by Philip Eliot | May 26, 2026 | Cozy Mystery |
A compelling cozy murder mystery series with a female lead and a good romance• Winner of the National Indie Excellence Award• Winner of the Literary Titan Silver Book Award• Winner of the Indies Today 2021 Best Mystery AwardWHAT WOULD YOU DO IF SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO KILL YOU AND YOU DIDN’T KNOW WHY?TEXAS DEAD is a gripping mystery novel set in Corpus Christi, Texas, where an out-of-place murder causes celebrity detective, Maxie Michaels, and partner Kobe Jameson to investigate. But each step unravels a deeper mystery and a larger threat until they realize their lives are endangered and a horrifying truth emerges from which they may not escape. This is a fast-paced, page-turner that will keep you hooked until the very end and leave you wanting more.READER PRAISE FOR “TEXAS DEAD””I found it to have suspense, mystery, humor, romance, charming and lovable characters, and a very real plot.” ~Trudi LoPreto, Reader’s Favorite“Texas Dead is a foot-jammed-on-the-gas-pedal crime novel with a solid plot and stellar characters. Maxie is a terrific lead who is strong enough to take on bad guys yet soft enough to use ‘hun’ as a term of endearment. It’s the small little touches that Gensburger adds that truly make the characters jump off the pages. As for plotting, perfectly timed clues, leads, and suspects are revealed to readers seamlessly as the story current races forward to its comfortable conclusion.”With twists, turns, and surprises galore, along with a few hearty laughs, Texas Dead is the perfect high-octane mystery.” ~Steve Quade, Indies Today “Texas Dead by Willian Gensburger is an epic crime novel filled with suspense and murder and a tender, unexpected love story. Gensburger did an excellent job of developing the characters in this story…. What I liked most about this book was Maxie’s character. The violent aspect of the story was not overdone. Typically, I am offended by all three; however, the few situations present in this book did not bother me. I recommend this book to adult readers who enjoy a good crime novel with some romance thrown in.” ~B. Creech, Online Book Club”The consistent, pleasant, fast-paced narrative in this book, is well used. Every character, has a moment of spotlight, no matter how brief, and the writer will allow us, to connect to them. Gensburger takes his time in telling this mystery and he makes our waiting worth the while. ~Julio Carlos, Scribble’s Worth Book Reviews.“Looking for a great summer read? Check out William Gensburger‘s new book, “Texas Dead”. It’s terrific-very clever and engaging.” ~Dan Ashley, ABC7 News, SF Bay Area“A fabulous page-turner. Fans of Marcia Miller’s ‘Sharon McCone’ series, and readers who enjoy Ray Bradbury’s style of writing, will most likely enjoy this book.” ~Jill Hedgecock, Book Reviewer, The Diablo Gazette newspaper, Concord, California.“Mystery & Crime lovers, I suggest you don’t miss this one. I got hooked within the first few pages. There are more twists and turns than in a corkscrew right to the end.” ~JC Ryan bestselling author of the ‘Rex Dalton’ thriller series.“This is a fast-paced, exciting book that takes place in Corpus Christi, Texas. I really did enjoy this book. It has a solid mystery and a blooming romance. There is also comic snark between detectives Michaels and Jameson that breaks up the high drama of the story.” ~ Mollien Fote Osterman, book club reviewer
by Philip Eliot | May 26, 2026 | Cozy Mystery |
It was like they vanished into thin air …Twenty-two years ago, young Bron Temperley and his baby brother Theo disappeared without a trace. No ransom demand. No sightings. No clues. Only an empty pram left behind.Now, a strange discovery in the garden of the old Temperley house sets private investigators Jenny Meaden and Neeta Biddle on the path to solving the mystery.The memories of the middle Temperley brother, Graham, lead them to a charming and successful young man who claims he is Bron, yet, while Graham and his mother, Auriol, accept him without question, there are one or two faultlines in his story, and a DNA test raises further questions over his real identity.Someone, though, is clearly trying to kill him, and Jenny and Neeta realize the reason must lie in the past history of a small group of friends. However, their investigations have alerted a ruthless enemy, who will stop at nothing to keep a deadly secret hidden.A tale of deception and family secrets, THE MYSTERY OF THE EMPTY PRAM is the second book in the Middle Way Mysteries series by Mariko McCarthy.
