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First Sign of Ambiguity
Fragmentation Vol II: In Search Of follows a man who attempts to return to a normal life in a chaotic world after finding himself in the desert unable to remember what brought him there. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The setup goes back to the opening of Fragmentation Vol I: The Three of Clubs, which was greatly inspired by Breaking Bad. A former criminal from Miami decides to break good and become a wedding planner. Then, he meets his first bridezilla. This premise allowed the fusion of comedy and thriller. In the first desert chapter of Vol II, the decision was made not to show the reader what happened, from how Vol I ends to Rodrigo waking up in the desert. This mystery casts a shadow through the rest of the book and is the first sign of ambiguity.
The theme of a guilty conscience was inspired by Crime and Punishment. On one level, it is my own interpretation of a fractured psyche that needs to be asked: Can it be fixed?
The science inserted in the fiction, I felt, was well-balanced. How did you manage to keep it grounded while still providing the fantastic edge science fiction stories usually provide?
I always knew sci-fi would be more prominent at some point in this series. In Vol II, there is a long chapter that dives into what I refer to as realistic sci-fi elements. It laid the foundation for what may happen in the future. Much research went into that chapter to ensure it came across as authentic. The payoff for some aspects of Vol II will not come until the next volume.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
While I loved writing the Jaimie-Lynn character, I would have to return to Rodrigo Santos. It allowed me to show Rodrigo at his most narcissistic with few redeeming qualities in the first book. For many readers, there is a certain relatability of his plight and how deep that guilt is eating away. Does one deserve
redemption for crimes committed in the past?
One of my favorite scenes for Vol II comes from the chapter called Soul. It begins with narration of the state of the music industry and what could have been for Rodrigo. Slowly, there is a shift to more introspection. The song he sings is a double-edged sword. Is it about the soul of the music industry or his own? Rodrigo carries this excessive guilt, and by the time the last act comes, it is an unbearable burden.
Can fans look forward to a third volume in the Fragmentation series? If so, where will it take readers?
Yes. Fragmentation is a long series. Based on the final chapter from Vol II, I cannot give too much away about Vol III. Backstories will be told as the story comes closer to revealing what is going on with Rodrigo. One of the characters from this latest volume is fleshed out in detail. The first ACT in Vol III is written in epistolary format. Look for a 2026 release.
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Rodrigo Santos climbs from his desert grave surrounded by blood and destruction with no recollection of how he got there. Hitching a ride back home, Rodrigo goes back to his life as a wedding planner and club owner in Austin, Texas, convinced it was all a dream.
But Austin is nothing like he remembers. Murders occur everywhere he goes. Bridezillas with wild requests fill his days, while nightmares of a little girl and her teddy bear terrorize his dreams at night. She reminds Rodrigo of the evil of his past, which triggers his OCD in full force.
Suspicions rise as the lines between truth and hallucinations blur, and Rodrigo tailspins into depression. Whether it is mental illness, purgatory, or another dimension, Rodrigo must wallow through his past to find a tether to his reality before he is sent to hell.
Jake Fox: Ties That Blind
Michael Stockham’s Ties That Blind is a gripping blend of suspense, drama, and raw human emotion. The story weaves through the lives of Jake Fox, a lawyer haunted by the loss of his daughter, and Rose Tucker, a teenage girl thrust into a whirlwind of tragedy and danger after her father’s murder. Set in the tight-knit, secret-laden town of Haven, Texas, the novel is a journey through grief, redemption, and the pursuit of justice. It’s a layered narrative, unflinchingly raw yet deeply human.
Stockham does not shy away from heart-wrenching tragedy. The first chapter vividly describes Jake discovering his daughter Lucy’s suicide. It’s haunting, visceral, and almost too real. The palpable grief that drives Jake’s character gives the story its beating heart. Yet, there’s a thread of hope, too. Jake’s visions of Lucy anchor him, a tender, otherworldly reminder that even in despair, there’s something to hold onto. Stockham’s portrayal of trauma feels authentic, unafraid to explore the quiet moments of despair, like Jake’s late-night struggle with a gun and his ultimate decision to keep going. These moments linger long after reading. Rose Tucker, however, steals the spotlight with her resilience. Her storyline of fleeing into the night, grappling with her father’s brutal murder, and navigating her newfound orphaned existence is both heart-wrenching and electrifying. The well-crafted tension in scenes like Rose’s escape to the storm shelter had my pulse racing. You feel her fear, uncertainty, and growing determination to uncover the truth. Her relationship with Margie, a steadfast maternal figure, adds warmth to the story’s darker themes. Margie’s down-home wisdom and kindness give Rose a sanctuary in a world turned upside down. Stockham masterfully builds a world where secrets lurk behind every picket fence and corruption festers in shadows.
