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Silent Sleuths #1
Knight Rise
A group of middle-aged friends embarks on a sentimental quest.
A female Private Eye obsessed with a decades-old unsolved murder.
A killer trying to erase an old mistake, along with anyone in his way.
Twenty-nine years ago, Lee Hamilton was a college student having fun with friends on Spring break in sunny Florida. It was there that he met the beautiful and unforgettable Andi Taylor. They spent a magical week together. Lee was confident it would go somewhere. Then, months later, he received word that she had died.
Many years later, Lee is a widower, his own children now away at college, and after having fallen out of touch with his old college friends, Lee turns to his blog as an outlet. Taken by nostalgia, he writes about his week with Andi and unexpectedly sets off a dangerous string of events that will reunite him with old friends but could cost them all their lives.
KNIGHT RISE is a fast-paced, intriguing page-turner with a lot of heart. Follow this crew of enjoyable characters through stunning plot twists for a thrilling ride you won't forget!
A female Private Eye obsessed with a decades-old unsolved murder.
A killer trying to erase an old mistake, along with anyone in his way.
Twenty-nine years ago, Lee Hamilton was a college student having fun with friends on Spring break in sunny Florida. It was there that he met the beautiful and unforgettable Andi Taylor. They spent a magical week together. Lee was confident it would go somewhere. Then, months later, he received word that she had died.
Many years later, Lee is a widower, his own children now away at college, and after having fallen out of touch with his old college friends, Lee turns to his blog as an outlet. Taken by nostalgia, he writes about his week with Andi and unexpectedly sets off a dangerous string of events that will reunite him with old friends but could cost them all their lives.
KNIGHT RISE is a fast-paced, intriguing page-turner with a lot of heart. Follow this crew of enjoyable characters through stunning plot twists for a thrilling ride you won't forget!
- GenresFiction
342 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2021
3 people are currently reading
2238 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Hammons
6 books210 followersDL Hammons wrote his first piece of fiction decades ago to impress a girl (he was moderately successful) and never looked back.
Growing up as a military brat, DL moved around quite a bit as a kid. After graduating from LSU and raising a family in several southern states, he now makes his home in Central Arkansas, where he has spent the last dozen years perfecting his voice, splitting his writing time between YA and Adult Mystery/Suspense. Besides being an author, DL claims that the most interesting thing about him is that he lacks a sense of smell. Other passions include (but are not limited to) his family (including his two mini-Australian Sheppards), music, movies, video gaming, and cool weather camping.
MOVING FEAR - his YA Supernatural Horror debut is due out early 2026.
Growing up as a military brat, DL moved around quite a bit as a kid. After graduating from LSU and raising a family in several southern states, he now makes his home in Central Arkansas, where he has spent the last dozen years perfecting his voice, splitting his writing time between YA and Adult Mystery/Suspense. Besides being an author, DL claims that the most interesting thing about him is that he lacks a sense of smell. Other passions include (but are not limited to) his family (including his two mini-Australian Sheppards), music, movies, video gaming, and cool weather camping.
MOVING FEAR - his YA Supernatural Horror debut is due out early 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 7, 2022
This first book by DL Hammons is a fun and entertaining ride from beginning to end. The characters are relatable, slightly-flawed, and intriguing. What starts as a heart-tugging series of blog entries by Lee about a long-lost love escalates into a reconnection with an old group of friends, a deepening mystery, and a life-threatening quest for answers. DL does a wonderful job of keeping the reader engrossed and entertained though every twist and turn of the ride. The pace is not an unrealistic series of cliff-hanging escapes as many books are, but a well-calculated slow boil that allows the reader to really get to know and care about Lee, Dianne, and Lee’s old college friends known as The Knights. DL slowly cranks up the temperature as the story progresses, doing a great job of building separate threads of the plot that seem unrelated, but ultimately all come colliding together in a thrilling, high-stakes ending. The surprising ending is a great resolution, but also slyly suggests that this book might not be the last we see of The Knights, and I think that’s a fabulous possibility — I’m eager to climb aboard for whatever new adventures the Knights and Dianne may have! A very recommended book!
