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Burnside Series #1
Post Pattern
After a football star is shot at on a California freeway, he approaches Burnside, a former college football player who has become a successful private investigator.
As Burnside unravels a complex series of baffling leads, the body count piles up. He encounters beautiful girls, wayward athletes and overworked cops on his way to cracking a case that no one else wants to touch. And Burnside is also forced to confront a betrayal from his past that hovers beneath the surface.
Set against the sun drenched backdrop of a hot Los Angeles summer, Post Pattern provides readers with a taut, engaging mystery. The novel delivers a smart, sexy plot with crackling dialogue and fascinating characters.
As Burnside unravels a complex series of baffling leads, the body count piles up. He encounters beautiful girls, wayward athletes and overworked cops on his way to cracking a case that no one else wants to touch. And Burnside is also forced to confront a betrayal from his past that hovers beneath the surface.
Set against the sun drenched backdrop of a hot Los Angeles summer, Post Pattern provides readers with a taut, engaging mystery. The novel delivers a smart, sexy plot with crackling dialogue and fascinating characters.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2013
617 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
About the author
David Chill
19Ìýbooks54ÌýfollowersDavid Chill is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author, and has written a total of fourteen works of fiction. These include the medical suspense novel, Curse Of The Afflicted. The first thirteen books are part of the Burnside Mystery Series: Post Pattern, Fade Route, Bubble Screen, Safety Valve, Corner Blitz, Nickel Package, Double Pass, Tampa Two, Flea Flicker, Swim Move, and Hard Count.
David Chill's debut novel, Post Pattern, was an award-winning book in the Private Eye Writers of America contest for new mystery authors. The Burnside Mystery Series has received much critical acclaim over the years and has spent time on numerous bestseller lists.
Born and raised in New York City, David received his undergraduate degree from SUNY-Oswego, before moving to Los Angeles where he earned a Master's degree from the University of Southern California. He presently lives in California.
If you would like to find out when new novels are published, please sign up for David Chill's mailing list. You can do so here:
David Chill's debut novel, Post Pattern, was an award-winning book in the Private Eye Writers of America contest for new mystery authors. The Burnside Mystery Series has received much critical acclaim over the years and has spent time on numerous bestseller lists.
Born and raised in New York City, David received his undergraduate degree from SUNY-Oswego, before moving to Los Angeles where he earned a Master's degree from the University of Southern California. He presently lives in California.
If you would like to find out when new novels are published, please sign up for David Chill's mailing list. You can do so here:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
April 22, 2023
That was a surprise! I would love to know the dynamics of the perpetrator actually throwing the guy off the balcony. That part seemed a bit unlikely. However the rest of it was quite entertaining and I enjoyed the quick pace and the interesting characters. The background in football and as a former police officer made the main character interesting. It also meant he knew a lot of people that could help him out or just cause some interesting friction. I enjoyed the strong female characters as well. Great start to the series.
October 24, 2015
Brand new author for me, he was recommended on the Michael Connelly forum. Burnside is a former cop turned PI who is hired by a rich college jock to find out who took a shot at him while he was driving his brother's car. Then the brother takes a dive off the 22nd floor balcony and the cops rule it accidental. Then the fun begins and we find out this job is not for sissies. Burnside has a habit of ticking off the wrong people. The kind of attitude you like to see in a PI. Very good read!
April 29, 2013
I did enjoy reading this book. Yes it was a fairly formulaic story, with retired cop turned PI, but the story was well paced, the characters were interesting, and there was even a bit of American football info in there which didn't put me off the book.
The only thing which really me about this story was the use of discrete (separate) for discreet (being prudent or cautious) - our hero kept "discretely mentioning" things to people - I don't know if it was the author or the typesetter, but it stood out a mile to me!
That being said, I did enjoy this, and would read more by him.
The only thing which really me about this story was the use of discrete (separate) for discreet (being prudent or cautious) - our hero kept "discretely mentioning" things to people - I don't know if it was the author or the typesetter, but it stood out a mile to me!
That being said, I did enjoy this, and would read more by him.
January 17, 2021
Norman Freeman hires Burnside to investigate a shooting incident. He suspects his brother Robbie is in some kind of trouble and therefore was the intended target because Norman was driving his brother’s car when he was shot at.
At Norman’s bachelor party, Robbie falls off the balcony and plunges to his death. Though the police have ruled it an accident, Burnside thinks he was murdered. At the suggestion of his fiancée Ashley, Norman tells Burnside to call off the investigation. Ashley is worried the investigation might delay their wedding.
