Death at Sunrise: a 509 Crime Short Story


Colin Conway - 2020
    Was it suicide or was it something else?Spokane County Detective Shane McAfee must unravel the mystery.Discover The 509 Crime Stories with this free short story.Then check out the books The Side Hustle The Long Cold Winter The Blind Trust The Suit What readers are saying about The Side Hustle★★★★★ “… just looking for my next thriller fix, I discovered this gem.” – John Barksley★★★★★ “… a great read! A different kind of police procedural.” – Mickey★★★★★ “This book was hard to put down.” – Amazon Customer★★★★★ “…kept me reading.” – Mary Arnold★★★★★ “Loved my first foray into the 509 series… and Quinn!” – Cynthiareads★★★★★ “The story is well crafted and kept me quickly ‘turning the pages.’” – Sally★★★★★ “Great read.  Very enjoyable.” – Amy Dalton

Heroes R Us


Mainak Dhar - 2011
    All that changes one day when he is beaten and left for dead after a robbery. Arnab awakens to discover that he has developed fantastic superhuman powers and he tries to master his new¬found powers and to use them for good. As a hooded superhero he takes to the streets on a one-man crusade against injustice. However he soon realizes that in a society where the only power that matters comes from having money or the right connections, one man, even a superhero, can make little difference.When he embarks on a final, desperate mission, he realizes that to succeed, he has to become a part of the very system he loathes by tapping into a motley set of allies such as the Minister who wants to use his powers to rig elections, the corrupt policeman who shot Arnab for exposing him and the corporate tycoon who wants to sign him up as a brand ambassador!At one level, Heroes R Us seeks to entertain with a delightfully contemporary take on the superhero genre, and at another level it asks the provocative question of whether in the dark and corrupt times we live in, there is any place left for heroes. Slumdog Millionaire meets Spiderman in this exciting novel that will entertain and make you think at the same time.BONUS CONTENT in this eBook:- The Making of Heroes R Us- the origin of this novel in the author's own words- Free sample of Vimana, the science fiction thriller by Mainak DharPraise for the paperback edition:"Strikes a chord somewhere, chronicling his journey from a nobody into a somebody and this theme for a dream - to dream big, rather - is what makes it endearing. Overall an honest attempt, Dhar tries to weave the superhuman existence with contemporary; Leaves the reader with the feeling that hope floats, after all!"- IBN Live"The plot, thereafter, is engaging, and wholesome Bollywood film material. Herogiri ends on a high note, the action sequence in the stadium is confusing but exciting."- Hindustan Times"A delightful take on the superhero genre."- LiveMint"Excellent balance between super powers and what they leave out, Herogiri also has a surprisingly refreshing take on politics and society. Arnab 'GA' Bannerjee is the unpretentious hero you want by your side.... The most super man ever, this affable, retiring 25-year old is possibly the most likeable of all characters you shall meet this summer."- Financial Express"Here's a delightfully engaging and refreshing take on the superhero genre.... racy good versus evil roller coaster"- Mid Day"Exhilarating!"- Tehelka Magazine

A Dangerous Harbor


R.P. Dahlke - 2011
    Now, alone and isolated in the Mexican port’s police station for the last six hours, she’s convinced that reporting the body of a floater to authorities was a mistake. Even the arrival of a handsome, if somewhat dour, Mexican/Italian investigator, does nothing to dispel her growing anxiety that she’s about to be charged with the murder.Chief Inspector, Raul Vignaroli, is as surprised by the attractive solo-sailor as he is to find that she’s a respected member of the San Francisco police force, and after some well-placed phone calls he’s sure that he’s found the perfect partner to help him solve a murder, if not the cure for his broken heart.Released, she's free to go. But leaving the police station hits a snag when two policemen march in, dragging a listless prisoner between them. But before Katy can dodge them for the exit, the prisoner raises his head and a startling pair of aquamarine eyes meet hers.He straightens his back, wincing at the angle of his cuffed wrists. “What the… Whisper?”Suddenly, the sound of the ceiling fan is terribly loud. Blood pounds in her ears, her mouth goes dry, her palms are damp and her feet are nailed to the floor. In a knee jerk reaction, she hisses, “Don’t call me that!” A mermaid, a bald parrot, the past she'd hoped to leave behind and perhaps the love of her life… all in A Dangerous Harbor.

