Kara's Book Cravings: Fright Night

 

This is the final Maren Stoffels book I have, and as far as I can tell, I've now read her entire catalog. I'm a little sad about that, but I'll be on the lookout for any new books she publishes. 

So, FRIGHT NIGHT is my absolutely favorite Maren Stoffels book. Another YA thriller, this one takes place in the woods during an event known as fright night. It's an event teens pay to attend that's part haunted trail and part Fear Factor. Each team has to walk through the woods at night, without the aid of any cell phones, and each member of the team has to face their greatest fears. 

Of course, as the story progresses, the fears get more intense, and then things really go horribly wrong. The bad guys show up and wreak havoc. 

This book does have some darker content that ties into everything at the end, but I can't say what because it really will spoil the twist ending. I will say that it dives a bit into child abuse, so fair warning about that. It's not graphic though, but it's very clear what's happening.  As uncomfortable as that topic is, it works very well within the context of this story and how it forms the basis for certain characters actions and motivations. 

Have you read this one yet? 

Do you know of any other books with a similar setting? 

Kara's Book Cravings: Room Service

 

Continuing with my binge read of Maren Stoffels backlist, after finishing her last book, I jumped right into ROOM SERVICE. 

This is another teen thriller, and yet another book that's contained within an enclosed setting. This time it's a hotel where the characters are celebrating a friend's birthday. 

The mystery in this book starts right from the first page with the main characters referencing something that happened a year ago, a friend getting injured or killed (it's not super clear, which I'm sure is the point, but the guilt they carry hints at something nefarious. 

There's one character in here that drove me crazy, and not in a good way. She was very annoying in a "why doesn't anyone like me" whiney sort of way. The overall mystery and thriller aspects, though, outweigh this one bad character. 

Like the rest of her books, this one ended with quite a twist! I really didn't see this one coming, which is always great, but I personally would've liked a tad more hints leading up to the big reveal. Overall, I enjoyed this book a bit more than the others, and it's a great addition to anyone who loves thrillers like I do. 

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Kara's Book Cravings: No Escape

 

My daughter found this book, and when she told me about, I asked to borrow it because it's a teen thriller, which is right up my alley. But what makes this even better is that it takes place in an escape room! I've been to a few of them myself (only ever gotten out once), and I've seen both of the movies. I'm lowkey fascinated by escape rooms and the possibility of getting stuck inside without anyone there to help you. I mean, the story options for this type of setting are limitless!

And so I took NO ESCAPE by Maren Stoffels with me to the gym one night and read while I walked on the treadmill. I read half the book without realizing it, (and spent over an hour on the treadmill) and then when I got home, I finished the book. So, yes, I read this in one day. 

The pacing is super fast, and there are quite a few twists and turns and reveals I hadn't expected. Despite being teens, each of the 4 main characters had very well-rounded and rich backstories that they were dealing with while trying to get out of the escape room. 

My only complaint is with the end. While the escape room aspect was resolved in if and how they get out, the reason behind everything was extremely confusing. A random character is introduced at the end who isn't given a name but has a narrative that's very mysterious. I don't know if there's another book planned or not, but the end left me scratching my head with confusion. 

I did, however, enjoy the author's style, and I'm now waiting for the rest of her backlist to arrive so I can read them, too. 

Kara's Book Cravings: Lying in the Deep

 

Back in February, I took a cruise, and I had grand plans of reading while laying in the sun. Well, I did lay in the sun, but sadly, I didn't get much reading done. But that's okay. The trip was a blast! 

Anyway, I'd bought LYING IN THE DEEP by Diana Urban to take with me on my vacation. Why? Because it's a teen thriller / murder mystery set on a cruise ship, and I thought it would be cool to read that while on an actual cruise ship.

I'm sorry it took me so long to finally read this! It was so good. Definitely had lots of teen drama and complicated relationships. The lies and deceit were incredibly well written. The pacing is really fast, but the book itself and the characters are so deep and well-rounded. 

The mystery of the whodunit was complex and difficult to figure out as you were reading, but once you read the end you have that moment where you're like, "Oh yeah, it all makes sense now!" I love books that do this. 

