Join the award-winning Austin Mystery Writers and friends as they explore the dark side of the Lone Star State. These thirteen talented authors penned fourteen tales of cowboys and criminals, girlfriends and grifters, morticians, motel clerks, and even a big, bad wolf!
Dan Balor, a high powered Washington attorney, buys an apartment building in the heart of the city, hoping to create low income housing for good families. Instead he finds the building occupied by squatters: drug dealers, winos, and hookers intent on staying in place. Police and private investigators are unable to empty the building for use by paying residents. No one seems willing or able to take on this challenge until Balor meets Hannibal Jones. Hannibal soon finds himself up against a local crime boss and his powerful mob connected father. The conflict spreads until Hannibal realizes that his stand against the mob could explode into a full-fledged riot unless he can somehow end it all, without surrendering the building and the neighborhood to the criminals.
Anita Cooper was three times a victim. Her father's death crushed her dreams of college and a better life. Then her purity was drowned in powerless anxiety and her gentle fantasies displaced by unspeakable humiliation, all because of a hard man who knew the way of the world. Rod Mantooth stole both her innocence and her father's legacy, a secret that could have rebuilt her life. Anita was lost until she encountered another hard man who knew the way of the world--the urban paladin and professional troubleshooter named Hannibal Jones. Like a rolling mass of icy fury, Hannibal followed the trail of corrupted human debris that would lead to Rod Mantooth and a final showdown in the icy waters of the Atlantic.
Enjoy this pulse-pounding fugitive mystery novel from USA TODAY bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin "Be warned: to read one Fenway mystery is to want to read them all. If you love page-turning, unputdownable mysteries, then Ardoin is the real deal." —Mark Stay, host of The Bestseller Experiment podcast “Fenway is fantastic, and The Accused Coroner is her best adventure yet. Ardoin has done it again with another edge-of-your-seat page-turner.” —Jack Benton, bestselling author of The Slim Hardy Mysteries ON THE RUN. ACCUSED OF MURDER. WITH NO WAY OUT. Coroner Fenway Stevenson is accused of a homicide she didn't commit—but all the evidence points her way. Staying one step ahead of the police, she unearths one secret after another. But the victim’s trail leads Fenway to a thirty-year-old homicide—and her mother was the prime suspect. As the body count rises and the killer is still on the loose, can Fenway prove her innocence before it’s too late? --------------- Don't miss this seventh novel in the critically-acclaimed bestselling Fenway Stevenson mystery series! “From the first chapter to the last, The Accused Coroner deftly twines Fenway’s current life with her mother’s mysterious past, and keeps you guessing the entire time. This series has been getting better with every book — be prepared to stay up all night!” —Tess Baytree, author of The Penelope Standing Mysteries KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, biracial female coroner investigator, medical examiner thriller, fugitive thriller, on the run, private investigator sleuth, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, hard boiled mystery, strong Black woman sleuth, interracial romance mystery, BWWM detective romance, California beach black detective mystery whodunit crime fiction, Santa Barbara mystery, similar author to Leslie Wolfe, LJ Ross, Willow Rose, Blake Banner, Tom Fowler, Jeff Carson, TJ Jones
This early work by Richard Austin Freeman was originally published in 1926 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The D'Arblay Mystery' is one of Freeman's novels of crime and mystery. The first story featuring his well-known protagonist Dr. Thorndyke - a medico-legal forensic investigator - was published in 1907, and although Freeman's early works were seen as simple homages to his contemporary, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, he quickly developed his own style: The 'inverted detective story', in which the identity of the criminal is shown from the beginning, and the story then describes the detective's attempt to solve the mystery.
