Editorial Content for The Finer Things
Book
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
J.D. Barker’s work is undefinable. He has spanned the breadth of the horror and thriller genres with everything from the supernatural to serial killers to psychological suspense. Now, his latest release, written with Kyle Dunn, may be his most difficult novel to define. Read More
Teaser
In the shadows of 1950s New York, a brilliant mind teeters on the edge of madness. Edgar Maguire's sculptures are taking the art world by storm, but behind each masterpiece lies a horrifying secret. When Fiona, the object of Edgar's lifelong obsession, reenters his life, it ignites a passion that blurs the lines between creation and destruction. As his art evolves into something terrifyingly beautiful, a trail of bodies begins to surface across the city. Detective George Snyder is closing in, but can he unravel the connection between the murders and Edgar's rising star before it's too late?
Promo
In the shadows of 1950s New York, a brilliant mind teeters on the edge of madness. Edgar Maguire's sculptures are taking the art world by storm, but behind each masterpiece lies a horrifying secret. When Fiona, the object of Edgar's lifelong obsession, reenters his life, it ignites a passion that blurs the lines between creation and destruction. As his art evolves into something terrifyingly beautiful, a trail of bodies begins to surface across the city. Detective George Snyder is closing in, but can he unravel the connection between the murders and Edgar's rising star before it's too late?
About the Book
His art will take your breath away.
In the shadows of 1950s New York, a brilliant mind teeters on the edge of madness. Edgar Maguire's sculptures are taking the art world by storm, but behind each masterpiece lies a horrifying secret.
When Fiona, the object of Edgar's lifelong obsession, reenters his life, it ignites a passion that blurs the lines between creation and destruction. As his art evolves into something terrifyingly beautiful, a trail of bodies begins to surface across the city.
Detective George Snyder is closing in, but can he unravel the connection between the murders and Edgar's rising star before it's too late?
Audiobook available, read by Nick Mills and Piper Goodeve
Editorial Content for The Black Highway
Book
Reviewer (text)
» Click here to read L. Dean Murphy's review.
Review #1 by Philip Zozzaro Read More
Teaser
Forensic specialist Laughton Rees is not ashamed of her checkered past. After all, her youthful indiscretions led to the birth of her daughter, Gracie. But when Gracie’s father unexpectedly turns up in their lives again, Laughton is automatically wary. Shelby Facer is a dangerous man, formerly imprisoned for his involvement in an international drug trafficking ring. But when Shelby claims that he has information about an especially difficult murder case she is working, she can’t turn him down. A body with no head or hands has recently turned up in the river Thames, and the police are at a loss until Shelby identifies the man. The victim was part of a highly secretive smuggling ring Shelby was involved with during his and Laughton’s youth --- which Laughton’s father was investigating before he died.
Promo
Forensic specialist Laughton Rees is not ashamed of her checkered past. After all, her youthful indiscretions led to the birth of her daughter, Gracie. But when Gracie’s father unexpectedly turns up in their lives again, Laughton is automatically wary. Shelby Facer is a dangerous man, formerly imprisoned for his involvement in an international drug trafficking ring. But when Shelby claims that he has information about an especially difficult murder case she is working, she can’t turn him down. A body with no head or hands has recently turned up in the river Thames, and the police are at a loss until Shelby identifies the man. The victim was part of a highly secretive smuggling ring Shelby was involved with during his and Laughton’s youth --- which Laughton’s father was investigating before he died.
About the Book
Laughton Rees is back in the latest novel from the bestselling author of the Sanctus trilogy --- this time, with a case that hits uncomfortably close to home and threatens the thing Laughton values most: her daughter.
Forensic specialist Laughton Rees is not ashamed of her checkered past. After all, her youthful indiscretions led to the birth of her daughter, Gracie. But when Gracie’s father unexpectedly turns up in their lives again, Laughton is automatically wary.
Shelby Facer is a dangerous man, formerly imprisoned for his involvement in an international drug trafficking ring, and no matter what Laughton once felt for him, she doesn’t want him anywhere near Gracie. But when Shelby claims that he has information about an especially difficult murder case she is working, she can’t turn him down.
A body with no head or hands has recently turned up in the river Thames, and the police are at a loss until Shelby identifies the man. The victim was part of a highly secretive smuggling ring Shelby was involved with during his and Laughton’s youth --- which Laughton’s father, former commissioner for the Metropolitan police, was investigating before he died.
Laughton throws herself into her father’s old files to try to trace the connections between past and present, but as she and DCI Tannahill Khan circle closer to the truth, the case becomes dangerously personal. When another body turns up, mutilated just like the first, the victim is no stranger to Laughton. She’ll have to face the darkest parts of her past to find the man behind the murders --- before he takes away everything she loves.
Audiobook available, read by Shazia Nicholls
July 18, 2025
Like many of you, I love author events. They give me an opportunity to hear more about a book, as well as the author. Tuesday night’s event with Lisa Scottoline in Doylestown, PA was a perfect mix of Lisa sharing her inspiration for the writing of her first psychological thriller, THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA, and telling stories from her life that were like staccato beats to explain how they brought her to the place to write this book. The night was laced with humor, much of it in Lisa’s self-deprecating style. My friend Annmarie Puleio joined me for this special evening, and above you can see photos of us with Lisa.



















