Brothers in Crime

Jesse Damon Crime Novel #5

by K.M. Rockwood

The cops say surveillance video doesn't lie. But could they be mistaken?

After nearly twenty years in prison, Jesse Damon is just trying to make it on parole. But nothing comes easy. The cops say they have a video of him breaking into an ATM. He’s in trouble at work over a toxic chemical spill. A runaway wife shows up on his doorstep, dead broke and needing somewhere to stay. And his sometimes-girlfriend Kelly seems to have met someone new. Sydney. At an AA meeting, of all places. When Jesse goes to Sydney's office and finds his dead body, he’s pretty sure the guy has been murdered. And that he will be the prime suspect.

Genres: Mystery

206 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*received a copy for an honest review*

Brothers in Crime picks up in a manner similar to the others, with a visit from all of our favorite cop duo. Being accused of yet another crime, is just the tip of Jesse's current predicament.

In a sense, there are two parts of this story. We have Jesse's potential involvement in yet another series of crimes, and some more trouble at work. And you really have to feel for Jesse. People, who in pasts books believed in him, find themselves second guessing themselves and his innocence. A low blow to man who has very little beyond his own words. And lets not even discuss the brother in 'Brothers in Crime.' A real piece of work, that one.

My heart went out to Jesse while reading this book, more so than any other one in the series thus far.

But it was my anger that flared during the other half of the storyline. I've never liked Kelly, never. I may have withheld judgment after she sort of befriended him in the beginning. But I've had issues with her from the start. She's messed up - Jesse's messed up in his own way- but she's the kind that bothers me. Jesse tries to better himself, better his surroundings. Kelly lives in a world of denial and her selfish mood swings are almost constant.

Woe is her. (I feel so bad for her kids! Sometimes I want to smuggle them to safety and tell them they are loved.)

So her half of the storyline rather irritated me. She finally made a decision in the last book to go to AA meetings. I was happy to hear her making an attempt to cure her alcoholism and bettering her life. So when she showed up with her handsome, wealthy, "sponsor" and she dressed up, I could have killed her. I KNEW where it was all going to lead.

By time the ending rolls around, I still love Jesse, hate Kelly, and am torn over their relationship. But I think that is one of the best parts of these books. The author creates such realistic characters and really makes of feel for them. There is not a single character in this book that stirs an emotional response of 'eh.'

If you're looking for a well written book series that will hook you from the beginning, this may be the one you are searching for. This book was recently released in May, so I'm all caught up in this series, but I really hope the author has more books planned for us.


"Second time [being in handcuffs] in less than twenty-four hours. Somehow I don't live right."

[D.J. Adamson]

Jesse Damon is a paroled convicted murderer who seems to be a magnet for trouble. Nicely written, this novel was fun and interesting to read with a character you wouldn’t hate to meet.
Jesse Damon Crime Novel series, Brothers in Crime is the fifth book in the series.

Interview with KM Rockwood can be found at: http://www.djadamson.com/le-coeur-de-...

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won Send off for a Snitch & they were kind enough to include Brothers in Crime . So glad they did. You can't help but get caught up in Jesse's life & root for him. The title gives it away, but I don't really think the crimes are the focus of the novels. I said in my previous review that I think Jesse could do better than Kelly & this book cemented it for me. She is using him. I think he's starting to see it. At least I hope he is. OK, they're not exclusive, but to ask him to babysit while she's out screwing around, pretty low. I'm looking forward to Jesse & Jumbo George living together. I think they both have good hearts. And they both need a real friend. I've never run afoul of the law, but know about being poor & down & how hard it is to try to get ahead. One step forward, two steps back kind of life. Jesse's life rings very true. I NEED there to be a new book in this series!
Now for the negative. The books need a good editor. A quite a few errors & a couple of lines are exactly the same as in the previous book. Minor complaints because to this reader at least, the great storytelling makes it worth overlooking the lack of editing.
I'd recommend this book to everybody!

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won the 4th book in this series in a Goodreads Giveaway, and the author was nice enough to throw in #5 as well. I read both books back to back and am going to use this review for both of them. Sendoff was the first book in the Jesse Damon series that I read, and I really enjoyed it. The mystery was almost secondary. These novels are more about Jesse and his attempts to rebuild his life. Poor guy-- if he didn't have bad luck he would have no luck at all. These were well-written and provided a realistic portrayal of what it is like to struggle financially and try to rebuild your life after prison. There is also a good cast of supporting characters, and many directions that these stories could go in. I am going to have to read the first three in this series.

This would make a great television series.

Oh, and Kelly is not good enough for Jesse, and I feel bad for her poor kids!

[Tess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways and the author.

This is the second book in the Jesse Damon series that I have read. It can be read as a stand alone since the author does a nice job of including the back story of Jesse and his relationship with the other characters. On the downside, it is more of the same: Jesse getting caught up in poor choices that alert police, handcuffs and dragging him off to the station, and his dysfunctional relationship with alcoholic Kelly. A quick read in an afternoon.

[Vera Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won a copy of this. Really continues Jesse's story from the other book I read (Sendoff of a Snitch). Once again, when something bad happens the cops seems to center in on Jessie. But how can they say he is caught on a camera doing a crime, when at work at the time.

Seems Jessie's past wants to keep him down. He served 20 years and now on parole. Enjoy these books. Started another one also, so will be reviewing soon.

Would recommend to others.

[Joseph Dubey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Jesse Damon,out of prison on parole for a murder his brothers committed,and trouble seems to follow him everywhere. From an abused woman with a baby winding up at the house he is watching,to a chemical spill at the plant he works at. Video of him breaking into ATM machines , murder at the so called AA sponsor of his girlfriend.They seem to want to pin the crimes on him. But in the endhe is cleared from it all.Another really good read.