Enjoy this pulse-pounding hard-boiled novel from USA TODAY bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin "A taut, compelling mystery with a likeable, feisty protagonist. I devoured it." --Ian W. Sainsbury, winner of the 2019 Kindle Storyteller Award "This is as good a mystery series as you will find in print. You do not want to miss a single one of these books." --David Marvin, Scintilla Book Reviews (scintilla.info) A murder in the city’s most exclusive hotel. The main suspect? Her boyfriend’s ex-wife. There’s another killing in the cozy beach town of Estancia. This time, Coroner Fenway Stevenson needs to solve the murder of one of the most prominent businessmen in town. But everyone has ulterior motives. The new mayor is pressuring her to make a quick arrest. Is he eager for justice or does he have something to hide? Fenway’s relationship with her boyfriend is strained when the investigation threatens to unearth a terrible secret and tear his family apart. Her father lies comatose after being shot by a bullet meant for Fenway. His company is on the brink of disaster. The investigation quickly turns into a political and personal battleground. Her friends, colleagues, and family get caught in the web of complicated relationships and contradictory evidence—and as the mayor turns the screws on Fenway, her emotions reach the boiling point. When the main suspect's alibi changes, Fenway knows something isn't right. Is she trying to hide a bigger secret or is she playing a more nefarious game? Will Fenway arrest an innocent woman to save herself? Can she uncover the truth before it’s too late? ---------------- Grab your copy of the sixth book in this bestselling hard-boiled mystery series today! "The Watchful Coroner will captivate readers from the first page." —C.B. Samet, EVVY Award-Winning Author "With characters you love to hate, complex relationships, and a compelling central mystery, you won't be able to put The Watchful Coroner down. Ardoin's most polished work to date delivers an ending that's both touching and laugh-out-loud. A joy to read from start to finish."--Jamie Thornton, New York Times Bestselling Author KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, biracial female coroner investigator, medical examiner thriller, hotel murder, private investigator sleuth, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, hard boiled mystery, strong Black woman sleuth, interracial romance mystery, BWWM detective romance, California beach black detective mystery whodunit crime fiction, Santa Barbara mystery, similar author to Leslie Wolfe, LJ Ross, Willow Rose, Blake Banner, Tom Fowler, Jeff Carson, TJ Jones
Bea Collins is desperate. Her fiancé, Dean has disappeared and Bea is sure that he didn't just walk out on her. In comes the troubleshooter, Hannibal Jones who is skeptical until he finds the missing man who is dazed, confused, and accused of a coworker's bloody murder. Suddenly, Hannibal has a new mission: to prove Dean's innocence. All evidence points to Dean but he can't seem to remember what happened. To find the truth, Hannibal travels through Dean's past where he stumbles on evidence linking him to yet another murder. These deaths have destroyed the lives connected to them, and it soon becomes clear that Hannibal will have to solve all three cases in order to save Dean from the death penalty and to prevent further bloodshed.
Enjoy this hardboiled coroner series by bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin! "If you love page-turning, unputdownable mysteries, then Ardoin is the real deal." --Mark Stay, host of The Bestseller Experiment podcast Blood is thicker than oil—until murder is involved! The collection includes the first three books of The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries: The Reluctant Coroner: Fenway Stevenson doesn't want to return to the coastal town where her estranged father is practically king. But the death of her mother draws her back home--and the murder of the county coroner draws her into a deepening conspiracy. As the body count rises and all signs seem to point toward her father's oil company, will Fenway uncover the truth before family bonds become deadly? The Incumbent Coroner: The bizarre circumstances of Fenway Stevenson’s latest case as county coroner drag her to the center of one very dangerous game. With one suspect in custody, an attempt on the life of the key witness leads to her disappearance and more unanswered questions. Fenway must race to solve the mystery before anyone else dies while also juggling an upcoming election and her overbearing father’s meddling. As summer temperatures rise, so do the stakes. What will Fenway have to sacrifice to ensure the safety of everyone in her idyllic coastal town? The Candidate Coroner: In the midst of Acting Coroner Fenway Stevenson’s reelection campaign, the body of a successful business owner is found in a pedestrian underpass—and she discovers that her young, hated stepmother is the prime suspect. As if that’s not bad enough, further digging only exposes a money-laundering scheme that could implicate dozens of residents in the coastal town she calls home. Each clue she uncovers puts her in more danger. After an attempt on her life, and with more bodies piling up, how will Fenway solve the mystery, win the election—or simply save her own life? Mixing murder, small-town politics, and hidden conspiracies, The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries follow the acting coroner as she tries to get to the bottom of the high-profile murders in her town—while juggling the politics of the coroner's office, the whims of her rich, powerful father, and a budding romance with the county sheriff. The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries, Collection One is a boxset of the first three books of the hardboiled murder mystery series. KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, female coroner, medical examiner, medical thriller, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, mystery book boxset, hard boiled mystery, strong woman sleuth, interracial romance mystery, political thriller, conspiracy murder, crime fiction box set, Santa Barbara mystery omnibus
