Series: Mike O'Shea Crime Fiction #2
Published by Copper Press Publisihing on February 8, 2019
Pages: 245
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: 10-33 Assist PC, The Funeral: Epilogue to 10-33 Assist PC , Man At The Door
By 2:27 on a Thursday afternoon, the one-legged man from Room 8 at 147 Loxitor Avenue has been beaten to death with a lead pipe. Twenty-eight minutes later, Detective Mike O’Shea is testifying in a stuffy courtroom, unaware that, within an hour, he will be standing in an alleyway littered with beer cans and condoms while his new partner—the man who saved his life thirteen years ago—flicks bugs off of a battered corpse with a ballpoint pen. When a rogue undercover copper prematurely hauls in the prime suspect, Mike blows a fuse, resulting in an unlikely rapport developing between him and the lead homicide detective sergeant, a woman known for her stilettos and razor sharp investigative skills. At the end of his seventy-two-hour shift, three men are dead and Mike O’Shea is floating in and out of consciousness in an emergency room hallway, two women by his side. Death Before Coffee, the second book in the Mike O’Shea Crime Fiction Series, weaves a homicide investigation through the life of an inner-city police detective intent on balancing his responsibilities as a son, brother, and newly single father with his sworn oath of duty. When faced with death, Mike is forced to make decisions that stir up old memories, compelling him to confront his demons while fighting the good fight.
Eeek so excited to be kicking the tour off with the amazing Sarah, check out her review on By the Letter Book Reviews.
✮ My Review ✮
Nailed it!! That’s what I think of the latest instalment of Mike O’Shea! When reading this I failed to notice at the date and didn’t realise there was a time jump from the first book!so 13 years later O’Shea is not in juvenile protection anymore he’s is now a district investigator in the 6t
What I like, no wait adore… no LOVE about this book is the wealth of experience that Mr Ryan has displayed from his background. This makes the book so enjoyable knowing that these things add to making the story a bit more believable.
I love Mike, so when we first meet with him years later I was surprised to how much of a shell he was, reliving every day Sals’ murder wondering what could he have done differently. A huge part of me though was glad that he was partnered up with Ron, who appeared in the first book, as the banter they had was enjoyable. It was a strength he needed. Plus his mother’s family dinner is always interesting to watch as a bystander!
Again, in Death before Coffee, we are only lucky to be in Mike’s world for a couple of days like in the previous book, and it is a darker affair. A crumbling marriage, a lack of ability to cope, a murder to solve and a past that still haunts him, these are just tidbits from this fascinating book.
I have to mention the cover because it’s perfect, and it’s a reminder of Sal with the pumpkin seeds, still not sure I will ever be over it! I have read The Funeral (review to come) and again the wealth of knowledge shines through.
I can never tire of Mr Ryan writing (good thing more books are on the way) because he draws you in and doesn’t want to let go. If I could have I would have read this in one sitting because I was worried about everyone when I shut the book. I was still thinking about everyone!
I have to say one thing when I saw the words Family Jewels in the book, I had to chuckle because that was a little bit of my input into the book after the most random and funny conversation I had with Mr Ryan on twitter!
I can not wait for the next adventure!!!
Until next time xxx
Thank you so much to Shell at Baker’s Blog Tours & Promotions for the tour invite and the author for a copy of the this book in return for my honest and unbiased review
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
likeherdingcatsblog says
I cannot wait to read this in April.
Zoé says
I do hope you like it!! xx
likeherdingcatsblog says
If you do, I will
Shell Baker says
Thank you so much for taking part x
Zoé says
It was my pleasure thank you for having me xx
David McKinstry says
Great photo of you in the coffee shop….you’re really doing it …you’re an author and bravo for continuing to write such exciting stories….you must be thrilled with the response…it’s hard work but obviously well worth it as per comments on line from readers…..BRAVO
David