Book picks similar to
The Gift Boxset by J.S. Donovan
ebook
mystery
fantasy-sci-fi
crime-fiction
Flapjack
Daniel Ganninger - 2013
Over a barbeque lunch, Galveston attempts to convince his friend to join him in a daring new career as a private investigator. With nothing to lose, Murphy reluctantly agrees. Relying heavily on their humorous wit and questionable tactics, the men employ a creative approach to their investigations. For a time these methods prove successful, until they push too far and find themselves mired in the case of a lifetime.An explosion rocks a New England university lab, setting off a carefully orchestrated chain of events. A small device has been stolen, a key to the entire world's energy problems and the power that comes with controlling it. The fate of the device and its inventor lays with the newly self-proclaimed private detectives.The two men, under the threat of arrest by the FBI, begin to criss-cross the country and the world, picking up clues to the puzzle of the missing device in England, Mexico, and even Brazil. Dead ends seem at every turn, but with the help of an outcast computer expert, a British spy and former flame of Galveston's, and a new employee whom Murphy can't seem to keep his eyes off of, the investigators unwind the case using their unorthodox approach, berating each other at every turn.Who is looking to control this device and its destiny? Is it the huge multinational security firm, a devious billionaire, or a questionable member of Congress. Murphy and Galveston must find out why something so small is causing problems so large, because the hunters are quickly becoming the hunted.
**Fully corrected and re-edited version as of March 1, 2014.**
What are people saying about Flapjack? "The author did not have to use obscene language to get my interest in the book. In fact, it would have detracted from it. The plot was absorbing, the characters believable, and the intrigue fascinating" - F.B. May "avid reader""Fast moving and absorbing! I hated when I had to put it down! I loved it from beginning to the surprising end!" - J.C. Maxwell "Southwest Beader""This book was such a mini vacation. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. I plan to read more in this series. One hint, don't overthink, just enjoy a great story." - comfy shoe"Daniel Ganninger know how to write suspense. This book had my attention until the very end. I truly enjoyed the development of the characters." - Susanne "Sue""It is a fascinating book and I highly recommend it to all mystery lovers." - Book Lover "CYN" Vine Voice Reviewer"I really enjoyed this book. The characters were just that--characters. Things kept happening at a lightening pace so it was hard to put down once I got into it. Can't wait to read their next adventure!" - Cathy Emerson"Intrigue, power struggles, a little romance, some assassinations, and some good humorous dialog make this a fun read." - H.R. HoltFlapjack has it all - action, adventure, fun, and humor - without profanity or graphic adult situations (but still plenty of mayhem). So join the adventure and escape with the private eyes of Icarus Investigation.
Continue the action in the next case files (which can be read separately)
Peeking Duck (Case File #2)
Killer Moves
Varsha Dixit - 2018
Aisha Khatri has many! Aisha’s life is seemingly mundane on the surface-she writes for television and takes care of her niece Kiara and her retired father. But when Kiara’s life is threatened during a modeling assignment for the famous Kabir Rana, once a suspect for his wife’s murder, the only way Aisha can save Kiara is by accepting the unique ability she has aggressively resisted all her life. But Aisha is not the only one with secrets. There are others who have secrets and will kill to keep them. Aisha is determined to protect Kiara even if it means placing herself in the crosshairs of a depraved killer who butchers beautiful girls and leaves them as grotesque displays. Is Kiara a target of a serial killer or is the killer closer to home-and Aisha’s heart? Who is Kabir Rana? An elusive and moody fashion photographer burdened with a dark past or a murderer who got away? How will Aisha save Kiara from a killer who is several steps ahead of an entire city’s police force? When the dead come calling, will Aisha answer? From the bustling streets of Goa to the beautiful palaces of Sirsa, Killer Moves is a fast-paced, gripping, romantic suspense tale with strong thriller and supernatural elements.
Shadows in the Water Series: A Lou Thorne Thriller Bundle
Kory M. Shrum - 2019
They didn't kill her — and they'll soon regret it.When DEA agent Jack Thorne's house is stormed by vengeful drug lords, both he and his wife are shot dead. Only his daughter Louie survives — by using a terrifying power that defies reason.Piecing together a life in his absence, Louie embraces her gift and her rage under the force of a single need: revenge.She will destroy the men that took her family. No matter the cost, no matter how many bullets, she won't stop until justice has been well and truly served.
