Dead of Knight.com

2011-12-16T16:06:00.001-08:00

Dead of Knight Reviewed

2010-12-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

This psychological thriller was of special interest to me because a lot of the action centered around the area where I grew up, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. According to the cover blurb, Canadian author William R. Potter began this book in 2002, put the book on hold, and after completing other work, returned to Dead of Knight. I for one, am very glad he did.

A descriptive book, it takes place in the fictional town of Hanson in British Columbia. The book begins with a journey into the mind of a psychotic murderer, nick-named the Birthday Boy, because his victims were murdered on their birthdays. He sees himself as a hero; he is currently Tyro, training to become what he perceives to be a super hero who will be Damian Knight, Soldier of Justice. He believes he is on the same side as the law. The character is well-defined, as is the character of Jack Staal, the detective who becomes Knight's focused nemesis.

The story is also a police procedural that doesn't always follow procedure, often a sign of office politics versus either the very caring or the corrupt. Jack Staal is one of the caring, but he is fraught with demons of past cases. Some might call him flawed, others a hero. No matter, this is one man who is determined to stop Damian Knight, the psycho-serial killer with a mission. But what is the mission? How do the murders connect?

Jack and his group of allies on the police force must buck authority to bring in the "perp" as soon as possible, while the authorized group bungle and follow wrong leads, rumours abound. This is a very satisfying thriller, complete with background descriptions of what has led to this killing spree, internal strife in the police department, a vendetta against Jack Staal by Damian Knight when he thinks he is getting too close to solving who Damian Knight is, false leads, taunting hints left for Jack, death and injury. The methods of putting the pieces together is compelling. The plot was well thought out, played out with passion and resolve. A complex and taut story that kept my attention throughout. Written for mature readers.

Reviewed by Betty Gelean The Night Reader Blog

Book Review: Dead of Knight

2010-11-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

Dead of Knight: A Jack Staal Mystery

William R. Potter

RealTime Publishing (2009)

ISBN 9781849610261

Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (11/10)

I was recently asked if I would be interested in reviewing “Dead of Knight” by author William R. Potter. This book falls into the murder/mystery category and while it’s not my usual reading genre I agreed to review it. I’m glad I did because it was a great book.

The story location for “Dead of Knight” is Canada which, for me, was a really nice change. The book’s premise is this: A delusional young man believing himself to be a “soldier of justice” starts what he feels is a righteous crusade of cleansing. His victims are handpicked and meticulously stalked in order to learn their daily habits until he finally slaughters them on their birthday. I, for one, will pass on that birthday surprise thank you very much… Because of this killer’s gruesome practices the media has nicknamed him “Birthday Boy.” This nickname doesn’t sit too well with him - he wants to be taken seriously but…what’s a serial killer to do? And of course no tale featuring a heinous villain would be truly complete without an equally good counterpart trying to bring the evildoer to justice. Meet Detective Jack Staal who is assigned to this gruesome case. Jack is understandably horrified at the trail of bodies “Birthday Boy” leaves in his wake and he is determined to put an end to his reign of terror. Consequently Jack Staal will stop at almost nothing in order to apprehend this psychopath.

I’m happy to say I found “Dead of Knight” to be a fantastic read. Potter possesses great writing skills; he is appropriately descriptive and the story flows smoothly. “Dead of Knight” was suspenseful and I would agree with the back jacket’s statement that “Dead of Knight” is a cat and mouse thriller sure to delight fans…” I also appreciated that “Dead of Knight” wasn’t too easy to figure out and I admired the various plot twists that the author skillfully threw in here and there.

In summary I give “Dead of Knight” a five-star Amazon rating. It’s a riveting read but it is definitely aimed for mature readers.

Available at Amazon.com

Dead of Knight Reviewed by Review the Book.com

2010-10-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

“There is a great streak of violence in every human being. If it is not channeled and understood, it will break out in war or in madness.”
~Sam Peckinpah

The murderer is known by many names. He is called Tyro, a apprentice title, until he has killed more then his name is Damian Knight, soldier of justice, that passes judgment on the guilty. In the bar where he plays video games he is known as Retro, the police call him the Birthday Boy, but soon everyone will hear his true name. Jack Staal is a detective with the Hanson Police and has vowed to bring the killer in. “Dead of Knight” is told from the murderer’s and the detective’s perspective, which allows the reader to get a sense of both characters’ personalities. Detective Staal is a veteran cop who is dealing with demons from a past case gone wrong and the killer is also trying to come to grips with a event from his past that has marked him for life.

