Dirty Heart

By: Rhys Ford

Narrated by: Greg Tremblay

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

A Cole McGinnis Mystery

Former LAPD detective Cole McGinnis's life nearly ended the day his police partner and best friend Ben Pirelli emptied his service weapon into Cole and his then-lover, Rick. Since Ben turned his gun on himself, Cole thought he'd never find out why Ben tried to destroy him.

Years later, Cole has stitched himself back together. Now a private investigator and in love with Jae-Min Kim, a Korean-American photographer he met on a previous case, Cole's life is back on track - until he discovers Jeff Rollins, a disgraced cop and his first partner, has resurfaced and appears to be working on the wrong side of the law.

As much as Cole's fought to put the past behind him, he's soon tangled up in a web of lies, violence, and death. Jeff Rollins is not only trying to kill Cole's loved ones, he is also scraping open old wounds and long-forgotten memories of the two men Cole loved and lost. Cole is sure Rollins knows why Ben ruined all their lives, but he isn't looking for answers. Now Cole is caught in a cat-and-mouse game with a cold-blooded killer with the key to not only his past but his future.

©2016 Rhys Ford (P)2016 Dreamspinner Press

5 MILLION STARS!

Any additional comments?

I just finished listening to this and I have only a few things to say.

First, Greg Tremblay was a perfect choice for narrator of this series. He made this series such a pleasure for me to enjoy and listen to.

If you're wondering if you should get this audio? Yes. A thousand times...YES. It's worth it for the llama scene alone, but thankfully it's just as perfect all the way through as the story is.

I will miss these characters, but am so happy I have all the audios to keep me company in the future.

Saranghae-yo, Cole-ah.

Saranghae-yo, Jae-Min.

Saranghae-yo, Rhys Ford.

Saranghae-yo, Greg Tremblay.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Wow

I don't know exactly what to say. This was one seriously emotional read. Wonderfully written and Greg just adds so much life to the characters with his narration. 5 stars wasn't enough.

I won't spoil but the twists Ford tosses in are just mind boggling. I can't believe this is the end! :'(
No she doesn't leave us hanging or anything. All those questions we have had are answered but I am so terribly going to miss Cole and Jae-Min.

I hope we see some of the guys again in short stories at least.

One thing i will say. It's not an easy read/listen. if you wanted a light hearted finish to the series I am afraid you will be disappointed. But it was in my mind the perfect way to end things.

Ben... I just don't know what my feelings are on him in the end. I can only hope he found the peace he wanted.

My only minor complaint. Mrs. Ford please that last line makes me want to see Cole and Jae one last time getting that final step in their lives.

Thank you Greg and Rhys for the hours of enjoyment you have given me.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Terror Claws Its Way Out of Cole McGinnis Past

Would you consider the audio edition of Dirty Heart to be better than the print version?

Yes, only because I prefer to move freely and a print book keeps me too sedentary; which is bad for my health. Also the narrator is first rate.

Any additional comments?

This is another masterful rendition in the Cole McGinnis story and perhaps a fitting capstone to the series. In this book, threads of the previous five books come together in the unbalanced murdering monster names Jeff Rollins. The trigger for Rollins rage is a cash of letters from Ben, Cole McGinnis’s dead by suicide second partner. Rollins was also McGinnis’s first partner. Any more hints then that and I would be spoiling the why of mystery in the rampage. Dirty Heart is the tight little not that ties each gem of the series together into a single rosary of death, destruction, healing, salvation, and resurrection of a fully functional Cole McGinnis and his extended family. Along the way the reader is treated to the tantalizing and fresh descriptive phrasing that fall like music or poetry upon the mind sending ripples of pleasure and mirth shivering through ones consciousness. Those well-crafted jewels of literary wordsmith sparkle on the tongue of narrator Greg Tremblay. His performance in this book is just as good in any of the other books.

If this book is indeed the capstone of the Cole McGinnis series, I for one will miss him. However, if reader demand compels Rhys Ford to revisit this story line she will have to come up with something other than dredging up murderous monsters from Cole’s past or adding new characters to the Cole McGinnis extended family. What that new story line might be would be a real challenge to Ms. Ford.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

So emotional for me! A great ending to the series.

*TOTALLY SPOILER-FREE REVIEW*

4 stars for the story, 5 BIG stars for the audio narration, and 1,000,000 stars for how happy this series made me. 4.5 stars for my final rating.

I've been eagerly anticipating this book for over a YEAR. However, it was a total mixed emotions thing. See, this is the final book in a series that has become near and dear to my heart, and though I was excited to get another chapter in the story of Jae and Cole and FINALLY find out what motivated Ben to do what he did, I was heartbroken at seeing the last of some of my favorite characters.

