A Fatal Silence: Detective Kay Hunter Book 14 by Rachel Amphlett ~ Book Review

 

A FATAL SILENCE

A Detective Kay Hunter Novel

Book #14

by

RACHEL AMPHLETT

British Police Procedural / Women Detectives / Crime Fiction

Saxon Publishing

February 3, 2025

298 Pages

ABOUT THE BOOK: After the music stops, the killing begins…

When the body of a young woman is discovered at an outdoor music festival, Detective Kay Hunter’s investigation stalls almost as soon as it starts.

Because the killer has left no trace, and the victim’s identity is unknown.

Amidst a media backlash, and faced with thousands of potential suspects, Kay must piece together the last hours of the woman’s life before her killer can escape.

But when Kay finds out the truth, her discovery will shake her investigation team to its core…

A Fatal Silence is the 14th book in the Detective Kay Hunter series from USA Today bestselling author Rachel Amphlett, and perfect for readers who love fast-paced crime fiction.

BUY THE BOOK

Help support my retirement by using these affiliate links to purchase your copy!

Kindle   ***  Audiobook

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HALL WAYS AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: This is the fourteenth book in my favorite British police-procedural series, the Detective Kay Hunter series, and I've enjoyed every single book by Rachel Amphlett. This one leans heavily on the procedural side, and readers feel like they are working right alongside the team as they gather information and pursue leads. The author makes the story even more realistic by bringing in the real world where budgets are slashed, staff is bare bones, and everyone is overworked and underpaid. And Amphlett reminds readers that detectives and law enforcement are real people, with lives beyond the crimes. Kay's partner, Adam, is always a welcome light-hearted respite from the heavier stuff.

The murder to be solved is a curious one, with the crime scene a music festival. As the team gets closer to solving this crime, a more sinister killer and more gruesome details come to light. Amphlett's never shied away from sharing the gory details of the deaths, but it does feel like they've become more spectacular as the series has progressed. (Again, sadly matching the real world of crime.) There is more swearing than I remember being present in other books (including the F bomb), but it is likely more accurate than always-polite and controlled investigators and suspects.

Alison Campbell, as always, provides an outstanding performance. Campbell’s pacing is even, her diction perfectly clear. I listened at 1.2x for my own patience and comfort, but regular speed was fine. At this point in the series, she has mastered the voices for the key returning players, and that's something awesome that these characters each sound the same as they have from the beginning. 

I'm looking forward to reading (with my ears) the next installment, WHAT EVIL HIDES, coming February 2026.

Click to link up to Hall Ways reviews of books 1-9

*forgive the broken links on the posts*

     

Book 10 Review on Goodreads

Book 11 Review on Goodreads

Book 12 Review

Book 13 Review

NEXT UP IN THE SERIES:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Before turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio as a presenter and freelance producer for the BBC, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.

She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.

Rachel’s stories are available in eBook, print and audiobook formats from libraries and retailers as well as her own shop on this website.

A keen traveler and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.

A Deadly Promise by Rachel Amphlett

 

A DEADLY PROMISE

A Detective Kay Hunter Novel

Book #13

by

RACHEL AMPHLETT

British Police Procedural / Women Detectives / Murder Mystery

Saxon Publishing

February 5, 2025

336 Pages

ABOUT THE BOOK: When a woman’s mutilated body is discovered in a remote countryside property, Detective Kay Hunter is faced with one of the most challenging investigations of her career.

There is nothing in the victim’s past to explain her brutal slaying, and no clues as to how her killer got away.

Then a second body is found in a run-down storage facility, the man’s remains covered in horrific injuries that bear the hallmarks of prolonged torture.

With two families demanding justice, Kay is under pressure from her superiors to deliver a swift result–but there is no evidence to connect the two victims.

When a third victim is found just a short distance from her own incident room, Kay realises that the killer has no intention of stopping–and they already have their next victim in their sights…

A Deadly Promise is the 13th book in the Detective Kay Hunter series by USA Today bestselling author Rachel Amphlett and perfect for those who love fast-paced crime thrillers.

