James R. Nelson

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About James R. Nelson

James R. Nelson was raised in Michigan's remote Upper Peninsula. The solitude of living in the woods helped him develop a love of reading and an interest in authors and writing. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree and then went on to obtain a Master's Degree in Education.

His novels include-

The Stephen Moorehouse Mystery Collection
The Butterfly Conspiracy
The Peacock Prophecy
Menagerie of Broken Dreams
The Monarch Graveyard

The Archie Archibald Private Detective Series
A Crimson Sky for Dying
The Black Orchid Mystery
Unsafe Harbor

Other Books
The Maze at Four Chimneys
The Pilot
Peacock Redux and Other Short Stores
The House on Turner Lane
Winter Island

He is a board member of the Brevard Author's Society, a member of The Space Coast Writer's Guild, two writing groups, and teaches a class - How To Write Your First Novel.

Dan Petrosini

Jon Athan

Chris Wendel

BJ Bourg

Christopher J. Lynch

Judy Penz Sheluk

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Author Updates

Titles By James R. Nelson

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The Maze At Four Chimneys Feb 2, 2011

by James R. Nelson

( 53 )

$3.99

With the unexpected death of their Aunt Thortis, John Barrington and his sister Carol, suddenly find themselves as the new owners of an old mansion located in the middle of Michigan’s wild and beautiful Upper Peninsula.

The house, known to the locals as The Four Chimneys, had been constructed by a rich and powerful lumber baron over a hundred years ago and was now being watched over by the caretaker Mrs. Pritchard, and her son Elroy.

Moving to Michigan seemed like a perfect way for John to escape a failing marriage and to get his daughter, Samantha, away from the mean streets of Chicago.

John and Samantha’s idyllic country lifestyle is soon in danger as they discover Four Chimneys comes with a multitude of secrets, some of them deadly.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

A Crimson Sky For Dying (The Archie Archibald Private Detective Series Book 1) Sep 22, 2017

by James R. Nelson

( 3 )

$3.99

Things change quickly when Archie Archibald receives his new private detective license. He knows his wife will not be happy, but he isn’t prepared for what happens next.
When his good friend gets caught up in an investment scam, Archie decides to look into it. His inquiries are interrupted when his first client shows up, and her case takes a sudden turn toward the bizarre.
When the Everglades catch on fire, south Florida gets even hotter as Archie finds himself thrust into a world of well-connected politicians, sex for hire, and a murder where the only evidence points to him.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Stephen Moorehouse Mystery Collection Jun 6, 2021

by James R. Nelson

$8.49

When your uncle is a famous horror movie director, you can expect exciting things to happen. Stephen Moorehouse is involved in numerous adventures when he is in the company of his uncle, his uncle's beautiful assistant, and two scream queens, who each want to star in the next horror movie.

Book One - The Butterfly Conspiracy - After graduating from high school, Stephen travels by train to visit his uncle at his mansion in the wilds of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Stephen gets a feeling someone on the train is watching him. But why? A brutal crime is committed when he gets to his uncle's place and all of the evidence points to Stephen.

Book Two - The Peacock Prophecy. Stephen travels with his uncle and his beautiful secretary, Jeanette, to an old Victorian Inn on Michigan's Mackinac Island where seances are conducted in the attic. Does the spirit of his uncle’s dead girlfriend actually speak to them? When Jeanette goes missing, Stephen must discover what's really going on before it is too late.

Book Three - Menagerie of Broken Dreams. Stephen is sent to the steamy black springs area of central Florida to find a location where his uncle can film a remake of a famous 50's horror movie complete with a creature and a lagoon. He finds the perfect spot...except for the creepy roadside attraction nearby. Once you meet Savannah, the beautiful alligator girl, you won't soon forget her!

