Dead Odds

by David Ryan

There's nothing FBI Agent Conrad Keane wouldn't do to catch his brother's killer. Will his pursuit of justice lead him beyond the law and ruin his life? Keane's reunion with his estranged half-brother Sean is cut short by a seemingly random tragedy outside an Orlando bar. Detective Tina Rossi vows to track down the person responsible, but Keane is determined to find his own answers. An outsider with no jurisdiction, Keane forms a tenuous alliance with Rossi to investigate Sean’s life as a star college football player. But the deeper he digs, the more he uncovers that Sean led a secret life – one that got him killed. The university president, his cadre of well-heeled friends, and a mysterious former donor keep Keane and Rossi guessing about a puzzle they can’t piece together. When other men connected to the school turn up dead, Keane races to catch a killer whose sights have turned on him. DEAD ODDS is the first book in the Conrad Keane series. Discover a creative new voice and add another name to your list of favorite crime-stoppers.

Genres: Mystery

356 pages, Paperback

Published December 21, 2018

About the author

Critically acclaimed author David Ryan is a former newspaper journalist who decided to turn the crazy stories he heard outside the newsroom into mystery and suspense novels. His first novel is Dead Odds, and is the debut of lead character Conrad Keane. The book is a semifinalist for Royal Palm awards for best new mystery and suspense novel of 2018. David was born outside Chicago, grew up in Tennessee and lives in Florida with his wife. You can read more about David at his website - DavidRyanBooks.com - or follow him on Twitter (@authordavidryan) or Facebook.

Reviews

[Christi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many twists and turns! I genuinely couldn't get a grasp on the whodunits in this one, which is always refreshing. Great book!!

[E.J. Stillings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Odds by David Ryan is a well-crafted tale of crime and corruption, woven seamlessly with intrigue and interesting characters. Conrad Keane is an excellent main character, but I am also a fan of Rossi. The whole cast of diverse characters were believable and perfectly placed to keep me guessing until the satisfying reveal at the end. The book also takes place in Orlando, where I live, so it was interesting for me to see how the author incorporated that. But, if you're not a local, you'll soon learn more about this city--though some details are fiction, some are not.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book! You don't have to be a big football fan to understand the story, you don't have to squint at the screen to follow what's going on, and you're not bogged down with law enforcement procedures. You're given the information you need, when you need it, in a way that is enjoyable to read, with likable (and some not-so-likable) characters.

I'm looking forward to book 2 of this new series! Thanks to the author for writing a compelling story!

[Laura Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tho ... could not put it down! Already casting Conrad Keane in my head for the movie version. Dead Odds is a well-paced crime novel that pulls you in and keeps you guessing. The author crafts a compelling story set in a Southern college town against the backdrop of NCAA football, which is sacred in the South. Well researched. Well written. Readers will wonder if perhaps it's all true.

[Mary Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

My not betting a murder mystery reader, it grabbed me and held me. I was pleasantly surprised and I can usually guess the who done it, but not this time.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to author David Ryan for this FREE Kindle copy of Dead Odds. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.

I liked it. For the most part an engaging read from start to finish with plenty of interesting characters, and a bit of a surprise at the end. Just a little more time spent on that seemingly elusive pride in ownership to remove the dozen or so editing oversights could have pushed this one to four stars. Otherwise, a good read.

[Dallas Gorham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dallas Gorham
Wow, I did not see that coming. This was more of a "Why-done-it" instead of a "Who-done-it" until you get to the very end. Then it's a bolt from the blue as the real puppet master is revealed. Good pacing, good character development, good writing skill. David Ryan has it all. Can't wait to read his next novel.

[Sandy Gotham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story never stopped with the action., It has more twist and turns and I loved each one of them.. It kept me guessing who the bad guy was right up to the end. Good read!!!

[Brenda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Enjoyed the Keane/Rossi dynamics. The ending was a surprise.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Story was quick and I liked the characters. Plot totally caught me off guard; love that! Can't wait to see what else David has in store.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book.