All the Way Down

Detective McDaniel Thriller #3

by Axel Blackwell

This is Book 3 in the Detective McDaniel Thrillers series. The series is best read in order. Please consider reading Book 1, Hold Back the Night, before enjoying All the Way Down. Detective Darren McDaniel is finally back to work, not that his supervisor is happy about it. After his last explosive adventure, McDaniel's just barely managed to keep his job, and there’s no way in hell the bosses are going to let him anywhere near a major case. One wrong move now will land him on permanent parking patrol. He can't stop turning the Polakoff case over and over in his mind. McDaniel and his former partner uncovered a horrific human trafficking organization, but McDaniel’s loss of critical evidence allowed the criminals to escape and perpetuate their evil enterprise. He's haunted by his missteps and determined to work his way back into his boss's good graces. Now McDaniel is partnered with Detective Wooten on the much-less-likely-to-be-involved-in-a-shootout Property Crimes squad. He's intent on proving himself, focusing on the job at hand; purse snatchers, garden-shed burglars, and other petty thieves. If he can stay out of trouble, he might have a chance to do real detective work again…someday. When McDaniel is contacted by someone with inside information about Polakoff and his associates, everything changes. The informant delivers McDaniel a devastating new clue, possibly enough to dismantle the trafficking organization. In return for the information, the snitch insists on running a rogue operation against Polakoff’s associates, with McDaniel riding shotgun. To pull it off, he'll have to risk everything. If it goes wrong, McDaniel knows he will lose what’s left of his career, his marriage, and possibly end up in jail for a very long time. But if he lets the traffickers escape a second time, his career and his life won't have much meaning. Can he trust his own judgement, or will his desperate desire to redeem himself lead him down the wrong path?

Genres: Thriller

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2020

Reviews

[Slympicins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read from Alex Blackwell. The twists and turns in this adventure take on a much diffent feel. A feel that you can not even begin to predict and when you think you got it, no you don't.

There is but one other author (Ben Coes) I have read that has ever taken the reader to the depths Alex takes you in this adventure. He takes you somewhere you don't want to go and sweat and fidget with the hope you will make it out alive. The suspense is crazy making me want to put the book down several times. Knowing Detective Daniel has another adventure following this one makes you press on with faith.

With each adventure I read I find Alex is getting better and better at pulling you into the book. There is some great humor between Det. McDaniel, VW and Griggs that makes you laugh at times you wouldn't think.

Great job Alex. Keep them coming.

[Armand Rosamilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series with each new book. The characters are great together, they keep you guessing, and the plots are fun, fast-paced and full of twists. Cannot wait to dive into the next one.

[Jan L · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the job

This is a series that will actually pull you in and keep your brain working and your heart thumping! I love the characters and the way the story is written. This book is even more intense than the previous ones with situations that I bet are in the top three list of things people fear (no spoilers). You should get to know Detective Daniel's and his family and Detective Vanderwyk beginning with the first book. I enjoy the humor between the detectives and look forward to the next case.

[Stacey mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.. amazing story as always, with a villain I didn’t see coming. McDaniel and Vanderwyk are brilliant characters and their individual growth through this series has been amazing.. as well as seeing their partnership go for strength to strength. And it had an “OH MY GOD NO” moment, that to me makes a mystery into a thriller.. it gets the blood pumping.. it gets you reading so intently everything else is drowned out.. and it makes an amazing thriller and this whole series has been an amazing thrilling ride.. I would highly recommend.

[Julie Slama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to get into, and then hard to set down!

The first couple of chapters moved quickly, but then there was a bit of a lull for a bit. Once you get past that lull*, the story gets GOOD!
You must read the other two books in the series first - this third book ties together the mysteries that remained at the end of book 2.

*Please note that the lull may be my own fault, as I was reading this during the first week of quarantine, and my brain may not have picked up on nuances.

[Stacy Sutherland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

I feel this book hasn’t wrapped anything up. The stories are becoming too mixed up and complicated. What started as an excellent story that really captured me has just left me confused. There is too much going on too much unexplained. I do hope we get another to uncover the trafficking story and I feel like that’s the story i wanted: to have it wrapped it and ended then these complicated stories could have worked in their own right

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series

A real and deeply flawed detective learning to overcome some harrowing life events and still live a good life. It's that simple and yet multilayered in complexity. Really grabbed me from the first book until this one. I urge you to start at book one and while not strictly necessary, really let's you experience their evolution.

[Patricia Busutil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, Dark

I found this book very well written, but quite dark, I couldn’t plow through this book as I did his previous one, yet I couldn’t put it down, I had to digest it little by little.

[Sue Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

This was a tough read. I feel that the characters are pretty close to many of the experience that the actual members of the police officers have to deal with and I appreciate them even more, thank you.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put your flawed detective character up front. Add a wife and daughter trying to deal with him, and a devoted partner with good repartee, and you've got a pretty good thriller. Can I be your editor, though?

[James Q Small]

A little wordy, but still a good series.

[Sharon Ogrzewalla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darkness

This book was interesting, but intense. The amount of evil in the world is staggering. McDaniel's own demons made this an intense thriller.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little strunge out, but good reading 📚

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book and series.

[Elizabeth Blacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

Wow what a story line in this book. Axel Blackwell needs to write more books! I just need some time to think about this for awhile.

[Judith Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Blackwell. This book, the 3rd in the series, was convoluted, and rather than the story coming to an end, the relationship between McDavid and his wife progressed in mutual understanding.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Series

Book was a great read. Found the character of the wife very annoying. Skimmed through parts and was able to enjoy the story.

[Kathy Devereaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Start to finish I didn't put them down. All 3 books! Can't wait to get started on the next set