Dwight Holing is here to tell us about The Yellow Hair, a Nick Drake Novel - book 10, mystery, contemporary Western, Native American literature.
Read on for details...
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A Nick Drake Novel, Book 10
Mystery, Contemporary Western, Native American Literature
Date Published: 04-30-2026
Publisher: Jackdaw Press
New Badge. Old Blood.
Nick Drake traded his past for the Sheriff’s star, but Harney County
doesn’t do election honeymoons. His tenure kicks off with a double
homicide staged as a murder-suicide—a lie Nick isn't buying. As he digs
into the crime’s rotting core, the rookie Sheriff finds himself fighting
a war on two fronts: a lethal learning curve with unproven deputies and a
political recall designed to bury him. In the high lonesome where secrets
kill, Nick must strike first and strike hard. Because in this office, the only
thing shorter than his term is his life expectancy.
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Potholes on a road I’d never traveled before grabbed at the wheels like
a bad conscience seeking redemption. It led to a ranch east of Burns
surrounded by withered hayfields scratched out of a dead sea of sage scrub.
Tumbleweeds hung on rusty strands of sagging barbed wire. The wind-scoured
house and barn looked ready to give up the ghost. If the call that brought me
out proved true, the owners already had.
A brand new 1980 Cadillac Sedan de Ville was parked out front. The color made
me think of the old saw about red skies in the morning. The driver’s
door opened and released a cloud of cigar smoke followed by a big man wearing
a pearl snap-button shirt and stockman boots. He set a summertime Stetson atop
his crew cut and eyed the seven-point gold star on the door of my rig.
“I take it you’re the new sheriff,” he said. “I heard
Harney County had a special election to fill the boots of the old one who got
hisself killed.”
“Nick Drake,” I said. “And you are?”
“Red Caldera.” He chuckled. “Yup, I know, heckuva moniker.
My folks idea at being clever. Pleased to make your acquaintance, though the
situation inside is none too pleasing. Couple been dead a week, be my
guess.”
When I didn’t make a move toward the house, he clicked his cheek.
“I woulda thought you’d charge right in, but maybe you don’t
know you’re s’posed to on account you’re new to
sheriffing.”
“If they’re dead like you say, what I need to know first is why
you went inside uninvited.”
The straw cowboy hat reared back as he aimed his double chin at me.
“Now, hold it right there. I didn’t do nothing wrong. I’m
the one called it in and I’m the one been cooling my heels on a hotter
than a firecracker morning waiting for you to show up.”
About the Author
Dwight Holing is the award-winning author of twenty books, including the
bestselling Nick Drake Mysteries and the popular Jack McCoul Capers. He is a
member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Western Writers of
America. He lives beside a coastal river in California with his wife and two
dogs who’d rather swim than walk.
Sharon Fernicola is here to tell us about her mystery Trial by Town.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Trial by Town
Sharon Fernicola
Publication date: March 31st 2026
Genres: Adult, Mystery
A gripping small town murder mystery
In the quiet coastal town of Keansbury, reputation is everything.
When eighteen-year-old Peter Keans—the heir to the town’s most powerful family—is found murdered, shock quickly turns to certainty. A young woman is arrested, and for all residents the case appears simple.
Justice, they believe, will be swift.
Attorney Katie Russo isn’t so sure.
Invited to review what seems like an open-and-shut prosecution, Katie begins to notice small inconsistencies buried beneath the surface of the investigation. As she looks deeper, she discovers a community bound by loyalty, economic dependence, and an unspoken understanding that some truths are better left alone.
With the trial approaching and tensions mounting, long-held assumptions begin to fracture. In a place where reputation defines identity and silence protects power, the search for truth threatens far more than a single verdict.
TRIAL BY TOWN is a character-driven small town murder mystery about justice, moral ambiguity, and the quiet pressure of a town determined to protect its own.
Perfect for readers who enjoy small town suspense, courtroom drama, and mysteries where the truth hides behind reputation and power.
