Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Oceano Beach Bedlam (Thad Hanlon/Bri de la Guerra Mystery, #2) by Topper Jones

 

Oceano Beach Bedlam

A Thad Hanlon/Bri de la Guerra Mystery

by

Topper Jones

About Oceano Beach Bedlam

 

Oceano Beach Bedlam (A Thad Hanlon/Bri de la Guerra Mystery)

Mystery/Detective Fiction
2nd in Series
Setting - Five Cities area of

the California Central Coast near Pismo Beach.
Publisher: Wild Rose Press (March 17, 2025)
Paperback: 398 pages
ISBN-10: 1509260218 / ISBN-13: 978-1509260218
Digital ASIN: B0DSG8YN11

Hanlon & de la Guerra have gone full service. In this second book in the surfing crime-fighter mystery series, Thad Hanlon and his martial-arts-obsessed partner, Bri de la Guerra, hang out their shingle as newly licensed private investigators. Now in addition to fraud-busting, the two detectives do it all. Background checks. Surveillance. Even finding lost souls. Just about anything that requires sleuthing or going undercover.

All they need is a client.

That’s when a former exotic dancer from Bakersfield CA shows up looking for her surf prodigy son who’s gone missing in the wake of cult violence terrorizing the California Central Coast.

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Enjoy an Excerpt

Inside the beach groomer hopper, atop the wire mesh conveyor belt used to sift sand and trap debris, were more body parts, bloated and reeking of decomposition. Looked to be the body of an older teen. The tattoo on the youth’s neck gave me pause.

“You recognize him, don’t you?” Bri, my detecting agency partner, asked.

I did.

I had seen the young man a day ago outside Surf’s Up Donuts, the local hangout for post-surf session nutrition. He was in handcuffs with a couple of his BVL 13 homies. Pismo Beach PD had rousted the Bakersfield Varrio Locos 13 gang members in a weapons search and had not come up empty. NeckTat didn’t look happy then. Someone had made sure he would not look happy ever again.

The crowd of gawkers surrounding the tractor retreated somewhat—inches instead of feet—as State Park Ranger Cody Bolton pulled up in his patrol vehicle. He left his SUV siren screaming, hopped out of the 4x4, and handed me a roll of yellow police tape.

“Hanlon,” he said, “help me secure the crime scene.” From the cargo hold of his sport utility, he took a stack of orange traffic cones and ringed the tractor and the sand equipment. I stretched the barricade tape around the cones to form an oblong perimeter.

My surf buddy, Ranger Cody, took the DO NOT CROSS tape from me and tossed it into the back of his SUV. “Now we wait for Five Cities Forensics.” He killed the siren but left his patrol lights flashing.

The forensic team did their thing. The investigators took a lot of photos of the victim’s body, especially the ear-to-ear cut to the gang member’s neck, just above his BVL 13 tattoo.

As the techs put away their gear, Ranger Cody instructed me to head over to the Five Cities Sheriff’s South Station off Cabrillo Highway in Oceano to give a formal statement.

Detective Naiya Ygnacio was waiting for me at the Station House entrance. She ushered me into the interview room, directed me to sit, and queued the audio by verbally confirming the date, time, location, and persons present. “Hanlon,” she continued, “for the record, state your full name and profession.”

“Come on, Naiya. Is this necessary?”

The detective shoved the digital recorder across the interrogation room table. A red LED glowed. “Talk,” she said.

“Thaddeus Jude Hanlon, Private Investigator. My clients refer to me as the patron saint of lost causes.”

“Cut the crap, Hanlon. You don’t have any clients. And for the record, no one in Five Cities thinks you’re funny.”

“Zael thinks I’m funny.”

“Three-year-olds don’t count.”

I wasn’t feeling the respect fellow crime fighters warrant. But then, again, Naiya was being bleakly honest. I really didn’t have any clients. And nothing in the development pipeline.

About Topper Jones

  

I’m Topper Jones and I pen the Hanlon & de la Guerra Mystery Series, featuring surfing crime-fighter Thaddeus Hanlon and his martial-arts-obsessed partner, Bri de la Guerra. The first book, All That Glisters, came out September 2023, and the second, Oceano Beach Bedlam, hit shelves on St. Patrick’s Day—March 17, 2025. Book three is near completion.

Before diving into full-time writing, I worked in public accounting and consulting, and as a university professor teaching financial reporting, software development, and business communication. I’m a member of International Thriller Writers, an affiliate member of the Mystery Writers of America, and serve on the board of the Write On—St. George chapter of the League of Utah writers.

To be close to family, I make my home in the southwestern desert rather than my native California, but when the surf’s up, I’ll head to the Pacific to get in a little “water therapy” and catch a few waves.

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Guest Post

Please welcome Topper Jones, the author of our featured book, to the blog today!

Sometimes You Need a Force Majeure

by Topper Jones

I have an “idea catcher.” I bet you have one too. Mine is a little notebook on the nightstand where I jot down all the little inspirations I get while I sleep, dream, or ponder. It’s chock-full of ideas for the next murder mystery. The howdunnits. The whodunnits. The whydunnits.

But getting from a brilliant idea to a fully developed manuscript sometimes takes more than a notebook. Sometimes it requires a mentor. A force majeure.

This is the story of the man who inspired me to write OCEANO BEACH BEDLAM.

The year is 2019, Spring. I’m taking a class entitled “So You Want to Write a Novel” through the Institute for Continued Learning at Utah Tech University (then Dixie State). Dr. Warren Stucki, a local novelist and author of the Dr. Cooper Mystery series and six standalone books, is teaching the class. He challenges us to write a novel and gives us an assignment:

Write a one-page summary of your novel’s setting. Then write a one- or two-page setting scene. And, in just one sentence, write your theme.

At that point in my writing journey, I had just finished the complete rewrite of my first murder mystery, ALL THAT GLISTERS. In the final chapter, amateur sleuth Thad Hanlon is exploring options for rebuilding his life after suffering major personal loss. He tells his sleuthing partner, Bri de la Guerra, “This is going to sound totally wackadoodle but I was considering getting a PI license. I thought, maybe, I’d hang out a shingle as a Private Investigator.” Given how the first book ends, I asked myself if a sequel made sense.

