Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month for January 2025

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Cora

Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month
It’s that time of the month again, time for “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of speculative fiction by indie and small press authors newly published this month, though some December books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Once again, we have new releases covering the whole broad spectrum of speculative fiction. This month, we have urban fantasy, epic fantasy, historical fantasy, paranormal mysteries, paranormal thrillers, space opera, military science fiction, science fantasy, werewolves, space pirates, space mages, space prisons, living space marines, undead space marines, , crime-busting witches, crime-busting psychics, the magic of music and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Speculative Fiction Showcase, a group blog run by Jessica Rydill and myself, which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things speculative fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

Special Duty by Jonathan P. BrazeeSpecial Duty by Jonathan P. Brazee:

Captain Esther Lysander, UFMC, is a combat Marine. Her new orders, however, are APOC, or “At the Pleasure of the Chairman,” and while she knows this type of assignment could be career-threatening, she feels duty-bound to accept them.

There is no SOP for being APOC, except that it isn’t combat-as-usual. Part spy, part soldier, part political window dressing, Esther has to adapt to everything from clandestine meetings with rebel forces, hostage rescues, and off-the-record sniper missions to being a courier between the chairman and other heads of state.

If she thought being a Marine was dangerous enough, she’s about to find out how deadly things can truly get.

Dead to Rights by Jonathan P. Brazee and J.N. ChaneyDead to Rights by J.N. Chaney and Jonathan P. Brazee

The end of the Undead could be upon us.

The Undead continue to take the fight to the Tucanan invaders, but it’s difficult to achieve such notable success without attracting attention.

Rumors continue to surface about clones and zombies, sparking protests.

Irrefutable proof surfaces that at least one of the Undead was previously declared KIA and buried with honors, and then an insider goes public, sparking uproar and calls for official investigation.

The Undead are trapped between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

On the one hand, the Tucanans are targeting them, and on the other, humanity has turned against them. The public thinks they’re monsters, and the government wants not only to shut down the program but to take action to make the Undead problem disappear forever.

Without legal status, the Undead have no rights, and there is little they can do to stand against society’s hatred. Now they must navigate human persecution while still fighting to save humanity from the Tucanan threat.

What will become of them when the dust settles? Who will survive?

Way of the Wolf by Lindsay BurokerWay of the Wolf by Lindsay Buroker:

You can only escape your destiny for so long…

It’s been more than twenty years since tragedy prompted Luna Valens to walk away from her pack.

Scarred by her past, she’s done her best to lead a normal human life. Thanks to a potion that suppresses her magic, nobody around her has a clue that she’s a werewolf.

Until…

Her potion supplier disappears, her family reestablishes contact, and a mysterious werewolf with a metal detector and a penchant for calling her my lady saunters into her life.

As if all that weren’t enough, someone from her past is trying to kill her. Someone dangerous.

To survive and figure out what’s going on, Luna will have to once again embrace her power. But, after so long, will she be able to summon the wolf?

Fractured Unity by Rachel FordFractured Unity by Rachel Ford:

An AI whistleblower. An ancient conflict. A faltering Union.

When the Union’s new AI, Groundbreaker, releases troves of data revealing deep corruption and crime within the Union and her member planets, the fallout is immediate and widespread. Leaders are toppled, governments overthrown, and longstanding bonds broken.

The Union has never been more vulnerable. So when a terrible scandal on Kudar threatens to spawn intergalactic war, sundering any hope of reconciliation between member worlds once and for all, the admiralty enlists the help of The Lady Bane and her crew to find a peaceful resolution.

It’s a political minefield, where one wrong step can impact the fate of billions. But when terrorists start targeting the crew, the danger becomes personal.

Merry Hexmas by Lily Harper HartMerry Hexmas by Lily Harper Hart:

Christmas has come to the Quarter, and that means big things for Ofelia Archer.

Her father is getting out of the hospital for a holiday visit, she’s about to meet two future sisters-in-law for the first time, and this is her first Christmas with her fiancé.

She should be on top of the world.

There’s just one little problem.

Bodies are showing up around the French Quarter, what looks to be candy canes pierced through their hearts. When those candy canes are removed, some of the victims come back, and they’re different people. Not zombies or anything, but suddenly better people than they were when they were stabbed. It seems they’ve been imbued with the Christmas spirit out of nowhere.

And some others aren’t coming back at all.

The attacks have “demon” written all over them. This demon, however, thinks he’s Santa Claus. He wears the suit and everything.

Ofelia is determined to have a good holiday. She just has a fight to finish before she can get to the nog and presents of it all.

It’s going to be a doozy of a fight.

The First Curse is the Deepest by Lily Harper HartThe First Curse is the Deepest by Lily Harper Hart:

When a young girl goes missing on the way to her bus, Maddie Graves-Winters goes searching and finds the sort of mystery she never wanted to uncover.

The girl, crying and shaking and talking about a monster, is okay when Maddie finds her. What they discover with the girl isn’t, however.

When Maddie and her husband Nick were in high school, three teenagers went missing. Everybody assumed they fled to Detroit for some fun and never came back, but it turns out, they never left Blackstone Bay.

The new case seems to coincide with the old case but nobody can figure out how. Even when Maddie calls in her friend Ivy Morgan to help, there are more questions than answers.

Blackstone Bay always felt like a safe place to live. Now Maddie isn’t certain. On top of that, her son is having dreams where he’s lost in dark woods. They’re the same dreams Maddie is having. The same monsters haunting them both.

When the unthinkable happens and another girl goes missing, the clock starts ticking. Can Maddie save the day, or will the past ruin the present all over again?

To Tune the Beast by Sun Hesper JansenTo Tune the Beast by Sun Hesper Jansen:

Welcome to Coruscar, where music is magic… for some

It is 1928, a year from Coruscar’s Bicentennial and the contentious merger of the classes. On a winter’s day at Larimar Keep, a singer is wrongly executed for Class Agitation, the victim of a conspiracy among the dead as well as the living. One of many seeds taking root in a time ripe for revolution.

At the opening of a new season, at Realgar Keep, a symphony that is more than music-for those born with the ability to appreciate it-fills the sky over an amphitheater of stone. Waiting to play his part is one of the four Founding Cores, crystalline manticores the size of a palace. He is newly tuned to a Mode of rebirth.

In the seats reserved for the highest of the Blood Harmonious, battered from the day’s Tuning but gloriously alive, Prentice Mica Kalekai is also waiting-impatient to escape to the music she wishes she’d been born to.

Many rows back, in the Common seats, is Chalcy Greenglass, a songwriter with a secret, who has paid a terrible price to possess what a highblood takes for granted.

Their meeting will alter both of their lives, and the course of history.

The Beast at the center of it all dances, delighted by the disruption he has set in motion. Coruscar is already poised for upheaval. But even he will fail to foretell what the Merger truly has in store.

TO TUNE THE BEAST is the debut fantasy novel by Sun Hesper Jansen, author of the poetry collection Fairy of Disenchantment.

Better Luck Hex Time by Amanda M. LeeBetter Luck Hex Time by Amanda M. Lee:

Moonstone Bay is in a tizzy. Not only has a new village been discovered—it was hidden by magic for hundreds of years—but family members long thought dead are back and infiltrating lives that had changed in their absence.

It is not all smooth sailing.

Hadley Hunter is trying to keep things under wraps but she’s as excited to explore the village as anybody. There’s just one little problem. How did a body make it into the village when it was magically warded to keep people out?

A local shifter is dead and Hadley and her merry band of paranormal powerhouses are on the case. She thought the village had given up all of its mysteries. What if she was wrong, though?

Hadley’s dreams are being haunted, her future uncertain, her friends in turmoil. Is it an old enemy coming back, or is someone new—someone terrible—on the horizon?

Hadley is about to find out. She’s not going to want to hear the answer. Nobody is.

Sinister Snack Attack by Amanda M. LeeSinister Snack Attack by Amanda M. Lee:

Stormy Morgan should be on top of the world. She’s engaged, about to move into her dreamhouse, and her magic is stabilizing. In fact, she’s becoming one heckuva witch.

Too bad trouble keeps finding her.

This time it comes in the form of a gang of kids who appear to be stealing cars from various townsfolk. It’s become a big enough issue that everybody in town is becoming unnerved, paranoid even. Their solution is to form a Neighborhood Watch, which should be okay in theory. Unfortunately, the reality is anything but.

Stormy’s dreams are being plagued by threatening shadows, to the point where she thinks she’s being watched. On top of that, there’s something odd going on with the mayor and his wife, which just might involve one of Stormy’s cousins. That would be enough to keep Stormy busy, but there’s more.

The residents are acting odd. They’re not just fighting crime, they’re treating it as if it’s life or death. They’re getting aggressive, and everybody is in danger. That’s everybody.

Stormy doesn’t know where to start. Is she dealing with one problem or multiple problems? She’s going to need help to get to the bottom of things. Even her powerful allies might not be enough to save the town.

Shadow Hills is home but suddenly it feels like a different place. Will Stormy be able to save Shadow Hills—and everybody who lives there—before it’s too late?

Strap in. You’re about to find out.

Twice-Spent Comet by Zuggy SchutzTwice-Spent Comet by Ziggy Schutz

The fall from hopeful revolutionary to prison laborer is a hard one. Fer’s world has shrunk from the whole damn universe to this anonymous asteroid and the four other convicts who share it with them. It’s a fitting end, for someone who used to wish on stars but now can only seem to collect endings.But magic and falling stars have ways of finding those who need them, and when Fer takes a chance and looks up, there’s a mermaid staring back at them, silhouetted by stars.twice-spent comet is a fairy tale for forgotten places and the people whose stories are stuck waiting for the next sentence.

Chimera's Fall by Glynn StewartChimera’s Fall by Glynn Stewart:

The power and reach of Mars are beyond question
The limits of that power are all too real
At the edge of their reach, even they cannot save everyone…

Faced with the terror-inspiring might of the reawakened Reezh Kazh, the Church of the Nine that once ruled hundreds of stars, the people of the Dual Republics of Chimera have asked Mars and humanity for protection.

For now, the Protectorate is united behind their Mage-Queen. Ambassador Connor O’Hannagain and Mage-Captain Roslyn Chambers are charged to do everything they can—but the reality is grim.

The Protectorate is too far away. The Chimera System cannot be saved… but the Chimeran people might be. Even as every warship Mars can spare is rushed forward to their new ally, massive fleets of transports are assembled to carry as many people to safety as possible.

The magical power of Mars can save some of Chimera’s people, human and reezh alike, but if steel and magic cannot guard the innocent, Chambers, O’Hannagain and others all face a single harsh question:

When Chimera falls, who stays behind?

Last Spell by Mary StoneLast Spell by Mary Stone:

Curse the darkness. Or embrace it. There’s no other choice.

Special Agent Emma Last barely survived the psychic attack that tore through her when she drove past her hometown of Salem for a case. At the time, she was chasing a cannibal through a booby-trapped wilderness, but the shadows of Salem have lingered, haunting her every mile.

Now, she’s not just driving past—she’s going back. On purpose.

Emma and two of her closest colleagues arrive to assist with a puzzling crime wave plaguing Salem. Four unrelated arsons, over a dozen muggings, vandalism, carjacking, home invasions. Every crime has been committed by a person with no criminal background. Stranger still, none remember their crimes.

Emma knows something sinister and supernatural is at play. Her late mother’s two best friends each blame the other for using magic to manipulate the people of Salem into acts of violence. But as the attacks escalate to murder, Emma uncovers a chilling truth. One of the women deliberately lured Emma to Salem to kill her.

But which one?

Fighting a threat she can’t see and unsure who she can trust, Emma must find the source of the madness destroying Salem. Before it destroys her.

