Alex McKnight is back after a five year hiatus, and fans will rejoice.. Steve Hamilton is one of the smartest novelists writing today, and this long-awaited installment in his fan-favorite series keeps him at the top of his game. A serial
Killer will only talk to one man — but Alex McKnight has never heard of him, and can’t figure out what their connection might be.. A roller coaster ride of action and suspense keeps the reader wanting more.

Steve Hamilton made his bones writing the Alex McKnight mystery series, but my first real experience with the author was through the publicity he received moving publishing houses from St. Martin’s to Putnam. There was a great deal of buzz around his new series involving Nick Mason. I’ve read both Mason books thus far and they are terrific. That said, I thought it was time I delved into the Alex McKnight series that first gained Hamilton fame. I’m so glad I did. With DEAD MAN RUNNING, Hamilton has written a book I believe will be on quite a few year-end “Best of” lists. The writing is muscular and the story plows forward with believable and exhilarating action. The characters are well-drawn. Everything that happens within the novel is plausible, and yet Hamilton will manage to surprise you, the reader, more than once. The villain in DEAD MAN RUNNING calls to mind Francis Dolarhyde from Thomas Harris’s RED DRAGON, the predecessor to THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. The plot involves a serial killer who is captured by the FBI and refuses to cooperate with the feebs unless they bring Alex McKnight, a retired Detroit policeman to question him. Problem is, McKnight doesn’t know the killer and doesn’t understand how they could possibly be connected. The story is a speeding bullet from there, a cat and mouse chase of the highest order. Highly recommended.

I hope the rest of the world finds DEAD MAN RUNNING by @authorsteve because you won't find a better thriller. The 'Alex McKnight' series has always been exceptional, but this one belongs to the ages! Steve Hamilton joins the 'best of the best' with this book. Honestly, you'll read this book in one setting. It's too good. to put down once you start. Chapter one may be the best opening chapter ever. #DeadManRunning #NetGalley

Wow. Wow. Wow.
I have missed Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight. "Dead Man Running," however, was worth the wait! May be the best in the series.

This is a really good book full of suspense. I kept saying wow! I couldn’t put it down. This author is worth reading!

DEAD MAN RUNNING by Steve Hamilton (Putnam, $26.00). Rating: B+ A suspected killer of six young women is caught and the police are feeling pretty good about having this psychopath Martin Livermore behind bars – until he reveals there is a seventh victim out there and she’s still alive. Livermore tells them he will take them to her on one condition, that P.I. Alex McKnight accompany the rescue party. So McKnight is contacted and agrees to fly to Scottsdale, Arizona despite being totally puzzled by the killer’s request. He has no memory of every encountering Livermore.
As one might expect, the rescue goes awry and now the police and McKnight find themselves in a dangerous race against the clock, all directed by Livermore who considers himself smarter that anyone he’s up against.
There are no clues as to the connection between Livermore and McKnight until it is revealed so “play fair” readers of Golden Age mysteries may cry “foul.” But to be fair, this is a “what happens next” kind of thriller where the reader is just along for the ride and the edge-of-your-seat suspense. Not the best McKnight novel I’ve read, but still eminently readable.
This review will appear in a future issue of Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine.

Thank you Steve Hamilton for bringing back Alex McKnight! It has been too long but well worth the wait. What a thrill ride and heart pounding novel! I couldn't put it down. Please don't wait so long for the next one.

Definitely put this one on your to read list. You'll be sorry if you don't.