Blog Archives
Hell to Pay
Hell to Pay is a fast-moving crime mystery that follows Iris Raines, a private investigator whose long night of chasing down a missing witness explodes into something far bigger. The book opens with Iris watching her family’s law firm go up in flames just hours after she drags a frightened, drug-addicted witness out of a dangerous alley. From there, the story spirals into criminal entanglements, old secrets, gang threats, and a devastating building explosion that leaves Iris shaken and determined to figure out who is behind it all. The plot blends gritty street crime with legal drama and emotional fallout, and the mystery keeps widening as Iris realizes the disaster may have deeper roots than anyone wants to admit.
What struck me first was how quickly I settled into Iris’s voice. She feels sharp, funny, and deeply human all at once. One minute she’s dodging gunfire in a trash-strewn alley, the next she’s cracking a joke to keep herself steady, and somehow both moments feel true. The writing has that crisp, no-nonsense energy you expect from a crime mystery, but it also lingers in the moments that count. Iris isn’t just tough. She’s tired. She’s scared. She’s grieving places and people she hasn’t even lost yet. When she watches a woman burn in a car outside the exploding office building, it hits her hard, and the book lets her sit in that shock instead of brushing past it. Those emotional beats helped me feel anchored even when the plot moved fast.
I also appreciated the author’s choices around relationships. Iris and her “fathers,” the Raines brothers, give the book a surprising warmth, especially as we learn how she came into their lives. Her friendship with Dean adds another layer, mixing loyalty, dark humor, and the kind of comfort that only comes from years of shared history. Even Maybelline, a character who could have easily been written off as a stereotype, is treated with compassion. Her story is messy and sad, and Iris meets that messiness with more empathy than she gives herself credit for. That mix of grit and heart is what kept me reading. Sure, the book has gang shootouts, legal maneuvering, and explosions that shake entire blocks, but it also has tiny, quiet moments where people choose to take care of one another.
By the time the story shifted fully into unraveling what caused the explosion and who might be responsible, I was hooked. The mystery feels grounded, like something that could happen in a city where money, politics, and corner-cutting collide. And it never forgets the personal cost. Iris isn’t solving a puzzle for the thrill of it. She’s fighting to keep the people she loves alive and to protect the witnesses who fall into her orbit, whether they want to or not.
I’d say Hell to Pay is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven crime mysteries with a mix of danger, sarcasm, heart, and legal intrigue. If you like stories where the investigator has as much going on inside as she does outside, this one will land well. It’s gritty without being bleak, emotional without dragging, and smart without feeling showy. Fans of mysteries with messy heroes will feel right at home.
Pages: 337 | ASIN : B0DSY8M2QJ
No Requiem for the Tin Man
No Requiem for the Tin Man is a gripping, dieselpunk detective novel set in 1930s San Francisco. It’s absolutely dripping with atmosphere and intrigue. Lou Tanner, our protagonist, is a hard-nosed private investigator navigating a world of American Nazis and mysterious clients amid an undercurrent of political tension. The story kicks off when a disheveled, terrified man stumbles into Lou’s office. He warns of unseen dangers and mumbling about “Tin Men.” What follows is a twisty and action-packed investigation that dives into the darker corners of society. Lou Tanner’s sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude leads the charge.
One thing I loved about T. E. MacArthur’s book is how she nails the voice of Lou Tanner. Lou is a true gumshoe. She’s complete with biting sarcasm and a rough-around-the-edges charm that readers will find hard not to admire. Her internal monologues are pure gold. They’re filled with dry humor and sharp observations that bring her character to life. This voice is what kept me coming back to this book, even when the plot delves into the convoluted politics of the time.
The plot was engaging but it sometimes felt like it was juggling a lot. The introduction of various characters and subplots, like the mysterious “Tin Men,” the shady War Department, and the Gruber family, sometimes made it hard for me to keep track of what was going on. There were moments when I found myself flipping back a few pages to remember who was who. But the complexity of the plot also added to the book’s depth and the way everything ties together in the end is satisfying.
What stood out to me was the setting. The dieselpunk version of 1930s San Francisco is familiar and alien at the same time with zeppelins hovering over Market Street and an undercurrent of fascism threatening to boil over. The author does a bang-up job of blending historical elements with speculative fiction to create a world that is detailed and immersive. The descriptions of the city, the constant tension in the air, and the creeping dread as Lou uncovers more about the “Tin Men” all contribute to a mood that is equal parts thrilling and unsettling.
I highly recommend No Requiem for the Tin Man to fans of hardboiled detective fiction that looking for a story with a twist. If you are into strong female leads, adore noir settings, and looking for a story with a bit of dieselpunk flair, then this book is definitely for you. Lou Tanner is a character you will not forget and her adventures in this darkly imaginative world are gripping.
Pages: 275 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D9MRDLGS
Believable, Not Just Nostalgic
Twelve Palominos follows a Private Investigator from San Diego who is hired by a wealthy family to acquire the last miniature palomino that once belonged to the Emperor of China. What inspired the setup of your story?
I was looking for a “hook” that would keep readers as interested in the hunt, as in the story itself. The historical references to the origins of Palominos in different parts of the world at different times in history seemed a good way to do that.
I found Brig Ellis to be an intriguing character. What was your inspiration for this character?
I wanted to modernize the classic gumshoes of the past. Sam Spade, Philip Marlow, etc. But wanted to make him believable, not just nostalgic. That’s why I developed the military background. Also tried to split the difference between “boy scout” and “street smart” morality. He’s good, not perfect. Honorable, not sleazy. Yet will bend a few rules, maybe even break a law now and then to accomplish what he thinks is right.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
Little of both really. Started simply with the title. Liked the way it sounded. Built the search around that. Outlined would “could” happen, but often revised, added to, or literally changed things as I wrote. Pretty much what I always do. Have a basic plan and/or outline…but don’t adhere to it slavishly.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Brig Ellis and the direction of the next book?
