Review: A Brilliant Death by Robin Yocum

A Mysterious Review of A Brilliant Death by Robin Yocum. A Novel of Suspense.

Review summary: This is as much a coming of age story as it is a mystery, and the two blend incredibly well together, each supporting and enhancing the other. The storyline is intriguing and nicely paced, the outcome a surprise to all involved. A remarkable achievement in storytelling. Highly recommended. (Click here for text of full review.)

Our rating:

A Brilliant Death
Robin Yocum
A Novel of Suspense
Seventh Street Books (April 2016)

Publisher synopsis: Amanda Baron died in a boating accident on the Ohio River in 1953. Or, did she? While it was generally accepted that she had died when a coal barge rammed the pleasure boat she was sharing with her lover, her body was never found.

Travis Baron was an infant when his mother disappeared. After the accident and the subsequent publicity, Travis's father scoured the house of all evidence that Amanda Baron had ever lived, and her name was never to be uttered around him. Now in high school, Travis yearns to know more about his mother. With the help of his best friend, Mitch Malone, Travis begins a search for the truth about the mother he never knew. The two boys find an unlikely ally: an alcoholic former detective who served time for falsifying evidence. Although his reputation is in tatters, the information the detective provides about the death of Amanda Baron is indisputable — and dangerous.

Nearly two decades after her death, Travis and Mitch piece together a puzzle lost to the dark waters of the Ohio River. They know how Amanda Baron died, and why. Now what do they do with the information?

Blood Tide, A Novel of Suspense by Robert F. Jones, Now Available at a Special Price

Omnimystery News is always searching for newly discounted mystery, suspense, thriller and crime novels for our readers to enjoy.

Today, we're pleased to present the following title, now available at a special price courtesy of the publisher, Skyhorse Publishing …

Blood Tide by Robert F. Jones

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

Price: $1.99 (as of 04/10/2016 at 7:00 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside Blood Tide.

Unjustly blamed for a failed escape attempt from a North Vietnamese prison, James Culdee, a career US Navy noncom who has served his country with distinction for twenty years, is suddenly and unfairly forced into a disgraceful retirement. Devestated, Culdee retreats into alcoholism until he is rescued by his daughter, Miranda, a charter-boat skipper whose sloop, the Seamark, has been stolen.

When Miranda learns that the Seamark has been sighted into the dangerous and primitive Flyaway Islands of the Philippines, father and daughter sail off in pursuit, on a voyage that will carry them across the Pacific. Arriving in the Flyaways, where local pirates and drug smugglers are as treacherous as the hidden shoals and reefs, Culdee and Miranda join a band of Filipinio insurgents plotting to overthrow a tyrannical American drug lord, who may or may not be the same "slimy" who betrayed Culdee in Vietnam.

— Blood Tide by Robert F. Jones

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New This Week: Two Down, Bun To Go, An Oxford Tearoom Mystery by H. Y. Hanna

Omnimystery News is pleased to present a mystery, suspense, or thriller ebook that we recently found by sleuthing (as it were) through new or recently reissued titles from independent publishers during April 2016 and priced $4.99 or less …

Two Down, Bun To Go by H. Y. Hanna

An Oxford Tearoom Mystery (3rd in series)

Publisher: Wisheart Press

Price: $3.99 (as of 04/10/2016 at 6:30 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside Two Down, Bun To Go.

A sinister phone call in the middle of the night throws tearoom owner, Gemma Rose, straight into the heart of a new murder mystery — this time with her friend, Seth, arrested as the key suspect! The grisly killing in the cloisters of an old Oxford college points to a bitter feud within the University — but Gemma finds unexpected clues popping up in her tiny Cotswolds village.

Meanwhile, her love life is in turmoil as Gemma struggles to decide between eminent doctor, Lincoln Green, and sexy CID detective, Devlin O'Connor … whilst her quaint English tearoom is in hot water as she struggles to find a new baking chef.

With her exasperating mother and her mischievous little tabby cat, Muesli, driving her nutty as a fruitcake — and the nosy Old Biddies at her heels — Gemma must crack her toughest case yet if she is to save her friend from a life behind bars.

— Two Down, Bun To Go by H. Y. Hanna

See all three cozy mysteries in the Oxford Tearoom Series for $3.99 or less each on Kindle.

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Blind Spot, A Novel of Suspense by Stephanie Kane, Now Available at a Special Price

Omnimystery News is always searching for newly discounted mystery, suspense, thriller and crime novels for our readers to enjoy.

Today, we're pleased to present the following title, now available at a special price courtesy of the publisher, Bantam …

Blind Spot by Stephanie Kane

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Bantam

Price: $1.99 (as of 04/10/2016 at 6:00 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside Blind Spot.

Cold, hard evidence — a prosecutor's dream, a defense attorney's nightmare Criminal defense lawyer Jackie Flowers got what she wished for … a high-profile murder case. While defending entrepreneur Aaron Best in the grisly slaying of a millionaire's trophy wife, Jackie turns FBI profiling upside down and uncovers a string of killings that could either free or hang her client. But Jackie has one big secret of her own — and it might make her the killer's next target.

+Someone is stalking women along the Rocky Mountain Front Range, and posing their beheaded bodies in bizarre ways. Will Jackie's unique courtroom talents enable her to strip away the killer's facade — or will her own blind spot expose her? Either way could lead a murderer straight to her door.

— Blind Spot by Stephanie Kane

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New This Week: The Carlswick Conspiracy, The Carlswick Mysteries by S. L. Beaumont

Omnimystery News is pleased to present a mystery, suspense, or thriller ebook that we recently found by sleuthing (as it were) through new or recently reissued titles from independent publishers during April 2016 and priced $4.99 or less …

The Carlswick Conspiracy by S. L. Beaumont

The Carlswick Mysteries (3rd in series)

Publisher: Paperback Writers Publishing

Price: $3.99 (as of 04/10/2016 at 5:30 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside The Carlswick Conspiracy.

Stephanie Cooper joins her rock guitarist boyfriend James Knox in New York for the final week of his band's tour. But The Fury's success has attracted unwanted attention and Stephanie's research project at a New York museum puts her on a collision course with an old adversary.

From the glitzy modern day bars and clubs of Manhattan to the gritty Lower East Side tenements of the 1940s, Stephanie tries to keep one step ahead of an increasingly desperate faceless blackmailer as she traces the final legacy of war time Nazi art liberator Karl Hoffman.

As events spiral out of control Stephanie becomes the unwitting accomplice in a major deception and she and James are forced into a fight for their lives.

— The Carlswick Conspiracy by S. L. Beaumont

See all three titles in the Carlswick Mysteries Series for $3.99 each on Kindle. The 1st book in the series, The Carlswick Affair, is currently FREE!

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Midnight on the Mississippi, The Secrets of the South Mysteries by Mary Ellis, Now Available at a Special Price

Omnimystery News is always searching for newly discounted mystery, suspense, thriller and crime novels for our readers to enjoy.

Today, we're pleased to present the following title, now available at a special price courtesy of the publisher, Harvest House Publishers …

Midnight on the Mississippi by Mary Ellis

The Secrets of the South Mysteries (1st in series)

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Price: 99¢ (as of 04/10/2016 at 5:00 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside Midnight on the Mississippi.

New Orleans — Hunter Galen, a stock and securities broker, suspects his business partner, James Nowak, may be involved in embezzling their clients' money, but he's reluctant to jeopardize their friendship based on suspicion alone. After James turns up dead, Hunter realizes his unwillingness to confront a problem may have cost James his life.

Nicki Price, a newly minted PI, intends to solve the stockbroker's murder, recover the missing millions from the client accounts, and establish herself in the career she adores. As she ferrets out fraud and deception at Galen Investments, Hunter's fiancée, Ashley Menard, rubs Nicki the wrong way. Nicki doesn't trust the ostentatious woman with an agenda longer than the Mississippi River. Ashley seems to be hiding something, but is Nicki's growing attraction to Hunter — a suspected murderer — her true reason for disliking Ashley?

As they encounter sophisticated shell games, blackmail, and murder, Nicki and Hunter's only option is to turn to God as they search for answers, elude lethal danger, and perhaps discover love along the way.

— Midnight on the Mississippi by Mary Ellis

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New This Week: Alas, She Drowned, A Stratford Upon Avon Mystery by Monica Knightley

Omnimystery News is pleased to present a mystery, suspense, or thriller ebook that we recently found by sleuthing (as it were) through new or recently reissued titles from independent publishers during April 2016 and priced $4.99 or less …

Alas, She Drowned by Monica Knightley

A Stratford Upon Avon Mystery (1st in series)

Publisher: Monica Knightley

Price: 99¢ (as of 04/10/2016 at 4:30 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside Alas, She Drowned.

Murder. Betrayal. Duplicity …

When ex-novice nun, turned steamy romance writer, Maggie O'Flynn moves to the charming village of Stratford Upon Avondale to open a tea room she expects plenty of murders, betrayal, and duplicity. On the stages of the town's renowned Shakespeare Festival. But when a theater critic is found murdered on the town's riverbank and the prime suspect turns out to be the sexy bookshop owner Maggie has had her eye on, she takes matters into her own hands.

Will she be able to dig through the layers of betrayal and duplicity to find the true murderer before that handsome bookseller, Nate Larimer, finds himself behind bars? With the help of her loud, brash, spitfire of a friend, Gina Mattucci, Maggie plans to do just that.

