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Cass Raines #1
Broken Places
Former cop Cass Raines has found the world of private investigation a less stressful way to eke out a living in the Windy City. But when she stumbles across the dead body of a respected member of the community, it's up to her to prove a murderer is on the loose . . .
Cops can make mistakes, even when they're not rookies. If anyone knows that it's Cass Raines, who took a bullet two years ago after an incompetent colleague screwed up a tense confrontation with an armed suspect. Deeply traumatized by the incident, Cass resigned from the Chicago PD, leaving one less female African-American on the force. Now she's the head of a one-woman private investigation agency, taking on just enough work to pay the bills. She spends the rest of her time keeping an eye on the tenants in her little Hyde Park apartment building, biking along the lakefront, and playing chess with the only father figure she's ever known, Father Ray Heaton.
When Father Ray asks Cass to look into a recent spate of vandalism at his church, she readily agrees to handle the case. But only hours later she's horrified to discover his murdered body in the church confessional, a dead gangbanger sprawled out nearby. She knew Pop, as she called him, had ticked off plenty of people, from slumlords to drug dealers and even some parishioners and politicians, with his uncompromising defense of the downtrodden. But a late-night random theft doesn't seem like much of a motive at a cash-strapped parish like Saint Brendan's.
The lead detective assigned to the case is all too ready to dismiss it as an interrupted burglary gone awry, just another statistic in a violent city. But Cass's instincts tell her otherwise, and badge or no badge, she intends to see justice done . . .
Cops can make mistakes, even when they're not rookies. If anyone knows that it's Cass Raines, who took a bullet two years ago after an incompetent colleague screwed up a tense confrontation with an armed suspect. Deeply traumatized by the incident, Cass resigned from the Chicago PD, leaving one less female African-American on the force. Now she's the head of a one-woman private investigation agency, taking on just enough work to pay the bills. She spends the rest of her time keeping an eye on the tenants in her little Hyde Park apartment building, biking along the lakefront, and playing chess with the only father figure she's ever known, Father Ray Heaton.
When Father Ray asks Cass to look into a recent spate of vandalism at his church, she readily agrees to handle the case. But only hours later she's horrified to discover his murdered body in the church confessional, a dead gangbanger sprawled out nearby. She knew Pop, as she called him, had ticked off plenty of people, from slumlords to drug dealers and even some parishioners and politicians, with his uncompromising defense of the downtrodden. But a late-night random theft doesn't seem like much of a motive at a cash-strapped parish like Saint Brendan's.
The lead detective assigned to the case is all too ready to dismiss it as an interrupted burglary gone awry, just another statistic in a violent city. But Cass's instincts tell her otherwise, and badge or no badge, she intends to see justice done . . .
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2018
About the author
Tracy Clark
7 books730 followersTracy Clark, a native Chicagoan, is the author of the Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series, featuring ex-cop turned PI Cassandra Raines. A multi-nominated Anthony, Lefty, Edgar, Macavity, and Shamus Award finalist, Tracy is also the 2020 and 2022 winner of the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award and the 2022 Sara Paretsky Award, which honors crime writers from the Midwest. Tracy was also nominated for the 2022 Edgar for Best Short Story for “Lucky Thirteen,” which was included in the crime fiction anthology “Midnight Hour.” She is a proud member of Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and serves on the boards of Bouchercon National and the Midwest Mystery Conference. HIDE, her new, police procedural, featuring Det. Harriet Foster of the Chicago Police Department, released in January 2023. The second entry in that series, FALL, releases in 2024. Tracy loves old black-and-white movies, a good nap, and a really spicy ginger snap served with ice-cold milk. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing and admits to finding characters in the most unusual places.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
June 13, 2018
"It was dead time kept on a clock with no hands."
And time weighs heavy when you're trying to stay afloat after a police pursuit of a wanted murderer that's gone bad. Cass Raines, an African American police officer, stood her ground on that roof top wedged between building after building on Chicago's South Side. She almost had Jimmy Pick leaning towards the cuffs that she held clenched in her hand. Within seconds the tide turned and Jimmy would be carried down those flights of stairs in a bodybag.
But Jimmy Pick wouldn't be the only victim that day. Cass took a bullet just to the side of her bulletproof vest. Luck just happens that way. The details would play in flashbacks. Two years later, Cass has resigned from the Chicago PD and is working as a Private Investigator. Still in the ballgame, but playing in the outfield this time.
