Mystery Books

Featured Book: The Bullhead Murders by Michael Allan Scott

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Four unsolved murders in six months, a record for the riverside community of Bullhead City. Police call in a shy p.i. Jena both charms and baffles the lieutenant. Her methods of discovery, unique. But it’s far from over and she’s hard to forget. In the end, there’s a dark surprise.
The Bullhead Murders is the first Jena Halpern novel in an intriguing new Thriller series, a fresh read for fans of L.T. Ryan’s Cassie Quinn Mysteries, along with L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain, Jeffery Deaver, Lisa Gardner, Gregg Olsen, and Angela Marsons.
Eyes in the sky, she sees. Head in the clouds, she searches. Feet on the ground, she answers the call—Jena Halpern, the reluctant police consultant.

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The Death of Knowledge by Lou Collins

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Danger. Deceit. Irresistibly Deadly! Knowledge you’d kill for…

Born into servitude, Quill relies on the Master for everything. But when they uncover a body, she’s sent away from the only home she’s ever known. Forced to serve the corpse’s widow, she discovers a world of power and prejudice, secrets and lies, a world she doesn’t recognise.

Meanwhile, in the City Guard, Deputy Red set out to be a trailblazer, a rebel. At least that’s the story he told himself. Imagining a career of action and intrigue, what he didn’t bank on was zero crooks and the boss from hell. Excited by the prospect of a case, Red must choose between following orders or trusting his instincts.

When the finger of suspicion points perilously close to home, Quill and Red’s paths cross with disastrous consequences. And as the quest for justice reaches its climax, both have to make choices that change their lives forever.

Perfect for armchair sleuths, The Death of Knowledge offers an exciting twist on a traditional murder mystery, keeping you guessing until the very last word.

If like me you are a keen sofa sleuth then this is a must read. From the very start I felt transported to Scolaris and felt determined to solve the mystery. However, thankfully as it is a cleverly written I was kept guessing until the end.
Collins writes with genuine creativity and intensity that draws you in and keeps you hostage! I would not hesitate to recommend this book.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Ruth N, Goodreads review

“A fantastic debut novel!
A friend recommended this book to me, and it was a winner. This unique story is based around the fictional city of Scolaris, which is split up into five sectors and where knowledge is king. When someone is murdered in the city, Quill and Red take it upon themselves to search for the truth. The writing style is unique and flows well, and the character development is spot on. If you’re an armchair sleuth and enjoy a good murder mystery, you’ll adore this book.”, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Thrillerseeker, Goodreads review

“This was a really unique take on the cozy mystery novel, the storyline was unique and different. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed going through this read.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Kay M, Booksprout reviewer

“Are you seeking a new, sink-your teeth into, dystopian/futuristic fiction read to get into? For me, this ticks so many boxes and is like a perfect mash-up of like Handmaid’s Tale meets Noughts & Crosses meets The Northern Lights Trilogy meets a really good whodunit.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐@reading_in_the_fast_lane, book blogger

Targeted Age Group:: 16+

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
At the time I wrote the book theatres and the arts were shut because of the pandemic. I wondered what it would be like to live in a society where the creative arts were thought dangerous and thus against the law. From this spark of an idea it wasn't difficult to envisage circumstances in which the affected citizens might choose to flout the law with deadly consequences!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5uH-BuChlXA
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Chronometer by Camille Cabrera

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One hour can change everything. For Evie Laythorne, those sixty minutes were the difference between life and death. She’s the only person that really knows the truth about what happened at the top of the tower during that unexpected fall storm. If only walls could talk.

Sizzling daylight saving time winding mystery.

Targeted Age Group:: 18 to 60

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
Camille Cabrera was inspired by her love of the unknown to branch out into noir. From a young age, Camille adored noir books and films. It grew into her logical next step as writer.

Confidence Game (Five Countries Book 1) by Michelle M. Welsh

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SHE DIDN’T BREAK THE RULES.
THEY BROKE HER.

Beneath its peaceful exterior, Dabion is a land of violence and intrigue, its politics run by judges, schemers, and spies. Elzith Kar is one such spy, gifted with an uncanny skill derived from rigorous training—and an unusual magic inherited from parents she never knew. Dabion may have use for her talent, but its rulers fear the magic that tempts it, so Elzith has hidden her history and true power, becoming a master player in a game she despises.

But now, as she heals in the aftermath of a dangerous mission, Elzith finds herself temporarily forced into life as a civilian. It is here she finds Tod Redtanner, a humble man with secrets of his own, and feels compelled to tell him her story. But as Elzith’s history unfolds and the present begins to unravel, it soon becomes clear that the past haunts more than just her dreams. And that if Elzith is to survive, she has no choice but to return to the world of intrigue and corruption that was once her domain. And this time she must play to win.