Ties That Blind is a story of hope amid darkness, courage amid fear, and the ties, both broken and unbreakable, that define us. Stockham’s prose is evocative and approachable, making the characters’ struggles feel intensely personal. I’d recommend this book to fans of suspenseful thrillers with strong emotional undertones. It’s perfect for readers who appreciate layered mysteries and heartfelt stories of redemption. Whether you’re in it for the twists, the legal drama, or the poignant character arcs, this book delivers.
Pages: 398 | ASIN : B0CQQFZVJJ
Twists and Turns
Muddy the Water follows a detective in pursuit of a suspected murderer who manages to reinvent himself as a reporter for a small-town newspaper in South Carolina. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
In 1997 Matt drove south from Virginia to Hilton Head, SC, to start a job as a reporter for a small newspaper called the Hilton Head Island Packet. That’s when he started thinking: what if he got bumped off and the guy who showed up for work the next day at The Packet was an impostor? After all, Matt had been hired over the phone. No one had any idea what he looked like. That kernel of an idea rattled around in Matt’s head for decades. He even sketched out the plot and wrote down character names. Abraham Mink was one of them. But it never went beyond that until February 2020, when he relayed the rough idea to Jessica during a family dinner. “Let’s write it together” she said, her eyes on fire. A few days later, Jessica had contacted a coroner from Jasper County, SC, to confirm that a dead body could, in fact, travel seventy-five miles downstream and make it largely intact to the ocean. With the coroner’s blessing, we were off!
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
As we mentioned, the kernel of the mystery occurred to Matt as he drove to his first job, but there were 30 more chapters to come up with. One day early in the pandemic, we both woke up before dawn, caffeinated ourselves thoroughly, and got on a Zoom together to map out the plot. On a whiteboard, we outlined about 20 chapters, which we hoped would be enough for a full novel. We found out after about six months of writing that the manuscript was a bit thin so we added a few more twists and turns to flesh it out.
What do you find is the hardest part about writing a mystery story; where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
We find the hardest part of writing a mystery is laying the trail of hints that we leave for the readers. It has to be subtle enough not to give away the big reveal, but clear enough that the reader notices it. There also have to be carefully considered “red herrings” that also catch the readers’ attention and softly distract them from figuring out the ultimate ending. One of the good things about writing as a team is you can bounce those ideas back and forth to determine what will really work.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Yes! Matt and Jessica are pleased to announce a sequel to Muddy the Water (whose title is yet to be determined) with many of the same characters, including Lillian Grimes, Ben Broome and Florence Park. It, too, will be grounded in facts with lots of believable twists and turns and a fantastic finale!
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When a half-eaten body washes in, it becomes the biggest story in the paper’s history and brings cunning, charismatic Ben immediate success. But it also leads Grimes closer to the truth. She soon teams up with hungry rival reporter Florence Park to hunt Ben down before he can charm-or kill-his way to freedom.
Shown from three perspectives, killer, detective, and reporter, Muddy the Water brings readers inside the newsroom of a struggling small newspaper on the bucolic South Carolina coast and speaks to the concept of identity-and whether anyone ever shows his or her true self.
Muddy the Water
Haversport, Massachusetts, appears idyllic—a serene, coastal haven. That illusion shatters when a beloved fishing captain is discovered savagely murdered. Suspicion immediately falls on Ben Broome, a defiant young deckhand. Detective Lillian Grimes, convinced of his guilt, is ready to make her move, but Broome vanishes before she can act. Months later, he resurfaces in South Carolina, not as a fugitive but as a reporter for a small newspaper. Fame quickly finds him when a decomposed body washes ashore. Meanwhile, Detective Grimes partners with Florence Park, a rival journalist, to track Broome down. Yet, Broome has plans of his own, upending their pursuit in unexpected ways.
Muddy the Water, by Matt Barrows and Jessica Barrows Beebe, unfolds as a gripping mystery-crime novel, skillfully narrated from three distinct perspectives: Detective Grimes, Ben Broome, and Florence Park. This narrative approach evokes the intricate storytelling of Dashiell Hammett and Michael Connelly. By alternating narrators, the authors enrich the story, providing depth and nuance that elevate it above a standard whodunit. Each perspective brings something vital to the narrative. Broome, initially a suspect steeped in mystery, emerges as a multi-dimensional character grappling with moral ambiguity. Grimes, seemingly a textbook detective archetype, reveals layers of complexity that make her both relatable and compelling. Park’s voice, unbiased and sharp, offers readers a clear lens through which to view the escalating tension, grounding the story amid its twists and turns.
