Crime Fiction
From Now On

In From Now On we delve into the complicated lives of John Thompson and his younger partner, Nina, a homicide detective. John, a retired actor, becomes entwined in a web of emotional and moral dilemmas after falling for Nina, who is haunted by her past and her commitment to justice. The story takes a dark turn as Nina investigates the murder of pregnant Bosnian women, all potential surrogates, whose bodies were discovered in a shipping container. The plot thickens with themes of exploitation, desiring children after infertility, and the strain on relationships.
John Thompson, in his late sixties, struggles with his past relationships and fatherhood, particularly his attachment to his young son, Tiny Tim. His romance with Nina offers him a chance at redemption but is complicated by Nina’s ambitious nature and her detective work.
Nina finds herself tangled in a moral dilemma as she hunts down leads about the missing women, risking her safety and her relationship with John. As she navigates the male-dominated investigation, her perceptions about motherhood, love, and commitment are challenged.
The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of organized crime, particularly involving the Bosnian mafia and human trafficking, raising questions about ethics and survival under dire circumstances. Nina’s ruthless pursuit of justice brings her into contact with various unsavory characters, pushing her to reconcile her professional obligations with her personal life.
Throughout, themes of love, loss, morality, and fear of loss interweave, painting a portrait of mistrust and the sacrifices people make for love. Ultimately, From Now On explores what it means to build a family amid chaos, reflecting on cultural identities and the consequences of past choices.
Heaven and Beyond

Heaven and Beyond explores deep themes of trauma, love, and the complexities of human relationships through the lives of its characters. At the core is Amanda Harold, a woman grappling with her feelings for Nicholas Tucker, who has returned to her life after a horrific experience of rape and disfigurement. As they reconnect, they confront their pasts, examining why people often run from happiness and how past trauma can shape present relationships.
Nicholas’s traumatic past severely affects his relationship with Amanda. They discuss how trauma complicates love and trust. Nicholas struggles with guilt and shame, believing his traumatic experience has altered his identity, including questions about his sexuality.
The influence of family is significant in Amanda’s life, especially her parents, whose tumultuous relationship shaped her views on love and expectations in relationships. Amanda’s father’s relationship with faith also plays a role in her understanding of morality.
The story delves into the darker sides of human existence, touching on issues like exploitation and violence. Characters involved in the world of sex work attempt to navigate their moral dilemmas, and the reader is left questioning the nature of good and evil.
Amidst the darker themes, there is an underlying current of hope. Characters like Amanda want to protect and nurture those they love, demonstrating a desire for healing and understanding. The narrative questions whether change is possible after deep wounds and whether love can flourish amidst pain.
Ultimately, Heaven and Beyond invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human emotions, the impact of trauma, and the possibility of redemption through love and understanding.
Life Outside the Law

In a morally complex narrative, Nat and Clive plot to torture and kill Rita, motivated by their questionable loyalties and beliefs. They initially try to rationalize their actions through prayer, but the reality of their situation spirals out of control when they encounter Clyde, Rita’s husband, who is an alcoholic and becomes violent upon their arrival. A chaotic confrontation ensues, eventually leading to Clive mistakenly killing Clyde. As Nat and Clive attempt to abduct Rita, they are each confronted with moral dilemmas surrounding their violent lifestyle and the consequences of their actions.
While the plot unfolds, themes of identity, loyalty, and the impact of past decisions are explored. Nat grapples with his evolving relationships, particularly with Natalie, who is unaware of his criminal affiliations and aspires for a family. Her desire for a straightforward life contrasts sharply with Nat’s involvement in a drug cartel and his contemplation of murder.
The story also intertwines perspectives from Jim McCrory, an agent who suspects corruption around Joe Vanderbilt, a drug lord. Jim’s struggles with his past and his family dynamics bring an emotional weight to the narrative, highlighting the fears and failures that drive the characters’ actions.
As relationships fracture and loyalties are tested, the text probes deeper into moral ambiguity, love, and the quest for redemption. Characters face the harsh realities of their choices, leaving readers to ponder the motivations that lead a person into such darkness.
The Lucky and the Few