BUY THE BOOK

Help support my retirement by using these affiliate links to purchase your copy!

Kindle   ***  Hardcover  ***   Paperback  ***   Audiobook

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HALL WAYS REVIEW: This is a favorite series, and I'm never disappointed by the stories, which are British police procedurals. I particularly enjoy reading these books with my ears because of the delightful accents, and the oh-so-British politeness and style. A DEADLY PROMISE was a bit more graphic than others in the series, with the details and cruelties of the murders unfathomable, yet believable, in these warped times we live in. 

In A DEADLY PROMISE, the 13th book in the Detective Kay Hunter series, all the familiar characters are in place, with hints that some of the favorites may be moving on to bigger roles and callings.  The characters and setting are realistic, including how budgets and cost-cutting are impacting the efficacy of Kay's team to do their jobs.

As is the case in most books in the series, there is some relief from the horrendous casework in the home life Kay shares with her veterinarian partner, Adam. The animals-at-home shenanigans are always chuckle worthy, and I find I relax as much as Kay does when she walks through her front door. 

When all was finally revealed, I did struggle a bit with the grisly murder motive making sense. It seemed to be counterintuitive, but then, the murderer is clearly more motivated to fill a sick need than anything else, despite anything said otherwise. 

ABOUT THE NARRATION: Alison Campbell, as always, provides an outstanding performance. Campbell’s pacing is even, her diction perfectly clear. I listened at 1.2x for my own patience and comfort, but regular speed was fine. At this point in the series, she has mastered the voices for the key returning players, and that's something awesome that these characters each sound the same as they have from the beginning. 

Even with the less-than-ideal resolution in A DEADLY PROMISE, I recommend this and all the books in this series to those who enjoy riding along with a team of detectives to solve crimes. Each stands alone just fine, but I'd recommend starting at the beginning. Here, Kay is at the top of her detective game, but I have enjoyed watching her climb every rung of the ladder within the department, and it's more satisfying having gone on that journey with her.  

Click to link up to Hall Ways reviews of books 1-9

*forgive the broken links on the posts*

    

Book 10 Review on Goodreads

Book 11 Review on Goodreads

Book 12 Review

NEXT UP IN THE SERIES:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Before turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio as a presenter and freelance producer for the BBC, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.

She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.

Rachel’s stories are available in eBook, print and audiobook formats from libraries and retailers as well as her own shop on this website.

A keen traveler and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.

Winter's Season ~ Partners in Crime Tours Cover Reveal & Giveaway!

~ COVER REVEAL! ~

WINTER'S SEASON

by R.J. Koreto

Genre: Historical Mystery
Published by: Histria Books
Planned Publication Date: January 20, 2026
Number of Pages: 300

In 1817 London, before the police, there was Captain Winter.

London, 1817. A city teeming with life, yet lacking a professional police force. When a wealthy young woman is brutally murdered in an alley frequented by prostitutes, a shadowy government bureau in Whitehall dispatches its "special emissary"―Captain Winter. A veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and a gentleman forged by chance and conflict, Winter is uniquely equipped to navigate the treacherous currents of London society, from aristocratic drawing rooms to the city's grimmest taverns.

Without an army of officers or the aid of forensic science, Winter must rely on his wits and a network of unconventional allies. His childhood friend, a nobleman, opens doors in high society, while a wise Jewish physician uncovers secrets the dead cannot hide.

But Winter's most intriguing, and potentially dangerous, asset is Barbara Lightwood. Shrewd, beautiful, and operating as a discreet intermediary among the elite, Barbara shares a past with Winter from the war years. Their rekindled affair is fraught with wariness; she offers intimate information crucial to his investigation, but guards her own secrets fiercely. Like Winter, she is both cunning and capable of danger.

From grand houses to dimly lit streets, death stalks Captain Winter. He must tread carefully to unmask a killer, navigate a web of secrets and lies, and perhaps, in the process, save his own soul.