Tracy Clark introduces us to one hardcore woman detective. Cass still lives in the apartment building in Hyde Park that her grandparents left to her when they passed away. She clings to the familiar and yet can transform herself to any new situation in a heartbeat. But her newest case will involve a parish priest, Father Ray Heaton, who stepped up when her own father went out for cigarettes and never came back. Two dead bodies at the crack of dawn may be routine in Chicago, but stretched out on the floor of a church is not. Cass is gonna get involved.
Broken Places is the first book in the Chicago Mystery Series. I was hooked with the wildly descriptive police chase in the beginning chapters. Clark knows how to set the stage and she pumps the story along with her true to South Side dialogue. I'm sure we'll be revisiting some of the colorful characters that flitted across the pages in this one when Book #2 comes out.
Quite the read for a first time novel and quite the read for wrapping yourself up blanketed in realistic crime in the Windy City.
And time weighs heavy when you're trying to stay afloat after a police pursuit of a wanted murderer that's gone bad. Cass Raines, an African American police officer, stood her ground on that roof top wedged between building after building on Chicago's South Side. She almost had Jimmy Pick leaning towards the cuffs that she held clenched in her hand. Within seconds the tide turned and Jimmy would be carried down those flights of stairs in a bodybag.
But Jimmy Pick wouldn't be the only victim that day. Cass took a bullet just to the side of her bulletproof vest. Luck just happens that way. The details would play in flashbacks. Two years later, Cass has resigned from the Chicago PD and is working as a Private Investigator. Still in the ballgame, but playing in the outfield this time.
Tracy Clark introduces us to one hardcore woman detective. Cass still lives in the apartment building in Hyde Park that her grandparents left to her when they passed away. She clings to the familiar and yet can transform herself to any new situation in a heartbeat. But her newest case will involve a parish priest, Father Ray Heaton, who stepped up when her own father went out for cigarettes and never came back. Two dead bodies at the crack of dawn may be routine in Chicago, but stretched out on the floor of a church is not. Cass is gonna get involved.
Broken Places is the first book in the Chicago Mystery Series. I was hooked with the wildly descriptive police chase in the beginning chapters. Clark knows how to set the stage and she pumps the story along with her true to South Side dialogue. I'm sure we'll be revisiting some of the colorful characters that flitted across the pages in this one when Book #2 comes out.
Quite the read for a first time novel and quite the read for wrapping yourself up blanketed in realistic crime in the Windy City.
January 23, 2019
I Want The Next Book Now! (TW suicide)
I’d been craving a solid mystery from beginning to end for a while now, and finally a book delivered! This starts with Cass Raines as a police officer, but after a traumatic work incident she quits the force and starts her own Private Detective firm in Chicago. When the priest who helped raise her is murdered, she’s forced to deal with a cop she hates, while stopping at nothing to find out what happened. I love Raines character, her heart and humor, and really enjoyed how the novel takes you through her process of searching for clues and witnesses. And it isn’t a simple case of “this clue lead to this, and this, and bingo.” She also has her ex-partner as a friend, a childhood friend, and a nun who are great for witty banter; interesting characters; and found family. If you’re looking for a good mystery, don’t miss this one.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
I’d been craving a solid mystery from beginning to end for a while now, and finally a book delivered! This starts with Cass Raines as a police officer, but after a traumatic work incident she quits the force and starts her own Private Detective firm in Chicago. When the priest who helped raise her is murdered, she’s forced to deal with a cop she hates, while stopping at nothing to find out what happened. I love Raines character, her heart and humor, and really enjoyed how the novel takes you through her process of searching for clues and witnesses. And it isn’t a simple case of “this clue lead to this, and this, and bingo.” She also has her ex-partner as a friend, a childhood friend, and a nun who are great for witty banter; interesting characters; and found family. If you’re looking for a good mystery, don’t miss this one.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
May 11, 2018
This is a GoodReads giveaway win.
I found this book to be unremarkable. It's an okay read, but there is just nothing there to make me want to continue to read page after page. A female cop with a chip on her shoulder turns PI because of a bad experience....I've read that many times and maybe even seen a movie or two. So, unfortunately this book was not for me.