“Dead of Knight” is set in British Columbia in a fictional town called Hanson where the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are enforcers of the law of the land. The book gives a “real” look at what it takes to solve crimes and that it is not done in an hour as seen on Television. DNA samples take weeks instead of minutes and the suspect is not caught in the last 15 minutes of the show. Suspect after suspect are questioned and ruled out, while the killer continues to murder.

Although “Dead of Knight” in not a true murder mystery since you know the killer, the reasons for his actions are not clear until later. It is still a psychological trip with road block around every corner. It gives a chilling outcome of what can happen to someone who was a product of bullying. The characters are realistic and interesting. I recommend this book to mystery buffs that are old enough to read detailed content regarding killing, sex and drug use.

Reviewed by Michele Tater for Review the Book

Dead of Knight is available at Amazon.com

Book Review: Dead of Knight by William R. Potter

2010-08-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

by George Wilhite Author,
“On the Verge of Madness!"

“Dead of Knight” by William Potter is a thrilling and original mystery novel. The main character, Jack Staal, was introduced in Potter’s exceptional collection “Lighting the Dark Side” in the short story, “Prominent Couple Slain.” There, in the span of an average length short story, Potter provided readers enough information about Staal and his fictional hometown, Hanson, B.C., to leave us wanting more, and “Dead of Knight” certainly delivers.

A serial killer is on the loose, murdering women on their birthdays. The police slap the moniker “Birthday Boy” on him which only fuels his psychosis—he prefers “Soldier of Justice.” How do we know this? Ah, because thanks to Potter, we get the story from two perspectives, Staal and the Soldier of Justice, cop and killer, cat and mouse.

This is a brave undertaking and not easy to pull off. Most mystery and thriller writers stick to the police procedural formula and simply demonize their serial killer as an evil “Other,” a monster, without providing any real insight into their character or purpose.

Thomas Harris raised the bar long ago with Hannibal Lecter, The Tooth Fairy and Buffalo Bill and their complex relationships to agents Will Graham and Clarice Starling, and I think few writers have entered his arena out of fear of failure.

Potter takes on the challenge and succeeds with a fully satisfying, well rounded novel. It is both an exciting page turner and an equally effective insight into human nature and psychology.

Fans of the mystery genre and mainstream readers alike will enjoy this entertaining and thought provoking thriller. Potter’s dialog is brisk and naturalistic and he does not shy away from the graphic verisimilitude necessary to create sufficient terror and repulsion within the reader toward his perpetrator.

Hanson, B.C. is a thoroughly believable fictional town that blends seamlessly into reality and Jack Staal is a multi-dimensional, sufficiently flawed character with plenty of his own inner demons to battle while hunting down his antagonist--the perfect ticket for a successful series. I look forward to reading more Jack Staal mysteries.

I highly recommend “Dead of Knight” and any fiction by William Potter.

Dead of Knight is a Hard Boiled Detective Thriller

2010-07-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Dead of Knight takes the reader into the heart and soul of a homicide detective and into the warped mind of a psychopath. This mystery-thriller is told from the point-of-view of Detective Jack Staal and from the perspective of a killer who murders women on their birthdays.
We learn that Detective Staal is suffering from post-traumatic stress after a horrific shooting. Unable to shake the horror of that day, Staal has left his position with the Vancouver PD's homicide squad and has resurrected his career with the police service in a fictional country town called Hanson, British Columbia.

Anxious to work the biggest case of his career, Staal is forced to the outside when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Integrated Homicide Teams are assigned to the case. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Staal convinces his colleagues to follow his lead and pursue a serial killer the media has dubbed Birthday Boy.

Believing he is a soldier of justice, a misguided young man has begun a callous campaign of terror. Damian Knight (Birthday Boy) is convinced of his righteousness and continues his brutal crusade of revenge. As his death count mounts, so does Knight's courage and he soon turns his anger on a fatigued Staal. Staal and Knight play out a cat and mouse thrill ride that culminates with an epic, one-on-one meeting of cop versus killer.