So for Dr. Stucki’s assignment, I outline OCEANO BEACH BEDLAM and sketch out the scene where Thad Hanlon lands his first client. Months later, on the way to the final draft of the sequel, the original plot takes a few detours. But that first scene from Dr. Stucki’s writing assignment? The scene where Thad brings in his first case as a newly licensed PI? That survived almost completely intact as Chapter 3. Also intact? A brand new character—Mrs. Dudamel—the client in search of her missing son.

What was my takeaway from Warren Stucki’s class?

Take the dare. It might lead to a series—in this case, the Thad Hanlon & Bri de la Guerra Mysteries.

Postscript: About a month ago, when I shared this story at the official book launch for OCEANO BEACH BEDLAM, Dr. Stucki was in the audience. He raised his hand and stood to make an observation.

 “And what you don’t know,” he told the group assembled at The Book Bungalow, “is that Topper is the only one who ever did the assignments in my class.”

Lots of laughter.

Gotta love that Dr. Stucki and his sense of humor. My mentor, my force majeure.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: The Dead Detective Casefiles by Tj O'Connor

THE DEAD DETECTIVE CASEFILES

by Tj O’Connor

October 28 - December 13, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

 

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DYING TO KNOW

 

Detective Oliver Tucker’s dead—murdered—and back as an earth-bound spirit to help his wife, Professor Angela Tucker, crack the most important case of his life—his own. But, this is not a ghost story; it’s a murder case.

Tuck knows why he is back among the living but not one of them—Detective Solve Thyself. Perhaps he was murdered because of his last case—a murder involving a retired mob boss, a local millionaire land developer, a New York hit man, and the local university elite. Or could it be that Bear Braddock, his best friend and partner for more than fifteen years, wants Angela? Tuck knows that everything surrounds Kelly’s Dig where the discovery of Civil War graves may put an end to a multi-million dollar highway project. If it does, who stands to gain the most? Enough to kill?

Using his unique skills, Tuck weaves through half-truths and generations-old lies chasing a madman. And he’s not alone—others, dead and alive—are hunting the same killer. Still nothing can change the truth—it is the living, not the dead, who are most terrifying.

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DYING FOR THE PAST

 

Still an earth-bound spirit-detective, Tuck is on the case of the murder of a mysterious philanthropist with ties to the Russian mob and 1930's gangsters. With the help of his wife, Professor Angela Tucker, and his former partner, Detective Bear Braddock, they must find the killer and be the first to read “the book”—an old gangster’s journal of the roots of espionage, racketeering, and corruption leading to the identity of modern-day powerbrokers and spies. Tuck finds a colorful cast of allies in a tough Assistant U.S. Attorney General, a secretive FBI agent, and the spirits of a long-dead 1930’s gangster and his sassy girlfriend.

As Tuck searches to learn the secrets of “the book,” he begins to unravel his own ancestry of mobsters, adventurers, and wayward spirits. Is being a ghost hereditary?

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DYING TO TELL

 

Detective Oliver Tucker never knew how perilous dying was until he stumbled onto William Mendelson—murdered in a hidden vault where Egyptian relics and World War II secrets were once stashed. Now those relics are missing. The secrets are coming out. The dead are talking.

Tuck, the detective for the dead—the Dead Detective—is pulled into the case by the spirit of a World War II Office of Strategic Services operative with his own agenda. OSS Captain Ollie Tucker I—Tuck’s namesake—knows the past is catching up to the survivors of an Egyptian spy ring from more than seventy years ago. With the help of his beautiful and brilliant wife, Angel, and his gruff former partner, Detective Bear Braddock, Tuck must unravel a tale of spies, murderers, and thieves.

As Tuck’s case unfolds, he confronts the growing distance between his death and Angel’s life—and the solution is a killer of its own.

Praise for The Dead Detective Casefiles:

"O’Connor’s The Dead Detective Casefiles series is a must read for those who like mysteries with a dash of history, a hard-boiled twist, and a pinch of paranormal."
~ Heather Weidner, Author of the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries

"Tj O’Connor is a master storyteller who can have you gasping in suspense one moment and snorting coffee through your nose the next. In the Dead Detective Casefiles, he seamlessly merges mystery, humor, and paranormal so authentically that the reader never gives a second thought to the concept of the main character, Detective Oliver Tucker, actually being dead. "
~ Annette Dashofy, USA Today Bestselling author of the Zoe Chambers Mystery Series

Book Details:

Genre: PI Cozy Mystery
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: September 2024
Series: The Dead Detective Casefiles

Read an excerpt from DYING TO KNOW:

One

Dying is overrated. Murder, on the other hand, is not.

Trust me, after fifteen years as a detective, I know a lot about both. Like death and murder are always complicated, but not always related. You can have death without murder, but not the other way around. That’s what I used to think anyway. I changed my mind after an episode of my recurring nightmare. I’d been having it for years and it always turned out the same. While chasing a bad guy in the dark, he turned and shot me. I was about to die when something always pulled me from the nightmare.

This time, it was Hercule’s hot breath.

My four-year-old black Lab was standing beside my bed alternating between low growls and a tongue-lashing. Both demanded my attention. When my eyes first opened, he lapped at my face and nudged me with his big, wet nose. I forced my eyes open wider and at the same time realized that Angel was not snuggled beside me in bed. She was standing across the room and listening at our bedroom door.

“Angel, did you hear something again?” She always heard things late at night and always felt compelled to share them with me. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Tuck. Herc can hear it, too. Wake up, will you? What kind of detective are you?”

“The asleep-kind.”

“Just get up. Please?”

Hercule froze, nose down, staring at me as we both heard creaking floorboards in the downstairs hall. I rolled sideways and sat on the side of the bed. Hercule crept away and crouched near the door. For the third time, something interrupted Angel’s sleep. The first two times were just our old house’s creaks and groans, and both failed to wake Hercule out of a stone-cold sleep. Now, after summoning me, he was poised for homeland defense.

I got to my feet and gathered my clothes littered in a strategic path across the room. I nearly toppled over slipping on my jeans and a black tee shirt and did manage to trip over my running shoes.

Angel motioned for Herc to return to the bed. To me she whispered, “Hurry up.”

