City of Prey: An Ava Gold Mystery (Book 1)

Blake Pierce

Aug 2021 · An Ava Gold Mystery Book 1 · Blake Pierce

About this ebook

As the first female detective in 1920s New York City, Ava Gold has a lot to prove. But when a serial killer strikes, Ava finds herself up against an enemy more terrifying than she could ever imagine.

“A MASTERPIECE OF THRILLER AND MYSTERY. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.”

--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)

CITY OF PREY (An Ava Gold Mystery—Book 1) is the debut novel in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews.

In the rough streets of 1920s New York City, 34 year-old Ava Gold, a widower and single mom, claws her way up to become the first female homicide detective in her NYPD precinct. She is as tough as they come, and willing to hold her own in a man’s world.

But when a psychotic serial killer unleashes a rampage, murdering young women across the city, Ava will have to search the dark canals of the twisted killer’s mind if she has any hope of hunting him down. With psychological profiling still in its infancy, and mocked by most, Ava will be even more alone as she follows her instinct, and hunts him down in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Just when it seems the stakes couldn’t be higher, Ava comes to an awful realization: she herself may be the next target.

Amidst the speakeasies, jazz clubs, mafia-run prohibition rings, horrific mental asylums and dangerous back alleys of the city, can Ava achieve what all the men cannot: enter the sick mind of a killer, and stop him before more women die?

A heart-pounding suspense thriller filled with shocking twists, the authentic and atmospheric AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES is a riveting page-turner, endearing us to a strong and brilliant character that will capture your heart and keep you reading late into the night.

Books #2-#6 are also available!

Ratings and reviews

The 1920s twist was a pleasant addition to Pierce's typical style of writing; English speech-patterns of the time were pretty accurate and added a new layer to a quintessential thriller. While I'm not sure if I'll be reaching for book 2, I do think this is worth a read . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

In the 1920’s Ava became the first detective in NYPD. Demonstrations going on in the street for women’s right. A serial killer was targeting them and to stop them. Ava soon learned she was a target in his cat and mouse game. The setting of the 20’s seemed real, the action of Ava could she accomplish what others hadn’t. Good character in Ava strong, determined, a rare thing then. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

This is the start of another GREAT series by Blake Pierce. It’s a little slow to start but it is the first book in the series and there’s a lot of background to layout. City of Prey is a time period piece where women’s just won the right to vote but still aren’t considered equals. Ava Gold, is a recently widowed wife of a cop and wants a job to follow in his footsteps. It starts off as her way to cope with his loss and move on but quickly learns she is a natural and ends up hunting the current serial killer terrorizing women of the city. In true Blake Pierce fashion, the story has an open ending that makes you not want to wait to continue the series.

About the author

Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSIE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising nineteen books; of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising thirteen books; of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the new LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising five books (and counting); of the new ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising six books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising three books (and counting); and of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising three books (and counting).

ONCE GONE (a Riley Paige Mystery--Book #1), BEFORE HE KILLS (A Mackenzie White Mystery--Book 1), CAUSE TO KILL (An Avery Black Mystery--Book 1), A TRACE OF DEATH (A Keri Locke Mystery--Book 1), WATCHING (The Making of Riley Paige--Book 1), NEXT DOOR (A Chloe Fine Psychological Suspense Mystery--Book 1), THE PERFECT WIFE (A Jessie Hunt Psychological Suspense Thriller--Book One), IF SHE KNEW (A Kate Wise Mystery--Book 1), and LEFT TO DIE (An Adele Sharp Mystery--Book One) are each available as a free download on Google Play!

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.