The Concrete Inquisition

by Joseph Flynn

A cop gets shot. . . He loses his left eye. He loses his job. And that's after he loses his wife. So what's he going to do? Michael "Doc" Kildare, former undercover narc, sues the government. Claims one-third of the $45 million recovered in the drug raid he led. Armando Guzman, the drug lord who lost the money, doesn't like that. He puts out a contract on Doc's life. Doc's former boss, the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, also takes exception. He says the confiscated drug money is his. So when he learns of Guzman's contract, he quietly passes the Nobody wearing a CPD star is to help Doc in any way. But that's not all. An old friend of Doc's asks a favor. Help find her son. The boy is 17 years old, but mentally handicapped. Doc investigates and soon learns there might be a serial killer working his neighborhood. Oh, yeah. Doc's ex-wife? She's back. He tells himself that she's only after the millions that might be coming his way. Thing is, he doesn't know if that's a good enough reason to turn her away. Hitmen to the right, a maniac to the left, and a redheaded distraction. Nobody ever said retirement would be easy.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1993

About the author

Joseph Flynn has been published both traditionally — Signet Books, Bantam Books and Variance Publishing — and through his own imprint, Stray Dog Press, Inc. Both major media reviews and reader reviews have praised his work. Booklist said, “Flynn is an excellent storyteller.” The Chicago Tribune said, “Flynn [is] a master of high-octane plotting.” The most repeated reader comment is: Write faster, we want more.

http://www.committingfiction.blogspot...

Reviews

[Barbara Melton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a fan of The author’s book series including the McGill series, the Ketchum and Tall Wolf series. I read those first and barely could put them down. He is a masterful storyteller and of finely drawn characters. However, this is my second of two of his stand alone books, both, which at best, are mediocre. This one I considered a painful slog through slow pacing, poorly drawn characters and nobody I could connect to or take an interest in, including the protagonist, Doc Kildare. Usually it takes me two days tops to finish a Flynn novel (I am retired). This one took me over a week. I would get bored, put it down, come back in two days, and couldn’t remember who the characters were or where I was in the novel. it would take me 5 or more minutes to get reoriented. I almost came to the point of just not finishing it, I found it so relentlessly pedantic. I haven’t looked but I assume this is one of the author’s earlier novels and his writing skills have vastly approved.

[Kenn Goslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it hereditary???

So many killers, so many clues. But, where are all the bodies??? Both seen as misfits, Doc & Jerry get results & eve Harry fits in. Great story from the 'Windy City'!!!

[James H. Jaqua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid, is concrete.

Caught my interest from the start. I enjoy reading all the works of this author and will continue to do so I am sure. The rather eerie nature of the perpetrator of evil deeds clearly outlined his character. God read.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good read. Interesting characters. Read it in a day and was only sorry that it is not part of a series. My thanks to Mr. Flynn.

[Pam Kanthor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

The story kept me involved. The descriptions of people and places were so good I could visualize them in my mind. I can't wait for the next one.

[Barbara Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner

Great characters. Great humor. Great suspense. Definitely one to recommend
Definitely an author to follow. Will be looking for this author's other books .

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE CONCRETE INQUISITION is too negative, dark and gruesome for me. It also has frequent foul language. I couldn’t finish it. Sorry.

[Diane Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again

Once again this author has knocked it out of the park. Good characters, old neighbors, and difficult police work by Xcop in Chicago. Captivating!

[Black Butterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

5*stars+95* MORE!! I LOVE THE WAY HE TELLS A STORY, I JUST GET ALL CAUGHT UP IN IT. THIS ISN'T MY FIRST BOOK I'VE READ BY THIS AUTHOR, I TRULY HAVE ENJOYED EACH ONE. WHAT A RUSH! THE STORYLINE WAS GREAT, THE CHARACTERS ARE GREAT, THE TWO LEAD CHARACTERS DOC & HARRY, HAD UNFINISHED HISTORY, THE KILLER'S WERE HORRIBLE, AND THE MOTHER (Glenda) AND SON (Jerry) WERE FANTASTIC AND LOVABLE. I LOVE THE STRENGTH THE CHARACTERS DISPLAYED WHEN THINGS WENT BAD. I ALWAYS LOVE THE MESSAGES WEAVED THROUGH OUT ALL THE STORIES (timely and what's happening today in America)THE ENDINGS OF HIS BOOKS, FOR ME THEY ARE SO VERY SATISFYING, EVERYTHING IS JUST THE WAY IT SHOULD HAPPEN. I LOVE IT! I ALWAYS GET SUPER HYPED UP WHEN I READ ONE OF HIS BOOKS. WHOO-HOO, I'M PUMPED!!! YESSssssssss! ;>

**I'VE REALLY GOT TO STOP READING MR. FLYNN'S BOOKS SO CLOSE TO BEDTIME, NOW I'M TOO WIRED TO SLEEP.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Concrete Inquisition review

The Concrete Inquisition is a fast-paced and well-written crime novel written by author Joseph Flynn. It seems funny that the characters are always looking for a pay phone.

[Toesnorth's mom]

his characters are not law-abiding, but interesting

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but the characters were a little hard to get close to. Still, I rated it 4.4 stars.