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Billy Knight Thrillers #1
Tropical Depression
Before there was Dexter, there was Billy Knight.
NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Jeff Lindsay mastered suspense with his wildly addictive DEXTER series. Before that, however, there was former cop and current burnout Billy Knight. When a hostage situation turns deadly, Billy loses everything—his wife, his daughter, and his career. Devastated, he heads to Key West to put down his gun and pick up a rod and reel as a fishing boat captain. But former co-worker Roscoe McAuley isn't ready to let Billy rest.
When Roscoe tells Billy that someone murdered his son, Billy sends him away. When Roscoe himself turns up dead a few weeks later, however, Billy can't keep from getting sucked back into Los Angeles, and the streets that took so much from him.
Billy's investigations into the death of a former cop, and his son, will take him up to the highest echelons of the LAPD, finding corruption at every level. It puts him on a collision course with the law, with his past, with his former fellow officers, and with the dark aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement. Jeff Lindsay's considerable storytelling gifts are on full display, drawing the reader in with a mesmerizing style and a case with more dangerous blind curves than Mulholland Drive.
NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Jeff Lindsay mastered suspense with his wildly addictive DEXTER series. Before that, however, there was former cop and current burnout Billy Knight. When a hostage situation turns deadly, Billy loses everything—his wife, his daughter, and his career. Devastated, he heads to Key West to put down his gun and pick up a rod and reel as a fishing boat captain. But former co-worker Roscoe McAuley isn't ready to let Billy rest.
When Roscoe tells Billy that someone murdered his son, Billy sends him away. When Roscoe himself turns up dead a few weeks later, however, Billy can't keep from getting sucked back into Los Angeles, and the streets that took so much from him.
Billy's investigations into the death of a former cop, and his son, will take him up to the highest echelons of the LAPD, finding corruption at every level. It puts him on a collision course with the law, with his past, with his former fellow officers, and with the dark aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement. Jeff Lindsay's considerable storytelling gifts are on full display, drawing the reader in with a mesmerizing style and a case with more dangerous blind curves than Mulholland Drive.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 1994
146 people are currently reading
698 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lindsay
80 books4,337 followersJeff Lindsay lives in Florida with his wife, author Hilary Hemingway, daughter of Leicester Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's brother.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 20, 2016
I was in the mood to try some of Jeff Lindsey's fiction after bingeing my way through a few seasons of the Dexter TV sow on Netflix. I figured this book would be the perfect choice since it was a fresh new story. Sadly, I was wrong in that assumption as this was dull. Really, really, dull! It was so boring that I quit at the 75% mark. I just had no enthusiasm to read any more of it. I did not care about the mystery and I had not grown an attachment to any of the characters. All in all I just did not care. That said, this book was not awful just boring.
I'm extra disappointed as I had high hopes for this one!
Rating: 2 stars.
Audio Note: Even the excellent narration of Jay Snyder could not inject any life into this story.
I'm extra disappointed as I had high hopes for this one!
Rating: 2 stars.
Audio Note: Even the excellent narration of Jay Snyder could not inject any life into this story.
March 6, 2017
This was good! I really enjoy Jeff's writing and humor. The storyline was good and I really had empathy for the main character. Not quite as action packed as I was hoping, but the ending was good and definitely makes me want to continue on with the series. Thumbs up!
November 12, 2015
Right from the beginning, the author sets a fast pace with action, drama, horrific events, and intrigue.
When a botched hostage rescue goes horribly wrong, LA police officer Billy Knight loses everything. It’s all too much and he leaves the force, heading for calmer waters.
Key West is his final destination. He hangs up his gun and starts over as a charter fishing boat captain. Sun, cold beer, and the salty breeze over aquamarine waters give Billy a tenuous hold on his sanity.
So, he wasn’t happy to see Roscoe. He’d left all that behind. He agreed to listen, but flat out refused to get involved in the investigation of the murder of Roscoe’s son, and he sent him on his way.
Later, Billy goes looking for Roscoe, feeling bad about how he treated his friend and former co-worker, but he’s already grabbed a flight back home.
The news of Roscoe’s murder a few weeks later hits Billy hard. No matter how much it hurts. No matter how difficult it is. No matter how dangerous it is. Billy will not rest until the killer or killers are caught, dead or alive.
Billy Knight is a wounded warrior. He’s been through so much, more than most can bear. When he went back to investigate the murders, I was reminded of that saying, “let a sleeping dog lie.” Billy woke up and did whatever he had to do, regardless of anyone’s approval or cooperation.
There are some guys you don’t want to get angry. You won’t like them when they’re angry. And Billy is angry.