May 23, 2022
I was thrilled to buy this new book to support my relatively new local independent bookstore: Wild Lark Books. wildlarkbooks.com All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
KNIGHT RISE by DL Hammons
Published by: Wild Lark Books
Publication date: November 17, 2021
Pages: 342
Genres: Suspense (classified by author); (and from me: Thriller)
POV: Multiple: first person, past tense (for one main protagonist, and for blog posts from another main protagonist); third person, past tense (for all others); occasional omniscient views
Narrator: True and usually authentic, often very close
Opening setting: Silent Sleuth Investigation office, Charolette, presumed present day
Other significant locations: Panama City, Florida; Louisiana: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette
Number of named, identified or described characters: 60+
Publisher's Summary:
A group of middle-aged friends embarks on a sentimental quest. A female Private Eye obsessed with a decades-old unsolved murder. A killer trying to erase an old mistake, along with anyone in his way.
Twenty-nine years ago, Lee Hamilton was a college student having fun with friends on Spring break in sunny Florida. It was there that he met the beautiful and unforgettable Andi Taylor. They spent a magical week together. Lee was confident it would go somewhere. Then, months later, he received word that she had died.
Many years later, Lee isa widower, his own children now away at college, and after having fallen out of touch with his old college friends, Lee turns to his blog as an outlet. Taken by nostalgia, he writes about his week with Andi and unexpectedly sets off a dangerous string of events that will reunite him with his old friends but could cost them all their lives.
My Review:
You should read this book that combines a multi-threaded mystery from decades past coupled with present-day crimes in a pursuit for a poignant lost history--a possibility that could have been but never was.
On page 2 you will learn how intimately this author will converse with you as a reader when the first person POV character asks you a question as the reader. By the end of the first chapter, we hear a harbinger of ominous news from the omniscient narrator across space and time.
Early in this book we learn of a 1992 case the police have abandoned, involving the murder of Pamela Goodwin, killed in a pawn shop robbery gone bad alongside the shop's two owners. This book engages quickly by setting up Dianne Williams, our newly appointed investigator, who starts off behind in this case, held accountable by the victim's sister, a now elderly, Emily Bennett, with her southern drawl. The crime took place in Easley, a little north of Greenville, SC.
I immediately recognized writing talent, including how crisp the scenes and chapters flowed in interesting structure, that made me think of K.M. Weiland's great constructs and teachings. The characters relate well to each other, and I was drawn to them quickly. There are a lot of messy people in this book, which I'm predisposed to enjoying.
Tension is omnipresent for all characters, good and bad. This book is a good craft study on how to layer tension and never release it fully.
As the book unfolds, Lee, one main protagonist, must reach back decades and summon his college friends--The Knights--to muster a worthy team to investigate this sprawling cold case. Although it wasn't the main point of the plot, I enjoyed watching (and sometimes squirmed) as these old friends recognized how they had changed over the decades and confronted actions or inactions from their past. They weighed their foibles, failures and fortunes.
There are a few great artifacts the author uses to transport us across space and time: a college t-shirt, a cherry stem, some letters, a photograph, and others. These clues are fun and grounding.
This multi-POV tale was a little hard for me to wrap my head around at first as there are so many different threads across decades with two seemingly unrelated cases, but we know better as readers. Even with three main plot lines (and other tangential plots), we know it will all come together. Around a third of the way through, the story gelled in my mind and really took off. It took me awhile to link together all the plot lines, but the author drops in subtle clues early and slowly weaves a web between the disconnected storylines in a way that was fun to experience. This is a rewarding read.
One personal link for me was that I'm almost exactly the same age as Lee, and so living through his various stages of life was interesting, satisfying and real to me.
As this book is labelled an origin story, I wonder about the prospects for a sequel or a series. Could this ragtag team solve other crimes?
You should read about these Knights and decide what you think.
KNIGHT RISE by DL Hammons
Published by: Wild Lark Books
Publication date: November 17, 2021
Pages: 342
Genres: Suspense (classified by author); (and from me: Thriller)
POV: Multiple: first person, past tense (for one main protagonist, and for blog posts from another main protagonist); third person, past tense (for all others); occasional omniscient views
Narrator: True and usually authentic, often very close
Opening setting: Silent Sleuth Investigation office, Charolette, presumed present day
Other significant locations: Panama City, Florida; Louisiana: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette
Number of named, identified or described characters: 60+
Publisher's Summary:
A group of middle-aged friends embarks on a sentimental quest. A female Private Eye obsessed with a decades-old unsolved murder. A killer trying to erase an old mistake, along with anyone in his way.