I found this book to be unremarkable. It's an okay read, but there is just nothing there to make me want to continue to read page after page. A female cop with a chip on her shoulder turns PI because of a bad experience....I've read that many times and maybe even seen a movie or two. So, unfortunately this book was not for me.
June 26, 2021
Pro: a female protagonist with a tough as nails persona. The motivation for mystery isn't money, greed, or lust. So it's a bit atypical and unique mystery.
Con: The motivation or the killing is unbelievable. When we discover why the killer committed the deed, it just doesn't seem realistic at all.
The protagonist is a bit one-dimensional, always full speed ahead. Going days without food or sleep. Claims that she's too "wound up" to sleep. Suffers physical beatings then is out running around the next day. Obsessive to an extreme that isn't believable. Sure, determined is good, persistent is good, but obsessive is not. Seems often motivated by fury and anger and lacks forethought or reason.
There's a bit too much plot getting in the way of the story here. The complications with the janitor, the homeless guy, and the father seemed unnecessary and didn't really contribute much.
Con: The motivation or the killing is unbelievable. When we discover why the killer committed the deed, it just doesn't seem realistic at all.
The protagonist is a bit one-dimensional, always full speed ahead. Going days without food or sleep. Claims that she's too "wound up" to sleep. Suffers physical beatings then is out running around the next day. Obsessive to an extreme that isn't believable. Sure, determined is good, persistent is good, but obsessive is not. Seems often motivated by fury and anger and lacks forethought or reason.
There's a bit too much plot getting in the way of the story here. The complications with the janitor, the homeless guy, and the father seemed unnecessary and didn't really contribute much.
May 10, 2018
2 stars = it was ok. This is the highest rating I can give this book. This is just not a high standard of writing. The characters are all very cliched, down to a waitress with a heart of gold or a joy rider turned cop nicknamed "Booster", in fact so cliched that I cringed when reading the book. Also, the pace of action was very slow. There was a lot of writing without a lot of movement. This was one of the books that I had to force myself to read rather than to want to read.
Characters should be felt by the readers rather than described by the author with adjectives. Characters develop through action and events, not by long speeches. And some of the characters felt the same. I don't feel the author has the knack of creating realistic characters. So: I didn't really like this book because the characters felt flat and the action was slow and boring to me.
I got this as a free ARC.
Characters should be felt by the readers rather than described by the author with adjectives. Characters develop through action and events, not by long speeches. And some of the characters felt the same. I don't feel the author has the knack of creating realistic characters. So: I didn't really like this book because the characters felt flat and the action was slow and boring to me.
I got this as a free ARC.
June 8, 2020
Great PI novel!
Tracy Clark is a great new voice in crime fiction, and Cass a wonderful character. Looking forward to more Cass Raines books.
Tracy Clark is a great new voice in crime fiction, and Cass a wonderful character. Looking forward to more Cass Raines books.
September 21, 2020
3.5 stars. Thirty-five year old former Chicago cop Cass Raines was shot on the job and her fingers still have numbness. She inherited a three flat building and rents out the first and second floors. She supplements her income through private investigative work. Her priest, Father Ray Heaton who she calls Pop, tells her he has a feeling that someone is watching him. There's also been some vandalism at the church. The next morning, the priest is dead along with a young gang member. Cass can't let this ride.
At first, Cass seemed angry, angry. Definitely a chip on her shoulder. Stubborn and reckless. However, she is a good investigator. I didn't like her much in the beginning and felt she didn't come across well until the latter part of the book. I came to like her snarkiness. I liked her ex-partner Ben, nun Barb and friend Whip. I give this a 3.5 rating but decided to go up instead of down due to the last part of the book. I would try another one in this series.
At first, Cass seemed angry, angry. Definitely a chip on her shoulder. Stubborn and reckless. However, she is a good investigator. I didn't like her much in the beginning and felt she didn't come across well until the latter part of the book. I came to like her snarkiness. I liked her ex-partner Ben, nun Barb and friend Whip. I give this a 3.5 rating but decided to go up instead of down due to the last part of the book. I would try another one in this series.
November 1, 2019
Great start to a series and I loved Cass Raines as a main character. She's complicated, stubborn, flawed, and just overall what I enjoy in a character. I'm looking forward to getting around to book 2.
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
May 5, 2019
i made it a little more than half way through. had to stop, i kept waiting for it to gel, drag me in. not remarkable.
