The Shadow of the Raven

A young girl’s lifeless body lies beneath the Owl’s Head Mountain walking bridge, her violet eyes closed forever. Eight-year-old Anna Saulstice, an autistic child who found solace in nature’s embrace, has met an untimely end, her death sending shockwaves through the close-knit community. Inspector Gabriel Duforêt and Lieutenant Maxine Leblanc suspect foul play and embark on a relentless pursuit of justice.

Anna, an optimistic and adventurous spirit, cherished the whimsical treehouses built for the local children by two enigmatic men from overseas. She possessed an uncanny knowledge of medicinal plants, even concocting her own herbal remedies.

The investigation leads Duforêt and Leblanc on a breathtaking journey through Quebec’s picturesque landscapes. They encounter Anna’s eccentric mother, her neglectful father, the mysterious triplet women residing across the lake, and a cast of characters who may hold the key to unravelling the truth. But as the detectives close in on a suspect, a startling revelation emerges: Anna’s death wasn’t an accident. And one of the ravens who watched over her is missing.

To solve this perplexing puzzle, Duforêt and Leblanc must not only uncover Anna’s true cause of death but also locate the missing raven, a silent witness to the tragedy. The clock is ticking as they race to bring Anna’s killer to justice and ensure the missing raven’s safe return.

Finding Alfie: A Sandringham Mystery

Sandringham, 1933. The idyllic royal estate is rocked by a chilling discovery: a lifeless body in a gamekeeper’s cottage. A desperate father and son vanish, sparking a frantic manhunt. Yet, the trail fades, leaving behind a haunting mystery that echoes through the decades.

Eighty years later, an elderly woman’s fading memories ignite a spark of hope. With her grandson listening by her side, he embarks on a quest to unravel the truth, breathing new life into a long-forgotten case.

The Silver Necklace

“A fascinating glimpse into complex characters on both right and wrong sides of the law, by author and retired judge Jack Billings, who undoubtedly has seen both up-close.”

                Randi Bjornstad, career journalist, founder, Eugene Scene, e-magazine

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Police always encounter people they never forget. For Megan O’Brian, one was Chad Mitchell, a scared, mistreated little boy she encountered while working as a juvenile corrections officer. She always wondered what happened to him. Then they met again.

By then a sheriff’s detective, O’Brian was lead investigator for the disappearance of talented Cassie Edwards, who failed to return home from her regular bus trip to and from a piano lesson after her 15th birthday party. She wore as always her favorite gift, a beautiful and unusual necklace, given to her by her grandmother.

The trail goes frustratingly cold as O’Brian and fellow investigators, Cal Underwood and Herman Jackson, search in vain for clues to her whereabouts and her fate, until a deer poacher finds Cassie’s body in a remote area.

But finding her killer eludes them, until O’Brian has a sudden, middle-of-the-night realization: a photograph Jackson had taken of recovered stolen property in another case. One of those photos shows an unusual necklace, identical to the one Cassie wore in a picture from her birthday party.

Did Cassie’s killer take the necklace as a trophy? How did it get into a trove of stolen property? Did the killer try to get rid of it? Or was it stolen from the killer? And who were they looking for?

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         “Well-developed characters, engaging story, professional police work. A good read.”

                                Kurt Wuest, Lane County Sheriff’s Detective (ret.)

“Untreated autism, methamphetamine addiction, interstate fencing of stolen property propel this story of murder and apprehension to a conclusion.”

                                Chuck Tilby, Captain, Eugene Police Department (ret.)

“Billings’ writing evokes Michael Connelly. A bus system’s operation is cleverly woven into the plot.”

                Mark Pangborn, General Manager, Lane Transit District (ret.)

Mountroyal

Set in Northern Ireland in the spring of 1983 at a time when ‘The Troubles’ are in full swing. Tony Speers, a newly promoted sergeant, arrives at Mountroyal RUC Station, located in the heart of East Belfast. When Tony meets up with his new section he quickly realises he has inherited a very dysfunctional group of individuals. They include a reluctant genius, an alcoholic and other endearing personalities who combine to make ‘A’ Section a close and effective unit.
A spate of sinister sexual attacks have recently occurred in the area raising local tensions, leaving females afraid to go out at night. The uniformed police and local CID have thus far drawn a blank in apprehending the offender. The sub divisional commander of Mountroyal Station is under increasing pressure from local politicians, the chief constable, the press and local paramilitaries to make an arrest. Join Tony and the gang as they try to crack this case as well as attend to other miscellaneous calls within the Mountroyal Sub Division.

The Flower Presser

A half-mutilated torso is found in the river Spree, meanwhile tango music drifts over from Monbijou Park where people are dancing outside. The two faces of Berlin are now in stark contrast. Warren Fischer and Judith Hellwig wonder if the third corpse is the work of a serial killer and they fear for a fourth victim. The motive is still unclear, but one thing is certain: the victims are men. The only common factor is that they were found in the same quadrant of Berlin.

During their investigation, it becomes certain that the killer is honing the art of torture and one member of the team is pushed past their limit. The motive becomes clear as the team investigates past relationships. A silent witness provides the last piece of evidence, which confirms the killer, but time is running out. The question remains, what triggered the person to start the slaughter?

The Oblivious Pool

Most murders don’t require a memory inspection of every passenger on board a train. But then most murders don’t happen aboard the Manchester to London express. When Marshall Sullivan finds himself investigating the killing of a high-profile criminal, it’s clear not all those on-board are who they claim to be.

A businessman with investments in memory tech, a Frenchwoman and a fellow officer do nothing to sooth his nerves. But when even his own memories are foggy, Sullivan begins to wonder if he’s not the one being investigated.