Enjoy this pulse-pounding hardboiled mystery novel set in a modern-day Shakespeare troupe--from USA TODAY bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin "There's nothing better than a well-plotted mystery investigated by a witty, wonderfully clever (and flawed) heroine. A well-paced and suspenseful piece of crime fiction not to be missed!" --Gabriella Messina, author of The Kate Gardener Mysteries The local university's Shakespeare troupe already had plenty of drama. Then their manager was murdered. The morning after the coroner election, Fenway Stevenson finds herself in the middle of another emotionally charged case. The manager of a renowned Shakespeare group is killed — and there's no shortage of suspects. Uncovering secret affairs and ties to a deep conspiracy, she gets stonewalled by actors, accountants, and even the university president — who all seem to know more than they admit. Can Fenway solve the murder before she becomes the next victim? ------------ The Upstaged Coroner is the fourth book in the bestselling edge-of-your-seat Fenway Stevenson Mysteries series. KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, female coroner, medical examiner, medical thriller, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, hard boiled mystery, brozy, theater murder, Shakespeare murder, strong woman sleuth, interracial romance mystery, political thriller, conspiracy murder, Santa Barbara crime fiction, similar author to Leslie Wolfe, LJ Ross, Willow Rose, Blake Banner, Tom Fowler, Jeff Carson, TJ Jones
Enjoy this free hardboiled coroner series starter by USA TODAY bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin "Think Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich, but with darker twists and more biting social commentary. A five-star thriller!" —John Ling, USA Today Bestselling Author Blood is thicker than oil—until murder is involved. Fenway Stevenson doesn't want to return to the coastal town where her estranged father is practically king. But the death of her mother draws her back home—and the murder of the county coroner draws her into a deepening conspiracy. As the body count rises and all signs seem to point toward her father's oil company, will Fenway uncover the truth before family bonds become deadly? ----------- The Reluctant Coroner is the first novel in the acclaimed hard boiled Fenway Stevenson Mystery series, ideal for fans of LJ Ross, Anne Shilolo, Willow Rose, and Blake Banner. KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, biracial female coroner investigator, medical examiner thriller, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, hard boiled mystery, Santa Barbara mystery.
Enjoy the second set of three novels in this hardboiled coroner series by bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin! "If you love page-turning, unputdownable mysteries, then Ardoin is the real deal." --Mark Stay, host of The Bestseller Experiment podcast Blood is thicker than oil—until murder is involved! The collection includes the Books 4-6 of The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries: The Upstaged Coroner: The local university's Shakespeare troupe already had plenty of drama—then their manager was murdered. The morning after the coroner election, Fenway Stevenson finds herself in the middle of another emotionally charged case. The manager of a renowned Shakespeare group is killed—and there's no shortage of suspects. Uncovering secret affairs and ties to a deep conspiracy, she gets stonewalled by actors, accountants, and even the university president—who all seem to know more than they admit. Can Fenway solve the murder before she becomes the next victim? The Courtroom Coroner: A dead defendant. A court in lockdown. And a murderer in the room. Coroner Fenway Stevenson is distraught. Not only is her father on trial for murder, but a huge conspiracy is wrecking the coastal town she calls home. And with two gunshots in a crowded courtroom, everything changes. A dead body. Thirteen people. A set of locked doors. As the hours tick by, one thing becomes clear: the killer is still in the courtroom and will stop at nothing to ensure the truth never comes out. With only a fingerprint kit, an Ethernet cable, and her wits, can Fenway catch the killer before becoming a victim herself? The Watchful Coroner: A murder in the city’s most exclusive hotel. The main suspect? Her boyfriend’s ex-wife. There’s another killing in the cozy beach town of Estancia. This time, Coroner Fenway Stevenson needs to solve the murder of one of the most prominent businessmen in town. But everyone has ulterior motives. The new mayor is pressuring her to make a quick arrest. Is he eager for justice or does he have something