Lots of intrigue, dirty little secrets, and corruption keep you emotionally engaged. The cast of characters go from funny to sad, from boorish to just plain bad.
The story never bogs down. The author helps you visualize places and scenes clearly. And the doses of humor give you a bright spot in a dark venture.
I happily recommend this book and the series to all thriller and suspense fans.
I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.
When a botched hostage rescue goes horribly wrong, LA police officer Billy Knight loses everything. It’s all too much and he leaves the force, heading for calmer waters.
Key West is his final destination. He hangs up his gun and starts over as a charter fishing boat captain. Sun, cold beer, and the salty breeze over aquamarine waters give Billy a tenuous hold on his sanity.
So, he wasn’t happy to see Roscoe. He’d left all that behind. He agreed to listen, but flat out refused to get involved in the investigation of the murder of Roscoe’s son, and he sent him on his way.
Later, Billy goes looking for Roscoe, feeling bad about how he treated his friend and former co-worker, but he’s already grabbed a flight back home.
The news of Roscoe’s murder a few weeks later hits Billy hard. No matter how much it hurts. No matter how difficult it is. No matter how dangerous it is. Billy will not rest until the killer or killers are caught, dead or alive.
Billy Knight is a wounded warrior. He’s been through so much, more than most can bear. When he went back to investigate the murders, I was reminded of that saying, “let a sleeping dog lie.” Billy woke up and did whatever he had to do, regardless of anyone’s approval or cooperation.
There are some guys you don’t want to get angry. You won’t like them when they’re angry. And Billy is angry.
Lots of intrigue, dirty little secrets, and corruption keep you emotionally engaged. The cast of characters go from funny to sad, from boorish to just plain bad.
The story never bogs down. The author helps you visualize places and scenes clearly. And the doses of humor give you a bright spot in a dark venture.
I happily recommend this book and the series to all thriller and suspense fans.
I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.
August 26, 2015
I am a big Dexter fan (books, audiobooks and tv series) and was excited to see that Mr Lindsay has started a new series. As with all first books in a new series, there is a fair amount of character introduction/development as well as background and scene setting but I think that this balanced out quite well with the story.
Billy Knight was an LA cop. Then, personal tragedy struck and he ran away to Key West to be a fishing guide! A year or so later, a face from the past seeks him out to help him and this triggers a return to LA for Billy. Soon he is back in the thick of it, putting his life in danger to get justice.
I really warmed to Billy right from the off. He has the right amount of irreverence and sarcasm to be on my wavelength. He is also, deep down, a really decent, genuine guy, despite what sometimes shows! There are some really great one liners in this book as well as some well crafted banter that had me, at times, chuckling to myself as I read it!
There is quite a bit of action in this book and it is written in a very visual way - I am wondering if there is any tv/film influence in the style of writing. Towards the end of the book I was able to "see" the action played out in front of me and I am not usually very visual with my reading.
The story itself was good, self-contained and a good introduction to Billy (and other characters) and his morals, methods and general personality.
All in all, a good solid series opener and I will definitely be on the look out for the next in the series.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Billy Knight was an LA cop. Then, personal tragedy struck and he ran away to Key West to be a fishing guide! A year or so later, a face from the past seeks him out to help him and this triggers a return to LA for Billy. Soon he is back in the thick of it, putting his life in danger to get justice.
I really warmed to Billy right from the off. He has the right amount of irreverence and sarcasm to be on my wavelength. He is also, deep down, a really decent, genuine guy, despite what sometimes shows! There are some really great one liners in this book as well as some well crafted banter that had me, at times, chuckling to myself as I read it!
There is quite a bit of action in this book and it is written in a very visual way - I am wondering if there is any tv/film influence in the style of writing. Towards the end of the book I was able to "see" the action played out in front of me and I am not usually very visual with my reading.
The story itself was good, self-contained and a good introduction to Billy (and other characters) and his morals, methods and general personality.
All in all, a good solid series opener and I will definitely be on the look out for the next in the series.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2015
I miss Dexter! :(
This book is so different from the author's Dexter series. It kind of reminds me of old time mysteries in some instances, but with a modern day setting. The main character, Billy Knight, puts out a lot of sarcasm, I chuckled out loud several times.
While this book started out pretty slow, setting up the characters and everything - I think he didn't have to spend so much time looking for Roscoe. Although I did like hearing about Key West - love that place!
But once the story took off, it did not stop. The villain in this story was on a mission and had no mercy for anyone, be it kids or women. I saw the lightening scene way before it happened, but that was about the only thing I got right. HA! I think we will have to wait until the next book to see if Jeff Lindsay is able write a better book that takes off a little faster. After years of Dexter, I imagine it has to be hard to start all over from scratch. I know I will be reading it.
