These stories just get better and better as we go into Dukes life and adventures as a detective..Never a dull moment with Duke and his friends solving another complicated case. Ron has a way of bringing his characters alive and real!! We see where Mary and Dukes relationship is but this time her parents are being investigated and Duke is not liking it causing problems with them. Follow Duke all over Charleston and if you know the city you will recognize the places where the case takes him.I lived up Hy.61, Drayton on the Ashley,went to church at St.Andrews ,four corners of law,just to mention a few and brought back wonderful memories. The Drayton plantation,beautiful place for the flowers every year!! Waiting on the next book just hope it doesn't take too long this one did!! Will listen to the audio version if Ron has it done!!2 s Carol-ann Gibson152 3

Another brilliant read from the Duke Dempsey series!

We start the book with some murders and a missing painting and a group on the hunt for blackbeards / the Wraggs treasure.

What I love about these books are all the mysteries or puzzles that occur in the book. They are so creative and I really didn't see the connection with the painting and the bible until Wilson and Dempsey put them together.

Ron has a brilliant way of capturing your attention within the first few pages making it so that you can't put the book down.

I really enjoyed the spin at the end of this book. I've had my suspicions about that family since the last book!

Hoping that there will be more to come from this series.2 s Rick379 12

The Holy City Hunt is a Dick Tracy fast-paced murder mystery. Duke Dempsey, an intuitive detective with a photographic memory, has a hard time balancing his personal life with the hectic detective life that he has created. The Holy city Hunt. is the third book in the Duke Dempsey series of detective novels written by Ron Plante Jr.

Duke Dempsey has finally hit the big time and gets to go to a black-tie reception with his girlfriend Mary. The reception is full of all of the Who’s Who in the Charleston. However, one of the guests, a visiting professor dies at Duke’s feet. He does manage to give Duke a clue as to what has happened. Duke interviews everyone at the party, including Mary‘s parents who he manages to again irritate. The investigation leads to a mysterious painting located at the Citadel. Duke also finds other clues in the professor’s office. It is bewildering that the clues seem to be drawing Duke towards a religious movement. Worse than that, the whole investigation leads him down a pathway that he doesn’t want to go, but his conscience tells him he has to go there if he’s going to remain a reputable detective.

Duke Dempsey is an old-time Dick Tracy type of detective who s to drink, smoke, and surround himself with good looking woman. This is unique and different from the genre of detectives we currently see in our literature. Another interesting character is Gus. Duke is forced to take Gus on as an assistant detective, even he doesn’t really respect his mediocre methods. However, Gus changes his perspective as the investigations evolves. He actually becomes quite entrenched in the detective business and its dangers. This is a refreshing evolution for an otherwise two-dimensional character.

The story itself is very fast paced, which I . It was a very easy novel to read. The reveal is unsuspected, but not necessarily a twist. The story also ends with the Duke having to make a serious decision about his life and his career direction. It leaves the reader with the strong feeling that there are many directions for this character and his story to go in the future.

I recommend this book to anyone who s a very fast paced detective/murder mystery. It has a high entertainment value. I give it a 4 on 5 mainly because of the story isn’t that complex and, in some cases, very predictable. I’d to thank of BookSirens and the author for providing me with a digital copy this work. I provide this review voluntarily.
crime detective-novels fiction ...more1 Jackie245 1 follower

The Holy City Hunt is the 3rd book in the Duke Dempsey mystery series by Ron Plante and I’ve read and enjoyed them all.

The able, whiskey loving Duke Dempsey is back, no longer a PI but an Inspector of the Charleston Police Department. Following the poisoning of a distinguished history professor Dempsey finds himself and his team involved in the hunt against a secret sect with ties to the Charleston aristocracy. In Dempsey’s world, it wasn’t in his nature to backdown, no matter how high the stench rose and it was the first time since he put on the gold badge he felt completely helpless about what was happening on his watch!

