McKinley Mysteries
Carolyn Arnold
Published by: Hibbert and Stiles Publishing Inc.
Number of books in series as of May 2016: 10
Sleuth around with murder-solving duo Sean and Sara McKinley as they do whatever it takes to unravel a mystery while romancing it up along the way.
Series Overview:
Romance. Humor. Murder. Are you looking for a murder mystery without all the graphic violence and foul language? Something that you can enjoy in an afternoon and walk away feeling good about afterward? How about a dash of humor and romance? If so, meet former detectives Sean and Sara McKinley. When a billionaire leaves them all his money, they no longer have to work, but they find themselves sticking to what they’re good at—solving murders. Undercover, off the books, and around the world, they’ll get to the bottom of things…and romance it up along the way.
This is the perfect book series for fans of Hart to Hart, Castle, Colombo, Monk, Rockford Files, Psych, and Magnum PI.
Read in any order or follow the series from the beginning: The Day Job is Murder, Vacation is Murder, Money is Murder, Politics is Murder, Family is Murder, Shopping is Murder, Christmas is Murder, Valentine’s Day is Murder, Coffee is Murder, Skiing is Murder.
Book Information and Retailer Links
CHRISTMAS IS MURDER (MCKINLEY MYSTERIES)
by Carolyn Arnold
Published by: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc.
ASIN: B00O71PLAC
ISBN (e-book): 978-1-988064-59-8
ISBN (print): 978-1-988064-51-2
Approximately 132 pages
BOOK OVERVIEW
Albany’s the perfect image of a winter wonderland, and Sean and Sara’s friend Jimmy is going to be Santa Claus for the upcoming Christmas parade. The trees and decorations have been selected and the gifts have been purchased. The season has truly cast its magical spell--until Sean and Sara’s neighbors die in a horrible house fire.
While the fire department ruled holiday-related hazards as the cause, Sara suspects there’s more to it. Her determination to find the truth has her and Sean toeing the line between what’s legal and what’s not.
As they sort out fact from fiction, the McKinleys make the final decision about whether or not they should open a private investigation firm.
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Excerpt #2
Chapter 3
“BLUE CHRISTMAS”
“I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY’RE GONE.” Sara was on the couch beneath a blanket.
“I know how you feel, darling.” He watched her as she took a sip of her cognac. There was nothing one could do to ease the pain that came with loss—the only remedy was time.
“We never even got a chance to know them. We should meet our other neighbors, Sean.”
He nodded. There was nothing to say to that. Now wasn’t the time. He was happy to see that she remained sitting and didn’t get up to act on it.
His eyes traced to their tree. To think, only hours ago, the room was filled with laughter. Everything was going right in the world. He was even enjoying the snow, which typically held more appeal for Sara than him.
Sara’s cell vibrated across the table and she answered.
He could tell it was Jeannie from this side of the conversation. She and Leon had made it home fine. He picked up on the excited pitch of Jeannie’s voice over the line. She must have been telling Sara about how they got their tree all set up.
The curve of Sara’s lips fell, a somber expression washed down her face. Listening to her share the news about the Wilsons drilled an ache into his heart. Sara had taught him that everyone was connected, and, whether people wished to believe that or not, it was the truth.
She hung up and faced him. “I just wish there was more we could do.”
“There’s no way the fire chief is going to hand over their daughter’s name.”
“I know how to get that, Sean, but it will require a bit of waiting.”
He recalled the habit of Sara’s that he found particularly strange, but it made her unique and it did, at times, serve a purpose. If it hadn’t been for this pastime of hers, he might not have heard about Mr. Quinn in time to pay his respects at the funeral. That man was responsible for all the good that had come into his life—and, by extension, Sara’s. “Their obituaries?”
She nodded. “I just wish I knew what caused the fire, you know what I mean?”
“Your detective nature at it again?”
“I guess so. It’s probably just because I don’t want to accept how they were here one minute and gone the next.”
“Darling, you and I should know, more than most, that’s how life works—for better or worse.”
“Yes.” She peered into his eyes.
If he had superhuman capabilities to shelter her from all the injustices of the world, he would. Sadly, that was something even all his riches couldn’t buy.
“Chief Fox said that he’d update us on their findings. It’s nice that he’s doing that.” Sean recalled the man’s hesitancy in making that agreement, but he had complied, stating that it wouldn’t be until the next of kin was notified. “I believe he’ll follow through. He seems like a good man.”
“I agree. Do you think it was an accident, Sean?”
He swept her hair back. “Always the detective, aren’t you.”
“I can’t help it.”
“In this case, I think we need to accept that a terrible accident occurred.”
“I think you’re right. I mean who would want to kill those two?”
McKinley Mysteries Series Page
Author Bio
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.
Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.
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