The structural ambition of the novel is worth noting. Shifting between three protagonists could have easily disrupted the pacing or diluted the impact, but Barrows and Beebe handle it with remarkable finesse. Their seamless transitions and strong characterizations make the narrative cohesion feel effortless, even as the plot hurtles forward with intensity. Readers will find plenty to admire here. The dialogue is thoughtful and deliberate, adding a contemplative tone to the thrilling plot. The pacing balances moments of quiet revelation with bursts of high-stakes drama. Most importantly, the conclusion is deeply satisfying—a payoff that feels genuinely earned rather than conveniently delivered.
Muddy the Water is more than a murder mystery; it’s a character-driven exploration of truth, deception, and justice. Fans of crime fiction will appreciate its clever twists, while those new to the genre will find themselves captivated by its rich storytelling and dynamic cast. This novel proves that in the hands of skilled authors, even the murkiest waters can yield treasures worth discovering.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0DLLHQXWX
The Lonely Prisoner
In The Lonely Prisoner, Michael J. Kundu crafts a compelling tale of injustice and resilience, shedding light on systemic corruption within the justice system. At 25, Michael Fletcher’s promising life is shattered after a drunken night leads to his wrongful conviction for murder. Sentenced to 26 years, he loses his youth, family, and future. Emerging from prison hardened by isolation, Michael begins to question the forces behind his ordeal. Why was exonerating evidence ignored? Why did the system fail him at every turn? With help from an unexpected ally, Michael uncovers a web of greed and corruption that orchestrated his downfall. Kundu’s vivid storytelling brings to life a harrowing journey through loss, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
Michael J. Kundu has a knack for immersing the reader in his protagonist’s emotional state. The opening chapter vividly captures the cold sterility of prison, painting a bleak picture of Michael’s initial shock and despair. This emotional rawness is a strength throughout the book. Kundu’s characters are well-drawn. Michael’s interactions with Jack, the night guard, are among the book’s most engaging moments. Jack’s enigmatic presence, marked by his piercing blue eyes and reserved demeanor, added a layer of mystery and camaraderie. I found their conversations a highlight, as they offered Michael (and the reader) a glimpse of humanity in a cold environment. That said, I feel the lawyer, Vincent, felt somewhat underdeveloped. I was left wanting more insight into his motivations and perspective on the case. While the tension between the defense and prosecution was palpable and made for a compelling read, some aspects felt a bit too dramatized. That said, the injustice of the trial is what makes the story so fascinating, and Kundu does a good job of stirring frustration in the reader—a sign of highly effective storytelling.
This slow-burning thriller unfolds at its own deliberate pace, immersing readers in its layered narrative and emotional depth. The Lonely Prisoner is a masterful blend of crime fiction and psychological exploration, a must-read for those who crave stories that linger long after the final page. Kundu’s work is both a chilling indictment of systemic failure and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Pages: 198 | ISBN : 978-1962987387
Black Yéʼii (The Evil One)
Black Yéʼii is a gripping psychological thriller that plunges readers into the duality of love and evil in a small Wisconsin town. The story weaves between past trauma and present terror as Angel Benevides, his mother, and his friends made up of adopted brothers become the targets of a deadly revenge plot tied to the enigmatic and fearsome Navajo deity, Black Yéʼii. The book begins with a chilling home invasion and murder, setting the tone for a narrative filled with complex characters, moral dilemmas, and shocking twists. Lewis masterfully interlaces Navajo spiritual elements with the gritty realism of crime, creating a world where loyalty, courage, and survival are tested at every turn.
Joseph Lewis writes with an unflinching eye for detail. The opening chapter hooked me immediately, its brutal depiction of the home invasion was both horrifying and mesmerizing. His vivid descriptions made Carmen Benevides’s fear palpable, and the attackers’ malice leaped off the page. Lewis’s knack for pacing is remarkable. Each scene flows naturally into the next, leaving no room for filler. The dialogue is sharp and often tinged with an authenticity that adds layers to each character, particularly the enigmatic George Tokay.
The incorporation of Navajo mythology into a modern crime thriller is both unique and compelling. The concept of Black Yéʼii as a metaphor for the darkness within human nature is thought-provoking. I particularly enjoyed the moments where George reflects on his cultural heritage, it brings a poignant depth to the narrative. I felt that the supernatural elements were sometimes underutilized. While they added intrigue, I wished the story explored more of Black Yéʼii’s mystical presence rather than keeping it primarily symbolic. The balance of cultural richness and crime drama is a fresh take that sets this book apart. Angel’s tragic arc is heart-wrenching, and his vulnerability contrasts sharply with the cruelty of his attackers. George Tokay, as a central figure, is fascinating. His connection to both the spiritual and physical battles in the story gives him a unique edge.
The camaraderie among the brothers is a highlight, especially their moments of quiet reflection at the lake. These softer scenes provide a necessary counterpoint to the violence and elevate the story from a simple thriller to something more emotionally resonant.