The wife of his friend calls Ellis and tells him her husband is missing. Wants him to go find the guy? Something he’d probably do without hesitation. Until she reveals the hubby went missing in Bangkok. Sex tourism capital of the world. Is he really missing or has he opted out of the marriage by long-distance proxy? Soon, Ellis is on a plane to Thailand.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Amazon
L’homme Fatal, Rather Than Femme Fatal
A Place of Fog and Murder follows a female detective as she asserts herself in a profession dominated by men while fighting to save a missing woman. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’m a tremendous fan of the Thin Man movies, as well as the writings of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. But those were produced in the 1930s and 40s, and thus suffered from the misogyny of the time. I fell in love with the idea of reversing the trope: make the woman the smart, wise-ass detective and let her “drop dead gorgeous” client be a L’homme fatal rather than a Femme fatal. To me, that’s the most interesting challenge – making the heroine the muscle of the story without emasculating a male character … at least not if he himself will be a hero. Nobody likes a wimpy hero. Even those heroes who profess to be cowards turn out to be surprisingly strong.
It is also the witty repartee, the snappy comeback, and the Chandler specialty — profound and striking descriptions wrapped up in unique comparisons. “It was one of those dusty trails that tricks you with a childhood horseback memory while choaking you to death,” or “her eyes were as dark as a dark alley and just as likely to be hiding something deadly.”
What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
Studying my Chandler and Hammett. Watching the noir movies of the period. Looking up slang collections. Writing a sentence, then fluffing it up with the right vernacular. Then, throwing myself on the mercy of two great editors: both authors themselves, Sharon E. Cathcart and Ana Manwaring.
Your book is such an interesting blend of noir crime fiction and steampunk. How did you go about achieving a balance between the two genres?
The time period seems ripe for futurism. People were so very hopeful that the technology of the age would save them from the Great Depression. And in many ways, historically, it did. This was also the moment when movies became talkies and started using more special effects. This is when we got Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. Combined, you get what is called these days Dieselpunk. Period authenticity mixed with technology that was “not yet?” Absolute fun!
Can fans expect to see more of Lou Tanner in the near future? What are you currently working on?
Yes, I am working on a sequel to A Place of Fog and Murder. Tentatively it is being called No Requiem for the Tin Man. Of course, that could change, but I rather like the name. I’m also working on the follow up to my other novel, released through Indies United Publishing House, called The Skin Thief – A Paranormal Romantic Thriller.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Noir meets Dieselpunk in this twisting tale of 1935 San Francisco. From the corrupt power of its fashionable ultra-rich to the merciless reach of its dirty underworld, deadly secrets hide behind the thin veneer of propriety and a thick wall of fog.
From the charmingly deranged mind of T.E. MacArthur, author of the paranormal thriller The Skin Thief, comes a bold, new take on the hard-boiled detective, femme fatale, and art deco science fiction. A Place of Fog and Murder is MacArthur’s salute to Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and the effervescent Myrna Loy.
A Place of Fog and Murder
T.E. MacArthur delves into the atmospheric 1930s noir setting of San Francisco in her novel, A Place of Fog and Murder. The story follows Lou Tanner, a pioneering female private investigator who, in her maiden case, is plunged into the search for a missing woman. Navigating the labyrinthine world of government operatives, unruly gangsters, and less-than-cooperative police officers, Lou is confronted by quite the cast of characters, each harboring their own clandestine motives.
MacArthur intricately weaves themes of justice throughout the narrative, examining its breach through heinous acts like murder and the subsequent path to its restoration. The tale illuminates the contrasting lengths two distinct characters will traverse to see justice prevail. Lou embodies integrity, evident in her unyielding commitment to the case even when faced with potential death and her unwavering moral compass.
Set against a backdrop that melds steampunk and sci-fi elements, A Place of Fog and Murder presents an intriguing take on 1930s San Francisco—complete with robots and authentic period slang. MacArthur’s character development shines, especially with Lou, whose genuine reactions to traumatic events provide a depth of realism.
With engaging writing, authentic characters, and a suspense-filled mystery plot, A Place of Fog and Murder, by T.E. MacArthur, is a must-read for fans of the whodunnit and mystery genres.
Pages: 299 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07RG7YW17
An Ace Up His Sleeve
Miami Vengeance: A Griffin Knight Conspiracy Mystery follows a detective looking for the killer of his friend whose investigation takes him into the heart of Miami and into the dark world of gang violence. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to create a reason to get Griffin out of the Windy City. In order to do that, I decided that someone needed to die at the end of my fourth book The Windy City Terror.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
At an early age, I was big into video games, so that helped me decide on the name and hobby of the antagonist. I knew the villain would have an ace up his sleeve…one thing led to another.
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
I just did it. I can’t stand books that are novel-length for no reason, and I prefer shorter reads. By keeping each of the books in the Griffin Knight series novella length, it helps me push through and get to the heart of the story, avoiding the fluff.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Since Griffin is banged up as usual, I’m sure he’ll want to cuddle with his girlfriend Samira and relax. The next Griffin Knight book will be in Chicago, but I like to throw surprises at my readers, so stay tuned for what’s next. 🙂
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Opposing Griffin is the charismatic and ambitious leader of a deadly gang who seeks to expand beyond his tiny slice of Miami.
While looking into his friend’s suspicious death, Griffin becomes embroiled in a complicated web of lies, a cold case, and a spate of road rage murders across the city. Who is behind them and how are they connected? Was his friend really murdered? Will the truth ever come to light?
When the determined private detective faces off against an uncompromising enemy, who will survive?
LITERARY TITAN 