Books to Die For! Podcast

When a popular mystery novelist dies suspiciously, his writing partner must untangle the author’s connection to a serial killer in award-winning John Copenhaver’s new novel set in 1950s McCarthy-era Washington, DC. In May 1954, Lionel Kane witnesses his apartment engulfed in flames with his lover and writing partner, Roger Raymond, inside. Police declare it a suicide due to gas ignition, but Lionel refuses to believe Roger was suicidal. A month earlier, Judy Nightingale and Philippa Watson—the tenacious and troubled heroines from The Savage Kind—attend a lecture by Roger and, being eager fans, befriend him. He has just been fired from his day job at the State Department, another victim of the Lavender Scare, an anti-gay crusade led by figures like Senator Joseph McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover, claiming homosexuals are security risks. Little do Judy and Philippa know, but their obsessive manhunt of the past several years has fueled the flames of his dismissal. They have been tracking their old enemy Adrian Bogdan, a spy and vicious serial killer protected by powerful forces in the government. He’s on the rampage again, and the police are ignoring his crimes. Frustrated, they send their research to the media and their favorite mystery writer anonymously, hoping to inspire someone, somehow, to publish on the crimes—anything to draw Bogdan out. But has their persistence brought deadly forces to the writing team behind their most beloved books? In the wake of Roger’s death, Lionel searches for clues, but Judy and Philippa threaten his quest, concealing dark secrets of their own. As the crimes of the past and present converge, danger mounts, and the characters race to uncover the truth, even if it means bending their moral boundaries to stop a killer. Amazon.com: Hall of Mirrors: A Novel (A Judy Nightingale and Philippa Watson Mystery): 9781639366507: Copenhaver, John: Books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a sunny January morning in San Francisco, and John Callaghan, head of the powerful Callaghan crime syndicate, is about to be murdered. The mystery isn’t why—over the years, he’s made any number of enemies—but rather who. Many candidates are emerging, each with a story to tell: his violent nephew, his skeptical, world-weary lawyer, and his seemingly inept actor son-in-law. There are other complications: a greedy widow demanding money, an ambitious young upstart looking to move up, and rumors of a rat in the union crew. Can the most dangerous man in San Francisco survive the threats inside his own crime family? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the internationally bestselling author of I Am Not Who You Think I Am—a New York Times Thriller of the Year—comes Lilith, an incendiary powerhouse of a novel that strikes straight at the wounded heart of America. Mother. Hero. Villain. Killer. After her son Lydan suffers traumatic injuries in a school shooting, single mom Elisabeth Ross grows enraged at men in power. If they won’t do anything to help end this epidemic of violence, she will. Believing it’s her destiny, she sets out to awaken the world to the cowards these men are and commits her own shocking act of violence. Going by the name Lilith—the first wife of Adam who fled Eden rather than serve a man—she posts a video of her crime that reverberates throughout society. Praised by some, demonized by others, and hunted by the FBI and vigilantes alike, Elisabeth must keep her identity a secret as she tries to care for her son. As events take startling twists, Elisabeth begins to question her act of violence and the very roots and mythology of violence itself. Was her act justified or has she become the monster that the original Lilith was accused of being? As the FBI draws closer, and Lydan starts to display odd, terrifying behavior, Elisabeth plots to avoid capture and keep her son safe at all costs, fearing she’ll never escape what she’s done without losing her son forever. Written with Rickstad’s singular command of language, human insight, and unnerving suspense, Lilith is a tale of our times. Tragic and profound, it echoes in the mind and lingers in the blood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan R Warren & David North-Martino Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s 1920 New Orleans and Jesse Pike is slowly ascending the New Orleans upper-class social scene. He’s the owner of the most popular brothel in the entire city, and rubs shoulders with businessmen, corrupt politicians, and stage stars alike. He’s also the leader of a violent street gang that pulls off the biggest heist of liquor since the beginning of prohibition. Jesse sets up a scheme to sell the booze, and use the profits to help him start a legitimate business. However, several obstacles get in his way: Clyde, the mentally disturbed oldest Pike sibling, is released from prison and takes issue with how Jesse runs things; Jesse's aging mentor refuses to let him leave behind crime; and an overzealous young DA decides to reopen an investigation into the liquor heist to