On the last day of his job, retiring IRS manager Frank Amato receives a shocking letter from a stranger delving into his past-one filled with sociopaths, murders, and terror Amato had fought to forget. After arriving home, he clutches the letter in his trembling hand as he digs out the manuscript he wrote years ago-the one he never published. Only he knows why. His heart rate skyrockets as he focuses on the title, Murder 1040: The Final Audit. This was his story. In fact, he was the main character, caught in a life-and-death struggle. He shivers, knowing the ghosts will taunt him as he revisits those pages. Thank God he's off the clock. For good.

A young girl is murdered in a cemetery. And Wexford's doctor has prescribed no alcohol, no rich food and, above all, no police work. When a young girl's body is found in a London cemetery and the local police, under the command of Wexford's nephew, are baffled, Wexford decides to brave his doctor's wrath and the condescension of the London police by doing a little investigating of his own. A compelling story of mysterious identity and untimely death, Murder Being Once Done is Rendell at her most sublime. With her Inspector Wexford novels, Ruth Rendell, winner of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award, has added layers of depth, realism and unease to the classic English mystery. For the canny, tireless, and unflappable policeman is an unblinking observer of human nature, whose study has taught him that under certain circumstances the most unlikely people are capable of the most appalling crimes.

"A fast-paced, fascinating mystery. Readers will find themselves rooting for Hank, as he struggles with murder and his own personal crisis, to save his beloved town and himself from imploding. Highly recommended." ~Alice Duncan, author of Angel’s Flight --Present Day - Long Island, New York, and New York City-- When syndicated romance columnist John Hunter is found dead from an apparent overdose, the townspeople of the sleepy hamlet of Eastpoint accept the outsider's death in stride, until Police Chief Hank Reed discovers a secret room filled with lewd paintings featuring local married women. Now faced with a town full of suspects, Hank is investigating a crime no one wants solved when a second murder points to his own wife as prime suspect. His marriage crumbling, the townspeople enraged, and a murderer willing to kill to protect everyone's dignity, Hank Reed is face-to-face with a crisis he may not survive. ". . . a novel with bizarre twists and turns that keeps you turning pages. His smooth writing style and use of humor makes for a great read!" ~Judy Lucas, author of The Good Assassin ". . . tears apart small-town life on Long Island with murder and scandalous secrets that could destroy more than one resident. The shocking ending is anything but "small town"." ~Michael Haskins, author of Chasin’ the Wind and Free Range Institution The Hank Reed Mystery Series The Art of Murder Murder on the Rocks The Edge of Murder Bridge to Murder

Greed, Betrayal, and Murder Stain an Ivied Mansion Community Along Newport, Rhode Island's Rugged Shores in Murder on the Rocks, a Crime Mystery by Fred Lichtenberg --Present Day – Paris, Rhode Island, and New York City-- While flying to New York from Paris, Detective Hank Reed is approached by Patrice Dubois, who fears her American fiancé, Luke Dupont, an investigative reporter, is in danger. Intrigued by the beautiful Parisian and her plight, Reed agrees to help find the reporter who is in the thick of a whistleblower investigation in Newport, Rhode Island. But Hank's investigation quickly reveals that Luke doesn't want to be found and is traveling with an attractive woman named Elena, who is an informant, a lover, or both. At Luke's betrayal, Patrice returns to Paris, but Hank suspects there's more than romance at play. As an elaborate multi-million dollar Medicare fraud unfolds, the body of the apparent whistleblower washes up below Newport's Cliff Walk convincing Hank that Luke and Elena are in serious danger. With millions at stake, the body count rising, and perpetrators willing to stop at nothing, a determined killer sets sights on Hank. The Hank Reed Mystery Series The Art of Murder Murder on the Rocks The Edge of Murder Bridge to Murder

