Book picks similar to
The Feminine Touch by V.J. Chambers


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Don't Call Me Baby


Betty Byers - 2013
    Life had to get better surely? When Derek Lewis, rich Australian playboy, is found dead after falling from the roof of his office in salacious circumstances, Lola's opportunity to flex her investigative muscles had begun. But it wasn't only Lola's professional career that was about to take off. Little did she know it, her love life was too. Between her new boss, Julian, who was an uptight Adonis, and Joe the office Romeo, Lola was having a hard time to keep her professional integrity intact and her sassy comments to herself. Still, a job was a job, and if it involved working with two handsome men then who else would be up for the challenge?

What Lies in the Hills: A West Virginia Adventure Novel (A Josh Baker and Eddie Debord Series Book 2)


Steve Kittner - 2016
    The boys are the first responders to a crashed airplane deep within the woods. It doesn’t take long to find out that this C-47 Skytrain had gone down in 1953 and was carrying a very mysterious and highly sensitive cargo. Very quickly, the CIA takes control of the crash site as Josh and Eddie find themselves under the microscope of the agency (for a very good reason!)! There are men in dark clothing watching them from around every corner. They seek the help of some familiar friends and some new acquaintances as well, while trying to find out what this mysterious cargo is and why it is still so important today. Thinking the CIA could be their worst nightmare, the boys could not have been more wrong. Who comes to town next will stop at nothing to reclaim what they say is theirs, and they are quick to prove it! Ultimately, Josh, Eddie and Brad must decide whether to let this one go, or to once again risk their lives to see it through. One thing is for sure…they cannot allow the cargo to fall into the wrong hands! …Be careful wishing for big adventures…one may find you!!!

The Black Ledger


D.G. Allen - 2017
    Gangs shoot up the streets, while corrupt politicians and predatory businesses get rich by stealing from the poor. In a place fraught with danger and fueled by poverty, a young white man named Ron Pickles discovers a resilient people with an indestructible spirit. But, there are sinister forces looking to create misfortune and reap profits at the expense of people that society cares little about. Ron soon learns that it isn’t the ghetto he needs to fear, but the corrupt insurance agency that recruited him in the first place. Inspired by a true story, “The Black Ledger” is a multi-cultural/mystery crime thriller that will take you into the heart of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods and experience a life you couldn’t imagine existed in the United States. “D.G. Allen’s The Black Ledger is a smart, often funny, and compelling look at the dirty business of “death insurance” on the West Side of Chicago. Allen has vividly recreated the time and place with impeccable detail, colorful characters, and crackling dialogue; not to mention a heartbreaking murder mystery that always keeps you guessing. It may be set in the 80’s but it is a powerful message about race and corruption still resonating today!” - Tim Sulka, screenwriter: “Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return” Author: Prime Cuts (graphic novel) “I grew up in the Chicago community depicted in this novel. D.G. Allen depicts a much darker but funnier side of that neighborhood that I could ever have imagined. It is a captivating and wonderfully written story. A MUST READ!” - Debra Wright Hughes “This novel breaks the barriers of the thriller genre. I have never read something so unique as this world that D.G. Allen has created.” - John Franklin, screenwriter: “Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return” Author: Prime Cuts (graphic novel) “Highly recommended! This story takes us into a world most of us will never see and into a business that most of us never dreamed existed. He writes with such skill that you will laugh one minute, cry the next, and never even realize your jaw has dropped. His characters are believable and fascinating! I became engrossed in this book from start to finish. A unique and mesmerizing novel…don’t miss it!” - Elizabeth Benney MA. DT. CIMI, Director LTP Center

For Sale In Palm Springs


Albert Simon - 2004
    Unsatisfied home buyers. A possible celebrity scam. A secret society! Join retired police chief Henry Wright in figuring out who killed Palm Springs real estate mogul Rex Thornbird in this page turning thriller that will keep you guessing. This first book in the Henry Wright Mystery Series takes our detective from Palm Springs to the Silicon Valley. Newly revised!