For fans of Defending Jacob and Anatomy of a Scandal comes a gripping small town murder mystery where reputation, power, and truth collide.
“Mr. VanAnt, as you may know, the Professor asked me to speak with Miss O’Neill. I did so only to be of help.” She made certain her tone continued calm and reassuring, not wanting to give the misimpression that she was speaking as a defense attorney. “Miss O’Neill is unwavering in her claim of innocence.”
He was quick to respond, the red deepening in color. “I’m not surprised by anything she says. She’s always been a strange girl. Her uncle was strange. I guess it was just in the genes. However, that’s not an excuse. Mrs. Russo, as far as myself and this community are concerned, she killed him. Whether by accident or intentional, she killed him. The sooner she’s removed from here, the better. We have enough to deal with without her presence being a constant painful reminder.”
He tried to take another sip of coffee, but his shaking hand made him unsteady. A small amount poured onto the table. Katie grabbed a few napkins to blot up the puddle. She worried that she may have pushed him too far, but as concerned as she felt for him, she was compelled to continue the discussion.
“I can only imagine the pressure you’ve been under. The Professor mentioned that Mr. Keans Sr. has had virtually no involvement with the business since his son’s death.”
He paused a moment, then looked directly at Katie. “One does what one needs to do to survive. I have a responsibility to our customers, our workers, our community, and our families. A lot of people have been affected by this tragedy, and I’ll do everything and anything it takes to see that this business continues.”
Katie felt a chill up her spine. His words almost sounded like a threat. Perhaps he wasn’t quite the gentle giant she had thought. It was clear that the conversation had gone as far as it was going to go. “I’m certain you have everyone’s support and appreciation.”
Katie glanced at her watch and noted the lateness of the hour. “I’ve taken up enough of your time.” She rose and extended her hand. “This was an unexpected pleasure meeting you, and I very much enjoyed the tour.”
“Likewise.” He held the chair for her, the way a gentleman did in an old black-and-white film, and then escorted her to the elevator. “I hope you don’t mind if I say goodbye here. I have a few hours of paperwork ahead of me and I’d better get started.”
“Not at all. Again, thank you.”
He stood there looking at her until the doors closed. The chill she got earlier seemed to return. She tried to explain away her discomfort. After all, he had a right to feel such anger, and it wasn’t directed toward her. More chills as she walked briskly to the car, only this time, they were caused by the late afternoon breeze off the water. She slid into the seat and turned on the engine and the heater and waited until she was sufficiently warmed. As she drove out the gate, she thought about his words. Other than Jennifer, everyone she’d spoken to since arriving were aligned in their sentiment, although none expressed it so succinctly as Mr. VanAnt. “The sooner she’s removed from here, the better.” Katie rounded the bend, happy to be heading toward the comfort of the Professor’s home.
As he lost sight of her car, VanAnt drew the blinds and returned to his paperwork.
Author Bio:
Sharon Fernicola is a writer drawn to layered mysteries, emotional realism, and characters who challenge assumptions. Her fascination with crime and justice began early, watching Perry Mason with her father and falling in love with the genre’s blend of intellect and drama. Her debut novel, Trial by Town, explores the fragile line between perception and truth in a small town desperate to preserve its legacy.
In her 70s, Sharon completed three triathlons, obtained dual Italian–American citizenship, and wrote her first book—living proof that bold dreams don’t come with an expiration date. She brings a poetic sensibility to her storytelling, blending suspense with empathy and nuance. When she’s not writing, she’s mapping out her next adventure or putting in time at the gym, always chasing the next challenge with curiosity and grit.
Elizabeth Pantley is here to tell us about Critters and Crimes, Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club #11, a paranormal cozy mystery.
There's also a great giveaway.
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A quaint riverside
town holds many secrets ...
and the only ones who’ve seen it all are the
critters.
Critters and Crimes
Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club #11
by Elizabeth Pantley
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
A quaint riverside
town holds many secrets ... and the only ones who’ve seen it all are the
critters.
