by Justin M. Kiska
February 13 – March 10, 2023
Virtual Book Tour

Parker City, Autumn 1984…

As the leaves begin to change colors and the weather starts turning cooler in the historic city in the heart of Western Maryland, Parker City Police Detectives Ben Winters and Tommy Mason are called to Saint Paul’s where the recently installed Father Roland Taylor, who has become very popular in the community, has been found dead in his office at the church. By all appearances it seems to be a tragic case of a break-in gone wrong.

Only twenty-four hours later, the detectives find themselves at the home of the city’s well-known morning radio show DJ, Morning Mike Moran, who also seems to have been the victim of a robbery gone wrong. Coincidence?

Neither Ben nor Tommy believe in coincidences. But at first glance, it seems to be just that. Until they find that the victims shared a common interest and begin an investigation that leads them to uncover a secret Parker City has been hiding for over one hundred and twenty years.

My Thoughts

Kiska has delivered a rollicking good story that blends past and present seamlessly. While this is part of series, it is written in such a way that the reader does not need to be familiar with the previous entries. I always appreciate that when I find myself discovering a new series.

The present day story focuses on two police detectives in a small town in Maryland who find themselves facing some pretty gruesome murders. As they unravel the threads linking these terrible crimes, they reveal a secret kept by prominent folks in their town for over a century. Present day chapters are interspersed with chapters from the mid-1800s that provide the backstory for the origin of the big secret.

Kiska does a good job of blending the past and present day chapters, a task which can be difficult. I am always annoyed as a reader when past/present chapter length is too long because I often have to go back and re-read the last chapter to remember where we left off. That’s *my* issue as someone who tends to read in sprints versus marathons, so I always appreciate it when the chapter lengths “fit” for me! Selfish, I know…!

The writing is some of the best I’ve seen lately – imaginative and action-packed. This is an author I will read again, for sure. Fact & Fiction will certainly appeal to fans of Steve Berry and Clive Cussler. Recommended.

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedural
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: February 2023
Number of Pages: 330
Series: Parker City Mysteries, Book 3 | Each is a Stand Alone
Get Your Copy: Amazon

Author Bio

When not sitting in his library devising new and clever ways to kill people (for his mysteries), Justin can usually be found at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, outside of Washington, DC, where he is one of the owners and producers. In addition to writing the Parker City Mysteries Series – which includes, NOW & THEN, VICE & VIRTUE, and FACT & FICTION – he is also the mastermind behind Marquee Mysteries, a series of interactive mystery events he has been writing and producing for over fifteen years. Justin and his wife, Jessica, live along Lake Linganore outside of Frederick, Maryland.

Catch Up With Our Author:
JustinKiska.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @JMKiska
Instagram – @JMKiska
Twitter – @JustinKiska
Facebook – @JMKiska

Tour Participants

Tour Participants:

These are the stops on the tour as of Jan 28th and are subject to change. Please, let me know if you have any questions.

02/14 Review @ It’s All About the Book
02/15 Guest post @ The Book Divas Reads
02/15 Showcase @ Im Into Books
02/16 Review @ Review Thick & Thin
02/17 Review @ Bookshine and Readbows
02/17 Showcase @ Silvers Reviews
02/18 Review @ Books of my heart
02/18 Showcase @ Mythical Books
02/20 Showcase @ Books, Ramblings, and Tea
02/22 Interview @ darciahelle
02/24 Review @ Paws. Read. Repeat
02/27 Review @ Book Corner News & Reviews
02/27 Showcase @ FUONLYKNEW
02/28 Interview @ Hott Books
03/01 Showcase @ Celticladys Reviews
03/03 Review @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
03/07 Review @ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
03/08 Guest post @ The Mystery of Writing
03/08 Showcase @ The Authors Harbor
03/10 Showcase and podcast reading @ Books to the Ceiling