Your Christmas Mystery Romance Has Arrived!

 

I made an interesting discovery at some recent book signings. One of the books I've been pushing is a private eye murder mystery that takes place during the Christmas season, “The Other Woman” (Vic Fallon Book 4). When people saw those two elements together under one cover, it sold well. It’s a throwback story featuring an old-school private eye in a contemporary setting, with something for everyone who enjoys noir-ish crime capers—action, quirky characters, plot twists, snappy dialogue, vivid atmosphere, a romantic triangle, and steamy sex. What more could you ask for?

 

“Former cop Vic Fallon only wanted to get home to Sandusky, Ohio in time for Christmas after completing his latest private eye assignment. A chance meeting in the Atlanta airport with a U. S. Senator from his hometown thrusts Vic into a murder investigation when the man turns up dead shortly after they speak. The unwanted case produces more questions than answers. Why did the Senator ask Vic to deliver a Christmas card for him rather than mailing it himself, and why does the recipient react with hostility when she finds out who it’s from? Why is the FBI looking at Vic up close and personal when he wasn’t involved in the killing? And why does a police detective from Atlanta show up in Sandusky, asking questions that have little to do with the murder investigation? Vic’s life becomes more complicated when the woman he delivered the card to is arrested after an accidental shooting, and he feels a responsibility to prove her innocence. Add the strain that the case places on Vic’s current romantic relationship, and it results in the holiday from Hell. Can Vic solve the multi-pronged mystery he’s found himself in the middle of and repair the damage to his love life? Or will the other woman cause a permanent rift?”

The original title for this book was “Yuletide Homicide,” but at the last minute I thought that was too cutesy for a romantic private eye mystery, even though it’s lighthearted and humorous. For those who didn’t keep up with the first three installments in this series (and shame on you if you didn’t!), Vic Fallon is a former police detective who lives in northern Ohio, on the Lake Erie shore. He took a disability separation after being shot in the line of duty and now takes on cases when he’s intrigued, bored, or broke. As with all good gumshoe stories, there’s a hot and heavy romance with a sassy, sexy femme fatale. Here’s an example:

 

Michelle snuggled closer to him and rested her hand on his thigh. “Did you get your work done in San Francisco?”

“Yeah. I found the guy I was looking for, along with the diamonds he claimed had been stolen, and I turned him over to the police.” He put his hand in the air then pulled it downward. “Cha-ching! Another fee!”

“So what did you bring me?”

Vic chuckled. “You’re worse than a kid. Why do you think I brought you anything?”

“Because if I went out of town on business and left you home, I’d bring you something.”

Vic kissed her, letting his lips linger against hers. They were soft and tasty and knew how to embrace another pair of lips. “You’ll have to wait until Christmas, little girl.”

She curled up closer and gestured at the partially decorated tree in the corner. “You didn’t finish decorating your tree.”

“Because I had to go out of town. What’s your problem?”

“That tree is like you—incomplete. You never finish anything you start.”

“If you keep insulting me, I’ll ban you from the premises.”

She pulled him in for a deep kiss. “If you do that, you won’t get to see me in the elf costume.”

“What elf costume?”

“The one you picked out at the boutique. You said you liked the short skirt because it would show off my ass and legs. Coming back to you now?”

“Yeah, it is. You’ll wear the boots?

She flashed an impish grin. “Of course.”

 

No detective caper would be complete without the hero dealing with former cop buddies, shady crooks, and people with hidden agendas. These encounters give him an excuse to engage in wisecracks and witty banter. To wit:

The Lakeshore Pub, down by the waterfront, was sparsely populated with people sipping beers and cocktails and wrapped up in their private conversations. Christmas music by Bing Crosby played in the background, but no one seemed to be paying much attention. Vic saw the object of his search shooting pool by himself at the rear of the bar and went in that direction.

Ozzie Wilson was short, wiry, and wore horn-rimmed glasses that clashed with his disheveled dark hair. To the casual observer he looked like a computer nerd, but those who were acquainted with him knew he was the guy to see if you wanted to lay down a bet. He was bent over the pool table, his eyes focused on the cue ball.

“Hello, Ozzie. Been awhile.”

Ozzie looked up at him then groaned. “Geez, Fallon, what the hell do you want?”

“A little friendly conversation.”

Ozzie concentrated on his next shot. “We got nothin’ to talk about.”

Vic scooped up the cue ball and tossed it in the air, catching it in his open palm. “Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie. How many times did I look the other way when I was on the job?”

“You don’t carry a badge anymore.”

“True, but I have friends who still do. Would you like me to call one of them?”

Ozzie stared at him for a moment. “You always were a pain in the ass, Fallon.”

“My one fatal flaw. Feel like talking?”

“Only if you let me finish my game.”

Vic set the cue ball on the table. “What do you hear about Charlie Hendricks?”

Ozzie made his shot, sinking the ball into a corner pocket. “I hear he got dead. Satisfied?”

“What else do you know about him?”

“Hotshot prosecutor, so-so politician. You want anything more than that, read his bio.”

Vic sat on a high stool. “I want to know what isn’t on his website.” He took out his cell phone and held it up. “Shall I dial?” 

Ozzie moved around the table. “He was a big-time player with the ladies.” He looked at Vic. “Even worse than you.”

“And I try so hard to be discreet. Any lady in particular?”

Ozzie concentrated, then made his shot, sending the ball careening across the felt. “Yeah. Anything with legs and a pulse. His wife threatened him with divorce if he didn’t keep it in his pants. He cleaned up his act when he got elected to public office.”

“He stopped fooling around?”

Ozzie made his next shot. “Nah, he just stopped taking his dates to public places.”

Vic thought. “Thing like that could be used as leverage. Anyone ever try to shake him down?”

Ozzie chuckled. “An acquaintance of mine did that once, trying to get his case dropped.”

“What happened?”

“Hendricks tacked on an extortion charge and got him two extra years. He played rough.”

 “What do you know about his campaign donors?”

Ozzie stood erect and looked at him. “What are you after?”

“A reason why someone wanted him dead.”

 

Can our hero talk his way out of this dilemma and solve the case of the dead Senator while repairing the potential damage to his love life? Read "The Other Woman" to find out.

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Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author of romantic mystery/thrillers and contemporary erotic romance. His website is Tim Smith - AllAuthor