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Indie Crime Fiction of the Month for January 2025

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Cora


Welcome to the latest edition of “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of crime fiction by indie authors newly published this month, though some December books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Our new releases cover the broad spectrum of crime fiction. We have cozy mysteries, holiday mysteries, historical mysteries, jazz age mysteries, 1950s mysteries, paranormal mysteries, paranormal thrillers, crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, adventure thrillers, police officers, FBI agents, private investigators, amateur sleuths, missing persons, sinister pregnancies, murdered wrestlers, crime-busting witches, crime-busting socialites, crime-busting housekeepers, murder and mayhem in Manhattan, New Orleans, Tennessee, the Caribbean and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Crime Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Indie Crime Scene, a group blog which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things crime fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

The Happy Housekeeper's Guide to Deception by Blythe BakerThe Happy Housekeeper’s Guide To Deception by Blythe Baker

Barbara expects her life to settle down, now that she has returned to Cobbsville with all her old secrets laid to rest. But instead, she comes home to find an unexpected new member has joined the Hollis household – and brought along a deadly new mystery.

Barbara’s investigation of a murder uncovers lies and motives that have been buried for years. But can she get to the bottom of it all before finding herself at the bottom of a grave?

No Safe Place by Stacy ClaflinNo Safe Place by Stacy Claflin:

The truth isn’t a key to freedom — it’s a loaded gun.

When my best friend vanishes, a terrifying game of cat and mouse pulls me into a nightmare I can’t escape. Her disappearance is tangled in a web of lies that leads straight to a murder investigation—and to me. Now I’m being hunted by a shadowy cult willing to kill to keep their secrets buried. My podcast, once a voice for the voiceless, has become my death sentence.

They’re always watching, waiting for me to slip.

The clock is ticking for me to expose the conspiracy that could destroy everything—or become its next victim. With my freedom and my life on the line, I’ll have to risk it all to save the people I love. But the deeper I dig, the more I realize: some secrets were never meant to be unearthed.

A gripping psychological thriller of crime, cult intrigue, and deadly family secrets, No Safe Place will keep you breathless to the very last page.

A Merry Little Murder by Colette ClarkA Merry Little Murder by Colette Clark:

’Tis the Season…for Murder?

Manhattan, 1926

Just a week until Christmas, a very pregnant Penelope Prescott (née Banks) finds herself confined to bed, awaiting the arrival of the newest addition to the family. With her private investigation business on hold, she’s left with little to do but read the newspaper and watch the comings and goings in the new apartment building across the street.

Or so she thought…

When a familiar, jolly-faced, older man moves into the penthouse across the street and throws a family holiday party, Pen expects nothing more than festive cheer. But when the host vanishes, her sharp mind can’t help but suspect foul play.

With the help of a few trusted friends—and her police detective husband—Penelope must solve the mystery before the arrival of Christmas…and her little one!

Misconception by Denise ForsytheMisconception by Denise Forsythe:

Cassie Nichols wants a baby. Badly.

She’s certain a baby will anchor the crumbling relationship with her husband, Jake, who she suspects is having an affair.

But after a miscarriage and continued trouble getting pregnant leads the couple down the frustrating and expensive road of in vitro fertilization, Cassie finds herself running out of time.

Pumped on hormones, fueled by anxiety, and believing it is the only way to save her marriage, she does the unthinkable to ensure a viable pregnancy.

Now, the happy family she envisioned remains out of reach and is instead wrought with lies, deception, and murder.

Sins of the Falls by Elle GraySins of the Falls by Elle Gray:

Sins can be forgiven, but some can be like a curse, afflicting and tormenting until the last breath.

Former FBI Agent Spenser Song is on the path to healing from tragedy and betrayal. After moving to Sweetwater Falls and settling into her cabin in the idyllic woods, she has found a sense of belonging and peace as the town’s Sheriff.

While having breakfast with Ryker, Spenser is notified about a grim new case. A female victim has been found shot on the side of a rural road.

Upon arrival at the crime scene, Spenser recognizes the deceased woman. The acclaimed author, Dallas James. Spenser had just provided security for her a few days prior.

Speculations and theories circulate in town, leaving more confusion than answers.
A deep dive into the victim’s life reveals many passion-fueled twists.

It is said that a deceitful heart is deadlier than any weapon.
The sins of the falls might lead its participants on the road to their demise.

Merry Hexmas by Lily Harper HartMerry Hexmas by Lily Harper Hart:

Christmas has come to the Quarter, and that means big things for Ofelia Archer.

Her father is getting out of the hospital for a holiday visit, she’s about to meet two future sisters-in-law for the first time, and this is her first Christmas with her fiancé.

She should be on top of the world.

There’s just one little problem.

Bodies are showing up around the French Quarter, what looks to be candy canes pierced through their hearts. When those candy canes are removed, some of the victims come back, and they’re different people. Not zombies or anything, but suddenly better people than they were when they were stabbed. It seems they’ve been imbued with the Christmas spirit out of nowhere.

And some others aren’t coming back at all.

The attacks have “demon” written all over them. This demon, however, thinks he’s Santa Claus. He wears the suit and everything.

Ofelia is determined to have a good holiday. She just has a fight to finish before she can get to the nog and presents of it all.

It’s going to be a doozy of a fight.

The First Curse is the Deepest by Lily Harper HartThe First Curse is the Deepest by Lily Harper Hart:

When a young girl goes missing on the way to her bus, Maddie Graves-Winters goes searching and finds the sort of mystery she never wanted to uncover.

The girl, crying and shaking and talking about a monster, is okay when Maddie finds her. What they discover with the girl isn’t, however.

When Maddie and her husband Nick were in high school, three teenagers went missing. Everybody assumed they fled to Detroit for some fun and never came back, but it turns out, they never left Blackstone Bay.

The new case seems to coincide with the old case but nobody can figure out how. Even when Maddie calls in her friend Ivy Morgan to help, there are more questions than answers.

Blackstone Bay always felt like a safe place to live. Now Maddie isn’t certain. On top of that, her son is having dreams where he’s lost in dark woods. They’re the same dreams Maddie is having. The same monsters haunting them both.

When the unthinkable happens and another girl goes missing, the clock starts ticking. Can Maddie save the day, or will the past ruin the present all over again?

Better Luck Hex Time by Amanda M. LeeBetter Luck Hex Time by Amanda M. Lee:

Moonstone Bay is in a tizzy. Not only has a new village been discovered—it was hidden by magic for hundreds of years—but family members long thought dead are back and infiltrating lives that had changed in their absence.

It is not all smooth sailing.

Hadley Hunter is trying to keep things under wraps but she’s as excited to explore the village as anybody. There’s just one little problem. How did a body make it into the village when it was magically warded to keep people out?

A local shifter is dead and Hadley and her merry band of paranormal powerhouses are on the case. She thought the village had given up all of its mysteries. What if she was wrong, though?

Hadley’s dreams are being haunted, her future uncertain, her friends in turmoil. Is it an old enemy coming back, or is someone new—someone terrible—on the horizon?

Hadley is about to find out. She’s not going to want to hear the answer. Nobody is.

Sinister Snack Attack by Amanda M. LeeSinister Snack Attack by Amanda M. Lee:

Stormy Morgan should be on top of the world. She’s engaged, about to move into her dreamhouse, and her magic is stabilizing. In fact, she’s becoming one heckuva witch.

Too bad trouble keeps finding her.

This time it comes in the form of a gang of kids who appear to be stealing cars from various townsfolk. It’s become a big enough issue that everybody in town is becoming unnerved, paranoid even. Their solution is to form a Neighborhood Watch, which should be okay in theory. Unfortunately, the reality is anything but.

Stormy’s dreams are being plagued by threatening shadows, to the point where she thinks she’s being watched. On top of that, there’s something odd going on with the mayor and his wife, which just might involve one of Stormy’s cousins. That would be enough to keep Stormy busy, but there’s more.

The residents are acting odd. They’re not just fighting crime, they’re treating it as if it’s life or death. They’re getting aggressive, and everybody is in danger. That’s everybody.

Stormy doesn’t know where to start. Is she dealing with one problem or multiple problems? She’s going to need help to get to the bottom of things. Even her powerful allies might not be enough to save the town.

Shadow Hills is home but suddenly it feels like a different place. Will Stormy be able to save Shadow Hills—and everybody who lives there—before it’s too late?

Strap in. You’re about to find out.

Under the Mask by A.J. RiversUnder the Mask by A.J. Rivers:

There’s no mercy for the wicked. And the heart of a killer will not be spared.

PI Dean Steele has put many evil masked men behind bars. While attending a wrestling match with Xavier, Dean witnesses one of the masked wrestlers drops unconscious on stage. The unmasking reveals a shocking twist, and the death causes a ripple throughout the entire Wrestling Federation.

Dean goes undercover and stumbles upon clues that may change everything. When another wrestler’s body is found, brutally murdered, it appears that these Goliath-like men are being strategically taken out.

Dean has wrestled with many mysteries. No one could have prepared him for this twisted reveal.

Under the mask, no one is who they seem.

Dominica Blue by Wayne Stinnett Dominica Blue by Wayne Stinnett:

Jesse McDermitt has done it. He has escaped the ugliness so pervasive in modern society, and along with his family and a few close friends, they have set out aboard a boat he designed himself for living long periods totally off the grid.

The first couple of months are peaceful, uneventful, and by today’s standards, quite boring. But the crew of Taranis have the sun, sea, and quiet coves to explore, where there aren’t even any footprints in the sand.

Until they reach their destination.

The island of Dominica, in the middle of the Leeward Islands, rises straight up out of the Caribbean, with volcanic peaks shrouded in mist from the many steam vents and Boiling Lake itself.

Little does McDermitt know, but the island is also a staging area for drugs and arms coming up out of South America. When a group of men on a luxury cruising yacht reveal clues as to who they really are, Jesse handles things in his trademark fashion… murder and mayhem in paradise.

Last Spell by Mary StoneLast Spell by Mary Stone:

Curse the darkness. Or embrace it. There’s no other choice.

Special Agent Emma Last barely survived the psychic attack that tore through her when she drove past her hometown of Salem for a case. At the time, she was chasing a cannibal through a booby-trapped wilderness, but the shadows of Salem have lingered, haunting her every mile.

Now, she’s not just driving past—she’s going back. On purpose.

Emma and two of her closest colleagues arrive to assist with a puzzling crime wave plaguing Salem. Four unrelated arsons, over a dozen muggings, vandalism, carjacking, home invasions. Every crime has been committed by a person with no criminal background. Stranger still, none remember their crimes.

Emma knows something sinister and supernatural is at play. Her late mother’s two best friends each blame the other for using magic to manipulate the people of Salem into acts of violence. But as the attacks escalate to murder, Emma uncovers a chilling truth. One of the women deliberately lured Emma to Salem to kill her.

But which one?

Fighting a threat she can’t see and unsure who she can trust, Emma must find the source of the madness destroying Salem. Before it destroys her.

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Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month for November 2024

Posted on November 30, 2024 by Cora

Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month
It’s that time of the month again, time for “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of speculative fiction by indie and small press authors newly published this month, though some October books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Once again, we have new releases covering the whole broad spectrum of speculative fiction. This month, we have urban fantasy, epic fantasy, historical fantasy, fantasy romance, paranormal mysteries, space opera, military science fiction, dystopian noir, space marines, undead marines, vampires, empaths, supernatural cold cases, crime-busting witches and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Speculative Fiction Showcase, a group blog run by Jessica Rydill and myself, which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things speculative fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

Marine Tanker by Jonathan P. BrazeeMarine Tanker by Jonathan P. Brazee:

Noah Lysander, son of the former Marine Commandant and Chairman of the Federation, followed his twin sister in enlisting as a Marine.

While Esther excelled, getting commissioned as an officer, Noah is not so driven, and when he proposes to Miriam, he makes a pledge to be a better husband and future parent than his own father had been.

Reenlisting for armor, Noah becomes a crewman on an M1 Davis, the most powerful tank ever developed. He quickly finds out that despite nominal peace within the Federation, the deployment demands placed on his platoon are heavy, and his relationship with his growing family begins to suffer.

As a Marine tanker, he’s a natural and has found his niche in the Corps, but at what cost?