Twenty-nine years ago, Lee Hamilton was a college student having fun with friends on Spring break in sunny Florida. It was there that he met the beautiful and unforgettable Andi Taylor. They spent a magical week together. Lee was confident it would go somewhere. Then, months later, he received word that she had died.
Many years later, Lee isa widower, his own children now away at college, and after having fallen out of touch with his old college friends, Lee turns to his blog as an outlet. Taken by nostalgia, he writes about his week with Andi and unexpectedly sets off a dangerous string of events that will reunite him with his old friends but could cost them all their lives.
My Review:
You should read this book that combines a multi-threaded mystery from decades past coupled with present-day crimes in a pursuit for a poignant lost history--a possibility that could have been but never was.
On page 2 you will learn how intimately this author will converse with you as a reader when the first person POV character asks you a question as the reader. By the end of the first chapter, we hear a harbinger of ominous news from the omniscient narrator across space and time.
Early in this book we learn of a 1992 case the police have abandoned, involving the murder of Pamela Goodwin, killed in a pawn shop robbery gone bad alongside the shop's two owners. This book engages quickly by setting up Dianne Williams, our newly appointed investigator, who starts off behind in this case, held accountable by the victim's sister, a now elderly, Emily Bennett, with her southern drawl. The crime took place in Easley, a little north of Greenville, SC.
I immediately recognized writing talent, including how crisp the scenes and chapters flowed in interesting structure, that made me think of K.M. Weiland's great constructs and teachings. The characters relate well to each other, and I was drawn to them quickly. There are a lot of messy people in this book, which I'm predisposed to enjoying.
Tension is omnipresent for all characters, good and bad. This book is a good craft study on how to layer tension and never release it fully.
As the book unfolds, Lee, one main protagonist, must reach back decades and summon his college friends--The Knights--to muster a worthy team to investigate this sprawling cold case. Although it wasn't the main point of the plot, I enjoyed watching (and sometimes squirmed) as these old friends recognized how they had changed over the decades and confronted actions or inactions from their past. They weighed their foibles, failures and fortunes.
There are a few great artifacts the author uses to transport us across space and time: a college t-shirt, a cherry stem, some letters, a photograph, and others. These clues are fun and grounding.
This multi-POV tale was a little hard for me to wrap my head around at first as there are so many different threads across decades with two seemingly unrelated cases, but we know better as readers. Even with three main plot lines (and other tangential plots), we know it will all come together. Around a third of the way through, the story gelled in my mind and really took off. It took me awhile to link together all the plot lines, but the author drops in subtle clues early and slowly weaves a web between the disconnected storylines in a way that was fun to experience. This is a rewarding read.
One personal link for me was that I'm almost exactly the same age as Lee, and so living through his various stages of life was interesting, satisfying and real to me.
As this book is labelled an origin story, I wonder about the prospects for a sequel or a series. Could this ragtag team solve other crimes?
You should read about these Knights and decide what you think.
October 8, 2023
Let DL Hammons pull you in - you won't regret it.
For the first few chapters I have to admit I wasn't feeling it, but within a couple more I was completely hooked. A blog written by a grieving widower regarding his first teenage love starts a series of events that I never saw coming. I did guess correctly one aspect but didn't see that aspect of the story completely. The story unfolds as friends are reunited and Lee apologizes to his college buddies for ghosting them after he'd learned the coed he'd fallen for during spring break was killed in a car accident along with her two roommates on her way back to college. Except now that Lee has looked he can find no record of any car accidents that took place back then and he learns the girl's parents were killed that day - shot. Lee and his friends are on a mission to help Lee find closure and the journey is one heck of a ride.
For the first few chapters I have to admit I wasn't feeling it, but within a couple more I was completely hooked. A blog written by a grieving widower regarding his first teenage love starts a series of events that I never saw coming. I did guess correctly one aspect but didn't see that aspect of the story completely. The story unfolds as friends are reunited and Lee apologizes to his college buddies for ghosting them after he'd learned the coed he'd fallen for during spring break was killed in a car accident along with her two roommates on her way back to college. Except now that Lee has looked he can find no record of any car accidents that took place back then and he learns the girl's parents were killed that day - shot. Lee and his friends are on a mission to help Lee find closure and the journey is one heck of a ride.
