Steele Resolve

The Jasmine Steele Mystery #1

by Kimberly Amato

"Don't think you're untouchable…you or your son." Then a dial tone.. Shrewd, hardened New York homicide detective Jasmine (“Jazz") Steele’s just come back from a grisly crime scene involving the body of a brutally-beaten young girl, the second she's investigated this week. That was horrendous, but with these eight words, ending ominously in “your son,” Jazz’s immediate fear is for her vulnerable nephew, Chase, who’s already been through hell in his seven short years. In Kimberly Amato’s hard-boiled yet deeply emotional police procedural, no one is spared tough breaks and turbulent anguish. A lesser cop than Jazz would barely be able to cope. A year ago, a gruesome car accident claimed the lives of her only brother and his wife, making her the de facto mother of 7-year-old Chase. The sudden household change ended in the loss of her life partner and still best friend, chic police psychologist Frankie, not to mention the dashing of Jazz's lifelong dreams of becoming a successful mystery novelist. Now every day is a battle against Chase’s demons—and her own. Quick reconnaissance reveals the call wasn't a clever joke courtesy of Hadley, Frankie's droll actress roommate, nor was it Victor, the wry police department coroner who happens to be Jazz's confidante. Further detective work shows the caller wanted Jazz to find him—along with the fresh dead body he left for her in a Harlem warehouse. With a shadow on Chase and the aid of Frankie's grace-under-fire, not to mention Victor's brandy-fueled heart-to-hearts, Jazz--who has more 'tude than even the toughest investigator, male or female--navigates the cruel streets of New York City while struggling to keep custody of the only family she has left, doggedly in search of the elusive, psychopathic murderer who seems to be summarily killing off women who look suspiciously like someone close to Jazz... and she's not willing to lose yet another person she loves. Fans of the exciting new wave of hard-boiled women sleuths created by writers like Megan Abbott, Laura Lippmann, Lisa Lutz, and Vicki Hendricks will be attracted to the author’s take-no-prisoners style, and her unflinching attention to harrowing detail. Yet lovers of traditional mysteries will appreciate the web of fierce loyalty tempered with fearful caution that links Jazz’s tiny but hardy support system—Victor, Frankie, and Hadley, not to mention Chase himself. Somehow or other, Amato manages to mix all the excitement of an action thriller with the swirling emotions of a mainstream psychological novel. Those with a weakness for badass female cops like Mary Shannon of In Plain Sight and Olivia Benson of Law & Order SVU will revel in Jasmine Steele's gritty determination laced with compassion. Readers of lesbian mysteries will be reminded of  Sandra Scoppettone’s Lauren Laurano and Laurie R. King’s Kate Martinelli. And it's also a great read for fans of resilient heroines of psychological thrillers like Liz Keen of The Blacklist and Carrie Mathison of Homeland, who will love Jasmine Steele's fearlessness, tinged with the very real emotional roller coaster of love turned to grief.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Amazon, Lesbian, LGBT

174 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Kimberly Amato crafts mysteries that explore social issues and the complexities of relationships through compelling characters and thought-provoking themes. As the author of the Jasmine Steele Mystery Series, she delivers gritty police procedurals from a unique perspective. Kimberly's novels offer readers a journey of self-reflection, inviting them to challenge their own perspectives and find connection in unexpected places. When not writing, she and her wife, Sheila, co-host Forever Fangirls, a TV/film review channel.

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series! awesome first installment,very intense,nice chemistry,incredible writing ,well developed and defined cast of characters..good interaction between both leads(Frankie & Jazmine) highly recommend this series to everyone!

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love first time novelists because of what they bring to the table in terms of showcasing their talent. Most of them have a story to tell that is different than what has been done over and over. But even if it is basically the same story redone, a different twist and their prose can make the grade.

When it comes to murder mystery, you can bet it has been done over and over. So when a new author takes on a murder mystery storyline, the twist better be a good one. And this book was one that offered that bit of extra punch that the reader is looking for.

The author had an interesting way to tell this story. You feel like you are inside the head of Jasmine Steele and sometimes that is not a good place to be. The story line is unique and offers a lot of twists and turns that you are not expecting. Her main character is tough on the outside but a mess on the inside and only a few of her closest buddies know the truth. Her friends are fierce, fabulous and help to personalize Jasmine, so she is not as hard core as she seems.