increase his chances of being elected mayor. Jesse is forced to make a decision: does he walk away from a life of crime and his family forever? Or will he continue down the road of violence that has begun to erode his psyche, much as it has Clyde's? The Pike Boys, according to a reviewer, is a "compelling story of the Pike family's struggles against poverty, violence, substance abuse, mental illness, and their quest to rise above it all while living in the crime-ridden New Orleans of the gangster era." It has all the thrills, plot twists, and quick pace of conventional gangster fiction, with the heart, depth, and nuance of a literary novel. In between the shootouts, violence, and debauchery, there is the overarching question of "can people actually change?" The reader will see that the answer is not so simple—especially when you live in a place like New Orleans. (Good for fans of Mario Puzo and Dennis Lehane; and lovers of Sopranos, Godfather, and Peaky Blinders!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The thriller series continues with busy trauma surgeon, Dr. Kyle Chandler, pursuing is side hobby of private investigation. A wealthy client has requested Kyle to attempt to track down two historical items related to a supposed family curse. Despite his initial hesitancy about the investigation, Kyle sets off to France to take on the case. On his journey on to Paris, and then on to Boston, multiple interested parties threaten Kyle, as they desperately want these two items. With the help of his girlfriend, Caroline Martinelli, the growing danger of the situation puts the couple at risk as they inch closer to finding the two lost items. Chance occurrences become the clues to uncover the truth -- and the truth nearly costs them their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his debut novel, "Trust No One," Michael Hearns introduced readers to the captivating world of Vice Intelligence and Narcotics detective Cade Taylor. The subsequent books, "Grasping Smoke: A Cade Taylor Novel" and "One More Move: A Cade Taylor Novel," were widely acclaimed solidifying Cade Taylor as a remarkable action-driven character in the literary realm. Now, in "Choices and Chances: A Cade Taylor Novel,"South Florida undercover detective Cade Taylor makes a triumphant return in Hearns' latest addition to the series. Cade finds himself embroiled in a complex homicide case that thrusts him smack dead into the heart of the investigation. Reluctantly, he must collaborate with an old police academy classmate turned homicide investigator, all while evading the intrusive interference of a federal agent that jeopardizes his standing with both the police department and the Drug Enforcement Agency. As the case unfolds, Cade discovers a Caribbean connection that stretches from South Florida to Philadelphia, making it the most intricate case of his career. The danger is palpable, and every twist and turn tests Cade's mettle in dangerous heart-stopping moments keeping him and the reader on the edge of their seats. Staying true to the Dark Tropics literary genre he pioneered, Hearns immerses readers in the vibrant energy of South Florida, revealing that sunshine isn't always the best disinfectant. Sometimes, it's the scouring of cold steel brass shells and lead bullets that reveal the truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tattooed from her neck to her toesand sporting a gold tooth as sharp as her wisecracks, Sister Holiday struggles to stay on the righteous path. Never one to make things easy for herself, she’s committed to taking her permanent vows with the Sisters of the Sublime Blood and joining former fire inspector Magnolia Riveaux’s latest venture, Redemption Detective Agency—both in service of satisfying her eternal quest for answers. When Sister Holiday and Riveaux set out to bust a philandering husband, they instead find the body of a priest floating in the swollen Mississippi River, and with it, Redemption’s next case. It’s significantly more gruesome than their orig­inal mission, but Sister Holiday feels called on by God to hunt down the murderer and keep her community safe. As a torrential rainstorm drowns New Orleans for three harrowing days over Easter weekend, Sister Holiday and Riveaux follow the clues. With the stakes rising alongside the relentless floodwaters, our favorite punk nun-sleuth throws herself into the deep end yet again. A lacerating and lyrical plunge into obsession, deception, and the questions that hold us captive, Blessed Water is a lights-out mystery that will leave you breathless. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“What happens at Grandma’s house, stays at Grandma’s house.” The problem is A. J. (Alison Jane) Cadell can’t remember Grandma or her house. Dreaming of becoming a best-selling romance novelist, Alison is invited to Beech Grove, British Columbia to be a Writer-in-Residence and reside at Thistlewood Manor for a month. When a resident of the manor is found dead, Alison is drawn into a mystery involving a grandmother she doesn’t remember, a father she thought was long dead, and a handsome firefighter who could be the link to solving the mystery. Will someone be after her next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes you have to become what you hate to protect what you love. Danny Ryan is rich. Beyond his wildest dreams rich. The former dock worker, Irish mob soldier and fugitive from the law is now a respected businessman – a Las Vegas casino mogul and billionaire silent partner in a group that owns two lavish hotels. Finally, Danny has it all: a beautiful house, a child he adores, a woman he might even fall in love with. Life is good. But then Danny reaches too far. When he tries to buy an old hotel on a prime piece of real estate with plans to build his dream resort, he triggers a war against Las Vegas power brokers, a powerful FBI agent bent on revenge and a rival casino owner with dark connections of his own. Danny thought he had buried his past, but now it reaches up to him from the grave to pull him down. Old enemies surface, and when they come for Danny they vow to take everything – not only his empire, not just his life, but all that he holds dear, including his son. To save his life and everything he loves, Danny must become the ruthless fighter he once was – and never wanted to be again. Ranging from the gritty back rooms of Providence, RI to the power corridors of Washington, DC and Wall Street to the golden casinos of Las Vegas, City in Ruins is an epic crime novel of love and hate, ambition and desperation, vengeance and compassion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Private detectives Luke, Lyle, and Debbie have seen the worst of the worst, but nothing will prepare them for the new danger they must face. After uncovering the corruption of former State Governor, Marva DeLonghi, and sending her to prison, the trio thought their work was done. But when Marva escapes and powerful crime lord Philipe Ruskov demands a favor, they are thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse. With an enemy on the loose and a debt to be paid, Luke, Lyle, and Debbie have few options and fewer allies. Will they be able to escape both Ruskov and Marva's wrath? Find out in this gripping crime thriller. If you'd enjoy the classic crime novel The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler but splashed with magic, you'll love this modern twist on the genre. Join Luke, Lyle, and Debbie on their thrilling journey! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the scorching summer of 1988, amidst the frenzy of the Satanic Panic gripping the nation, private detective O’Keefe finds himself thrust into a trial like no other. As he strives to establish his fledgling agency, the last thing he anticipates is being drawn into a harrowing legal battle. But when Virginia Montrose, “Miss Ginny” to her students and his daughter Kelly’s most beloved teacher, is accused of heinous crimes against her current and former students, O’Keefe faces a moral quandary unlike any before. Despite the risks and the overwhelming stigma, O’Keefe’s encounter with the shadowy child protection figures driving the prosecution sparks a fierce determination to seek truth and justice. In this gripping tale of courage and conviction, O’Keefe's resolve is put to the ultimate test as he confronts the darkest facets of human nature and dares to challenge the prevailing hysteria. O’Keefe must summon every ounce of his strength to uncover the shocking truth while struggling to reverse the relentless tide of injustice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, and owner Jess Byrne has prepared the ultimate, Insta-worthy welcome, complete with her ex-boyfriend—reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong—performing live. As guests check in and mimosas are poured, Lars arrives with his stepdad-turned-manager Bob in tow. But things go south when Bob is found dead, and Lars is the prime suspect. After a desperate plea from Lars, and knowing the reputation of her B&B is at stake, Jess agrees to help clear Lars’ name, but the more she digs, the less sure she is that he’s innocent. Especially when he’s found at the scene of another murder. With the guests under lockdown, the B&B in the press for all the wrong reasons, and a killer on the loose, Jess is in over her head. With the help of her best friend and business partner Kat, Jess is determined to uncover the truth before Lars is put behind bars and The Pearl is permanently cancelled. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes parenting sucks, especially at the beginning. There’s too little sleep and too much butt wiping. Fortunately, new dad Owen O’Shea has a brilliant wife and great friends to help him out. He also has a cozy wingback to sit in and a big window to look out from, two small comforts that make those 3 a.m. feedings a hell of a lot easier … at least at first. It’s during one of those wee-hour feedings when Owen witnesses suspicious activity across the way that seems less idyllic-suburban-cul-de-sac and more daytime-drama-meets-high-intrigue-thriller. His curiosity piqued, Owen decides to do what any calm, responsible parent would: dive recklessly into an investigation that is either wildly off-base or life-threateningly true. Are his neighbors innocent suburbanites or murderous psychopaths? Either way, he’s probably screwed. Owen O'Shea: Stay-At-Home Dad, Wannabe Detective: A Novel - Kindle edition by McGee, C.