In this intense narrative, Mary Ann struggles profoundly with the trauma of her past, specifically a rape that has altered her life and perceptions. She is haunted by her memories and her obsession with a man named Dick, whom she believes may have played a part in her ordeal. Despite her efforts to move on, she finds herself trapped between her feelings for Dick and her husband, Steve, who is emotionally distant and seeking love elsewhere.
As the plot unfolds, it interweaves the lives of other complex characters, including Steve, who grapples with guilt and suspicion of Mary Ann’s affections for Dick. Tensions rise as Steve’s devastating actions come to light; he blames Mary Ann for his turmoil and admits to emotionally abusing her, mistakenly believing it serves to win her back. The narrative culminates in a series of grave revelations, including the mysterious deaths surrounding the characters and a shocking confession that alters the course of their lives.
Throughout the story, themes of love, betrayal, trauma, and the struggle for redemption are explored. Mary Ann’s desperate attempts to reclaim her happiness clash with the men around her, who reflect their own insecurities and complex motivations. The intersection of these characters leads to tragic outcomes, raising potent questions about love, responsibility, and morality. Ultimately, the story forces readers to confront the deep scars left by betrayal and violence, leaving them pondering the fragile nature of human relationships.
The Crucifixion of Antonio Sombrero

In The Crucifixion of Antonio Sombrero, we follow Detective Paul Lansing, who, mistakenly believing his partner’s wife Lucille to be a murderer, tragically shoots her after discovering his partner Josh dead from suicide. This incident leads Paul into a mental health crisis and complicates his troubled marriage with Nancy, who wrestles with her beliefs about God and faith amidst the turmoil.
The story explores deep themes of racism, guilt, and identity through engaging dialogues among various characters. Paul struggles with his prejudices and his wife’s despair, while the aftermath of Josh’s suicide reveals a complex web of relationships involving Josh, Lucille, and their interactions with others affected by their tragic choices.
As the investigation into the murder of a black man, Antonio Sombrero, unfolds, we are introduced to diverse characters such as Paul’s new partner, Dennis, who has his own biases, and Luchia, Antonio’s husband. These characters are faced with personal conflicts, societal issues, and the search for truth surrounding Antonio’s death, which many suspect was a hate crime linked to racism and prejudiced ideologies.
Ebert, Antonio’s son, grapples with his father’s legacy while navigating his aspirations. The story critiques the cycle of violence, the quest for justice, and what it means to truly understand love and loss in a world riddled with hatred. Through dark humor and insightful conversations, the narrative encourages readers to reflect on the complexities of human relationships and the impact of our actions.
The Little Blond Bastard

In this gripping narrative, we delve into the complex dynamics surrounding the mysterious murder of Sandra Dunn and the various characters intertwined in the investigation. The story opens with an unsettling report of Sandra’s stabbing, revealing tension and suspicion within her family and acquaintances, particularly between her daughter Alicia and several complex male figures.
Alicia grapples with her relationship with her mother, revealing layers of resentment and forgiveness alongside heavy themes of mortality and family loyalty. Characters like Joe, a troubled figure from Sandra’s past, hint at a darker subtext regarding feelings of guilt and jealousy, as Sandra seems to oscillate between feelings of love and disdain for those around her.
The narrative uncovers a series of interconnected murders involving women linked by their experiences with breast implants, revealing potential motives rooted in jealousy, control, and complex relationships. Central figures such as Magnus, Paul, and Hugo become pivotal suspects, each representing varied perspectives on morality and personal history.
As the investigation unfolds, deeper psychological issues emerge among the characters, particularly Jackie, a detective grappling with his darker impulses and personal integrity. His relationship with his partner Patroclus serves as both a grounding force and a source of tension, reflecting the struggles of love amidst chaos.
Throughout the piece, the exploration of faith, morality, and the impact of past traumas weaves a rich, intricate story, leaving readers questioning the nature of good and evil as they await the resolution of this dark mystery.
Art Theft and Murder