to hide? Fenway’s relationship with her boyfriend is strained when the investigation threatens to unearth a terrible secret and tear his family apart. Her father lies comatose after being shot by a bullet meant for Fenway. His company is on the brink of disaster. The investigation quickly turns into a political and personal battleground. Her friends, colleagues, and family get caught in the web of complicated relationships and contradictory evidence—and as the mayor turns the screws on Fenway, her emotions reach the boiling point. When the main suspect's alibi changes, Fenway knows something isn't right. Is she trying to hide a bigger secret or is she playing a more nefarious game? _______________________ Mixing murder, small-town politics, and hidden conspiracies, The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries follow the newly-elected coroner as she tries to get to the bottom of the high-profile murders in her town—while juggling the politics of the coroner's office, the whims of her rich, powerful father, and a romance with the county sheriff. The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries, Collection Two is a boxset of the second three books of the hardboiled murder mystery series. KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, female coroner, medical examiner, medical thriller, courtroom thriller, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, mystery book boxset, hard boiled mystery, strong woman sleuth, interracial romance mystery, legal thriller, conspiracy murder, crime fiction box set, Santa Barbara mystery omnibus
Enjoy this edge-of-your-seat hardboiled thriller from USA TODAY bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin "If you love page-turning, unputdownable mysteries, then Ardoin is the real deal." --Mark Stay, host of The Bestseller Experiment podcast A beloved mayor. A seedy motel room. One baffling murder. The bizarre circumstances of Fenway Stevenson’s latest case as county coroner drag her to the center of one very dangerous game. With one suspect in custody, an attempt on the life of the key witness leads to her disappearance and more unanswered questions. Fenway must race to solve the mystery before anyone else dies while also juggling an upcoming election and her overbearing father’s meddling. As summer temperatures rise, so do the stakes. What will Fenway have to sacrifice to ensure the safety of everyone in her idyllic coastal town? ------------ The Incumbent Coroner is the bestselling follow-up to The Reluctant Coroner, the first Fenway Stevenson mystery, full of twists and turns. "With murder, mayhem, kidnappings, crooked businessmen, and conspiracies, this book has a lot to love." --C.B. Samet, Evvy Award Winner, author of the Dr. Whyte Adventure Series For fansideal for fans of LJ Ross, Anne Shilolo, Willow Rose, and Blake Banner. KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, biracial female coroner investigator, medical examiner thriller, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, hard boiled mystery, Santa Barbara mystery, brozy, political thriller, conspiracy murder, Santa Barbara crime fiction.
Enjoy this thrilling hardboiled political whodunit from USA TODAY bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin "Ardoin delivers a wonderfully creepy setup, a true-to-life father-daughter dynamic, and a great narrative flow. I enjoyed this book immensely--and I can't wait to see what happens next!" --Jamie Thornton, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Two contentious elections. One dead philanderer. A monumental conspiracy. In the midst of Acting Coroner Fenway Stevenson's reelection campaign, the body of a successful business owner is found in a pedestrian underpass—and she discovers that her young, hated stepmother is the prime suspect. As if that's not bad enough, further digging only exposes a money-laundering scheme that could implicate dozens of residents in the coastal town she calls home. Each clue she uncovers puts her in more danger. After an attempt on her life, and with more bodies piling up, how will Fenway solve the mystery, win the election—or simply save her own life? ------------- The Candidate Coroner is the third book in the bestselling Fenway Stevenson Mysteries series, full of twists and turns. KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, biracial female coroner investigator, medical examiner thriller, small town politics thriller, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, hard boiled mystery, strong Black woman sleuth, interracial romance mystery, BWWM detective romance, California beach black detective mystery whodunit crime fiction, Santa Barbara mystery, similar author to Leslie Wolfe, LJ Ross, Willow Rose, Blake Banner, Tom Fowler, Jeff Carson, TJ Jones
This early work by Richard Austin Freeman was originally published in 1912 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Mystery of 31 New Inn' is one of Freeman's novels of crime and mystery. The first story featuring his well-known protagonist Dr. Thorndyke - a medico-legal forensic investigator - was published in 1907, and although Freeman's early works were seen as simple homages to his contemporary, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, he quickly developed his own style: The 'inverted detective story', in which the identity of the criminal is shown from the beginning, and the story then describes the detective's attempt to solve the mystery.
