Biloxi Lights

When the CEO of a local casino is fished out of a lake by former police officer Andy Burns, it sours his otherwise peaceful retirement. Something about the murder weapon, a custom-made knife jutting inches above the late CEO's silk tie, sticks in Andy's mind. He's seen this blade before and Andy is not happy about the implications his admission will mean for an old friend.

Sergeant Jolene Hadfield is assigned the case, and despite rampant racism, sexism and nasty inept department politics that hamper her investigation, she comes to suspect an unlikely motive for revenge may be the reason for the murder. Her boss on the other hand, insists she button the case up, and pin the whole thing on a too convenient suspect—compelling evidence to the contrary or not. For Hadfield solving the crime might become secondary to keeping her job.

Burns and Hadfield might make an unlikely team, but together they have a shot at finding the real killer, even if it's going to make them rather unpopular in this part of Mississippi. This is not a fight either of them were looking for, but it's not one they plan on backing down from.

Don't miss this true-to-life police procedural thriller by debut author/former police officer Tom Ellis.