PRE-ORDER NOW!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: R.J. Koreto is the author of the Historic Home Mysteries series, set in modern New York City; the Lady Frances Ffolkes Mysteries series, set in Edwardian England; and the Alice Roosevelt Mysteries series, set in turn-of-the-century New York. His short stories have been published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, as well as various anthologies.

Most recently, he is the author of forthcoming Winter's Season, which takes place on the dark streets and glittering ballrooms of Regency-era London.

In his day job, he works as a business and financial journalist. Over the years, he’s been a magazine writer and editor, website manager, PR consultant, book author, and seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Like his heroine, Lady Frances Ffolkes, he’s a graduate of Vassar College.

He and his wife have two grown daughters, and divide their time between Paris and Martha’s Vineyard. 

Catch up with RJ Koreto:

www.RJKoreto.com  Amazon Author Profile  Goodreads

BookBub  Instagram - @rjkoreto  Threads - @rjkoreto  Facebook - @rjkoreto

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Visit the other great hosts on this tour for book reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule.

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ONE WINNER

will receive a $20 Amazon gift card!

(US only; ends noon, EST, 7/14/2025)

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for R.J. Koreto. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

WINTER’S SEASON by R.J. Koreto (Gift Card)

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The Dying Season by Rachel Amphlett

 

THE DYING SEASON

A Detective Kay Hunter Novel

Book #12

by

RACHEL AMPHLETT

British Police Procedural / Women Detectives / Murder Mystery

Saxon Publishing

February 6, 2023

301 Pages

Help support my retirement by using these affiliate links to purchase your copy!

Kindle   ***   Audiobook

HALL WAYS REVIEW: It's always a delight to return to the oh-so-British world of Detective Kay Hunter. I usually read this series with my ears, but I snagged a deal on Kindle and read the eBook this time. Naturally, with eleven prior audiobooks in the series, all swimming in my head, I was able to hear the voices of all the favorites on Kay's team and in her life. 

As Kay's climbed the ladder in the police force, she's evolved into an even more confident and effective leader than ever. I've enjoyed watching this growth and the obstacles thrown at her through the process. She's a commanding presence now and taken seriously, and I love that. But, as is with real life and the burden of being so responsible and accountable, she's lost some of her lightness, and there's less time for her -- and readers -- to enjoy the amazing relationship she has with Adam in her personal life.

What struck me about The Dying Season was how differently all things related to guns is handled in the UK versus the US. There's a horrible crime committed outside a pub in Kent, UK, and it's practically a national emergency to find the killer and justice for the victim. Gun violence is nearly unheard of due to the stringent laws to own a gun at all. Everyone's in a panic with the gunman on the loose, so all resources are pooled to solve the case. How refreshing it would be if shootings were so rare.  I was reading this book on the heels of the 4th of July in the US where there'd been 100 shootings in the Chicago area alone, so the contrast was even more astounding. And honestly, it made me sad for the state of my own country. 

Of the twelve books in the series that I've read so far, I think this is the most police-procedural heavy of them, but especially given the difference between UK and US procedures, it is a great story. There's plenty of action and edge-of-your-seat moments, and the urgency to get the case solved is palpable. 

I'm a fan, and I look forward to diving into the next installment, A DEADLY PROMISE, which published in February of this year. 

Click to link up to Hall Ways reviews of books 1-9

*forgive the broken links on the posts*

Book 10 Review on Goodreads

Book 11 Review on Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Before turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio as a presenter and freelance producer for the BBC, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.

She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.

Rachel’s stories are available in eBook, print and audiobook formats from libraries and retailers as well as her own shop on this website.

A keen traveler and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.

Second Chances: Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles 17 ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Review & Giveaway!

 

THE MAGNOLIA BLUFF

CRIME CHRONICLES

Seasons 1 & 2

by

The Underground Authors

Scroll down for a giveaway!

Each stand-alone book in this multi-author crime novel series is set in the fictitious, beautiful little Texas Hill Country town of Magnolia Bluff. Each author writes in their preferred sub-genre to allow readers to experience humor, dark dilemmas, suspense, romance, thrills, and spills — told through good storytelling that will keep readers awake past their bedtime, trying to find out whodunit.

