Beneath the Book Tower

Alex McKnight #0.5

by Steve Hamilton

From Edgar Award-Winning Author Steve Hamilton, "Beneath the Book Tower" is the first ever short story featuring Alex McKnight, showing a different side of the man readers have come to love.

Before the tragic event that made him seek refuge in a remote corner of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Alex McKnight was a Detroit police officer.  It’s a warm summer night, and Alex is out riding the night shift with his partner Franklin.  There’s no shortage of trouble to be found on the dark streets of Motown.  But on this particular night, Franklin has his own agenda. 

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Short Stories, Suspense

125 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2011

About the author

Two-time Edgar Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Nick Mason series, The Lock Artist, and the Alex McKnight series. AN HONORABLE ASSASSIN (Mason #3) coming August 27, 2024!

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who have read the series, this short story is a treat. For those who haven't, this short story is a treat.

Alex was once a Detroit police officer. Along with his partner, Franklin, he policed the mean streets every night. There's not a shortage of trouble that can happen at any given moment.

They are also looking for a young teenager .... his grandmother has done her best in raising him, but there is no respect from the young to the elderly. All she wants is for him to be safe.

The things that these two officers run up against is what faces most law enforcement officers on a daily basis. And if your attention is not where it should be ... the consequences can be devastating.

This short story shows Alex in a different light. He's younger, he still has ideals and he still wants to save the world.

The author has done a great job infusing so much into this short story. It's very much in the present, but there's inferences to the past ... and wondering about the future.

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've heard good things about Alex McKnight series and I think I might like it too. Not many things happen here, but the writing is good. I'll probably like the protagonist.
Beneath the Book Tower is just a snippet of a cop's life in a city. It is sad and you are warned that a lot of ugliness is coming Alex's way.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who is a fan of Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight series will love this short story which tells of the incident which led him up to Paradise Michigan and the birth of the series. It is a long time coming as we hear bits and pieces through out his books.

FYI to Goodreads, you have Alex's last name spelled wrong!! It is MCKNIGHT not MCNIGHT!!!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only list this story to comment on how thrilled I am that "Misery Bay" comes out in 10 days! This story is not a 5 but the excitement I have for the next in the series definitely helps me round up! Love Alex McKnight and Steve Hamilton!
Start this series with "A Cold Day in Paradise."

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short introduction to the Alex McKnight series. It gives McKnight’s partner a voice and a personality since in book one of the series Franklin is already dead.

The short story is full of gloom and angst but it is very realistic. I will be reading the first installment of the series very soon.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very, very short story about being a police officer in Detroit.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant little story with a twist. McKnight must really be a Detroiter, the places/names all correct. Stumbled across the story when I was searching for Book Tower and Louis Kamper memorabilia. Never heard the batman angle, though.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

a poignant glimpse into the Detroit that Alex McKnight patrolled, late on the third shift, to protect and serve.

[SoulSurvivor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good short story / novella giving background to Hamilton's 'Alex McKnight' series .

[Michelle Adamo #EmptyNestReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story meant to give fans of the Alex McKnight novels a bit more detail on his previous life: before he left the Detroit Police force, before his father died, before his divorce, before he and his partner were shot by a drug dealer and before he moved to the upper peninsula.

A sort of prequel to the Alex McKnight series, best described as a night in the life of a Detroit Police Officer. An especially fun read for those who are familiar with Detroit landmarks. 35 pages.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book #.5

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[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beneath the Book Tower by Steve Hamilton is a short story that tells a story of Alex McKnight before his story in the Alex McKnight series begins. Beneath the Book Tower takes place one night in Detroit where Alex is a police officer. The story tells the reason he became a cop and his feelings about being a cop in Detroit.

I enjoyed the story and the writing. I got a little taste of the character Alex McKnight and am looking forward to reading the series

[Madhu N · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read other books by this author. I plan to go back and catch a few.

This one is a quick read finished in 30 minutes or less. But was packed with a heart warming story of law enforcement officer. Their unpredictable days, and losses they face is a reminder that we should appreciate their services to the society.

[douglas sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good for a local guy

Was told about him by a friend and just happened to be finishing another series. So what the heck. I thought number 0 would be a good start, and it is. Love the local Detroit stuff and have always enjoyed the U P. I think I’m really going to like this.

[Kathleen Wyman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know it's a short story... But it's too short. It hints at what's going on with the Book Tower, and then it doesn't really go there. Not a bad short story... And I can see how he came up with the title, but I just feel like I left wanting more.

[OMalleycat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little story about Alex McKnight’s formative years as a Detroit cop. The reader gets a feel for the dying world of Detroit in the late 20th century—the world Alex is escaping by moving to the Upper Peninsula. Very sad story that packs a lot of punch in a few pages.

[Kally Sheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dark place

The writing is clear and simple but the story is dark.
I might like it more if it wasn’t so short.
Whatever review I put down here couldn’t do justice to the author or the book.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short, somewhat dark story that gives some insights into McKnight’s early days as a Detroit cop prior to the cities rebirth. The title is a bit of a misnomer - there’s actually nothing found beneath the Book Tower. I hope I didn’t spoil it for you.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very unimpressed - very hard to see why anybody thought this justified charging for.

[Marcia Schilling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for a short story.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh...Interesting. It was labeled as a short story and it was. A very quick read. Well written as only Steve Hamilton can do!

[Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet.

[Robert Lewakowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really care for this book. It was a quick read. I am a big fan of Steve Hamilton so I can't say anything negative.

[AlanH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was shorter than I expected, but I enjoyed the way Mr. Hamilton tells a story. Policing is hard, messy, chaotic work, and that is shared in an impactful way.

[Roslynne Levine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a Steve Hamilton fan, but this was disappointing. Not much story here. Don’t bother.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing imagery. Detroit. A great introduction to Alex and his back story.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. A prequel to A Cold Day in Paradise

[Deborah M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Total ripoff.

Worthless 10 minute read, doesn’t even tell the full story of his Detroit background. Totally irresponsible to list this as a book on Amazon.

[Penandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book Tower is still not opened in Detroit, but dreamers continue to invest. It would be a lovely addition to the city, especially as we approach the the building’s centennial. The first book I read (or tried to read — I’ve placed it on hiatus) by Hamilton was his “Dead Man Running.” I’m told that’s not representative of the series, and I’m glad. I plan on starting the series from the beginning and reading through. This short story was a nice introduction to Alex McKnight and it was nice to get to know Franklin. It was an easy and comfortable read, very different from DMR.