In rural Indiana, the underground mines that once held coal and iron ore have become killing grounds. In two counties, five corpses have been discovered. Their deaths appear accidental, from drowning or suffocating in flooded and abandoned mines. But local authorities, including Chief Shaunda Lynch, have uncovered evidence suggesting they've all been murdered. Assigned to the case as Federal Agents, Detectives Jack Murphy and Liddell Blanchard take charge of the investigation. Shaunda's proven herself more than capable of policing her jurisdiction and resents the intrusion of male authority figures. As Jack digs deep into the case, he discovers the victims have checkered pasts. But no matter who believes the killings are justified, someone still has to pay for the crime . . . Praise for Rick Reed and his novels "Rick Reed's books have an edge that only a man in law enforcement, working in the field, can bring to life." -...

In rural Indiana, the underground mines that once held coal and iron ore have become killing grounds. In two counties, five corpses have been discovered. Their deaths appear accidental, from drowning or suffocating in flooded and abandoned mines. But local authorities, including Chief Shaunda Lynch, have uncovered evidence suggesting they've all been murdered. Assigned to the case as Federal Agents, Detectives Jack Murphy and Liddell Blanchard take charge of the investigation. Shaunda's proven herself more than capable of policing her jurisdiction and resents the intrusion of male authority figures. As Jack digs deep into the case, he discovers the victims have checkered pasts. But no matter who believes the killings are justified, someone still has to pay for the crime . . . Praise for Rick Reed and his novels "Rick Reed's books have an edge that only a man in law enforcement, working in the field, can bring to life." -...

When Sluggo cruised online chat rooms, he was looking for love. Presenting himself as “Sir Raven,” Sluggo promises his chat room cohorts he is the “master of the night.” And then he meets someone who also claims the title. TepesAllure’s enigmatic messages to Sluggo start out as fun banter, but quickly turn to eerie disquiet. Has Sluggo snared a vampire? This story appears in Unhinged by Rick Reed.When Sluggo cruises online chat rooms, he isn’t looking for a hook-up; he’s looking for love. But love has a way of being elusive, especially when you’re not being honest. Presenting himself as “Sir Raven,” Sluggo promises his chat room cohorts he’s the “master of the night.”And then he meets someone who challenges him -- someone who claims the title “master of the night” as his own. TepesAllure’s enigmatic and flirtatious messages to Sluggo start out as fun banter, but quickly turn to eerie disquiet.As the night unfolds, so do the advances of TepesAllure ... and even when Sluggo tries to escape, he finds that getting out is not nearly as easy as getting in.NOTE: This story appears in the author’s collection, Unhinged.

he first victim is attacked in her home. Tied to her bed. Forced to watch every unspeakable act of crueltyóbut unable to scream. The second murder is even more twisted. Signed, sealed, and delivered with a message for the police, stuffed in the victim's throat. A fractured nursery rhyme that ends with a warning - 'There will be more'. For detective Jack Murphy, it's more than a threat. It's a personal invitation to play. And no one plays rougher than Jack. Especially when the killer's pawns are the people he loves.

Cop vs. Killer Detective Jack Murphy never met a cold case he couldn't crack. This one's been on ice for 37 years. The prime suspect in a decades-old unsolved murder is about to be named Evansville's next Chief of Police. The Mayor wants the top cop's name cleared—and that's why Murphy and his partner, Liddell Blanchard, are ordered to re-open the investigation. But when the victim's sister and mother are targeted for violence, troubling new questions arise. Is this the work of the same killer, or is someone else playing a deadly game? The answers lie buried in the past. But no one digs through the dirt like Jack Murphy . . . Praise for Rick Reed and his novels "Reed gives the reader a story worth every minute and every penny spent." —Book Reporter "Rick Reed knows the dark side as only a real-life cop can, and his writing crackles with authenticity." ...

