3.5 stars rounded up. There were some formatting issues with my Kindle copy which definitely detracted from the book. Pros- the character of Danny was someone I wanted to root for- to get a second chance at life and atone for his mistakes. I liked the fact that for a while I really wasn’t sure who did it! I also liked Warren and I am rooting for him too. Pro/con- DJ Arias. I would like to know more about his back story and why he is kind of an asshole. I did like his character arc with the dog, Evidence. Although the book is the beginning of a a series with DJ Arias, I hope we get to see Danny and Warren again.
Would I read the second book in the series? Yes, I would give it another chance. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

Los Angeles Detective DJ Arias is a wounded, angry man surrounded by people who have hurt him or are incompetent. But he needs help when a college professor is murdered and a student is attacked. The prime suspect is an ex-con, alongside numerous women the professor has harmed. Can the detective discover who actually committed the crime before more people are hurt?
This novel has several twists and turns. It's also loaded with sexual content and contains assault, abuse and profanity. Some of the plot lines are unbelievable, including a quick romance. I appreciated how the author explores how the past can come back to haunt us.
Detective Arias is not a likable man. But I felt more compassion for him as his story unfolds. And two characters I did like initially became less likable as the book progressed.
Evidence the dog stole the show. I would read more books in this series to find out what happens to her.

A Punishing Breed by DC Frost
Detective DJ Arias

This was a book I almost didn’t finish. I read the beginning to about 15% and was overloaded with characters and trying to figure out how they fit into the story and not much invested…so…I did what I often do…I read the last few chapters in the book and was still left underwhelmed so decided to read some from the middle and then went back to read from the 15% mark. And…I am glad that I did BECAUSE it all came together eventually. I never warmed to Detective Arias but did come away hoping he might improve over time.

What I liked:
* That I did not give up
* Danny Mendoza: gardener at Hesperia College, life disrupted & and dreams crushed in his freshman year of college, begins to find his purpose and way forward in this book. I liked him.
* The Watcher: lives in a rundown home and is bullied by neighborhood children, survivor, resilient, loner, seems to be more than what is first perceived, intrigued by him and hope his future improves
* The plot and setting - I grew up in Eagle Rock and could identify with the location
* Evidence: rescue dog that may play a part in the future of the series
* Being able to dislike many of the characters for valid reasons and not feel badly about the murder of the first victim
* The potential for the series
* Detective DJ Arias: I am not enamored of this man though he might be a good detective…he seemed to have significant flaws that he perhaps can overcome as the series progresses
* Talbot: seems to be a positive partner to balance Arias’s rather gruff grumpy acerbic personality
* That all the threads of the murder mystery were tied up by the end of the book

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* That more than one man was a despicable and treated women poorly, preyed on them, or were despicable in one way or another
* That there were no women to admire or that I could relate to and hope there might be a strong woman introduced in the future

Did I like this book? Not at first but it grew on me
Would I read another book in this series? Maybe

Thank you to NetGalley and Red Hen-Canis Major for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

The New York Times reviewed this book in June and I thought I would give it a try. What a mistake. I don't know what the reviewer was drinking but this book is not worth 20 minutes of your time. I haven't read such as misogynistic book in decades. There isn't a single women who is self-aware and autonomous. There isn't a single man who is not either a gloating, sometimes vicious predator or a nice guy who infantilizes women. The main detective is a thorough jerk till he adopts a female dog. Made me gag.

Police Procedural Mystery that follows multiple POVs, including a Los Angeles detective, in the aftermath of a liberal arts college fundraiser's murder.

1/5 stars: This is the first entry in Frost's Detective DJ Arias series, which is a Police Procedural Mystery that features multiple POVs, including a Los Angeles detective, in the aftermath of a liberal arts college fundraiser's murder and a student's attack on campus. Frost tackles some heavy subjects, so take care and check the CWs. Frost's writing and character work are nicely done. Unfortunately, this just wasn't a book for me; leading me to DNF it at 16%.

I received this eARC thanks to Red Hen Press, Canis Major Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

A Punishing Breed by DC Frost was a fun and interesting look into the diverse culture of Hesperia College. On the surface, it is a liberal arts college that encourages critical thinking from its students. But underneath it all, there is a dark history fueled by sex and alcohol.