In the Grasp


Cadence Keys - 2020
    She's the newest reporter for the LA Chronicle.Paige O'Malley has worked her ass off for her career, and now she's just landed her dream job with the biggest paper on the west coast. They broke each other's hearts nine years ago. Now fate is giving them another chance to get it right.When Paige gets assigned to write an exposé on Jack, she must decide where her loyalties lie: with the career of a lifetime or the love of her life. In the Grasp is the first contemporary sports romance in the LA Wolves series. Jack and Paige's story begins in Intentional Grounding.

El Gavilan


Craig McDonald - 2011
    He's wily, talented and rarest of the rare; a true original. He writes melancholy poetry that actually has melancholy poets wandering around, but don't turn your backs on them, either. I am always eager to see what he's going to do next."Laura LippmanThe news is full of it; escalating tensions from illegal immigration, headless bodies hanging off bridges, and bounties placed on lawmen on both sides of the border. New Austin, Ohio, is a town grappling with waves of undocumented workers who exert tremendous pressure on schools, police, and city services. In the midst of the turmoil, three very different kinds of cops scramble to maintain control and impose order.But the rape and murder of a Mexican American woman triggers a brutal chain of events that threatens to leave no survivors.El Gavilan is a novel of shifting alliances and whiplash switchbacks. Families are divided and careers and lives threatened. Friendships and ideals are tested and budding love affairs challenged. With its topical themes, shades-of- gray characters, and dark canvas, El Gavilan is a novel for our charged times.Craig McDonald, author of the internationally acclaimed Hector Lassiter series, is an award-winning journalist, editor, and fiction writer. His short fiction has appeared in literary magazines and anthologies. His fiction and nonfiction have earned him nominations for the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, and Gumshoe awards. He resides in Ohio.

In The Name Of The Father


Judi Coltman - 2011
    . . not even in His house.Liz’s best friend rode off on the back of a motorcycle when she was 16 years old. Her body parts washed up on the shores of a Virginia beach community days later, prompting Liz’s parents to sequester her away to Richmond, far away from the vicious murder. Now on her own, Liz returns to take back that part of her life and make peace with the events of her 16th summer.John Williams’ heart broke when, after being questioned in the grisly murder, Liz’s parents spirited her away for good, leaving him grieving for his forsaken love. With the guidance of his father, the community preacher, John moves on with a clear understanding of his life’s mission.When another body turns up, savagely hacked-up on the side of the road, safety becomes elusive, even in the small community church where the answers are hidden. Liz and John have to face the truth that the killer is still out there. Watching. Waiting for them.

React


Jack Harding - 2021
    A crowded fairground. A simple sequence of numbers that appear over and over again... and a horrible feeling that something is very, very wrong.Nina Vogel is haunted by a recurring nightmarish vision - but what does it mean?In this powerful short story by Jack Harding, step into this nerve-racking, fast-paced fever dream that blurs the lines between the real and the unreal.

Friends, and Other Perishables


Dale Whisman - 2004
    Still, the idea of a married man with a couple of young daughters working the mean streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma, seems hardly noir. But in Dale Whisman's debut, FRIENDS, AND OTHER PERISHABLES, PI Carl Jacobs is a bona fide member of the fraternity. Whisman spins a good story and has created a likeable, credible hero and a supporting cast with good depth and a promise of staying power that bodes well for future appearances." -Alfred Hitchock Mystery Magazine "...thrill-packed novel grabs you in the first paragraph and never lets you go. An outstanding debut." -William Bernhardt, author of the best selling Ben Kincaid series "...follows the tradition of Spencer and Marlow and other PI's of the genre—the hard-baked detective with a heart." -Charles W. Sasser, author of the best selling Detachment Delta series "...exciting private investigative tale contains a strong mystery...solid cozy starring a likable champion who handles being shot at and wounded with aplomb, but goes a bit crazy when his family comes under attack." -Harriet Klausner, The Readers Guild, rated 10 out of 10 - a recommended read "In good, solid prose Whisman guides you effortlessly through the consistently suspenseful story with a great sense of humor, and of what it means to be really tough. You will not be able to put this book down, and you can't say that about too many mysteries these days. So treasure this one for all it's worth." -Tone and Groove Music and Entertianment Ezine