A Psychologist Reaches Out to Private Investigator, Hank Reed, to Find a Missing Woman in The Edge of Murder, a Crime Thriller by Fred Lichtenberg --Present Day – Long Island and Ft. Lauderdale-- Former Detective, Hank Reed, tackles his first case as a Private Investigator when a woman goes missing in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Believed emotionally fragile, Elizabeth was last seen in the apartment of Psychologist, Dr. Nick Ross, after a night of passionate lovemaking. Smitten with Elizabeth, Nick wants her back. But Hank quickly learns the psychologist was recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital and hadn’t been seeing patients for over two months. Elizabeth's husband wants her back, too, but maybe for the wrong reasons. He's connected to a criminal enterprise which makes Hank wonder whether Elizabeth is involved also. Uncertain whether he's searching for Elizabeth to save her life or seal her doom, Hank knows one thing for sure: If he doesn’t find the truth, someone is going to die...maybe him. Publisher's Note: A member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, Fred Lichtenberg is respected among his peers and readers alike as a master of earthy realism and vivid detail. The Hank Reed Mystery Series The Art of Murder Murder on the Rocks The Edge of Murder Bridge to Murder

Homicide represents the result of an exhaustive search of the world literature regarding homicide. More than 7,000 entries have been compiled from references selected from major indexes in libraries from outstanding universities, government agencies, and military posts; science libraries; law libraries; and the Library of Congress. Each entry features a one- or two-word annotation that indicates whether it is an article or a book, and all entries conform to the American Psychological Association stylebook guidelines. Key-word and author indexes provide quick access to works pertaining to particular subjects or by a certain author.

Follow Hank Reed's Journey from Police Chief to Private Investigator as He Tackles His First Three Crime Cases Book 1 - The Art of Murder When romance columnist John Hunter is found dead, Hank Reed uncovers a secret room of compromising paintings featuring local women. As a second murder implicates his wife, Hank faces a town of suspects, a crumbling marriage, and a killer willing to do anything to keep their secrets. Book 2 - Murder on the Rocks Hank Reed is enlisted by Patrice Dubois to find her missing fiancé, Luke, a reporter entangled in a whistleblower case. As Hank's search uncovers Medicare fraud, betrayal, and mounting bodies, he realizes Luke is in grave danger, and now a ruthless killer has Hank in their sights. Book 3 - The Edge of Murder Former Detective Hank Reed's first PI case involves finding Elizabeth, who vanished after a night with Dr. Nick Ross, a psychologist recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital. As Hank digs deeper, he uncovers a web of lies, criminal ties, and a race against time to save—or condemn—Elizabeth. Publisher's Note: A member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, Fred Lichtenberg is respected among his peers and readers alike as a master of earthy realism and vivid detail. ". . . a novel with bizarre twists and turns that keeps you turning pages. His smooth writing style and use of humor makes for a great read!"~Judy Lucas, author The Good Assassin ". . . tears apart small-town life on Long Island with murder and scandalous secrets that could destroy more than one resident. The shocking ending is anything but "small town"." ~Michael Haskins, author of Chasin’ the Wind and Free Range Institution The Hank Reed Mystery Series The Art of Murder Murder on the Rocks The Edge of Murder The Bridge to Murder

Under the Watchful Gaze of the Iconic Whitestone Bridge, a Night of Celebration Turns into a Decades-Long Mystery in The Bridge to Murder, a Crime Thriller by Fred Lichtenberg —Present Day–Whitestone, New York — An evening of birthday celebration for eighteen-year-old Luca Falcone and his friends quickly spirals into a nightmarish ordeal when Luca disappears, leaving a murder scene behind. With Luca's DNA on the murder weapon and no sign of him to be found, detectives brand him as the prime suspect. But the case grows cold, leaving questions unanswered, and a family torn apart. Twenty-five years later, Luca's sister receives a mysterious letter that reignites hope. Could Luca have been innocent all along? Determined to find the truth, Private Investigator Hank Reed, a childhood friend of Luca, steps into the fray. But as Hank digs deeper, uncovering past oversights and secrets meant to stay hidden, he realizes that truth carries a hefty price. With death threats tightening around him and another friend vanishing into thin air, Hank Reed knows he’s onto something. But as the killer grows desperate to keep the past buried, Hank must use all his wits and bravery to solve the puzzle before becoming the next victim of a ruthless killer. Publisher's Note: A member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, Fred Lichtenberg is respected among his peers and readers alike as a master of earthy realism and vivid detail. The Hank Reed Mystery Series The Art of Murder Murder on the Rocks The Edge of Murder The Bridge to Murder