When I got a review copy of the audiobook, I stopped EVERYTHING to pick this one up.

I'll start with a mention of the audiobook narrator, Greg Tremblay.

I LOOOOVE Greg Tremblay, and I've loved him every since I first listened to Dirty Kiss. I love him so much that I ATTACKED him when I met him for the first time at GRL. I think Greg is so special as a narrator for a number of reasons. There are at least a dozen separate and distinct voices in Dirty Heart, and Greg manage to give each voice the exact intonation and flair that it needed to fit the character. He is really a master at studying a character and his/her background, and making the voice fit like a glove. I've listened to almost 200 audiobooks, and I KNOW a good narrator when I hear one, and Greg is a GREAT narrator. But he not only does voices in a way that makes each unique, but he also reads the story like he is LIVING the story. I've listened to many a very dry reading, and I hate it when the narrators sound amateur-hour. Greg is a total professional, reading the sex scenes with heat and without making them cheesy, making the emotional scenes tender and heart-breaking, and making the action scenes exciting and intense. I just adore him. Also, the quality of his work is excellent. I've listened to a lot of stories where I can hear changes in volume where scenes have been re-edited, or there is a lot of background interference. There is none of that in Greg's recordings. It is honey-smooth and great to listen to.

And don't think that I missed that shout-out to you, Greg! You made it as a character in one of Rhys Ford's books! Go you!

Now, as for the story, it is really classic for a Cole and Jae plot. There is a lot of action, bullets, hitting, sex-ing, bleeding, and loving. We see more from Bobby and Ichi, though they take the far backseat in this story. This book is all about Cole and Jae being a STRONG couple with no couple drama (phew!), and Cole FINALLY finding out what happened with Ben. This book was funny, exciting, charming, and emotional. It was everything that I've come to expect and want from this series.

Ben. I found the final mystery to be a bit... anti-climactic and predictable, but everyone may view it differently. It fit the story well, and it made sense, but it wasn't super exciting for me. And I still don't really understand all of the drama in the story. It seemed a little over-the-top and unrealistic, but I won't really complain because I loved seeing these characters in action. All of these characters mean the world to me, and I give Rhys Ford all the credit in the universe for creating such wonderful, flawed, lovable characters. They are all special to me and I will miss them dearly.

I KNOW that all readers of this series will be pleased with this final story. Yes, we all want more, but I feel very happy with how it all came together. Goodbye, Dirty Heart characters, and may you keep living on with all new readers who discover your stories.

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I hate to see it end but man what an end!

Dirty Heart is, in my opinion, the best in the series if you can pick a best since all are so great. There are so many twists and turns; I was shocked by the end when we found out Ben's motive for the shootings.I sure didn't see that coming, and I sort of had something in my mind, so I was taken by surprise.


As usual with Greg Tremblay's performance, I sat on the edge of my seat through the action and fanned myself through the heat. I think no one could bring to life Cole McGinis Like Greg. In my mind he is Cole. He does such a great job with different voices you never wonder who is speaking; it's clear. But my favorites are Cole and Jae-Min. Even with all the gunfire and action scenes he brings the love and passion of these two to the forefront.

I do have to say I hate seeing this series end, but the ending was absolutely perfect.

If you like action, twists and turns and one of the best mystery suspense series I have read/ listened. I highly recommend this series ( You do need to read these in order ( and I recommend the audio version as Tremblay brings out the Korean with such ease)
I received a copy of this for an honest review

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A wonderful end to an amazing series

Man. So sad to see this series end, it’s been such a tremendous ride! I’m consoling myself that I have the Audio to look forward to and that Rhys has promised some novellas featuring our boys in the future… but it’s still so very sad.

This is definitely a series that must be read in order to feel the deep connection to the characters that is necessary to really appreciate just how wonderful it really is.

Rhys is a gifted storyteller who uses her words like a paintbrush. She’s not satisfied with mere descriptions, instead she immerses the reader’s five senses into her stories so that we not only know what it looks and sounds like, but what it tastes, smells and feels like. She’s a poet. Full stop.

In this case the poetry is about the deep and abiding love Cole and Jae Min share. In every chapter we are reminded of how far Jae has come in his ability to love Cole and how much he has helped Cole in his healing process. We are also shown the depth of love and caring between all of Cole’s “family” from Bobby and Ichi to Mike and Maddy and Scarlet and Claudia. They are a beautiful – if odd - family and their devotion to one another is demonstrated by their continued willingness to put up with the other’s foibles and eccentricities – and ability to find danger around every corner!

This story gives us the answers that we’ve been seeking for so long in regards to Cole’s lover’s death and his partner’s suicide. I think many people will be surprised if not blown-away by the big reveal when it happens.