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Duke of Chellingworth’s beloved butler is grieving his brother’s death…but was it a really a tragic accident, or was it – as the man’s widow believes – murder? Mavis and the dowager Althea offer the services of the WISE Enquiries Agency to investigate, which puts one of their team in a dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Annie and Tudor are puzzled by a spate of petty thefts at their new pub, and Alexander must confront his largely secret past – possibly endangering his new persona and his relationship with Christine…who has a secret of her own. All this while Carol heads up a case involving an aged business tycoon who’s desperate to find the Welsh farming family who took him in when he was evacuated from London during World War Two. It’s July in Wales…however, there’s no break in sight for our four softly poached PIs, who are not only facing challenging cases, but also juggling complicated personal lives. The Case of the Bereaved Butler a cozy Welsh murder mystery full of twists (WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries Book 9) - Kindle edition by Ace, Cathy. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best Indie Books of 2023 by The Independent Fiction Alliance 2023 Killer Nashville Claymore Award Finalist for Best Comedy Jimmy Cooper, a former child star and recovering addict, has gotten his second chance at fame as L.A.'s most popular private detective, but his latest case threatens to take it all away. Hotter than ever, everyone wants a piece of Jimmy, from Hollywood producers thirsting to take advantage of his fame to another former child star who wants to be just like him. And then there's the return of his long-absent father. Jimmy wonders if he deserves all this attention and just wants a new case to take his mind off it all. Lucky for him, Patrick Beverly has been kidnapped. Jimmy is hired by the billionaires Robert and Eva Beverly to find their college-aged son before the ransom of fifty million dollars in diamonds is due. They have one caveat: the police can't get involved. As Jimmy navigates the landscape of wealth and privilege, his own father lures him back into a life that almost killed him. In the page-turning sequel to Lawrence Allan's hilarious, award-winning detective novel BIG FAT F@!K-UP, will Jimmy get Patrick home safely, or will the case be thrown into a tailspin? Big F@!king Deal: A Jimmy Cooper Mystery (Jimmy Cooper Mysteries Book 2) - Kindle edition by Allan, Lawrence. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a dream assignment. Former Senator Dorothy Gibson, aka that woman, is the most talked-about person in the country right now, though largely for the wrong reasons. As an independent candidate for President of the United States, Dorothy split the vote and is being blamed for the shocking result. After her very public defeat, she’s retreated to her home in rural Maine, inviting her ghostwriter to join her. Her collaborator is impressed by Dorothy’s work ethic and steel-trap mind, not to mention the stunning surroundings (and one particularly gorgeous bodyguard). But when a neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances, Dorothy is determined to find the killer in their midst. And when Dorothy Gibson asks if you want to team up for a top secret, possibly dangerous murder investigation, the only answer is: “Of course!” The best ghostwriters are adept at asking questions and spinning stories . . . two talents, it turns out, that also come in handy for sleuths. Dorothy’s political career, meanwhile, has made her an expert at recognizing lies and double-dealing. Working together, the two women are soon untangling motives and whittling down suspects, to the exasperation of local police. But this investigation—much like the election—may not unfold the way anyone expects . . . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Featuring Leslie Karst, Michael Baler, and Wanda Morris! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Featuring Gary Phillips, James L'Etoile, and Gerald Elias! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dead body. A dark past. An ordinary man with everything to lose. Marcus Kemp is a regular beat cop living a normal life in San Diego, California. Until the day he makes a shocking discovery: a dead body in the trunk of a stolen car. Worse, the victim turns out to be the man who abused him as a child. Marcus instinctively wants to help the killer get away with murder and, disregarding his police oath, will stop at nothing to make it happen. With both his job and freedom in jeopardy, his investigation leads him to an unexpected killer, and Marcus is soon faced with an impossible decision. Can he finally bury the past before it drags him under? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.