Season three of The Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles begins in January 2024. Stay tuned.

CLICK TO PURCHASE THE BOOKS

FEATURED BOOK

Second Chances by Joe Congel

Small Town & Rural Fiction / Murder / Mystery

Publication Date: September 18, 2023

Page Count: 262 pages

Retired New York Police Detective, Brandon Turner wanted to move as far away from the Big Apple as possible. Pointing a finger at a map, he ends up in Magnolia Bluff, a small town in the Texas Hill Country.

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy to retire here as he’d hoped. While exploring a park with his dog and the real-estate agent showing him the property, they discover a body. They report the death and, as far as Turner is concerned, that’s where it ends. But it’s not that simple.

This body was not the first. There were others and all the evidence points to drugs. The local police are not savvy enough to solve these crimes on their own and ask Turner for help. But the former detective has other ideas. He intends to leave his past life where it belongs…in the past. But he soon realizes that he just can’t stay away from the case. Vowing not to work with the local detective, Turner begins his own investigation, putting himself, his dog, and the woman he just met in danger.

Can Turner and the local police set aside their differences long enough to stop a potential drug ring from destroying more lives? The town’s residents are counting on it. As for Turner, he just wants to solve this case as soon as possible so he can start enjoying his retirement.

Popping in on my blog today is Jill Anderson, my right hand gal and oh-so-bookish member of the Lone Star Literary Life corporate team. When we had an unexpected last minute change to our tour schedule, Jill jumped right in and volunteered to read Joe Congel's book. And now I really want to read it too (and so will you). Jill doesn't have a blog (yet?), so I volunteered my own. Enjoy! --Kristine

JILL'S GUEST REVIEW: Second Chances by Joe Congel is book 17 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles series. Author Joe Congel weaves together a compelling mystery that will keep you in your seat until the last page, and leave you wishing for more.

Brandon Turner decides to leave New York City and his career as a narcotics officer for a simpler life. Pointing randomly at a map leads him to Magnolia Bluff, Texas, a small town near Austin where life appears slower—but looks can be deceiving. While with his real estate agent, Joyce, they stumble across a dead body, and Brandon finds himself pulled into the investigation. Will Brandon be able to find the peaceful life he’s searching for, or will this murder be the death of his dreams?

Joe Congel brings Magnolia Bluff, Texas, to life in this tightly-crafted whodunit. Fantastic action and snappy dialogue pull the reader in and don’t let go. It would be easy to lose track in this large cast of characters, but the author keeps a tight focus on the clues while also portraying a slice of life in a small town where everyone knows your business and secrets are hard to keep. Brandon’s tension with Detective Sovern adds the perfect amount of seasoning to this stew of murder and mayhem, keeping the intensity level high at just the right moments.

Brandon is a guy you can easily root for, the kind of guy you hope all cops would be. His budding feelings for Joyce and the portrayal of her as a mom caring for her teenaged son provides a nice counterpoint to the body count piling up in the seedy underbelly of the town. I give this well-crafted mystery a 5 for its effective storytelling and firm grip on the reader. I gulped it down in a day! Although it easily stands alone, I think you’ll find yourself quickly wanting another trip to Magnolia Bluff to see how some of the other characters manage their own mysteries.

Joe Congel grew up in Central New York. After thirty-five years of braving long winters enhanced by lake effect snow, and ridiculously brief summers, he made his way below the Mason-Dixon Line to beautiful Charlotte, NC.

He spent twenty-five plus years helping to raise two wonderful kids into adulthood and now spends his time enjoying his grandson, two granddaughters, baseball, playing guitar, reading, and, of course, writing stories he hopes people will want to read.

Twitter * Instagram * Facebook * LinkedIn

Goodreads * Blog * Amazon

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THREE WINNERS:

1st: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd & 3rd: eBook bundles of first 18 books in the series

(US only; ends midnight, CST, 12/8/23)

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The Disappearance of Trudy Solomon ~ Blog Tour Guest Post & Giveaway!

THE DISAPPEARANCE

OF TRUDY SOLOMON

by Marcy McCreary

Genre: Adult Fiction (18+)

Category: Mystery

Publisher: CamCat Books

Publication Date: September 2022

Pages: 400 pages

Tour dates: Oct 3 to Oct 21

Content Rating: PG

Book Description:

In a family like that, you won’t need enemies.

In the waning days of the Catskills hotel era, Stanley and Rachel Roth, the owners of the Cuttman Hotel, were practically dynasty—third generation proprietors of a sprawling resort with a grand reputation. The glamorous and gregarious matriarch, Rachel. The cunning and successful businessman, Stan. Four beautiful children. A perfect family deserving of respect and loyalty. Or so it seemed.

Fast forward forty years. The Roths have lost their clout. When skeletal remains are found on the side of the road, the disappearance of Trudy Solomon, a coffee shop waitress at the Cuttman in 1978, is reopened. Each member of the Roth family holds a clue to the case, but getting them to admit what they know will force Detective Susan Ford to face a family she’d hoped never to see again.

Buy the Book:
CamCat ~ Amazon ~ BookBub 
IndieBound ~ B&N ~ Bookshop
add to goodreads

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Guest Post:

Best and Worst Writing Advice I’ve Ever Gotten

by Marcy McCreary

When I sat down to write this post, I racked my brain trying to recall if I’ve ever been given “bad” writing advice, namely some pearl of wisdom someone imparted to me that turned out to stymie my writing instead of benefitting the process. The answer was a resounding “no!” Most advice given to me has been tremendously helpful, whether it’s about the creative process, plot structuring, or how to leverage conflict and tension to keep the reader engaged. And even advice that is probably well-intentioned and works for many authors (i.e. how to outline using post-it notes or building your character’s entire backstory from birth) is probably great for those who outline and pre-plot, but as a “pantser,” my brain is not wired that way. I start with an inciting incident and pretty much know how it ends. The fun is in how I get there, letting my main character lead the way. 

The best writing advice I ever received was from my husband, Lew McCreary, who writes literary fiction (Minus Man, Viking; Mount’s Mistake, Atlantic Monthly Press). His advice: “no stick figures . . . every secondary and tertiary character should have enough depth so that readers can imagine them as protagonists in their own story.” Because I write complex mysteries with lots of characters—some merely cameo appearances—this advice is crucial. Many of my characters make singular appearances as a witness or neighbor or a waitress, and I want each and every one of them to be memorable.  

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Meet the Author:

Marcy McCreary worked for several years as a marketing and sales executive at various magazine publishing companies and content marketing agencies before turning to fiction writing. She is the author of The Disappearance of Trudy Solomon (CamCat Books). With two daughters and two step-daughters living in four different cities (Brooklyn, Nashville, Madison, Seattle), she spends a lot of time on airplanes crisscrossing the country. She lives in the beautiful coastal towns of Hull, MA and Nantucket, MA with her husband and black lab. 

Connect with the author: 

website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter ~ bookbub ~ goodreads 

Shadow of Murder ~ Book Blog Tour Audio Book Sample & Giveaway!

SHADOW OF MURDER
A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 14)

by Lauren Carr

Genre: Adult fiction

Categories: Murder Mystery / Police Procedural / Crime Fiction

Publisher: Acorn Book Services

Release date: March 30, 2022

496 pages

Content Rating: PG-13. Lauren Carr's mysteries are murder mysteries. Sometimes, the murder does happen on-stage. There is no graphic violence or explicit sex. There is some very mild language; No F-Bombs!

Book Description:

You can't move to the next chapter of your life, without tying up loose ends in the previous.
 
True crime blogger, Erica Hart starts a new chapter in her life with a bang when a dark shadow darts into the mountain road to send her SUV off a cliff and to the bottom of Deep Creek Lake. Spencer’s newest addition to the police force, Dusty O’Meara assumes it was a bear. Erica is not so sure.
 
Soon afterwards, contractors discover Konnor Langston’s body at the bottom of an abandoned swimming pool at the new summer home of Mac Faraday’s son.
 
