Tyler Colins's Blog, page 53
March 21, 2020
No Laughing Matter
Hey, it’s Rey today. The Boss is out on t.p. patrol. The woman has an obsession about it, I tell ya (so what if there’s hardly any to be had?)—get over it.
Cousin Jilly and Linda and I are sitting on the lanai. We’ve been fortunate so far re the virus, but then we’re being diligent about staying in touch with the latest news. Ensure you do, too.
So life doesn’t become too grim or overwhelming, we’re finding diversions—Linda’s blogging and JJ’s grooming the pets in the shade. I’m reading some of the Boss’ Nancy Drew books to pass time.
In case you’re looking for a bit of a distraction, I thought I’d share an excerpt, or teaser, from our upcoming case HA-HA-HA-HA (whadya think—all caps or no?).
Stay safe and healthy everyone—we will get through this.
Take it away, JJ!
“So much for an early night,” Linda grumbled, waving farewell to Ald and Sallo, who’d arrived fifteen minutes after we’d called Ald.
Both men had been wearing 50s-style polyester black-and-red bowling shirts. Funny, who’d have guessed either HPD homicide detective was a bowler? As Rey would say, ya truly do learn something new every day.
Pets on our heels, it was fifteen minutes after midnight when we finally locked up and trooped upstairs.
“So GRP’s getting close and personal.” I parked my butt on the edge of Rey’s queen-size upholstered storage bed.
Leaning into the far wall, Linda frowned and appeared pensive. “I wonder whose blood he used.”
“I suspect we’ll learn soon enough,” I said wearily.
“Do you think they’ll find anything incriminating?”
“That dude won’t have left any evidence or DNA,” Rey responded, removing a folded oversized T-shirt from one of two marquetry-motif nightstands. She started undressing. “Guess we can open an official case file, starting with the photos we took earlier.”
“And the details Ald said he’d provide tomorrow,” Linda added.
“Limited details,” I emphasized. “He’s not going to share all.”
“It should be enough to begin some serious private-eyeing.”
“Think we should get a security system, like Hives suggested?” my cousin asked, tossing a crimson lace bra across the room. It landed at the base of a variegated solid-marble and brushed-brass floor mirror (an “awesome mega-discounted sale piece”).
“Given our line of work, yes.” I flopped back and stared at a ceiling in dire need of paint. Bonzo landed beside me, his face—with whiskers wildly twitching—inches from mine. “Let’s do it first thing.”
Linda glanced at her ice-pink Coach watch. “I’m bed-bound. Nighty-night ladies.”
“Who can sleep?” Rey asked dryly, slipping the T-shirt advertising a local rib joint over her head.
“Count sheep.”
“More like count cadavers,” she said with a cynical smile.
Standing, I waved goodnight and tread to my room where I found Button already on the bed. With a pat to her head, I slipped into a V-back chemise and pulled aside the covers. A twinge—gut instinct—impelled me to check the agency website. The laptop, conveniently perched on a recently purchased diamond-patterned nightstand (Rey’s “sales bug” was contagious), found its way onto my lap.
Sure enough, a message from GRP had arrived in the Inbox.
Need help with house renos? Climbing ladders is no big deal and I’m pretty good with tools. You’ve seen my etching work. Let me know and I’ll pop by. Your new playmate. GrimReaperPeeper. Or, as you’ve so fondly dubbed me, GRP.
I drew a deep breath and gazed around the dim bedroom. Obviously GRP was watching. And it appeared he was listening, too.
March 18, 2020
Ta to the Talented Sandi Wallace
My heartfelt thanks to Australia-based crime writer Sandi Wallace for her four-star review of The Connecticut Corpse Caper. The first book in the Triple Threat Investigation Agency series details the crazy antics at a haunted antebellum mansion that “launched” the P.I. careers of JJ, Rey, and Linda.