A huge thanks to Diversion Books and Net Galley for allowing me the opportunity and for providing this entertaining book to read and review.
This book is so different from the author's Dexter series. It kind of reminds me of old time mysteries in some instances, but with a modern day setting. The main character, Billy Knight, puts out a lot of sarcasm, I chuckled out loud several times.
While this book started out pretty slow, setting up the characters and everything - I think he didn't have to spend so much time looking for Roscoe. Although I did like hearing about Key West - love that place!
But once the story took off, it did not stop. The villain in this story was on a mission and had no mercy for anyone, be it kids or women. I saw the lightening scene way before it happened, but that was about the only thing I got right. HA! I think we will have to wait until the next book to see if Jeff Lindsay is able write a better book that takes off a little faster. After years of Dexter, I imagine it has to be hard to start all over from scratch. I know I will be reading it.
A huge thanks to Diversion Books and Net Galley for allowing me the opportunity and for providing this entertaining book to read and review.
July 9, 2019
A lot of reviews start by saying "Billy Knight isn't Dexter". And well, he isn't. But they're quite different characters and when reading the book I didn't even begin to compare them. The dexter series is one of my favourite book series around and it is because of those that I decided to read Tropical Depression.
I'd recommend the book, it's a light read but the story is interesting nontheless. This one is written before Dexter though (the next book in the series is written After), which means that the setting and technology are a bit 'outdated'. They struggle with reaching someone by phone for example (no cellphones). Not that it bothered me, but it might bother someone thinking it's a more modern book.
I'd recommend the book, it's a light read but the story is interesting nontheless. This one is written before Dexter though (the next book in the series is written After), which means that the setting and technology are a bit 'outdated'. They struggle with reaching someone by phone for example (no cellphones). Not that it bothered me, but it might bother someone thinking it's a more modern book.
April 24, 2020
easy read and good entertaining story.
August 25, 2018
Tropical Depression
by
Jeff Lindsay
Read: August 2018
I initially borrowed Billy Knight #2 (Red Tide) from the local library, and decided to listen to the Billy Knight #1 Thriller, Tropical Depression. Before I commenced the ‘thriller’ I noticed another Goodreads reader commenting that 75% of a very dull story was enough. The first chapter/track seemed so disjointed that I had to listen to it twice. However, I will concede that first listen consisted of very short drives. Listening to the beginning of new book requires some concentration and extended periods of listening to ‘get into it’.
I still don’t know why we needed to hear how untidy and high the weeds were in Billy’s garden. We were also introduced to several acquaintances all of which had little or nothing to do with the story line. One such character was an Australian….with a Cockney accent!!! To make matters worse the narrator could not even hold the accent. Sentences would begin with a Cockney sounding accent and slowly revert to the narrator’s normal voice.
Again in my opinion there is a fine line between conversation and narrative in a thriller or mystery. I do not like either one to outweigh the other especially if it appears to simply be filling a page or chapter. When authors begin to describe the height of weeds in a garden, the hues of wall paint, provide in-depth detailed descriptions of another character’s clothes or dust in a room, it has to be relevant to the story. I find that narrative very, very boring.
The short version of this story is the Billy Knight is an ex-cop. A friend’s son is killed. Soon after which the aforementioned friend is also killed.
I did listen to the whole story. Not the worst book I have heard/read, however certainly not the best. I will also give Tropical Depression two stars; one for publishing and one because I could not write a children’s book let alone a novel. However, it has a long way to go before it is of thriller status, in my opinion.
At the time of completing this review, August, 2018 Goodreads readers have rated Tropical Depression an average of 3.65 stars from 172 ratings and 28 reviews
by
Jeff Lindsay
Read: August 2018
I initially borrowed Billy Knight #2 (Red Tide) from the local library, and decided to listen to the Billy Knight #1 Thriller, Tropical Depression. Before I commenced the ‘thriller’ I noticed another Goodreads reader commenting that 75% of a very dull story was enough. The first chapter/track seemed so disjointed that I had to listen to it twice. However, I will concede that first listen consisted of very short drives. Listening to the beginning of new book requires some concentration and extended periods of listening to ‘get into it’.
I still don’t know why we needed to hear how untidy and high the weeds were in Billy’s garden. We were also introduced to several acquaintances all of which had little or nothing to do with the story line. One such character was an Australian….with a Cockney accent!!! To make matters worse the narrator could not even hold the accent. Sentences would begin with a Cockney sounding accent and slowly revert to the narrator’s normal voice.