This is a fast read but not a lighthearted one. You are inside the life and times of a Detective so you get a lot of the grit that you would expect. But it is just the way I would expect someone of this caliber to be. Fighting demons, guilt, and struggling with life beyond the shield.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It is a great change of pace and perfect for one that loves cop stories, murder mysteries, and a great story - like me!

* ARC Received in exchange for my honest review *

[Kimba Tichenor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. In part I wanted to like the book because I liked the characters and wanted to root for them. However there are multiple problems. Given this is the first book in the series, one expects the author to establish the main character, a female detective as competent in her job, even if she appears deeply trouble by a series of personal crises. But Jazz Steele really does nothing professionally to establish her competence, as none of her decisions seem smart for a seasoned detective. So the reader cannot help wondering: How did this woman make detective? And given her total lack of talent, why does the department tolerate her crap? The second serious problem is that the plot is not adequately developed; the author spends so much time on Jazz's personal problems, that she fails to explain a series of unfortunate and improbably events: 1) the police chief with whom Jazz appears to be personal friends opted to protect the police officer who killed her family while driving drunk 2) Once this officer killed her brother and his wife, he remains working in the same officer with her as an inept desk cop 3) However when her new family comes under attack, she is taken off the case and this officer, who until now has been described as an idiot by all is placed in the charge of the case 4) he is the murderer! And we never really learn why he tried to kill her, except that apparently he was under orders and that the problem goes higher up (father of the now dead murderer is a very rich man). I guess the reader is expected to stay tune for the next edition of this series to find out more. I am afraid that I won't be among those staying tune.

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/05/2017)! 💝

[William Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Jasmine Steele’s life is complicated. When her fiancée Frankie, a forensic psychologist, moves in with her, she is as happy as she has ever been in her life. Then the unthinkable happens: her brother and sister-in-law are killed in a car crash, and Jasmine becomes the guardian of her 7-year-old nephew Chase. Overwhelmed with the responsibility, but unable to ask for help, she pushes Frankie away, and the woman finally leaves, broken-hearted and angry.

Now Jasmine struggles to balance the demands of her job and the needs of the little boy she has come to love profoundly. Her latest homicide case, a serial killer preying on young women, threatens to overcome that tenuous balance.

The good news: the relationships in the book are described in ways that are sympathetic, compelling, and authentic. We believe the two women continue to love each other, despite the fury and heartache that simmer just below the surface. We believe that “Jazz” is trying desperately to be a good “single parent” to Chase, even though she would have never chosen such a role for herself.
The bad news: the resolution of the murder case strained my willing suspension of disbelief. The trope of the police officer rushing into lethal danger without calling for backup is not courageous or “bad-ass,” but abysmally poor judgment. (Thankfully, in this instance, Frankie reams her lover a new one for her stupidity!)

My biggest complaint, however, is the editing. Conversations are incorrectly punctuated throughout the novel. Words are missing or swapped for homophones. And to call the business end of a gun the “nozzle” instead of the “muzzle” is unforgivable in a crime thriller.

I know it’s hard for an author to revisit a book when they’ve moved on to other projects, but Ms. Amato’s novel would greatly benefit from better editing.

Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't read it for all the grammatical errors.

Did anyone help this author with editing? Unfinished thoughts, missing words, etc. too distracting to continue. Was it a good story? I'll never know.

[Alexis Milford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story but.

Needs editing for errors!!!!! So many I lost count ! Good story line, the only reason I finished it. Edit!

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needs proofing but it's an excellent story, told well.

My, my, my... what a complicated woman is Jas Steele. Which makes her just my type, even though I'd have to kick her butt from time to time.
This was a great escape for my Sunday & I recommend it highly.

[Larry Piper · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was pretty grim. I got a sort of “boxed set”, in ebook form, of the first five of the Jasmine Steele books. Whoever put the books together didn’t even take the time (less than an hour, I would guess from my own experience with doing such things) to make up a table of contents. Then too, there were numerous grammatical errors and words that clearly didn’t belong in the sentences wherein they were placed.

Then, there’s the story. Jasmine Steele is supposed to be cool by modern standards. She’s a cop, who is a lesbian, and also the guardian of her nephew, i.e. a de facto single mother. She hangs with her three best friends, trying to figure things out. One is a medical examiner; one is an actress who specializes in zombie movies, which feature her unclothed in numerous scenes; and one is a shrink, who also happens to be Jasmine’s ex. Well, I found all this contrived coolness unconvincing. It didn’t help that Jasmine had serious personality issues and was not a likable character. The plot could have been interesting, but wasn’t presented in a way that engaged my interest. I just wanted the book to be over.