I loved all the twists and turns, too. The reveal at the end made my jaw drop. Part of me was happy with it, but another part of me was a little bummed. I'd wanted something a little darker, I guess. I'm not sure. Either way, the book was fantastic, and I'll definitely be reading more by this author. 

Kara's Book Cravings: Killer Content

I am not a TikTok girl. I don't like making videos, and I don't understand the whole influencer thing -- yeah, yeah. I know. I'm showing my age. And that's what this book is mostly about: teen influencers living under one roof, competing for sponsors, views, followers, etc. So, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book when I bought it, but it was only $5.00, and I figured I'd give it a shot.  

I'm glad I did. 

KILLER CONTENT by Kiley Roache is a YA thriller / murder mystery. As I said above, a group of TikTok influencers live together in a house and are doing sponsored ads and collaborations, etc. While I don't fully understand that life, I found myself oddly invested in it. 

But then one of the housemates ends up dead, and everyone inside the house becomes a suspect. Each person had clear motive to kill, and so it really was a crazy ride trying to figure out who did it. 

And then the twist is revealed, and my jaw dropped! Now, I've seen this twist used before (I don't want to spoil anything, hence the vagueness), but never done as well as this was. What also shocked me was that the reveal of "whodunit" was done near the middle of the book, rather than closer to the end. I thought that would effect the overall pacing and my enjoyment of the book, but it really didn't. If anything, it kept me engaged even more because I needed to know what was going to happen next. I really do love books that make me feel that way :-)

It's safe to say that I really liked this book. I don't know if this author has written anything else, but I plan to find out!

What was the last book you read that really surprised you?

Kara's Book Cravings: Little Monsters

Again, I found this book at 5 Below and was super intrigued. Of course, I've seen this author's books at almost every bookstore I've gone to, so I knew her name, but I've never read any of her stuff. Until now...

LITTLE MONSTERS by Kara Thomas is a wild ride! This is another YA thriller / mystery that really hit all the right notes for me. 

Told from various points of view, this book kept me guessing right to the very end. Dealing with blended families, step-families, friends, and the pressures of those relationships, this was  both emotional and shocking. Sadly, though, the "friendships" in this book are all too realistic. When you think someone is your friend but they're really not... When nasty rumors start floating around that you can't disprove...  When you think you know someone but really don't...

The twist at the end of this book was fantastic! I didn't see it coming, which is always good, but when I look back on everything, it all makes sense. 

I really liked the author's writing style, too, so I'll be reading more of her books. I have THE CHEERLEADERS on my shelf, and I'll be diving into that one soon, but I'll definitely be investing in her other books, too. 

Have you read any Kara Thomas books? 

What's your favorite?

Kara's Book Cravings: The Sleepover

 

Yet another used book sale find, and I was admittedly on the fence about this one. But I gave it a shot, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. 

THE SLEEPOVER by Samantha King is an adult domestic thriller / mystery. Normally, I can really get lost in this genre, but something about this one didn't quite click for me. 

First, this is every parents worst nightmare -- dropping your child off for a sleepover and returning the next morning to pick them up only to find they're just gone. And no one knows what happened or where your child is. 

Once I got beyond that... the bulk of the story is the search for Isobel's son (Nick) and trying to piece together what happened to him. This was all really well done, and I suspected a few people who didn't turn out to be the right suspect. That was interesting because I was so sure I was right about one specific character. 

For me, the ending is where this book fell apart. Not only were parts of it confusing to follow, the "bad guy" while shocking was also a little disappointing. Their motives were a little weak, and the things this person did -- I don't know. It just didn't click for me and felt a little like it might be out of the realm of possibility. I realize I'm probably not making much sense here, but I don't want to spoil the end, either. lol. 

The author's writing style was good and easy to read, and I'll more than likely try another of her books at some point. 

Anyone else read this one? What did you think?

Kara's Book Cravings: The Sorority Murder

 

I love going to used book sales because I get to browse books that are often older, sometimes out of print, and the prices are cheap. That means I get to try out new-to-me authors that I might not otherwise take a chance on. 

I found this book at a used book sale. The title and blurb intrigued me, so I figured... why not?