Burnside goes to their father Harrison Freeman to share his findings. Harrison in turn hires Burnside to look into his son’s death.
Burnside also has another client: an insurance company called Differential has hired Burnside to investigate a woman named Mrs. Wachs who’s suing them for sustaining a neck and back injury in a car accident.
At Norman’s bachelor party, Robbie falls off the balcony and plunges to his death. Though the police have ruled it an accident, Burnside thinks he was murdered. At the suggestion of his fiancée Ashley, Norman tells Burnside to call off the investigation. Ashley is worried the investigation might delay their wedding.
Burnside goes to their father Harrison Freeman to share his findings. Harrison in turn hires Burnside to look into his son’s death.
Burnside also has another client: an insurance company called Differential has hired Burnside to investigate a woman named Mrs. Wachs who’s suing them for sustaining a neck and back injury in a car accident.
September 5, 2020
I enjoyed this mystery about a former police officer turned private investigator. He told a good story without graphic sex or excessive foul language (just a bit to make bad characters look really bad).
April 4, 2013
Post Pattern grabs you from the first chapter. The story puts you on the edge of your seat and keeps you there until the end of the mystery. Burnside is a wise-cracking private eye, who tries to find out why someone is trying to kill a local college football star. As the novel unfolds, the plot becomes more complex and the tension mounts.
Burnside is on a mission to crack the case, and it involves drugs, strippers and some pretty intimidating bad guys. He is perfect in the role as a white knight to people in trouble, and he continues on with his investigation well after it makes sense to do so.
This is a great book with a tight plot, and is loaded with terrific characters. The writing is crisp and sharp, with snappy dialogue and action packed scenes. It is very enjoyable to see the influences of Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker in the dialogue, and some of the lines are laugh-out-loud funny. The story moves quickly in this page turner, and the writer will keep you engaged throughout the book.
A thoroughly absorbing and fantastic read!
Burnside is on a mission to crack the case, and it involves drugs, strippers and some pretty intimidating bad guys. He is perfect in the role as a white knight to people in trouble, and he continues on with his investigation well after it makes sense to do so.
This is a great book with a tight plot, and is loaded with terrific characters. The writing is crisp and sharp, with snappy dialogue and action packed scenes. It is very enjoyable to see the influences of Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker in the dialogue, and some of the lines are laugh-out-loud funny. The story moves quickly in this page turner, and the writer will keep you engaged throughout the book.
A thoroughly absorbing and fantastic read!
July 12, 2013
This is a slow burner whodunnit from the pen of David Chill. David has a unique way of writing that draws you in and you almost feel like he's sitting across the dinner table and sharing this story with you.
The story follows the aftermath of the death of a college football player who lives in L.A. Very interesting characters are introduced into this tale from the coaches at LAU and USC, to the local thugs at Neary's to the misfits at the local police station. Robbie Freeman's family hires Private Investigator Burnside to find the killer of their son and brother.
P.I Burnside (who was a former college footballer himself on the verge of breaking into the big time) has to fight against the complacency shown by the local law enforcement agency plus the sudden apathy from the deceased's brother and his fiancee to the blistering summer heat to crack this case. I enjoyed this tale but sometimes wished the author had included a bit more urgency and cliffhangers to move the story at a faster rate. Still well worth a read and recommended.
The story follows the aftermath of the death of a college football player who lives in L.A. Very interesting characters are introduced into this tale from the coaches at LAU and USC, to the local thugs at Neary's to the misfits at the local police station. Robbie Freeman's family hires Private Investigator Burnside to find the killer of their son and brother.
P.I Burnside (who was a former college footballer himself on the verge of breaking into the big time) has to fight against the complacency shown by the local law enforcement agency plus the sudden apathy from the deceased's brother and his fiancee to the blistering summer heat to crack this case. I enjoyed this tale but sometimes wished the author had included a bit more urgency and cliffhangers to move the story at a faster rate. Still well worth a read and recommended.
June 27, 2013
This was a fun read. Burnside played football in college, but an injury prevented his becoming a pro. Instead he became an LA cop. Following his ignominious departure 13 years later he became a private eye. He is Spenserian in that he is frequently a smart ass, disrespectful and good with his fists. He also has friends from the past who are put to good use.
The case is one where another former college football hero is almost killed on the freeway (needless to say, this takes place in Southern California) and hires Burnside to find out why. He suspects that it may not have been him the shooter was gunning for since he was driving his brother's car when the shots came.