May 25, 2022
Great book from beginning to end! Love the character development and all the twist and turns! Highly recommend!
November 21, 2021
I was very fortunate to get to read this book before its official release!!
The author's style is one I really like. He knows how to layer information to heighten suspense and feeds the reader breadcrumps at the right moments. He is also a master and dropping in just the right funny line at the right moment.
Something I've noticed in the more recent books I've read is a trend towards having a main character, with most of the book written from that character's point of view, with 1-3 chapters woven in from other characters. DL has adopted this style with Knight Rise. My old school brain fought this a touch. My sense of adventure embraced it and enjoyed getting snippets of information from "lower level" characters.
The author doesn't attempt to "hide" who the bad guys are, or even their motives. It's a fresh take on things - one you'd be tempted to think was a weakness, but I assure you it isn't. Because when you reach the end, you get hit with a wonderfully satisfying twist.
DL is an author on the rise, and I look forward to reading his future works!!
The author's style is one I really like. He knows how to layer information to heighten suspense and feeds the reader breadcrumps at the right moments. He is also a master and dropping in just the right funny line at the right moment.
Something I've noticed in the more recent books I've read is a trend towards having a main character, with most of the book written from that character's point of view, with 1-3 chapters woven in from other characters. DL has adopted this style with Knight Rise. My old school brain fought this a touch. My sense of adventure embraced it and enjoyed getting snippets of information from "lower level" characters.
The author doesn't attempt to "hide" who the bad guys are, or even their motives. It's a fresh take on things - one you'd be tempted to think was a weakness, but I assure you it isn't. Because when you reach the end, you get hit with a wonderfully satisfying twist.
DL is an author on the rise, and I look forward to reading his future works!!
November 26, 2023
Get ready for a breathtaking adventure! Riveting and relentless, it's an exhilarating journey through a world brimming with intrigue and excitement. A must-read for anyone craving a thrilling ride that's impossible to put down!
The clever infusion of witty humor adds an extra layer of enjoyment, making the journey through the book even more delightful.
When all the pieces of a story intricately come together, it's a testament to the author's skill in weaving a cohesive and captivating tale. It's fantastic when every character plays a pivotal role, contributing to the overall depth and excitement of the narrative. This book keeps readers hooked until the very end!
This book ROCKS! 😉
The clever infusion of witty humor adds an extra layer of enjoyment, making the journey through the book even more delightful.
When all the pieces of a story intricately come together, it's a testament to the author's skill in weaving a cohesive and captivating tale. It's fantastic when every character plays a pivotal role, contributing to the overall depth and excitement of the narrative. This book keeps readers hooked until the very end!
This book ROCKS! 😉
November 26, 2023
I love the Authors writing style, which is both addictive and captivating. What an intense thrilling ride. It is an exciting story that is intriguing from the very first page. I enjoyed the authors sense of humor that gives the story a personal feel with the characters. The characters are fleshed out building depth that is magnificent. He cleverly lays, giving the pieces to build a puzzle to deliver a well executed plot.
August 25, 2022
This book (or rather this new author) was recommended to me by a close friend and as soon as I finish writing this review I intend to give her a call to thank her.
This book was so different from the suspense/mystery novels I usually read, and that's a good thing. I'm used to following multiple plot threads and a larger-than-normal cast of characters, but these characters were so well written that I felt like I knew them. I even found myself rooting for them. In a way, it felt like I was reading a literary version of a buddy movie. I found it difficult to put down once I was into it, and when I did I was still thinking about it.
After I finished this book I immediately ordered the second and I'm hoping that the quality is still there, because if it is Mr. Hammons will quickly become one of my favorite authors.
This book was so different from the suspense/mystery novels I usually read, and that's a good thing. I'm used to following multiple plot threads and a larger-than-normal cast of characters, but these characters were so well written that I felt like I knew them. I even found myself rooting for them. In a way, it felt like I was reading a literary version of a buddy movie. I found it difficult to put down once I was into it, and when I did I was still thinking about it.
After I finished this book I immediately ordered the second and I'm hoping that the quality is still there, because if it is Mr. Hammons will quickly become one of my favorite authors.