There’s little probability that I’ll read any of the other four books in the compendium I got, assuming I could find them in a thousand-page tome that has no table of contents.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up a multi series for free. A bit wordy, but good. It sorta wrapped up quickly.

Took this added review from a multi-book collection that i split up
Detective Steele and her team deals with crimes that and close and personal

Jasmine Steele and her task force are a close but well oiled machine. They have their differences but are supportive professionals when it comes to crime. Especially when it hits close to home..

Hadley, the up and coming actress is getting disturbing social media responses in which she kept secret. Until someone close is hurt.

Steele and the team dive into the unsavory and dark parts of being famous. Everyone seems to feel they have the right to say and do anything just because a celebrity has more than them.

They obtain clues and evidence but there are numerous suspects and not enough to even detain anyone.

Meanwhile, the stoic hardened Steele is about to break and she finally agrees to seek help. She slowly seeks the healing she dispatch needs in order to keep herself sane and her family intact.

[Alealea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried, then burned and crashed. I couldn't keep going.

I liked the first pages.
Then I got confused, then a bit irritated, then I realized I was munching on my lips, trying to bull over the words and I stopped.

The main character is interesting, but she is a mess. Why is she still working ? Why is the child still in her care ? Should such an psychologically-unstable person really be investigating murders ?

The line between private life and her work are a complete blur. I couldn't make sense of the story, so I stopped myself pretty early (just after the boy of what 7 years old ? knowing he had a police guy following him for protection)

Big disappointment there, so I may check a next installment from the writer.
I can't read this trilogy, but maybe when she goes to something else, it will be more realistic-mature-profound-coherent-et caetera and I will be able to read it to the end.

Fingers crossed.

[Dee Cash · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst Written Book

Steele Resolve is undo the worst written book I have ever tried to read. Did the author not read it before publishing? There are so many places where it is used instead of is or in; of instead of on or or. It totally confuses the story line when your is used instead of you're and own in place of on. It is just a horrid attempt at writing. It may be all the above e but I never read a plot. Why did these policemen kill and attempt to kill? That question was never asked or answered.

[Jeanne Brewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good basic premise, sympathetic characters

Sloppy writing and lack of proper syntax seriously detract from enjoyment of this book. Good editor and/ or proofreader could work wonders. That being said, enjoyed the book and watching the interesting characters try to work through problems, both professional and personal. Had the writing not been so distracting in its being just far enough off "true" to drive me nuts, I would cheerfully have rated it 4 stars. Book seriously needs some TLC from someone proficient in grammar, syntax and American English.

[Raquel Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book starts out being pretty well written, if not profound, but about two-thirds through, it's as if someone else took over the writing of it. And that someone couldn't spell, used similarly spelled words that meant the opposite of what was obviously intended, used horrible grammar, converted a readable interesting story into simplistic drivel, and obviously did not proofread what has been written. What happened??

[Jana Delli-Gatti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crap editing!

It has taken me two hours to read two chapters. Everything is so badly edited I have to keep going back and reading it over and over to figure out what's going on. I like the characters. The story seems okay but the editing is such crap I can't get past it. Maybe someday I'll come back and finish it.

[Janet Pollock · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible

This book is a complete butchery of the English language. The story might actually be pretty good, but I couldn't get past the awful grammar, spelling and word usage to focus on the p!ot.. Apparently there was no editing involved. Most high school freshmen have more skills than this.

[Pdlpowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I was very disappointed in this book. Although the story was interesting and well written, there were so many typos, misspellings, and inappropriate word substitutions that I often had to reread a sentence several times to understand what I was reading. It was a difficult read. It appears no one thought to proofread it before publication.

[Lisa Diaz Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book a 5. The main character Jasmine struggles to deal with her overturned home life and her career as a detective. The banter is fun, while we watch this character go from thinking she's tough (and she is in ways) but has a gigantic heart underneath the badge.

[Janice Ebeling · Rating 1 out of 5]

One bad book

This is the second book in my life that I have not finished. There are misspelled words, missing words, extra words, etc. So confusing!😖 Just couldn’t read another word.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected

The editing of this book is awful. Words are misused and confusing. It reads like it was spoken into poor voice recognition software. Too much background, not enough plot.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introductory book of a new series by a new author!

[Darcie DiBasio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why are there so many serious errors in sentence structure, usage of the language, grammar, etc? Why "there" for "they're"? Why are words omitted all over the place, or similar sounding words that aren't the right ones jumping out everywhere?