December 6, 2018
Recent events have put me in the perfect frame of mind for an angry female character, and Cass Raines is the angriest I’ve seen since Lisbeth Salander. Cass is filled with a righteous, simmering rage and will not be stopped—by criminals or cops—until she closes her case. A former police officer, now a PI, Cass is stunned when she finds the body of her beloved father figure and mentor, Father Ray, shot dead in his own church, a dead gangbanger sprawled nearby. The lead detective on the case is a self-aggrandizing blowhard that Cass knows all too well from her time on the force, and he’s quick to assume it’s an open and shut murder/suicide, but Cass is convinced there’s no way that’s how things went down. She takes it upon herself to investigate, despite warnings to stay away from the case. She loved Father Ray and can’t let his killer go free.
A note on the audio version: Shari Peele is a good narrator, but the recording is marred by many soft palate/swallowing noises. (I’ve never listened to an audio book that wasn’t carefully edited to remove such sounds—can’t believe they made it into the final version, frankly. Some pauses were so distracting, I expected Peele to clear her throat and say “Excuse me” before moving on with her reading.) If you turn the volume down, they’re less noticeable, and I was able to put my annoyance aside because the book was so good, but if mouth noises make you murderous, you might want to grab this one in print.
A note on the audio version: Shari Peele is a good narrator, but the recording is marred by many soft palate/swallowing noises. (I’ve never listened to an audio book that wasn’t carefully edited to remove such sounds—can’t believe they made it into the final version, frankly. Some pauses were so distracting, I expected Peele to clear her throat and say “Excuse me” before moving on with her reading.) If you turn the volume down, they’re less noticeable, and I was able to put my annoyance aside because the book was so good, but if mouth noises make you murderous, you might want to grab this one in print.
June 14, 2021
This author was recommend with a few others in the mystery/thriller genre. I'm glad I gave it a try because Cass Raines was a fun an interesting character. The story was intriguing and engaging. Raines is a great character with integrity and passion. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
December 1, 2023
58th read of 2023
Title: Broken Places - Cass Raines #1
Author: Tracy Clark
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Private Investigator
Former cop Cass Raines has found the world of private investigation a less stressful way to eke out a living in the Windy City. But when she stumbles across the dead body of a respected member of the community, it's up to her to prove a murderer is on the loose . . .
📚 🎧
4/0 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful Story!
Tracy Clark delivered a solid mystery with Broken Places!
This was a great start to a new series. Private Investigator Cass Raines is a strong character is an interesting back story. She has flaws that make you pull for her even more.
Well written, great character development and excellent narration all kept me invested to discover the mystery. I've already queued up Cass Raines #2. Can't wait to see what she's up against next!
Title: Broken Places - Cass Raines #1
Author: Tracy Clark
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Private Investigator
Former cop Cass Raines has found the world of private investigation a less stressful way to eke out a living in the Windy City. But when she stumbles across the dead body of a respected member of the community, it's up to her to prove a murderer is on the loose . . .
📚 🎧
4/0 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful Story!
Tracy Clark delivered a solid mystery with Broken Places!
This was a great start to a new series. Private Investigator Cass Raines is a strong character is an interesting back story. She has flaws that make you pull for her even more.
Well written, great character development and excellent narration all kept me invested to discover the mystery. I've already queued up Cass Raines #2. Can't wait to see what she's up against next!
May 17, 2018
“Broken Places,” Tracy Clark, Fiction, 2018. A five-star book by a five-star author. You’re surprised, you’re captivated, you’re along for a great reading ride, told in words expertly woven together. This book seeps heart and soul.
(Great murder mystery starring Chicago-based female private investigator Cass Raines, the first book in what I predict (and hope) will be a very long-running series.
A beloved friend dead. Suicide? It could easily be written off by the police as a suicide, but Cass knows it is murder. Step-by-step detecting leads her through her friend’s life, revealing his goodwill and his enemies. Why was it done? Who did it? And how many deaths will it take to find the guilty one?
Clark created a likable character, plunged her into tight spots, showed us how this clever woman could finesse her way through the mire and come out the winner. And it was done brilliantly. The book is filled with insight. Philosophical words about "time" hit home with much truth.