In Art Theft and Murder the story unfolds amidst an art auction filled with wealthy patrons in Atlanta, where a high-stakes theft and a shocking murder occur. Whitney Barclay and her husband, Martin Doomsdale, become central characters after shots ring out, resulting in the death of the auctioneer, Ezekiel Rose, and the theft of a valuable Pissarro painting.
The narrative explores themes of greed, betrayal, and marital strife through Whitney and Martin’s relationship dynamics, as they grapple with personal issues amid the chaos of the crime. Whitney is eager for a fresh start, contemplating a baby to bring them closer, while Martin remains focused on survival and solving the crime. They engage in a tense dialogue, assessing the motivations behind the murder and theft, suspecting various characters, including insiders at the auction and those with hidden agendas.
Detective Rachel Nash takes on the investigation, uncovering layers of deceit surrounding Ezekiel’s affair with Michael Vainly’s wife, Natalia. As suspects are revealed, complexity increases with potential inside collusion driving the theft—pointing fingers at those entwined in both romantic and financial conflicts. The narrative builds tension as motivations are questioned, leading to possible involvement of art thieves and a wider conspiracy.
Ultimately, the story poses moral dilemmas about love, trust, and ambition against the backdrop of crime, leaving readers pondering the lengths people will go to for wealth and desire.
Detective Rob Kirchen

The story follows Patsy and her sister Angie as they navigate the troubled waters of their lives while dealing with a murder investigation led by Detective Rob Kirchen. Patsy struggles with her mental health, manifesting as paranoia and severe fatigue, which she attributes to her schizoaffective disorder. This impacts her relationships, particularly with men, as she avoids romantic entanglements, unsure of her desires and future.
Angie, more grounded, tries to support Patsy while pushing her to seek medical help and reassess her lifestyle. The sisters’ dynamics reveal underlying family tensions, especially concerning their father’s questionable ethical practices in running gas stations and clubs potentially linked to human trafficking.
Detective Kirchen is drawn into the unraveling mystery of Rebecca Groves, a local teacher found dead under suspicious circumstances. Throughout the investigation, several suspects emerge, including Rebecca’s boyfriend Aaron Carmichael, and Jared Brown, who also has ties to the community. The detective questions each individual, seeking to connect the dots between their motives and the murder, all while balancing his complicated relationship with his partner, tattoo artist Peter.
As the plot unfolds, the narrative explores themes of mental illness, self-identity, and the intricacies of relationships within the context of a murder investigation. Patsy’s journey towards stability and understanding of her condition intertwines with the wider investigation, raising questions about how personal issues impact community dynamics. In this rich and complex tale, connections between characters unravel, leading to surprising revelations about motives and the true nature of desire.
The Devil You Know

In this intense narrative, we delve into a world fraught with crime, loyalty, and moral dilemmas. The main character, Nick, is entrenched in a tangled web involving the mafia, his family, and a complex relationship with his sister, Scarlet. Giovanni, a powerful figure in the mafia, emphasizes the difficult choices one must make in protecting their loved ones at all costs. He implies that friendships can crumble under pressure, making it crucial to question one’s loyalties and beliefs.
Scarlet’s volatile relationships with both Nick and Giovanni create turmoil, as she proposes dark actions that reflect her intertwined ambitions within the mafia. The various characters grapple with the nature of truth and deception, especially regarding a traumatic event in Scarlet’s past that leads to conflict and mistrust between the siblings. As Nick navigates these turbulent waters, he contemplates the significance of familial ties, love, and betrayal.
The story expands further as Nick confronts threats from rival gang factions. Giovanni confides in Nick about both familial loyalty and the blood-soaked realities of their underworld dealings. Rossi, another powerful antagonist, seeks to ostracize and manipulate the homosexual community for his sinister ends. Amidst this chaos, Nick wrestles with his desires and societal expectations, motivated by a yearning for family and a legacy that transcends the darkness around him.
The narrative is a gripping exploration of how individuals respond to crises, making impossible choices while trying to protect those they love in a morally ambiguous world.