Step into the gritty, pulse-pounding world of the Dead Cold Mystery series, where NYPD Detectives John Stone and Carmen Dehan unravel the darkest secrets of New York City’s forgotten crimes! Blake Banner’s beloved crime thriller saga dives deep into the art of solving cold cases, blending intricate plots, sharp dialogue, and a vivid urban backdrop that keeps readers hooked from page one.
With 30 novels and counting, this series is a treasure trove for mystery lovers who crave clever twists, flawed yet likable characters, and the thrill of justice served—often with a side of humor. Let’s explore what makes Dead Cold Mystery a standout in the police procedural genre.
How Dead Cold Mystery Began
Blake Banner, a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author, launched the Dead Cold Mystery series in 2017 with An Ace and a Pair. Little is known about Banner’s personal life—he’s a bit of a mystery himself—but his knack for crafting compelling crime stories shines through. Inspired by classic detective tales and the gritty realism of New York’s underbelly, Banner created Stone and Dehan as misfits who thrive on cracking cases others have abandoned. The series’ focus on cold cases, where leads have long gone stale, sets it apart, offering a fresh spin on the police procedural format.
The Heart of Dead Cold Mystery
The series kicks off with An Ace and a Pair, where Stone and Dehan tackle a gruesome decade-old murder of Nelson Hernandez and his cousins at a poker game in Hunts Point. The case, marked by a brutal beheading, sets the tone for the series’ dark, twisty narratives. In Two Bare Arms, the duo investigates a 12-year-old case involving only a pair of arms found in a Bronx lockup, showcasing their tenacity. Garden of the Damned weaves in mafia ties and a murdered attorney, while Let Us Prey explores a petty criminal’s death that piques Stone’s curiosity, unraveling a web of deceit.
Themes of justice, redemption, and human complexity run deep. Stone, a seasoned detective labeled a “dinosaur,” brings old-school grit, while Dehan’s fiery attitude and sharp intellect challenge him at every turn. Their evolving relationship—marked by witty banter and unspoken chemistry—adds warmth to the series’ grim cases. Set in the Bronx, the stories pulse with New York’s raw energy, from dive bars to rain-soaked streets, making the city a character in its own right. Banner’s style is fast-paced yet thoughtful, with plots that keep readers guessing until the final page.
Why Dead Cold Mystery Resonates
The Dead Cold Mystery series has carved a niche among crime thriller fans for its addictive storytelling and relatable heroes. With over 3 million copies sold, it’s earned glowing reviews for its unpredictable plots and the dynamic between Stone and Dehan, often compared to classic detective duos. Fans on Goodreads praise the series’ ability to balance suspense with humor, noting that each book feels fresh yet familiar. Its focus on cold cases taps into a universal fascination with solving the unsolvable, making it a hit for readers who love a mental puzzle.
Beyond entertainment, the series reflects on the persistence of truth, even in the face of time and corruption. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to make readers root for justice, one cold case at a time, while sparking curiosity about the human stories behind each crime.
- First Book Published: August 2017 (An Ace and a Pair)
- Total Books: 30 (as of December 2023)
- Genre: Police Procedural, Crime Thriller
- Setting: Bronx, New York City
Ready to crack some cases with Stone and Dehan? Grab An Ace and a Pair and dive into the thrilling world of Dead Cold Mystery today!