Title: Dead Body Girl
Author: Judythe Morgan
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
Redemption and a second chance at love collide in this intense romantic suspense.
FBI agent Gus Nolan's last mission ended in tragedy: his partner was killed, and the smuggler escaped. Now undercover at a hometown antiques shop linked to the operation, Gus faces a tough challenge. The shop owner is the woman he's always loved—and his late partner's sister.
As danger escalates, Gus must outsmart a cartel and an international smuggler, all while battling the intense chemistry between them. Can he protect her, or will he lose another woman who trusted him?
Excerpt:
Gus waited while Todd escorted Mary-Dee out. Waiting was, after all, a major part of his job—stakeouts, briefings, hearings, postmortems. He’d learned to wait well.
Early in their law enforcement careers, he and Todd had been partners. Todd found his niche in their small-town police force and local county politics. Gus preferred more action and the worldwide scope of the FBI.
Yet here he was, back in his hometown where it all began, and uncertain about exactly what that was going to mean.
Todd returned. A smug smile tipped his cheeks upward. “Feelings still there I see.”
Lifting his shoulders, Gus refused to squirm. “No way.”
Todd shook his head slowly like a pendulum winding down and slid behind his desk. “You’re still blind where she’s concerned. You ought to admit it, at least to yourself.”
Tension ran like a red-hot wire through the room.
Gus ground his back teeth. He wasn’t arguing relationships. Past or present. “Shall we get on with business?”
He reached down to retrieve his laptop, flipped it open, and pointed to the large screen on the wall to Todd’s left.
“There’s been a rash of thefts in Europe.”
So what? flashed in Todd’s eyes. His brow rose, but he said nothing.
Gus continued, “Important thefts, mainly from museums but also individual collections in France, Spain, Italy, and England. Gems, coins, stamps, and the like. It’s believed the stolen articles are smuggled into the States inside antique containers. The goods are hidden in a piece, then exported, retrieved, and ultimately disposed of. Leads point to local, well-respected antique shops and small-time auction houses. Several possibilities in this area and the agency wants an operative inside.”
Todd interrupted him. “Mary-Dee’s shop? Can’t be.”
“All I know is I saw an English 1800s walnut stationery box from the stolen objects list in her shop this morning when Butch and I made that delivery. I’ll verify when I go tomorrow.”
“And you think she’s in on it?”
“At this point, we’re not saying she knows anything about the illegal use of her shop, but the evidence is strong her place is being used.”
“I don’t believe she’s involved.”
“I don’t want to,” Gus agreed. “But facts are facts. The trail leads to her shop. Either Mary-Dee or someone at her shop is working with the smugglers.”
“Why not just ask her?”
“We have no concrete evidence. Yet.” He paused. “It’s generally believed Mary-Dee knows nothing of the illegal use of her shop. Her answer wouldn’t matter either way. She’s not who we’re after. Nailing the head of the smuggling gang is our goal. He, or she, is clever, slippery. We want him … or her … stopped. You said you’d seen an uptick in break-ins around here where it appears nothing was taken. That fits the pattern we’re seeing from D.C. and further south. Didn’t her shop have a break-in?”
Todd frowned. “That doesn’t make her guilty.”
“Right, and ignorance won’t protect her if things go south. Her shop is involved. The Bureau’s closing in on the operation. MS-13’s watching her. That trial is approaching fast. The next few weeks could bring the whole thing down around her. She needs discreet protection from someone trained in these situations, who can handle smugglers and gang members. Someone who can stay close without creating speculation like you just explained to her.”
“I was referring to our missing witness situation. Not the smuggling.”
“True and no one counted on the missing witness twist to double the importance of having me there. Plus, it supplies the perfect cover for the real reason Mary-Dee can never know.”
“I don’t like not telling her the whole story.”
“You think I do?” Glaring at Todd, Gus shoved out of his chair, paced wall to wall in the small office, rubbing the back of his neck. Secrets and promises never worked out.
“It’s the worst part of what we do. But it’s our job.” Gus slammed his computer shut. “If we end up bringing your MS-13 guy down and this smuggling ring all the better. Two for one. What do you have on the missing girl?”
Todd opened his laptop and projected a file on the screen. “Not near what you have on the smuggling.”
“Giddy up, partner. Together we’ll figure it out.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
What’s your favorite activity to shake off the winter doldrums?
Besides snuggling in a blanket and reading by the fireplace, I love to sip hot tea and watch the birds at our backyard feeder from my kitchen table. Squirrels always provide a great show as they attempt to get onto the feeder. The birds and cardinals flip seeds to the ground then the cardinals chase the squirrels away. A great way to spend a chilly day.
Why is your featured book a cure for the winter blues?
Readers’ reviews highlight their enjoyment of the small-town charm and dual suspense plots. The intertwining storylines based on trues events: the chilling discovery at a friend’s garden party of a dead body on shores of the Shenandoah River below their home, and the seizure of an antiques shipment I purchased in England for resale when customs agents suspected a smuggled object.
And, of course, a second-chance romance always warms the heart and brings a smile.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs March 1 – 31, 2025
Drawing will be held on April 1, 2025.
Author Biography:
Judythe Morgan is a multi-published author who believes books should give you a break from real life and leave you feeling happy. You’ll find strong characters and intriguing plots in all her books, but no explicit content.
She lives in a small town north of Houston with her husband and Old English Sheepdog, Finnegan MacCool. She has three grown children, eleven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and nine granddogs who fill her life with fun and laughter.
When she’s not at the keyboard, you’ll find her reading a book on the porch swing.
Social Media Links:
Website https://judythemorgan.com/
Amazon Author Page https://amazon.com/author/judythemorgan
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/judythe2/