The Sorority Murder by Allison Brennan is an adult murder mystery with a twist. One of the main characters is a college student who is hosting a podcast to dig into a cold case about a sorority girl who'd died three years prior. This podcast opens a whole can of worms that causes a lot of twists and turns. There are secrets upon secrets and no one is safe from suspicion. 

This is a fast-paced book that kept me hooked from start to finish. I wasn't able to even guess who was the killer until the very end, which was fantastic! 

There were a lot of point-of-views encompassed in this book, which would normally bug me, but in this story, it worked really well. I liked getting perspectives from different angles, and I think that helped make it harder to figure out the mystery. 

Overall, this was an enjoyable book, and my first by this author. But I really liked her writing style, and so I'll definitely be grabbing more of her books. 

Anyone else read this one? Or any others by this author?

Kara's Book Cravings: Daybreak on Raven Island

 

Twitter strikes again! While scrolling aimlessly, I stumbled upon a list of middle grade books, and the first one I found was...

Daybreak on Raven Island by Fleur Bradley is a spooky, paranormal-ish mystery. Set on an island that houses an abandoned prison (inspired by the real-life Alcatraz), a group of students are on a field trip. Told from 3 different points-of-view, each character is struggling with something that skews their worldview and their reasons for jumping off the ferry and staying behind on the island. One wants to make a scary movie. Another desperately wants new friends and feels obligated because the wannabe movie maker stood up for him against bullies. And the third lives by the idea of "no one left behind." 

The pacing for this was spot on, and the mystery wasn't exactly easy to unravel, which isn't a bad thing at all. Not to mention, the twist at the end was masterful, and I certainly didn't see it coming! I'm still thinking about it days later, and that's a sign of a good book. 

This book packs a very strong social commentary about race, social injustices, and prison reform. While I agree with the sentiments presented, it felt very heavy-handed, especially with how some of the ideas were given in dialogue. It just didn't ring true to how kids this age generally speak to one another. 

Overall, though, this was a great read, and I'm glad I bought it. 

Has anyone else read this? Or anything else by this author? Should I read more of Fleur Bradley's work?

Kara's Book Cravings: What Lives in the Woods

 

This specific book has been in my TBR pile for almost a year, I think(??) Maybe not that long, but it's been there a while. Why? Well, because at some point, I want to write a middle grade book, and in order for me to do so successfully, I need to read widely within this age category. I went on an MG book buying spree a while ago, and now that I'm back in a reading groove, I'm studying this age category intensely.

WHAT LIVES IN THE WOODS by Lindsay Currie is a spooky middle grade told in first person point-of-view. This is also set in Michigan, which is where I live, so that was super cool! 

This book has everything that I love -- a haunted house, local scary legends, thunderstorms, things that go bump in the night. 

Despite being on the longer side, the pacing was fast, and I read this from cover to cover in two days. 

The sibling relationship was very well done, as was the budding feelings between our main character and the local boy she meets. 

The mystery and the spooky elements were great, too, and had I read this when I was the target audience, it would have scared the crap out of me! lol. 

The ending felt a tad rushed, and there was one section that was glossed over (what I thought was a critical conversation between the main character and her dad) and only hinted at in a short memory. Overall, this was a solid read, and I really enjoyed it. 

I see that this author has a new book releasing in September, another spooky middle grade, and you can bet that I'll be ordering and reading that one, too!

Anyone else read this book? Or anything else by this author? 

What are your thoughts? Share in the comments!

Kara's Book Cravings: Camp Murderface -- Doom in the Deep

 

If you want to go read my thoughts on the first book, Camp Murderface, you can go HERE to do so. Go ahead... I'll wait...

All set? Good!

So, Camp Murderface: Doom in the Deep is the second book in this series. I think it's the last one, too, which is kind of sad because I'm really invested in these characters now!

This story picks up almost immediately after the first one ends, and we're once again alternating points-of-view between Corryn and Tez. I thought a lot happened in the first book, but this one... whoa! So much stuff happens, and it's all very chaotic in a very good way. There are missing counselors, snake-people, a creepy lake that's trying to kill the campers... Like I said, so much going on. 

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one, which is rare for me. Maybe because I knew the characters better or the setting and relationships were already established. Either way, I devoured this book in a matter of two days -- oh and this one is longer than first, too, coming in at over 400 pages! 