Again in my opinion there is a fine line between conversation and narrative in a thriller or mystery. I do not like either one to outweigh the other especially if it appears to simply be filling a page or chapter. When authors begin to describe the height of weeds in a garden, the hues of wall paint, provide in-depth detailed descriptions of another character’s clothes or dust in a room, it has to be relevant to the story. I find that narrative very, very boring.
The short version of this story is the Billy Knight is an ex-cop. A friend’s son is killed. Soon after which the aforementioned friend is also killed.
I did listen to the whole story. Not the worst book I have heard/read, however certainly not the best. I will also give Tropical Depression two stars; one for publishing and one because I could not write a children’s book let alone a novel. However, it has a long way to go before it is of thriller status, in my opinion.
At the time of completing this review, August, 2018 Goodreads readers have rated Tropical Depression an average of 3.65 stars from 172 ratings and 28 reviews
July 12, 2017
I picked this book up because I absolutely wanted to marry Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series and still miss the characters. A year after reading through the Dexter series and watching the TV show based on the same character, it still feels as if close friends have moved away. (Don't judge me.)
The reviews for this book, which is Lindsay's first novel, were not so great, but I figured I would give it a chance--while keeping my expectations low. This book, set in the 90s (where cops communicate with the cutting -she technology of pagers and payphones), is about a cop, Billy Knight, who has recently left the fraternal brotherhood behind in LA, opting to retire to fish chartering in Key West. The opening pages reveal a family tragedy that was the impetus for this move.
Perhaps because my expectations were so low or because of my undying love for Jeff Lindsay, my review of this book differs from others. I did not pick it up expecting it to be Dexter 2.0. And I did not have high expectations. I picked it up with the intent to explore Lindsay's first work before reading number two in the series, RED TIDE, which was written in 2015. And I really enjoyed it!
Billy Knight has a similar sense of humor and snark that Dexter has. The book is quite different, but once again, Lindsay brings his masterful acceleration, prohibiting the reader to put the book down with 20 to 30 pages left.
This book features humor, a flawed protagonist, angst, action, corruption, suspense, deception, and even romance, offering something for every reader.
I'm starting RED TIDE right now...
The reviews for this book, which is Lindsay's first novel, were not so great, but I figured I would give it a chance--while keeping my expectations low. This book, set in the 90s (where cops communicate with the cutting -she technology of pagers and payphones), is about a cop, Billy Knight, who has recently left the fraternal brotherhood behind in LA, opting to retire to fish chartering in Key West. The opening pages reveal a family tragedy that was the impetus for this move.
Perhaps because my expectations were so low or because of my undying love for Jeff Lindsay, my review of this book differs from others. I did not pick it up expecting it to be Dexter 2.0. And I did not have high expectations. I picked it up with the intent to explore Lindsay's first work before reading number two in the series, RED TIDE, which was written in 2015. And I really enjoyed it!
Billy Knight has a similar sense of humor and snark that Dexter has. The book is quite different, but once again, Lindsay brings his masterful acceleration, prohibiting the reader to put the book down with 20 to 30 pages left.
This book features humor, a flawed protagonist, angst, action, corruption, suspense, deception, and even romance, offering something for every reader.
I'm starting RED TIDE right now...
April 16, 2024
This book is a reason why Goodreads needs a .5-star rating system similar to Letterboxd as Tropical Depression is easily a 3.5/5⭐️ read.
While not quite as well developed as characters in his other series (Dexter and Riley Wolfe) the characters in Tropical Depression are surprisingly grounded and realistic. The chemistry between Billy and Nancy also works very well for the most part.
Where the book struggles, however, is executing its plot. While I can tell what the author was going for in terms of structure, and the basic outline is pretty good, some of the story beats feel very cliche compared to his other works.
While it’s still a good book, it feels like a lot more could have been done with some of the side characters and the way the plot moves from point to point, Ike finding out who was responsible for shooting Hector, could’ve been handled better.
I still recommend the book overall though since Jeff Lindsay’s usual visual storytelling and descriptive writing is all here. An enjoyable read for sure, even if it isn’t his best work.
While not quite as well developed as characters in his other series (Dexter and Riley Wolfe) the characters in Tropical Depression are surprisingly grounded and realistic. The chemistry between Billy and Nancy also works very well for the most part.
Where the book struggles, however, is executing its plot. While I can tell what the author was going for in terms of structure, and the basic outline is pretty good, some of the story beats feel very cliche compared to his other works.
While it’s still a good book, it feels like a lot more could have been done with some of the side characters and the way the plot moves from point to point, Ike finding out who was responsible for shooting Hector, could’ve been handled better.
I still recommend the book overall though since Jeff Lindsay’s usual visual storytelling and descriptive writing is all here. An enjoyable read for sure, even if it isn’t his best work.