Marine Corpse by Jonathan P. Brazee and J.N. ChaneyMarine Corpse by Jonathan P. Brazee and J.N. Chaney:

As more Undead are created, a second battalion is formed.

Pax becomes a team leader as the Marines are developing new tactics, but the Tucanans aren’t standing still, either.

And they seem to have targeted the Undead. High on their list of priorities is to figure out what makes the Undead so dangerous, and they’ll go to any length to get their foot-arms on a few of them.

Pax has to ensure their military mission is accomplished while blocking the Tucanans from taking Undead prisoners to face a fate worse than death—even multiple deaths.

Between the Tucanans, public outrage and alarms, and unpredictable command decisions, Pax and the Undead must navigate complicated and increasingly dangerous waters in their mission to save humanity.

Scions of Change by Lindsay BurokerScions of Change by Lindsay Buroker:

In the final installment of The Curse and the Crown series, Lord Vlerion’s secret has been revealed, the kingdom is in upheaval, and dark forces are scheming for the throne.

Kaylina must learn about her heritage, and the father she never knew she had, so she can help Vlerion save the kingdom. If they fail, neither of them will survive.

Strayed by Lee BurtonStrayed by Lee Burton:

“Listen carefully to me now, son. Tate wants to kill you. That’s why we’re here.”

When soldiers from the Phentinite empire came to attack his village, Jad the shepherd boy discovered a power within himself, and the village was saved.

Since then, nothing has been the same. Jad only wishes to help, but nobody looks at him the same way. Even his father, who used to be respected and sensible, has changed completely.

The merchant in town, when they visit to trade, has a name for children like him.

Abomination.

The Others by Evette DavisThe Others by Evette Davis:

True Blood meets Supernatural in the kickoff of this urban paranormal fantasy series from an acclaimed author. Readers enter a dystopian San Francisco filled with empaths and vampires embroiled in political unrest—and Book 1 is just the beginning.

Much as she wishes otherwise, superstar political consultant Olivia Shepherd was born a powerful empath. It’s a legacy she walked away from long ago—but when she wakes up one morning to find Elsa, a tenacious time-walker, standing in her kitchen, she realizes she can no longer ignore her gifts. She is quickly plunged into the hidden world of powerful “Others” and drafted to work for the Council, a shadowy organization that summons the fog to San Francisco to obscure their involvement in human affairs.

Complicating matters further is Olivia’s new love interest, William. A centuries-old vampire, William is far too jaded to take an interest in human affairs—but Olivia no longer has the luxury of remaining impartial. As shocking details from Olivia’s own past emerge and her role in the Council begins to take shape, will she rise to the challenge of her destiny?

The Sum of All Things by Seb Doubinsky.The Sum of All Things by Seb Doubinsky:

The highly anticipated final installment in Seb Doubinsky’ s City-States Cycle is smart, subtle and unputdownable! In New Samarqand, trouble is brewing: The king is very ill, nobody knows who will succeed him and terrorist groups are plaguing the city-state. In the eye of the storm, the National Museum is opening a new wing displaying the magnificent tomb of two Amazon sisters, who fell in battle together. Following parallel lines in this ominous labyrinth, Hokki, the new museum director, Ali the police commissioner, Kassandra, the poet, Thomas, the used-books seller and Vita, the secret agent from Planet X try to keep the pieces together and fight against the forces of chaos threatening their very existence.

The Eye by M.R. ForbesThe Eye by M.R. Forbes:

A child found. A target acquired. A galaxy on the verge of salvation.

While Soren’s reunion with Dana is happy, it’s a single pinprick of light in an otherwise grim present. With war raging and the fate of millions at risk, the Wraith reaches what Soren hopes will be their final destination.

The Eye.

The source of their struggles and the reason for the deadly conflict engulfing the galaxy. They’ve come to destroy it and end the war.

It won’t be that easy.

What Dies Beneath by Lily Harper HartWhat Dies Beneath by Lily Harper Hart:

Hali Waverly is in a good place in her life. She’s feeling better after surgery. Her boyfriend Gray Hunter is moving his office closer to her tiki bar so they can work on their paranormal cases together. Everything is coming up rum-flavored.

Unfortunately for Hali, things are about to blow up again.

A jeweler’s conference should be easy—they have at least one a month after all—but when a magical tsunami hits at the same time the vault is emptied, trouble becomes the name of the game.

There are a number of suspects—a shiver of shark shifters walking naked out of the water the night before doesn’t help matters—but it seems the culprit might have ties to Hali’s grandmother’s coven.

Once upon a time, Hali’s familiar Wayne worked for a witch…and then a warlock. Things didn’t go well with either of them. When it seems one of those individuals is involved—and posing a threat to the entire beach—things explode.

Hali has never been fond of Wayne but she needs him for this particular mission. More importantly, he needs her. That means things are about to get ugly.

Magic is about to take over St. Pete Beach. Who will be left standing…or swimming?

The Usual Witchspects by Amanda M. LeeThe Usual Witchspects by Amanda M. Lee:

Bay Winchester thought having a stalker was the worst thing she had going on in her life. Turns out, she was wrong.

When her stalker turns up dead in a ditch following another family assault on Margaret Little—send in the clowns!—Bay finds herself in trouble. Big, big trouble.

Seems the former warden for an area prison has been murdered, and Bay is the chief suspect.

Since they’re too close to her to be objective, Chief Terry and Bay’s husband Landon have to step back and let another team take over the investigation. That means things are about to get ugly.

This isn’t just any investigation. This is an FBI investigation, and alarmingly Bay isn’t the only one on the hook. The team is looking hard at Landon too.

Bay wants to figure out who the killer is, but her every move is being watched. Since Aunt Tillie’s latest payback scheme involves an army of clown dolls that have “accidentally” gained sentience, Bay is even worse off than she originally believed.

Bay may not have liked the warden, but she feels bad about his death…and not just because it’s sending shockwaves through the small community of Hemlock Cove. She knows if she doesn’t find the culprit she’ll be on the hook for a murder she didn’t commit.

It also means she could lose everything.

It’s all witches present for another Winchester adventure. Just how are they going to get out of this one?

Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case by A.J. SherwoodJon’s Helter Skelter Cold Case by A.J. Sherwood:

Jonathan Bane and Donovan Havili cordially invite you to their wedding.

They just have to prove a man’s innocence and get him out of prison first.

Not to mention prove Solomon completely inept (not hard), and fired from being a detective.

Oh, and train Jon’s new apprentice.

They can probably get married this year. Probably.

Raven's Hope by Glynn StewartRaven’s Hope by Glynn Stewart:

When truths are revealed
But secrets remain concealed
The price of victory may be far too high

Henry Wong and the United Planets Alliance Expeditionary Fleet have broken open the blockade their enemies forged around their allies, the Terzan. Now, thanks to that restored alliance, they know the truth of their enemy: a genocidal war machine determined to destroy not only its creators but every other organic sentient it can find.

New tools allow Henry and his partner, Ambassador Sylvia Todorovich, to call on old alliances as they rush to save their other enemies from annihilation at the hands of the Liberated Intelligence.

But against the burning of worlds and the death of peoples, any alliance will be considered. Any hope of victory will require laying aside grudges—and the greatest of sacrifices…

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Indie Crime Fiction of the Month for November 2024

Posted on November 29, 2024 by Cora


Welcome to the latest edition of “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of crime fiction by indie authors newly published this month, though some September books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Our new releases cover the broad spectrum of crime fiction. We have cozy mysteries, holiday mysteries, historical mysteries, jazz age mysteries, paranormal mysteries, crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, legal thrillers, suspense, noir, police officers, FBI agents, amateur sleuths, lawyers, serial killers, human trafficking, organised crime, drug dealers, the art of murder, crime-busting witches, crime-busting aristocrats, murder and mayhem in Georgia, Florida, Surrey, Amsterdam and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Crime Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Indie Crime Scene, a group blog which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things crime fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

The Christmas Candle Murders by Benedict BrownThe Christmas Candle Murders by Benedict Brown:

A snowy English village with a thousand secrets, bad Christmas presents, far too many decorations and a string of inexplicable murders…

Surrey, 1928. When a much unloved miser dies in the village of Kilston Down, no one suspects foul play – except for famed sleuth Lord Edgington, who may just be looking for a way to avoid his awful in-laws over Christmas. But after several unconnected villagers mysteriously die in their beds, the great detective and his young assistant must track down the culprit before the bells ring for Christmas Day and the killer strikes again.

Perfectly festive but with a fiendishly wicked mystery plot, this 1920s whodunit features a cast of eccentric suspects, a witty and warm detective duo and enough twists and turns to see you through to the New Year.

Secrets We Hide by Stacy ClaflinSecrets We Hide by Stacy Claflin:

Uncovering one killer was supposed to bring peace. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The podcast series was my way to honor Caroline’s memory, to find justice. Instead, it’s ripped open a Pandora’s box of secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Now, as I shelter the man I’ve fallen for from those who want him dead, and hunt the killer who destroyed his life, something more sinister is creeping closer. Hexes appear on my doorstep. Objects vanish from behind locked doors. And with my grandmother now living in my home, I have more to protect—and more to lose.

In a town where a mysterious cult holds power and friends harbor deadly secrets, each step toward the truth puts me in greater danger. As the threats mount and the body count rises, I’m racing against time to solve a new murder and protect those I love. But in a web of lies this deep, the truth might be the deadliest threat of all.

In this heart-pounding second book in Stacy Claflin’s Watcher trilogy, the search for truth becomes a fight for survival, and in a town where secrets are currency, the price of knowledge might be too high to pay.

The Sum of All Things by Seb Doubinsky.The Sum of All Things by Seb Doubinsky:

The highly anticipated final installment in Seb Doubinsky’ s City-States Cycle is smart, subtle and unputdownable! In New Samarqand, trouble is brewing: The king is very ill, nobody knows who will succeed him and terrorist groups are plaguing the city-state. In the eye of the storm, the National Museum is opening a new wing displaying the magnificent tomb of two Amazon sisters, who fell in battle together. Following parallel lines in this ominous labyrinth, Hokki, the new museum director, Ali the police commissioner, Kassandra, the poet, Thomas, the used-books seller and Vita, the secret agent from Planet X try to keep the pieces together and fight against the forces of chaos threatening their very existence.

Devil's Defense by Lori B. DuffDevil’s Defense by Lori B. Duff:

A gripping courtroom drama that explores the struggle between morality vs. professional obligation, Devil’s Defense will appeal to fans of female-lead courtroom dramas like The Good Wife.

Jessica Fischer wants nothing more than to build her law practice in small-town Ashton, Georgia. She’s well on her way when the local town hero, football coach Frank “Tripp” Wishingham III, hires her to represent him in a paternity suit. Coach is everything Jessica despises—arrogant, sexist, entitled—but it’s her job to make him look good in public. This is made doubly difficult when her burgeoning relationship with a local reporter gets in the way of telling the truth.

Are things as black and white as Jessica thinks? And can she find a way to succeed without compromising her own personal values—or her personal life?

What Dies Beneath by Lily Harper HartWhat Dies Beneath by Lily Harper Hart:

Hali Waverly is in a good place in her life. She’s feeling better after surgery. Her boyfriend Gray Hunter is moving his office closer to her tiki bar so they can work on their paranormal cases together. Everything is coming up rum-flavored.

Unfortunately for Hali, things are about to blow up again.

A jeweler’s conference should be easy—they have at least one a month after all—but when a magical tsunami hits at the same time the vault is emptied, trouble becomes the name of the game.

There are a number of suspects—a shiver of shark shifters walking naked out of the water the night before doesn’t help matters—but it seems the culprit might have ties to Hali’s grandmother’s coven.

Once upon a time, Hali’s familiar Wayne worked for a witch…and then a warlock. Things didn’t go well with either of them. When it seems one of those individuals is involved—and posing a threat to the entire beach—things explode.

Hali has never been fond of Wayne but she needs him for this particular mission. More importantly, he needs her. That means things are about to get ugly.

Magic is about to take over St. Pete Beach. Who will be left standing…or swimming?

