A Hint of Murder [Kindle Edition]

Lia Fairchild (Author)

Book Description

Detective John Lewis encounters a unique cast of characters throughout each A Hint of Murder story. One reader said, “I couldn’t stop reading once I started.” Another said, "The clues are all there, and there's an AHA! moment...Even I couldn't figure out who the killer was.."

The Writer - Bestselling author Alicia Fairfield has captured the attention of a killer who is recreating the murders from her books. Pinning down a suspect could prove difficult. Is one of her millions of fans the culprit? Or is the person much closer; her schizophrenic son, a disgruntled associate, or possibly even her loyal literary agent? The guilt over the loss of these innocent lives drives Alicia to the brink of despair. How close to the edge will she go before she can stop the menacing evil?
Story length 9,000 words

The Doctor - Russell Morgan had it all; good looks, the perfect woman, and a rewarding career as a respected physician. But when his patients start turning up dead, his world begins to crumble. If this murderer isn't stopped, everything the good doctor has worked so hard to build will be destroyed. Detective John Lewis returns to track down the killer.
Story length: 12,000 words

The Bouncer - Disillusioned nightclub bouncer Bobby Crane feels like nothing more than a glorified errand boy. He longs to be a professional singer, but just when he's offered a big break, a man is found dead and a witness claims to have spotted Bobby's car at the victim's house. Can Detective John Lewis and his new partner clear Bobby’s name and solve the murder? Or will all his singing be done behind bars?
Story length: 10,400 words

**BONUS MYSTERY** “Homeless” will leave you with a smile, and a twist so surprising you never saw it coming.

Product Details

• File Size: 227 KB
• Print Length: 126 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00698G7U4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,769 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing stories, wonderful characters, effective exposition August 1, 2012

By Sarah Edmondson

Format:Kindle Edition

In Lia Fairchild's "A Hint of Murder" anthology, the whodunit mystery is taken to a new level. Fairchild manages suspense like a pro, revealing everything in a way that still left me guessing what exactly the outcome would be. The stories are short but well-written and intriguing enough that I read all three in one sitting. The clues are all there, and there's an AHA! moment when the outcome is revealed. Even I couldn't figure out who the killer was in two of the stories until the ending. This, in my humble opinion, is the sign of a great mystery writer: someone who can lay all the cards on the table yet keep the reader guessing and - most importantly - reading.

The anthology consists of three short stories plus a bonus story. The first is about an author who descends into madness. The second details killings at a hospital, where nearly everyone has a potential motivation to kill. The third combines the seedy underworld with one of mankind's oldest motivations to commit murder. All three stories have red herrings among the suspects, people I really wanted to be the killers but who weren't.

All three stories also share a common detective team that's working the cases. I thought this was a great idea, because there were characters I could take with me from story-to-story and learn more about while I met the flawed people and glimpsed the broken worlds of those involved in the murders. The detectives, Frank and Lewis, were colorful and unique, and they didn't fall prey to the stereotypical detectives I've read in other books. I loved their exchanges and how Fairchild portrayed the connection they had from years of working together while maintaining each man's unique perspectives. I found myself grinning every time Frank came along in the story....

I have to say that what impressed me most was Fairchild's ability to frame the events and the mindset of her characters without unnecessary prose. It's difficult to create a new world with new characters in a novel let alone in a short story and balance the need for both exposition and brevity. I suspect Fairchild's true gift is the economical use of effective words, especially in the creation of her characters.

And I loved her characters, all of them. Fairchild could bring a character to life with one sentence in a way that made me smile. Their motivations were unique, their backgrounds diverse and even their word choices in dialogue different. Not all of them were honorable or decent, but I could connect to each of them. Even better - I felt like I'd always known all of them, which is rare when I read a book. There's usually a cardboard character or two in most books I've read whose name I don't bother to remember, because the character's addition to the story felt forced or like an afterthought. I didn't have that sense in any of these stories. I left the stories feeling as if I'd learned something new about my neighbors of five years.

Aside from Frank, my favorite characters were Alicia - the author - and Bobby - the bouncer. I was also rooting for Nicole - the crappy nurse - as well, I think because I wanted her to succeed when everyone else wrote her off.

All in all, I highly recommend this one. Read more ›

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a hint of awesome January 27, 2012

By Jill Krawczyk

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lia Fairchild has a gift for being able to convey fully developed and realistic characters in very little time. These three short stories sucked me in and held me start to finish. I also love that the detectives carry over for each story, without dominating the tale. It adds a comfortable familiarity to the series.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT READ January 6, 2012

By M. J. Weinberg

Format:Kindle Edition

I become aware of this author on Facebook and I am very glad that I did.