The Teacher


Emily Organ - 2017
    Enjoy this read in thirty minutes. London 1881. A young teacher dies at a school just weeks after her sister. A tragic coincidence or something more sinister? Fleet Street reporter Penny Green is suspicious but nothing suggests the sisters have been murdered. The police are disinterested and the school wants to move on from the tragedy. How can Penny persuade someone to listen to her? Penny risks taking matters into her own hands. But the risk might be a step too far.

Club Medicine


Jack Kinsley - 2015
    A former addict who started the premiere private rehab in the hills of Malibu, California. He had it all: a thriving business, a beautiful wife, and a daughter who was the center of his universe. But when he relapsed, everything he built went right along with it. Now, he has a rehab filled with eccentric clients he's expected to keep sane, a dark secret he's desperate to keep hidden, and forces from his past that are determined to strip him of anything that remains.What's a self-made man to do? Backed into a corner, Travis finds himself stuck on one moral question: Can he commit murder in order to keep it all from slipping away? How far down the rabbit hole will he go? And, perhaps more importantly, how does he come back from it after that life is gone?Part thriller and part redemption tale, Club Medicine explores the heart of darkness within us all as one man balances on the razor's edge between self-actualization and self-destruction.

Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died


Bob Brink - 2014
    Rodger Kriger falls to the floor, mortally wounded, leaving a wife and six children. An ambitious prosecutor pins the deed on Mitt Hecher, a hoodlum and karate expert. At Hecher's trial, fellow jail inmates testify that he confessed. He is convicted and sentenced to the brutal and anarchic state prison at Raiford, where a stabbing a day and a killing a week are the "mean" average. Judges repeatedly frustrate Hecher and several attorneys working without fees to get a new trial, as investigators pursue myriad scenarios. Meanwhile, his wife contracts a deadly disease. Was Hecher innocent, and if so, who did it? Did the sons of a wealthy Cuban kill Kriger? Were the operators of a gambling enterprise out to get him? Was a love triangle the basis for the shooting? Did a vicious underworld figure do the bidding of a criminal gang? Was a prominent politician behind the slaying? Those are the questions seeking answers amid the exploration of issues of justice and power. Murder in Palm Beach is the saga of a battle between a man whose swagger has sent him spiraling to the bottom and powerful, sinister forces determined to keep him there. It is a story of redemption wrapped in a mystery tale reeking with power, sex, violence, and romance.

Calculated Extortion


K.T. Lee - 2017
    When a high-profile charity is targeted by a cybercriminal, Scarlett is charged with leading a team of special agents to find the individual hiding behind the malicious code. Mike Moretti is a FBI special agent accustomed to difficult cases. However, to find out who is bleeding the charity of funds, he’ll need to team up with the new profiler... even after he mistakes her for the office intern. As the cyberattacks become increasingly personal, Scarlett and her team must find the criminal hiding where the FBI least expects them. Calculated Extortion is a Calculated Series prequel novella, which takes place before Calculated Deception.

Under the Pines


Jennifer Bisbing - 2016
    Author Jennifer Bisbing intertwines her own 1970's childhood memories of life with a renowned forensic scientist into an authentic whodunit. Drawing on her father’s career — which included forensic consulting on high-profile cases like the O.J. Simpson trial and JonBenét Ramsey murder, as well as the hit CBS show CSI — Bisbing reveals how one girl, powerful beyond measure, can derail conventional crime scene investigation.

Sudden Love


April Kelley - 2015
    He wants a commitment with someone who is willing to put up with his crazy family and being away on the job sometimes. Finding someone who is willing to put up his brothers, who he lives and works with on a daily basis is hard to find. Still Xander’s not willing to compromise.Xander gets called off bodyguard duty to investigate this religious cult that may be tied to some kidnappings of young men. He finds Aaron Keller, one of the missing young men. What he doesn’t expect is the instant attraction and longing for the man. Xander just wants to keep Aaron safe, even if that means backing off.