The next night, the brother dies after falling from his apartment window. I won't go into any more detail and spoil the book for future readers, but will say I hope more Burnside novels are in the works.
The case is one where another former college football hero is almost killed on the freeway (needless to say, this takes place in Southern California) and hires Burnside to find out why. He suspects that it may not have been him the shooter was gunning for since he was driving his brother's car when the shots came.
The next night, the brother dies after falling from his apartment window. I won't go into any more detail and spoil the book for future readers, but will say I hope more Burnside novels are in the works.
June 9, 2015
Engaging mystery.
This was the first book I read in this series, will be reading more and telling everyone about this author. In the future Burnside will solve more mysteries while listening George Winston. He's smart, fascinating character won't give up until he finds out who did it. Perfect story will keep you warm in these cold weekends.
This was the first book I read in this series, will be reading more and telling everyone about this author. In the future Burnside will solve more mysteries while listening George Winston. He's smart, fascinating character won't give up until he finds out who did it. Perfect story will keep you warm in these cold weekends.
August 17, 2013
A fun and funny book about a detective named Burnside. It is suspenseful and has a bunch of quirky characters. A truly enjoyable first book by new author David Chill. Only available for Kindle at this time. Go get it...
May 8, 2013
This is a good book--I wish the author had more books out. This was copyrighted in 1991 and must have been released for Kindle recently.
July 27, 2013
A true whodunnit...a former cop now turned private investigator hired by rich family to find the killer of their son...many twists and turns and hard to put down
April 4, 2020
This is the first of this series and author I have read, a somewhat modern private detective novel in the line of Spenser books. The detective is a former police officer who also played football in college, and he author clearly likes college football quite a bit. The sport is a main theme through the book, involving a football player who asks the detective for help with his brother.
The story reads easily enough although the language and characters do not particularly stand out. Most of the book is about football and not detecting at all. For the first half of the story, the detective spends time chatting with coaches, players, and associated staff about football games and players, gaining what one would guess is background on the case, but learning no clues or useful information whatsoever.
Most of the usual, logical, intelligent paths to take for information gathering are left for later in the case because it would have solved things much more rapidly. And of course there's a double-helping of incompetent police, combined with a somewhat corrupt college staff at two institutions which isn't ever really dealt with.
And some excessively strong women. I don't mean morally strong, I mean hulk-like physical strength beyond reasonable explanation. I bought a 3-book pack so I'll see if things look up in the next two books. It wasn't a bad book, just not a very good mystery.
The story reads easily enough although the language and characters do not particularly stand out. Most of the book is about football and not detecting at all. For the first half of the story, the detective spends time chatting with coaches, players, and associated staff about football games and players, gaining what one would guess is background on the case, but learning no clues or useful information whatsoever.
Most of the usual, logical, intelligent paths to take for information gathering are left for later in the case because it would have solved things much more rapidly. And of course there's a double-helping of incompetent police, combined with a somewhat corrupt college staff at two institutions which isn't ever really dealt with.
And some excessively strong women. I don't mean morally strong, I mean hulk-like physical strength beyond reasonable explanation. I bought a 3-book pack so I'll see if things look up in the next two books. It wasn't a bad book, just not a very good mystery.
June 6, 2020
This is the first story in the series known as Burnside mysteries. Burnside is a private investigator as well as a self-professed wise ass working in Los Angeles in current times. Burnside seems to be the only name he uses. His first name is never mentioned in the story. Burnside, who is about 40 years old, is a former college football player (defensive safety) at USC and the case to be solved involves former and current college football players. Burnside was also a LAPD police officer prior to becoming a private investigator. He was dismissed few years ago from the LAPD, so he has very few friends left on the police force. Initially, this was a slow-moving story with too much boorish college football jock behavior. However, once the clues start to come in that will solve the murder of a recently graduated college football player, it becomes a much more interesting story. I will give book two in this series a try.
January 25, 2024
Great action
Ex police officer, Burnside, is now a private investigator working on his own. A former football star player, whose career had been ended by injury, he still kept a watchful eye on the game. When he is approached by a worried client, who has been shot at whilst driving a car owned by the client's brother, he is engaged to investigate whether his client, or possibly his brother, the intended victim. Whilst he begins his investigation his client's brother is brutally assassinated at his engagement party. Who, at a party of so many guests, could have thrown the victim over a 22nd floor balcony? Everyone, according to the police, using a video of the event, was accounted for and the case is closed. Burnside decides to continuing the investigation not believing everything was all so 'cut and dried'. The perpetrator is eventually found but who is it and why?