by Philip Eliot | May 26, 2026 | Teen & Young Adult |
Sixteen-year-old Issy loves the sea, preferring it to dry land. Determined to become a marine biologist, she’s driven by the desire to fulfill her ambition to work in an aquatic environment.Seventeen-year-old Dan is under pressure to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor. Dan harbours secret ambitions to work as an actor: he dreams of escaping his quarrelling family to flee to the bright lights of the theatre.When the two teenagers are thrown together on an unexpected holiday on the beautiful island of Crete, neither are impressed. Then an unexpected day trip out takes a dangerous turn, and the two get stranded on a seemingly deserted island.Exploring the island, they find a hidden building called The Star Institute. What they discover on the island will push the limits of their beliefs and understanding of the world… but will it bring them closer together?Julia Sutton’s THE STAR CONSPIRACY is a compelling story of family drama, secrets and adventure.
by Philip Eliot | May 26, 2026 | Womens Fiction |
The BRAND NEW gorgeous, romantic getaway read from bestseller Victoria Springfield ??? Perfect for fans of Karen Swan, Rosanna Ley and Carol Kirkwood.Stella has spent decades trying to forget the heartbreak that made her flee the Italian village of her childhood. But when her new fiancé surprises her with a trip back to Liguria for her upcoming birthday, she is forced to confront the past, her first love and a tragic family rift.Amy is mourning her beloved grandpa and curious to know more about the old coin necklace and mysterious postcard that he left her. Following his trail to the Italian Riviera, a chance meeting leads Amy to Stella’s village in the hills and to secrets that have lain buried since the war.Against a backdrop of cobbled medieval streets, sunlit piazzas and rustic olive groves, both Stella and Amy make surprising discoveries about their families – and themselves.By facing up to the past and opening their hearts, can Stella and Amy find happiness in the Italian village in the hills?Escape to Italy with this warm, romantic and emotional tale of family, love and second chances.Praise for Victoria Springfield:????? ‘A gorgeous, romantic book with a compelling storyline… truly excellent’ Louise Douglas????? ‘Gorgeous escapism and a complete joy to read!!’ Reader Review????? ‘A thoughtful, heartfelt, and gorgeously written story that lingers long after the last page. Highly recommended.’ Reader Review????? ‘Lovely! Full of twists and turns, intrigue and love.’ Reader Review????? ‘Engaging characters, a well-told story of new beginnings and second chance love – with unexpected twists – and a gorgeous Italian setting make this novel a perfect summer read.’ Reader Review????? ‘Escape to beautiful Italy in this wonderfully warm story… Cleverly plotted and peppered with mystery, I was totally drawn in by the characters, the family dynamics, and the secrets along the way. A five-star read!’ Helen Rolfe????? ‘A wonderfully engaging read with a delightful cast of characters… you will be totally captivated by this charming story!’ Lucy Coleman
by Philip Eliot | May 26, 2026 | Crime Fiction |
“Talton’s summer mystery, a first novel, shows how fertile the desert can be as a mystery setting… A stunning debut.” —Booklist STARRED reviewHaving recently lost his job as a history professor, David Mapstone returns to his boyhood home of Phoenix, Arizona, to find the city dramatically changed. It’s now a haven for wealthy retirees and a seasonal retreat for West Coast “sophisticates,” but pockets of his earlier life—some welcome, some not—remain. Mapstone eagerly accepts a temporary job from his old friend, Maricopa County Chief Deputy Mike Peralta: look into still-open cases and see if he can close any. He is settling into his new job when his college sweetheart appears at his door one evening. True to his memory of her, she is there because she wants something. Her sister is missing, and she wants Mapstone to look for her.Mapstone’s search for the missing woman is quickly resolved when her body is discovered in the desert, but he is stunned to find the dead sister in circumstances identical to a sensational 40-year-old unsolved murder. Mapstone’s dogged investigation of both murders bridges the chasm of clashing cultures, meshing his own long-ago memories with the tangled doings of newcomers and their acolytes, young women eager to share the lifestyle of tainted wealth, drugs, and careless violence.
