I haven’t read a hard-boiled, noir-ish detective novel in a while, and Alex Segura’s Dangerous Ends hit all the right notes when it comes to my must-have list in these types of books. Brave yet borderline stupidly fearless main character whose sense of justice and right and wrong drives him to investigate no matter how much danger he finds himself in? Check. Quite capable co-investigators that hold their own when it comes to both digging deep and fighting dirty? Check. A setting that is so thick with history and atmosphere that it becomes another character? Double check. Even though Dangerous Ends is the third installment in the Pete Fernandez Mystery series, I got a sense of who each of the main players were right away without needing a large info dump to catch up, and I really loved that. Pete and his partner Kathy felt real right from the start.
Recently sober private investigator Pete Fernandez is recruited by his journalist/investigative partner Kathy Bentley to dig into the case of Gaspar Varela, a cop convicted of murdering his wife several years ago. They’re hired by the cop’s daughter Maya, who’s been the only advocate for her father since he was jailed even though he’s always proclaimed his innocence. Threads of police corruption and links to local gangs are uncovered pretty quickly, and both Pete and Kathy’s lives are threatened as they move closer to the truth. Pete’s ex-girlfriend’s husband is murdered as well, and even though Pete says that he won’t investigate for his toxic ex, he can’t help but snoop around a little to find out why this successful business man wound up stabbed and dumped in a park.
One aspect that I really loved about Dangerous Ends were the flashbacks in Pete’s grandfather’s and father’s points of views. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but you get to explore what it’s like to flee Cuba under the Castro regime in the 1950s and establish yourself in Miami. You get a great sense of history and how much this shaped Miami, as well as how these two men shaped Pete even though he might not admit it. Pete strives to live up to his detective father’s almost perfect legacy, and he’s struggling under the pressure.
Pete is an excellent detective, even though he’s a bit shaky at life at the moment. Since he’s quit drinking, Pete’s going to AA and hanging on as best as he can, but he needs something to fill his time. It doesn’t take him long to ask the right questions that anger the wrong people, so he’s running for his life in no time. Kathy is smart and tough, and she definitely doesn’t hold her tongue. She doesn’t suffer fools, and I loved her for that. Recently retired FBI agent Robert Harras has to work with these two, and he’s used to doing things by the book. It doesn’t take much for him to be frustrated when Pete goes off on his own and doesn’t check in, but Harras definitely has their back when times get tough.
I give Dangerous Ends a 4.5 out of 5. I really loved the fast pace, the gritty setting, and the tight situations that Pete found himself in. The bad guys were tough to pin down, and there were definitely twists that I didn’t predict. The characters were well-developed and fleshed out, and I definitely had no problems reading this as a stand alone. Alex Segura seamlessly wove three story lines together, and they definitely connected in a way that was satisfying. I’m a fan now, and I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Pete stirs up next.
Find DANGEROUS ENDS
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
About Alex Segura
Alex Segura is a novelist and comic book writer. He is the author of the Miami crime novels featuring Pete Fernandez, Silent City and Down the Darkest Street, and Dangerous Ends, via Polis Books.
He has also written a number of comic books, including the best-selling and critically acclaimed Archie Meets Kiss storyline, the “Occupy Riverdale” story, Archie Meets Ramones and the upcoming The Archies one-shot.
He lives in New York with his wife and son. He is a Miami native.
Find out more about Alex at his website, and connect with him on Facebook.
Connect with Alex Segura
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Alex Segura’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS for DANGEROUS ENDS:
Wednesday, July 26th: Bewitched Bookworms
Thursday, July 27th: Sara the Introvert
Tuesday, August 1st: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Tuesday, August 1st: Jathan & Heather
Monday, August 7th: Thoughts From a Highly Caffeinated Mind
Tuesday, August 8th: M. Denise Costello
Latest posts by Heather (see all)
- Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick - December 13, 2025
- How To Grieve Like a Victorian by Amy Carol Reeves - December 13, 2025
- Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana - December 6, 2025
It certainly does sound like this book hits all the right notes! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think I will as well!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.
Reply »