Black Yéʼii is an intense and thought-provoking read that merges psychological tension with cultural depth. While its graphic content won’t be for everyone, those who appreciate dark, character-driven thrillers will find it hard to put down. I’d recommend it to readers looking for a story that lingers in the mind long after the last page.
Pages: 425 | ASIN : B0DH8P5TNV
Fertile Ground for Murder
Fertile Ground for Murder, by Stella Sinclaire, is a compelling mystery that pulls readers into the troubled life of Samantha Brewer, a podcaster thrust back into her small-town roots to uncover the truth behind a tragic murder. The story kicks off when Samantha, forced to confront memories she’d rather forget, returns to Willow Creek to investigate the death of her childhood friend and mentor, Ethan Green. As she digs deeper into a case fraught with tension, buried secrets, and environmental disputes, Samantha finds herself entangled in a twisted web where even familiar faces hide the darkest truths.
Sinclaire does an excellent job of setting the stage with rich sensory details that breathe life into the rural landscape. The descriptions are often so vivid that you can almost smell the tangy scent of tomatoes ripening in Green Acres Farm’s fields or feel the oppressive Iowa heat sticking to your skin. What struck me most was how well the characters are fleshed out. Samantha is relatable in her struggle to reconcile past and present, and Lucas Fernandez, Ethan’s protégé, stands out as a particularly layered figure. The tension between Samantha and Lucas is palpable, especially when he confesses to a reckless mistake that could paint him as a prime suspect. It’s moments like these that make the emotional stakes of the investigation skyrocket, leaving me genuinely invested in their fates.
Yet, there’s also a fair share of melodrama, particularly in scenes with Samantha’s overbearing mother, Delores, whose dramatic entrances and passive-aggressive remarks sometimes verge on soap opera territory. Sinclaire’s writing shines in dialogue, especially when small-town dynamics come into play. Conversations at Mae’s Diner or the terse exchanges with Sheriff Cooper are crackling with tension and unspoken history. These scenes not only advance the plot but also serve as a social commentary on tradition versus progress.
Fertile Ground for Murder is a solid pick for fans of small-town mysteries steeped in rich character development and environmental themes. The book deftly explores the price of progress, generational conflicts, and the lengths people go to protect their way of life. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves atmospheric mysteries with a slow-burn feel and doesn’t mind a bit of sentimentality. If you enjoy uncovering secrets in a place where even the cornfields seem to whisper their disapproval, Sinclaire’s latest will keep you hooked until the last page.
Pages: 162 | ASIN : B0DFW5F4QV
Caretaker (The Goodpasture Chronicles)
Caretaker, the first installment in The Goodpasture Chronicles by R.J. Halbert, is an intriguing blend of historical mystery, family drama, and supernatural elements. The story follows Ian and Lyana Keane, a couple who move with their children to a mysterious old house in a small town, hoping for a fresh start after a series of personal losses. As they settle into their new home, they begin to uncover the secrets of the house and its connection to the enigmatic Goodpasture family, leading them on a journey that intertwines the past with their present.
What immediately stands out in Caretaker is Halbert’s ability to create a sense of place. The descriptions of the Goodpasture house and the small town of Littleton are vivid, almost cinematic, making it easy to imagine the sprawling gardens, the eerie, fog-laden driveway, and the antique-filled rooms of the old mansion. The house itself is practically a character in the story, with its creaking floors, hidden rooms, and a mysterious caretaker who seems to know more than he lets on. Halbert does an excellent job of building an atmosphere that is both inviting and unsettling, pulling the reader deeper into the mystery. The character development in the book is another strong point. Lyana, in particular, is a well-drawn character whose struggles with her past and hopes for her family’s future make her relatable and compelling. Her journey from skepticism to belief, as she encounters the house’s strange phenomena, is handled with subtlety and care. The dynamic between the Keane family members, especially between Lyana and her children, adds depth to the story and grounds the supernatural elements in a very human experience. The flashbacks to Lyana’s childhood, although sometimes jarring, effectively build her backstory and explain her motivations. The story thoughtfully takes its time in the beginning, richly establishing the setting and characters, which allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the world before diving into the central mystery. As the plot progresses, the pace accelerates, drawing you deeper into the unfolding events. The buildup of tension is masterfully handled, leading to satisfying revelations that keep readers engaged while also leaving just enough unanswered questions to create anticipation for future installments.
Caretaker is a captivating read that blends elements of mystery, history, and the supernatural into a story about family, loss, and the search for new beginnings. R.J. Halbert’s skillful storytelling and rich descriptions make it an enjoyable journey, particularly for readers who appreciate a slow-burn mystery with emotional depth. I would recommend this book to fans of gothic fiction, haunted house stories, and those who enjoy a well-crafted family drama with a touch of the supernatural.
Pages: 232 | ASIN : B0D15KJXBR
LITERARY TITAN 