Evolution Series Books 1-2
Kelly Carrero - 2016
Jade thinks she is going insane, but her boyfriend, Aiden Scott, knows better. He knows what she is. And like him, she was born this way. If finding out that people like her shouldn’t exist isn’t bad enough, Jade’s best friend is kidnapped by a psycho who terrorises her dreams. She and Aiden have to figure out how to save her before it’s too late.Tormented:Jade is only just coming to terms with her mother's murder when she discovers she is the centre of a sadistic game where the consequences will destroy the lives around her. Someone will die. Someone will live. Who these will be will depend on Jade being able to figure out the cryptic messages before time runs out. Someone will discover her secret. Someone has been deceiving her. And Jades life will once again be changed forever.
SLOW DRiP: First in a series of heart-racing thrillers
Gary Polisano - 2019
Clues and taunts left by the killer along with the knowledge held by the teenager cause the three characters to intersect in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
The Unleashed Creation: The Clan-Vampire Clash, A Prequel
Betsy Flak - 2017
Fire breathes life. Duncan lives in a world where it's kill or be killed, whether that's by his vampire allies or by the Clan's vampire hunters. But he wants something more. He wants freedom. When he stumbles across a rogue fire witch that the Clan has left to die, he knows it's his chance. If he can persuade her to switch sides, together they can unite the vampires and destroy the Clan itself. There's just one catch: Can Duncan convince the witch before she kills him? The Unleashed Creation is a stand-alone prequel novelette to the upcoming The Clan-Vampire Clash, a series of YA paranormal fantasy novels. If you like sinister villains, complicated superheroes, and supernatural suspense, then you'll love Betsy Flak's magical new series. Check out The Unleashed Creation today!
Bone Baby
Diane M. Dickson - 2017
For many years, Lily and her partner had kept a terrible secret. When her partner dies, this secret becomes her burden alone. Soon it becomes an obsession. Having worked alongside her more flamboyant partner in the publishing industry in London, the more sensitive Lily was used to playing second fiddle in their enigmatic social set. But their nice life hid a dark secret, one that she does not want to carry to her grave. Many years ago, Lily and her partner covered up a crime. They took something precious that didn’t belong to them and lost it. Lily has had to live with the consequences of her actions until she is given the chance to repair the damage she has done. This leads Lily down a dangerous path into the past. Disorientated, paranoid and scared, she uncovers a far graver crime. What she contemplates next is unthinkable. BONE BABY is set in the present-day cities of Bath and Portsmouth in southern England. BONE BABY is the eleventh novel by Diane Dickson to be published by THE BOOK FOLKS. Diane has a distinctive style and her thrillers and mysteries explore the lives of ordinary people facing difficult situations. Look out for her bestselling LEAVING GEORGE and the recently-published TANGLED TRUTH.
Woman Scorned
Shannon Heuston - 2017
When Lexie finally finds the man of her dreams, Monica tries to be happy for her. Handsome Trevor Sands may be charming, but Monica doubts he truly loves her sister. Her worst fears are realized when Trevor brutally rejects Lexie when she needs him most. Years pass, and Trevor is just a distant memory. Monica believes Lexie has forgotten him. Then she receives a shocking phone call that shatters her world. Lexie has been arrested for murdering Trevor's family in a Medea-like rage. Monica must choose whether to stick by her sister and believe in her innocence despite overwhelming evidence of her guilt, or abandon her to face the consequences of her actions. Who is Lexie Sparks, monster or sweetly naive sister? And will Monica ever know the truth?
The Blonde Before Christmas: a Barb Jackson Mysteries holiday short story
Anna Snow - 2015
Private Investigator Barb Jackson thought she'd seen it all. But when a last minute shopping excursion leads Barb and her best friend Kelly to a dead Santa Claus beneath the shopping mall Christmas tree, she realizes that not everyone in town is filled with holiday cheer. Jilted lovers, angry elves, and a whole slew of harried shoppers stand between Barb and the truth. But this is one blonde who won't give up that easily! It’s up to Barb and her friends to find the killer and save Christmas before the Santa Claus Killer claims another victim... The Barb Jackson Mysteries: Bubblegum Blonde (book #1) Blondes' Night Out (short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection) The Blonde Before Christmas (holiday short story) What critics are saying about Anna Snow's books: "This author knows suspense and how to place just the right amount of comedy to keep us reading. The combination is gripping and pulls a readers attention." —Night Owl Reviews "Will keep you spellbound until the very last page." —The Romance Reviews "A fast and enjoyable read, with plenty of emotion and passion." —Dark Diva Reviews
Key Lime Crime
Cassie Rivers - 2018
Kara Summers recently returned to her hometown of Sunny Shores, Florida to start her own food truck business. Little did she know her summer would start off with a bang…literally. A propane explosion caused the Mama Mia Food truck to flame up, with the owner inside. The police ruled it an accident, but Kara discovers evidence to the contrary. Her inquisitive nature, along with her love for mysteries, won't let her rest until she uncovers the truth. Unfortunately, the truth hits a little too close to home. Key Lime Crime is book one in the Sunny Shores mystery series that is set in the fictional town of Sunny Shores, Florida. Each book in the series is a light-hearted cozy stand-alone story with no cliffhangers. All ages can enjoy the stories because they have no swearing, naughty content, or graphic violence. So, what are you waiting for?