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The House On Turner Lane Sep 10, 2018

by James R. Nelson

( 9 )

$3.99

A woman’s skull is discovered in a sprawling 60,000 acre mountain wilderness. It puzzles the local authorities because no one in the area has been reported missing. Where did it come from?
When Olivia Thompson disappears in the same area on a hiking trip with her new boyfriend, it is up to her sister, Rachel, to find her. Disturbing new facts about Olivia’s boyfriend come to light, confirming Rachel’s fears that her sister may be in grave danger—or worse. Alone in a strange town, she discovers that the only person who steps forward to help her has a mystery of his own to solve. Together they search for answers. Olivia could be anywhere. Time is running out.
What secrets can Rachel learn from the House on Turner Lane? Will she discover them in time to save her sister?

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Winter Island Aug 27, 2020

by James Nelson

( 9 )

$4.25

After the tragic death of his wife during a robbery at his Chicago condo, mystery author Eric Ballard accepts an invitation from his brother-in-law to spend time in the small town of Red Cedar Cove. Eric’s hoping the new atmosphere away from memories of Claire will be the incentive he needs to write again.When a young boy’s dog digs up a human bone on an island just off the shore of Lake Michigan, whispers of what happened to two girls who disappeared twenty years before begin to circulate. On the other side of town, Cheryl Foster seeks answers about her past. When the results of her DNA kit point to the most prominent family in Red Cedar Cove, Cheryl’s not prepared for the reaction she receives when she starts asking questions.Eric is soon in the middle of two real-life murder mysteries-mysteries that make his books seem tame by comparison. Will he be able to unravel all of the clues before more lives are lost?

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Holidays: A Space Coast Writers' Group Anthology Nov 25, 2017

by Scott Tilley

( 4 )

$3.99

This anthology from the Space Coast Writers’ Guild (SCWG) is a collection of bittersweet stories filled with recollections of holidays past, present, and future. Whether it’s dressing up in amusing costumes for Halloween, eating too much turkey at Thanksgiving, or ice skating on frozen ponds at Christmas, Holidays captures the best (and worst) of times.

Other Formats: Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Unsafe Harbor (The Archie Archibald Private Detective Series Book 4) Nov 21, 2016

by James R. Nelson

( 9 )

$3.99

Private detective Archie Archibald is busy moving into his newly purchased cabin deep in the wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He’s looking forward to having a quiet retreat where he can escape Florida’s stifling summers.
Shortly before the arrival of his friend Candace Muldoon he makes a grim discovery. Then, a series of puzzling incidents unfold that make Archie wonder about the safety of his guest…and himself.
As Archie starts asking questions, he feels uneasy. Why do some of the residents of tiny Cedar River act like they have things to hide? Why doesn’t the prominent attorney living down the beach ever mention the beautiful blonde who shares his expensive lakeshore mansion? What about Archie’s reclusive neighbor who none of the other residents have ever seen?
Three hundred miles to the south, Jill Osbourne is grieving after the recent death of her adoptive mother, a death that has created an urgent personal need for Jill to discover the truth about her birth parents. She hopes to uncover some of the missing pieces of her past during a sailing vacation with her husband.
When an unexpected storm forces them to seek refuge in a marina at Cedar River, Jill’s inquiries about her family put in motion events that make it apparent: they have sought refuge in an UNSAFE HARBOR.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Menagerie of Broken Dreams (The Stephen Moorehouse Mystery Series Book 3) Jan 23, 2015

by James R. Nelson

( 10 )

$4.99

Young Stephen Moorhouse is excited about his new job. His uncle, a famous movie director, has asked him to travel to Florida and scout out a location to film a remake of a famous 1950’s movie. Anxious to do a good job, Stephen discovers the perfect location, which unfortunately, is located next to a bizarre roadside attraction.
A thick fog blowing off the Gulf of Mexico is making it difficult for the beautiful Savannah Blanchard to find a ride as she hitch hikes along Route 90, just outside of Biloxi, Mississippi. Still reeling from the sudden loss of her job, she’s hoping her good friend can put her up for awhile and maybe help her get a fresh start. Savannah holds a dark secret which will soon become apparent to the next unfortunate lonely driver who pulls over to pick her up.
Speeding south from Indiana after a brutal crime wave, tormented Willard Ferguson and his 16 year old girlfriend, Anna Mae, leave a wake of death and destruction behind them. Anxious to find a safe haven from the authorities, they end up taking refuge in an odd attraction called Doctor Merryweather’s Menagerie. Rather than offering the solace they had hoped for, Willard and his girlfriend find themselves thrust into a grotesque world far removed from anything they ever thought existed.
Several seemingly separate events slowly merge into one, as the Menagerie of Broken Dreams pulls everyone into a dark web of danger, deceit, and murder.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Peacock Prophecy (The Stephen Moorehouse Mystery Series Book 2) Nov 5, 2011

by James R. Nelson

( 14 )