Like Souls Series (Books 1-4): Blood of Like Souls, Tears of Like Souls, Promises of Like Souls, Secrets of Like Souls


Val Conrad - 2017
     Blood of Like Souls Julie Madigan's career with the New Mexico State Police ended in the puddle of blood on the floor when she survived having her throat cut. But a year of recovery left her desperate to hide the scars and to escape her past. She moved to Michigan, away from friends and coworkers who knew her secrets. Now a Medical Examiner Investigator, Julie Madigan plays by the rules, but the rules change when a killer sends her clues and evidence about two victims, taunting her with his unusual methods of murder, pulling her into his twisted game, targeting those she cares about. His goal - to prove Julie will kill like he does. While trying to identify him, Julie discovers the monster has been closer to her than she imagined, leaving her in a race to save the victims he's selected, forcing her to choose who lives and who dies. Tears of Like Souls Medical Examiner Investigator Julie Madigan might have survived her half-brother's brutal crime spree, but the emotional wounds left by Anthony Bock's evil run deep. She begins a walk down the path to healing with the one man who's always loved her - Zach Samualson, who works for the Drug Enforcement Agency. They begin to establish a new life together in Washington - until he reveals a secret of his own. Julie's torn between trusting him and running from her inner demons and the one question that's haunted her since she was sixteen -did Bock make her kill her father? Promises of Like Souls After a small wedding to Zach in Albuquerque, Julie Madigan, now Julie Samualson, goes back to Michigan to pack and say goodbye to her friends and coworkers before moving to the log cabin Zach had built for them prior to Julie's yes to marriage. But her arrival in paradise was without her groom, who had stayed behind in New Mexico to finish an assignment with his DEA unit while awaiting a transfer. Zach, however, faces a startling surprise that will change both their lives completely - that he is the father of a teenage daughter, whose mother was kidnapped by one of Zach's ex-partners who had turned against the agency and his partners. By a man with a single goal - to destroy Zach and all he holds precious. Secrets of Like Souls On her way down the stairs, Julie Samualson falls and injures her ankle, disrupting more than her family. She limps on to a Portland hospital to begin an investigation into the burns suffered by the sister of one of the sheriff's dispatchers - burns that don't appear to have been sustained in a fall. Then the wife of a fellow deputy goes missing, and the van found near the Columbia River. On crutches, Julie can only help process evidence. Meanwhile, Amber, her stepdaughter, asks if they can continue searching for clues about the bag they found on a trail ride - the contents include an old library card and piece of tattooed human skin made into leather. But when the three different cases begin to connect and threats get closer to her loved ones, Julie's world begins to unravel.

Salford Murders


Bud Craig - 2016
    Three books in one!With the atmosphere of urban decline and inner-city violence, these three murder mysteries are set in the metropolitan area of Salford, Manchester - one of the most deprived areas in England.Ex-rugby player turned social worker Gus Keane is a man who, faced with the disinterest of the Police, becomes a private investigator in order to find out who murdered his boss. Not surprisingly, law enforcement don't want someone meddling in the case, but increasingly they turn to Keane's local knowledge to bring the culprit to justice.Three related detective mysteries in one bumper volume on KindleAs reviewers have remarked, these books form a trilogy but each can be read on its own, without having read the others. This is partly because Gus Keane is an immediately likeable detective: he has his faults, and is always getting into trouble; but he has a way of getting the truth out of people and, hardened to the rough world of Salford, his local knowledge is key.THE THREE BOOKS IN THE TRILOGYTACKLING DEATH: A pacey pulp Private Eye thriller set in a northern English townEx-rugby football player turned social worker Gus Keane is getting ready for retirement when his boss gets murdered. Finding himself under suspicion, Keane turns private detective to find out the truth. But when he closes in on the killer will Keane come out on top or fall victim to the murderer’s desperate moves?DEAD CERTAINTY: Social worker turned Private Eye Gus Keane returns in this gripping murder mysteryIf something happens in Salford, Manchester, it is generally bad news and when two dead bodies turn up within a few hours of one another, it is no exception. With the local force stretched to the limits and firing blanks ex-rugby player Gus Keane is asked to step in to help find the culprits. What follows is an ever thickening plot as Keane gradually begins to unravel a mystery from Salford's shady past.FALLING FOUL: Private investigator Gus Keane is back with a difficult new case to solveWith his ex-wife appearing back on the scene and relations with his girlfriend Marti troubled, the murder of one of Gus Keane's colleagues comes at a really bad time. Yet when his friend Jimmy is accused of the murder, he really must step up to the plate. With his knowledge of the local area, and a healthy suspicion that nothing anyone says is true, private investigator Keane must find the killer before Jimmy is convicted.These books are also available as individual titles on Kindle and are FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