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The Barrakee Mystery: The Lure of the Bush (Inspector Bonaparte Mysteries Book 1) by Arthur Upfield

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Why was King Henry, an aboriginal from Western Australia, killed in New South Wales? What was the feud that led to murder after nineteen long years had passed? Who was the woman who saw the murder and kept silent?

This first story of Inspector Bonaparte takes him to the Darling River bush country where he encounters those problems he understands so well – mixed blood and divided loyalties.

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For Batter or Worse (Cupcake Bakery Mystery Book 13) by Jenn McKinlay

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The Fairy Tale Cupcake crew must discover the truth behind a death sprinkled with suspicion before Mel and Joe can say “I do”, in the thirteenth Cupcake Bakery Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay.

Life is sweet and business is booming at the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery–and the fact that Mel and Joe are getting married is the icing on the cake. Their reception will be held at the swanky resort where Oz works as the pastry chef. The wedding planning is all fun-fetti and games until Mel and Joe meet the head chef at the resort who has been making Oz’s life miserable. When the eccentric chef insults Mel’s bakery, Oz gets into a blowout argument with the culinary prima donna.

Things turn extra sour when the chef is murdered, and Oz is the police’s main suspect. As the countdown to the wedding day begins, Mel, Joe, and the rest of the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew must sift through clues to catch the real killer and clear Oz’s name before their wedding plans are totally battered and baked.

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The Big Sleep: A Novel (Philip Marlowe series Book 1) by Raymond Chandler

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The iconic first novel from crime fiction master Raymond Chandler, featuring Philip Marlowe, the “quintessential urban private eye” (Los Angeles Times).

A dying millionaire hires private eye Philip Marlowe to handle the blackmailer of one of his two troublesome daughters, and Marlowe finds himself involved with more than extortion. Kidnapping, pornography, seduction, and murder are just a few of the complications he gets caught up in.

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The Power Ball Murders by Benjamin Moore

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Private Investigator Garth Henderson, a former NYPD vice squad and homicide detective, is up to his neck on a case involving a murdered Powerball lottery winner, who happens to be the wife of a prominent senator. His New York rip-and-run glory days on the task force have not prepared him for the hell he is about to go through solving this crime. All motive and evidence points to a quick solve of this homicide but a sinister plot has emerged and gave new meaning to the word, diabolical.

Targeted Age Group:: 16-85

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I am a WGA east screenwriter for television and Film. I originally wrote this Novel as a screenplay. After a while I kept getting the urge to turn this script into a book. That way I can really explore the lead characters world and take the readers on a journey to solve this crime in real time, as the mystery begins to unravel. So I turned this script into a book, which is not the normal way of doing things. Usually writers adapt a book into a screenplay. This was a bit challenging but very fun to do. It came out great, as I was able to vividly tell a diabolical story of revenge and perseverance… along with good ol' fashion detective work to solve a crime. What really happened to the Senators Wife after she hit the jackpot. The truth will shock you.

Assault and Pepper (A Spice Shop Mystery Book 1) by Leslie Budewitz

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The Agatha Award-winning author of Crime Rib is proud to introduce Pepper Reece, the owner of the Seattle Spice Shop who thinks she can handle any kind of salty customer—until a murderer ends up in the mix…

After leaving a dicey marriage and losing a beloved job in a corporate crash, Pepper Reece has found a new zest for life running a busy spice and tea shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Her aromatic creations are the talk of the town, and everyone stops by for a cup of her refreshing spice tea, even other shopkeepers and Market regulars. But when a panhandler named Doc shows up dead on the store’s doorstep, a Seattle Spice Shop cup in his hand, the local gossip gets too hot for Pepper to handle—especially after the police arrest one of Pepper’s staffers, Tory Finch, for murder.

Tory seems to know why she’s a suspect, but she refuses to do anything to curry favor with the cops. Convinced her reticent employee is innocent, Pepper takes it on herself to sniff out some clues. Only, if she’s not careful, Pepper’s nosy ways might make her next on the killer’s list…

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And on the Eighth Day (An Ellery Queen Mystery Ser.)) by Ellery Queen

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Death Valley lives up to its name when a murder draws Ellery Queen into the strange practices of a religious cult.

It’s 1943, the war is raging, and sleuthing scribe Ellery Queen wants to do his bit. After a tortuous cross-country drive, he takes a job writing scripts for a Hollywood propaganda house—twelve hours a day of hack work that quickly turns his mind to jelly. After a few weeks, he is so worn down that he can type nothing but gibberish, and he decides to drive home. The trouble starts as soon as he reaches the desert.

His ancient roadster breaks down on the edge of Death Valley. Wandering in search of help, he is saved by a man known as the Teacher, who takes him to an oasis called Quenan. Here, Queen finds a bizarre, reclusive cult that seems to have come straight out of the ancient past. A murder has been committed in the desert, and the Quenanites plan on delivering some Old Testament justice. Queen is just the detective they’ve been waiting for.

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