December 18, 2023
Not a bad story. I noticed some signs of Dexter-like charistics here and there. It's a slow story with seemingly irrelevant parts that drag a bit, but I didn't get bored. Jeff Lindsay did a good job of making the reader sympathetic to the main character. Besides the ending, which I felt was exaggerated and somewhat unbelievable, much of the story had a realistic undertone. It was written in 1994, so is a bit dated, but having been alive then I was able to recall that period. I'll probably check out the second book one of these days.
August 1, 2018
OK book; not in a hurry to read another Billy Knight book. It was good enough for me to finish it. Lots of little things added up to a keep this book from it's real potential. Way too many unnecessary, dumb metaphors. The villain was unbelievable. The love story was unbelievable and flat. The hero was largely depressing and his tragic background was only partially developed. The big investigation started just fine, but was suddenly solved with little intrigue.
January 19, 2020
I was familiar with Jeff Lindsey's Dexter series but I had never read any of the Billy Knight books. At first I wondered if I would be able to read this series because it was so vastly different than his other series. But the more I read and the more I learned about Billy Knight the more I liked his character. He is a man who has lost everything and is trying to rebuild his life as a fishing captain. However trouble has a way of finding him.
I will certainly read more in this series.
I will certainly read more in this series.
February 4, 2020
I was familiar with Jeff Lindsey's Dexter series but I had never read any of the Billy Knight books. At first I wondered if I would be able to read this series because it was so vastly different than his other series. But the more I read and the more I learned about Billy Knight the more I liked his character. He is a man who has lost everything and is trying to rebuild his life as a fishing captain. However trouble has a way of finding him.
I will certainly read more in this series.
I will certainly read more in this series.
February 2, 2017
Good read
I enjoyed this book because Lindsay is amazing at making flawed characters that you fall in love with. Billy Knight (just like Dexter Morgan) makes you root for him, even when he is screwing things up for himself. I also enjoyed the mystery and corruption. Makes you always think twice about the workings of our justice system.
I enjoyed this book because Lindsay is amazing at making flawed characters that you fall in love with. Billy Knight (just like Dexter Morgan) makes you root for him, even when he is screwing things up for himself. I also enjoyed the mystery and corruption. Makes you always think twice about the workings of our justice system.
January 15, 2021
Billy Knight, ex-Los Angeles cop, overwhelmed in sadness, quits his job and goes to Key West to be a charter boat fishing guide, and reinvent himself. But he is called back to California to find out what happened to his old friend and his friend’s son. The murders lead to corruption, and Billy has gotten himself in too deep.
March 15, 2018
If you're fan of the Dexter Series you'll love it! Some of the characters are a bit over the top, but I guess some will be present and meaningful in the follow up. Lindsay's witty prose is very much present, not as polished as in his later work, but quite pleasant still.
October 29, 2019
Když jsem přečetla tenhle kousek, pochopila jsem, kde se vzala představa Dextera. Co kdyby totiž existoval způsob jak ty padouchy dostat? Systém selhal, a co teď? Billy konečně mohl uzavřít minulost, ale málem ho to stálo život. Riskoval a musel se vzdát. Bylo to těžké a hranice zkreslené.
September 12, 2022
I had high hopes for this book since the author also wrote the “Dexter” series. The writing is taught, the humor is light but the plot is formulaic. The narration is fairly good. It is a medium paced light listen. I was entertained somewhat but disappointed overall.
December 6, 2023
Not a bad detective mystery book but I've read better. Lindsay's writing style and sense of dry, dark humor is very much a staple to his works that I really like. Plot and character wise, they're mediocre at best. I'll continue the series to see where he goes with it.
October 2, 2018
I really enjoyed it. I think I'm gonna check out other Billy Knight adventures. Did he get the girl?
January 3, 2020
Quick. Read for Key West setting. May read 2nd in series.
March 7, 2020
Another great read by Lindsay!
June 28, 2020
Excellent book to read! It's about racism and police into a cover-up thriller with a tiny bit of romance. Very good writing!
May 28, 2021
The story itself was pretty formulaic and therefore predictable, but still well written and well read, and still pretty entertaining. Not nearly as good as Dexter or Riley Wolfe, in my opinion.
January 17, 2024
Boring! Couldn’t even finish.
February 5, 2024
Disappointing… Lindsay’s Dexter books were interesting and different. This, was like any other number of detective books set in Florida around the water.
April 25, 2024
Couldn't put it down. Got really irritated I had to actually do my job instead of reading this book.
August 30, 2025
Did not meet my expectations, the Dexter series is definitely much better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews