Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

The second installment featuring Ashe Cayne, an ex-cop turned private eye, who fights corruption in the streets of Chicago.

This time, Ashe is tasked with uncovering the murder lurking in the death of Walter Griffin, a man whose death was already judged a suicide.

An engaging mystery from a talented author, I enthusiastically recommend this powerful story.

Gritty and captivating. Ashe investigates the underworld of Chicago.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Disclaimer:  I haven’t read Book 1:  The Unspoken.  I enjoyed The Blackbird Papers; however, Wolf Point is my first experience with Smith’s Ashe Cayne character and adventures.

The novel focuses on the suicide of one of Chicago’s most prominent political figures and family friend of Ashe’s father.  The Griffin family hires Ashe Cayne to investigate because they are convinced their patriarch was murdered.  Ashe’s subsequent investigation dives into the shady Chicago underworld of backstreet deals, gangbangers, and even shadier inner-workings and corruption within the police department and the dicey political agenda of the mayor’s office.

There’s a nostalgic gumshoe vibe in play as we follow clues and lean into Ashe’s Rolodex of contacts, informers, and confidants.  There is a multitude of characters to keep up with and at times I found it a bit daunting and exhausting, but I kept reading just to get through the story.  There’s a lot to unpack and enjoy for suspense/thriller fans; plenty of twists and turns, but felt a bit long and winded at times.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed my adventure with Ashe and look forward to the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review in exchange for honest feedback.

Ian K Smith does it again! Another great Ashe Cayne novel. Well written and intriguing. Pulls you in from the start.

A fantastic thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and reading far past my bedtime!

When the body of Walter Griffin, a prominent Black Chicagoan, is found at a watery grave in Wolf Point and ruled a suicide, the case ends up in the hands of Ashe Cayne, who knows there is more to the story. Griffin’s children come to the detective and ask him to look deeper into the case than the rest of law enforcement to find what might have been missed. They know their dad never would have done such a thing, even if it means uncovering dark secrets, they want to know the truth. Everyone is a suspect and Ashe must watch his own back in order to not end up like Griffin.

When I read this, I didn’t realize it was the second in a series and am now itching to get my hands on the first Ashe Cayne novel. The writing was smooth and the story entertaining. Even though this was the second in a series, I didn’t feel that I was missing out on a lot; readers can easily pick this up as a stand-alone and enjoy without feeling lost. Smith did a great job of crafting a mystery while keeping readers turning the pages. A few points in the story went a little slow for me but not enough to slow the entire story. It was a fun and in-depth look into Chicago that really made me feel like I was in the city and following right along with Cayne as he went about solving the crime. Lots of great secondary characters that filled the pages with little bits of humor and enough tension that kept a great pace throughout the entire story. There is a bit of language, so it is not appropriate for a younger audience but great for the intended audience. I recommend this book for readers that love a great thriller with a protagonist they will want to read more and more about.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

WOLF POINT is the second book in the Ashe Cayne series. Ashe is an ex-cop turned private investigator seeks to fight corruption on the streets of Chicago.

This book was a fun read with great dialogue and a complex story involving murder, greed, and corruption. And although this was a complex story, Smith pushes the action forward with a believable storyline and compelling characters.

Smith’s characters are not the typical hard-boil PI trope. Ashe is African-American, and he’s not battling the bottle and such addictions so common in this genre. He’s fit and healthy and very good at his job. That’s not to say he isn’t struggling with demons — who doesn’t, really?

The action and mystery will keep you turning pages.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this entertaining, gritty, compelling series.

Ashe Cayne, a larger-than-life character who is extremely likeable, is not your average private investigator, he is a well-educated former Chicago PD detective with a golf addiction.

Cayne has been employed by the family of a prominent Chicago area education board president with political ties, who committed suicide almost two years ago. The family doesn’t believe the police report and are convinced someone murdered him. Cayne uses all available resources, investigates all angles, and doesn’t stop searching for the truth.

Cayne’s tactics are very fluid as he likes to go with the flow and strike while the iron is hot. I love his demeanor as he isn’t a perfect character, but he has brilliant insight while still evaluating his shortfalls.

Smith nails the storyline, and the team he assembles around Cayne are top-notch characters. He does a phenomenal job ensuring that the ending isn’t all laid out for everyone to see and had me wowed all the way through. Ashe Cayne is part Evan Smoak (Gregg Hurwitz) and part John Corey (Nelson DeMille) all while being dangerous, witty, and charming...never underestimate him.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ian K. Smith, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Ian K. Smith is back with another gritty investigative thriller where nothing is quite as it seems. Ashe Cayne knows the world of private investigating quite well and Smith has developed him into a strong character who is prepared to turn over every stone to get to the truth. While the series is still coming into its own, the foundation is strong and sets Smith apart from many within the genre, which permits the reader to sit back and enjoy some stellar writing and suspenseful plot twists.
 