There was a twist at the end that I really didn't see coming, and I *almost* stopped reading because I was mad, but thankfully, another twist came out of nowhere and then I was happy again. 

Have you ever read a sequel that you thought was better than the first book? 

Kara's Book Cravings: Camp Murderface

 

Anyone who knows me, or has ever peeked at my #MSWL for Anaiah Press knows that I have a soft spot for books set at camp. I don't care if it's summer camp, Bible camp, fat camp, or a family camping trip -- I just absolutely LOVE the setting and the atmosphere of being in the woods and "roughing it." So much can go wrong, and there's so much room for conflict and danger. So, when I found this book, I snatched it so dang fast.

CAMP MURDERFACE by Josh Berk and Saundra Mitchell is a middle grade story set at a summer camp. Told in 1st person alternating points-of-view from the two main characters, Tez (male) and Corryn (female), this is a delightful tale that blends contemporary and paranormal when our two characters have to solve the mystery of Camp Sweetwater, which they nickname Camp Murderface. Missing girls, strange happenings, creepy camp counselors, screaming faces in the bonfires... A lot happens in this book, but none of it ever felt like too much. The pacing was good, despite this book being just over 300 pages -- which seems rather long for an MG book, but I think the market has been trending toward longer books lately. 

My only complaint with this book, and this is really very minor, was that at times, it felt like the adults writing this book tried a little too hard to sound young and cool. Though, this book is set in the 80s, and I was just a baby back then, so maybe I'm completely off base here. lol. 

Either way, I enjoyed this quite a bit, and I've bought the sequel and am happily diving into that next. 

Anyone else read this book yet? What did you think? 

Do you have any good recommendations for books set at camp? 

Kara's Book Cravings: The Shadow Sister

 

One day, I was scrolling through Twitter, as I often do when I'm procrastinating, and I saw a tweet with an absolutely STUNNING book cover. Even though, at the time, I wasn't following this author, the cover made me stop and take a closer look. It was the author's debut release day, and if the cover hadn't already snagged my attention, the tag line on the front certainly did. As I followed the links in the tweet, I read the back cover blurb, and I've never hit "buy now" so fast in my life! (Seriously, anyone who tells you Twitter doesn't sell books is a liar.) I mean, just look at this cover!!

Gorgeous, right? I'm sure that purple being one of my favorite colors helped my buying decision, too, but that's really not the point. Haha. 

The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade is a YA thriller, and I devoured this book so fast. I had no idea what was really going on until the very end, and I wasn't able to guess the twist, either. The author does a fantastic job of misdirecting the reader in a way that makes sense and fits within the story and the characters. I will say that neither of the sisters in this book are very endearing, but having raised 4 girls myself (all in various stages of teen years and young adulthood), the sibling relationship that's portrayed is accurate, based on my own experiences anyway. 

If you're a fan of twisty YA books, then this is definitely the book for you! I'm eagerly awaiting this author's next book. 

Has anyone else read this yet? Do you think you'll check it out? 

Kara's Book Cravings: Fragments of the Lost

 

Now that I've dug myself out of a reading rut, I'm dipping my toe back into my first love--teen fiction. Mainly thrillers. These are like crack to me. Seriously, I have sooo many of these types of books on my shelf, and I'm constantly buying more. But I digress...

A few years ago, a friend of mine suggested I read All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda, which is an adult mystery / thriller. He raved about the unique story telling. (The author tells the story in reverse, which is just... *chef's kiss*) Anyway, I loved the book and have read it twice now. So when I was perusing a bookstore, I found that this author has written some YA books, too. Imagine my excitement!

And so I bought this one: Fragments of the Lost by Megan Miranda.

Like All the Missing Girls, this book is told in a unique way, too, in that it's jumping a lot from present to past. Not tense, but actual events. The premise is that a girl is doing a favor for her ex-boyfriend's mom in cleaning out his room after he died in a tragic accident. So each time she finds something in his room, it triggers a memory about them as a couple. It's really done very well and not at all confusing. 