— Alas, She Drowned by Monica Knightley

See also the second mystery in this series, Come, Bitter Poison, also published this week for $2.99 on Kindle.

Visit our New Indie MystereBooks page on Omnimystery News for a complete list of titles featured today.

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.

15 Seconds, A Novel of Suspense by Andrew Gross, Now Available at a Special Price

Omnimystery News is always searching for newly discounted mystery, suspense, thriller and crime novels for our readers to enjoy.

Today, we're pleased to present the following title, now available at a special price courtesy of the publisher, Harper …

15 Seconds by Andrew Gross

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Harper

Price: $1.99 (as of 04/10/2016 at 4:00 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside 15 Seconds.

Dr Henry Steadman has it all: a booming business, a daughter he loves, and plenty of time to enjoy life. But while visiting upstate Florida, a police-stop ends in the shooting of a local cop — with Henry as the prime suspect.

Framed for a second murder, this time of a close friend, Henry goes on the run. His only lifeline is state-trooper Carrie Holmes, no stranger to tragedy herself, who can help prove his innocence. But they are in a dead-end — the police are closing in, the killer is getting away.

This is not just a set-up, it's far more personal. Henry's nightmare is complete when his daughter is kidnapped. Suddenly, survival is not enough: he must save his daughter. Everything has been taken away from him — but now, Henry has nothing left to lose …

— 15 Seconds by Andrew Gross

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Tailspin by Elizabeth Goddard, New from Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense in April 2016

Omnimystery News is pleased to introduce a new mystery, suspense, or thriller title available this month from Harlequin, one of the world's leading publishers of books for women. For a complete list of titles published this month, see our New Harlequin Titles page.

Tailspin by Elizabeth Goddard

Series: Mountain Cove

Imprint: Love Inspired Suspense

  

Nothing can stop Sylvie Masters from scuba diving to find her mother's downed plane — except possibly the hit man determined to keep the truth from surfacing. When brave bush pilot Will Pierson comes to her rescue, she knows she can still reach her goal, but she needs his help. Will wants answers about the crash, too, especially since his mother was the missing plane's pilot. He'll be the hero Sylvie needs, but can he ever trust her? Sylvie is shrouded in secrets that keep leading her back to Mountain Cove. Secrets someone will kill for. Will may protect her, yet no one can persuade her to end her search … not even a killer.

— Tailspin by Elizabeth Goddard

Double Dip, A Davis Way Crime Caper by Gretchen Archer, Now Available at a Special Price

Omnimystery News is always searching for newly discounted mystery, suspense, thriller and crime novels for our readers to enjoy.

Today, we're pleased to present the following title, now available at a special price courtesy of the publisher, Henery Press …

Double Dip by Gretchen Archer

A Davis Way Crime Caper (2nd in series)

Publisher: Henery Press

Price: 99¢ (as of 04/10/2016 at 3:00 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside Double Dip.

Things are dicey at work. A personal assistant goes missing, a little old lady goes on a suspicious winning streak, and a Bellissimo executive goes gaga for Davis. She follows a disappearing slot-tournament player trail to the So Help Me God Pentecostal Church in Beehive, Alabama, then jumps headlong into a high stakes holy scandal.

She's on a losing streak at home, too. Her days, nights, and dinners run together, as Davis juggles a revolving door of uninvited guests, namely her rotten ex-ex-husband, Eddie Crawford. And Bradley Cole thinks three's a crowd.

The worst? Davis doesn't feel so hot. Maybe it's the banana pudding, or maybe it's a little bundle of something else.

— Double Dip by Gretchen Archer

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Panther's Prey by Lachlan Smith, New in Bookstores during April 2016

Today's featured new hardcover mystery, suspense, or thriller title scheduled to be published during April 2016 is …

Panther's Prey by Lachlan Smith, a Leo Maxwell Mystery (4th in series)

Publisher: Mysterious Press

Click here to take a Look Inside Panther's Prey.

 

After working to free his father from prison, Leo has now left private practice and is working as a public defender in San Francisco. He and his co-counsel Jordan Walker are in the midst of trial, brilliantly defending Randall Rodrigues, a mentally ill homeless man whom they contend falsely confessed to the rape of a young San Francisco socialite. After their client is acquitted, Leo and Jordan fall into an intense relationship — until Jordan is found brutally raped and murdered in her apartment. Leo, the last person known to have seen her alive, is the natural suspect, and the police are eager for payback after the Rodrigues case. The story takes a shocking turn when Leo and Jordan's freshly acquitted client walks into the police station and offers to confess to Jordan's murder. Upset by the rapidity with which the authorities accept this all-too-convenient confession, Jordan's grieving father tasks Leo with investigating his daughter's death. Leo agrees, though he knows exonerating Rodrigues will likely bring suspicion back on himself.