“Look, if I’m going to get killed tonight, I don’t want to be naked.” I grabbed my 40-caliber Glock from the nightstand and checked the chamber. Then, I retrieved a .38 revolver from our walk-in closet and handed it to Angel. “Just in case.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

“Keep Herc close, babe. If it’s your imagination, stay awake and lose those pjs. If it’s trouble, give me fifteen minutes—then lose them.”

Even in the dark, I could see her eyes roll. “Just be careful.”

At the door, I listened but heard nothing. I winked at Angel and Hercule on the bed and whispered, “I love you—you too, Angel.”

Hercule wagged his tail.

In the hallway, I waited for my eyes to adjust a little more to the darkness. I shifted them to use my peripheral vision, looking for any telltale movement. Still nothing. From the top of the stairs, I could just make out the foyer below and did not see or hear anything. There were no wispy shadows, no running feet, and no creaking floorboards. Yawning, I eased down the stairs with my Glock out in front of me. At the bottom landing, I stopped.

Darkness and the grandfather clock greeted me—it chimed two.

The downstairs was quiet and I checked the front door. It was still locked and there were no signs of splintered wood, broken glass, or other forced entry. The only sound I heard was my own breathing. The only curious sighting was the half-dressed, frumpy guy in the hall mirror who looked tired and irritated.

Maybe Angel would be losing those pjs sooner rather than later.

I started with the kitchen and worked my way around the first floor, searching room by room—all five of them—ending in my den. Nothing. The most dangerous thing I found was Hercule’s squeaky frog that scared the crap out of me when I stepped on it. I felt foolish and decided to head back to bed.

It hit me when I reached to turn off my desk lamp.

The light shouldn’t have been on. I looked around. My briefcase wasn’t in its ritual place on my credenza. It was on my chair and the contents strewn over my desk. Everything was dumped out—my gold detective’s badge and I.D., several files, a notepad, tape recorder, and my .380 backup piece.

No, the Walther wasn’t there—the holster was empty.

“Angel …” I bolted to the stairs and looked up.

Floorboards groaned above me. A door opened in the darkness beyond the landing. Movement—a shadow.

Somewhere above, Angel called, “Tuck.”

There was a flash at the top of the stairs … a shot.

I lunged for the third stair. A figure stepped out of the darkness twelve feet above me.

Another flash.

“Angel!”

***

Excerpt from DYING TO KNOW by Tj O’Connor. Copyright 2014/2024 by Tj O’Connor. Reproduced with permission from Tj O’Connor. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Tj O’Connor is an award-winning author of mysteries and thrillers. He’s an international security consultant specializing in anti-terrorism, investigations, and threat analysis—life experiences that drive his novels. With his former life as a government agent and years as a consultant, he has lived and worked around the world in places like Greece, Turkey, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and throughout the Americas—among others. In his spare time, he’s a Harley Davidson pilot, a man-about-dogs (and now cats), and a lover of adventure, cooking, and good spirits (both kinds). He was raised in New York’s Hudson Valley and lives with his wife, Labs, and Maine Coon companions in Virginia where they raised five children who supply a growing tribe of grands.

Catch Up With Tj O’Connor:
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Review:

Its ghostly premise and historical mysteries make this three-book series a must-read! 

The Dead Detective Casefiles is a three-book series of mysteries by author Tj O’Connor that features former Police Detective Oliver “Tuck” Tucker. However, there’s a BIG twist. Tuck is killed off at the start of DYING TO KNOW, Book One of the series, and he returns as a ghost to solve his own murder and later crimes by communicating with his widow, Professor Angela Tucker, and his former partner, Bear Braddock. Thankfully, his dog is on board with Tuck’s change of substance from the start. 

Tuck was a good investigator when alive and an engaging character with a sense of humor, although he, at times, can be a bit obstinate. He loves Angela and still views her as his wife throughout the series, which, sadly, becomes a rub. Angela loves Tuck, but as time passes, it becomes apparent she needs to pursue a second chance at a fully satisfying life, which is an emotional revelation for everyone. 

The plots of the three books all involve mysteries with ties to the past: the Civil War, a 1930s-era gangster, and WWII. While I loved the premise of the ghostly detective, it was the historical mysteries that kept me engaged and compelled to read each new addition to the series. As the stories unfold, so do the details of Tuck’s previous life and the intricacies of his afterlife. He never knew death would be so complicated. But little by little, he gets used to his new “life” and gains a handle on his new skill set. Each book contains multiple storylines related to the main mysteries, some more complex and some with connections more immediately obvious than others. However, they all twist and turn their way to a robust and surprising whole in the end. 

I recommend THE DEAD DETECTIVE CASEFILES to mystery readers, especially those who enjoy a touch of the paranormal in their stories.

 

 

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Burn This Night (Kate Myles, #2) by Alex Kenna

BURN THIS NIGHT

by Alex Kenna

November 4 - December 6, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

The Kate Myles Detective Series

 

Told in alternating timelines, this gripping mystery about a PI and her quest for answers is full of twists and turns, perfect for fans of Allison Brennan and Gytha Lodge.

Struggling private investigator Kate Myles is shattered to learn her late father isn’t her biological dad. She’s still reeling when she discovers that an unknown distant relative is the prime suspect in a decades-old murder investigation. Trying to convince her to take on the case for free, an old colleague recommends her as an investigator for a recent arson murder in the same small town.

After giving up on a failed acting career, Abby Coburn is starting over as a promising social work student. With her life on the right track, she’s determined to help her brother, Jacob, whose meth addiction triggered a psychotic break and descent into crime. But when Abby dies in a fire that kills two other people and destroys part of the town, the police immediately suspect Jacob.

As the Coburn family grapples with the tragedy, Kate begins unraveling the cold case but finds herself caught in the middle of an emotional minefield. Pretty soon, she discovers that this town is full of dark secrets, and as she comes closer and closer to figuring out the truth, Kate must solve both murders before she becomes the next victim.