It’s a pacy, good old American, action packed whodunnit set in the 1940’s… it’s a great entertaining read and series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.1 Karen greer786 11

I just love this series! It is fast pace, action packed and the story is hard boiled and takes you to the unexpected. The main character Duke Dempsey is cocky, smart and and you can expect the unexpected with him. This series just gets better and better and I cannot wait to read the next in this series. This series is very well written and is truly exciting.1 Annette Mordec197 1 follower

Decent series

Read all else books, storylines both old and new, making it an interesting series in very interesting times.
A piece of useless knowledge for everyone. The way people talked in 1930s seems to be making its way back. Just hope nobody calls me "Doll", lol.1 1 comment Gerald Dude103 3

Really enjoyed this murder-mystery with a South Carolina location not usually written about. The
Duke Dempsey character is a cross between Mickey Spillane and Nick Charles.1 John Mccormick589 6

My thanks to the Author publisher's and Book Sirens for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the third book in the Duke Dempsey series and our hero is no longer a 'Gumshoe' ploughing a lone furrow but back in the official Police force. There are references to previous cases but works perfectly as a standalone story. Well written clever imaginative with plenty of surprises and twists along the way, as the body count builds up, in the hunt for pirate treasure. Somewhat gruesome at times but always completely engaging with superb characterisation throughout.
Completely recommended.1 Ellen138 10

The Holy City Hunt is part of a series, but can stand alone. I haven’t read any of the others, and I didn’t feel I was missing any key elements.

This book puts you in mind of the film noir detective movies of the 1930’s and 40’s, such as the Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep. The book's protagonist, Chief Inspector Duke Dempsey, portrays the smart talking, heavy drinking, chain smoking, man’s man, think Humphrey Bogart. The author does a good job of painting this picture. All of the characters were well written and enhanced the story. I loved the mystery surrounding finding Blackbeard’s treasure and the clues leading up to the “four corners of the law”. The religious symbolism story line adds a creepy element that I d.

Charleston is one of my favorite cities and I loved the description of the location, the history and the vibe of “The Holy City”.

This was a fun read and for the most part I really enjoyed it. However, while I realize that the author was trying to represent the vernacular of the times, and unfortunately he’s probably spot on, the flippant characterization of women using terms dolls, old broads, dames, etc. is still a little grating if I’m being honest. I’m wondering if description such as this is really necessary,
“Margo knew exactly where everything was and her results are what Duke cared about most. She was long in the tooth and could be cranky, but she was the best damn secretary in the South.”

I received an ARC from Book Sirens for an honest review.2 s Kim1,335 2

**I received a free ARC from Book Sirens and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.**
This is the first time I have read this particular author or this particular series, so I'll start at the beginning.
1) There is no reason that I found that you couldn't start the series out of order.
2) The crime part is wonderful. I loved the fast-paced action, the logic jumps, all of it. It was great.
3) Here's where we get to my two star rating...the dialogue, particularly when Duke was speaking with women seemed completely fake and forced...doll this, sweetheart that...it was out of a film noir piece, a bad one with the cringe worthy "hero" that is always one swing of a Maltese falcon statue from certain death. I could barely read those parts. It seemed completely misogynistic to me and pretty much turned me off the entire book.
4) For me, the good does not outweigh the bad. However, if you a good crime novel and misogyny doesn't bother you, then this may be for you.book-sirens Katrina Freckleton41

This was written in the true style of the era it is set in and uses the language of the times ( sometimes I had a bit of a chuckle)

Duke is quite a character but has modern feel to him and his girlfriend, I think is very patient. The story can be quite gruesome, has religious conotations and then flips to Duke being romantic, showing his softer side.

There is an easy flow to the story and I quite enjoyed it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Edi McNinch563 7 Read

Step back in time to another adventure with Duke Dempsey PI now Inspector Dempsey. The author does an excellent job of capturing the pre WWII era in Charleston including lavish parties in old mansions. Lots of twists and turns that will hold your attention and keep you turning pages. Looking forward to the next phase of Duke's career. I was provided with an advanced reader copy and was under no obligation tolowcountry Cheryl343 2

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