The Usual Witchspects by Amanda M. LeeThe Usual Witchspects by Amanda M. Lee:

Bay Winchester thought having a stalker was the worst thing she had going on in her life. Turns out, she was wrong.

When her stalker turns up dead in a ditch following another family assault on Margaret Little—send in the clowns!—Bay finds herself in trouble. Big, big trouble.

Seems the former warden for an area prison has been murdered, and Bay is the chief suspect.

Since they’re too close to her to be objective, Chief Terry and Bay’s husband Landon have to step back and let another team take over the investigation. That means things are about to get ugly.

This isn’t just any investigation. This is an FBI investigation, and alarmingly Bay isn’t the only one on the hook. The team is looking hard at Landon too.

Bay wants to figure out who the killer is, but her every move is being watched. Since Aunt Tillie’s latest payback scheme involves an army of clown dolls that have “accidentally” gained sentience, Bay is even worse off than she originally believed.

Bay may not have liked the warden, but she feels bad about his death…and not just because it’s sending shockwaves through the small community of Hemlock Cove. She knows if she doesn’t find the culprit she’ll be on the hook for a murder she didn’t commit.

It also means she could lose everything.

It’s all witches present for another Winchester adventure. Just how are they going to get out of this one?

The Heart is a Cruel Hunter by Simon MarloweThe Heart is a Cruel Hunter by Simon Marlowe:

Steven Mason has an axe to grind, he just needs to work out who deserves it!

Falling fully into the darkness of Hell, Steven lives a crude, rude, cruel, and heartless life in the streets of Amsterdam, cutting himself off from his old life to indulge in drug-fuelled debauchery.

In an attempt to reestablish his criminal career during the coronavirus pandemic, he immerses himself into the blood and guts of conspiracy and Far-Right politics, war crimes and war criminals. But nothing is as it seems, as Steven is propelled by covert love into festering darkness.

When faced with an ultimatum, in the form of becoming a member of the ruthless Bloodaxe gang, knee-deep in dealing and drug trafficking, will he pull himself out of the darkness he’s become so accustomed to? Or will he sink even further down?

The Girl in the Garden of Bones by A.J. RiversThe Girl in the Garden of Bones by A.J. Rivers:

Behind the allure of this garden hides a killer’s secrets.

After her mother’s murder Emma joined the FBI to get answers. The search for the truth has led her down some terrifying paths. When Emma is sent to investigate an old mansion and its connection to a criminal entity, she stumbles upon a clue that leads her down a rabbit hole full of despair, mystique, and grave sites. It seems, the Garden of Bones is where nightmares are born.

Sticks and stones can’t break your bones, but this case will be a heartbreaker. This is the most gut-wrenching, twist-filled case of Emma’s career. These bones were buried with a terrifying secret, one so deadly that Emma may never escape.

Art of Murder by A.K. RiversThe Art of Murder by A.J. Rivers:

When the popular artist Lucia Martinez goes missing from her home in Fairhaven, the horror that soon followed sent shockwaves throughout the small community…

FBI agent Ava James has made it her life mission to destroy the disturbing crime network that runs this world. After her best friend, Molly, was taken by traffickers, and her miraculous escape from their clutches, she dedicated her entire life to dismantling their evil wide-reaching web.

Unfortunately, it seems there is no end to this enormous global enterprise, one that extends its claws from the nation’s capital to small villages.

While Ava is wrapping up the Teagan Reese case, she receives surprising news. Lucia Martinez has gone missing from her home. Soon, the case takes a more dramatic turn with the disappearance of Sharelle Kim. The victims have a chilling connection, and when multiple murders occur, one victim is even turned into an “art piece” surrounded by sculptures and paintings. It seems something truly insidious is afoot and no one is safe from the killer’s snare.

There’s no rest for the wicked. To bring them to their knees, Ava might have to pay with her life. Art comes at a price. And this one is in the form of murder.

Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case by A.J. SherwoodJon’s Helter Skelter Cold Case by A.J. Sherwood:

Jonathan Bane and Donovan Havili cordially invite you to their wedding.

They just have to prove a man’s innocence and get him out of prison first.

Not to mention prove Solomon completely inept (not hard), and fired from being a detective.

Oh, and train Jon’s new apprentice.

They can probably get married this year. Probably.

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Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month for October 2024

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Cora

Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month
It’s that time of the month again, time for “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of speculative fiction by indie and small press authors newly published this month, though some September books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Once again, we have new releases covering the whole broad spectrum of speculative fiction. This month, we have urban fantasy, epic fantasy, historical fantasy, fantasy mysteries, fantasy romance, paranormal mysteries, paranormal romance, space opera, military science fiction, near future science fiction, horror, space marines, lost starships, immortals, demons, guardian angels, ghosts, crime-busting witches and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Speculative Fiction Showcase, a group blog run by Jessica Rydill and myself, which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things speculative fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

Recon Marine by Jonathan P. BrazeeRecon Marine by Jonathan P. Brazee:

Anxious to forge her own path away from her father’s shadow, the newly minted Second Lieutenant Esther Lysander jumps into her first command, an infantry platoon. Driven to excel, she’s not going to let anything get in her way as she climbs to the top.

Leading a pack of Marines, however, requires more than just courage and understanding the tactics of war.

She has to lead, not merely command.

As much as she wants to succeed in her own right, it isn’t that easy. For good and bad, everyone knows who she is and the legacy she carries.

She can’t escape the Lysander name.

Sentinel of Time by Lindsay BurokerSentinel of Time by Lindsay Buroker:

Kaylina must dodge assassins and kidnappers while revelations about her past, and power she never knew she had, stun her to the core.

She has the support of Lord Vlerion, the ranger she’s developed feelings for, but he has problems of his own, and an insidious plot threatens to take him from her forever.

 

 

The Unknown by M.R. ForbesThe Unknown by M.R. Forbes:

A starship lost. An enemy revealed. A galaxy on the precipice of extermination.

Soren hasn’t found his daughter, but the terrifying truth of her disappearance has come to light, and with it knowledge of a threat beyond imagination. With the Federation woefully unprepared and the Wraith and her crew grounded, nothing can slow the coming storm.

Like his father, Alex refuses to give up, and he’s not about to let anything stand in his way. He’ll do whatever it takes to see Soren and the Wraith back in the fight.

Otherwise, there won’t be anything left to fight for.

All Heck Broken Loose by Rachel Ford.All Heck Broken Loose by Rachel Ford

Halloween is finally here, which means it’s finally time for Marshmeadow’s festival to celebrate the opening of the all-new downtown. It also means it’s the time when the veil between the worlds of the living and dead is thinnest and most vulnerable.

Tennessee Evans couldn’t be more excited. Her big plans for the town have finally come to fruition, and Marshmeadow is buzzing. Little did she expect a group of rogue souls to take advantage of the same weekend to break out of the afterlife.

With the town flooded with malicious spirits intent on some serious haunting, it looks like her triumph might become a disaster.

Fortunately, her guardian angel is on the job, dispatching friendly ghosts to help round up the escapees.

Unfortunately, there’s something far more malicious than rogue souls prowling Marshmeadow. There’s also a killer haunting the busy streets…

The Hawthorne University Witch Series by A.L. HawkeThe Hawthorne University Witch Series Collection by A.L. Hawke:

The Hawthorne University Witch Series, Books 4-6, is now available in this three-book collection. This trilogy is a standalone series that can be enjoyed without having read the previous books.

Witch Mirror, Book 4:Reflections of a wicked witch. Cadence Hawthorne’s love life is threatened by a demon-witch, but she has her teacher’s magic to protect her. Actually, not only does she have her magic, she has Alondra’s spirit inside her, possessing her.

Ravens, Book 5: When evil lands on my doorstep. Cadence’s friends believe she is fighting a curse. But Cadence feels like she has to do whatever it takes to save the town, even if it means teaming up with her archenemy witch, Enora. Evil empowers Cadence, but her dark spellcasting threatens to drive a stake right through her heart and the heart of Hawthorne University.

Shadow Cast, Book 6: You can’t cast shadows in darkness.Enora claims Cadence is haunting her coven’s dreams. A séance is performed. But during the séance, Cadence doesn’t just see ghosts or spirits, she sees evil. Her new revelation might be enough to protect Bryce and her unborn baby—or save her greatest adversary.

Content warning: The Hawthorne University Witch Series is a new adult college paranormal romance containing profanity, sexual scenes, adult situations, and, of course, witchcraft.

Hexy Hijinks by Amanda M. LeeHexy Hijinks by Amanda M. Lee

Luna Thorn was happy being a witch. Being a traveler is another thing entirely. Just when she thinks she’s ready to wrap her head around her new reality, though, things fall apart.
Again.

Absolute chaos descends on Detroit when a federal investigator focuses his attention on Luna…and he seems determined to take her down.

Paranormal problems are one thing. Being considered a suspect in the death of a man masquerading as a police officer is another. Wherever Luna goes, the Feds follow…and it’s seriously cramping her style.

The last thing she needs is another problem. So, of course, the past she can’t remember comes back to haunt her at the exact wrong time.
With her powers going haywire—the past overlapping with the present at regular intervals—Luna is in big trouble. It’s the sort of trouble a jail cell won’t help.

Between mob bosses, gorgons, federal agents, and a past that just won’t quit, Luna is in over her head.

Then the mage and god come to town and make things worse.

Strap in for excitement, because Luna’s world is about to explode. Will she survive to rebuild it yet again?

The Starlight Contingenhcy by Kyoko M.The Starlight Contingency by Kyoko M.

Orphaned siblings Scarlett and Duke Nam have had it rough. Cast aside by society, they’ve managed to stay afloat as thieves on the streets of Alexandria, Virginia. Things plunge straight to hell when a heist goes wrong and they’re on the run from the cops, but after they stumble into a nearby home to escape, something seemingly impossible happens – the house transforms into a spacecraft and leaves the Earth’s orbit.

Scarlett and Duke awaken to find that they are now prisoners aboard the Titan International Spaceship. The Earth has been destroyed by the Bergleute des Todes, AKA The Miners of Death. Scarlett and Duke are given the chance to become soldiers to fight the alens who destroyed the world.

The only thing left for them is the hardest thing of all: Survival.

The Starlight Contingency is the new space opera from USA Today best selling author Kyoko M. (She Who Fights Monsters, Of Cinder and Bone).

The Dream Haunters by Megan MaryThe Dream Haunters by Megan Mary

Hannah Skye, a young woman in search of meaning, receives a cryptic letter from her missing and eccentric Aunt Jewelia. Her experience of a recurring powerful pumpkin patch dream unfolds into a spiritual journey to a mysterious island of eternal autumn, Maple Hollow, where she discovers the mystical Skye Manor and her magickal family legacy.

Haunted by shapeshifters bent on trapping people in their nightmares, Hannah, with the help of wise villagers and feline companions (including a talking cat dream guide), must solve the riddle, unlock her powers, and dive into the dream dimension to save her aunt by Halloween night, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest.

Escape into this metaphysical mystery of magick, where spells, music, and dreams converge in a vortex of secret societies and spiritual inheritance. Travel beyond time and space into a world of unexpected portals, ancient traditions, and dreamscapes.

Lifers by Keith McWalterLifers by Keith G. McWalter

Electric with compelling action and trenchant social commentary and perfect for fans of Nikki Erlick’s The Measure, this genre-straddling work of speculative fiction examines ageism from a new and challenging perspective.

In the year 2050, the man known as Zinn is on the run from the consequences of his greatest creation: an artificial genome that wildly increases the human lifespan. His “Methuselah gene” has gone viral, and he’s being hunted by Adele, a semi-retired CIA biowarfare specialist who hopes to find a way to reverse the genome’s effects before it’s too late.