Ex police officer, Burnside, is now a private investigator working on his own. A former football star player, whose career had been ended by injury, he still kept a watchful eye on the game. When he is approached by a worried client, who has been shot at whilst driving a car owned by the client's brother, he is engaged to investigate whether his client, or possibly his brother, the intended victim. Whilst he begins his investigation his client's brother is brutally assassinated at his engagement party. Who, at a party of so many guests, could have thrown the victim over a 22nd floor balcony? Everyone, according to the police, using a video of the event, was accounted for and the case is closed. Burnside decides to continuing the investigation not believing everything was all so 'cut and dried'. The perpetrator is eventually found but who is it and why?
January 31, 2021
Post Pattern sticks to the PI genre formula, especially close to 1st person narration style of Chandler and Parker. However, the prose is nowhere near as skilled as Chandler! And the humor is not nearly as charming as Parker. As a first entry in a series, I'm willing to give a lot of leeway. Generally I liked it and would give it a "C+" grade. The motives and the method of the murder Burnside is investigating turn out to be fairly stupid. The way he solves it is unbelievably convenient. I hope the mystery part of this series improves as the series progresses. Still I would try another with the hope that the series will find it's own voice and charm as it goes along. If all you're looking for is a wise-cracking detective who is tough, but also sensitive, this isn't a bad way to spend your time.
March 7, 2019
The story got off to a slow start with a lot of characters that made it difficult to keep them all straight. The football connections seemed overplayed and there seemed to be a lot missing from the background. For example, he supplies his detective friend with game tickets, but no mention of where he gets these tickets. The mystery moved along at a steady pace, even if a tad predictable. Still, it was an entertaining story all in all. Editing is clean. I was hoping since this was the first in the series it would bring in some more character development and not simply assume you knew who the players were, but that wasn't the case. When all is said and done, it's just okay.
January 24, 2020
No Philip Marlowe, but gets the job done!
In this book David Chill has put together a solid, matter of fact, easy to read detective story that keeps the reader turning the pages until the end. Interestingly he does this using a pared-down literary style reminiscent of Raymond Chandler's hard-boiled crime stories - without all of
the Philip Marlowe wisecracks and tough guy routines. In the end, the bad guys get what they deserve and the good guys get theirs; and everyone lives happily ever !!
Though I probably wouldn't read this book twice, I'd certainly read another story witten by this author if the price was right.
In this book David Chill has put together a solid, matter of fact, easy to read detective story that keeps the reader turning the pages until the end. Interestingly he does this using a pared-down literary style reminiscent of Raymond Chandler's hard-boiled crime stories - without all of
the Philip Marlowe wisecracks and tough guy routines. In the end, the bad guys get what they deserve and the good guys get theirs; and everyone lives happily ever !!
Though I probably wouldn't read this book twice, I'd certainly read another story witten by this author if the price was right.
April 19, 2021
I really
Enjoyed reading this book. At first it was a little so. I was thinking maybe it wouldn't be worth my time, when it started to pick up and steadily grew on me. There are quite a few suspects. And like Burnside you're wading through the evidence, wondering who to believe. The answer to that question will be a shocker. I was still trying to figure out which one of the few I suspected was the killer, when Burnside pulled the name out of his hat (so to speak). There's lots of action. Lots of questions. Lots of suspects and lots of fun!! I highly recommend this book. I'm on to read the next.
Enjoyed reading this book. At first it was a little so. I was thinking maybe it wouldn't be worth my time, when it started to pick up and steadily grew on me. There are quite a few suspects. And like Burnside you're wading through the evidence, wondering who to believe. The answer to that question will be a shocker. I was still trying to figure out which one of the few I suspected was the killer, when Burnside pulled the name out of his hat (so to speak). There's lots of action. Lots of questions. Lots of suspects and lots of fun!! I highly recommend this book. I'm on to read the next.
October 6, 2022
It's a private investigator mystery, felt very much like Rowling's Strike series. Like Strike novel, there were too many characters, so much so that you forget when they make appearance again. Norman Freeman hires the protagonist Burnside to find the person who has intentions to hurt his younger brother Robbie. Both are footballers. However, when Robbie jumps off a balcony, Norman takes him off the case but his father rehires him as there's some foul play. Burnside then interviews one suspect after another, which makes the story a bit confusing thereon because of a laundry list of characters. The revelation is also not so great. Some might guess the culprit. Will try next book soon.