I Warned You (Matt Ryan #1)
Shawn Underhill - 2017
Years later, his tiny home state of New Hampshire, known mostly as a vacation state for campers and skiers, is overwhelmed by the opioid epidemic. Lives are being lost, budgets are busted, petty crime is rising, and first responders are stretched thin. Ryan gets drawn into the mêlée when his small business becomes the hiding spot of $300K in cash, stolen from one drug distributor by another. With easy money up for grabs, cold-blooded opportunists begin prowling the sleepy postcard town of Fall River, competing for the seemingly easy score. Just one problem. They weren’t counting on running into a brick wall like Ryan, or his canine companion, Sharky the maniac. *This is a vigilante crime/action story with a touch of dry humor, not an addiction story or a police procedural. There is absolutely no romance. I mean none whatsoever. Unless you consider the bond between a man and his dog romantic. There's plenty of that.
Destiny Bay: Baby Dreams Boxed Set Vol. 1
Helen Conrad - 2013
But most of the ladies reach that stage of life where a yearning to bring a baby into the world begins to take over. Some of their men feel the same and some have to be convinced. Here are a few of their stories.This boxed set includes books 1, 2 and 3 of the DESTINY BAY--BABY DREAMS SERIESBook 1-DESTINY BAY--BABY DREAMSHusband Wanted:Will TrainIt seemed a harmless game--until she found out who he really was.Charity Ames is trapped into a lie and she hates it. She needs a man to pretend to be her husband for a few days--so she hires one. Expecting a gargoyle, she's amazed when he turns out to be a very appealing hunk.Ross wants something Charity has, so when he gets the chance to pretend to be her husband, he takes it. But Charity is not the brittle business woman he expects and he falls hard and fast for her barefoot, South Seas image. Trouble is, it's an image she's trying to deep six, and she can't really believe a man from a prominent family like his--and with a terrifying mother like he's got -- would want anything to do with a girl of her shady past.When she finds out he's trying to trick her just like she's trying to trick her aunt, she's heartbroken and resentful. Can true love bridge the gap between their backgrounds and set the stage for baby-making happiness?Includes love scenes.Original version published in print by SILHOUETTE DESIRE and recently revised as part of the Destiny Bay Series.Book 2-DESTINY BAY--BABY DREAMSThe Baby InvasionScott Carrington--bachelor for life. The man is downright allergic to children. So when divorced mom Cathy Feenstra appears next door with six young ones in her care, he vows to stay as far away as he can, no matter how cute and sexy she is.But Fate is not on his side. When a bad guy threatens Cathy, Scott finds himself playing protector, and before he knows what hit him, he's racing across the countryside with a van full of babies and a cuddly woman he's rapidly falling for.Includes love scene.Original version published in print by SILHOUETTE DESIRE and recently revised as part of the Destiny Bay Series.Book 3-DESTINY BAY--BABY DREAMSWaiting for Someone Like YouLike Spy versus Spy--Kat Clay is sure that Tanner Carrington is involved in trying to con her naïve mother, while Tanner thinks Kat is a gold digger after his rich uncle. They're both wrong, but it takes untangling to find that out, and in the meantime, they fall for each other-hard.Includes love scenes.Original version published in print by SILHOUETTE DESIRE and recently revised as part of the Destiny Bay Series.Destiny Bay-Baby DreamsBook 1-Husband Wanted:Will TrainBook 2-The Baby InvasionBook 3-Waiting for Someone Like YouBook 4-Tick Tock, Baby ClockBook 5-Jilted at the AltarBook 6-In a Marrying State of Mind
Hubbert & Lil: The Complete Series
Gallagher Gray - 2018
Everybody’s favorite senior amateur sleuth is eighty-four years young, with a taste for Bloody Marys at any time of day, a fine-tuned appreciation of life’s other pleasures, and a world class talent for detecting. Her nephew, Theodore Hubbert—T.S. for short—is her witty, beleaguered sidekick in a quartet of wild adventures that careen from the staid Wall Street bank where T.S. spent thirty years, through Hell’s Kitchen and Manhattan’s fashion world, with a grand finale at the ballet. The dynamic partners in crime reveal an impressive array of smarts, street savvy, and moxie, mixed with a poignant compassion for those embroiled in the professional jealousies, chilling family secrets, and sexual predation they uncover. They’re a thoroughly endearing odd couple—T.S. with his perfectly groomed appearance and impeccably ordered existence (overseen by his imperious felines, Brenda and Eddie) is the perfect counterpoint to the captivating force of nature that is Auntie Lil. Fans of Miss Marple, Miss Silver, Miss Seeton, Mrs. Pollifax, Jessica Fletcher, Agatha Raisin, Henrie O, Hercule Poirot, and their many distinguished silver-haired colleagues, will be thoroughly delighted. Aficionados of cozy authors like Dorothy Cannell, Carolyn Hart, M.C. Beaton, Joanne Fluke, Jana DeLeon, and Alexander McCall Smith will be equally charmed!
