In Crystal Death, Charles Kipps delivers another fast-paced thriller set in New York City.

In Edgar-winner Kipps's second police procedural featuring NYPD Det. Conor Bard (after 2009's Hell's Kitchen Homicide), Bard, who still hopes his music career will become viable enough to enable him to leave the force, interrupts a gig to respond to a high-profile murder scene. Someone has slit the throat of stunningly beautiful Israeli diamond dealer Zivah Gavish in her Manhattan apartment, leaving dozens of diamonds scattered across her body. Suspects include a South African cop, Hendrik Kruger, who used to belong to a special police unit known as the Scorpions; and a fellow diamond dealer, Stanley Silberman, who hoped to have more than a professional relationship with the victim. Bard must also navigate having an attractive woman as his new partner and a torrid affair with a witness as his music has the opportunity to hit the big time .

“Charles Kipps has created one of the most original and interesting fictional detectives I've seen in years. I loved Crystal Death, and I loved Detective Conor Bard and hope to see more of him.” –Nelson DeMille, author of THE LION

“Detective Conor Bard and I have something in common. We’d both rather be a musician. Crystal Death was so hard to put down, I didn’t play my bassoon for three days.” – Bill Cosby

“Crystal Death was great, just great. Moving and fast paced. Raw and subtle. I could not put it down. I felt I was part of the story not just observing.” – Mark Rossini, former FBI agent

“Crystal Death proves that Charles Kipps is a master of the crime genre. This unique combination of characters and international intrigue is sure to be one of the best mystery novels of the year."

-- Professor Brian Gestring Cedar Crest College Forensic Science Program; Former Supervisory Criminalist, New York City Medical Examiners Office

"I’ve worked cases in the Diamond District and know the evidence can send you in many directions. Following Detective Conor Bard as he finds himself in the middle of a bizarre gem trade murder proves to be a fascinating read, a real page turner. Conor Bard is -- as NYPD detectives are known to be -- truly one of the Greatest Detectives In The World."

--Detective Gerard McCarthy, NYPD (Ret.)