However, I had trouble getting into this book. In fact, I started it and then walked away for a month or so before finally coming back to it. I'm one of those readers who has a real hard time DNF-ing a book, especially one I paid full price for. I was determined to get through this, and I'm glad I did. 

The pacing does eventually pick up (and once it did, I had a hard time putting this down), but for me, it took a little too long to get to the mystery / thriller part, which was what ultimately made this book for me.  I do have another of this author's YA books on my shelf, and I do plan to read it. I hope it doesn't start as slowly as this one. 

Overall, while this one didn't blow my mind quite like All the Missing Girls, if you're a fan of unique story telling methods, then definitely grab one of her books.

Has anyone else read any of Megan Miranda's books? What do you think? Do you have one you recommend I read? 

Spill the Tea Tuesday: K-Pop Rocks!

Today, author Judith Gonda is here to spill the tea...

I’m thrilled to join you today to spill the tea! I’m so excited to share how the K-pop boy band Stray Kids has inspired me as a writer and brought me great joy! 

I first discovered Stray Kids two years ago. 2020 had been a rough year. One night I was scrolling through my Twitter timeline as I often did in the wee hours when pandemic angst haunted me. The February 2020 release of my debut mystery novel, MURDER IN THE SECRET MAZE had coincided with the beginning of the pandemic. Not ideal. Did anyone want to hear about a newlywed landscape architect convinced her missing husband had met with foul play when the whole world was grappling with a terrifying disease?  Everyone, myself included, was preoccupied about their own survival, not some fictional character’s. 

As I randomly scrolled, I happened upon a post by a book blogger I followed. It included a link to the official Stray Kids music video for their hit “God’s Menu,” an ode to their unique flavor of music. 

Stray Kids were the joy I didn’t know I needed. I was immediately mesmerized. I’ve always loved music, but this was different. Their amazing stage presence, the precise execution of their synchronized dance routines, the beautiful range and harmony of their voices—it was all breathtaking. Like other K-pop groups, they wore flashy fits, glitter makeup, and sported hair colors in every shade of My Little Pony. Each of the eight members had his own unique charm and charisma. I was instantly drawn to Felix, the member whose angelic face belied his deep voice. And then there was Hyunjin, the sexy Adonis of the group, whose hypnotic gaze pierced through the computer screen and captured my heart. But there was something special about the Stray Kids that went beyond their brilliant talent. They seemed to be very nice people too. Decent human beings. Authentic. Sincere. Humble. Polite. Compassionate. Warm-hearted. With nary a hint of the narcissism often seen in so many celebrities. Their cheerful demeanors and playfulness always put me in a good mood.

It's so difficult to pick my favorite thing about them. But if pressed, I’d have to say it’s the mental health related themes of hope, optimism, inclusivity, resilience, love, caring, and perseverance. These themes infuse their songs, especially in relation to how they impact their own professional journey in the very competitive Kpop industry. Their lyrics are uplifting, humorous, and feisty. A few songs focus on love and sexual attraction, but most are about loving yourself, valuing your own voice, and not caving to feelings of self-doubt. They thumb their nose at haters, using the hate of others to fuel their artistic journey to always try harder. They let criticism and rejection roll off their backs. 

It wasn’t long before I realized the challenges they faced as Kpop idols, the self-doubt, the doubts of others, the subjectivity of critics and reviewers, were similar issues that writers faced. 

I soon found out I wasn’t alone in my admiration of Stray Kids. They were gaining popularity internationally. And this past July, I had the chance to see them in person when their Maniac concert came to Los Angeles.

SEE IT HERE!

I was convinced the positivity I felt from their videos would be the same if I saw them in person. And I’m happy to report, I was correct. They were even warmer and more joyful than I’d expected. Their positivity, love for their fans, and determination to give their all came across so strongly, whether it was playfully adding a couple of cartwheels to a number, thanking the fans profusely, or respectfully acknowledging the ASL interpreter signing their rap songs with gusto. When they spoke to the audience it mirrored the message of their songs, acceptance. They even asked how many in the audience had come alone. The show of hands was met with supportive applause. 

