AVAILABLE MAY 31ST!
Prologue
Great Falls, Virginia
The arctic blue Camaro convertible spun around the sharp curve leading down the wooded road. Upon seeing the emergency flares, Tristan Faraday tapped the brakes to slow down. A state police officer gestured with his flashlight for him to roll to a halt and lower his window.
In the passenger seat, Jessica Faraday’s breath quickened when the black sports motorcycle parked at the bottom of the hill came into view.
“I’m Tristan Faraday. That motorcycle belongs to my brother-in-law.”
The officer instructed them to park in a small dirt lot next to a fast-moving creek. “He’s okay.”
Tristan peered at the motorcycle as he drove past. “It’s not wrecked. He wasn’t in an accident. Maybe it broke down and he got a ride.”
“He’s only two miles from our house,” Jessica said. “He could have walked home by now.”
Without waiting for Tristan to turn off the engine, she rushed out of the car. She ran across the gravel lot to a barrel-chested man clad in a dark jacket with “NCIS” emblazoned across the back briefing a group of younger agents.
“Boris, what’s happened? Where’s Murphy?”
Special Agent Boris Hamilton took her into a hug. “We’re doing everything we can. I called out my team as soon as we got the message from the police about his motorcycle being abandoned. What time did he leave the house?”
“It was around ten-thirty,” Jessica said while staring at the motorcycle parked at the edge of the road. The kickstand was down, and Murphy’s helmet was resting on the seat. “We had a fight. He said he was going for a ride to get some fresh air.”
Tristan approached the investigator examining the bike for evidence.
“Did Murphy say where he was going when he left?” Boris asked her.
“No.” Jessica leveled her gaze on him. “We took a class at Natalie Stepford’s cooking school tonight. He told me about her being connected to the murder of Commander Caldwell.”
“Did he make contact with Stepford?” Boris asked her. Jessica nodded her head. “Did you see anything suspicious? Did anyone seem particularly interested when Murphy spoke to her?”
“Only every man in that class,” she said with a sigh. “Have you seen that woman?” Boris chuckled. “I hated her at first sight. Perfect hair. Perfect nose. Perfect figure. Perfect cooking skills. I’ll bet she never burns anything on the stove.” She allowed her voice to trail off...
“Chief!” Special Agent Susan Archer called to them. “You’re going to want to see this.”
Before Boris could stop her, Jessica ran to where Tristan was squatting next to an evidence marker. Instantly, Jessica recognized the reddish-brown stain in the middle of the road. As she let out a shriek, Tristan jumped to his feet and took her into a hug.
“We’ll find him, sis. Don’t worry. We’ll find Murphy and bring him home.”
~~~
Murder by Perfection:
A Thorny Rose mystery
By Lauren Carr
As one of Carr's first and loyal fans from years ago, I am still constantly amazed of her ability to not only present a brand new, sophisticated, and complex multi-genre novel, but to present a new character that lends laughter, warmth, and love into her books...
 |
“Murphy, would you like to send a
reply to Jessica?” the deep voice
of the Faraday-Thornton
artificial intelligence network
came from the SUV’s speakers.
Called “Nigel,” the state-of-the-art
artificial
intelligence
was a test system designed
by the federal government.
Nigel controlled
the Faraday-Thornton
entire technical network from
communication, security,
and even their
calendars.
“Tell her okay, Nigel.”
~~~
|
Meet Nigel! Actually, I chose an image to represent Nigel, so I could visualize him, for he is not a member of the household...he is, indeed, the house--and wherever his occupants were!
But, really, you will, by the time the book is over, already know him very well. But, realize, Nigel is not just another Siri, of something similar! So don't even think of ever meeting him except in Carr's novels...
“Jessica lost the signal,” Nigel said. “She did not lose the signal. Nigel, I thought lying was a human trait.”
“My programming includes a safety feature. Your steering wheel has sensors that allow me to monitor your pulse rate. When your heart rate indicates that human emotions are reaching a dangerous threshold, then communications are cut off to allow both parties time to cool off.”
“Jessica lost the signal,” Nigel said. “She did not lose the signal. Nigel, I thought lying was a human trait.”
“My programming includes a safety feature. Your steering wheel has sensors that allow me to monitor your pulse rate. When your heart rate indicates that human emotions are reaching a dangerous threshold, then communications are cut off to allow both parties time to cool off.”
~~~
Murphy and Jessica experienced love at first sight. But one thing about Murphy was a secret from the world. He was a member of "Phantom..." Just what do special governmental agents do when they fall in love?! Well, one end result was that Jessica and, her brother Tristan, became involved in welcoming Nigel into the home that she was to share with Murphy... It's so much fun when an AI is programmed for human interaction, emotions, and humor. And plan on seeing all those when Nigel opens the door and welcomes you to their home...
Newman was also a favorite for me as he spent his life as a couch-dog who controlled the remote...and, if it was taken away, he turned his back to...everybody...The types of humor that Carr routinely engenders is one of those special qualities of her books that keep her fans happy and smiling as they read...
But there is always...murder...
Commander Ross Caldwell had been at the naval academy when Murphy was there. When they chanced met, they immediately renewed their relationship and planned to run together the next day... Murphy had told him that he was now liaison with NCIS and immediately Caldwell shared that he had been told that there was something suspicious happening at a private clinic...But before he could share more, Caldwell had been murdered...
Of course, Murphy immediately became involved in the investigation...until he disappeared--his motorcycle, with blood traces, found along a highway...
When trouble starts, family members all come to help solve the problems and that's when it gets to be fun for readers. Murphy's twin, for instance, cuts his hair to match Murphy's and joins in on the murder investigation...either as himself or as Murphy! Family, always family, works to protect their own. With family characters, animal family members and our new friend and protector, Nigel...well, it couldn't get better than this! One thing about Carr's books is that her various series are all so good that all becomes favorites...For me, I've not been disappointed with any of her novels...This one I especially enjoyed--only to be replaced by her next one!
Carr is a clever weaver of tales, merged with bits and pieces of humor interspersed to lighten the dark moods as murder and fear of a kidnapped family member drive each into action to do whatever is necessary to bring everybody safely home... Her story lines are unique in each and every book and amazingly grabs and pulls readers into each and every word she writes. You are missing a great writer if you don't read Lauren Carr!
Highly Recommended!
GABixlerReviews
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
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