August 21, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
February 19, 2024
I won this book in a giveaway. Before this I had never read anything written by DL Hammons. I really enjoyed it. It kept me turning the page in interest. It’s a Suspenseful Adult Thriller that is worth a read.
The only thing I noticed was that every so often the dialogue between characters seemed a little more formal than I believed to be necessary in that situation. Although, I did like the attention to detail without it being over done. I like the differences in each character, that really make you feel like you are getting to know different people.
One of my favorite characters is Dianne, I appreciate her tell it like it is and stand up to misogynistic men attitude. Luckily, those kind of men are more rare now. Although unfortunately, there are still men and women out there with prejudices against the opposite sex, which is a shame. So, to read a character who defends themselves when confronted with that, is really great.
I really enjoyed this novel and have already started reading the sequel to this called Knights Fallen. I highly recommend this read
The only thing I noticed was that every so often the dialogue between characters seemed a little more formal than I believed to be necessary in that situation. Although, I did like the attention to detail without it being over done. I like the differences in each character, that really make you feel like you are getting to know different people.
One of my favorite characters is Dianne, I appreciate her tell it like it is and stand up to misogynistic men attitude. Luckily, those kind of men are more rare now. Although unfortunately, there are still men and women out there with prejudices against the opposite sex, which is a shame. So, to read a character who defends themselves when confronted with that, is really great.
I really enjoyed this novel and have already started reading the sequel to this called Knights Fallen. I highly recommend this read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
**Knight Rise** by D.L. Hammons is a powerful, gripping story that blends heart, grit, and high-stakes tension into an unforgettable read. The writing is confident and immersive, pulling you straight into a world where strength is earned, loyalty is tested, and every choice comes with consequences. The characters feel real and hard-won, shaped by struggle and driven by purpose, which makes every victory hit harder and every setback cut deeper.
What truly elevates *Knight Rise* is its emotional weight. This isn’t just a story about rising to the challenge it’s about what it costs to stand back up when everything has tried to break you. The pacing is tight, the stakes are intense, and the payoff is deeply satisfying. Five stars without hesitation for a book that delivers action, emotion, and a sense of triumph that lingers long after the final page.
**Knight Rise** by D.L. Hammons is a powerful, gripping story that blends heart, grit, and high-stakes tension into an unforgettable read. The writing is confident and immersive, pulling you straight into a world where strength is earned, loyalty is tested, and every choice comes with consequences. The characters feel real and hard-won, shaped by struggle and driven by purpose, which makes every victory hit harder and every setback cut deeper.
What truly elevates *Knight Rise* is its emotional weight. This isn’t just a story about rising to the challenge it’s about what it costs to stand back up when everything has tried to break you. The pacing is tight, the stakes are intense, and the payoff is deeply satisfying. Five stars without hesitation for a book that delivers action, emotion, and a sense of triumph that lingers long after the final page.
Read
March 14, 2022Calling all mystery buffs - you're going to love this one!
Knight Rise is an intriguing story with multiple characters who drive the story forward at different times. Almost 30 years after a memorable spring break, a mystery begins to unfold with Lee at the center. Old friends, heart-breaking memories, and a need to know the truth pull Lee into a mystery he can't leave alone - even when he should.
This is a great mystery with lots of twists that build until you stay up way too late to find out how it ends. A terrific read!!
Knight Rise is an intriguing story with multiple characters who drive the story forward at different times. Almost 30 years after a memorable spring break, a mystery begins to unfold with Lee at the center. Old friends, heart-breaking memories, and a need to know the truth pull Lee into a mystery he can't leave alone - even when he should.
This is a great mystery with lots of twists that build until you stay up way too late to find out how it ends. A terrific read!!
January 1, 2026
Another incredible story from D. L. Hammons. The vivid details made me feel completely immersed in the world and deeply connected to the characters. Their journey will stay with me long after finishing the book. Especially that ending, which definitely brought a few tears. I’m so excited to continue their story in “Fallen Knight.”
September 17, 2025
Within these pages, you will go through finding love, and losing it, building friendships and losing them, then as the search begins you get into the mystery and unraveling the puzzle. All I can say is if you like an author that can capture you with their words, DL is the one for you.
April 20, 2024
Great book,took me a few chapters in to really get into it. It’s full of twists & turns & a whole lot of WTH!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews