It’s been a while since I showcased, Doubletake, the first mystery I ever wrote. The book is the result of a collaboration between Margaret Sutton and myself and was first released with the pseudonym, Sutton Miller. A nice strong name and early reviewers thought the book had been penned by a man.
Go figure. As if only a man could write something so gritty. We’ve shared many a chuckle over that. 🙂
The book bounced between a couple of small publishers many moons ago, then I re-acquired the rights and talked to Margaret about updating the story and publishing it myself with both our names on the cover.
She agreed, and I did, after having a professional cover made and hiring an editor.
Today, I decided to run a special discount on the price for the weekend, so the book is only .99 for Kindle, and, of course, free for Kindle Unlimited.
To whet your reading appetite, here’s a sample introducing the main character, Barbara. Enjoy!
Determination and persistence usually paid off for Detective Barbara Hobkins, but not this morning. This morning she was still bogged down in a burglary investigation that should have been routine. It was the sixth day.
“Damn!” She slammed her notebook on the desk and stood up, smoothing the wrinkles on her Khaki pants.
Across from her, Keith Reeves, engrossed in his own muddy water, looked over. “Going for coffee?”
“Yeah.”
“Bring me some?”
“Who says I’m coming back?”
Keith smiled, an act that turned his craggy face into tolerant amusement. She recognized it as his way of telling her he knew better.
Barbara walked slowly down the hall to the break room, trying to clear her mind for a fresh approach to the case. Since they’d broken that burglary ring a few years back, it hadn’t been so easy to tie everything up into a neat little package. A proliferation of drugs into the small town of Twin Lakes brought more chaos to police work that used to be somewhat organized and predictable.
Maybe I should shuck it all and make my parents happy.
Remembering their shock when she’d first announced her desire to be a cop, Barbara didn’t fight the urge to smile. She knew they both had assumed she’d just grow out of it. Even though while all her friends were playing Barbies, she played with toy guns and listened to the police scanner with her Uncle Bob.
She’d been about eight when she first voiced her interest in police work, but her father had registered the same shock years later when she’d walked into his office after making her application to the Twin Lakes Department. His response had been no big surprise. “You’ve only been out of college a week. Why not give yourself some time?”
“I don’t need any more time.” She’d squared her shoulders and regarded his imposing presence. “Besides, it’s too late to reconsider. I’ve already applied.”
Breaking eye contact, her father had taken a moment to run his pudgy fingers through his mop of white hair. She’d often wondered what thoughts had gone through his mind during the delay.
“Guess a debate is out of the question,” he’d finally said. “So what do you want from me?”
“I know I’ll be accepted. No problem there. But I’ll need your help with Mother. You know what a fit she had last time I even mentioned the possibility.”
Barbara hadn’t thought of that in ages. So much had happened in the last eight years that it felt like the conversation took place an eternity ago.
And she was slightly amused at her early naiveté. Why on earth had she thought her mother would be the hardest obstacle to face?
Despite changing attitudes and government mandates to include more female police officers, her first years with the TLPD had been the pits. Originally confident of a quick step up to criminal investigations, she’d shouldered one disappointment after another. Chief Broyles had been more inclined to assign her to deskwork or routine patrol, neither of which offered many investigative opportunities unless she counted tracking the occasional lost Fax.
Her big break came three years ago when she’d blustered her way into a juvenile case. The suspect was a fourteen-year-old boy caught on a B&E. Royce Wertco. She’d never forget that name.
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ABOUT THE BOOK
*** Best Mystery by the Texas Association of Authors ***
Two brutal murders rock the quiet community of Twin Lakes, Texas, and Detective Barbara Hobkins must catch the killer before becoming the target of DOUBLETAKE.
Who killed the teacher’s wife? Was it the young kid Barbara had tried to steer away from a life of crime three years ago? She doesn’t think so, but everybody else seems intent on pinning the murders on him.
While Barbara is working hard to try to prove the kid is innocent, he’s implicated in the second murder and it appears he will go down for both. Was Barbara’s belief in him misplaced?
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That’s all from me for today folks. I’ll be spending most of the day at doctor appointments – my social life of late. 🙂 While I’m off getting poked and prodded, I’d love your help in spreading the word about the sale this weekend. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Share wherever you feel comfortable. I’d really appreciate it. Thank You!!
Whatever you have planned for the weekend ahead, I do hope it includes time for fun and relaxation. Be safe. Be happy.