They communicate with their Korean and international fans often (most members speak some English and two are Australian), which builds bonds. I liken it to the Facebook cozy mystery groups where authors and their readers interact and make friends. They not only have music videos, they have practice videos, and Vlives and Bubble, apps where K-pop idols talk to fans in real time, and where discussion of their TV viewing habits led me down the K-drama rabbit hole (but that’s another blog post). Their humor and that of their fans, keeps me buoyed and hopeful for the world because I’ve encountered so many positive-minded people. Really sweet people. 

Of course, there are some villains, as in any good story. The antis, as they’re called, who are the haters notorious for starting malicious rumors about Kpop idols, somewhat analogous to the trolls who write random mean-spirited reviews. But like resilient writers, Stray Kids focus on the positive and keep moving forward.

I’ve gone on a lot about how uplifting the Stray Kids are, but what have I learned from them as it relates to publishing? Parallels abound. Focus on producing a lot of high-quality content, not only books, but for blog posts and social media. Be authentic, be sincere, and embrace your own voice. In keeping with this sentiment, in MURDER IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN, the third Tory Benning mystery, my MC has become a Stray Kids fan.

I’m also trying to model the way Stray Kids interact with their audience, by putting myself out there more, despite my introvert tendencies. I see how brave the Stray Kids are about not only expressing their talent, but promoting it as well, and writers must do the same, despite all the potential rejection we face. Positivity begets positivity. And determination leads to success. If you need some sunshine in your life, check out the Stray Kids!

Judith Gonda is a mystery writer and Ph.D. psychologist with a penchant for Pomeranians and puns, so it's not surprising that psychology, Poms, and puns pop up in her amateur sleuth mysteries. To learn more about her books, please visit her website. You can also follow Judith on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The tea has been spilled! Who's gonna clean it up? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

TEASER TUESDAY: Katie L. Thompson

Welcome to another installment of TEASER TUESDAY. I'm excited to have the lovely Katie Thompson here with us today. It's been a while since she's visited, and today she'll be sharing an excerpt from her novel, DEATHLY WHITE. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:

“My God that’s horrid.” Jamie took a step backwards. “Fancy being murdered on your wedding day. It’s meant to be the happiest day of your life.”

An arm of metal was clamped around the woman’s neck, her body dangled beneath, being pushed back and forth in the strong breeze. Her white dress billowed out around her, splattered with blood and dirt.

“Well, we know for sure she wasn’t killed using the gibbet. Half the parts are missing and these wounds on her neck and shoulder look more like stab wounds,” Carl spoke aloud as he wrote bits down in his notebook.

“Why go to the trouble of bringing a dead woman all the way up here? Anyone could have seen.”

Carl shrugged.

“There’s not much more we can do here,” Danny said. “Take the best photos you can, call someone to take her down to the morgue and see if you can find someone to identify what made those wounds. Jamie and I will go to the wedding, see what we can find out from there.”

The wedding reception looked more like a wake. It was clear from the second they walked through the door that everyone knew what had happened.

A deathly silence fell over the room as people noticed their presence.

“I’m Detective Sergeant Daniel Brookes and this is Detective Inspector Jamie Stanley. We are looking into the supposed death of Mrs Julie Leanne Hayes. Is Mr Hayes here? We’d like to speak to him.” Danny stood on the stage where half an hour earlier a band had been in full swing.

“He’s in the toilet. I don’t think this is the best time to speak to him. At least wait until he comes out.”

Danny nodded. “Well, is Bradley Stance here? We could do with talking to him too.”

Most faces looked blank but a few seemed to recognise the name.

“Haven’t seen him here,” one person shouted.

“Don’t think he was invited. Don’t know why he would’ve been,” someone said from the back of the hall.

“Not seem him for years,” a girl joined in.

“No one mentions him anymore,” a boy near the front of the stage said.

“I’m here,” Bradley shouted.

Everyone went silent and stared at Bradley. After a few seconds people started muttering to one another.

~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

When a bride is stabbed to death on her wedding day, DI Jamie Stanley and the team are called in. They immediately pluck three suspects from the wedding party of over two hundred guests. Why would anyone want to kill a bride on her wedding day?

BUY LINK:      AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katie was born in 1996 and spent the first sixteen years of her life living in Reading, England, until she moved house in 2013. Katie loves the countryside and is happiest when cooped up in a cottage in the country with a stack of books and her laptop. Katie has currently published five romance novels and three murder mystery novellas.