Praise for Burn This Night:

"The twists keep coming in this devilish PI mystery . . . Lisa Unger fans will devour this."
~ Publishers Weekly

"Solid, heartfelt spadework into an alarming range of graves."
~ Kirkus Reviews

"A true page turner . . . Full of twists, turns, and suspects."
~ Book Review Crew

"Burn This Night is a fast-paced thriller that masterfully utilizes alternating perspectives to tell an absorbing, character-driven mystery. This is an electrifying read that had me engaged and on the edge of my seat until the very end!"
~ Elle Grawl, Amazon Charts bestselling author of One of Those Faces and What Still Burns

"An absorbing read told from multiple layered perspectives, Kenna ranges from finely observed domestic scenes to adept portrayals of grimy addicts living on the ragged edge. Burn This Night is smart and satisfying."
~ Adam Plantinga, author of The Ascent

"Burn This Night is an utterly-absorbing mystery. Alex Kenna skillfully weaves a tale of two women who both face emotional and physical danger as they fight for truth and family love. Kenna masterfully draws the reader into the dark exploration of the secrets hidden in small towns and the depths some will go to hide the truth. With fiendishly smart dialogue, a captivating setting and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Burn This Night is absolutely fantastic!"
~ Elise Hart Kipness, author of Lights Out

"A dark, lyrical crime novel, Burn This Night weaves a complex and twisty spell about addiction, family ties, and how sins of the past can't stay buried. Kate Myles is a great addition to LA's canon of troubled PIs—real, flawed, smart, and very human—and I can't wait to see what's next for her."
~ Halley Sutton, USA Today bestselling author of The Hurricane Blonde

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery/Thriller - Private Detective
Published by: Crooked Lane
Publication Date: November 12, 2024
Number of Pages: 256
ISBN: 9781639109371 (ISBN10: 1639109374)
Series: Kate Myles private detective series, 2
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Penguin Random House Books

Read an excerpt:

PROLOGUE

Eight Months Ago—Grace

My eyes shot open when I heard the yelping. Barney was going to wake the baby. I dove toward the old dog, grabbed his snout, and held it closed with both hands. “Shh,” I pleaded.

I lowered one hand and rubbed Barney’s back, trying to calm him. He let out a whine, and like clockwork, Liam started to cry. I closed my eyes, sucked in a deep breath, and braced myself for another late-night nursing session. My body felt heavy with milk and stress and exhaustion.

Carefully, I scooped up the howling baby, carried him over to the rocking chair, and lifted my T shirt to feed him. Liam quieted down and nestled against me. I sniffed his hair and stroked his cheek as we rocked back and forth. Part of me wanted to stay like this all night. But a bigger part of me longed to be under the covers, passed out in a warm oblivion.

I heard the shower turn on down the hall. Ted must be back from serving his warrant. A few months ago, he’d gotten smart with a lieutenant, who then started feeding him late-night assignments. These frequent absences were brutal now that I was back from maternity leave and needed sleep to function at work.

Barney whined again and clawed at the bedroom door. Clutching Liam, I rose to let the dog out of the room.

I looked down at the baby, who was asleep and making little catlike snores. With slow, deliberate steps, I made my way toward the crib and lowered him until his back rested against the fabric. But the change in angle caused his eyes to open and his lungs to inflate. Then came the cry—and Barney ran back to the bedroom, joining Liam in a horrible wailing duet. I reached out toward the dog and felt wet fur. Damn it—Barney must have peed in the house. Hot tears ran down my cheeks. What I wouldn’t give for one night’s sleep.

The door opened and Ted walked in with a towel around his waist. “I need help,” I snapped.

“What?” asked Ted, surprised by my tone.

My eyes were closed, and I was crying. But Ted couldn’t see that in the dark. He just sensed the anger in my voice. I knew it wasn’t his fault that the baby wouldn’t sleep, that the dog couldn’t hold it, and that his boss was a jerk. But I’d reached my limit, and Ted was the only living being in earshot who understood human language.

“Barney peed in the house. Take Liam so I can let the dog out before he does it again. Just try to get him back to sleep.” I placed the screaming, wriggling infant in Ted’s arms before either of them could protest.

Flipping on the hall light, I made my way to the kitchen. Barney scampered ahead of me, spinning in circles. I threw on Ted’s faded hoodie. It reeked of old sweat, but I was too tired to care. I hooked Barney’s leash to his collar, and bracing myself for the cold, I unlocked the back door and stepped outside.

The Santa Anas blew hard, and I shivered as cold air soaked through the hoodie’s weave. I could hear the Jeffrey pines rustle in the wind. Thrusting my hands into the central pocket, I rubbed them together for warmth.

A smoky odor hung in the air—maybe the residue of a neighbor’s barbecue dinner. But the wind should have blown away the scent by now.

Barney tugged at his leash. I let him drag me toward the street. Now that we were outside, he wouldn’t be satisfied without a walk, and it might clear my head as well.

The sky was lighter than I’d expected. Idlewood doesn’t have streetlights. It’s a conscious decision to preserve the log-cabins-in-the-woods feel of the place. Darkness adds to the storybook charm, and it can be hard to find your way on moonless nights. But the sky had an orange-gray glow that reminded me of LA smog. Maybe it was later than I thought, almost morning.

Barney tugged on his leash, half-dragging me up the road toward the intersection. He seemed agitated, and I wondered what had gotten into him. As we passed the Hernandez’s place, our footsteps activated the motion sensor, and the automatic light above their garage snapped on with an electric hum.

I noticed something floating in the air. Tiny particles, like gray snow or dryer lint. The flecks danced in the air, and Barney snapped at one as it fluttered toward his jaws. The smell of smoke was growing stronger.

Oh my god.

Clutching Barney’s leash, I ran the rest of the way to the cross street, which cut straight to the mountain. High in the pines, I saw an orange glow—luminous against the dark sky. My vision tunneled, and all I could see was the fire on the hillside. The light was near Abby’s cabin. But I couldn’t tell how near.

I grabbed my phone and scanned my recent calls, but it had been weeks since I’d spoken to my sister, and her name didn’t pop up. I pulled up my contact list and clicked on her name. After four rings, a cheerful recording prompted me to leave a message. Maybe she’s already fled. No, Abby would’ve called if she were awake. She might hate me, but she’d warn me about a wildfire.

I called back, praying that her cell wasn’t on silent. Come on Abby, answer the phone. When I heard the prerecorded message again, I started to panic. I left a voicemail: “Abby, it’s Grace. There’s a fire by your cabin—you need to leave now!”