Dangerous


Alycia Linwood - 2011
    Even when she falls for Michael, a boy whose element is different from hers, she is determined to make their forbidden romance work. But when she starts experiencing the symptoms of magic disease that could rob her of her element, turn her into a cold-blooded killer, and shatter her life, all of her beliefs are put to the test. The only one who might be able to help her is Adrian, a mysterious, charming, and dangerous magic disease carrier, who also happens to be her least favorite person in the world. YA Fantasy/Romance for mature teens. The Element Preservers series reading order (complete): DANGEROUS (Book 1) RUNAWAY (Book 2) DIVIDED (Book 3) NO ONE (Book 3.5) RESTLESS (Book 4) INDESTRUCTIBLE (Book 5)

Legends of Tsalagee


Phil Truman - 2011
    When two renegade bikers ride into town looking to find the Lost Treasure of Belle Starr, local legends Hayward Yost and Socrates Ninekiller suspect the ruffians’ involvement in the murder of a local farmer; a man rumored to have knowledge of the lost treasure’s location...and its curse. As events unfold, others in the community are drawn into the hunt – a Wiccan who moves to town to pursue her New Age lifestyle; her bumbling, socially inept boyfriend women can’t seem to resist; a young Iraqi War veteran home to heal his physical and emotional wounds; and a mysterious creature known in Native American lore as a forest demon whom they call “Hill Man who screams at night.” Mystery, romance, comedy, and adventure await in Legends of Tsalagee.

Murder on the High Seas


Sara M. Barton - 2011
    Pestered by a man who can't take no for an answer and wooed by a man who seems too good to be true, Kate has to figure out what is real and what is not. It's not easy to be a middle-aged, baby boomer femme fatale, but the ever feisty, confident Kate does her best to solve the mystery.

The Truant Officer


Derek Ciccone - 2011
    Things then go from bad to worse, when it's revealed that her captor is one of the students she taught at a local high school.For better or worse...In Manhattan, US Attorney Aaron Eicher cringes upon learning the identity of the man who abducted Lilly McLaughlin. Nick was the one thing holding his case together against the son of Russian crime boss, Viktor Sarvydas—but now his star witness was on the run, and in mortal danger. It is just the latest surprise in a case that went against everything he'd learned in school—when it came to the Russian Mafya 1+1=3.Seeking refuge in Israel, fleeing the fallout of his son's arrest, Viktor Sarvydas smiles when he learns the news about Nick. He knows that it's now just a matter of time before he comes face to face with the man who was going to testify against his son.With the FBI, media, and dueling Russian assassins in a cross-country race to get to Nick and Lilly, it becomes clear that the only one who can truly save them is Darren. Will he get to them first, or will...death do us part?

Murder on the Mind


L.L. Bartlett - 2005
    But after suffering a fractured skull in a vicious mugging, he reluctantly accepts the fact that he has a long and brutal recovery to face—and his closest of kin can provide him with the time and place to do it. Now, Jeff is haunted by unexplained visions of a heinous crime—a banker, stalked, killed, and eviscerated like a ten-point buck. When Matt Sumner’s murder is discovered, a still-recovering Jeff realizes this was what he had seen. Jeff must not only convince himself of his new-found psychic ability, but also his skeptical brother Richard Alpert. Since Sumner was Richard’s banker, both brothers have a stake in finding out what happened. With Richard’s reluctant help, Jeff’s investigation leads him to Sumner’s belligerent family and hard-nosed business associates, none of whom want him snooping around. When Jeff discovers a second victim, he knows he must relentlessly chase his quarry even if it means risking his brother’s life.

"When Did You See Her Last?" Free Preview (The First 3 Chapters)


Lemony Snicket - 2013
    This is the account of the second. In the fading town of Stain'd-by-the-Sea, young apprentice Lemony Snicket has a new case to solve when he and his chaperone are hired to find a missing girl. Is the girl a runaway? Or was she kidnapped? Was she seen last at the grocery store? Or could she have stopped at the diner? Is it really any of your business? These are All the Wrong Questions.

Beach Traffic: The Ocean Can Be Deadly


Judith Lucci - 2019
    Kat’s childhood friend, Heidi is looking for great sex and a fantastic weekend hookup. But, things turned bad quickly when they learn a friend of theirs had been brutally attacked. Federal and local law enforcement officials are concerned about a vicious murder on the beach and the disappearance of five women. Scroll Up and Grab Your Copy Today!