Designed to Kill (43 page)

By the end of the evening, however, we were J.W. and Greg.

“Mona sometimes accuses me of being pig-headed,” J.W. said. “I’ll admit, when I make up my mind about something, you’d better provide more than a reasonable doubt if you want me to change.”

“What does it take?” Charlie asked.

“A preponderance of evidence.” Grinning, he looked across at me. “And, by George, you sure came up with it.”

———

The day before we were to head for home, the weather turned summery again. Mothers with young children multiplied on the beach, returning buckets and shovels and sand castles to popularity. Men and women with fishing poles dotted the shoreline, where a modest breeze flapped the caps and bonnets that protected them from a persistent sun.

Late that afternoon, Jill and I headed out in our shorts and rubber sandals for a final walk on the beach. I stayed along the seaward edge, where the cold water felt stimulating, washing over my feet with each sweep of the foaming surf. Jill chose the high ground, where the sand was less firm but drier.

“You had no idea things would turn out anything like this when we started down here, did you?” she asked.

We were walking away from the sun toward the National Seashore, where the Star Pavilion rose in the distance.

“I wasn’t even convinced a crime had been committed,” I said. “But I thought the possibilities were intriguing.”

She grinned. “Well, the investigation certainly chased away the restless, bored old Greg I had been enduring for so long a time.”

“Was I that bad?”

“Pretty bad.”

“On a scale of one to ten?”

“Eleven.”

I grimaced. “I guess maybe I wasn’t the best of company.”

“You were the pits, dear,” she said. “But I think I know the antidote.”

“What’s that?”

“Get back into the detective business. Since we came down here, you’ve been the most pleasant you’ve been in ages. You even act like you’re thoroughly enjoying
Florida
for a change.”

I stooped to examine what appeared to be a starfish stuck in the sand. What I pulled out was only three-fifths of the creature.

I looked back at Jill. “As I recall, when we talked before, you complained that you wouldn’t get to see much of me if I went the PI route.”

“True. But things have changed. Now we can be partners. I can see the name on the sign—THE McKENZIES, SUPER SNOOPERS.”

I grinned. Maybe she was right. I had found myself looking forward to each day with new anticipation. I could forego making the acquaintance of any more thugs from
New Orleans
, but I had certainly enjoyed matching wits with the likes of Evan Baucus and Claude Detrich. And working with Jill had been a pleasant surprise. I liked that.

There on the beach in front of God and everybody, I embraced her good shoulder, gave her a bear hug and a monstrous kiss.

“Great idea, babe,” I said. “But we may want to re-think that name.”

Deadly Illusions

What they’re saying about the third Greg McKenzie Mystery

“An enjoyable, well-written yarn, a couple of engaging characters and an author who apparently knows the
Nashville
locale and the art of criminal investigation well.”

Gotta Write Network
review by Bill Stephens

“A look into a funhouse mirror. The images shift and alter. Just when you think you have it figured out, the picture changes again . . . the plot is fast-paced, and the writing is top-notch.”

MyShelf.com
review by Nancy Mehl

”McKenzie is not really the retiring type. So he has put his snooping skills to use as a private eye in partnership with his wife of nearly 40 years. . . It’s fast and easy reading. Though the connections are complicated, the resolution is not too
 
far-fetched.”

Lancaster
,
PA
Sunday News
review by Jo-Ann Greene

“
Campbell
has his own unique style of writing that is both dashing and touching . . . another winner in the Chester D. Campbell literary cabinet.
Campbell
obviously has many stories to share, and he continues to write fabulous mysteries.”

Midwest
Book Review
by Shelley Glodowski

“Mr. Campbell has a great way of telling a story while weaving the various cases that Greg and Jill are working on . . . I highly recommend this book and the whole series.”

The Best Reviews
by Dawn Dowdle

“If you’re interested in seeing how a real private detective works try Chester Campbell’s Deadly Illusions . . . He writes a fast paced novel.”

Crimespree Magazine
by Dave Biemann

“It is a pleasure to find an older fictional couple portrayed as dynamic and loving, thirty-five years into their marriage, a rare notion that
Campbell
helps sell with his matter-of-fact prose and a clever plot . . . a fabulously quick read, a page-turner that will not disappoint.”

Roundtable Reviews
by Brian Kaufman

“Picking up a short period after the very enjoyable
Designed to Kill
, this book contiues the author’s track record of strong writing, realistic characters and complex mysteries that makes this series so good.”

Blue Iris Journal, Blether.com
review by Kevin Tipple

“Tension filled, subtle action fare culminating in an end—well, what can I say—truly ‘Campbellish’ . . . a highly recommended read.”

New Mystery Reader
review by Narayan Radhakrishnan

Secret of the Scroll

Praise for the first Greg McKenzie Mystery

Winner of the Bloody Dagger Award

ForeWord Magazine
Mystery Book of the Year Finalist

Nominated for the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence

“A superbly written book with an excellent plot. The action is on-going and riveting.”

All About Murder Reviews
by Shirley Truax

“One of the finest books I have read in many years…a riveting, edge of the seat book that is set against the backdrop of the modern
Middle East
.”

Women on Writing Reviews
by Janet Schmidt

“A thriller in every sense of the word…(
Campbell
sets) up cliff-hanging situations designed to keep the reader glued to his book…His writing style is as full of energy as his characters.
Campbell
makes McKenzie into a 65-year-old rebel who is irresistible and appealing. Great!”

Midwest
Book Review
by Shelley Glodowski

“A first person, narrative mystery thriller of the first order…the plot and the pages go fast…If you like good solid writing, thoughtful characterization and a believable story, you’ll enjoy this book.”

Rus Morgan, Host Interviewer for PBS “Book Talk,” Station WYPL,
Memphis

“Given the state of affairs in the
Middle East
, it’s not hard to imagine a single incident igniting into a major conflict.
Secret of the Scroll
…is an intriguing and entertaining thriller that shows how such a scenario might occur.”

The Tennessean
(
Nashville
) by Stephen Doster (author of
Lord Baltimore
)

“This is a fast, exciting read. It grabs you and won’t let you go. I couldn’t put it down. I wholeheartedly recommend it.”

The Best Reviews
by Judith Saul

“A fast-paced story of mystery, intrigue, and ancient prophecies…I found myself unable to put this book down till the end. Full of intrigue and suspense, it is a real page-turner. Excellently written, a must read for all those who enjoy this type of genre. I highly recommend it.”

Book Review Café
by Louise Riveiro-Mitchell (author of
Autumn Sky
)

“A classic page-turner, without an excess of blood-spatters. There’s plenty of action, but the suspense comes from McKenzie’s efforts to outwit the shadowy figures who will stop at nothing to retrieve the scroll…McKenzie is an attractive, very human hero. Both he and his creator have a sense of humor.”

Pat Browning, Author of
Full Circle

“Secret of the Scroll, attains its importance not in its storyline, but of the deft handling of the Israel-Palestine issue in the background of fiction…A good solid read. (The author) puts his knowledge and experience to great use in this novel-such that, it is fiction rooted in reality. The book reminded me a lot of the Irving Wallace bestseller,
The Word
. Recommended, a worthy read and an even more worthy buy.

New Mystery Reader
by Narayan Radhakrishnan

“Spellbinding. Chester Campbell has crafted a real winner. Step into a forgotten cave and uncover a secret that can ignite a holy war…dig into this one and prepare to finish it in one sitting.”