This book club dives (literally!) into the pages of a cozy
mystery. The quirky group must solve the mystery to get out of the book. It’s
so much fun - you’ll wish you had a book club like this!
In this journey, they choose a book set in a lovely
riverside town. They land in a charming neighborhood and find they are part of
a local book club. They are having a great time – and then a dead body shows
up. (Of course it does!)
The clues to what happened come to them in a unique way –
via the critters in the house.
As usual, the club finds plenty of time to enjoy the unique
setting of their journey, as they solve the mystery – one critter at a time.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This book is part of a magical cozy mystery series of 11 books and growing.
Each book can be read as a standalone, but are much more fun
in order.
Available in eBook, paperback, Kindle Unlimited, and
audiobook.
“Hey!” Frank shouted the
word as he landed with a thump on the deck right in front of me.
“Ack!” I jumped and
grabbed the pillow beside me for protection. I nearly fell off the porch swing.
“Don’t do that!”
Frank snickered. His tail
flicked back and forth and his ears twitched.
“You startled me!”
“Really? It was so hard to
tell.” He snorted with laughter.
I peeked from behind the
pillow and shook a finger at him. “Bad cat!”
That just made him laugh
harder. He rolled over on his back and waved his paws in the air.
He looked so silly that I
relaxed and began to laugh, too.
“Good morning to you,” I
said, as I smoothed out the pillow that had been my so-called protection.
Frank finally caught his
breath and sat up. “What’cha doing out here all alone, Paige-o-roonie?”
“I was having a quiet,
reflective morning. Did you catch the definitive word there? I ‘was’ having a
quiet morning.”
“Are you implying that I
interrupted you?”
“Not implying. Stating a
fact.”
“For good reason.” He
chuckled. “I see you have some coffee there.” He pointed his nose at my cup.
“Want to go get this kitty a bowlful?” He crossed his front feet, tipped his
head to the side and widened his eyes. Then to up his cuteness quotient, he batted
his lashes. “Please?”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” I
laughed, getting up from the swing. “I’ll be right back.”
I went into the kitchen to
exchange my coffee for a cup of tea. Frank had jump started my heart, so I
didn’t need any more caffeine. I fixed Frank a bowl of his favorite morning
beverage: half-coffee, half-creamer. Any normal cat would be sick from the brew,
but our magical library cat was not anything resembling normal.
The house was quiet as I
grabbed our drinks and returned to the porch. I set Frank’s bowl on the table
and sat on the swing. I took a big sip from my cup.
Frank took a leap over to
the table and inhaled the aroma wafting from his bowl. He slurped greedily then
gave a moan of delight. He tipped his head at me. “What were these reflective
thoughts that I interrupted?”
I tapped a finger to my
lips in thought, and glanced at my book, which lay quietly on the table beside
me. For once, I didn’t have my nose in a cozy mystery. Instead, I had been
rocking back and forth on the porch swing, enjoying the sounds of the birds and
the quiet whisper of the wind through the trees as I had let my mind wander,
until Frank had disrupted me.
“I’d been cycling through
many topics, one after the other.”
“Maybe you were clearing
your mind’s way for the upcoming new book adventure?”
“That’s probably true.
Once we get inside a book, I won’t have time to ponder anything but the mystery
we need to solve.”
Elizabeth Pantley is a bestselling author of fiction and
non-fiction books. She writes two well-loved cozy mystery series: The Magical
Mystery Book Club, and the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic series. She has also
written the international bestselling No-Cry Solution parenting book series
that is available in over twenty languages.
Elizabeth lives in the majestic Pacific Northwest and spends
winters in the sunny desert of Arizona. While neither location is home to any
paranormal beings (that she knows of) the vastly different yet equally lovely
locations are the inspiration for the settings in many of her books.
Stacy Wilder is here to tell us about A Camping Conundrum, a Liz Adams Mystery #5, a cozy mystery.
There's also a great giveaway.
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A camping trip to South Carolina’s Poinsett Park turns
deadly when PI Liz Adams’ husband discovers a body in the lake. Amid camping
calamities, Liz and her lie-detecting Lab, Duke, rush to identify the
killer—leading to a shocking twist of karma.
A Camping Conundrum
A Liz Adams Mystery #5
by Stacy Wilder
Genre: Cozy Mystery
A heart-pounding cozy mystery filled with twists, turns, and
canine charm. Perfect for fans of page-turning whodunits and outdoor
adventures!
Private Investigator Liz Adams isn’t thrilled when her husband, Brad, suggests
a camping getaway to South Carolina’s picturesque Poinsett Park. The mention of
camping brings back a haunting memory of a childhood Girl Scout trip that went
terribly wrong. But for Brad, the park is a refuge—a chance to relive happy
moments from his past.
The long weekend escape takes a dark turn when Brad discovers a woman’s
lifeless body in the park’s peaceful lake. The victim, the landlady of a strip
center in the neighboring town of Sumter, was notorious for making enemies
among her tenants. With no shortage of motives but no clear suspects, Liz and
her truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, embark on a quest to identify the culprit.
As Liz races to uncover the truth and put the killer in jail, the couple
experiences one camping disaster after another. Will justice be served? Or will
an unexpected twist of karma change everything?
Stacy Wilder is
the author of the Liz Adams Mystery Series. In addition to cozy mysteries,
Stacy writes children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. Her mission is to
deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger
community. She donates a portion of the proceeds from the sales of her books to
causes that help the homeless, both people and pets.
Beyond writing,
Stacy is deeply devoted to her faith, family, and her beloved Labradors. She is
also enthusiastic about the causes she supports, the beauty of art, the
serenity of the beach, the adventure of travel, and the joy of reading.
She and her
husband live in Houston, TX with a totally spoiled Labrador named Eve.
Kevin G. Chapman is here to tell us about his mystery-thriller police procedural Treacherous Jack, a Mike Stoneman mystery #7.
There's also a great giveaway.
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One hacked file.
Three bodies.
Zero time.
Treacherous Hack
A Mike Stoneman Mystery #7
by Kevin G. Chapman
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Police Procedural
From the
award-winning Mike Stoneman Thriller series comes Book #7 — a
gripping crime thriller set in the heart of a frozen New York City.
When electronics store owner Lou Palazzo is gunned down at a snowy Manhattan
intersection, NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson catch a
case that’s anything but ordinary. Back at Lou’s shop, two Chinese nationals
linked to a powerful Shanghai cybercrime ring are dead. The only clue? A
missing laptop computer, possibly containing something Lou was willing to die
to protect.
Meanwhile, NYU student Ryan Gelb is panicking. His hacked laptop held the
stolen university data — data he quietly gave to his Uncle Lou. Now Lou is
dead, and whoever killed him is coming for the file. . . and for Ryan.
Caught between international cybercriminals, New York mobsters, and the police,
Ryan is desperate to recover the file and avoid being expelled — or worse,
executed.
As Mike and Jason untangle a web of secrets, lies, and digital deception,
they're met with stonewalling from all sides: NYU won’t talk, witnesses are
hiding the truth, and even their closest allies are keeping dangerous secrets.
With the body count rising and a deadly showdown looming, the race is on to
solve the mystery, recover the missing file, and avoid turning Lower Manhattan
into a bloodbath.
Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly,
John Sandford, and David Baldacci, this high-stakes police procedural mixes
hard-boiled action, cybercrime intrigue, and unforgettable characters in a
page-turning thriller you won’t be able to put down.
What readers are
saying:
“A page-turner of a police
procedural, with multiple cryptological clues and misdirections. The convoluted
plot is enough to keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout. While the
action is nearly nonstop, it is inevitable that readers along the way will get
invested in relationships such as that between Ryan and Star. All the main
characters and many of the minor ones keep dangerous secrets, demonstrating
once again the fallibility of human nature.”
~ S. W. Lawrence, MD, author of climate fiction including Climate
Dragon and Cloud Dragon.
“Chapman delivers another pulse-pounding thriller that seamlessly
weaves cybercrime, organized crime, and family loyalties into one explosive
narrative of how far people will go to protect their secrets. This high-stakes
thriller has non-stop action and suspense that culminates in a riveting
page-turner until the end.”
~ LoLo Paige, award-winning author of Alaska Firestorm and Alaska
Inferno.
“Treacherous Hack grabs you
from the first chapter and doesn’t let go! An exciting police procedural that
makes you feel like you’re on a ride-a-long with the detectives, conspiring
with the bad guys, and hanging out in a dorm room with the young guys caught in
the middle of it all.”
~ Laurel Heidtman, author of The Eden Mysteries.
“A pulse-pounding thriller that seamlessly weaves cybercrime, organized
crime, and family loyalties into one explosive narrative of how far people will
go to protect their secrets.”
~ LoLo Paige, award-winning author of Alaska Firestorm and Alaska
Inferno.
DETECTIVE MIKE STONEMAN CALLED OUT to
his partner as soon as Jason ducked under the crime scene tape stretched across
the sidewalk.
“Jason! Over here.” Mike waved his arm, beckoning Jason
toward the center of the intersection. Since Mike lived in Manhattan, he had
arrived fifteen minutes before his partner. A clot of officers and emergency
services personnel milled about without much urgency.
“Nice night,” Jason said sarcastically.
Mike, dressed in a down parka and a blue-and-orange knit hat
pulled down over his ears, grunted his agreement. Mike was a full five inches
shorter than Jason and twenty years older. Even in their winter clothes,
Jason’s style showed through, with his tailored wool overcoat, gloves, scarf,
and LL Bean duck boots. Mike had long since stopped worrying about the fact
that his partner was taller, better looking, in better shape, and a better
dresser. Mike possessed wisdom that came from experience, which was the one
thing Jason could not have. At least not until he had twenty-five years on the
force like Mike. They had been partners for five years.
A uniformed officer with a plastic cover over his hat
approached Mike as Jason arrived. “Detective Stoneman, the medical examiner is
finished. Can we remove the body now?”
“Not yet,” Mike responded. “I want Detective Dickson to get
a look at the scene first.”
The officer left to give his fellow officers the bad news –
they all had to stay outside their warm squad cars.
As they walked around the intersection, Mike gave Jason the
rundown. “The stiff’s name is Lou Palazzo. His wallet was in his pants pocket
with a driver’s license, so the ID was pretty easy. He’s got a record from
years back. Did three years in Sing Sing in the twenty-teens for conspiracy to
commit murder. He was connected to the Gallata family. Since he got out, he’s
had no arrests. He ran an electronics store and pawn shop over on the corner of
Avenue B, a block away.” Mike pointed to the far end of the block. “He had a
little cash and some credit cards in his wallet.”
Jason looked down at the remainder of the dead man’s head.
“So, not a robbery, then?”
Mike didn’t laugh. “The snow and slush on the street mangled
any physical evidence here, but there is blood in the snow outside his shop. It
looks like he was shot inside the shop in the shoulder, tried to escape in this
direction, then got caught here in the intersection and plugged once in the
head. No cell phone on him. He wasn’t wearing a coat, so he left in a hurry.
When we finish here, there are two more stiffs in the shop.”
“So, there’s more to see?” Jason asked.
“Oh, yeah. Plenty. We’ll get over there in a minute. The
officer in the first squad car saw two figures in the middle of the street from
a few blocks away and hit his lights. By the time he got here, Lou was dead on
the ground and the other person had fled the scene on foot.”
Jason squatted to get a look at the body without dipping his
knees into the slush. The kill shot entered the man’s head above his left ear
and exited through his neck – a clean kill, likely fired by a person standing
over the victim.
“Seen enough?” Mike asked.
“Sure. Thanks for doing the reconnaissance.”
“Let’s go see the shop. That’s where the action was.” Mike
turned to the west. “Oh, and by the way, was that Rachel I saw over there with
a cameraman?”
“Yeah,” Jason said without stopping. “She got a call from
her network to come work this scene. She’s been bugging them for weeks about
getting a chance to cover breaking news instead of the fluffy studio stuff. You
know, the healthcare pieces and emergency services and such. She’s been on the
on-call list every weekend since Halloween, hoping to get a call.
Unfortunately, tonight was the night.”
“You need to be careful, Jason. You can’t spill any
information to her. I know we talked about this possibly happening someday.
Well, shit just got real. Sully will have your hide if he thinks you’re feeding
her inside dirt on the investigation.”
“I know. I’m not telling her anything. But I can’t stop her
from working. This is a big deal for her.”
“Sure. I get it,” Mike said. “But be careful.”
“You don’t need to tell me.”
Don’t miss the
rest of the Mike Stoneman Mysteries!
Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney
specializing in labor and employment law. Kevin has now completed seven books
in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series: Righteous
Assassin (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Deadly Enterprise
(Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Lethal Voyage, (Winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award, CLUE finalist, RONE
finalist), Fatal Infraction (Best
Police Procedural of the year – CLUE Award),Perilous Gambit, Double
Takedown, and now, Treacherous Hack. In late 2022, Kevin published a
stand-alone mystery/thriller titled Dead Winner (CLUE Award - Best Suspense/Thriller of the year). Then, in 2024
came The Other Murder, winner of the CLUE Award Grand Prize (best suspense/thriller of the year) and
finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award. Kevin is a resident of
Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College and Boston University
School of Law. Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.
Joanna Campbell Slan is here to tell us about Resort Two Murder, book 20 in the Kiki Lowenstein mystery series, a cozy mystery.
There's also a great giveaway.
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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Joanna Campbell Slan will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Kiki Lowenstein heads to Florida for sand, sunshine, and family time—until a shocking death pulls her into a mystery simmering beneath the resort’s perfect surface. With craftiness and heart, she dives into a dangerous tangle of lies that only she can unravel.
Read an Excerpt
The scream ripped through the dawn and straight into my spine. I didn’t breathe until I reached the balcony.
Seven floors below, a housekeeper stood frozen at the pool’s edge, hands over her mouth. The turquoise water rippled around hair the color of fire.
“I don’t know yet. Stay back. Keep your brothers inside.” My voice didn’t tremble, but everything inside me did.
I yanked the curtains closed, but not before my mind captured every detail: the purple satin gown billowing under the water, the bare feet, the drifting red hair like a drowning sunrise.
Then Brawny — my fierce, loyal Scot nanny — sprinted into the courtyard and dove in, shoes and all. She flipped the girl over, started mouth-to-mouth, refusing to accept what the water already knew.
Could this be real?
Sirens wailed in the distance. And I stood frozen on the balcony, one hand pressed to my heart, silently begging for a miracle.
It didn’t come.
The red-haired model from last night’s fashion show was gone.
About the Author:
Joanna Campbell Slan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author known for her engaging women's fiction and mystery novels. With nearly 80 books to her credit, including contributions to the original Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Joanna specializes in stories featuring strong female protagonists and the power of women's friendships. Her tagline, "Creating a better world one story at a time” perfectly captures the spirit of her work, as she has a keen interest in presenting all sides of social issues. Joanna is best known for her Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series, which spans 19 books and 42 short works, chronicling the growth of a widowed mother who finds new purpose through crafting and sleuthing.
Living on a nearly deserted island off the coast of Florida, Joanna draws inspiration from her surroundings and her love for various crafts, including Zentangle®, crochet, and upcycling. Her accomplishments include winning the Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence for her continuation of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. Contact her at JCSlan@JoannaSlan.com