As the longevity plague spreads, populations explode, economies are upended, and intergenerational resentments boil over. Adele searches for a cure while her former lover, Dan Altman, and his wife, Marion, wealthy political operatives both, become leaders of a movement of hundred-plus-year-old “lifers” and fight to create a sanctuary for the ultra-aged in the wilds of Colorado. Meanwhile, the Altmans’ son, Nolan, thinks he has the answer to the longevity crisis: a suicide pill that kills after one year, a death wish algorithm that will influence the super-aged to take it, and his beautiful daughter, Claire, who is a spokesperson for the growing anti-lifer backlash and the head of the federal government’s new Department for Longevity Management.

Combining a hugely topical premise with a vein of social-political satire, Lifers evokes a world where society’s ingrained ageism turns lethal and the fear of death is replaced by the challenge of living on . . . and on.

Point of Knives by Melissa ScottPoint of Knives by Melissa Scott

Nicolas Rathe and Philip Eslingen are back, drawn together from opposite sides of the law to investigate a series of murders whose impact stretches deep into Astreiant’s underworld. Eslingen is now a professional knife working for a prominent crimelord while Rathe is an Adjunct Point, sworn to uphold the city’s laws. By rights, they should be wary foes, but instead they find themselves sharing an investigation as well as a bed as their search takes them into the heart of Point of Knives and at its center, the Court of Thirty-two Knives, the hub of Astreiant’s underworld. A single misstep could mean disaster, a single doubt could be the end of all their hopes.

The Demon by Victory WinterkeighThe Demon by Victory Witherkeigh:

The Demon is now in full possession of the Girl’s body, and she is starting her journey in Berkeley, California. She should be thrilled and ecstatic?the plan worked!

Except she doesn’t remember the plan. The Demon has memories of the Girl’s life and vague impressions of a deal made with the Filipino warrior LapuLapu. She reconnects with her former master, Death, and discovers that her bargain went against his will.

Death’s punishment is beyond her comprehension – enduring the cruelties of mortality and leaving her imprisoned in the former Girl’s university life. Life experiences, toxic friendships, emotional and physical attachments, and finally, heartbreak prove sadistic even for a Demon.

Can a demon have an identity crisis? What happens when the Demon shows more independence of thought and understanding of the cycle of dependency?

Death isn’t the only one waiting to find out…

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Indie Crime Fiction of the Month for October 2024

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Cora


Welcome to the latest edition of “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of crime fiction by indie authors newly published this month, though some September books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Our new releases cover the broad spectrum of crime fiction. We have cozy mysteries, historical mysteries, 1950s mysteries, paranormal mysteries, fantasy mysteries, historical fantasy mysteries, crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, action thrillers, adventure thrillers, police officers, private investigators, amateur sleuths, assassins, blackmail, voodoo, deadly school reunions, crime-busting witches, crime-busting journalists, crime-busting accountants, murder and mayhem in New Orleans, Detroit, Louisiana, Michigan, the Cayman Islands, the Middle East and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Crime Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Indie Crime Scene, a group blog which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things crime fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

The Happy Housekeeper's Guide to Trouble by Blythe BakerThe Happy Housekeeper’s Guide To Trouble by Blythe Baker:

A dark secret from her past has come back to haunt Barbara Hollis. When Deputy Elwood finds out the truth about her, Barbara flees Cobbsville, returning to the city where all her troubles began.

Going undercover, she tries to catch the one person who can prove her innocence and restore her reputation – but tracking down answers won’t be easy when pursuing a dangerous villain who will stop at nothing.

 

Marsh Madness by Jana DeLeonMarsh Madness by Jana DeLeon:

Dying to fit in.

High school wasn’t a grand time for everyone, but when a group of friends decide to meet up at a B and B ahead of their ten-year reunion, old grudges resurface, and one of them ends up dead. Now the owners, a kindly older couple, are on the hook for the accidental death due to anaphylaxis, but they insist no mistakes were made on their part.

Fortune is asked to look into the situation before the inept local sheriff railroads the couple or simply allows gossip to run them out of business, which will cost them their home. Swamp Team 3 heads to Voodoo Island to find a way to clear the couple and finds a complicated mess of locked doors and old secrets awaiting them. Is Voodoo Island really cursed? Or can Fortune unravel the mystery and lead her team to victory?

All Heck Broken Loose by Rachel Ford.All Heck Broken Loose by Rachel Ford

Halloween is finally here, which means it’s finally time for Marshmeadow’s festival to celebrate the opening of the all-new downtown. It also means it’s the time when the veil between the worlds of the living and dead is thinnest and most vulnerable.

Tennessee Evans couldn’t be more excited. Her big plans for the town have finally come to fruition, and Marshmeadow is buzzing. Little did she expect a group of rogue souls to take advantage of the same weekend to break out of the afterlife.

With the town flooded with malicious spirits intent on some serious haunting, it looks like her triumph might become a disaster.

Fortunately, her guardian angel is on the job, dispatching friendly ghosts to help round up the escapees.

Unfortunately, there’s something far more malicious than rogue souls prowling Marshmeadow. There’s also a killer haunting the busy streets…

Crescent City CarnageCrescent City Carnage by Mel Harrison:

Alex Boyd and Rachel Smith are only a day into their long-awaited vacation in New Orleans to join their good friend and colleague, Simone Ardoin, when she is brutally murdered. Simone’s well-connected parents, long-time residents of New Orleans, are devastated by the tragedy and implore both Alex and Rachel to work with the New Orleans Police Department to find her killer.

The city is infamous for its laissez-faire attitude, as well as its corruption. Nevertheless, Alex must work with the city’s cops to break the case. He draws immense support from the special agents in the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Office in New Orleans.

Identifying the killer is one thing but locating him proves more complicated than anticipated. Is the killer just lucky? Or does he have an inside source who is helping him stay one step ahead of the cops?

The more Alex and Rachel delve deeply into the case, the more they discover that New Orleans is a unique city full of its own traditions, family ties, and way of life. But the clock is ticking. They need to capture the killer before he disappears forever.

Festive Sommer by Nicholas HarveyFestive Sommer by Nicholas Harvey:

A holiday celebration. A famous author. A murderer in their midst.

When her publisher chooses Grand Cayman as the venue to launch her new novel, the celebrated author arrives amid the island’s colourful Christmas festivities… along with a devious killer.

Nora Sommer is assigned to protective detail and soon discovers the simple babysitting gig is more than she bargained for with someone determined to give the author a deadly taste of her own plots.

Foreword and cameo by Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Detective Josie Quinn series, Lisa Regan.

Banner Headlines and Late Deadlines by Amanda M. LeeBanner Headlines & Late Deadlines by Amanda M. Lee:

Avery Shaw is on the hunt for action and adventure. The last place she thinks she’s going to find it is at a motivational retreat in northern Macomb County. I mean…how strong can someone be if they’re only eating tree bark, right?

When one of the guests turns up dead, however, Avery gets assigned the story. She’s barely interested…until she realizes the camp is designed like a certain village from one of her favorite movies. Huts dispersed through various trees, with a huge platform and an open fireplace? Sounds like heaven…in a suburb far, far away.

Avery might not believe in manifestation, but she can’t stay away from the village, and as she digs deeper into the murder, she finds an interesting set of circumstances. It seems the dead woman was sleeping with a married man. More importantly, it appears several of the women at the retreat were sleeping with the same man.

Avery isn’t a joiner, but she only has one shot at figuring out who killed her victim. She’s going to have to join the retreat, where she will be expected to talk about her feelings—shudder—and eat something that isn’t cooked in grease and served with a side of chili.

It’s the clean life for Avery…and by the end, she might just be wishing for murder over manifestation.

She also just might get her wish.

Hexy Hijinks by Amanda M. LeeHexy Hijinks by Amanda M. Lee

Luna Thorn was happy being a witch. Being a traveler is another thing entirely. Just when she thinks she’s ready to wrap her head around her new reality, though, things fall apart.
Again.

Absolute chaos descends on Detroit when a federal investigator focuses his attention on Luna…and he seems determined to take her down.

Paranormal problems are one thing. Being considered a suspect in the death of a man masquerading as a police officer is another. Wherever Luna goes, the Feds follow…and it’s seriously cramping her style.

The last thing she needs is another problem. So, of course, the past she can’t remember comes back to haunt her at the exact wrong time.
With her powers going haywire—the past overlapping with the present at regular intervals—Luna is in big trouble. It’s the sort of trouble a jail cell won’t help.

Between mob bosses, gorgons, federal agents, and a past that just won’t quit, Luna is in over her head.

Then the mage and god come to town and make things worse.

Strap in for excitement, because Luna’s world is about to explode. Will she survive to rebuild it yet again?

The Reluctant Reckoner by J. LeeThe Reluctant Reckoner by J. Lee:

One e-mail shatters Mark Richter’s world. An honest accountant who likes to keep it simple, he’s been at the same company for 23 years and prefers things the way they are: steady, with little excitement and even less change. His eight-year-old daughter, small suburban home, and reliable car are all he needs. But after that e-mail, everything is at risk. Somehow framed for a financial discrepancy that could send him to jail, at first he’s just bewildered. But when the crime mysteriously disappears as quickly as it emerged, it’s clear just how outmatched he really is.

Then he’s kidnapped, blindfolded, and given three weeks to steal confidential information. He doesn’t know who the perpetrators are, what they need it for, or why they asked him. But he does learn that they know things about him. Personal things. Things they can’t possibly know…

When they threaten his daughter’s life, it feels like it can’t possibly get worse. Enter the FBI. His life is infiltrated by agents demanding that he try to outsmart the savvy criminals or else, the only person he could trust suddenly disappears, and he discovers who the thieves really are. Corruption and deception surrounding him from every angle, it can and does get worse for The Reluctant Reckoner. A lot worse.

The deadline is approaching.

The Dream Haunters by Megan MaryThe Dream Haunters by Megan Mary

Hannah Skye, a young woman in search of meaning, receives a cryptic letter from her missing and eccentric Aunt Jewelia. Her experience of a recurring powerful pumpkin patch dream unfolds into a spiritual journey to a mysterious island of eternal autumn, Maple Hollow, where she discovers the mystical Skye Manor and her magickal family legacy.

Haunted by shapeshifters bent on trapping people in their nightmares, Hannah, with the help of wise villagers and feline companions (including a talking cat dream guide), must solve the riddle, unlock her powers, and dive into the dream dimension to save her aunt by Halloween night, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest.

Escape into this metaphysical mystery of magick, where spells, music, and dreams converge in a vortex of secret societies and spiritual inheritance. Travel beyond time and space into a world of unexpected portals, ancient traditions, and dreamscapes.

Point of Knives by Melissa ScottPoint of Knives by Melissa Scott

Nicolas Rathe and Philip Eslingen are back, drawn together from opposite sides of the law to investigate a series of murders whose impact stretches deep into Astreiant’s underworld. Eslingen is now a professional knife working for a prominent crimelord while Rathe is an Adjunct Point, sworn to uphold the city’s laws. By rights, they should be wary foes, but instead they find themselves sharing an investigation as well as a bed as their search takes them into the heart of Point of Knives and at its center, the Court of Thirty-two Knives, the hub of Astreiant’s underworld. A single misstep could mean disaster, a single doubt could be the end of all their hopes.

Betrayal by Ed TejaBetrayal by Ed Teja:

Tina’s best friend is in a bit of trouble.

A drug deal went south, and several people got killed, including Beryl’s boyfriend. Now she is being stalked by his biker gang—and the cops. Tina Clarke wants to help, but her only real skills are very specific—those of a professional, government-trained assassin.

Army Intelligence prefers that the assassin disappear. Someone betrayed Tina’s special ops unit, leaving her the sole survivor, kicked out on a medical discharge. Tina wants to know why. She’ll kill to find out.

Readers who enjoyed the heart-pumping action and suspense of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher will love Tina Clarke—she’s less macho, more deadly.

Breaking Point by Bradley WrightBreaking Point by Bradley Wright and J.D. Dudycha

An asset is lost in the Middle East. It’s a war zone. The details are sketchy. The terrain is dangerous. Adam Burke is their only hope.