[Anne Peachey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Brothers in crime by K.M. Rookwood as a bonus when I won Send off for A Snitch in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Rockwood continues Jesse Damon Crime Novel Series with this book.
Jesse Damon is a Convicted Murderer who has completed 20 years of a 40 year sentence and is out on Parole.
He was convicted as a 16 year old who was the lookout for his Brothers when they went to rob a Drug Dealer.
Jesse did not know they went there to do this.
He thought they were buying drugs.
When someone dies, Jesse is identified as being present while the crime is committed.
He didn't pull the trigger.
He was present while the crime was committed. It is a Felony Offence.
He has done his time.
Jesse now has a job, a sometimes Girlfriend and is struggling to make ends meet.
He is trying to keep out of trouble.
Trouble seems to find him.
The Police are blaming him or robbing an ATM as they have video footage and they believe the offender is Jesse.
Trouble at work when there is a potential deadly Chemical Spill.
A runaway wife turns up on his doorstep, broke, in trouble and homeless. Jesse lets her stay.
His sometimes girlfriend has met someone else. The new boyfriend is murdered and when Jesse discovers the body, he knows he will be the main suspect.
Jesse Damon has to work hard to prove his innocence.
Rockwood shows the depth of his knowledge and research with the scenarios he has woven through this book.
Thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse's back with more mysteries and mayhem on his hands in Rothsberg! It's been about five months since he's been paroled. His basement apartment flooded so he finds a temporary house sitting gig while seeking permanent lodgings. A mother and her baby with nowhere to go find help from Jesse. He's there for Kelly and her children. These are only a few of the many experiences awaiting Jesse in this story. The who, what, when, where and why - of how these situations develop and are resolved, is the genius in
Ms. Rockwood's writing!
Will Kelly ever get her act together? Can Jesse expect continual harassment from the police? Why does video camera film show Jesse as the perpetrator of various crimes when he has iron clad alibis? Bizarre situations continue to plague him.
It's original and well written, the characters are well developed and the dialog is witty! And then there's Jesse... You root for him, cheer for him and feel for him!! Read and be charmed!
I was given this book for free for an honest review.

[Steve Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book received courtesy of Goodreads giveaways.

What I liked most about this book is the character development. The main character, Jesse Damon, is a paroled inmate who has served 2o years of incarceration for a murder which he did not commit. Once outside jail he takes up a variety of relatively menial jobs (forklift operator) to make ends meet. All the time he is subject to suspicion when new crimes are committed and the possibility of parole suspension and return to jail to serve the remainder of his sentence. To me, Jesse Damon is an interesting character who is remarkably non bitter in spite of what life has dealt him.

Much of he book deals with the day to day life of Jesse and the author does a very good job in describing the daily challenges in his everyday life and good insights into the judiciary process.

The plot line however is somewhat simplistic and lacks suspense and the outcome is known well prior to the final pages. Had the plot line been better developed I would have rated at 5 stars.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

At age 36, Jesse Damon has spent twenty years behind bars for a murder committed by one of his brothers. Now on parole, he’s driving forklift in a plating factory and trying to stay out of trouble. But there’s a hard-nosed cop who wants to pin every crime in town on Jesse. This time it’s a theft from an ATM machine, and there’s video footage of Jesse committing the crime. But he was at work, with his foreman as his alibi.
A dangerous chemical spill at work is blamed on Jesse, and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Kelly took his advice and went to an AA meeting, only to find another man.
“Brothers in Crime” is the fifth book in this gripping series. Rockwood gets all the details right, even down to Jesse’s pathetic gratitude to a store clerk who gives him a couple of sub sandwiches—a treat from his usual lunch of peanut butter on bottom of the line bargain bread. This is a series with no glamour but a lot of hard truths, and one I’ll want to re-read.

[Michael Drakich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have not read any of the other books in this series, it is unnecessary as this book is a stand alone story. Kudos to the fact it was revealed it is one of a series and that detail not hidden, something I hate.

There are a lot of things to like about this novel. The writing is good, the story flows, the characters are identifiable, and the settings are exceptional. The author did a bang of job describing Jesse's workplace, the police holding cells and jail cells, and the places Jesse lived. I could easily envision all of them. He also portrayed a credible work environment and police procedures.

(Spoiler alert) My only disappointment lay in the capture of his older brother as the perpetrator of the crimes. It was way too obvious from the get go. Right from the title, the predictability of one of Jesse's brothers being the culprit was far too obvious.

In short, very well written with the predictable ending being the only flaw.

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It is the 5th book in the series but can be read as a stand alone book. Jesse is a convicted criminal that has a knack for being accused of crimes he did not commit. He finds that by being honest and calm while being questioned things worked themselves out. But when he is accused of murder this may be one he can't get out of. Would love to read more from this author.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Donohue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A parole trying to make a life for himself after 20 years in jail for a crime he did not commit. The bad cop trying to get him behind bars again and the good cop trying to let him get on with his life. There were good twist and turns and a good ending. I would read further novels by this author. I received this book from a Good Reads Giveaway for an hones appraisal. I would like to thank the author and publisher. My daughter in Austin, TX, has a Free Little Library in her yard. I will send the book to her for her neighborhood enjoyment.

[Donna K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this book free in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book. Jesse was a wonderful character to journey with. Looking forward to reading more by this author

[Erisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review can be found at: www.bookaholic-reads.blogspot.com

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book very much. It was a good reeead.

[Beth Yeary]

Thanks to a double win from Goodreads, I was able to read this novel. It seems that Jesse spends most of his time trying to keep from being set up for violating his parole. And helping those around him when possible.