An excerpt:

Her grin angered him. His heartbeat began to increase until it thumped in his chest and pounded in his ears. He took a deep calming breath, held it, and then exhaled.
“Yeah, me too,” he said. He offered her one of his cigarettes. She accepted. He placed it on her lips and flipped his Zippo. Her cheeks furrowed when she inhaled. She grinned at the Bud beer label on the lighter and sipped her coffee.
“It’s a good day to die,” he said quietly.
“Pardon?”
“Happy birthday, Kim.”
“What?” She lowered the coffee from her mouth. “How the hell do you know me?” She retreated a step.
Tyro clenched the lighter in the tight fist of his right hand. He reached back and quickly struck a blow to her throat. The porcelain cup of steaming coffee burst from her grip and smashed at her side splashing them both in fragments and liquid. Her eyes lit up in shock, she clutched at her neck, and dropped to her knees….
….the yellow coupe accelerated quickly, as though the driver had stomped on the throttle. The engine screamed and Staal turned in time to see the Pontiac streak toward him. The front bumper caught him just below the knees. The force of the impact threw him off his feet. He landed head first in the Pontiac’s windshield; his hands couldn’t protect his forehead from crashing the safety glass. The driver slammed on the brakes. Staal’s body slid off the vehicle’s hood. Airborne. Then he slammed into the pavement, his body rolling with his momentum.
“Jack! What the f**** is going on?” It was Drummond’s voice. Staal still had his cell phone in his hand.
The driver had stalled the Pontiac. Staal tried with all his strength to stand, to run away, however his legs would not respond. He tried to speak, to alert Drummond. “Alp Offider dowd!” He crawled on his hands, pulling himself off the street.

Dead of Knight -A Jack Staal Mystery-Video Trailer

2010-05-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

Dead Of Knight is a Can’t Miss Mystery Thriller.

2010-01-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

by Apex Reviews

A serial killer is on the loose, terrorizing the unsuspecting citizens of rural Hanson, British Columbia. Dubbed the “Birthday Boy” by the media, the sadistic menace chooses to target only women on their birthdays. As his horrific crusade escalates, Birthday Boy soon falls square in the sights of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - that is, only if Jack Staal doesn’t get to him first. Anxious to solve what will surely prove to be the biggest case of his career, Staal strives to stay one step ahead of the Mounties in his pursuit to uncover the Birthday Boy’s true identity and bring an end to his reign of terror...of course, that’s only if he manages to avoid becoming the crazed killer’s latest victim...

With taut, gripping action and a pulsing storyline, Dead Of Knight is a can’t miss mystery thriller. The skillfully penned narrative from author William Potter shifts seamlessly from the perspective of cop to killer as the action unfolds, ensuring that readers stay on their toes with each fresh turn of the page. Furthermore, Potter masterfully maintains the suspense of his tale with a series of ingenious twists and turns along the way, treating the reader to a cleverly crafted whodunit with the capacity to befuddle even the most discerning of mystery buffs.

As a result, Dead Of Knight succeeds brilliantly where many other offerings in the genre often fail, all without having to pander or overreach in order to do so.

Fast-paced and engaging, Dead Of Knight is an equally enlightening and entertaining read. Kudos to Potter for crafting such a compelling instant classic sure to be hailed for years to come.

Reviewed By Josee Morgan

Official Apex Reviews Rating: 5 stars

DEAD of KNIGHT is a Recommended Read

2009-12-27T11:23:00.000-08:00

Dead of Knight is a Jack Staal mystery. Jack is a detective in a fictitious town located in British Columbia, Canada. While Jack is carrying some baggage and having nightmares, he is on the trail of a murderer nicknamed "The Birthday Boy." A special group (IHIT) established for major crimes denies that Jack could possibly be able of solving the crime.

Jack not one to give up, begins a cat and mouse chase of "The Birthday Boy." How will this cat and mouse game end? You will have to read the book and find out for yourself. It is full of egos, distrust, and the dogged determination of one detective to find the serial murderer running loose and staying one-step ahead of the IHIT unit.

Dead of Knight is a gripping novel that could be taken out of cases that have been in papers about the failings of not comparing notes and not listening to experienced officers that have been reported. This novel is a work of fiction that could be a slice of real life. Let's hope that it never comes to be reality.

Told from two perspectives, that of the cat, and the mouse, but who is who? Is the detective chasing the murderer, or is the murderer chasing the detective in Dead of Knight? Only by reading the book will you find out who is the ultimate winner in the chase.

A Recommended read by Bob Medak by Allbooksreviews.com

A Recommended Read

Readers Respond to DEAD of KNIGHT!

2009-12-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

'Dead of Knight' A Thrilling Mystery,

By E. Chan (New York, New York )

I have to admit, I am a big mystery buff. And because it is my favorite genre of literature, I'll also admit that whenever I pick up a mystery book, I have absurdly high expectations for that book (which, sadly, are usually left unfulfilled).

