Exciting times! I’m thrilled to have my friend, Joan Hall, as my guest today. She’s brought along a fabulous excerpt from her new release, Unclear Purposes. I’m particularly fond of this excerpt because of the featured character. Joan handled him extremely well throughout the book, setting a stage for growth that I found fascinating—just one of the excellent elements in her superb novel. You can find my five start review of Unclear Purposes on Book Bub. And now here’s Joan with her latest release . . .
Mae, it’s an honor to be on your site today and to share about my latest release, Unclear Purposes¸the third and final in the Driscoll Lake Series.
To give your readers a bit of background, there’s a killer on the loose. Driscoll Lake’s new detective, Jason Montgomery, is tasked with solving the crime. But Jason is young, inexperienced, and a bit arrogant. He hasn’t gotten off to a good start with the police chief, Matt Bradford. Let’s get to know Jason a little better and hear his thoughts about the crime.
Jason Montgomery rubbed his forehead as he looked through the file on his desk. Three weeks had passed since the murder of Jenny Allen, and he still wasn’t close to finding her killer. Chief Bradford wanted to meet with him this afternoon to discuss the case, and he wasn’t looking forward to it. If he had even one new piece of evidence, he might feel differently.
Jenny Allen was an enigma. Nothing about her past gave him any clues as to who murdered her. He’d spoken to people who knew Jenny in Taos, Santa Fe, and San Antonio. No one had been able to provide anything that would point him to her killer.
Everyone he’d spoken with said Jenny was quiet and kept to herself. Wasn’t one to make enemies. Jason was beginning to believe the killing had been a random act. Same as the murder in Brewster. He’d kept in close contact with detective Somers.
So far, Brewster police hadn’t come up with a suspect. That was a good thing. If these murders were the work of a serial killer, which was yet to be determined, Jason wanted to be the one to solve the crime. What better way to get in Matt’s good graces and secure his position on the force? And that was only the stepping stone to bigger and better things.
As he looked at the file, another issue came to mind. How was Jenny’s killer able to escape unnoticed? No one who had been jogging that evening reported seeing anything suspicious. Vince Green and Christine Lawrence approached the crime scene from opposite directions. Neither of them saw anyone along the path.
The coroner estimated the victim had only been dead a short time before they found the body. There were no footsteps in the soft earth alongside the path, which meant the murderer had either walked or run at least a short distance along the paved trail.
Christine or Vince might have seen something or someone and had blotted it from their memory. Jason knew of instances where it had happened. The shock of witnessing a brutal crime or being the first on the scene was overwhelming for some people.
If that were the case, he’d be willing to bet Christine was the one who had forgotten. Vince Green was a former law enforcement officer. Trained to be observant. He would notice things most people would overlook.
It was time to have another talk with Ms. Lawrence.
Blurb:
Some people take secrets to the grave…
Three years after her husband’s murder, Christine Lawrence still struggles for balance. She has a rewarding career and a close circle of friends but feels oddly unfulfilled. Worse, the close relationship she once had with her teenage daughter has grown increasingly strained.
Former FBI agent, Vince Green, is battling demons of his own—painful secrets that drove him from Driscoll Lake. Newly resettled in the small town, he makes his living as a private investigator.
When Vince and Christine cross paths, stumbling over the body of a murder victim, he’s forced to confront memories he thought long buried. The circumstances surrounding the killing are eerily similar to a victim from his past.
As the body count continues to rise, Christine finds herself drawn to Vince. With a murderer stalking the streets of Driscoll Lake, neither is aware the killer has targeted her as the next victim—or that Vince’s past is key to unmasking a disturbed and deadly killer.
Website and Social Media Links:
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | BookBub
I have this on my TBR list. Great excerpt and post. Congrats on your new release. Joan:)
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you so much, Denise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
t’s an story, Denise. And I really grew to love the character of Jason Montgomery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have the first book “Uknown Reasons” coming up very soon on my TBR and will be adding this to the list as well. Great excerpt and intriguing blurb! Congratulations, Joan.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Soooz! I hope you enjoy both books!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The whole series is excellent, Soooz. I know you’ll enjoy the books. Happy reading, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to get started. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Too good to resist, so have squeezed Unclear Purposes onto my reading list!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Jaye and Anita! Hope you enjoy the book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure we will!