Enjoy this locked-room thriller from USA TODAY Bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin "A suspenseful closed-room murder mystery. Ardoin masterfully crafts an edge-of-your-seat novel with the perfect balance of intrigue, drama, and humor." --C.B. Samet, four-time award-winning author A dead defendant. A court in lockdown. And a murderer in the room. Coroner Fenway Stevenson is distraught. Not only is her father on trial for murder, but a huge conspiracy is wrecking the coastal town she calls home. And with two gunshots in a crowded courtroom, everything changes. A dead body. Thirteen people. A set of locked doors. As the hours tick by, one thing becomes clear: the killer is still in the courtroom and will stop at nothing to ensure the truth never comes out. With nothing but a fingerprint kit, an Ethernet cable, and her wits, can Fenway catch the killer before becoming a victim herself? ------------------ The Courtroom Coroner is the fifth book in the bestselling hard-boiled Fenway Stevenson Mysteries series. KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, female coroner, medical examiner, medical thriller, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, hard boiled mystery, brozy, courthouse murder, locked room mystery, legal thriller, strong woman sleuth, interracial romance mystery, political thriller, conspiracy murder, Santa Barbara crime fiction, similar author to Leslie Wolfe, LJ Ross, Willow Rose, Blake Banner, Tom Fowler, Jeff Carson, TJ Jones
A peaceful, pleasant afternoon in the woodland scene of Linton Green is disturbed when a brutal murder takes place. But thanks to an unseen witness, the killer may be caught, and the witness turns out to be a blessing in disguise. This is the story of Thomas Pedley, a gifted artist who paints what he sees from memory.
A street magician needs more than sleight-of-hand to survive in this dark, edgy crime thriller . . . After years of chasing fame and hedonistic excess in the bright lights of Las Vegas, Rusty “The Raven” Diamond has returned home to Ocean City, Maryland, to piece his life back together. When he finds himself an innocent suspect in his landlord’s brutal murder, Rusty abandons all hope of maintaining a tranquil existence. Acting on impulse, he digs into the investigation just enough to anger both the police and a local drug cartel. As the case grows more complex, claiming new victims and inciting widespread panic, Rusty feels galvanized by the adrenaline he’s been missing for too long. But his newfound excitement threatens to become an addiction, leading him headfirst into an underworld he’s been desperately trying to escape . . . This is the first in the series featuring an illusionist-turned-sleuth by the author of The Platinum Loop, which was praised by Publishers Weekly as “pulp fun at its best.”
This early work by Richard Austin Freeman was originally published in 1928 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'As a Thief in the Night' is one of Freeman's novels of crime and mystery. The first story featuring his well-known protagonist Dr. Thorndyke - a medico-legal forensic investigator - was published in 1907, and although Freeman's early works were seen as simple homages to his contemporary, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, he quickly developed his own style: The 'inverted detective story', in which the identity of the criminal is shown from the beginning, and the story then describes the detective's attempt to solve the mystery.
Enjoy the eighth novel in this hardboiled coroner series by USA TODAY bestselling mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin “The Offside Coroner kept me guessing right up to the end—the perfect balance of tension and rich detail that makes it impossible to put down. I simply loved it!” —L.J. Regan, author of Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead ____________________ A coach, a protégé—and a scandal that turns deadly. A fancy dinner date turns into Coroner Fenway Stevenson's worst nightmare. Sucked into investigating a wife accused of adultery, Fenway finds herself caught in the crossfire when the head coach for a professional soccer team ends up with his skull bashed in. As a sex scandal engulfs the team, Fenway tries to protect the prime suspect. Can Fenway unmask the killer before the body count rises? __________________ The Offside Coroner is the eighth novel in the acclaimed hard boiled Fenway Stevenson Mystery series. KEYWORDS: California beach town murder, biracial female coroner investigator, soccer scandal, women's football mystery, NWSL scandal, medical examiner thriller, former nurse solves murders, estranged father, hard boiled mystery, strong Black woman sleuth, interracial romance mystery, BWWM detective romance, California beach black detective mystery whodunit crime fiction, Santa Barbara mystery, similar author to Leslie Wolfe, LJ Ross, Willow Rose, Blake Banner, Tom Fowler, Jeff Carson, TJ Jones
On a misty November night in London, Dr Thorndyke comes across an abandoned handbag in an old church. From examining the contents an address is found and so begins a mysterious trail leading to the owner and a violent murder. This delightful collection of crime stories has been written to amuse and perplex the most ardent of crime aficionados.
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