“Fans of Perry Mason, Mike Hammer, Donald Lam, and others from that era will like Carson Reno for sure.” – “Murder in Humboldt” (Carson Reno Mystery Series, Book 1) by“Fans of Perry Mason, Mike Hammer, Donald Lam, and others from that era will like Carson Reno for sure.” – “Murder in Humboldt” (Carson Reno Mystery Series, Book 1) by Gerald W. Darnell

 

Set in the sixties, Carson Reno is the owner of the Drake Detective Agency in Memphis. When asked to investigate what might be infidelity by a wife who thinks she is hiring a stranger, he ends up implicated in the murder of JR Maxwell in his own hometown. Two thugs (Bubba and Bobby) try to convince him to keep his distance while the police chief insists he returns to Humboldt to answer some questions. Of course, there are some lovely ladies to provide some distraction, as well as Carson’s friends at Chiefs and the Starlight to provide support and libation. The union shut down at the textile mill, the trucks not allowed to leave, and the questionable meetings of JR, especially with General Samson and Judy Strong, give the story added dimension.
Having come of age in the sixties, the classic cars and social norms depicted by Darnell held a touch of nostalgia. The characters seemed to fit the times. The plot was easy to follow, but JR’s murderer and the motive weren’t obvious until the end. Fans of Perry Mason, Mike Hammer, Donald Lam, and others from that era will like Carson Reno for sure. This is the first in the Carson Reno series, the 12th (Justifiable Homicide) was published in October 2014.

c-lu

Throwback to the Sixties

Set in the sixties, Carson Reno is the owner of the Drake Detective Agency in Memphis. When asked to investigate what might be infidelity by a wife who thinks she is hiring a stranger, he ends up implicated in the murder of JR Maxwell in his own hometown. Two thugs (Bubba and Bobby) try to convince him to keep his distance while the police chief insists he returns to Humboldt to answer some questions. Of course, there are some lovely ladies to provide some distraction, as well as Carson’s friends at Chiefs and the Starlight to provide support and libation. The union shut down at the textile mill, the trucks not allowed to leave, and the questionable meetings of JR, especially with General Samson and Judy Strong, give the story added dimension.

Having come of age in the sixties, the classic cars and social norms depicted by Darnell held a touch of nostalgia. The characters seemed to fit the times. The plot was easy to follow, but JR’s murderer and the motive weren’t obvious until the end. Fans of Perry Mason, Mike Hammer, Donald Lam, and others from that era will like Carson Reno for sure. This is the first in the Carson Reno series, the 12th (Justifiable Homicide) was published in October 2014.

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“Masterfully done again.” – Deadly Decision (Carson Reno Mystery Series – Book 15) by Gerald W. Darnell

 

Carson Reno, Mystery Series Books, are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order. When a Tennessee Highway Patrolman is mysteriously murdered, the clues are non-existent. Police have the name of a possible suspect, but he’s nowhere to be found. Carson gets involved at the request of the local sheriff, but when the best lead disappears; his assistance is no longer needed.
Things are not what they seem, and it appears the bad guys are winning this war of wits. Everyone has more questions than answers, and just when it seems the mystery has been solved, Carson discovers that it has only gotten worse.
Follow Carson in this strange circle of money, lies, murder, and bad guys who have everyone chasing them and their ‘Deadly Decision.’

Owen Parr

Masterfully done again.

This is my second Carson Reno novel. Besides the fact I enjoy detective stories and the ‘whodunit’ of this genre, Author Darnell, makes it a pleasurable & enjoyable read in the manner he ‘pulls you’ into the settings. Couple that with vivid characters, and you have another winner, which I enjoyed from start to finish.

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EMLYNN IS ON THE CASE OF A MYSTERIOUS MURDER! SHOOTING PARR BY SUSAN LYNN SOLOMON

 

 One of the best in the series!Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2022

You’re going to laugh all the way through this book because it is so funny. All poor Emlyn wants to do is solve a mystery but she is thwarted at every turn. Will she solve the mysterious deaths and disappearances, without getting herself in danger? Read SHOOTING PARR and find out. You won’t regret it!

“Just when you think you know who the killer is, there is a twist and you are left scratching your head….wondering….a real “Whodunit”. “– Murder in Humboldt (Carson Reno Mystery Series, Book 1) by Gerald W. Darnell

 

All Carson Reno Mystery Series Books are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.
The year is 1962 and this small West Tennessee town has been turned upside down by a labor strike at its main manufacturing plant. It seems that, as a result of the strike, some very serious underworld crime problems have surfaced in Humboldt. A small-town sheriff and small-town Chief of Police have their hands’ full dealing with the strike – when the worst happens – one of the principal figures surrounding the labor problems is murdered. Carson Reno is very familiar with Humboldt – after all, he grew up and went to high school there. But Carson has a successful private investigation business in Memphis and no desire or reason to get involved. However, circumstances pull him into the turmoil and a situation that grows more dangerous every day. By trying to not become involved, he becomes deeply involved and ultimately the prime suspect for the Murder in Humboldt.

Teresa Mitchell

An awesome read!