Corruption is rife on the streets of Chicago, something that private investigator Ashe Cayne knows all too well from his time on the CPD. When the adult children of prominent political figure Walter Griffin turn to Cayne, he’s not sure what he can do. Griffin was found dead in a seedier part of Chicago, but it was clearly a suicide. That said, neither of Griffin’s children believe that their father could have done this and implore Cayne to get to the truth.

Two years after the fact, Cayne must work extremely hard to cobble anything together, while also fighting against the suicide label. What he discovers not only refutes the official cause of death, but opens up new problems that could easily provide a list of suspects. Might it have been the Russians? A political figure Griffin wronged? Someone with a secret who wanted to ensure it never saw the light of day? Cayne is busy tracking down all the possibilities while trying to keep himself from being a new target.

While Ashe Cayne knows his city well, there’s something going on that even he could not have predicted. Nothing is coming together, leaving him to wonder if there’s a cover-up in place. Cayne owes it to Griffin’s family to find the truth, even if he ruffles a few feathers along the way.

I remember being highly impressed with Ian K. Smith’s series debut, feeling that the book took private investigation to a new level. This was not the hokey investigator looking into simple cases to appease an insistent family. Rather, Ashe Cayne dives headlong into the dark underbelly that is Chicago’s most dangerous neighbourhoods, seeking answers that are likely best not revealed. The grit oozes from every page and Smith keeps the reader wanting to know more, particularly as new twists take the story in unforeseen directions.

Ashe Cayne continues to reveal himself throughout the story, adding a little more to his backstory while forging ahead with abandon. Well-known to some of the richer parts of the city, Cayne does not mind getting his hands dirty if it helps a client, especially one he trusts has been wronged. Surrounded by a number of strong characters who bring the streets of Chicago to life, Cayne is sure to be a memorable protagonist for as long as the series continues.

This was another strong effort by Smith, who has a way with words and description. The narrative moves swiftly and keeps the reader trying to match its pace, while never being truly predicable. Smith peppers the story with unique characters and plausible plot lines, all while developing an air of mystery until the final reveal. Ashe Cayne may know Chicago, but even he is sometimes surprised just how corrupt its politicians can be when trying to vie for ultimate control. This is a series worth noting, as Ian K. Smith has laid the groundwork for something spectacular, provided he continues with the effort he’s invested into these first two novels.

Kudos, Mr. Smith, for delivering yet again. Readers are sure to take note and see that the genre has a new master.

‘Wolf Point (Ashe Cayne Book 2)’ by Ian K. Smith (Thomas & Mercer, Oct. 5, 348 pages, $24.94)

Another morning, another corpse in Chicago, but this time the body is that of a prominent Black Chicagoan. The death is ruled a suicide, but private investigator Ashe Cayne knows it’s not. Abundant energy drives the plot as Ashe is motivated to dig deeper. Worthy sophomore release to this series. Read a review of the first, “The Unspoken,” at https://www.wataugademocrat.com/mountaintimes/columns/book_reviews/in-review-imperfect-hero-arrives-perfectly-on-time-in-ian-k-smiths-the-unspoken/article_0575df2e-54ba-5263-939d-0c89f5084879.html.

Note, review link to Mountain Times active about the time the book publishes.

A tale of corruption, crime and cover ups, Wolf Point is a gritty look at the dark underbelly of Chicago politics and the dirty games played by those of privilege and means. Ian K. Smith delivers a strong second installment in a new crime series that is not to be missed.

Walter Griffin, a prominent black Chicago politician, has been dead for 2 years of an apparent suicide that his family does not accept as the real cause of death. Enter Ashe Cayne, a former member of the Chicago PD and current private investigator, who is convinced by the family and his own network of confidants that Walter was likely murdered. As Ashe digs into the case, he starts poking around events and people that others would prefer to stay in the shadows. Despite the increasing danger, Ashe won’t give up until he finds out the truth and gets delayed justice for the Griffin family.

There are a couple of key aspects to Wolf Point that resonated with me. First, Ashe is a work in progress as a person. Despite being intelligent and well educated, he’s reeling from his fiancée leaving him and has a complicated relationship with his father. These things humanize him and help the reader connect to him despite his super investigative powers. Second, I’m a huge fan of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series and this book has heavy Spenser vibes. It features an unassumingly intelligent and well-read private investigator who’s smart ass wisecracks get him into physical altercations that he can back up with his boxing skills, someone who navigates by their own moral code and drive to never give up until a case is seen to fruition and justice is done, a man who exudes sexuality that belies his tough exterior, and has a badass friend/sidekick who shows up with a big gun when most needed to watch his back and take care of business. Sounds a lot like Spenser and Hawk to me. The main differences are that the races are switched and it’s Chicago instead of Boston. The result of these fascinating parallels to anyone who’s read a Spenser book is instantly connecting with the characters as if this has been a long running series, adding quite a bit to the enjoyment of this novel.

Also, if like me you don’t know who Ian K. Smith is then I recommend you Google him. This guy is way impressive with a resume that goes far beyond writing a couple of thrillers. Educated at Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth and U of Chicago. Doctor. Author of bestselling diet and nutrition books. Co-Host and medical contributor on the Rachel Ray Show. Appearances all over television and featured in numerous print articles. Served on the Presidential Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. And much more. Dude is legit and having him throw his hat into the thriller genre is exciting.

Well written with solid character development, Wolf Point is definitely worth picking up and the series will be one to watch going forward. Fans of crime novels, especially those that feature a duo like Robert B. Parker’s Spenser and Hawk or CJ Box’s Joe Pickett and Nate Romanowski, will want to get in on this series early. It’s off to a promising start!

Wolf Point by Ian K. Smith
Rating: Starred Review

Summary: Ashe Cayne, spelled after his fathers favorite tennis player is asked by the family of a very prominent Chicago political player to look into his death by that was said to be a suicide. All on the hush and fast tracked police investigation.

Summary: Ashe is a very rich smooth detective with a love for Shakespeare quotes. A terrific novel that pretty much describes the current state of corruption and crime in Chicago, a once great city. Highly recommend and should be made into movies or series.

I received a free electronic ARC of this private eye mystery from Netgalley, Ian K. Smith, and Thomas & Mercer. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Wolf Point of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. The second of a series, This book is completely stand-alone but I will be looking out the other novels of Dr. Smith. He writes a tight tale with interesting, compelling protagonists and the mystery is well camouflaged.

Set in and around Chicago, a city very well presented, our PI Ashe Cane, formerly of the Chicago Police Department, is completely at home. Approached by the children of a Chicago high roller, dead about two years of what was classified as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Ashe is compelled to do what he can to give this family closure - either prove he was, as they believe, murdered or convince them that he did, after all, shoot himself in the head on a dirty beach his homophobic soul would not have been caught dead on. Willingly, at any rate.

Ashe's too had doubts about the death of Sr., and his own father had cried when the news of Walter Griffin Sr.'s death was announced. Every time his name came up in conversation, the doubts of suicide were expressed by everyone. Walter Griffin had every reason to love life. He was adored by one and all in Chicago. His wife and children loved him and were themselves upstanding citizens. The family was two weeks away from a dream vacation at a wildlife park in Africa that had taken Sr. almost a year to get set up.

Ashe decides to give it a look and see what he can come up with. He is doubtful that he can help - both the CPD and the ME had ruled the death a suicide. But this was a man of the people, never forgetting the hundreds and thousands of families who struggled to make it to their next payday. If he can find anything pointing to murder, he will pursue it. By the end of the week, everything is pointing to murder. By almost anyone. But it IS Chicago...

"Griffin’s children plead with a reluctant Ashe to hunt their father’s killer. They know their dad wouldn’t have taken his own life without a goodbye."

I loved the protagonist in Wolf Point! What a smooooth guy Ashe is!! He made me smile and/or laugh many times! Ashe was a police officer at one time but left when he could no longer tolerate the politics in the department. He's now a private investigator who answers people's questions with quotes from poets or authors. The reactions were hilarious! He also is a golf addict. And, did I mention he has a bit of a complicated love life, as well?

Griffin was a complicated man whose political ties and personal life give Ashe an interesting and varied number of suspects to question. There were twists in Wolf Point and I enjoyed every one of them. Especially the last one.

I'd like to see more about Ashe's dog, Stryker, in the next book. (I wonder if he was named after Stryker surgical handpieces.)

Big thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC! Great book!!

Chicago, private-investigators, criminal-injustice-system, suspense, crime-fiction, ex-cop, procedural, thriller, Black-African-American, thriller, political-corruption*****

Two years after the fact, PI Cayne is asked by the family of a man his father called friend to find out the truth about their father's death. It was ruled a suicide by the CPD and the ME, but those who knew the man believed otherwise. Cayne is a golf addict, former CPD cop, son of a prominent physician, quotes Shakespeare quite often, and still believes in justice. And talk about meticulous due diligence! As a retired nurse, I really appreciated the technical interpretation of the post mortem, but I hated all the food descriptions--made me munch my way through the book!
I requested and received a temporary digital ARC of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wolf Point is the second in the Ashe Cayne series by Ian K Smith, and takes you into the underbelly of Chicago's corruption. Ashe, a former Chicago PD detective turned PI is selective in the cases he takes. Walter Griffin's death is ruled a suicide but his family doesn't believe it, and neither does Cayne. Griffin, a prominent figure in Chicago's political arena, still has ties to Chicago's West side from where he came. Unfortunately Griffin's investments, political ties and personal life gives Cayne an abundance of suspects to track down. Some surprising twists will keep you guessing as this investigation continues. Ashe's character and personal life further develops in this novel, surprising you when you think you have him figured out. I look forward to following Cayne as this series continues.
Thank you @NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book!