LikeLike
Yay! Happy reading! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the reblog!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have this on my ereader, and your excerpt just makes me want to get to reading it all the sooner. Best of luck with the book, Joan 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Harmony. I understand about those TBR lists. Mine is way too long. Too little time to read!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really like the character of Jason Montgomery, Harmony. I was thrilled with the excerpt Joan sent me to share 🙂
Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on: https://harmonykent.co.uk/the-detective-an-excerpt-from-unclear-purposes-by-joan-hall-romanticsuspense-mystery/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing, Harmony!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing, Harmony!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mae, always a pleasure to be here. Thank you so much for hosting me today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m delighted to have you as my guest, Joan. I loved Unclear Purposes. It’s always a pleasure to have you on my blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this excerpt. I cannot wait to see how you wrap up the series. Congratulations, Joan.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Michele. In a way, I was sad to end the series, but I’m ready to move forward with something new.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unclear Purposes is an excellent wrap to Joan’s series. This is my favorite book of the three. You’re going to love it!
LikeLike
Another wonderful excerpt. Enjoying your tour.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much, Craig.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Joan has been doing a great job selecting excerpts for her tour. I’ve been enjoying reading them as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jason took such a turn in this novel—one I found delightful. Nice to see a little bit of him here. Congratulations on the release, Joan.
Thanks for a great job hosting, Mae. (As always.)
LikeLiked by 3 people
I love what Joan did with Jason’s character. He really stands out in his role. I’m smitten 🙂
Thanks for visiting and cheering Joan on with her release, Staci!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Staci. As you know, Jason was one of those characters who surprised me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
beautiful cover and i do like my romantic suspense
sherry @ fundinmental
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s an excellent story, Sherry. I love the small town setting, too.
Thanks for dropping by to share in Joan’s release excitement!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Sherry. When I began writing, I didn’t intend to write Romantic Suspense. But romance found its way into my books and now I wouldn’t have it any other way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great excerpt. You picked well. Good luck with the book, Joan!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for checking it out, Jacqui. Release launches are always so much fun!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats to Joan and thanks to Mae for the post. Super excerpt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. Always happy to have you visit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love police procedurals- great excerpt!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Jacquie. Glad you enjoyed the excerpt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jason is an awesome character, Jacquie. Exceptionally strong in his role and intriguing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for sharing this, Mae. The excerpt definitely gives some insight into Jason’s character and his motivations (all self-centered.) 🙂 This sounds like an intriguing mystery and best wishes to Joan!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for visiting, Jan. Jason was one of those characters who took on a life of his own. He had plans that I didn’t envision for him, but I think it all worked out.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is SO much fun when something like that happens!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He definitely was very self-centered when the book started but wow, did his character took an unexpected turn. I love how he turned out.
Thanks for visiting, Jan!
LikeLike
This was a great excerpt! A lot was packed into a small space, and all of it was interesting. Good luck with the book, Joan!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Judi. Sometimes it’s hard to pick excerpts. I cut some things from this one but tried to leave enough to give readers an idea of what was happening.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Joan definitely had a lot packed into this book. I’m so glad you stopped by to check out the excerpt, Judi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another great excerpt, Joan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Teri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Teri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mae, lovely to learn about Joan and her latest book in the series. An excellent excerpt, well-written and compelling! She is right in the head of the character as he decides his next move!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Annika. I appreciate your kind words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you stopped by to check out the excerpt, Annika. I think Joan chose a good one and I just love what she did with this character as the book progressed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, another book to add to my tbr list. Thanks for having Joan over to visit, Mae. Nice one, Joan!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really enjoyed this book, Kev. I’m so glad you dropped by to check it out. I know Joan will be, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure, Mae. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Kevin! Hope you enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really enjoy detective stories. Yes, those curmudgeonly older guys are great but Jason sounds wonderful–young, inexperienced, and a bit arrogant. Great start to a chase.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Jacqui. I have a sneaking suspicion we haven’t seen the last of Jason. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jason is a great character, Jacqui. And I just love what Joan hinted in her comment to you! 🙂
Thanks for visiting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great excerpt! This whole series is on my TBR list! Good luck with the release, Joan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Julie! I really enjoyed writing this series.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’ll love the series, Julie. It’s exceptional. Thanks for visiting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds exciting, Mae. Thanks for sharing it with us. Best to Joan.
Hugs all around!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Teagan. Glad you got a chance to check it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teagan!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I very much enjoyed looking at Jason’s thoughts about the crime and his desire to solve it. Thanks, Joan and Mae!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad to have you visit, Flossie. Jason is an excellent character and Joan wrote an awesome book, I’m happy to share!
LikeLike
Thank you, Flossie. Jason was one of those characters that took me on an unexpected journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person