Example - something like, 'ambulances here and there bringing a gurney". In many other - too many other - cases, the error involves the wrong person being given the line, for example, a whole paragraph of dialog started by a male policeman is then attributed to a female actress. The entire second half of the book reads like someone was half awake dictating the thing in a huge hurry, and it went out exactly like that.

The first half is decent reading and has fewer grammar and content errors than the rest. Some character development made me want to continue reading to see what happened. After awhile I was wondering how the main character had - or kept - her job at all: she should have been in a psychiatric unit.

The last few chapters when they're wrapping up the murder mystery etc? Like one of those all-too-frequently found novels where no one knew how to end the thing, and they only had so many pages, so it all ties up quick and doesn't fit the rest of the book.

I don't want to write a spoiler - but just know, it doesn't make any sense at all, who the murderer is. Also, an entire chapter, in this one, of preaching about life values, done by the grandmother. Ugh. While reading it, the book shifts, in the second part, as if there are two parts written by different people, and no one even checked for editing.

[Murrel Lowry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Headline (Required)

Very good book from a new author for me. Good characters and good plot throughly. My only negative is the overuse of vulgar language. I’m 70 years old and I have never seen law papers having sex. For me, that is a complete turnoff. I’m not sure why some authors feel that that kind of language makes their work better. It doesn’t. I’m sorry our world has sunk to this level. In my younger days, I have had my mouth washed out with soap. I didn’t like it so I changed my vocabulary and found I could communicate very well without the use of that kind of language. Sadly, I think I’m going the way of the dinosaur.

[Blessing · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great book but not for me.
I can't imagine someone getting a hug and nodding after undergoing different surgery.

Jasmine conversation with will after getting shot sound so unreal like the one with her brother at his dying
moments.
She was shot all over for heaven sake but she's acting like it never happened after waking up someone with serious head injury nodding the head. How do you explain that ?

She had hand, ankle, thigh and heart surgery acting like its a walk in a park.

If the genre is paranormal I will understand but it isn't, I had to keep checking if am reading supernatural cause I don't understand what am reading

[Teresa Perrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Learning how to be a mother when suddenly you take on the responsibility of your nephew whilst grieving for your family and trying to hold down a job can through some curve balls. Add in a broken romance but still staying in touch with your one true love and bodies appearing with links that seem to be to do with you and you have a book with two at and turns and a few surprises along the way. I shall definitely be reading the next two books and anymore that happen to come along to.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love strong female characters in books. Especially when they are in the police force and have had not had everything handed to them. They earned it. Now Jazz is also trying to raise her bother's son, who is only seven years old and has had a rather rough life of his own. Jazz gets a mysterious phone call that takes her to the body of a badly beaten teenager. The caller mentions 'her son', so now things are really personally.This is a high intense story that is riveting! I would like to thank Authorsxp for a copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and this is my opinion of it.

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

So why not a 4 or 5? This book had action, interesting characters and evoked the same feel as some of the detective shows I enjoy watching on t.v. Problem was, I had a tough time buying in to some of the responses, reactions and procedures--specifically one that was key to the story. Perhaps it is naivete on my part, but it made it hard for me to willfully suspend my disbelief that so much crazy slid right past all the checks and balances and--oh, wait nevermind. That said, I am curious to see where the series goes from here, so plan to read on.

[J H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story

So often, law enforcement MCs had something happen in their past that lead them to a substance abuse problem or aggressive anger issues. This wasn't one of those kind of characters. Steele had flaws, but she also had an incredible support group of devoted friends. She seemed intuitive about the case, but also open to the input of her close group's perspectives. All of her group were intelligent with interesting careers, and I really liked them. I wished that I was one of them. I was so excited to realize that the series is KU because I can't wait to read the rest of the series. A must read.

[Linda Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging

This book has engaging characters. However, only 4 stars because this version doesn't appear to have been proof read, making some sentences totally meaningless. There were some awful mistakes, making it difficult to read much of the book at one sitting. I want to read the next books in the series, but am wary of buying any more without assurance they have actually been proof read 😵

[Kathy Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book badly needed proofreading! The first few chapters caught my interest, which is very important for me, but then it was like someone inserted another book onto the one I was supposed to be reading. So much confusion with the misspelled words, wrong words, left-out words, etc., I spent so much time backing up and rereading paragraph after paragraph. After struggling through this whole book, I'm still uncertain why they wanted her dead.