With Police Chief David O’Callaghan away on paternity leave, Deputy Chief Dusty O’Meara must lead the investigation in his first murder case since moving to Spencer. Not only does Dusty have to work under the shadow of the legendary Mac Faraday, but he also has to match wits with Erica, who is determined to find justice for Konnor, her childhood friend.
 
Mac isn’t so difficult. Even Gnarly, the town’s canine mayor, is manageable if his authority is well-respected and he is kept entertained.
 
Erica Hart, Dusty finds, is more of a challenge. It wouldn’t be so difficult if she wasn’t so irresistible.

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"Five Stars for Lauren Carr's 14th book of the Mac Faraday Murder Mysteries, Shadow of Murder! In this new release, she has recaptured the fun of cute "creatures" with the fast-moving, suspenseful, and captivating mystery, along with her usual touch of romance." - review by Lu Ann Worley, Rockin' Book Reviews

 

"This newest title in the author's Mac Faraday cozy murder mystery series offers Lauren Carr's most intricate plot to date - full of twists and turns guaranteed to keep readers up until the wee hours. While still full of the humor, fun critters and touch of romance that are her trademark, the author has also woven in a dark supernatural element that whispers through to the startling ending." - review by Marilyn R. Wilson, bestselling author, freelance writer, editor, and speaker at Olio by Marilyn.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon

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NOW AVAILABLE ON AUDIO!

Listen to an Audio Sample:

BUY THE AUDIO BOOK:

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Covey and JayJay Get Educated Audio Book ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Audio Book Review & Giveaway!

COVEY AND JAYJAY

GET EDUCATED

Audio Book Tour
By Shelton L. Williams

Narrated by Kathy James

Covey Jencks Mysteries, Book 2
Genre: Murder Mystery / Social Thriller / Amateur Sleuth
Publisher: Audible
Length: 5 hours, 40 minutes
Publication Date: March 18, 2020

Scroll down for giveaway!

Amateur detectives Covey Jencks and JayJay Qualls are drawn into a triple murder on the campus of Baker College in West Waverly in the Texas Hill Country. Both end up taking positions at the college: Covey as an adjunct instructor and JayJay as a visiting actor. 

Initially they believe that money is the motive for the murders, but over time they learn that the college is a cauldron of political and social intrigue. The college's new president and his beautiful wife, various staff members, a prominent trustee, and parties not associated with the college have the motives, opportunities, and wacky agendas that might implicate them in the murders. It turns out that a white nationalist group may be using a college house for its nefarious activities, but are they more talk than action? 

The West Waverly police are little to no help in the investigation, and Covey himself has to depart the college to deal with his father's death. JayJay takes over and makes a critical breakthrough. Upon Covey's return, the couple must rely on deception, a bit of luck, and martial arts skills to solve the crimes and to try to prevent a high-profile assassination.

CLICK TO BUY

HALL WAYS REVIEW: Audio Book / Print Combo Review: Covey and JayJay are back to their amateur-sleuthing best in Covey and JayJay Get Educated, the second book of the Covey Jencks series. Though it’s not necessary to read book one to enjoy this book, I highly recommend it for the background and to get better acquainted with the couple and the Jencks law firm team in Odessa. Talk about a rich cast of characters!

In this installment, the story takes place away from Odessa, the home base for Covey’s law firm, and primarily in New Waverly, Texas, a fictitious college town built around a fictitious liberal arts college. But take note of that Educated part of the book’s title: there is a lot of truth and history packed inside this story.

As was the case with Covey Jencks, I read Educated with both my eyes and ears; however, I read the print version about four months ago.  A lot has changed in the real world since then with the onslaught of COVID-19, and I found that my reaction to the story was dramatically different the second time around. The multiple plot lines mostly revolve around ugly parts of humanity: white nationalism, racism, homophobia, corruption. Oh, and hate. Hate. Hate. Hate. The book is set in the 1990s, and it’s loaded with lessons in political and social history, which reminds readers that what is now always has been and will likely always be. Covey’s observations and concerns are our own (well, my own anyhow. Sadly, there’s a huge population of people who would bristle at the notion that white nationalism is a bad thing. I digress.). And there’s no doubt, ever, about what Covey is thinking; readers are in his head with him as he reflects, ruminates, and evaluates.

