No. 3 in the Mavis Davis Mystery Series
by Susan P. Baker
Receiving no response to her request to reopen her brother’s case, a terminally ill woman hires Houston P.I. Mavis Davis to find the murderer on Galveston Island.
After gathering information from her estranged client, Mavis dives into the investigation, despite the police’s warning to stay away from the open case.
She tracks down the widow, who agrees to meet her. Mavis encounters an unpleasant man at the widow’s new home, who appears to be in a relationship with her. The widow’s three adult children are more elusive, but Mavis eventually finds and interviews them. She believes everyone is hiding something.
With insights from her contacts in Galveston—both old and new, including the wife of the widow’s friend—Mavis uncovers complications in the family relationships and suspicious dealings between the captain and unsavory community characters.
Understanding the urgency, Mavis presses on despite threats and warnings. She suspects several people, including the widow and her children, of nefarious activities. As Mavis develops a theory about the captain’s fate, she realizes some of her contacts might be in danger from the original perpetrator(s).
Will Mavis unravel the mystery of the captain’s murder before her client dies, or will the terminally ill sister go to her grave heartbroken, knowing her brother’s death remains unsolved?
Want to read novels written from the perspective of a person with experience in the justice system? In my 76 years, I've seen just about everything. If you read my novels, you'll wonder "Did that really happen? Or did she make it up?"
Susan P. Baker, a retired Texas family court judge, presided over everything from divorce to murder for 12 years. Afterward, she traveled as a visiting judge for another 12. Prior to being elected to the bench, she practiced law for 9 years and was a probation officer for 2 years. Susan’s works are derived from her experiences in the justice system and events in and around the courts in Texas, fictionalized, of course! She is the author of 13 novels of mystery and suspense set in Texas, two nonfiction books, and an eclectic collection of short pieces. Her novels include the Mavis Davis Mystery Series, the Lady Lawyer Mystery Series, and 5 standalone domestic thrillers. Her 2 nonfiction books are Murdered Judges of the 20th Century and a divorce advice book. Her collection is entitled Fly Catching. She has 2 children and 8 grandchildren. She loves dark chocolate, raspberries, and traveling the world. She is at home in Cypress, TX. Susan’s website: www.susanpbaker.com. Like her at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legalwriter. Follow her at Bluesky: @baksp2.bsky.social.
Aurora’s peaceful life is upended when a mysterious light in her barn coincides with a string of murders targeting women her age in her community. She begins to fear that someone close to her may be responsible for the crimes.
No. 1 in the Lady Lawyer Mystery Series.
A murdered lawyer who thought he was a prince. A defendant with millions of reasons to kill him. Criminal defense lawyers Sandra Salinsky and her mother, Erma Townley, fight to clear their client before they become the next victims.
Attorney Dena Armstrong wants to break out from the control of the two men dominating her life, unaware that a stranger has other plans for her.
A laid-off investigative reporter who can’t pay his child support searches for the killer of deadbeat dads, before he becomes the next victim.