Theorizing that he may be on the trail of a serial rapist and murderer, Leo instead uncovers a massive judicial fraud leading to the steps of the federal courthouse. In an explosive final confrontation, Leo will come face to face with an adversary far more powerful than any foe he has met thus far.

— Panther's Prey by Lachlan Smith

For a list of more new hardcover titles to be published this month, visit our New Mysteries page for April 2016. For new paperback titles, visit The Mystery Bookshelf where a selection of April 2016 mysteries, novels of suspense, and thrillers are shelved.

Telemystery: Netflix Acquires Worldwide Streaming Rights to the Crime Drama Marcella

Netflix has picked up the exclusive worldwide streaming rights to Marcella, an eight-episode crime drama that has just begun airing on ITV in the UK.

Created by Hans Rosenfeldt, who also developed original Swedish/Danish co-production The Bridge (Bron), the series stars Anna Friel as Marcella Backland, who returns after a multi-year family leave to the Murder Squad of the Metropolitan Police.

She is immediately assigned to one of her old cases that she first worked on in 2003. A spate of recent killings has occurred, all carrying the same hallmarks as those unsolved murders committed over a decade ago. Has the killer re-appeared or is this a copycat murderer? How will Marcella cope with returning to duty when her own temperament is so fragile and vulnerable? Will throwing herself into her work provide the answers she's seeking or lead her dangerously into territory she must avoid at all costs?

Netflix will begin streaming Marcella on July 1st, 2016.

Colton's Texas Stakeout by C. J. Miller, New from Harlequin Romantic Suspense in April 2016

Omnimystery News is pleased to introduce a new mystery, suspense, or thriller title available this month from Harlequin, one of the world's leading publishers of books for women. For a complete list of titles published this month, see our New Harlequin Titles page.

Colton's Texas Stakeout by C. J. Miller

Series: The Coltons of Texas

Imprint: Romantic Suspense

  

Hailing from a family full of law enforcement officials, rookie cop Annabel Colton expects to be treated like the dedicated officer she is. But her overprotective brothers want her off the dangerous case of the serial killer stalking their tiny Texas town. Her determination lands her a stakeout mission at the farm of the prime suspect's brother. Cowboy Jesse Willard — too handsome, too challenging, too sexy — claims he's not helping his estranged sister evade capture. But as Annabel gets closer and closer to the irresistible rancher, bullets start flying. And their lives — and hearts — will depend on the two of them working together.

— Colton's Texas Stakeout by C. J. Miller

A Killer Retreat, A Downward Dog Mystery by Tracy Weber, Now Available at a Special Price

Omnimystery News is always searching for newly discounted mystery, suspense, thriller and crime novels for our readers to enjoy.

Today, we're pleased to present the following title, now available at a special price courtesy of the publisher, Midnight Ink …

A Killer Retreat by Tracy Weber

A Downward Dog Mystery (1st in series)

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Price: $1.99 (as of 04/10/2016 at 1:00 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside A Killer Retreat.

When Kate Davidson gets an offer to teach yoga classes at the Elysian Springs resort, she jumps at the opportunity — even if it means enduring the wedding ceremony of the center's two caretakers. But avoiding the M-word turns out to be the least of Kate's problems when a wedding guest is found floating face-down in the resort's hot tub, shortly after a loud, public fight with Kate.

The police pick Kate as their number-one suspect, so she teams up with her boyfriend Michael, best friend Rene, and German shepherd sidekick Bella to find the real killer. They must solve the crime before the police arrest Kate, or her next gig may last a lifetime — behind bars.

— A Killer Retreat by Tracy Weber

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New This Week: Dark Houses, A Novel of Suspense by Helen H. Durrant

Omnimystery News is pleased to present a mystery, suspense, or thriller ebook that we recently found by sleuthing (as it were) through new or recently reissued titles from independent publishers during April 2016 and priced $4.99 or less …

Dark Houses by Helen H. Durrant

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Joffe Books

Price: $2.99 (as of 04/10/2016 at 12:30 PM ET).

  

Click here to take a Look Inside Dark Houses.

A young woman is found brutally murdered in an empty house …

Detective Stephen Greco and his team must piece together her life as quickly as possible. Within twenty-four hours there is another horrific murder using the same method. The detectives realise that the victims are random but the locations are not. The killer is more concerned with finding the right house — somewhere he won't be disturbed as he pursues his evil plan.

When a man walks into the station and confesses, it looks like the case is closed. But Greco's not convinced and soon he'll be fighting to save the woman who's most important to him in a stunningly tense and emotional conclusion.

Can Greco keep himself and his team under control as the criminal gets personal?

— Dark Houses by Helen H. Durrant

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