Title EMPTY HANDED
Author Jo A. Hiestand
Genre British mystery
Publisher Cousins House
Book Blurb
One dark night artist Craig Saxton went missing from his village. His body was found thirty-two hours later in the river, floating like a bobber on a fishing line.
Rumors swell like tidal waves: did his ex-wife or his fiancée’s father kill this likeable young man? Or was it simply a case of jealousy by the village’s other artist? Now, two years later, Craig’s fiancée hopes ex-police detective Michael McLaren can find out.
From speaking to villagers, McLaren quickly realizes that what appears to be a straightforward investigation is fast becoming as tangled as fishing lines. Are the fish poaching incidents, the reappearance of the local ghost, and assaults on him merely to muddy the investigative waters, or are they connected to Craig’s death?
McLaren has his hands full. They become even fuller when a nemesis from his past appears one night, bent on revenge. And the inevitable struggle opens a new future for one man…and leaves the other empty handed.
Excerpt
He was a dozen yards or so from the fishing cottage when a branch snapped. McLaren halted, shining his light in the direction of the sound. He hesitated, wondering if an animal had stepped on the dry wood, but some sense told him an animal would have to be very large to accomplish that. He shielded the light from his eyes. “Anyone there? Do you need help?”
Silence greeted him.
He waited another few seconds, then continued on.
A loud thud froze him mid-stride and he turned toward the river. “Hello? Are you injured?”
This time a voice answered. It was downstream, nearer to the bridge. “Not I, Mate, but you will be.”
McLaren held his torch out, moving the light over the area. “Sorry?”
“What are you, hard of hearing, McLaren?”
The voice was low, barely audible above the splashing river, yet McLaren had no trouble hearing it. Neither did he mistake the edge to the words. Or the speaker. McLaren’s heart beat pounded in his throat. The man was standing in the dark wood, no torchlight illuminating his path. The conclusion was obvious.
Buy Links
Trade paper –
Amazon http://ulvis.net/sbT
E-Book –
Amazon http://ulvis.net/Oku
Kobo http://ulvis.net/LhO
Nook http://ulvis.net/Ei3
iBooks http://ulvis.net/w81
Walmart http://ulvis.net/0fn
Giveaway:
I’m one of the authors participating in the N. N. Light's Bookaholics Unite Giveaway and you can win an e-copy of Empty Handed by Jo A. Hiestand and a $15 gift card for Amazon or B&N.
Runs May 1 - 31 and is open internationally.
Winner will be drawn June 3, 2019.
Author Biography
Jo A. Hiestand is the founding president of the Greater St Louis chapter of Sisters in Crime. She graduated with a BA degree in English and departmental honors from Webster University.
She writes three mystery series -- two British and one local. She’s been a secretary and a graphic designer.
Her hobbies include photography, music and researching the Scottish branch of her family.
Social Media Links
Website: http://www.johiestand.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Britmysteries
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/joahiestand
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JoHiestand