"Reed writes as only a cop can." —Nelson DeMilleDETECTIVE JACK MURPHY IS BACK—on the trail of a criminal mastermind who kills for profit and tortures for pleasure. In Jack Murphy's experience, the killers who blend in are the hardest to catch. But none are as elusive—or efficient—as Mr. Smith. A man of average height, weight and build, Mr. Smith is as ordinary as his name. Which makes it easy for him to get close to his targets. To kill without conscience. To use every weapon at his disposal to raise the stakes in a global game of terror and death. Mr. Smith is no ordinary killer. But Jack Murphy is no ordinary cop . . . Praise for Rick Reed and his novels "As authentic and scary as crime thrillers get."—Nelson DeMille "Det. Jack Murphy tracks killers through a political maze of lies, deception and dishonor that leads to a violent, pulse-pounding climax."—Robert S. Levinson ...

JACK MURPHY WON'T BACK DOWN The headlines scream the ghastly news of an abandoned truck filled with murdered immigrants. Detective Jack Murphy and his partner Liddell Blanchard are on the case. They've got a lone survivor, rumors of a witness, and the feds getting in their way. Jack's gut tells him there's a connection with a local killing—and the bloodshed is far from over. He's going up against a butcher who commits the unspeakable in the name of protecting America. Some say the worst crime is to look the other way. Jack Murphy only looks for justice . . . Praise for Rick Reed and his novels "Rick Reed knows the dark side as only a real-life cop can, and his writing crackles with authenticity." —Shane Gericke "Reed thrusts his story forward to bring us along on a ride we won't soon forget!"—Suspense Magazine "Reed gives the reader a story worth every minute and...

The first victim is murdered in a Marriott Airport hotel room on the outskirts of Evansville, Indiana. Her eyes and theleft hand are removed from the scene and her tongue has been cut out and stuffed in the tub drain where she isfound floating in blood. Jack Murphy realizes that this is not just another vicious murder when the body of a secondvictim is discovered only hours later on the floor of her kitchen in the south-side projects. The missing hand from thefirst victim is propped by the victims bloody head, the middle finger prominently displayed to those finding the body.A day later a third victim is found, this time gutted and strung up from the bottom of a bridge, left to bend and swaywith the current of the Pigeon Creek.

IT TAKES A COP LIKE JACK MURPHY TO FIND JUSTICE . . . Jack Murphy knows a setup when he sees one. Proving it makes his day. Especially when it involves his own partner. Lured into a trap, Evansville P.D. Detective Liddell Blanchard is accused of murdering a cop who was investigating a shadowy voodoo cult. Justice is murky enough in the swamplands of Louisiana, but when a purported descendent of Marie Leveaux menaces a murder investigation, the gumbo really hits the fan. Corruption comes with the territory. But there are darker forces at play—and only Murphy can see the light . . . Praise for Rick Reed and his novels "A jaw-dropping thriller."—Gregg Olsen"As authentic and scary as crime thrillers get."—Nelson DeMille "Rick Reed knows the dark side as only a real‑life cop can, and his writing crackles with authenticity."—Shane Gericke"Put this on your must-read list."—John Lutz"Det....

The first victim is murdered in a Marriott Airport hotel room on the outskirts of Evansville, Indiana. Her eyes and theleft hand are removed from the scene and her tongue has been cut out and stuffed in the tub drain where she isfound floating in blood. Jack Murphy realizes that this is not just another vicious murder when the body of a secondvictim is discovered only hours later on the floor of her kitchen in the south-side projects. The missing hand from thefirst victim is propped by the victims bloody head, the middle finger prominently displayed to those finding the body.A day later a third victim is found, this time gutted and strung up from the bottom of a bridge, left to bend and swaywith the current of the Pigeon Creek.

JACK MURPHY DELIVERS JUSTICE Detective Jack Murphy can read a crime scene like a book. When the naked, brutalized corpse of a narcotics cop is found, it's not the body that tells him a sick killer is on the loose, but the monkey figurine—of the "see no evil" kind—shoved down his throat. It's a message, not a clue. Then a high-profile judge is set on fire. Another figurine left behind. Murphy has a guess what's next. But it's not what he expects. The torture-killer taking out Evansville's defenders of law and order isn't the only one with secrets. The victims might have a few, too . . . Praise for Rick Reed and his novels "A jaw-dropping thriller."—Gregg Olsen "Leaves you wondering whether you really did lock the doors before you went to bed."—Mystery Scene "Put this on your must-read list."—John Lutz "The...