No. 2 in the Mavis Davis Mystery Series
by Susan P. Baker
A teenage girl from a wealthy family disappears. Was she kidnapped or did she run away?
Private investigator Mavis Davis is approached by her high school assistant, Candy, who brings in the girl's older brother to hire Mavis. Initially, Mavis refuses, stating she doesn’t work for kids since they lack the authority to hire anyone.
However, the young man throws money at Mavis and flees before she can return it. After Candy’s persistent pleas, Mavis agrees to spend a minimal amount of time on the case. But shortly after arriving to meet the parents—who are hosting a garden/pool party—the father drops dead.
The brother then vanishes as well!
When the police arrive, they order Mavis to back off, which only strengthens her resolve. Determined to fulfill her obligations, she also fears that whoever has the kids may have killed their father.
As Mavis delves into the family’s history, she discovers that not everything is as it seems. Long unresolved issues demand another look. Determined to get to the bottom of it all, Mavis realizes that reuniting the kids with their mother may not be in their best interest.
Due to her missteps, Mavis is arrested and charged as an accessory to kidnapping. Once released from jail, she must solve the case to clear her name. Even her cop boyfriend, Ben, can’t—or won’t—help her this time. If she doesn’t resolve the case soon, Mavis faces a life sentence!
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.