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Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month for September 2024

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Cora

Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month
It’s that time of the month again, time for “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of speculative fiction by indie and small press authors newly published this month, though some August books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Once again, we have new releases covering the whole broad spectrum of speculative fiction. This month, we have urban fantasy, epic fantasy, historical fantasy, YA fantasy, paranormal mysteries, science fantasy, space opera, military science fiction, science fiction horror, undead marines, space dragons, intergalactic royalty, crime-busting witches and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Speculative Fiction Showcase, a group blog run by Jessica Rydill and myself, which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things speculative fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

The Great and the Small by A.T. BalsaraThe Great and the Small by A.T. Balsara:

Ananda is a troubled teen who feels like a misfit at home and at her new school, and her unusual ability to connect with animals makes her feel like even more of an outsider. Still raw from the death of her grandmother, Ananda’s dreams are haunted by a long-buried memory that causes her to push people away.

Fin is a Tunnel rat who lives in the passages beneath the city, in the dark places humans overlook or despise. Orphaned as a pup, he is the nephew of the Tunnel’s charismatic leader, the Beloved Chairman, and is willing to do anything to please his uncle, including becoming his lead henchman.

The worlds of humans and rats suddenly collide when Ananda protects Fin during a chance encounter in the market. Neither can foresee how their lives will forever be inextricably linked, but as the Chairman launches a plague war against the humans, both Fin and Ananda wrestle with secrets so terrible that they threaten their very existence.

Told as mirroring narratives that reverberate with the effects of buried trauma, and informed by historical accounts of plague and dictatorship, this stunning tale examines what it takes to grasp for light in the darkness and survive the threats both beyond us and within us.

Undead Marine: Mission Creep by Jonathan P. Brazee and J.N. ChaneyUndead Marine: Mission Creep by Jonathan P. Brazee and J.B. Chaney:

As more and more special operators are resurrected with their mycelia and joining the Undead, the powers that be begin to “borrow” the Marines for missions beyond their stated scope.

Particularly galling to Sergeant Paxton Alejo is when they’re assigned a mission against supposed human traitors, especially when the reek of politics belies the integrity of the missions.

He might be uneasy, but all of this is above his paygrade, so Pax marches on, doing his duty.

There are continuing rumors of “androids” in the press that seems to focus on the Undead, so the Marines in the brigade are surprised when they’re tasked to train Internal Security Agency operators to conduct joint military ops. The ISA’s mission is to ferret out internal threats to the League of Humanity.

How can the Undead maintain their secrecy while working so closely with them?

Meanwhile, there’s that small issue of a galaxy wide war with the alien Tucanans, and the Tucs seem to be closing the net around the Undead.

All Hell breaks loose when the enemy strikes, and the Undead, along with the still untrained ISA operators, have no live ammunition to fight back with.

As the Tucanans close in on them, loss feels inevitable. The Undead experiment could be over, and all of Humanity could follow and shatter.

But a Marine never gives up.

Especially a dead one.

Of Sands and Tides: The Chronicles of Captain Georgianna Forsythe by Jan EdwardsOf Sands and Tides: The Chronicles of Captain Georgianna Forsythe by Jan Edwards:

When the old god Nyarlathotep lures Captain ‘Georgi’ Forsythe – special agent for the Ministry of the Arcane — to the Valley of the Kings, the battle for her place in this world begins. Eight thrilling adventures packed into one volume, taking us from ancient Luxor to the Loch Ness of 1932. Conflicting pantheons of myth and legend plunge Captain Georgi into cosmic battles beyond wildest imagining. Will she remain a force for good or be lured into the world of chaos? The choice is hers!

 

The Salted Sceptre by Helen HarperThe Salted Sceptre by Helen Harper:

All my dreams are coming true. But some nightmares continue to lurk in the shadows.

I should be celebrating. Hell, I should be the happiest elf in the world. Unfortunately, I can’t revel in my successes when there’s a foul fiend who is relentlessly trying to lure me to his side. He won’t leave me in peace and he seems determined to plunge the country into chaos to get what he wants, using bloodshed, fear and malevolent magic.

Still, I’m no stranger to stubbornness. If I can turn the tables and become the hunter instead of the hunted, I might have a chance. The odds are stacked against me but I’m not alone in this fight – and I refuse to be anyone’s puppet.

Hocus Focus by Lily Harper HartHocus Focus by Lily Harper Hart:

A day at the beach turns into potential tragedy when Quinn and Rowan Gray-Davenport witness a boat going down in the cove. A quick swim helps them save a father, twin girls, and a set of pouty grandparents, but then things take a turn.

Rowan’s daughter Lana shows the family photos of the rescue later, and everybody they just saved has a death omen hanging over them. Save for one person, the grandmother. That means that death isn’t done with the family, and it’s up to Rowan and her merry band of paranormal hunters to find the answers necessary to save everybody involved.

It seems this isn’t the first time tragedy has befallen the family. The twins’ mother disappeared months before, abandoning her family and leaving a messy situation behind. As Rowan begins to dig, she realizes there might be more to the story than she ever imagined.

The victims have a lot of money—and it’s old money, so they’re insulated from scandal—but it appears something in their past is threatening their future.

It’s going to take everybody working together to save them. And even then, some ghosts don’t die. They can never be forgotten either.

It’s a race to the finish. Who will be left standing?

Hero's Legacy by Fred HughesHero’s Legacy by Fred Hughes:

Emperor Hazard is Dead!

When the Teddy Bears ambush the ship carrying Emperor Hazard to a peace conference in the Zenkarr system, Britannia once again finds itself at war.

The Teddy Bears have a plan, but Gathii Kong, now in command of the Imperial Force, doesn’t take the bait. He follows Hazard’s last order to fight smart and foils the Zenkarr Intelligence Minister’s plan to destroy Britannia’s fleet by not charging deeper into the system. But now Kong has the lion by the tail—he can’t follow the enemy fleet into the gravity well, nor can he let them out to terrorize the nearby systems.

Back at Brittania, nine-year-old Edward becomes emperor, with his mother Hiroko acting as empress regent, and what’s left of Team Hazard rallies to support the wife and son of their friend. With the empire at a crossroads, Hiroko orders Julie Adams to the front with simple orders: end the Zenkarr problem. While Julie agrees to the mission, she wonders if she can complete it. To do so, she’ll have to live up to the Hero’s Legacy.

Mist and Dawn by Patty JansenMist & Dawn by Patty Jansen:

A fisherwoman finds a dead man on a tiny offshore island, with no clue about how the man got there.

A camel driver deep in the northern desert rescues a man who speaks no known language, but is clearly well-educated.

An ancient sect that was considered close to extinct sucks in all the land’s young people and creates tension that may well lead to a civil war.

And the old astrologer to the court, a weaselly and much-maligned relic of old times, might have hidden, for twenty years, evidence that those things are connected.

An epic saga of magic-turned-technology, power and discovery.

Two Birds, One Crone by Amanda M. LeeTwo Birds, One Crone by Amanda M. Lee:

Scout Randall thought she had things well in hand. Then a loa landed in her lap and life exploded.

Baron Samedi does what he wants, when he wants. Right now he wants to learn as much as he can about the new pixie apex…and the lamia apex who is gunning for her. He doesn’t care who he annoys as he gathers his information.

Scout’s plan is to ignore him—after all, she has ghouls and random fires to deal with and he’s up to mischief one town over—but it becomes apparent quickly that the loa is in town for more than just a spying mission.

It seems Bonnie is no longer in danger of dying. She’s mastered her new reality and now she has a plan. If she can’t stop the inevitable big battle, she’s going to figure out a way to remove Scout from the equation altogether. If that happens, not only will Scout be gone, but nobody will remember her.

Scout wants to win but is she ready for the sort of battle that requires the ultimate sacrifice? She’s about to find out.
And it’s not going to be pretty.

The Old Guard by Glyn StewartThe Old Guard by Glyn Stewart:

At the heart of humanity
At the beginning of everything
Hope can be born… or destroyed

For months, Princess Lorraine Adamant has fled from star system to star system in a desperate attempt to evade the minions of her uncle, the man who murdered her entire family to seize power in the Star Kingdom of Adamant.

Thanks to the crew of her ship and her loyal bodyguard, Vigo Jarret, Lorraine has finally reached her goal: the homeworld, Earth. There, she plans to lay her case before the United Worlds, the oldest and greatest of humanity’s nations.

But to an ancient democracy, the trials of an obscure kingdom are hardly relevant. Lorraine must turn her mind from war to diplomacy, to convince the homeworld to honor its oaths and save her Kingdom.

One way… or another.

Dragon Guardian by James David VictorDragon Guardian by James David Victor:

A Science Fiction adventure with aliens, an all-powerful galactic empire, and space dragons from #1 Bestselling author James David Victor.

Dragon Guardian is the sixth book in the Star Dragon series. If you like incredible stories that are part space opera, part military sci-fi adventure, and full of non-stop action, be sure to check out the Star Dragon series today. Oh, and don’t forget about the space dragons.

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Indie Crime Fiction of the Month for September 2024

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Cora


Welcome to the latest edition of “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of crime fiction by indie authors newly published this month, though some August books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Our new releases cover the broad spectrum of crime fiction. We have cozy mysteries, humourous mysteries, historical mysteries, Jazz Age mysteries, 1950s mysteries, paranormal mysteries, crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, legal thrillers, adventure thrillers, police officers, FBI agents, private investigators, amateur sleuths, lawyers, arson, voodoo, crime-busting witches, crime-busting socialites, crime-busting podcasters, murder and mayhem in Florida, Paris, various small towns and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Crime Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Indie Crime Scene, a group blog which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things crime fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

The Happy Housekeeper's Guide to Murder by Blythe BakerThe Happy Housekeeper’s Guide To Secrets by Blythe Baker:

When a blackmailer turns up dead, Barbara’s past finally catches up to her. Forced to search for the real killer in order to clear her own name, Barbara will have to confront secrets she had hoped to keep buried.

But can she regain the trust of those she has betrayed in time to keep the murderer from committing another crime?

 

Her Last Breath by Stacy ClaflinHer Last Breath by Stacy Claflin:

I thought I was chasing a mystery. Instead, I walked into a nightmare.

As a true crime podcaster, moving into the notorious “murder house” felt like the ultimate scoop. I returned to my quiet hometown, desperate for answers and a story that could launch my career. My goal? To uncover the truth behind the brutal death of Caroline, a young wife. But each new clue drags me deeper into a deadly web of secrets this town is desperate to keep hidden.

A missing locket. Hostile neighbors. Whispers of a sinister cult.

The more I dig, the more I realize the nightmare isn’t just about Caroline—it’s personal. My sister’s past is tangled in this dark mystery, and someone is watching my every step. As I navigate treacherous lies and unexpected allies, I can’t shake the feeling that someone close to me knows more than they’re letting on.

Now, with danger closing in, I have to decide: how far will I go for the truth? Because in this town, asking questions could lead to my last breath.

Her Last Breath is the first book in a spine-tingling, unputdownable psychological thriller trilogy that will keep you guessing until the very end.

A Parisian Murder by Colette ClarkA Parisian Murder by Colette Clark:

What is a little murder among old friends?

Paris 1926

Penelope “Pen” Banks and friends have made it to Paris. Unfortunately, things begin to dim in the City of Lights after meeting the first of her fiancé’s friends from the Great War. The brash and bold Freddy Caraway is intent on writing a novel based on the experiences of all his old friends—including Penelope’s fiancé, Richard!

But Richard isn’t the only one with secrets he’d rather not have come to light….

When Freddy is found murdered Richard is promptly taken into custody by the police, having been the last one seen with him. Now, it’s up to Penelope and friends to discover everyone’s secrets—including Richard’s—to determine which was scandalous enough to kill for.