$4.99

The beautiful Mackinac Island, is the scene for James R. Nelson's latest mystery novel, The Peacock Prophecy. Stephen Moorehouse makes his second appearace, along with his famous Uncle, Phillip Kahle, Stephen's love interest, Jeanette, and a cast of new characters.

The action begins when Phillip Kahle decides to throw a large Hollywood style party at his mansion, Cliffside Manor, to announce that his script is almost finished and he will soon begin casting for his next movie.

The suspense picks up when Phillip takes Stephen and Jeanette on a trip to Mackinac Island and they stay at The Peacock Inn. The brooding Edward Van Dyke has turned an aging Victorian mansion into the new "must stay" spot on the island. His nightly seances have become the talk of the town, but recently they have evolved into something much darker.

When Stephen encounters a person from Jeanette's past, the dim corridores of the Peacock Inn turn deadly and provide the final answer to The Peacock Prophecy.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Butterfly Conspiracy (The Stephen Moorehouse Mystery Series Book 1) Aug 2, 2010

by James R. Nelson

( 29 )

$4.99

The wild beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula serves as a backdrop to murder, kidnapping and unexpected discoveries when young Stephen Moorehouse decides to spend the summer with his Uncle.

Stephen Moorehouse's excitement about spending the summer at his movie mogul Uncle's estate quickly turns to alarm when it appears a mobster is tailing him all the way from New York City to the wilderness of northern Michigan. But why?

When the serenity of Cliffside manor is rocked by a brutal murder, evidence points to Stephen as suspect number one. With the help of his new friends and his Uncle's beautiful assistant, Jeanette, Stephen must solve a murder and elude his stalked at the same time.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Monarch Graveyard (The Stephen Moorehouse Mystery Series Book 4) Aug 16, 2019

by James R. Nelson

( 5 )

$4.99

It’s been four years since young Stephen Moorehouse spent his first summer at his Uncle Phillip Kahle’s mansion, overlooking Lake Superior in Michigan’s untamed Upper Peninsula. Stephen’s kidnapper, the murderous Paulie Deluca, has broken out of prison. Will he come for Stephen again?The beautiful scream-queen, Barbara Jenkins, pays an unexpected visit to Cliffside Manor. Why is Phillip being so secretive about her visit, and why did she bring enough luggage to stay six months?Phillip’s friend and movie financier, Cyrus Bonaventure, disappears after a wedding in Florida. Laid up with a badly sprained ankle, Phillip sends Stephen to investigate. A series of clues takes Stephen from Florida to Los Angeles and then to a small desert town where he makes a startling discovery.Phillip creates a monarch butterfly sanctuary with a huge granite memorial stone to honor Britt Adolphson’s memory. When a mysterious woman, dressed all in black, her face covered in a veil, appears at this memorial, visitors are upset and frightened. Why is she there? Why does she stand like a statue, not speaking, scaring the children? Something needs to be done.Several dramatic plot lines weave together in The Monarch Graveyard to create another thrilling mystery by James R. Nelson.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Dreams: A Space Coast Writers' Guild Anthology Dec 11, 2018

by Scott Tilley

( 3 )

$4.99

Dreams can be as vivid as reality, making us question what is true and what is imaginary. What secrets do dreams reveal about ourselves? How do we interpret our dreams? Do we dream about events that will inevitably occur, or are they just shades of things that may come to pass? Dreams are also aspirations for what we want to become. They provide the inspiration we need to improve our lives. Without our dreams, we’d lack hope and become purposeless.This anthology from the Space Coast Writers’ Guild (SCWG) is a collection of stories and poems about both kinds of dreams: the visions we have while asleep, and the hopes we have while awake.

Other Formats: Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

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