September 3, 2017
‘Post Pattern� is a fun read that transports you to the heat laden streets of LA. The main character, Burnside, is interesting and likable. The story keeps up a good pace without a ton of action and without ever feeling slow. The writing is great, the author brings out each character’s backstory naturally and his vivid detail in descriptions really makes you feel as if you were right there in the middle of the investigation. I never would have guessed who the killer ultimately was which is always a nice bonus. Can’t wait to move on in the series!
June 1, 2021
When I was first reading this I wanted to give it a 3
but either the story grew on me or the writing improved to a 3.5. Burnside was once a college football player, then a cop and now a PI. The story does a good job describing these jobs oh yeah. I was going to give this a 3 because it started out like Sam Spade or Philip Marlow but not in a good way.
but either the story grew on me or the writing improved to a 3.5. Burnside was once a college football player, then a cop and now a PI. The story does a good job describing these jobs oh yeah. I was going to give this a 3 because it started out like Sam Spade or Philip Marlow but not in a good way.
November 25, 2022
Fun to read
Very fun and enjoyable story, with a good mix of suspense and humor. Burnside reminds me a little of Jim Rockford from the old TV show. I liked Burnside’s style, and his relationships with police and college football colleagues. The story is well paced and keeps you interested.
I will definitely read more entries in this series.
Very fun and enjoyable story, with a good mix of suspense and humor. Burnside reminds me a little of Jim Rockford from the old TV show. I liked Burnside’s style, and his relationships with police and college football colleagues. The story is well paced and keeps you interested.
I will definitely read more entries in this series.
July 16, 2023
Enjoyable whodunit!
A quick and relaxed story with believable characters, although some of their stories are a bit stereotyped.
Some sections in the middle of the book are too drawn out - almost as if a word target needed reaching!!
A shorter book would have been more pleasing.
Enjoyable beach read none the less.
A quick and relaxed story with believable characters, although some of their stories are a bit stereotyped.
Some sections in the middle of the book are too drawn out - almost as if a word target needed reaching!!
A shorter book would have been more pleasing.
Enjoyable beach read none the less.
January 23, 2024
Is he sarcastic or sardonic ? Burnside definitely rubs people up the wrong way but at least somebody likes him. He does get the job done however and the way he does it makes a good story, grinding away at the facts and not being influenced by the characters' money or position he finds the culprit and brings them in relentlessly. Well plotted story and believable characters make it worth reading.
February 3, 2024
Good old fashioned private detective whodunit with style
Great smartarse hero, realistic characters and snappy dialogue. No clunky missteps and a top story. Well worth the read and will be getting the rest of this series. I would have given 5 stars but I keep that for the next Poe.
Great smartarse hero, realistic characters and snappy dialogue. No clunky missteps and a top story. Well worth the read and will be getting the rest of this series. I would have given 5 stars but I keep that for the next Poe.
December 21, 2017
Not the books fault
Or the author. But I am angry I cannot get the darn book off my screen. Updated Kindle for iPad seems to think that if I’ve read a book I want to see it forever on my screen. I don’t. I want to move on to the next book
Or the author. But I am angry I cannot get the darn book off my screen. Updated Kindle for iPad seems to think that if I’ve read a book I want to see it forever on my screen. I don’t. I want to move on to the next book
January 22, 2024
interesting with some humor and wit
An enjoyable read and whodunnit. Some good football and baseball analogies and humorous dialogue. The lead character was often sarcastic, but also showed empathy and heart. I really enjoyed this book.
An enjoyable read and whodunnit. Some good football and baseball analogies and humorous dialogue. The lead character was often sarcastic, but also showed empathy and heart. I really enjoyed this book.
January 28, 2024
Good book. Enjoyed it and th e chacters
Did not drag on and stayed on point. Great detective work gave details of all the characters. Had a little bit of everything in this novel. Can't wait to read next book
Did not drag on and stayed on point. Great detective work gave details of all the characters. Had a little bit of everything in this novel. Can't wait to read next book
January 31, 2024
post Pattern
Open the book this morning and finished reading same day. Fast paced, great story line. Plenty of action, surprise ending. Glad I could read for two hours waiting to pick up grandchild or I would have read until well after midnight. Great job writing David Chill
Open the book this morning and finished reading same day. Fast paced, great story line. Plenty of action, surprise ending. Glad I could read for two hours waiting to pick up grandchild or I would have read until well after midnight. Great job writing David Chill
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