House Guests by Mike FaricyHouse Guests by Mike Faricy:

Dev Haskell attends the funeral of a childhood friend and meets her adult children. Her son works for the DEA. Dev investigates a murder and comes across a rather mysterious individual named Boris Bacon. What little information he can find is not encouraging. It turns out the DEA is also investigating Bacon. Dev searches former addresses, which does nothing to improve his assessment of Bacon. Eventually he meets a woman who had a brief affair with Bacon and is frightened that he may return and force his way into her home. Ever the gentleman, Dev offers her his guest room until Bacon is arrested. She accepts and in the process brings another woman into the picture who has Bacon moving into the unit across the hall from her. Suddenly Dev has two House Guests and some serious pressure to help the DEA find Boris Bacon and get him off the street. A great adventure with a lot of laughs, check it out!

Hocus Focus by Lily Harper HartHocus Focus by Lily Harper Hart:

A day at the beach turns into potential tragedy when Quinn and Rowan Gray-Davenport witness a boat going down in the cove. A quick swim helps them save a father, twin girls, and a set of pouty grandparents, but then things take a turn.

Rowan’s daughter Lana shows the family photos of the rescue later, and everybody they just saved has a death omen hanging over them. Save for one person, the grandmother. That means that death isn’t done with the family, and it’s up to Rowan and her merry band of paranormal hunters to find the answers necessary to save everybody involved.

It seems this isn’t the first time tragedy has befallen the family. The twins’ mother disappeared months before, abandoning her family and leaving a messy situation behind. As Rowan begins to dig, she realizes there might be more to the story than she ever imagined.

The victims have a lot of money—and it’s old money, so they’re insulated from scandal—but it appears something in their past is threatening their future.

It’s going to take everybody working together to save them. And even then, some ghosts don’t die. They can never be forgotten either.

It’s a race to the finish. Who will be left standing?

Deadly Defense by Robin JamesDeadly Defense by Robin James:

A savage killing…
A victim every cop in town wants to avenge…
A shocking confession by an accused with no remorse…
A case no other lawyer would dare touch…

Someone didn’t just want Megan Lewis dead. They wanted her obliterated. Even the most seasoned crime scene analysts were haunted by what they found. When Megan’s married ex-boyfriend admits to the murder, her family may at least get the mercy of swift justice.

Defense attorney Cass Leary has every reason to steer clear of this case. Her client, Reed Karl might just be the most hated man in town. But one look at the police report and Cass knows something doesn’t add up. And when Reed’s wife and young daughter beg her to help him, she can’t find the heart to say no.

With the odds stacked against her, Cass is all in on a murder trial that threatens to ruin her career and cost her the one person she can’t live without. But only Cass knows there’s another, more vulnerable victim’s life at stake. If she walks away now, she’ll have blood on her hands she can never wash clean.

Sometimes, small-town justice comes with a price too high for even Cass Leary to pay.

Two Birds, One Crone by Amanda M. LeeTwo Birds, One Crone by Amanda M. Lee:

Scout Randall thought she had things well in hand. Then a loa landed in her lap and life exploded.

Baron Samedi does what he wants, when he wants. Right now he wants to learn as much as he can about the new pixie apex…and the lamia apex who is gunning for her. He doesn’t care who he annoys as he gathers his information.

Scout’s plan is to ignore him—after all, she has ghouls and random fires to deal with and he’s up to mischief one town over—but it becomes apparent quickly that the loa is in town for more than just a spying mission.

It seems Bonnie is no longer in danger of dying. She’s mastered her new reality and now she has a plan. If she can’t stop the inevitable big battle, she’s going to figure out a way to remove Scout from the equation altogether. If that happens, not only will Scout be gone, but nobody will remember her.

Scout wants to win but is she ready for the sort of battle that requires the ultimate sacrifice? She’s about to find out.
And it’s not going to be pretty.

The Girl and the Inmate by A.J. RiversThe Girl and the Inmate by A.J. Rivers:

Would you trust a felon?

FBI agent Emma Griffin has seen more than her fair share of bizarre and brutal cases.
While still recovering from the horrific experience with her stalker, Emma receives an unexpected call.

An escaped inmate, requesting her help…

A man that was last seen hovering over a bodyguard’s bloody body, then fleeing the crime scene in panic. With the search from him still ongoing, Emma continues to receive surprising calls.

It feels like a complicated game of telephone. Unfortunately, a simple misunderstanding leads to many deaths.

This is a case of many twists and turns, and there’s one person whom you should never trust…
Ring. Ring.

Cruel Sentence by Michael StaggCruel Sentence by Michael Stagg:

Nate Shepherd’s next case sends him north to defend a teenager accused of arson and murder. If the kid started the fire, it’s murder, even if he didn’t mean to hurt anyone.

He started the fire.

Nate Shepherd’s client didn’t intend to kill anyone. That doesn’t matter.

After an old friend recruits him, Nate Shepherd heads north to defend a teenager charged with igniting a blaze that killed a toddler and a firefighter. When he arrives, Nate finds a neglected case and a looming trial date for double murder.

As he scrambles to discover what happened, Nate is resisted by a stonewalling prosecutor and a grieving town, each bent on punishing his client. Worse, every fact Nate uncovers confirms that his client started the tragic Mission Road Fire.

As trial approaches, Nate finds nothing but hatred for his client and growing anger toward him. Facing naked hostility and escalating violence, Nate must go to trial in a town that’s become a tinderbox. And without a defense, Nate’s teenaged client faces life in prison for a crime he didn’t mean to commit.

Apalach Affair by Wayne StinnettApalach Affair by Wayne Stinnett:

Jesse McDermitt is back, just as he promised. This time, he is thrust into the heart of the Florida Panhandle’s Tate’s Hell State Forest, where the tranquil surroundings belie a dangerous secret—a network of clandestine meth labs hidden against the backdrop of the Forgotten Coast’s natural beauty.

Jesse, a retired Marine turned charter boat captain, has brought his family to Apalachicola “for the oysters.” But being who he is, the leisurely cruise soon spins into a gripping quest to unravel the truth behind the illicit operations threatening the region.

As rumors swirl around the waterfront, Jesse is propelled into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, navigating through a maze of secrets and deception to expose the sinister forces at play.

With his trademark blend of resourcefulness and determination, Jesse uncovers a web of intrigue that threatens to tear apart the fabric of the tight-knit community.

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Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month for August 2024

Posted on August 31, 2024 by Cora

Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month
It’s that time of the month again, time for “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of speculative fiction by indie and small press authors newly published this month, though some July books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Once again, we have new releases covering the whole broad spectrum of speculative fiction. This month, we have urban fantasy, epic fantasy, paranormal mysteries, fantasy romance, space opera, military science fiction,  technothrillers, dragons, lamia, AI girlfriends, space marines, intergalactic royalty, crime-busting witches and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Speculative Fiction Showcase, a group blog run by Jessica Rydill and myself, which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things speculative fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

Legacy Marines by Jonathan P. BrazeeLegacy Marines by Jonathan P. Brazee:

A Legacy among the stars. The children of tomorrow.

Esther and Noah Lysander are the twin children of General Ryck Lysander, Commandant of the Federation Marine Corps, leader of the Evolution, and Chairman of the Federation.

When they are told that their father and mother have been assassinated, they are both devastated. Cut adrift, they each decide to enlist in the Corps, but for different reasons.

Esther feels it is her duty to carry on the family legacy, confident that she can excel and reach the top. Noah simply wants to earn his father’s pride, even if it’s too late.

As children of General Lysander, they are not “normal” recruits.

To Steal the Sun by Melanie CellierTo Steal the Sun by Melanie Cellier:

Gwen has discovered both the love she once lost and her courage. But her greatest challenge still lies before her. She has chosen to fight for her people and that means standing against the mountain queen and all the fears of her childhood.

Charlotte is ready to risk everything to save her husband and reverse the consequences of her mistakes. But freeing Henry means getting entangled in the mountain kingdom’s fight for freedom and that fight might take the one thing Charlotte isn’t willing to give.

Once again, the two girls must rely on each other if they hope to save the men they love and emerge unscathed from the evil that lies at the heart of the castle east of the sun and west of the moon.

If you enjoy clean romance, adventure, intrigue, found families, and friendship, then try the Four Kingdoms duology now which retells one classic fairy tale across two books!

The Alternate Girlfriend by Declan ConnerThe Alternate Girlfriend by Declan Conner:

Deceit is the oldest sin as Doug Carter will discover

Doug Carter’s brilliant mind and sheltered upbringing have led him to a life of isolation. But when asked to beta test an AI pen pal site, he sees it as the perfect solution – an AI construct that can’t cheat on him and fulfills his desire for a loyal lifetime partner. Creating a pen pal in the image of his ex-girlfriend, Doug’s reality becomes blurred as the trial takes a dangerous turn. And when those with a connection to him start dying in mysterious circumstances, all signs point to Doug as the culprit.

As he races against time to uncover the truth, Doug realizes that his isolation may have been his worst mistake yet. With childhood enemies resurfacing and his own past coming back to haunt him, he must confront the deceit that has been lurking in the shadows all along.

The Price of Godhood by Chris FoxThe Price of Godhood by Chris Fox:

Things have never look so bleak. Saghir is on the run from the Avatar of Xakava, a city-sized demon that has already crippled the Spider-Mountain itself.

Calmora is besieged by Totarius’s endless legions, and more defenders fall daily. Li’s only hope is marrying Lord Indra to seal the Celestial Mountain. She must sacrifice our future together to ensure the survival of her people.

As for me? All I have to do is kill the eldest demon prince, my older and stronger brother, knowing that if he wounds me even slightly I will die. His wounds always kill.

If I survive I somehow must wed the flame, whatever that means, then walk through the Maw itself to become anointed by the cycle. Prophecy demands my death. Totarius seeks to ensure it.

Very well. I will face fate on my feet, and somehow, I will triumph.

Taming of the Brew by Lily Harper hartTaming of the Brew by Lily Harper Hart:

Life in the French Quarter is quiet…which is exactly how Ofeila Archer likes it. She’s making plans for Christmas, trying not to fixate on the fact that her mother is picking up trash as part of her community service, and otherwise just lazing about.

Then life takes a turn, as it so often does in New Orleans, and her mother calls with a problem. It seems she’s found a body.

Ofelia and her fiancé Zach Sully race to Bywater and are shocked to find that Ofelia knew the victim. She went to school with him, and at one time, he was close friends with her brother Felix.

When Ofelia and Sully start digging, they find that the victim was into some shady stuff, including aligning himself with the sort of voodoo queens who don’t have the city’s best interests at heart.

That’s bad enough, but when the victim rises of his own volition in the morgue and lets himself out of the refrigerator, things get downright crazy.
Somebody is keeping a secret…and it’s a big one. Ofelia’s biggest problem is that she doesn’t know who it is. She’s determined to find out, though.

Christmas is close and Ofelia wants a happy holiday. She’s going to have to fight like spell to get it.

Even then, it might not be enough.

Prince Imperator by Fred HughesPrince Imperator by Fred Hughes:

Hazard had promised his mother that he would return and accept the crown. He just needed one last trip to the front to re-organize the Sol Fleet, then he would return home to rule. When he arrived, though, he found himself in the middle of a battle.

The fleet and empire no longer needed him at the front as a warrior; instead, they needed a diplomat. If Earth was to survive, Hazard would need to deal with a host of new alien races, and as emperor, only Hazard could do that. But, of course, he’d do it with a powerful fleet at his back.

There can only be one possible path to peace in this region of space, though. Hazard would need to confront the Zenkarr, the area’s dominant race. Nicknamed the teddy bears by the fleet, there was only one way to deal with them—head on and carrying a big stick. It was diplomacy Hazard could get behind, but will he be able to create a lasting peace, or are the teddy bears not quite as nice as they seem?

Reparation by Patty JansenReparation by Patty Jansen:

After many years in space, Jonathan receives the message he’s been dreading: his father has taken a fall. He can no longer live by himself and Jonathan’s cousin has managed to get him into a care home.

Jonathan is an only child, he is no longer in contact with his mother, and a deep sense of guilt forces him to return to Earth to look after his father’s wellbeing.

Except his father has a secret. He’s in poor health and rather confused, so Jonathan finds it hard to get to the bottom of it.

