Book Review: A Rock and a Hard Place by JD Kirk

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from Canelo Press via #netgalley, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own

The brand new DCI Jack Logan thriller from the iconic bestseller JD Kirk.

Synopsis:

Rock 'n' roll never dies. But its stars do.

When washed-up 80s rock legend Johnny Freestone is found dead in a cave off Scotland's North Coast 500 tourist route, it looks like a tragic accident another celebrity lost to a reckless lifestyle.

But detective and secret Freestone fan Jack Logan is convinced he was murdered. As Logan delves into Johnny's final days, he uncovers a trail of bitter rivalries, broken promises, and a comeback tour that wasn't quite what it seemed.

With the Highlands' rugged beauty as a backdrop, Logan must navigate a web of secrets and lies that stretch from music studios to old flames and find out who wanted Johnny silenced f

or good.

Review:

If you are coming into this series new then you're unaware that in the previous book Logan made some decisions that ended up harming and killing fellow officers (this is book 21 of the series). That is why he is on a prolonged medical leave and questioning whether he's going to come back to law enforcement or not. His boss wants him back and gives him one last ultimatum, work with the DCI on this potentially explosive case as an advisor or retire. Some part of him isn't ready to retire yet so he takes the opportunity. Part of the humor of the book is watching him trying to control his temper, and his squad waiting for the outburst, and their reactions when they don't get it. Those are honest and true not only for the characters but if it was real life. He and the other DCI get along like chalk and cheese because they are total opposites, so that creates internal drama within the team, who want to follow him and not the other DCI who they hate. The story goes don't ever meet your idols because you'll be disappointed. And so it is for Logan while working this case. Finding out that the hero from when he was a child is a utter disappointment, doesn't mean he's not going to try to do everything he can to solve the case. If you haven't read this series this is actually a great intro as you get to see the different personalities of the team members and how they all work together. It's also great to have a much older main character struggling to stay in the job he loves. There is a surprise ending that adds to the enjoyment of the book. 

About the Author:

JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. He also doesn't exist. JD is, in fact, the pen name of award-winning author, comic book writer and screenwriter, Barry Hutchison, who also, coincidentally, lives in the Highlands with his wife, two children, and the aforementioned umbrellas.

He has no idea what the 'JD' bit stands for.