Moribund [Paperback]

Richard H. Salverda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2006

Travel with Lt. Sam Garrison in a spellbinding 'whodunnit' with a cast of unforgettable characters and circumstances involving a psychotic serial killer, ethical choices and a love story with surprising consequences. The results will shock you.

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About the Author

A gradute of the FBI National Academy, Richard Salverda capped a 37-year law enforcement career with a rank of Detective Lieutenant. He currently lives in Minnesota.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

  Sam slowly sipped his drink while he listened to the enchanting strains of Mendelssohn floating through the room. The killer was the last thing on his mind.

    It was approaching 1:00 a.m. when he decided to call it a day and head for bed. He started toward the bedroom when he remembered to empty the bar wastebasket. He grabbed the basket and went down the hall to the garbage chute next to the elevator. He was on his way back and about ten feet from his condo doorway when something at the end of the hallway captured his attention. He was aware that the stairways to the outside parking lot were at that end of the hall.

    The left side of a body was visible next to the stairs exit. A closer look and he saw the barrel of a gun pointing at him.

    He heard the voice of the killer say, "Sam, we meet for the first and last time. Just keep coming toward me."

    Sam detected a nervous quiver in the voice and saw that the gun barrel was wavering a bit. He could make out the same beady eyes, behind the holes in a black ski mask, that he'd seen on the composite drawing.

    Sam's survival instincts took over. Do not panic, he told himself. Think. There's always a way out. He's scared and somehow you've got to take control of the situation.

    Every nerve in his body was talking to him. His throat was dry, yet he could feel the sweat starting to form on his forehead. Keep him talking was his first impulse. "You don't want our relationship to end this way. There's still time for us to work out our differences." He stated as he slowly walked toward the killer.

    "You gave me no other option. You know about my being a professor. It's only a matter of time before you know who I am."

    "That was only a lucky guess. There are so many professors it'll take a long time to get to you."

    "You also called me crazy. I'm not crazy. I've got a lot of work left and I can't take the chance that you'll interfere."

    While they talked, Sam was reviewing his options. He started with the physical structure of the hallway between them. The doorways of each unit were recessed about two feet and each unit's entry doors were directly opposite one another. He was about five feet from his own doorway, but closer to the doorway of the condo across from his. If he quickly stepped to his right into the neighbor's doorway, he'd have at least partial protection.

    "What's your answer? Can we talk?" Sam asked as he approached the doorway. He was only about ten feet from the killer at that point in time. He realized that even a nervous killer wasn't likely to miss at that distance.

    The killer was saying, "We've got nothing further to discuss. You've interfered and distracted me from my mission. Go to God."

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (July 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553691628
• ISBN-13: 978-1553691624
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,283,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars An OK Book, January 29, 2011

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B. Moore "Irish7754" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Moribund (Paperback)

This wasn't as good as I was anticipating. The writers style is not very fluid and easy to read. He would also have benefited from a good editor, wrong words etc., and occasionally, things didn't hang together all that well. But it was still a pretty decent read.