PARTNERS IN CRIME (Hubbert & Lil Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)
SENIOR SLEUTHS, BLOODY MARYS, AND BOTH KINDS OF FAT CATS… Before he’s even had his first post-retirement cup of coffee, a murder in the stuffy Wall Street bank from which T.S. retired hours earlier launches his second act. With partners dropping like flies, his flamboyant Auntie Lil steps in to facilitate his career change from personnel manager to amateur sleuth.
CAST OF KILLERS (Hubbert & Lil Cozy Mystery Series Book 2)
A MYSTERIOUS GROUP OF ELDERLY ACTRESSES—WITH SECRETS TO KILL FOR… Auntie Lil has “volun-told” T.S. into serving lunch at a Manhattan soup kitchen when suddenly a little old lady jumps up, clutching at her throat… and drops dead. The soup kitchen regulars, a crew of snooty failed actresses from the Eisenhower era, appear so grief-stricken that Auntie Lil (once again) offers up her nephew’s services, this time to sort out the woman’s real identity. After all, T.S. muses, it’s not like she was murdered.Famous last words.
DEATH OF A DREAM MAKER (Hubbert & Lil Cozy Mystery Series Book 3)
THE SECRET LOVES OF SENIOR SLEUTHS--AND A MOST UNTIMELY MURDER! As we should expect, the brilliantly vital Auntie Lil has a colorful past—which includes a larger-than-life love affair with a fabled multimillionaire. But when the gentleman suddenly asks to see her after twenty years and then is killed in a car bomb explosion in Manhattan, Auntie Lil sets out—with trusty T.S. by her side—to solve the puzzling crime and clear Max’s name of suspicions of mob-entanglement.
Bean Counter
T.A. Clark - 2016
When the head of Nick Rohmer’s Miami accounting firm is found dead after a suspicious accident, Nick finds his quiet, comfortable, boring life slipping out of his control. With most of the firm’s management either on vacation, sick, or dead, Nick is thrust into the unfamiliar position of actually having some responsibility. The weight does not sit easily on his shoulders. He’s relieved when the instructions from the Chicago head office are – don’t do anything until we get there. This he can do. He tries to stick to his ‘do nothing’ instructions even as the firm’s largest client threatens to jump ship. But Nick’s plan of inaction is short-lived when he is convinced to try to save the business. He secures an invitation to dinner on the private island of the mega-wealthy, and highly dysfunctional, Keene family. Things quickly go from bad to disastrous when another dead body shows up, and Nick finds he's the prime suspect. As he gets sucked into the mystery, Nick’s focus quickly changes from trying to save the business to trying to save his skin.
Digital Velocity: A dark romantic suspense
Reily Garrett - 2017
psychopathic killer.One survivor.Armed with snark and grit, white-hat hacker Lexi thrives on leveling the playing field against criminals. Never did she imagine meeting her equal on a keyboard.When a friend is murdered, she discovers the killer's digital betting arena on the dark web. The cunning psychopath plays a deadly game and leaves riddles to the next victim's identity hidden in obscure clues.In seeking justice, Lexi directs anonymous tips to Detective McAllister, a cop hard-wired for justice, and inadvertently sends him into a firefight. Her intent to stop the killing spree backfires and centers the killer's crosshairs on her.The dark net houses a playground for the morally depleted and criminally insane few hackers can easily navigate. However, bits and bytes are Lexi's weapons of choice, anonymity her shield.With a dog for protection and sarcasm for armor, she straddles the law to bring a killer to justice while navigating the murky waters of betrayal, deception, and passion.