Katie currently works part time in order to support her writing dream. She spends a large amount of time locked away in a room upstairs working on her latest novel and when she isn't doing that she is either reading or walking the family dog.

You can find more about Katie by visiting her website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, and on Goodreads.

TEASER TUESDAY: Michael Murphy

It's TEASER TUESDAY time again! Today I've got fellow agent buddy, Michael Murphy here to share an exclusive excerpt of his brand new release, THE YANKEE CLUB. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:

We climbed the stairs to the second floor. In the darkened corridor I inhaled the familiar odor of cigarette smoke, old carpet, and desperate lives.

We stopped in front of the familiar office with O’Brien Detective Agency etched into the frosted glass door. Muffled voices came from inside.

I tried the door. Locked. I slid my hand along the top of the dusty door frame and grabbed the key.

I unlocked the door and entered the dark outer office. From a radio on the secretary’s desk came the announcer’s fervent voice: “A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty—” I clicked off the radio.

“Hi-yo, Silver.The Lone Ranger. I love that show.” Frankie’s gaze swept the room lit only by the dim corridor light. “No one’s home, kemosabe.”

Mickey wouldn’t go off and leave the radio on. I flipped on a desk lamp, and the phone rang. It rang a second time. I answered, “O’Brien Detective Agency.”

No one spoke. Only shallow breathing.

“O’Brien Detective Agency.”

“Who’s this?” An unfamiliar man’s voice, but I noticed a faint Boston accent.

“Jake Donovan.” Did I detect a note of surprise in the man’s voice that Mickey hadn’t answered, or was I being overly suspicious?

The line went dead.

I hung up the receiver and opened the door to Mickey’s office. The room was dark except for when the red neon Reed Hotel sign across the street blinked through the partially open blinds.

Mickey sat slumped over on the wooden desk. Except for his face flat against the green desk blotter, the desktop was organized as usual, a notepad beside the phone, a bottle of Canadian whiskey, an empty glass, and a brass ashtray overflowing with Lucky Strike butts.

Even in a wrinkled gray suit and in need of a shave, with his slicked-back black hair, he resembled the actor Lyle Talbot. Although not quite the ladies’ man he professed to be, my former partner was tough, resourceful, and fearless. Only Mickey knew he was the inspiration for Blackie Doyle, a fact that would no doubt surprise the fan I met on the train, Dorothy Greenwoody.

Mickey had changed the office: one desk instead of two. He wasn’t as tidy as I’d been. File folders and tattered telephone books from a dozen cities lay scattered on a corner table. A four-bladed fan on a metal filing cabinet stirred the office air, lifting the corner of The New York Times scattered at Mickey’s feet.

Frankie peered over my shoulder into the room. “Maybe he’s dead.”

Dead drunk. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:
In 1933, America is at a crossroads: Prohibition will soon be history, organized crime is rampant, and President Roosevelt promises to combat the Great Depression with a New Deal. In these uncertain times, former-Pinkerton-detective-turned-bestselling-author Jake Donovan is beckoned home to Manhattan. He has made good money as the creator of dashing gumshoe Blackie Doyle, but the price of success was Laura Wilson, the woman he left behind. Now a Broadway star, Laura is engaged to a millionaire banker—and waltzing into a dangerous trap.
 
Before Jake can win Laura back, he’s nearly killed—and his former partner is shot dead—after a visit to the Yankee Club, a speakeasy dive in their old Queens neighborhood. Suddenly Jake and Laura are plunged into a conspiracy that runs afoul of gangsters, sweeping from New York’s private clubs to the halls of corporate power and to the White House itself. Brushing shoulders with the likes of Dashiell Hammett, Cole Porter, and Babe Ruth, Jake struggles to expose an inconspicuous organization hidden in plain sight, one determined to undermine the president and change the country forever.


BUY LINKS:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Random House

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael Murphy is a full-time writer and part-time urban chicken rancher. He lives in Arizona with his wife of more than forty years and the four children they adopted this past year. He’s active in several local writers’ groups and conducts novel-writing workshops at bookstores and libraries.

You can visit Michael's website or find him on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+