But then Cathy is a young journalist with enough money troubles to go after any story, no matter how costly. Animal abuse isn’t something London Bobbies take lightly, but if a plucky journalist can get the scoop before they show up, then what’s the harm in that?

Three Times a Killer

A virus is in circulation in sub-Saharan Africa that has the potential to become a pandemic wreaking havoc on healthcare systems and economies worldwide. Millions will die.

The scientific community and governments work at speed to find a vaccine, but progress is slow. Research labs around the world turn their attention to this latest viral strain in an attempt to find a formula that can be manufactured in volume for global distribution. It’s a race against time.

Dr Dan Thomas was a research scientist working in such a lab to find such a vaccine, but unlike his peers, he was not content to use his talent and intellect to better the world. He had witnessed friends fast-track their careers and accumulate wealth, and he was envious. He was highly intelligent, but a flawed individual addicted to hard drugs and alcohol which affected his judgement. 

Dan’s role in the lab was pivotal. He had responsibility for workflow, monitoring and managing the progress of the lab’s research. A chance encounter with a venture capitalist at a party gave him the idea that he could prosper from stealing the intellectual rights of his employer’s vaccine research, making him a wealthy man, only to encounter challenges he hadn’t anticipated.

This tense and exciting story of one man’s quest for wealth and power reveals the lengths some are prepared to go to in an attempt to achieve their misguided ambitions. Lives are destroyed and people die.

Through the Gate of Horns

Having picked up her friend, Josie, at the station, Lorne hopes for an uneventful drive to Waydon where they will link up with five friends for a reunion weekend. While living in Brasilia, they had become a close group.

During a stop on their journey, a chance meeting with a smart young woman almost makes Josie faint from shock. This leads the woman to introduce herself as Arina Aubel and she insists that Josie and Lorne join her for tea to allow Josie to recover.

Back in the car, Josie tells Lorne that the woman’s face was identical to that of a woman she saw in a recurring dream, though its scene was some two hundred years before. Could the dream be a prophecy and if so, was Arina in danger? When later they see Arina accosted by an angry man, Josie becomes convinced that her dream has a purpose. This belief strengthens as a result of a local rumour heard about the premises Arina is directed to and the man’s quick exit after guiding her there.

As a result of all they have witnessed, Josie persuades Lorne that they have to become amateur sleuths. They stumbled upon organised criminal activity, but had those involved murdered Arina? How close the events will prove to be a re-enactment of the dream? Was it a prophecy?

Following Digital Footprints

Following digital footprints is a detective story with a difference. Different sections of a police force are investigating cases of hire car theft, credit card fraud and identity theft using traditional methods supported by ever more sophisticated IT systems. The criminals, meanwhile, become increasingly greedy but appear to be committing their crimes under the radar. The suspense builds, as the police build their case methodically and with the occasional element of luck. There are several twists and turns as the plot races towards a conclusion, and the reader can only wait and see whether the police or the criminals will succeed.David McCaddon has written an enthralling whodunnit by drawing on his many years of experience in law enforcement systems development working with police forces worldwide. The technical details are described with a light touch and this adds to the enjoyment of the novel. A satisfying read.

The Magician

Step into the bustling heart of 1980s London, where the relentless pulse of finance dictates the rhythm of the city. The Magician unveils the high-octane world of bankers, stockbrokers, and the money moguls who reigned over The City with a cocktail in one hand and destiny in the other.Immerse yourself in the lives of sharply dressed financiers and glamorous women, all entangled in a whirlwind of ambition and allure. As luxury cars line the streets and champagne flows freely in bustling wine bars, the air vibrates with the era’s hit music, accompanying the fortunes made and lost before the closing bell.At the centre of this opulent tale are characters embodying the essence of a time where excess knew no bounds. When the paths of two such individuals intersect, a story of danger and desire unfolds, hinting at a life both thrilling and perilous.The Magician extends an invitation to a bygone epoch, unravelling the allure and perils that danced hand in hand with the pursuit of wealth and status. Through the lives of its entrancing characters, the reader is granted a front-row seat to the spectacle of extravagance and the enigmatic game of chance that was the financial world in 1980s London.

Settling Accounts

Two daughters of a prominent Swedish politician head to Alanya on the Turkish Riviera for a holiday, accompanied by the elder daughter’s boyfriend. In the picturesque resort, they befriend a charming young man who takes a special interest in the younger sister. But idyllic vacations never last. The elder sister and her boyfriend mysteriously vanish, and days later, their bodies are discovered.

The murder of a politician’s daughter and her partner shocks the nation, but the crime goes unsolved for years. That is, until the younger sister comes face-to-face with the killer. Meanwhile, their father – a well-known Swedish figure – refuses to wait for justice. Investigators Klaudia Jassem and Erik Lindberg are drawn into a complex case that unfolds into not just a double, but a quadruple murder.

Blending political intrigue, social commentary on contemporary Sweden, and a gripping romantic subplot, this thriller will captivate readers from start to finish. How far would you go to protect your family? With twists that linger long after the final page, this novel promises to ignite discussion and leave a lasting impression.

Psychopath in Town!

Skeletal remains are found under the town’s sports ground goalpost. Young Wallis Brown, who is the daughter of a police sergeant now deceased, meets Sergeant Sam Watson. He tells Wallis of a psychopath in town. Her long-time friend Cherie Winters is bashed by her husband Neil Winters, who blames Wallis for his job loss and marriage break-down. Wallis discovers a man’s body: Sam says “Stay home at night!” Police hunt to arrest Neil for murder. Wallis, now fearful for her life, runs the short way home through the dimly lit laneway. A man wearing a cap is running after her with a knife! She screams and then falls into oblivion.