Reviews
"Crystal Death proves that Charles Kipps is a master of the crime genre. This unique combination of characters and international intrigue is sure to be one of the best mystery novels of the year." -- Professor Brian Gestring Cedar Crest College Forensic Science Program; Former Supervisory Criminalist, New York City Medical Examiners Office, " Crystal Death was great, just great. Moving and fast paced. Raw and subtle. I could not put it down. I felt I was part of the story not just observing." Mark Rossini , former FBI agent, "A gun and guitar packing Detective rocking and rolling his way through the streets of Manhattan. Conor Bard is my kind of cop."? --Abel Ferrara, director?King of New York'and?Bad Lieutenant, Praise forHell's Kitchen Homicide"Charles Kipps brings something fresh to the police procedural.Hell's Kitchen Homicideis a sled ride through the black snow of New York City crime, with great characters and hot action. And Kipps knows what he's talking about." -- Stuart Woods, bestselling author ofLoitering with Intent, Conor Bard, the NYPD's singing detective, makes a second page-turning appearance in the case of the blood-red diamond.Diamonds were not Zivah Gavish's best friend. Her elegant throat cut, she's discovered in her sumptuous New York apartment, the fabulous red gem that had been in her custody gone with her murderer. The well-known, well-liked, extremely successful dealer was also young and beautiful, and as Conor looks down at her lovely, lifeless body, he finds it difficult to maintain the detachment other veteran cops manage so routinely. "Because I'm not really a cop," he tells himself dismissively. "I'm a musician." Forty-something Conor, in possession of a been-there, bluesy baritone that audiences-particularly females-respond to, has demonstrated a first-rate sleuth's willingness to think outside the box. Clues and suspects abound, as does pressure from the NYPD brass to crack the case yesterday. Stepping up the pressure is Conor's new and inexperienced partner, who's confronted with her first big-time homicide. Lieutenant Rooney thinks that more seasoned help is called for. But Conor likes sharp-tongued Rosita Rubio. He thinks she's bright and resourceful and a good fit for him professionally. And she certainly is eye candy.Kipps (Hell's Kitchen Homicide, 2009, etc.) pairs his genuinely original protagonist with a cheeky, charming partner. The results are refreshing.-Kirkus (Starred Review), "Detective Conor Bard and I have something in common. We'd both rather be a musician. Crystal Death was so hard to put down, I didn't play my bassoon for three days." Bill Cosby, "Crystal Deathwas great, just great. Moving and fast paced. Raw and subtle. I could not put it down. I felt I was part of the story not just observing." ?Mark Rossini, former FBI agent, "I’ve worked cases in the Diamond District and know the evidence can send you in many directions. Following Detective Conor Bard as he finds himself in the middle of a bizarre gem trade murder proves to be a fascinating read, a real page turner. Conor Bard is -- as NYPD detectives are known to be -- truly one of the Greatest Detectives In The World." -- Detective Gerard McCarthy , NYPD (Ret.) Formerly of Midtown North Pct. and Special Victims Squad, “Crystal Death proves that Charles Kipps is a master of the crime genre. This unique combination of characters and international intrigue is sure to be one of the best mystery novels of the year." -- Professor Brian Gestring Cedar Crest College Forensic Science Program; Former Supervisory Criminalist, New York City Medical Examiners Office, "Detective Conor Bard and I have something in common. We'd both rather be a musician. Crystal Deathwas so hard to put down, I didn't play my bassoon for three days." ? Bill Cosby, "Crystal Deathproves that Charles Kipps is a master of the crime genre. This unique combination of characters and international intrigue is sure to be one of the best mystery novels of the year." --Professor Brian GestringCedar Crest College Forensic Science Program; Former Supervisory Criminalist, New York City Medical Examiners Office, "Kipps pairs his genuinely original protagonist with a cheeky, charming partner. The results are refreshing." - Kirkus (Starred Review), "Conor Bard is true to life -- determined yet distracted, competent yet conflicted. Like the great NYPD cops I know, he wants the true bad guys brought to justice. Kipps brings us into the real world of New York and we want to be there, cheering Conor on. It's real life, real drama - real good!" -- William J. Bratton , Chairman, Altegrity Risk International; former NYPD Commissioner; former LAPD Chief, "A gun and guitar packing Detective rocking and rolling his way through the streets of Manhattan. Conor Bard is my kind of cop." -- Abel Ferrara, director King of New York and Bad Lieutenant, "Kipps pairs his genuinely original protagonist with a cheeky, charming partner. The results are refreshing."-Kirkus(Starred Review), "Conor Bard is true to life -- determined yet distracted, competent yet conflicted.' Like the great NYPD cops I know, he wants the true bad guys brought to justice. Kipps brings us into the real world of New York and we want to be there, cheering Conor on.' It's real life, real drama - real good!" --William J. Bratton, Chairman, Altegrity Risk International; former NYPD Commissioner; former LAPD Chief, “ Crystal Death was great, just great. Moving and fast paced. Raw and subtle. I could not put it down. I felt I was part of the story not just observing.� Mark Rossini , former FBI agent, "I've worked cases in the Diamond District and know the evidence can send you in many directions. Following Detective Conor Bard as he finds himself in the middle of a bizarre gem trade murder proves to be a fascinating read, a real page turner. Conor Bard is -- as NYPD detectives are known to be -- truly one of the Greatest Detectives In The World." -- Detective Gerard McCarthy , NYPD (Ret.) Formerly of Midtown North Pct. and Special Victims Squad, "Charles Kipps has created one of the most original and interesting fictional detectives I've seen in years.' I lovedCrystal Death, and I loved Detective Conor Bard and hope to see more of him." Nelson DeMille,author of THE LION, “Detective Conor Bard and I have something in common. We’d both rather be a musician. Crystal Death was so hard to put down, I didn’t play my bassoon for three days.� Bill Cosby, "Irs"ve worked cases in the Diamond District and know the evidence can send you in many directions. Following Detective Conor Bard as he finds himself in the middle of a bizarre gem trade murder proves to be a fascinating read, a real page turner. Conor Bard is -- as NYPD detectives are known to be -- truly one of the Greatest Detectives In The World."--Detective Gerard McCarthy, NYPD (Ret.)Formerly of Midtown North Pct. and Special Victims Squad, "Charles Kipps has created one of the most original and interesting fictional detectives I've seen in years. I loved Crystal Death , and I loved Detective Conor Bard and hope to see more of him." Nelson DeMille, author of THE LION, “Charles Kipps has created one of the most original and interesting fictional detectives I've seen in years. I loved Crystal Death , and I loved Detective Conor Bard and hope to see more of him.� Nelson DeMille, author of THE LION, "The Trump Cardis appealing, grounded, smart, and has a sense of humor. Ivanka Trump proves that believing in yourself and working hard never go out of style."-- ANNA WINTOUR,Vogue
