by M. Lea
Paxxton "Paxx" Algatta is a seasoned narcotics detective with the Ivan Hope Police Department. Her life takes a dark turn when she is shot on the job, narrowly escaping death. While recuperating, Paxx and her brother Paul travel to Pennsylvania to interview Clancy Devonshire, the notorious criminal known as "Mr. Black," about their father's unsolved murder. Devonshire's denial forces them to reconsider everything they thought they knew, leading them to unearth shocking truths about their family's past.
Back home, Paxx grapples with personal pressures and escalating threats. Recently moved in with her girlfriend Jaylee, they navigate their budding relationship while dealing with her mother Patsy’s stroke. As Paxx returns to work, she uncovers unsettling connections between her shooting, her father's murder, and a series of mysterious killings linked by a "black rose" tattoo. The more she digs, the more danger she attracts, pushing her and Paul into a perilous game of cat and mouse.
As the situation spirals, Paxx faces betrayal from those she once trusted, leaving her at a devastating low point. Just when it seems she has allies in her corner, a shocking twist reveals that someone she considered a friend may be orchestrating the chaos around her. In a tense finale, as Paxx and her team close in on the truth, they prepare to confront the mastermind behind the web of deceit. With everything on the line, Paxx must fight not only for justice but for her very survival. The revelation of deep-rooted corruption within law enforcement and the true identity of the puppet master leaves Paxx aware that their battle against pervasive corruption has only just begun.
Paxxton "Paxx" Algatta is a seasoned narcotics detective with the Ivan Hope Police Department. Her life takes a dark turn when she is shot on the job, narrowly escaping death. While recuperating, Paxx and her brother Paul travel to Pennsylvania to interview Clancy Devonshire, the notorious criminal known as "Mr. Black," about their father's unsolved murder. Devonshire's denial forces them to reconsider everything they thought they knew, leading them to unearth shocking truths about their family's past.
Back home, Paxx grapples with personal pressures and escalating threats. Recently moved in with her girlfriend Jaylee, they navigate their budding relationship while dealing with her mother Patsy’s stroke. As Paxx returns to work, she uncovers unsettling connections between her shooting, her father's murder, and a series of mysterious killings linked by a "black rose" tattoo. The more she digs, the more danger she attracts, pushing her and Paul into a perilous game of cat and mouse.
As the situation spirals, Paxx faces betrayal from those she once trusted, leaving her at a devastating low point. Just when it seems she has allies in her corner, a shocking twist reveals that someone she considered a friend may be orchestrating the chaos around her. In a tense finale, as Paxx and her team close in on the truth, they prepare to confront the mastermind behind the web of deceit. With everything on the line, Paxx must fight not only for justice but for her very survival. The revelation of deep-rooted corruption within law enforcement and the true identity of the puppet master leaves Paxx aware that their battle against pervasive corruption has only just begun.
M. Lea discovered her love for books in the mid-1980s when a family friend gifted her B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton. That moment sparked a lifelong passion for mysteries and female detective characters. At age eighteen, she began writing her first book, which remains a work in progress. Over time, she shifted her approach, eventually publishing her first short story and book by taking smaller, more deliberate steps. A dedicated single mother who works full-time, M. Lea is also an avid book collector, with a personal library of over 1,000 titles spanning various genres. She lives in Missouri with her son and four spirited Chiweenie dogs. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys Jeeping, golfing, kayaking, and camping.