The orange glow was getting bigger as the Santa Anas blew the flames toward Idlewood. It was how I’d always imagined an erupting volcano would look, with lava flowing down its sides. I called Abby a third time, cursing under my breath. Across the street, a door opened, and an old man stepped outside, holding a little white dog. “There’s a fire!” he shouted.

I looked at him and then back at the mountain, ringing phone pressed against my ear. Dammit, Abby, pick up! “My son works at the fire station,” said the man. “They’re about to put out an alert. We have to evacuate. The whole town could burn.”

“My sister’s cabin is on the hillside, and she’s not answering,” I shouted. “Can you call your son and tell him someone’s up there?”

I heard a chime and looked down at my phone. It was a text from the fire department, ordering us to leave Idlewood. But my feet stayed planted. My sister was on that mountain, with nothing but a narrow dirt road leading down to safety. If the fire overtook the path, she’d be trapped.

“Jeffrey, it’s Pop,” I heard the old man say. “There’s a lady here whose sister has a cabin near the fire.”

Hearing those words unleashed a fresh wave of panic. Abby’s cheerful answering machine message sounded for a fifth time in my ear. “Abby, get out of there!” I screamed into the phone.

“We have to go,” said the neighbor. “This thing could spread faster than they can contain it.”

My phone chimed and I looked down at the screen, hoping to see Abby’s name, but it was a voicemail from Ted. Before I could call him back, a text flashed across my screen: FIRE—COME HOME NOW

I looked back and forth from my screen to the mountain. My sister was up there. But my husband and son were at the house. I couldn’t wait any longer. I tugged at Barney’s leash and ran home.

***

Excerpt from Burn This Night by Alex Kenna. Copyright 2024 by Alex Kenna. Reproduced with permission from Alex Kenna. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Alex Kenna is a mystery writer, prosecutor, and amateur painter. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and giant schnauzer. Alex's first novel, WHAT MEETS THE EYE, was a 2023 Shamus Award Finalist for best first P.I. novel. Her second novel, BURN THIS NIGHT, is coming November 12, 2024.

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Review:

5 stars!

Two fascinating cases, one current and one decades in the past, in one riveting story. 

Burn This Night is the second book in author Alex Kenna’s Kate Myles detective series and features the former LAPD detective turned private investigator as she pursues two urder cases, committed decades apart, in the small tourist town of Idlewood, California. Readers new to the series should have no problem absorbing enough backstory from the current narrative to read and enjoy this latest story as a standalone. This time, Kate is helping out an old contact in the sheriff’s department working on a 20-year-old cold case of murder. 

Kate is the healing but still vulnerable main character, trying to gain control of her life after a messy divorce, which resulted in her ex-husband getting custody of their only daughter. She’s moved in with her widowed mother for a number of good reasons and inadvertently discovers the man she always knew as her father is actually no blood relation at all; her parents had used a sperm donor after years of failing to conceive. While a shock, she also feels a sense of relief because growing up, she always knew she was somehow different from the rest of her family and was treated differently than her cousins. However, her relief is quickly followed by surprise after surprise when the results of her DNA test reveal that the unknown perpetrator of a two-decades-old unsolved murder case is an, as of yet, unidentified relative. As Kate methodically investigates the more recent case that took place earlier in the year, she pursues leads to locate blood relations that may lead to the unknown killer in the cold case. She ends up meeting a kindred spirit in a local, divorced father who sparks long-suppressed romantic interests. 

The plot moves quickly as Kate works her way through the painful details of Abby Coburn’s death and her past relationship with the brother who is accused of her murder as well as that of the elderly neighbor who died in the fire that was set to cover up the crime. She develops several possible theories as she questions people in Abby’s life, resulting in a couple of good suspects who must be examined further and ruled out. Her investigation into her own origins is a great secondary storyline, and the resolutions of the murders are surprising but plausible. 

I recommend BURN THIS NIGHT to mystery readers who enjoy strong female protagonists.

*See my review of WHAT MEETS THE EYE, Kate Myles, #1) HERE!

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Burnt Ends by Laura Wetsel

 

BURNT ENDS

by Laura Wetsel

September 23 - October 18, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Murder is juicier with a side of barbecue sauce.

Private Investigator Tori Swenson gets a strange accidental death case that looks like murder at one of her uncle’s drive-ins and decides it’s time to get revenge on her estranged family. Pretending to want a reunion, she appears at her uncle’s party to secretly investigate them. When her uncle suddenly dies, Tori’s case takes a sinister turn that makes her a suspect in her uncle’s death and the killer’s next target. To uncover who dethroned the barbecue king, Tori will have to face her own fiery demons while pursuing a killer who wants to make dead meat out of her.

For fans of Knives Out and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

Praise for Burnt Ends:

"Quirky and entertaining, this book and its unforgettable characters, tight plotting, and clever twists make for a reading experience as suspenseful as it is satisfying. A toothsome treat of a book by a debut mystery writer."
~ Kirkus Reviews

"Fire up the grill! Laura Wetsel serves up a delicious debut of grills, thrills, and chills."
~ Riley Adams, author of the Memphis Barbeque Series

"Jessica Jones meets Succession with a side of coleslaw, this is the kind of book you want to sink your teeth into and not let go. Laura Wetsel bursts onto the scene with a mouthwatering mystery that will have readers begging for more."
~ Moriah Richard, Writer’s Digest

"Charred and bloody to perfection, Laura Wetsel's Burnt Ends is smoking hot!"
~ Jamie Stachowski, Meat America

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery (private investigator)
Published by: CamCat Books
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780744311211 (ISBN10: 0744311217)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | CamCat Books

Read an excerpt:

Chapter One

There it was—smoking meat, the sweet stench of my childhood. Hickory, molasses, tomato, brown sugar. Kansas City’s love letter to everyone but me.

Darnell, my best friend from our early rehab days, drove us into the parking lot of Rocky’s BBQ Smokehouse, and I gagged on the meat-thickened air. Don’t toss your waffles, Tori. The giant statue of Rocky the Pig— “Rocky the Cannibal”—smiled down at me in his chef hat and apron, holding a platter of ribs like he was trying to turn my stomach.

Darnell parked his truck with a displeased grunt. “Seriously, Tor,” he said, wiping the sweat from his bald head. “I said I’d help you move, not run a stakeout in a hundred degrees.”