Fired and Inflamed (The Otto Viti Mysteries Book 2)


Jen Carter - 2017
    An employee from a local business is found strangled to death, and now everyone in the small community is worried about local law enforcement finding the killer. Jill can’t stop thinking about what happened, but she knows it’s best to leave the investigation to the police. This time, she’s not getting involved. Well, not on purpose at least.

HMS Holy Ghost


Stephen Makk - 2021
     A deadly weapon of the Soviet Union in the Cold War: the Kilo Class submarine. It’s known as the Black Hole for a good reason. Iran intends to use two of these boats to choke off the Gulf oil supply by blockading the Straits of Hormuz. But Captain Luke MacArthur holds an ace: command of the most powerful submarine in the Royal Navy, HMS Holy Ghost. Dark fate has chosen his encounter point: the straits at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, known as the Gate of Grief. On his mission, Luke faces a personal dilemma in the form of sultry Savita, his Weapons Officer, who is sending out flirtatious signals. The duty of command means that he shouldn’t respond, although he wants to. He knows he’s in danger of becoming a moth to her flame. Join the crew of the HMS Holy Ghost and help Luke to hunt down shadows in the night: the Kilo Class; the Black Hole. What Amazon readers are saying about the book: ★★★★★ ‘As real as it gets! I’m a former Sonarman, retired Navy Mustang now. This brought back so many Cold War memories! A great read and I can't thank you enough for being a contributor to the Unlimited side of the house. Truly an awesome naval yarn that is closer to reality than many would ever expect!’ ★★★★★ ‘Another suspenseful book! You wanted to keep reading to see what happens next.’ ★★★★★ ‘Extremely entertaining! Very well written, terrific storyline.’ ★★★ ‘This is the second book I've read by Mr Makk. I found them to be a good read. The fighting scenes are well done and intense, making you feel the tenseness of the crew during the attack and defensive moves to stay alive.’ ★★★★★ ‘Good story. Flowed well.’ ★★★★ ‘Pretty good read here. Very enjoyable.’ ★★★★ ‘A potential headline story. A submarine thriller that could quite possibly become a reality. The nuclear missile crises are present today and could very well happen.’ ★★★★ ‘Good, quick read. An interesting tale about a sub chase. Good explanation of the internal activities preparing for contact… I will read more from Mr Makk.’ ★★★★★ ‘Kept my attention. I learned something about submarines and warfare to boot.’ ★★★★ ‘War in the ocean – good stuff. Another in this upcoming author’s series of books. Entertainment with a twist.’ ★★★★★ ‘Characters were interesting and realistic. The story was believable, patriotic without being political, and appropriate, as I read it on July 4th.’ ★★★★★ ‘If anyone ever thought The Hunt for Red October was suspenseful, they have not yet experienced reading HMS Holy Ghost. It is a lone, though sparkling, new sub against two Russian Kilo Class subs and two frigates in the ultimate cat v mouse game. I love these submarine suspense thrillers of Stephen Makk. They should be required reading for all adrenaline junkies as they are guaranteed to take you on a ride of your life. Enjoy!’

Homecoming


Rob Aspinall - 2016
    Corn syrup and murdered high school girls.Every few years, the Homecoming Killer snatches another. He keeps her. Toys with her. Murders her in the most shocking way. And when he leaves her remains, he leaves no clues behind. It always happens around homecoming and always to the most popular girl in school.Now, he’s kidnapped Brooke Tanner, beautiful, innocent, smart. The small rural town is gripped by fear. Police detectives are no closer to a breakthrough. And time is running out fast.With only a week left to find her, Brooke’s wealthy uncle hires struggling private investigator, Alice Parks. Facing an impossible case and battling her own dark demons, Alice will go to almost any length to save Brooke. But even streetwise sleuth Alice isn't ready for the dangers that await.