It’s not like he has a lot of time, since he has to look for a job, a task which is proving surprisingly hard.

No one wants scientists, especially not if they’ve worked in space. But his father’s secret shows how important it is to keep the work going. Not that governments will listen.

Freaky Ways by Amanda M. LeeFreaky Ways by Amanda M. Lee:

The honeymoon is over for Poet and Kade. After a blissful week off from the day-to-day grind of the circus—where the only problem they had to deal with was the weird snake that appeared on the front porch of their cabin—the newlyweds are back with their friends in Phoenix.

And nothing will ever be the same again.

Phoenix is a city run by a slither of lamia, and even though Raven tries to maintain her distance from them each year when the circus rolls around, that’s not really an option this time. The slither is now being run by her father and brother…and they have a favor to ask of their long-estranged daughter and sister.

It seems the slither is cursed. Not only can they not procreate, but it also appears they’re constantly being attacked by mummies that only have destruction on their minds.

Lamia have been around for thousands of years and yet they’re in danger of dying out…forever. Only Poet and crew can help them. But is that what’s in Raven’s best interests?

Raven has made a point to keep her family secrets…well, secret. Now she has a decision to make. She either has to help Poet save her people, or say goodbye to the past that continuously haunts her.

What decision will she make? And when the enemy becomes clear, who will have the strength to fight them?

The battle lines are about to be drawn.

All Out of Flux by Nazri NoorAll Out of Flux by Nazri Noor:

Time is running out.

Leon Alcantara and Max Drake are finding help in the most unlikely of places. A third dragon has manifested, promising Leon untold elemental power. Another specter from Max’s past returns to haunt him, presenting a tempting offer.

But everything comes with a price.

Perhaps the risk is worth the reward. More anomalies are erupting across Dos Lunas. The boys need all the help they can get against the rogue time mage responsible. The Quartz Spider has finally shown his hand, and only Max and Leon can stop him.

But how can they stop the enemy when the enemy is time itself?

Rawlins' redemption by John J. SpearmanRawlins’ Redemption by John J. Spearman:

The Union is gone. Interstellar travel is no longer safe. Enter ex-Union Navy Officer Cliff Rawlins.

More than four years after being wrongfully stripped of his rank and decorations in a court-martial stacked against him, ex-Union Navy Officer Cliff Rawlins suddenly finds himself a free man.

The galaxy to which he returns, however, is changing.

The Union of Free Planets is on the verge of dissolving. Many of the shadowy political players working behind the scenes to end the Union are the same people who sent Cliff away. Yet, in the coming political upheaval, Cliff glimpses an opportunity.

For centuries, people have relied upon the Union Navy to act as the policeman of the shipping lanes. With the end of the Union will come the end of the navy. Interstellar commerce is about to become fraught with danger.

Cliff has a way to use his expertise to provide secure transport across interstellar space. A mercenary navy to defend settled space and get rich doing it. After all, he deserves it for what he went through.

But there are enemies old and new who want him to fail. And this time, they want him dead…

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Indie Crime Fiction of the Month for August 2024

Posted on August 31, 2024 by Cora


Welcome to the latest edition of “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Crime Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of crime fiction by indie authors newly published this month, though some July books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Our new releases cover the broad spectrum of crime fiction. We have cozy mysteries, small town mysteries, historical mysteries, Jazz Age mysteries, paranormal mysteries, crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, technothrillers, police officers, FBI agents, private investigators, amateur sleuths, arson, missing brides, AI girlfriends, crime-busting witches, crime-busting socialites, crime-busting sisters, murder and mayhem in New Orleans, Virginia, Texas, Derry, Paris and much more.

Don’t forget that Indie Crime Fiction of the Month is also crossposted to the Indie Crime Scene, a group blog which features new release spotlights, guest posts, interviews and link round-ups regarding all things crime fiction several times per week.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

A Murder in Paris by Mgda AlexanderA Murder in Paris by Magda Alexander:

A honeymoon in Paris. Idyllic days and nights. It couldn’t be more perfect. Until somebody dies.

October 1924. After their magical wedding, Kitty Worthington and her husband, Inspector Robert Crawford Sinclair, head to Paris for their honeymoon. Art museums, haute couture, French cuisine. Wondrous nights. It’s everything Kitty has always dreamed of and more. But then a body drops putting a damper on things.

At least this time, it’s a matter for the French police. There’s no need for Kitty and Robert to get involved. Things change, however, when a dear friend becomes the chief suspect, and she begs Kitty for help. Unable to walk away, she and Robert agree to investigate.

As they desperately search for clues, they discover a tortuous trail that leads from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and the Moulin Rouge. With time running out, the solution eludes them, until they realize the answer is to be found in the most macabre place of all, the Paris Catacombs.

Homecoming Queen by Chad BoudreauxHomecoming Queen by Chad Boudreaux

NO ONE EVER LEAVES MIRANDA TWICE.

Anika Raven faces the challenge of a lifetime. She must rescue her little sister from a neglectful family as the hurricane of a century barrels toward her hometown of Miranda, Texas. Time is of the essence, but the deadly storm is not her biggest problem.

Once Miranda High School’s beloved homecoming queen, Anika now possesses a dark secret that must remain hidden. Unable to outrun the shadows of her past, and terrified to confront the demons of her future, she finds herself running from the law.

Concealing a dark secret of its own, the town of Miranda’s corruption permeates every aspect of society. Each time Anika catches a break, a scheming mayor and powerful political forces deliver her another life-threatening setback.

Drowning Silence by Stacy ClaflinDrowning Silence by Stacy Claflin:

Regina Brannon’s unexpected return from prison—wheelchair-bound and seemingly helpless—flips her family’s world upside down.

Struggling to protect her pregnant self and adopted niece, Kenzi suspects her mother’s paralysis is a ruse. As eerie events unfold in their old mansion, the arrival of Ryker, a man claiming to be a long-lost Brannon, further complicates matters. Caught between her husband’s suspicions and her brother’s sympathy, Kenzi finds herself entangled in a web of family secrets and divided loyalties.

As the line between truth and deception blurs, Kenzi must unravel the mystery before it’s too late. Is Regina truly helpless, or is she orchestrating a sinister plan that could shatter their fragile family forever?

The Alternate Girlfriend by Declan ConnerThe Alternate Girlfriend by Declan Conner:

Deceit is the oldest sin as Doug Carter will discover

Doug Carter’s brilliant mind and sheltered upbringing have led him to a life of isolation. But when asked to beta test an AI pen pal site, he sees it as the perfect solution – an AI construct that can’t cheat on him and fulfills his desire for a loyal lifetime partner. Creating a pen pal in the image of his ex-girlfriend, Doug’s reality becomes blurred as the trial takes a dangerous turn. And when those with a connection to him start dying in mysterious circumstances, all signs point to Doug as the culprit.

As he races against time to uncover the truth, Doug realizes that his isolation may have been his worst mistake yet. With childhood enemies resurfacing and his own past coming back to haunt him, he must confront the deceit that has been lurking in the shadows all along.

Fatal Lies by Elle Gray and K.S. GrayFatal Lies by Elle and K.S. Gray:

There are 5 hostages being kept in the small town of St. Michael’s. FBI agent Olivia Knight and her partner Brock must now race against the ticking clock to save the hostages and each other from the Gamemaster’s fatal plans.

After surviving a plane crash and an island full of deadly traps, it seems there is nothing that Olivia and Brock can’t overcome. But once the Gamemaster’s grand finale is revealed, Olivia and Brock are sent to a town on the outskirts of the U.S. Capital. There they must decipher cryptic clues to find the captive before time runs out. And the Gamemaster has many plans in place to ensure there are no survivors.

It appears they are just narrowly missing a landmine to collide into a missile.
Come one and come all, the final showdown has just begun…

Maid of Honor by Elle Gray and K.S. GrayMaid of Honor by Elle Gray and K.S. Gray:

PI Bridget “Birdie” Hartley is not your ordinary girl next door. She’s brave, bold, witty, and a force to be reckoned with. Known as Serenity Springs’ town sleuth, she has solved her fair share of mysteries. Besides solving crime, Birdie lived a seemingly normal life. Until the unfathomable landed on her doorstep…

Life in the little town of Serenity Springs had a certain cadence of predictability. Until the sudden disappearance of Birdie’s pregnant sister.
With desperation, despair, and a sense of doom hitting Birdie in waves, she opts to fill her troubled mind with every potential lead. When the maid of honor from her sister’s wedding goes missing as well, Birdie believes the two cases are connected.

Three Times a Killer by Gerald HansenThree Times a Killer by Gerald Hansen:

DI Liam McLaughlin and DS Nancy D’Arcy are seasoned pros, but even their skills are stretched when a battered body turns up in an alley across from the hair salon. Declan Hoagett was a seemingly harmless wino who spent his days hanging out on the street corner where the bank used to be. He rarely asked for handouts, though occasionally burst into song. Nobody would kill him for that, would they?

More baffling, why does Hoagett seem to have been killed three different ways? Are they looking for three perps? One? Two? It’s up to McLaughlin, D’Arcy and those from the Major Investigation Team to solve their most heartless homicide yet.

The third in the NUMBER ONE bestselling Derry Murder Mysteries, Three Times A Killer is another gripping, gritty mystery thriller with jaw-dropping twists and a touch of Gerald Hansen’s signature dark humor.

Taming of the Brew by Lily Harper hartTaming of the Brew by Lily Harper Hart:

Life in the French Quarter is quiet…which is exactly how Ofeila Archer likes it. She’s making plans for Christmas, trying not to fixate on the fact that her mother is picking up trash as part of her community service, and otherwise just lazing about.

Then life takes a turn, as it so often does in New Orleans, and her mother calls with a problem. It seems she’s found a body.

Ofelia and her fiancé Zach Sully race to Bywater and are shocked to find that Ofelia knew the victim. She went to school with him, and at one time, he was close friends with her brother Felix.

When Ofelia and Sully start digging, they find that the victim was into some shady stuff, including aligning himself with the sort of voodoo queens who don’t have the city’s best interests at heart.

That’s bad enough, but when the victim rises of his own volition in the morgue and lets himself out of the refrigerator, things get downright crazy.
Somebody is keeping a secret…and it’s a big one. Ofelia’s biggest problem is that she doesn’t know who it is. She’s determined to find out, though.

Christmas is close and Ofelia wants a happy holiday. She’s going to have to fight like spell to get it.

Even then, it might not be enough.

Death by Dagger by Donna MuseDeath by Dagger by Donna Muse:

In the sleepy town of Raven’s Point, the annual ball at the opulent Park Mansion is the highlight of the year—a night of pure fantasy. This year, the Regency masquerade theme adds an extra layer of allure, and sisters Helen and Maybelle can hardly contain their excitement. Dressed in exquisite period costumes, they enter the grand estate, eager to glimpse the luxurious lives of the Park family, the town’s wealthiest residents.

But the glittering evening takes a dark turn when Jeffrey Park, the man controlling the family fortune, is brutally murdered during a sudden power outage. The once-celebratory atmosphere turns sinister, and every guest becomes a suspect. The town’s secrets begin to unravel, revealing motives buried beneath the surface.

Drawn into the investigation by the determined and appealing Detective Peter Nelson, Maybelle finds herself in a perilous game of cat and mouse. As they delve deeper, they realize the murder weapon is the key to solving the mystery, but it remains frustratingly elusive.

Playing with Fire by A.J. RiversPlaying with Fire by A.J. Rivers:

At a beloved local theme park, all has not been well. After an inexplicable fire ravaged the park, the community united to rebuild the attractions. The grand re-opening ceremony was filled with excitement and hope. But the laughter soon turned into screams.

PI Dean Steele has solved countless cases. Endured life’s many tragedies, including the murder of his first love. Just as he begins to piece his life back together and reconnect with his hidden son, he is called into a new, bewildering case.

The town is baffled by a series of unexpected fires and an unidentifiable burnt victim. As Dean searches for clues, he discovers that the town is teeming with suspects, each with their own motives.

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