Title: Your Turn to Die
Author: Mark Love
Genre: Mystery, police procedural
Book Blurb:
It was supposed to be a friendly round of paintball. But blood, not paint, covers Kyle Morrissey’s body. Though admired by the public for his charity, the businessman was no choirboy. Could it be that more than one person want him dead? Sergeant Jefferson Chene and his detective squad catch the case. With two new faces on the team, he finds himself in the unfamiliar role as mentor. He is also cautiously beginning a relationship with Simone Bettencourt, the beautiful woman he met while pursuing a serial murderer. Complicating the case are two retired gangsters, a fortune in jewels, and Detroit’s history of organized crime. But the squad must utilize every resource available to catch a killer.
Excerpt: In this scene, Detective Jefferson Chene is interviewing Valerie Mann. She is the office manager for Kyle Morrissey, who was brutally murdered during a war game of paintball.
“It’s a bad idea to lie to a cop, Valerie. Sooner or later, the truth comes back to bite you in the ass.”
Her body jolted as if I’d slapped her. “There may be something in Kyle’s contact list. He didn’t keep business cards. When someone gave him one, he’d put the details on his computer.”
“And you have access to that file?”
“Yes. It’s on the network.”
“Let’s take a look.”
I could have had the Cyber Unit scan the files but there was a chance she’d give me more than just a name and a number. Valerie turned to the computer and pulled the chair closer to the desk as I came around beside her.
“Why did you lie to me?”
She shifted her head just enough to look me in the eye. “I don’t like you.”
“It’s not a popularity contest. I’m trying to figure out who killed your boss.”
“You’re abrasive.”
I shrugged. “If I have to be.”
“Your mother must be so proud.” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.
“I wouldn’t know. I never met her.”
Valerie opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Her cheeks and throat flushed scarlet. She swallowed once and turned her attention to the computer. I watched as she scrolled through a list of files and brought up a folder labeled ‘contacts’.
“So there must be some other reason you lied, other than not liking me.”
“I just don’t see how any of this could help you find his killer.”
I pointed at the computer monitor. Slowly she ran through the list of names. Valerie stopped occasionally to jot down the details for several people listed as attorneys. It was tempting to see if there were any recent emails between them and Morrissey. I was about to ask but figured the Cyber Unit would be able to tell me. We finished with the list. Valerie switched off the computer.
“Want to tell me about the lie?”
She let out a ragged breath. “You’re impossible.”
I rested a hip on the desk. She remained in the big chair. Self-consciously she crossed her legs, then tugged the hem of her skirt down toward her knee. It didn’t cover much. “I’m in no hurry.”
“I thought you were trying to catch a killer.”
“I am. But my boss gets pissed if I do a sloppy job and miss something.”
Valerie folded her hands in her lap. “I have nothing more to say. Unless you have questions related to Mr. Morrissey’s business dealings, I’m going to ask you to leave. We have a number of things to finish up before tomorrow’s services.”
I decided not to push it. She was obviously holding something back. Whether it was pertinent to the case was anyone’s guess. Tucking the papers into my pocket, I pushed away from the desk. Valerie stayed in the chair.
“Good-bye, Sergeant.”
“I’ll see you around, Ms. Mann.”
It obviously wasn’t the response she was hoping for.
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
This is the second book in the Jefferson Chene mystery series, but if you haven’t read the first one, that won’t preclude you from enjoying the story. Chene leads a squad of detectives who specialize in complicated, major cases that cover the Detroit area. A borderline insomniac who struggles with personal relationships, Chene tends to focus all his energies on solving the crime. While he doesn’t break the law, he’s been known to bend a rule or two to get results. This book will keep you company on a cold winter’s night.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $35 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon Canada account to win.
Runs December 27 – January 5, 2023.
Winner will be drawn on January 6, 2023.
Author Biography:
Mark Love lived for many years in the metropolitan Detroit area, where crime and corruption are always prevalent. A former freelance reporter, Love honed his writing skills covering features and hard news. He is the author of the Jamie Richmond romance mysteries, Devious, Vanishing Act and Fleeing Beauty, and the novella Stealing Haven. His short story, Don’t Mess with the Gods, was written with Elle Nina Castle and included in the Magic & Mischief anthology. Love also writes the Jefferson Chene mystery series, WHY 319? and Your Turn to Die and The Wayward Path. Love resides in west Michigan with his wife, Kim. He enjoys a wide variety of music, books, travel, cooking and the great outdoors.
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