“Murder in Humboldt is a true mystery from cover to cover. Just when you think you know who the killer is, there is a twist and you are left scratching your head….wondering….a real “Whodunit”. Being from Humboldt, I loved that I knew the places that “Carson” went. A good read!

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JOE IS AT IT AGAIN! CALL OF THE OWL–A JOE LEVERETTE MYSTERY BY VIV DREWA

 

JOE LEVERETTE IS STILL ON THE CASE TO CATCH A VICIOUS KILLER

After an exhaustive search to find the person who dismembered a woman’s body, and her body parts spread throughout the Port Huron area, the detectives' Joe Leverette and Phil Marsden are baffled. There was no ID with any part of the victim so, with the help of their lab, they eventually identified the woman as Heather North of Port Huron, Michigan.
But the sensitive Carole Sage they were not able to get ahead of the murderer. The search for the suspect became one hell of a puzzle they would have to figure out.

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LIBBY LOOKS INTO THE LIFE OF A MURDERED ROCK STAR AND FINDS OUT A SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT HERSELF! RAISING KANE BY SUSAN LYNN SOLOMON

 

Libby Bridgeman, s stringer for the Village Voice, balks when Max Howard, her editor, insists she interview Alicia Kane. Though, campus rebel, a rock superstar and an icon in the 1970s, Kane hasn’t been heard of in forty years. A Brooklyn court case involving a Black Lives Matter protest seems far more relevant. But you don’t say no to Max Howard.
While writing the article about the interview after meeting Kane, Libby receives a call from a detective—Alicia Kane is dead. Accident or suicide, the detective tells her, but Libby believes she was murdered. When Max insists that she drop the story she’s certain he knows more than he’ll tell her.
In Greenwich Village, Chicago, Niagara Falls, a Manhattan recording studio, Libby interviews people who’d known Kane. Like Max, each seems to hide something. A connection to her family? Then, one tumultuous night she learns Alicia Kane’s complete story, and this flips her world.

“Murder in Humboldt is exciting, never know who “done it” until the end mystery novel” – Murder in Humboldt (Carson Reno Mystery Series, Book 1) by Gerald W. Darnell

 

All Carson Reno Mystery Series Books are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.
The year is 1962 and this small west Tennessee town has been turned upside down by a labor strike at its main manufacturing plant. It seems that, as a result of the strike, some very serious underworld crime problems have surfaced in Humboldt. A small-town sheriff and small-town Chief of Police have their hands’ full dealing with the strike – when the worst happens – one of the principal figures surrounding the labor problems is murdered.
Carson Reno is very familiar with Humboldt – after all, he grew up and went to high school there. But Carson has a successful private investigation business in Memphis and no desire or reason to get involved. However, circumstances pull him into the turmoil and a situation that grows more dangerous every day. By trying to not become involved, he becomes deeply involved and ultimately the prime suspect for the

Murder in Humboldt

Michael G.

Mystery at its best

If you’re from a small town, you know how politics and personal relationships have a huge influence over life and/or death in the community. Murder is seldom experienced in small towns and when it happens, the world is turned totally upside down. Murder in Humboldt is exciting, never know who “done it” until the end mystery novel. Well written and enjoyable. I can’t wait till the next issue is available.

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“Darnell gives his books and writing a fresh feel” – Deadly Decision (Carson Reno Mystery Series – Book 15) by Gerald W. Darnell

 

Carson Reno, Mystery Series Books, are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.

When a Tennessee Highway Patrolman is mysteriously murdered, the clues are non-existent. Police have the name of a possible suspect, but he’s nowhere to be found. Carson gets involved at the request of the local sheriff, but when the best lead disappears; his assistance is no longer needed.
Things are not what they seem, and it appears the bad guys are winning this war of wits. Everyone has more questions than answers, and just when it seems the mystery has been solved, Carson discovers that it has only gotten worse.
Follow Carson in this strange circle of money, lies, murder, and bad guys who have everyone chasing them and their ‘Deadly Decision.’

Hannah

Another great Carson Reno mystery

I haven’t read all of the Carson Reno books, however, I did read the last book in the series and really enjoyed it. I was really glad to have been given a chance to read the next book in the series and this one didn’t disappoint either.

What I enjoy about these books is that despite them being set in the 1960s, they don’t read like that. Darnell gives his books and writing a fresh feel to them and readjusts as highly as any top-notch crime/thriller book written in our current time. The books are always fast-paced and have plenty going on to keep you hooked throughout. I would definitely recommend this series to anybody who likes a good crime read. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next one!

I realize this is a quick review but what can you say when there’s nothing negative and a complete five-star rating! This was a fantastic read and something I will keep recommending.

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EMLYNN IS ON THE CASE OF A MYSTERIOUS MURDER! SHOOTING PARR BY SUSAN LYNN SOLOMON

 

 One of the best in the series!Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2022

You’re going to laugh all the way through this book because it is so funny. All poor Emlyn wants to do is solve a mystery but she is thwarted at every turn. Will she solve the mysterious deaths and disappearances, without getting herself in danger? Read SHOOTING PARR and find out. You won’t regret it!