Danny Mendosa is, understandably, nervous when he calls in a murder that occurs on campus. He was locked up for 10 years, and his arresting officer is the lead detective on the case.
Ferencia (Fern) Lake is attacked at night while she walks shamefully back to her dorm. The high pitched scream of someone telling her to run terrifies her.
DJ Arias remembers the case of the girl that was tragically struck down by a drunk college student. When he finds out that the same person called in the murder, he leans harder on Danny than any of the others. All the while he is trying to better his personal life. He sucks at it. His grumpy attitude and baiting tongue tends to piss a few people off. But he gets the job done. A dog comes into his life at the right time, and we see a definitive shift in DJ's personality.
With a wide cast and a multitude of suspects, this is a journey that needs to be read from start to finish.

My rating for this book was affected mainly by errors in spelling and format that took me out of the story, as there were quite a few. It had great potential as a book and I see a great future for the series.
The only other personal criticisms with the book I had were:
The over sexualisation of some instances. There were a lot of remarks about how sexy someone looked, in situations where I feel they weren't needed.
The constant use of both full names of characters, and cars. There are many times where, even if the character is having a conversation, the full name was used. It took me out of the story and I didn't enjoy it.

But here is what I loved:
Warren was by far the most interesting character and I really liked him. I hope to see more of him in the series.
The book ended nicely, where some might think it doesn't need a series. It was wrapped up so tidily that one may forget a certain conversation that a key character had with themselves as things were coming to a close. This conversation made me think of any other mention through the book.
I really liked that it was logical, and throughout the book, the reason why the killer murdered who they did. It was there! And to those sleuths, there were even more clever clues hidden throughout the book to lead you to the killer. This was really smart and really enjoyable to look back on.

Overall I give A Punishing breed 3 stars.

In the claustrophobic confines of a liberal arts college, Detective DJ Arias navigates a treacherous landscape of hidden tensions, dark secrets, and murderous intent in DC Frost's gripping novel, "A Punishing Breed." The serene facade of the campus, with its progressive curriculum and idyllic setting, conceals a simmering cauldron of jealousy, racial and sexual fault lines, and a rigid hierarchy that harbors destructive forces. Arias, a seasoned detective whose grim outlook on humanity fuels his investigative prowess, finds himself pitted against a community seemingly united in its denial of the darkness that lurks beneath the surface. As he delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of characters whose motives are as murky as the secrets they guard. From the enigmatic college community to the reclusive neighborhood loner and a young Latino gardener bearing the scars of a past encounter with Arias, each individual becomes a puzzle piece in the complex tapestry of deception. As Arias pieces together the fragmented clues, he discovers that appearances are but a veil, concealing hidden identities and twisted desires. The investigation becomes a personal journey of self-discovery for Arias, as he grapples with his own demons and the realization that his past actions have far-reaching consequences. The adoption of a stray dog, whom he aptly names Evidence, becomes a symbol of his transformation, a beacon of hope amid the encroaching darkness. The narrative builds momentum as Arias uncovers a crime rooted in a dark secret, not confined to the past but thriving in the present. This revelation sets off a chain of events that threatens to unleash destruction and murder upon the unsuspecting inhabitants of the campus. Arias races against time to decipher the intricate web of deceit, aware that failure could unleash a torrent of devastation. DC Frost's masterful storytelling and evocative prose paint a vivid picture of a community on the brink of collapse, where the pursuit of truth becomes a dangerous obsession. "A Punishing Breed" is a compelling exploration of the human psyche, delving into the depths of despair, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit. Frost deftly exposes the cracks in the facade of a seemingly progressive society, revealing the primal instincts that simmer beneath the surface. The novel is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, captivating readers with its intricate plot, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes.

In a normal murder mystery, all possible villains would be eliminated one by one by the authorities, but this isn't the case in A Punishing Breed by Denise Frost.
Detectives Arias and Talbot are presented with the problem that almost no one regretted anything and that there was an endless line of people waiting to be chosen—it was just a matter of who and when someone would take the sword.
The main characters' collaboration between a Buddhist detective and a grumpy detective made for a compelling setup. The supporting cast members' backstories were gradually revealed, and they were also masterfully written.
When it comes to puppy love, the Evidence is undeniable.
An independent review for NetGalley / Canis Major Books .

I enjoyed this book, but felt like it took me a while to get through. There were great array of characters that could easily have you looking in the wrong direction. I was able to piece together who was the murderer and why, but the story wasn't ruined by that. The grass is not always greener on the other side, or at the expensive liberal arts college. You never know when your dream job is going to be infiltrated by the enemy. The ending ties everything together nicely!
Pros:
-cute dog rescued
-its a mystery
-a good mix of personalities


Cons:
-rape/womanizer (but essential to the story)
-arrogant college president

This start of a series makes curious for the next one. There are enough suspects to make the mystery interesting. The characters range from naive to eccentric, some less damaged, others more. But the best thing is the writing style. I just loved the beautifully crafted sentences.