Sometimes you get luckily blindsided by a book, and that’s what “Broken Places” does in so many ways. An intelligently written book, “Broken Places” is so original that you want to jump up and yell across country to the author about how good the book is. I loved the way words were placed together. I’ve never seen “shoveling” or “ocean” used more effectively. This is a book reader’s dream to find such originality in thought, and the resultant expert prose.
Amidst all the great writing, super plotting and believable characters, Clark drops humor here and there that has you smiling, while murder and devious people are swirling around you. Funny at times, heart wrenching at others, dripping with caring, and a wonderful example of dedication to follow through on your goals, no matter how difficult the journey. It’s also a tale of how the past is always tailing us, that life dust that clings to us.
Great book, Tracy Clark. I truly loved it. Can’t wait for the next one.)
(Great murder mystery starring Chicago-based female private investigator Cass Raines, the first book in what I predict (and hope) will be a very long-running series.
A beloved friend dead. Suicide? It could easily be written off by the police as a suicide, but Cass knows it is murder. Step-by-step detecting leads her through her friend’s life, revealing his goodwill and his enemies. Why was it done? Who did it? And how many deaths will it take to find the guilty one?
Clark created a likable character, plunged her into tight spots, showed us how this clever woman could finesse her way through the mire and come out the winner. And it was done brilliantly. The book is filled with insight. Philosophical words about "time" hit home with much truth.
Sometimes you get luckily blindsided by a book, and that’s what “Broken Places” does in so many ways. An intelligently written book, “Broken Places” is so original that you want to jump up and yell across country to the author about how good the book is. I loved the way words were placed together. I’ve never seen “shoveling” or “ocean” used more effectively. This is a book reader’s dream to find such originality in thought, and the resultant expert prose.
Amidst all the great writing, super plotting and believable characters, Clark drops humor here and there that has you smiling, while murder and devious people are swirling around you. Funny at times, heart wrenching at others, dripping with caring, and a wonderful example of dedication to follow through on your goals, no matter how difficult the journey. It’s also a tale of how the past is always tailing us, that life dust that clings to us.
Great book, Tracy Clark. I truly loved it. Can’t wait for the next one.)
June 8, 2018
I've gotten so used to read cozy mysteries it was a drastic change to read a gritty thriller for once. Cass is a jaded ex cop turned private eye after almost losing her life due to an ex colleague's error. She's experienced a lot of loss over the years making her most recently on difficult to handle. She doesn't trust Chicago PD to properly handle the investigation. We follow her through her journey to uncover her beloved pop's killer which becomes somewhat of an obsession for her.
This was an interesting read with proper focus on our protagonist actively pursuing her case. The action was very entertaining and was written in a way that made it easy to picture what was happening. However the cast was very large and it was hard to keep up with who was who.
I would like to see a little bit more happiness in Cass' life because at times it felt like she was all alone in her world. There was not a fair balance to offset the extreme sides of her personality. The bit with her father offered some much needed humanism as even though she spoke of her love for Pop she was so wrapped up in the case at times it felt like she was going through the motions. There were also some parts that moved slow so I felt the chapters could've been condensed.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read with proper focus on our protagonist actively pursuing her case. The action was very entertaining and was written in a way that made it easy to picture what was happening. However the cast was very large and it was hard to keep up with who was who.
I would like to see a little bit more happiness in Cass' life because at times it felt like she was all alone in her world. There was not a fair balance to offset the extreme sides of her personality. The bit with her father offered some much needed humanism as even though she spoke of her love for Pop she was so wrapped up in the case at times it felt like she was going through the motions. There were also some parts that moved slow so I felt the chapters could've been condensed.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2018
Cass is a detective, turned PI, investigating the suspicious death of a priest, who is also a good friend. With dogged determination, Cass narrows down the possibilities, while putting herself in danger.
I had trouble with this one. I found that it dragged too much. To me, it seemed as though the writing was overly dramatic and the "suspense-building" went on a little too long. Cass's character wasn't all that likable, in my opinion, and she also came across too one-dimensional to me.
I hope the author finds her footing with this series. I love books that place females in strong roles and the Chicago Mystery series definitely has the potential to be great, but this one just wasn't there for me.
I had trouble with this one. I found that it dragged too much. To me, it seemed as though the writing was overly dramatic and the "suspense-building" went on a little too long. Cass's character wasn't all that likable, in my opinion, and she also came across too one-dimensional to me.