Happily, inside the head of Covey Jencks is a great place to be and BONUS! In this book, readers spend a lot of time inside JayJay’s head, too. These two are what keep the heaviness at bay with their cleverness, humor, and observations of people and situations. Add to the mix their relationship, which is filled with love, respect, and admiration, and author Shelton Williams gives readers a winning combination and a much-needed balance to those aforementioned uglies.

“He collected hatreds the way teenagers harbor Star Wars cards: acquire the latest ones, keep them in mint condition, and never forget their origin story.”

One of the vehicles Williams uses to acquaint readers with characters is to give full profiles of each as they become central to the story. We get the roots and depths of the evil; we get the impact of their disappointments; and most importantly, we get the effects of negative influences and unreasonable expectations. These detailed backgrounds and stories flesh-out the players in an efficient way so that readers can see what factors may have played a role in building these personalities.  Instead of feeling like an info dump, this tool works because it fits with Covey’s thinking style and seems a natural way he’d share information. The result is readers get a bunch of fascinating, entertaining, and revelatory side-stories in compact little bundles.

In Covey and JayJay Get Educated, the pages fly by as the action unfolds. It’s a fast read at around 200 pages (with lots of white space), and the audio comes in at just over 5 ½ hours -- about half the run-time of many novels. I said it with book one, and I’ll say it again with book two: don’t be fooled by the white space or brevity. Yes, they allow for a quick and satisfying hit of mystery and humor, but jammed in those pages is also cerebral and thought-provoking content.

Amazingly and masterfully, author Shelton Williams detangles the plethora of plot threads and ties up the loose ends, leaving readers satisfied – but with our interest piqued by the hint of another adventure in store for Covey and JayJay. I’ll be there for it! This duo just keeps getting better.

ABOUT THE NARRATION: Kathy James is back as narrator, and she gives an even delivery and speaks clearly with warmth and just a slight hint of sarcasm in her tone – perfect for both Covey’s and JayJay’s personalities. There are no technical issues with this high-quality recording. It’s been a while since I listened to her narrate the first book, but for this book, it’s more like a book being read aloud than a performance. There is some expression in James’s voicing of JayJay, and her best character was Annette, who sounds like the Texan she is! (More, please!) I did have some difficulty distinguishing between characters during scenes with dialogue, and there were several mispronounced words that caught my ear. While I enjoy the freedom afforded by reading with my ears, I am glad I had read this book in print first, and I would recommend that or a reading/listening combination to best enjoy the nuances of the intricate plots.

Thank you to the author and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing me an Audible download in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Shelton L. Williams (Shelly) is founder and president of the Osgood Center for International Studies in Washington, DC. He holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and he taught for nearly forty years at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He has served in the US Government on four occasions, and he has written books and articles on nuclear proliferation. In 2004 he began a new career of writing books on crime and society. Those books are Washed in the Blood, Summer of 66, and now the Covey Jencks series. All firmly prove that he is still a Texan at heart.

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Kathy James. My first part time job while I was in high school was announcing at the local radio station, and I had fun being "on the air” and using my sarcastic sense of humor.  I worked in the radio business for more than twenty years. My favorite pastimes are teaching figure skating, getting lost in a great book, and watching movies.  I narrate and produce audio books in my home studio, and I truly enjoy bringing an author’s characters to life with an audio book. I currently reside in Minnesota with my slightly overweight cat and two childlike golden retrievers.  

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

THREE WINNERS! 
FIRST PRIZE: Audio books of Covey Jencks, Covey and JayJay Get Educated, and Washed In the Blood

SECOND PRIZE: Both Covey Jencks books in Kindle editions

THIRD PRIZE: Covey and JayJay Get Educated in Kindle edition

MAY 7-16, 2020

(U.S. Only)

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