“Don’t worry.” I took a gulp of Topo Chico to help settle my queasy gut. “My target should be here soon. Then you can help me move into my aunt’s place.” I twisted the zoom lens onto my digital camera and aimed it at a family tottering out of the restaurant with sauce-splattered shirts.

“Fine, then I’m running in for some brisket,” Darnell said. “At least, assuming they’ve got any with the meat drought they’ve been—”

“Hold up,” I cut him off and nodded at a green sedan rolling into the lot. “That’s her.” I pointed my lens at the driver’s door, getting ready to fire away. When a woman stepped out with crutches, I groaned.

“Guess she wasn’t lying.” Darnell shifted the car out of park. “The brisket will have to—”

“Wait.”

Darnell hit the brakes, jerking us forward. “Now what?”

“I want to see if she uses them inside. It would be hard in a buffet line.”

“You’re kidding, right?” He raised his brows at me. “If you go in there with that huge camera, there’s no way she’s ditching her crutches.”

“That wasn’t what I was thinking. I only knew to come here because my target’s sister posted this online.” I pulled out my phone to show Darnell the selfie post of Sasha Wolf with the caption, Waiting for @GinnyWolf. #RockysBBQ #SisterLove.

“Okay,” Darnell said. “Am I supposed to be seeing something here?”

I tapped on Sasha’s photo, zooming in on her sunlit head. “See that sunlight shining on her ponytail?”

“Yeah, and?”

“She’s under an atrium, which means I’d have a great shot from the roof.”

“The roof? You’re not seriously thinking of climbing Rocky’s, are you?”

“Why not?” I said, tying my blonde curls into a fist of a ponytail. “You’ve seen me scale walls and trees before. I’m a nimble little freak.”

“I meant about trespassing.” Darnell pointed to his police badge like he might arrest me.

“You know us private eyes don’t have to follow your rules.” I gave him a reassuring smile. “Just have a smoke, and I’ll be back before you’ve even put your butt out.”

“One cig, Tor,” Darnell warned, tapping a pack of Marlboro Lights on the face of his watch. “Otherwise, have fun moving by yourself.”

For a recovering addict, Darnell was a horrible liar. I knew he’d never abandon me, not for anything. Hanging my camera around my neck, I hopped out of the truck into the afternoon sun, where I already felt like I was sucking meat-flavored steam through a cocktail straw. I’d just have to deal with the nausea. I hustled toward the black and orange pavilion, noting its unclimbable plastic siding and security cameras mounted at the entrance. Maybe I’d have better luck in the back.

I circled around and found luck in the form of a supply truck parked right beside the restaurant. No driver, no cameras, no people. This was my way to the roof.

I hoisted myself onto the hood and made my way up the windshield to the top of the truck. The gap between the truck and building was only two feet, so I made the easy jump. Soon as I hit the roof though, my phone started buzzing in my pocket. This wasn’t an ideal time to take calls, so I let it ring out while I got on my hands and knees to crawl toward the atrium.

When I got to the glass, I peered down below at a buffet hall where six dozen carnivores were dressed for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend and savagely stuffing their smeared, sticky faces with brisket, thighs, and ribs. My stomach surged at this familiar scene. I’d been avoiding the barbecue world for nearly fifteen years, and now that I was looking down on it like some floating deity, I remembered why I’d stayed away. Barbecue didn’t just upset my stomach. From my head to my chest to my teeth, it made me mad everywhere. But I didn’t want to think about why. Not after what I’d done last night.

As I searched the crowd of meat-eaters, I found Ginny, my target, at a table with her sister, her crutches against the wall. I raised my camera to my eye and focused on Ginny’s face. She was teasing Sasha, lifting her brows and puckering her lips, and as she stuck out her tongue, a memory flashed in my head—I was a fourteen-year-old again in an inflatable pool of barbecue sauce with my cousin Annie. My hands shook, releasing the camera, but I jolted my neck back before the camera hit the roof.

That memory was another reminder why I avoided meat, but it made sense why the past was on my mind when Annie was the reason I was on this stakeout. She’d filed her case to investigate Ms. Wolf with my agency yesterday afternoon.

I had no idea though who this Ginny Wolf was to Annie as I placed the burning hot camera back on my face and snapped pictures of Ginny, her crutches, her gold pendant and butterfly tattoo, all material things identifying her.

When she stood up for the buffet, leaving her crutches behind, I videoed the fraudster walking free and easy without them. As I’d thought, another liar.

***

Excerpt from Burnt Ends by Laura Wetsel. Copyright 2024 by Laura Wetsel. Reproduced with permission from CamCat Books. All rights reserved.

 

 

Review:

5 stars!

Fascinating debut! 

Burnt Ends is a fascinating new mystery by debut author Laura Wetsel and introduces readers to a female gumshoe with characteristics reminiscent of a damaged and troubled old-school private eye. With its intriguing premise, complex plot, and surprising resolution, I was glued to this story from start to finish. 

Victoria “Tori” Swenson is the aforementioned protagonist: a private investigator with a drug problem and a long-simmering desire for revenge against the uncle and cousins who may have caused her father’s death and then taken his successful BBQ business for their own. Having recently gone through another stint in rehab to clean up, the story unfolds from Tori’s OxyContin-impaired viewpoint as she quickly relapsed. Driven by her rage, Tori investigates the suspicious death of a cook at one of Uncle Charlie’s restaurants, hoping to parlay her findings into destroying their business and grand lifestyles that should have been hers. She continually lies to herself and others that she will stop using as soon as the case is completed. The subterfuge, the lies, the fixation and substitution of Topo Chico for what she craves all ring true, making her actions almost painful to watch at times. I wondered throughout the book whether she would be able to hold it together long enough to achieve her goals. 

The fast-paced story involves multiple deaths, intense family drama, jealousy – personal and professional, and, of course, drug addiction. Each time Tori gets close to discovering a piece of the puzzle, a surprising plot twists alters the course of the investigation. Consequently, I didn’t guess the ending ahead of the reveal. In addition, the descriptions of the Kansas City, Missouri setting, renowned for its barbeque, were vivid and tempting. 

I recommend BURNT ENDS to traditional private eye mystery readers.