Lia Fairchild's A Hint Of Murder Series comprising THE WRITER , THE DOCTOR and THE BOUNCER are the perfect size to have for desert after lunch with no pesky calories. The characters are well drawn and the pages just fly by.......If you're looking for the perfect reading snack..this series is for you

MJW51

Brooklyn New York

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Short Stories in a Bundle February 22, 2012

By Nash Black VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lia Fairchild bundled three fine short storis, The Series, The Doctor, and The Bouncer into a fun evening's read.
The Series introduces the investigators and my only complaint that for a short story there were too many murders.
The Doctor has a young physican in a contrepts as too many of his patients are ending up death.
The Bouncer is my favorite. Aspiring singer, Bobby Crane is waiting in the wings for his chance on stage when the police pull him in for questioning about the death of a man he visit earlier in the day.
Good police procedurals that will keep you guessing.
Nash Black, author of SANDPRINTS OF DEATH

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars TREASURED SPOT BOOK REVIEWS February 22, 2012

By F.a.Ellis

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

A HINT OF MURDER has three stories in one.The series reads like a who done it type of a read.The drama in the book raises your senses as to know which person in the stories could actually commit such a heinous crime.Also the author throws in a host of characters to peek your interest,and also to throw you off a bit.All three stories had me reading from page to page to find out who actually done the crime.Over all it was a great read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bite-sized mysteries. January 31, 2012

By Mel Comley

Format:Kindle Edition

I loved these three mysteries. They keep you guessing and involved as a reader right up till the end.

Loved the characterisation throughout from the author Alicia Fairchild who is in emotional turmoil. Through to the bouncer, Bobby Crane who is about to achieve his lifetime's ambition to be a singer, when the police arrive to question him about a murder.

Entertaining reads that will keep you on the edge of your seat between longer novels.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Reasons to Kill December 7, 2011

By Ey Wade

Format:Kindle Edition

A Hint of Murder is a collection of three mysteries written by Lia Fairchild. I enjoyed pitting my wits to the author in trying to figure out the murderers. Ahh, but she is sneakie. I have read other books by the Ms. Fairchild and I like her style of writing.Being an author myself I was tickled with the the plot of 'The Writer'. I like murder mysteries and wasn't disappointed with either of the stories in the anthology. They were well paced, not too gory, and very entertaining. Especially the strange the reasons people choose to kill someone. Loved them all.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Mystery and Suspense December 21, 2011

By The Kindle Book Review

Format:Kindle Edition

This collection of engaging short stories involving mystery and murder is fast paced and filled with unexpected outcomes. Each story is descriptive, well written and will keep you guessing until the end. The characters in each of the stories are very well defined and portrayed in a way that enables you to form an image of them in your mind as you feel their emotional conflicts.

THE AUTHOR

Alicia Fairfield is a bestselling murder/mystery author. Regrettably for her, there is a bizarre turn of events when she discovers someone is actually committing the murders she writes about in her books. She is devastated and tries to cope with a situation that endlessly haunts her. The direction this story takes will keep you speculating until the very end.

THE DOCTOR

Dr. Russell Morgan is a well-respected yet narcissistic Doctor who has the misfortune of finding his patient dead in his hospital bed under suspicious circumstances. Because the patient was terminally ill this was thought to be some type of mercy killing. When another patient turns up dead and his only ailment is a broken leg, the enormity of the situation is realized and the hunt for a killer begins.

THE BOUNCER

Bobby Crane is finally getting the big break he has been waiting for. In minutes he will be taking the stage to sing in public for the first time thus making his dreams a reality. As he is being introduced he is tapped on the shoulder by police detective John Lewis who wants to discuss a murder. Allen Schaffer was brutally murdered and Bobby is abruptly thrust into the investigation because his car was seen at the scene earlier that day. The investigation will take them to a conclusion that is totally unexpected....

I recommend this book of short stories to all readers. The stories are all self-contained and will quench your thirst for some mystery and suspense. You will get a complete and compelling story in a short amount of time.

Marilou George ~ The Kindle Book Review Read more ›

More About the Author

I've been creating stories my whole life, but only for me, in my own head. Then one day I sat down and started to write a book. I completed my first novel, In Search of Lucy, in February of 2011. Seven months later, AmazonEncore contacted me about representing my book. It's currently in the top 10 for Kindle Drama.

My second full-length novel, Vigil Annie, was released on Amazon in December of 2012! One reviewer called this thriller "suspenseful, well-crafted, and fast paced."

I recently completed my first romantic comedy, The Tech Guy, now available on Amazon.

My other works include a mystery series (A Hint of Murder) and a short, sweet romance (Special Delivery).

I was born and raised in Southern California and hold a bachelor's degree in journalism and a multiple subject teaching credential. I'm a wife and mother of two teenagers.

Look for updates on me and my books at http://www.liafairchild.com or follow me on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/#!/liafairchild or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lia.fairchild.author?fref=ts