For me, the best parts were the quiet moments when Jae and Cole were together or seeing Bobby with Ichi and Mike’s devotion to Mad Dog. Those shone brightly in between the bouts of requisite Cole-inspired shooting and other mayhem.

I adored this series and loved it even more in audio format so I wait patiently for Greg’s turn to “wow” me again.

Much praise to you Rhys Ford and highly recommended to her fans. This is one not to be missed.

5 of 5 stars

Audio
Greg Tremblay - he’s my hero and he absolutely moved me with this narration. He’s been along on this ride for so long that he practically defines this story for me. Of course Rhys’ words are magnificent, but I owe it to Greg for taking it to that next level. He’s such a professional – good sound quality – great emotion – every accent researched and impeccable – every character as unique as one person can make it – consistent – he’s the whole ball of wax. I highly, HIGHLY recommend listening to this series to get the full effect – you won’t be disappointed – it’s worth every penny!

6 of 5 stars

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

-sigh-

Any additional comments?

Well, as much as I love Cole and Jae, I think I'm done with this series. Greg Trembley narration was perfection and the world that Rhys Ford created for Cole and Jae was entertaining, but it was that last fight scene that pretty much ruined the entire series for me.

You find out why people who Cole trusted with his life betrayed him. And though interesting, it wasn't too much of a surprise but still a bit shocking. And the reason blew my mind and of course had me seeing red!!!

SPOILERS...SPOILERS.....SPOILERS.....

Unfortunately, that last fight scene was so disappointing it felt like a slap on my face as a fan of this series. I felt as though the author gave so much power to everyone that wanted to hurt Cole through out this entire series. Cole was nothing but a victim through out this entire series. If he isn't being shot, the people he cares about are. If he's not being outsmarted and beaten up, the ones he cares for are.

So, for the final fight scene, I expected all the betrayal, all the lies, all the pain, the heartache, the anguish, the absolute unfairness of what he (Cole) went through would come through in RAGE as he tears apart the one remaining person trying to destroy this new beautiful world he has built up for himself and those he loves. His death would ultimately mean the death of those he cares about.

And is that enough for him (Cole) to say, enough is enough and burn that "I'm a victim" card IN ORDER TAKE CHARGE of an unfair situation to ensure this time, he comes out as the VICTOR without being in the place of 'damsel in distress' who only survives because someone saves him?

NO! Once again, the bad guys anger is so much more powerful than the hell of Cole's heartache, his new life, and his new love. Oh and of course the bad guy is nothing more than a skeleton who outsmarts Cole and somehow is way stronger than Cole to beat the living crap out of him. ARE YOU FOR FREAKIN' REAL?!?!?!

Ugh! I was so desperate for Cole to FINALLY step up to the plate and say with his actions, with his fighting skills, with his bare hands, 'NOT THIS TIME, YOU'RE NOT TAKING WHAT I LOVE THIS TIME!' -frustrated sigh-

I'm just so over Jae and Cole now. That last fight scene completely ruined this series for me.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A roller coaster of emotions for the last book in this series

What's not to like in this book. The story, characters and just everything is so well done. As always Greg's narration was fantastic. He is the voice of Cole.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fitting end to a great series

If I could give more than 5 stars to this series I would, both for the great stories and Greg Tremblay 's fantastic narration.

Please let there be a book 7!!!

I actually dragged this book out. I am not ready to leave Cole & Jay just yet. That last line could be a perfect ending to a great series while still leaving the door cracked for another one (at least I'm hoping!). I can't recommend this series enough, but they do need to be read in order. Greg Tremblay is phenomenal. There are times that I have to remind myself that it isn't a full cast but ONE narrator. He handles such a variety of accents and foreign phrases like a native. The emotions he conveys will shake you to the core.

Last of the series 😭.....

Review dated April 2016.

Well, I have to be honest and say I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the others in the series, but the laughs and the tears and the pop culture references were still there, and I LOVED the possible ending. Greg's narration was superb as usual, and you could've knocked me down with a feather when we finally discovered what was in Ben's letter to Cole - absolutely gobsmacked, just never expected it.

Sad times ahead without Cole, Jae, Bobby, Ichi, Mike and Mad Dog and especially Scarlet and Claudia...but you never know, Rhys might let us have some catch-ups if we pester her enough 😉. 4.5 stars for this story but all the stars for the series and especially the amazing narration as a whole, thanks Rhys and Greg.

Rounds off the series

This I assume to be the last in the series. It really wraps all of them up and provides a nice way to explain odd things in previous books. Written in the same amusing style. Really enjoyed this one

excellent!

brilliant ending to a brilliant series. Greg Tremblay is unsurpassed as a narrator. Loved it :D

1 of 2 people found this review helpful