Author Bio:

Laura Wetsel holds bachelor’s degrees in Russian and English literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a master’s degree in Russian literature from Northwestern University. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her two cats, Sasha and Ginny Wolf.

While this story is fictional, Burnt Ends was inspired by Laura’s uncle, who ran a successful burger drive-in chain in Ohio, as well as her experience living in Kansas City, Missouri.

Catch Up With Laura Wetsel:
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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Death Secrets (Anna Hale, PI, #1) by January Bain

 

DEATH SECRETS

by

January Bain

Crime Thriller
Publisher: Rough Edges Press
Publication Date: July 30, 2024
Page count: 302 pages

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SYNOPSIS:

A gripping thriller that explores the lengths one will go to for family, and the resilience needed to stand against the darkness. 

In the shadow of Alaska's towering peaks, Anna Hale is haunted by a past painted in flames and betrayal. Marked by the tragic death of her mother and the scars of a childhood marred by violence, Anna has fought tirelessly to build a semblance of normalcy, only to have it shattered again and again. The latest blow comes when her sister, Tia Pace, vanishes without a trace, reigniting old wounds and casting Anna into a nightmare where she's the prime suspect. 

As she grapples with her stepfather's execution and the weight of suspicion, another crisis looms: Zoe Pace, her other sister, has disappeared in an eerily similar manner. The only clue a sinister black rose and a chilling letter. When her brother Josh, now a dedicated cop in the Anchor Police Department, begs for her assistance, Anna is pulled back into the fray. Despite the agony of reopening old wounds, she embarks on a desperate quest to unravel the mystery of her sisters' disappearances. 

Faced with the unforgiving Alaskan frontier, Anna must confront a tangled web of corruption and deceit, with a copycat killer moving in the shadows. With every tick of the clock, Anna's hope for a normal life slips further away, but her resolve to find her sisters and bring them home burns fiercer than ever. Will Anna's journey through the cold, dark paths of Alaska lead her to her sisters, or will she find herself lost in the depths of a conspiracy that threatens to consume everything she holds dear? 

Dive into this chilling tale of loss, courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice against the backdrop of Alaska's unforgiving wilderness. Order your copy now.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

“Mom, are you okay?” She rushed to her side.
 
She looked so tiny, so worn out, though she’d had her when she was only sixteen. She tried to speak and failed, her mother’s eyes pleading with her. A stream of blood dripped down the side of her face making Anna’s stomach roil with worry.
 
“Take my hand. We’ll go next door. Get help.” She crouched, put her arms around her, and tried to get her to sit up. Before she could manage it, her stepfather was on her, slamming her hard and knocking her off her feet.
 
“You got something coming as well, you little bitch.”
 
A ringing in her ears drowned out any further words, but the blows to her body and face echoed deep inside. She tried to roll over onto her mother, arms flailing to protect her, and she partially succeeded just before the world went dark.
 
The stench of something burning woke her. It took a few seconds for the haze in her mind to clear, to realize how dim the light in the kitchen was. She began coughing uncontrollably, her lungs trying in vain to force the heavy smoke out. Her heart raced with the effort, eyes streaming tears. Her mother was so still, curled up on her side, her body half over hers.
 
“Mom, wake up, we gotta get out of here!” She crawled onto her knees and shook her shoulder, but she didn’t move, didn’t respond at all.
 
The sounds of sirens in the distance. Help was on the way. But she had to do something. Now. She touched her throat, felt a faint pulse under her fingertips.
 
“It’s going to be okay. I’m going to get you out of here.” She tried to pick her up, but her arms flailed like a rag doll. She was heavier than she thought.
 
She’d have to pull her mother along the floor. At least the smoke was less dense near the ground. Sweat dripped in her eyes, stinging. She ignored the pain and began tugging her mom toward the back door. It was only a few feet. If she could just get her outside, into the fresh air, she would come around.
 
But she never did.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

January Bain is an award-winning author who firmly believes that stories unite us, that good stories help us to discover the commonality of the human experience by supporting values, empathy and understanding. She writes with her heart, mind, and soul, hoping that her novels will touch your life, giving you moments of freedom as you fly with her to other worlds.
 
Bain has had the pleasure of select novels being turned into games, and her work is also available in different languages.
 
January and her husband live in rural Canada on peaceful acreage where a variety of wildlife comes to visit regularly and expect to be fed and paid attention to.

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Book Review: Lost Sisters (Ryder Nguyen Mystery, #1) by David Marshall Hunt

Lost Sisters by David Marshall Hunt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lost Sisters has an intriguing plot with an engaging main character, but a confusing timeline prevents it from really shining.

Ryder Nguyen, the adopted daughter of Gulf shore shrimpers, had been mesmerized by the exploits of John D. MacDonald’s famed Florida sleuth, Travis McGee, her entire adolescence. Her obsession ultimately led to a college major in criminal justice while continuing to crew on her family’s shrimp boats during her off time. Finding her soulmate in fellow Travis McGee fan and adjunct professor USAF Captain Slater Jackson, they fell in love and together formed their own private investigations firm, Slater & Ryder. 

A major cold case comes their way through one of Slater’s fellow pilots, Captain Tracy Billings, the great-granddaughter of one of the wealthiest men in Florida. Eight years earlier, her younger sister, Augusta, had gone missing from their massive and well-protected Florida estate, but the case had quickly gone cold when nary a trace of the ten-year-old was ever uncovered. 

Ryder, too, has unanswered questions about her own past. Abandoned on the steps of a community medical facility in Thailand, the only clue to her identity was a locket with a picture of a young girl and an infant inside. As tragedy strikes closer to home, Ryder can only forge ahead with the Billings cold case and try to seek out any information she can about her unknown origins.

Lost Sisters is the first book in author David Marshall Hunt's new mystery series featuring fledgling private investigator Ryder Nguyen, the half-American and half (presumably) Vietnamese adopted daughter of a Gulf Coast shrimping family. With its intriguing premise of reopening a cold-case kidnapping of a Florida millionaire's great-granddaughter paired with Ryder's look into her own murky origins, the book has great promise as a thrilling debut for the series. However, a confusing timeline, repetitive exposition, and a tendency to toss in people, items, and events before some necessary preamble hampers its success. Still, I enjoyed the story and was satisfied with what I read, even though I had to work for it.