I hope the author finds her footing with this series. I love books that place females in strong roles and the Chicago Mystery series definitely has the potential to be great, but this one just wasn't there for me.
September 17, 2020
Cass Raines was a cop until a traumatic event moved her to leave the force and become a P.I. The murder of a young man and Pop, a priest who had offered fatherly help to Cass for many years, sets her on a path to find their killers. I liked this character, her stubbornness, determination, courage and loyalty. The novel is filled with interesting people and they are the ones that keep the momentum of the novel going. There’s also action aplenty.
October 17, 2020
A solid first entry in a mystery series. Cass was too slow on the uptake at the end for me (Girl, what took you so long to connect the dots?!), but I loved the Chicago setting and the cast of secondary characters. I love female PI stories and I'll definitely read the next book in the series.
September 28, 2021
this book tried to have a gripping plot, especially at the end where our hero evaded death multiple times. But I finished reading feeling rather let down It was just plot and, in the end, very little else
August 18, 2020
In this intricate, page-turning mystery, Tracy Clark introduces PI Cass Raines, a smart, dedicated investigator with a big heart and a broken past. I loved Cass from the first page and enjoyed the surrounding cast of characters as well--both the victims and perpetrators. Clark shines a sympathetic but unsentimental light at people from all walks of life. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
July 9, 2020
3.5 stars, I definitely plan on finishing this series.
August 7, 2021
This was the August selection for my local mystery book club.
Former Chicago cop Cass Raines turns private investigator. This tough Black female PI is devastated when her longtime friend and father figure, Father Ray, is found murdered in his church, and she is determined to find the killer.
I really liked the Cass character. She was tough but had heart, too. I also felt like I could get into her head and see and feel everything vividly through her eyes. The setting of the story was great (Chicago’s south side) and interesting. The author seemed to have a real sense of what life was like for those in this area, including the problems of the homeless.
There was definitely a lot of action (maybe too much after awhile?) but at times the book seemed to drag for me. I kept thinking, “Okay, okay, you’ve shown us all of these chase and shoot-‘em-up scenes but when are we going to find out who the killer was?” It was more action vs. puzzle solving. And when the killer was finally revealed, I’m like, “Oh, okay, that works, I guess.” No big deal to me.
Don’t want to give anything away, but there were some personal issues in Cass’s life that came up and weren’t resolved at the end of the book. Material for future books in the series, I guess, but the untied loose threads were disturbingly glaring for me.
Probably one of the best things about this book is the writing – it was truly excellent.
For me to give a book five stars, I have to come away feeling, “Wow.” This was not a “wow” book but it was okay. To be fair, my lack of enthusiasm is more a matter of personal taste than some deep criticism of the book. It’s the first in a series, but I’m not interested in continuing with the series.
Former Chicago cop Cass Raines turns private investigator. This tough Black female PI is devastated when her longtime friend and father figure, Father Ray, is found murdered in his church, and she is determined to find the killer.
I really liked the Cass character. She was tough but had heart, too. I also felt like I could get into her head and see and feel everything vividly through her eyes. The setting of the story was great (Chicago’s south side) and interesting. The author seemed to have a real sense of what life was like for those in this area, including the problems of the homeless.
There was definitely a lot of action (maybe too much after awhile?) but at times the book seemed to drag for me. I kept thinking, “Okay, okay, you’ve shown us all of these chase and shoot-‘em-up scenes but when are we going to find out who the killer was?” It was more action vs. puzzle solving. And when the killer was finally revealed, I’m like, “Oh, okay, that works, I guess.” No big deal to me.
Don’t want to give anything away, but there were some personal issues in Cass’s life that came up and weren’t resolved at the end of the book. Material for future books in the series, I guess, but the untied loose threads were disturbingly glaring for me.
Probably one of the best things about this book is the writing – it was truly excellent.
For me to give a book five stars, I have to come away feeling, “Wow.” This was not a “wow” book but it was okay. To be fair, my lack of enthusiasm is more a matter of personal taste than some deep criticism of the book. It’s the first in a series, but I’m not interested in continuing with the series.
January 2, 2022
I saw Superwendy recommending this mystery series, and snapped book 1 right up. I really enjoyed it! Cass Raines is a great heroine and after reading this book, I'm ready to read more. I liked how the author showed Cass' conflicted feelings about her prior job in the police force and her current life as a Some of PI Cass' former colleagues are good people, but the author doesn't shy away from showing some of the weaknesses and negative aspects of police and while the book doesn't hit one over the head with it, I could see where being a Black woman detective would have been very hard at times.