Not this book. William Potter crafts his novel in a way that keeps the reader flipping the pages, eager for the next plot twist. The viewpoint of the narrator switches often between the "good guy" and the "bad guy" but it delves into the minds of both characters flawlessly. I have to give extra credit to Mr. Potter for creating a rather brilliant antagonist, a.k.a. "Birthday Boy"; readers can both sympathize with him and understand how he has come to be who he is.

Furthermore, the ending to the novel wrapped up a superbly written storyline. I already can't wait for the next installment in the Jack Staal series. Well done, Mr. Potter. I am your fan.

The Best Mystery I've Read in a Long Time.

By Lonna H. (Chesapeake, Va)

If you love a good mystery, this one will not disappoint. I loved the way William Potter tells the story from the different perspectives. The switch from criminal to officer will have the reader hungry to read more. You have a chance to see into the mind of the killer and the mind of the officers pursuing him. Both Detective Stall and Damien Knight (a.k.a. Birthday Boy) are well developed characters and provide a great source of conflict throughout the book.

I have always been a huge fan of mystery books, but this one I couldn't put down. The plot twists will have the reader guessing what is going to happen next. I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a great mystery.

One of the Best Mysteries I have Ever Read!

By Cassie Mae

I am into mystery books and Dead of Night- a Jack Staal Mystery is one of the best mysteries I have ever read. The mystery starts with the killer and getting to know his character. He changes his name to "Tyro" to make himself feel more confident when he is in this mode. For a few chapters you are brought into the side of the cops and detectives and how they go about tracking down the serial killer.

Next you are taken back to "Tyro" and how he feels after he has committed these murders. He is very frustrated with the world and feels safe living in his mother's basement. "Tyro" who later changes his name and becomes "Damian Knight" feels as if he is doing good in the world as he thinks of himself as a Soldier of Justice.

Back and forth you will read faster and faster as the mystery unfolds.

I highly recommend this book if you love mystery books about revenge or if you want a really good book to read.

All Reviews Posted to Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Knight-William-R-Potter/dp/1849610266/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261249604&sr=1-3

Dead of Knight now available at Amazon.com

2009-11-18T08:19:00.001-08:00

DEAD of KNIGHT A Jack Staal Mystery is now availble at Amazon.com

Available in print and ebook/Kindle from Amazon.com

Dead of Knight-by William Potter

2009-10-31T12:13:00.000-07:00

Author William R. Potter takes the reader into the heart and soul of his protagonist and into the warped mind of a psychopath. Potter’s first full length novel, Dead of Knight is told from the point-of-view of Detective Jack Staal and from the perspective of a killer who murders women on their birthdays.

Through clever use of back story, we learn that Detective Staal is suffering from post-traumatic stress after a horrific shooting. Unable to shake the horror of that day, Staal has left his position with the Vancouver PD’s homicide squad and has resurrected his career with the police service in a fictional country town called Hanson, British Columbia.

Anxious to work the biggest case of his career, Staal is forced to the outside when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Integrated Homicide Teams are assigned to the case. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Staal convinces his colleagues to follow his lead and pursue a serial killer the media has dubbed Birthday Boy.

Believing he is a soldier of justice, a misguided young man has begun a callous campaign of terror. Damian Knight (Birthday Boy) is convinced of his righteousness and continues his brutal crusade of revenge. As his death count mounts, so does Knight’s courage and he soon turns his anger on a fatigued Staal. Staal and Knight play out a cat and mouse thrill ride that culminates with an epic, one-on-one meeting of cop versus killer.

Potter has created an intriguing police procedural with a strong main character, a terrific supporting cast, and a plot with twists, turns, and plenty of red herrings. I have read many books in this genre featuring a main character that is a bullet-proof, womanizing Neanderthal. However, Potter’s Jack Staal takes a pounding, both physically and emotionally. This is one author who isn’t afraid to show his hero breaking down or making mistakes. Potter has penned a captivating tale filled with plenty of tension and conflict, crisp dialogue and an unrelenting pace. He puts us in the story with vivid descriptions and scene-painting narrative.

I highly recommend Dead of Knight-A Jack Staal Mystery. It is sure to delight fans of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta or Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch.

978-1-84961-027-8
Real Time Publishing

By Erin Hynd for Reader’s Choice Literary Reviews

Coming in November!

h ttp://www.williamrpotter.com

Dead of Knight-by William Potter

2009-10-31T12:12:00.000-07:00