns that Abbott is willing to do anything, including breaking the law and possibly going to prison, to keep that promise.

And after Danes and Abbot do all that, Ned still has a killer of his own to catch.