Mystery Reads

Although Song Jiang is only a lowly local government official, he is loyal to the emperor and kind to all the citizens in his care. But Song is in trouble. A series of unfortunate incidents have led to him being arrested, and his political enemies are keen to see him sentenced to death. There is still hope, however. One hundred and eight brave bandits from Mount Liang have heard of Song’s good name and are willing to rescue him as long as Song will lead them in rebelling against the corrupt government.

Seattle, Washington police detective Anton Bloaks had his life turned upside down with the recent disappearance of his driven paranormal investigator wife, Michelle. Luckily, his children and their friends are ready to jump into an eerie adventure in hopes of finding Michelle. First on the list for investigation in volume 1 is the infamous Congelier Mansion, historically known world wide for its horrific past and unexplainable events. The children are in for the ride of a lifetime as they embark on their first experience as the sidekick sleuths! 

Angie Deacon was the last to see Nolan Little alive. Which makes her a prime suspect in his death. Sure, he was gruff and insensitive. Treated his wife like dirt. But besides Valerie, why would any of the five strangers on board want him dead? None of them knew him before today. Or did they? Police detective Colby Jarvis storms the boat determined to unveil the killer before they get back to shore. What a feather in the widower's cap that would be. He falls hook, line, and sinker at his first sight of Angie, but she is married and off limits.

Seven of Charles Dickens' best ghost and thriller stories, which have been widely read and beloved worldwide. This collection celebrates the 200th anniversary of his birth. These stories provide a wonderful introduction Dickens before embarking upon his long novels; after these stories, listening to his longer novels becomes even more of a pleasure. Perfect for students and teachers seeking an understanding and appreciation of Dickens, without the time to engage with his long novels.

It's Mardi Gras, and ace crime reporter Sam Adams has flown to New Orleans to visit her old college roomie, Kitty, whose debutante niece is about to be crowned queen of Comus. At the airport, Sam first glimpses Harry Zack, a songwriter-turned-insurance-investigator, who's way too cute. When death stalks St. Charles Avenue in the wake of Comus' ball, Sam and Harry's paths collide...and sparks fly in more ways than one.

When Randolph Percy, a silver-tongued charmer with manners to burn, comes sniffing around Felicity Morris, a wealthy fading flower of Atlanta's elite, Samantha Adams, reporter for the Journal-Constitution, rides to the rescue of her old family friend. On the other side of town, young debs are playing a dangerous game stripping, and more, for thrills and pocket change. There's dirt here aplenty for Sam to unearth, including a 50-year-old scandal...and murder.

After the remains of a teenaged boy are unearthed on newly acquired Twin Lakes property, Lydia Krause has a worrisome conversation with her elderly neighbor. Daniel Korman hints at having known the dead boy and wonders if he should let sleeping dogs lie. Then Daniel dies under suspicious circumstances, and Lydia suspects that his two surviving childhood friends are responsible for both deaths. Or did one of Daniel's money-hungry relatives decide to end his life?

Stand-up comic Beau Maxwell is accused of killing the owner of a Boston comedy club and the evidence looks damning. His only option: escape from jail and prove he’s innocent. With Detective Bookton hot on his trail, can Beau chase down the killers before he gets caught or killed? It’s time to drop the mic…and run!

After leaving the FBI, Lucy Guardino still feels like the new kid on the block with her team at Beacon Falls. But then, a new case involving a young woman with amnesia searching for her lost memories shines a spotlight on a past case involving one of Lucy's team members. Dr. Tommy Worth left his job as a pediatric ER physician to join the Beacon Group after his wife went missing, leaving him to raise their five-year-old daughter alone. Now, the press is hounding him on the anniversary of his wife’s disappearance.

The fourth suspenseful mystery starring ace crime reporter Sam Adams - from the author of First Kill All the Lawyers. Sam has just turned 40, and the last thing she wants to do is cover the Miss America Pageant. But in Atlantic City Sam discovers what's beautiful and what's deadly when an obnoxious pageant judge mysteriously disappears.

Home again in Atlanta after years on the Left Coast, crime reporter Samantha Adams finds that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Beau, the boy who broke her heart eons earlier, is more handsome than ever and is now the medical examiner. Sam finds herself deep in the kudzu once more when a lawyer, a family acquaintance, goes missing, then turns up dead. When the sheriff rules it an accident, Sam and Beau team up to deliver their own unique brand of justice.

From the Big Island to Kauai, the far side of Maui to the bustling streets of Honolulu, experience paradise in all its glory...and darkness. This collection of 10 stories brings out the beauty of the islands, the passion of the tropics, and, yes, murder. Join 10 writers who love the islands and want you to savor the tropics while benefiting literacy in Hawaii.

September, 1821. When her father announces that she must marry the ancient, grim-faced vicar, Lucy decides upon a desperate plan. Stealing his prized stallion, she escapes across the moors, only to fall into the hands of notorious horse thieves and the cheating arms of their rough but charming leader. She is forced to take part in their crimes, but when she tries to deceive Philip, son of the Earl of Darwell, Lucy meets her match.

Liv Travers never knew real friendship until she met fellow mums Beth and Binnie. The three women become inseparable as they muddle through early parenthood together. Then along comes Ange. Ambitious, wealthy and somehow able to do it all. Under Ange’s guiding presence, the group finds new vigour and fresh aspirations. But Liv can’t keep up and is increasingly edged out. When the four families take a three-week trip to a luxurious holiday resort, Liv seizes the opportunity to reclaim her place at the heart of the group, only to discover the true cost of a friendship with Ange.

Forced to choose between abortion or adoption, Olivia Carson’s younger sister, Lily, runs away from home. Sixteen and pregnant, she never returns. But she writes. Once a year, Lily mails a picture of her son, Josh, to Olivia until his thirteenth year. Then it’s Josh himself who arrives at Olivia’s house, alone, terrified, and in possession of a notarized declaration from Lily. It begins, “In the event I go missing...”

An extremist attack on a busy shopping mall leaves 64 dead. John Tankersley, "Tank", is tasked with tracking the culprits down. His justice is swift and brutal.

When divers discover an antique car with a skeleton inside, the Beacon Group dispatches TK O’Connor to lead the investigation into the 60-year-old cold case. It’s TK’s first chance as lead investigator, and the former marine is determined not to let her team down. But, almost as soon as she arrives in the downtrodden rustbelt city, her challenges mount.

A gold-digging spouse who is also a serial killer.... The beautiful owner of a women’s dress shop brutally murdered on the floor.... A sexy dame who shows up unannounced at Dick Moonlight PI’s office claiming she’s about to be murdered.... Two numbskulls who decide to rob a home for the aged during bingo night.... These are just a few of the sexy, hard-boiled, and noir tales you’ll find in this first-ever volume of collected short stories by Thriller and PWA Shamus Award-winner Vincent Zandri. 

After years of open-water diving, Aaron and Margot have upped the ante. Not content to simply swim with pretty fish, the couple have taken up cave diving - climbing into the Earth in search of flooded caverns filled with adventure. Surrounded by icy waters and claustrophobic rock, where most people would only fear drowning, the newly engaged lovers find thrilling fun.

In the highly competitive modern world, doing well in any competition is not enough. Being number one is what counts. This book traces the lives of five colorful individuals. They are winners in their unique ways from the early stages of their lives. We experience, intimately, the twists and turns that occur as they enter early adulthood and get embroiled in a contest anchored in the pursuit of business success and love. At some point, each character realizes that things can get highly complex, emotionally draining, and even dangerous when love is in the mix.