Besides the premise, I found Ryder's narrative engaging; I was interested in her as a character and hoped for her success. Her hazy origins were intriguing, and her ultimate push to find the woman she thought might be an older sister compelled me to keep turning pages. I absolutely enjoyed reading about the Nguyen family's backstory and shrimping business. I could easily read an entire book devoted to just their lives, livelihood, and their experiences dealing with lessening their environmental footprint and putting up with ill-informed critics. I liked the story of Ryder's tugboat home/office; however, there are continuity issues with her possession of it. Initially, the owner tells her there'll be no rent and discusses and agrees to a name change for the ship to Ryder's Quest. Yet later, she complains that her landlord is increasing the rent and refers to her home as "Tugboat." Similarly, there are some inconsistencies with when she actually meets Tracy.

The references to John D. MacDonald and his famous "salvage consultant," Travis McGee, were fun, and I liked how the author used the influence her love of the series had on Ryder's future, such as her career choice, ethical considerations, and surprising connection it will create with her future husband. Slater is in the novel for only a brief period, and while I like the idea of Ryder having this ill-fated romance and its long-term ramifications, their relationship builds, taking up quite a bit of time early on, but too quickly becomes an afterthought. Yes, there is an obvious reason Slater is no longer in the story; however, it's almost as if he was never there, except for a certain complication.

I think the story would benefit from a little cleanup and reworking of the timelines, but I will be following this author so I can purchase the next book in the series. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Ryder or what looks like might become her motley collection of employees and contacts. I recommend LOST SISTERS to mystery readers looking for a fresh and unique new private eye series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

View all my reviews

Review Tour & Giveaway: Private License (Sam Quinton Mystery, #5) by Kevin R. Doyle

PRIVATE LICENSE

A Sam Quinton Mystery

by

Kevin R. Doyle

Mystery

Publisher: Camel Press

Publication Date: August 14, 2024
Page count: 266 pages

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SYNOPSIS:

All Lorie Jones wants is a little help with her divorce. Some extra information, a bit of ammunition to take into court against her no-good husband. And when she hires the biggest and best investigation firm Kansas City has to offer, that’s exactly what she gets. But after their operative wraps up Lori’s case, he decides he doesn’t want to move on, and Lori soon realizes that she’s got an even bigger problem than she had before, one that threatens her privacy, and maybe even her life.

 

It’s up to Sam Quinton, one-man detective agency, to take on the largest firm in the business, and as Sam digs into the background of Lori’s harasser, he soon finds something bigger, and much more dangerous, than one overzealous guy who just can’t let go.

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ENJOY AN EXCERPT:

Thornton, his time sitting down no doubt adding to his confidence, snorted. “Lots of broads work up there, dude. How am I supposed to know . . . ”

 

I didn’t let him get any farther before I reached out and smacked him open-handed upside the head. I managed to do it in such a way only someone looking close could tell what had happened, meaning it was more a tap than anything. Even so, he reeled back on the bench, about half of his taco staining his blue shirt.

 

“Adam,” I said, keeping my voice low, “don’t give me any shit, okay? I don’t care how many women, not broads, work in your office. I’m only interested in one, and from what I hear you’re kind of interested in her yourself. Explain why I hear wrong.”

 “Okay,” he said. “Now I get it. I heard something about what she’s been going through. You think I’m the one that’s been hassling her?”

 

“Are you?” I asked.

 

Actually, I’d already pretty much decided Adam Boy was a dead end. He was the kind of guy who back in the seventies would have been called a lounge lizard: tough and manly on the outside, a child on the inside.

 

I’d known far too many dudes like him over the years. The muscles, clothes, and general air of confidence were only a blind for a truth he didn’t want to face about himself. Not that such guys couldn’t be dangerous as hell, especially to someone weaker than themselves.

REVIEW:

5 stars!

Sam’s back and on the track of an unknown stalker! 

Private License is the fifth novel in author Kevin R. Doyle’s excellent private eye series* featuring former pro-wrestler turned investigator Sam Quinton. As a favor for a friend, Sam looks into accusations of stalking, harassment, and manipulation by a high-placed Kansas City private investigator. Without a shred of evidence to back up her allegations, Sam’s not 100% certain his new client is even telling him the truth. However, after only a day in Kansas City, he finds himself up against the biggest, most successful private investigations firm in the city, as well as a couple of local cops. As Sam asks questions, all he gets are more questions, and suddenly, everyone around him becomes targets themselves. 

Sam Quinton is back and working on an unusual case, one he’s not initially convinced even happened. He’s pitted against a former cop who’s now the second in command at a prestigious Kansas City PI firm. The different methods of intimidation used were eye-opening in how realistic and devastating they were and how the evidence that anything happened could so easily disappear: clever and frightening. The story unfolds from Sam’s perspective, and the narrative is in his witty and, at times, sarcastic voice. He is a more physical detective than most and gets a lot accomplished by just being his intimidating self, but he’s no slouch figuring things out and putting clues together to come to the correct resolution. I enjoyed him seeking out Jack Phillips, the old friend of his long-gone mentor, Duke Prowder, and how he drew on other connections as the story went on. Sam’s a lone operator but uses the resources available when necessary. 

The story is well-paced and action-filled, with twists and turns in the plot to keep things humming. Sam’s investigation is logical, yielding clues to the next steps he needs to take. The plot is more of a how or why-done-it rather than who, and gathering concrete evidence that his client was being victimized was job one. Set in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, readers get to see a little bit of the town and surroundings, as well as a glimpse of the state’s capital, Jefferson City. 

With its great main character and intriguing plot, I recommend PRIVATE LICENSE to mystery readers who enjoy PI sleuths and midwestern settings.

* See my review of Clean Win, Sam Quinton Mystery, #4, HERE!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A retired high-school teacher and former college instructor, Kevin R. Doyle is the author of four novels in the Sam Quinton mystery series, all published by Camel Press. He’s also written four crime thrillers, including And the Devil Walks Away and The Anchor, and one horror novel, The Litter, along with numerous short horror stories published in small magazines over the years. The first Quinton book, Squatter’s Rights, was nominated for the 2021 Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel, and the fifth in the series, Private License, will be out in August of 2024.

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