The mystery in this novel is compelling as well. I think I got to the conclusion before the characters did, but the author did do a good job of laying out puzzle pieces. I found myself wanting to get to know the people in Cass' orbit and to figure out how everyone fit together. If you enjoy mysteries, definitely check out this series.
The mystery in this novel is compelling as well. I think I got to the conclusion before the characters did, but the author did do a good job of laying out puzzle pieces. I found myself wanting to get to know the people in Cass' orbit and to figure out how everyone fit together. If you enjoy mysteries, definitely check out this series.
May 1, 2018
Cass Raines quit the police force and opened her own PI firm. When the only Father figure she knew, Father Ray Heaton, is murdered in his own church, Cass is determined to get justice for him. Unfortunately the officer heading the case is one she has had problems with before. He is ready to write it off as a suicide but Cass knows better.
This is the start of a new series and I hope to continue reading more about Cass. Cass is a take no prisoners investigator. She isn’t afraid to step on peoples toes to find out what she needs to know. This was a good mystery that I would recommend to other readers. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy of this book.
This is the start of a new series and I hope to continue reading more about Cass. Cass is a take no prisoners investigator. She isn’t afraid to step on peoples toes to find out what she needs to know. This was a good mystery that I would recommend to other readers. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy of this book.
September 1, 2021
Cass Raines left the Chicago police force two years back after being badly wounded due to the careless ignorance of her fellow officer. She opened a one woman private detective agency when she recovered.
She is drawn into the murder of her dear friend and confidant, a priest who spends his time working with the poor and underprivileged in some of the roughest parts of Chicago. The official police call it a murder suicide but Cass can't accept the too easy decision and begins to investigate. Her investigation takes her to the gangbangers' neighborhood where several pieces of the puzzle begin to come into focus. It is clearly more complicated and several people and motives begin to take shape in her mind. She eventually figures out what actually happened and goes after the people responsible.
There is the typical amount of illegal break-ins, crossing legal and police boundaries and Cass getting hurt, shot at, etc., that you would expect. The early parts of the story are edgy and suspenseful. There are a couple of plot twists and character introductions that are always necessary in the first book of a series. I was ready to give this a 4 star until the ending. Cass acts stupidly, carelessly and behaves completely out of character for how a person with her background should behave.
I was disappointed that the author went for the sensational, overly dramatic instead of a resolution that was powerful andfit the character she created.
She is drawn into the murder of her dear friend and confidant, a priest who spends his time working with the poor and underprivileged in some of the roughest parts of Chicago. The official police call it a murder suicide but Cass can't accept the too easy decision and begins to investigate. Her investigation takes her to the gangbangers' neighborhood where several pieces of the puzzle begin to come into focus. It is clearly more complicated and several people and motives begin to take shape in her mind. She eventually figures out what actually happened and goes after the people responsible.
There is the typical amount of illegal break-ins, crossing legal and police boundaries and Cass getting hurt, shot at, etc., that you would expect. The early parts of the story are edgy and suspenseful. There are a couple of plot twists and character introductions that are always necessary in the first book of a series. I was ready to give this a 4 star until the ending. Cass acts stupidly, carelessly and behaves completely out of character for how a person with her background should behave.
I was disappointed that the author went for the sensational, overly dramatic instead of a resolution that was powerful andfit the character she created.
January 26, 2020
I liked this book for the most part even though it was a run of the mill murder mystery with a tough as nails heroine. However, the lasttwo2 chapters were some of the most ridiculous chapters I have read in a long time. They were so bad I almost didn't finish the book even though I liked most of the clichéd characters and storyline.
Cass Raines used to be a Chicago Police Detective. While trying to bring a perpetrator in without incident she was shot and almost killed due to the aggressive actions of another detective. After that she retired and became a P.I. She has a close relation ship with the Priest who runs the local parish. He is found murdered in the church along with a gangbanger. The lead detective on the case (the same guy who caused her to be shot) wants to wrap the case up as a murder/suicide but Cass doesn't buy that. She has known Father Heaton (Pop) most of her life and there is no way he would take his own life.
