Spotlight on the John Keegan Mystery Series from author John Misak

 

Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on books of the John Keegan Mystery Series from author John Misak. 

Dive into the gripping world of Detective John Keegan, a seasoned NYPD homicide detective. Set against the ever-evolving backdrop of New York City, each book in the series unravels a complex web of murder, deceit, and intrigue. The series includes several novels that the author has labeled as "Retro Novels," which take place early in Keegan's career at a time when digital tools were not yet available to help solve crimes. 

At the heart of the series is John Keegan...introspective, analytical, and often cloaked in sarcasm. His journey from an eager young detective to a seasoned investigator is marked by cases that challenge not only his skills but also his moral compass.

Through each novel, the series explores themes of corruption, power, and the fine line between justice and the law. The stories are grounded in realism, focusing on the challenges of solving crimes in a technologically advanced world, while avoiding supernatural elements.

Bonus: Soft Case, the first book in the series, is available in e-book format FREE! 

When the most famous man in New York City dies suspiciously, homicide detective John Keegan must follow a trail of corruption that may just lead to the top of city government...and the end of his career.

Ronald Mullins had it all...money, power, and a happy family. Suicide seemed an unlikely end for him. Partnered with Rick Calhill, a rising star in the NYPD, Keegan hesitates to investigate, knowing the case would attract more attention than he needed. Calhill would bask in the spotlight.

Then they discover Mullins prepared a Senate run. The happy family myth later crumbles. Relations between Mullins and his business partner appear frayed. Calhill dives in while Keegan stays on the sidelines, wary of the political implications of the case. His instincts prove correct as he ends up in handcuffs, accused of taking a bribe he never received. The whole department turns on him. Calhill conveniently distances himself from the case.

Suspended, threatened, and betrayed, Keegan must solve the case to save his career, with only a handful of people he has no choice but to trust. He learns hard truths about the people he respected most. In the end, he risks his job and his life to solve the biggest case the city has seen in decades.

It's 1999 and NYPD homicide detective John Keegan gets his first solo case when Cassandra Lavelle, an aspiring artist, is found brutally murdered in her apartment. Keegan investigates, seeing early indications that point to her boyfriend.

Just as the case appears cookie-cutter, details of a secret relationship with another man emerge. The lure of the mystery man draws Keegan in, and he attempts an investigation with two suspects. He must choose the right one in order to fulfill the promise of justice he whispered to Cassandra as he encountered her body. How can a detective choose between two equally likely suspects? Keegan will find out, perhaps the hard way. At the same time, Keegan must manage his developing relationship with investigative reporter Elena Moreno.

In the end, Keegan will realize his life and career depend on how he manages his mistakes more than his successes. The partial justice he delivers to Cassandra and her family and the remnants of his relationship will forever guide his life and help shape him into the man he becomes.

The First Cut is an exciting trip back to the 20th Century and perfect for fans of procedural mysteries. The twists and turns will keep readers constantly guessing, and the novel's ending will provide insight into the imperfections within the justice system that all detectives must navigate.

Still reeling from his partial failure in his first case, Keegan is partnered with department snob Rick Calhill, an upwardly mobile detective who looks down on Keegan. It's an unlikely partnership, but their boss believes they complement each other. Keegan could not disagree more. When Keegan's boss asks him to "watch" Calhill for him, the partnership becomes more antagonistic.

Seeing the partnership as punishment for his failure, Keegan attempts to work the case, a seemingly simple murder of a convenience store clerk, by himself. When curious clues surface, Keegan dives deep into the case as Calhill deals with personal issues that cause him to retreat.

Initial signs pointed to the clerk intercepting a robbery. This theory begins to unfold when the surveillance VHS tape goes missing, and attempts to elicit answers from the owner prove fruitless. When happenings at the store indicate trouble, Keegan and Calhill realize they stumbled on something larger, and are determined to solve the case and get justice for the clerk's family.