Dirty Heart

Cole McGinnis Mysteries, Book 6

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

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.

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.

Outstanding

I had read and loved the print version, but many of us were waiting for the audio release. So good...

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.

Spectacular story. Amazing narration.

An excellent ending to a great story. A few tears, a few laughs, an engaging plot, a dash of spice, and an appealing voice are the perfect recipe for an excellent series that I will listen to and read over and over.

A wonderful addition to the cole McGinnis series

Rhys Ford is a great author. His stories take the reader through laughter, tears, and everything in between. This series is definitely my favorite and I loved where this story took me. The narrator for this series is fantastic. You would swear it is the main character cole talking you through his life story.

vjb

Best ever!! My heart laughed and cried with Rhys writing and Greg's narration. Best ending ever.

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.

What

Okay so first you make me cry throughout and then don’t even give me Jay’s response to that last line? Why are you like this Rhys?!

Surprising Answers

Dirty Heart is the volume in the Cole McGinnis series where Cole finally learns why his friend Ben shot his lover Rick. You are not going to be able to guess : you will have to wait until the end of the story. This volume number 6 is as good or better than earlier ones in the series. Lots of action. There is a building of relationships between Cole & Jae-Min and between Bobby & Cole's brother Ichiro. This volume is well worth a credit.