Cass decides to find the real killer all the while getting pushback from the police, witnesses, gangbangers and the unknown killer. This was a quick easy read and would have been more enjoyable had the last 2 chapters not been a hot mess BUT overall I would read the next book in the series with the hope that the characters become more than one dimensional and the story isn't some Lifetime movie plotline at the end.
Cass Raines used to be a Chicago Police Detective. While trying to bring a perpetrator in without incident she was shot and almost killed due to the aggressive actions of another detective. After that she retired and became a P.I. She has a close relation ship with the Priest who runs the local parish. He is found murdered in the church along with a gangbanger. The lead detective on the case (the same guy who caused her to be shot) wants to wrap the case up as a murder/suicide but Cass doesn't buy that. She has known Father Heaton (Pop) most of her life and there is no way he would take his own life.
Cass decides to find the real killer all the while getting pushback from the police, witnesses, gangbangers and the unknown killer. This was a quick easy read and would have been more enjoyable had the last 2 chapters not been a hot mess BUT overall I would read the next book in the series with the hope that the characters become more than one dimensional and the story isn't some Lifetime movie plotline at the end.
July 9, 2018
I wanted to love this. Black woman PI in southside of Chicago.
This is a mystery, right? I am looking for a page-turner with a great lead character whose life continues to develop. However, as much as I like the main character, the story is overwritten with too much description that is repetitive. Hopefully, in the sequel the author works on character development and fast-paced plot development.
This is a mystery, right? I am looking for a page-turner with a great lead character whose life continues to develop. However, as much as I like the main character, the story is overwritten with too much description that is repetitive. Hopefully, in the sequel the author works on character development and fast-paced plot development.
October 1, 2021
Unfortunately this isn't the new Kinsey Millhome, but it was a reasonable murder mystery, despite the odd detective cliché creeping in. I think there's hope for character development and better books in the future though, so I'll try the next one.
May 13, 2018
"Broken Places" is a mystery. Cass was a police officer but is now a private detective. Her biological father abandoned her when she was young, and a local priest acted as her father in many ways. She's horrified when she finds him dead in an apparent murder (of a robber) then suicide. She knows he'd never kill anyone, including himself, but the case happens to fall to an incompetent detective that was her nemesis on the force. Unable to trust him to do more than accept the "obvious" and close the case, she starts to investigate with the help of some friends still on the force and some childhood friends who also cared for the priest.
The characters acted realistically and were likable in many ways, though I didn't always approve of the lengths Cass went to in her desire to solve the case. She's sleep-deprived, grieving, and becomes obsessed (which her friends point out). She puts herself in danger rather than trust her police friends to do their job (which they are doing...just following the legal paths, which can be slower). Overall, though, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery. There was no sex. There was a fair amount of bad language of all sorts.
I received an ARC review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
The characters acted realistically and were likable in many ways, though I didn't always approve of the lengths Cass went to in her desire to solve the case. She's sleep-deprived, grieving, and becomes obsessed (which her friends point out). She puts herself in danger rather than trust her police friends to do their job (which they are doing...just following the legal paths, which can be slower). Overall, though, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery. There was no sex. There was a fair amount of bad language of all sorts.
I received an ARC review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
August 5, 2021
I had been recommending a lot of books to my husband as this has become our new thing. He recommended this one to me and I will say I was not disappointed. I love a good mystery and it's always so exciting to me when a book mentions places that I've heard of or been to.
This story takes place in Chicago. Former police officer Cass Raines has been working as a private detective after a traumatic event and finds it quite peaceful...That is until she finds the body of a respected member of the community who she happens to consider family. Cass finds herself on a hunt to find the murderer on the loose.
If you love a good mystery this is for you!
This story takes place in Chicago. Former police officer Cass Raines has been working as a private detective after a traumatic event and finds it quite peaceful...That is until she finds the body of a respected member of the community who she happens to consider family. Cass finds herself on a hunt to find the murderer on the loose.
If you love a good mystery this is for you!
January 30, 2019
Tracy Clark is an author to watch. Not only has she created an intriguing former Chicago PD turned PI Cass Raines, she's also written a really well done mystery. Cass' back story is so relatable and human, that I just want to know more about her background and where she will go next. I also liked how Cass is still partners with her former police partner, even though she isn't on the job anymore. And, the book definitely depicts that there are good and bad police officers doing their job. I am really looking forward to book 2.
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