The Connecticut Corpse Caper is the first in the Triple Threat Mysteries and my first read of this author. It’s a fun twist on the traditional isolated country house whodunnit trope – the writer’s style is energetic and brims with quirky humour and description. There’s a posh mansion, tonnes of hidden passageways, a singing-talking ghost, and a cast of both likeable and unlikeable characters all required to stay a week to inherit a packet of money. When the body count rises, corpses disappear and unexpected parties make an entrance, it’s time for our amateur sleuths to get to work to solve the case. A very enjoyable cosy mystery. (Reviewed on March 11, 2020)
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
https://www.amazon.com/…/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml…
[image error]Sandi’s love of crime stories and avid interest in policing enabled her to step into crime-writer shoes, with successful results! She has won numerous prizes for her short crime fiction, including several Scarlet Stiletto Awards. Her debut novel, Tell Me Why (the first in the Georgie Harvey and John Franklin series), won the Davitt Award Readers’ Choice. Congrats Sandi!
Equally exciting is the fact that her fourth rural thriller, Black Cloud, will be released on July 22nd 2020 and her entire back-list will be republished (with more titles in the pipeline). As an FYI, Black Cloud, Tell Me Why, Dead Again and Into the Fog are currently available for at your favorite Amazon store.
At present, Sandi is working on a standalone psychological thriller—something for us readers to look forward to!
[image error]You can follow Sandi Wallace’s book news via her Facebook page (Sandi Wallace – Author), as well as Instagram, Pinterest, and her website.
Please connect with Sandi here:
https://www.instagram.com/sandiwallacecrime/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8431978.Sandi_Wallace
March 17, 2020
Day 9 – All is Fine
The third mystery in the Triple Threat Investigation Agency series, Coco’s Nuts, is still avail for 99 cents.
Featuring three thirty-something female private eyes—JJ, Rey, and Linda—this revolves around their second official case. The trio has to clear their new client of murder. They’re convinced that socialite-turned-trucker Buddy Feuer didn’t shoot infamous entrepreneur Jimmy Picolo (also her boss) any more than she did Eb, her best friend.
Many people hated Picolo enough to kill him but discovering the person who pulled the trigger is tricky. There’s a number of possible culprits—including, but not limited to, Picolo’s daughter who owes Vegas folks a lot of money, his son who may be more than eager to take over Daddy’s businesses, and an MIA nutbar named Coco Peterson.
The threesome’s investigation takes them into the world of gambling and the debt collectors that hover in the shadows. And their inquiries annoy a few folks, but hopefully not enough that they end up joining the mounting number of “casualties”.
https://www.amazon.ca/Cocos-Nuts-Tyler-Colins/dp/1078374368
The gals, by the by, are still enmeshed in wrapping up their fifth case (it’s proving most challenging). Ha-ha-ha-ha . . . .
March 16, 2020
Day 8 – It’s Not too Late!
… to get Coco’s Nuts for 99 cents! It’s the third mystery in the Triple Threat Investigation Agency series featuring three thirty-something female private eyes—us!
Hi, it’s Linda today. The second official Triple Threat Investigation Agency case has attempting to clear our new client of murder. Rey, JJ and I are certain that socialite-turned-trucker Buddy Feuer didn’t shoot infamous entrepreneur Jimmy Picolo, who was also her boss. A few days later Eb, her best friend, is gunned down in a laneway not far from where Picolo was. It doesn’t help when the boss’ assistant Mr. Razor, has five bullets pumped into him.
Many people hated Picolo enough to kill him but finding the person who pulled the trigger is tricky. There’s a collection of curious characters—including, but not limited to, the daughter who owes Vegas folks a few serious dollars, the son who may want to take over Daddy’s businesses, and an AWOL nutbar named Coco Peterson.
Our private-eyeing takes us into the not-so-glamorous world of gambling and the debt collectors that lurk in the shadows. Our detecting gets under the skin of a few folks; hopefully, we get some truthful answers before anything significant blows up—like us three.
https://www.amazon.ca/Cocos-Nuts-Tyler-Colins/dp/1078374368
Here’s to a great start of the week.
March 15, 2020
Day 7 – Looking for Another Felon
Happy Sunday. It’s JJ today.
Today is the seventh day of promotion—the third for Coco’s Nuts. It’s available for 99 cents!
In the second official Triple Threat Investigation Agency case we’re searching for a felon (or two). Rey, Linda and I are out to prove that socialite-turned-trucker Buddy Feuer didn’t shoot infamous entrepreneur Jimmy Picolo, who also happened to be her boss. A few days later, her best friend is gunned down. It doesn’t help when Picolo’s assistant receives five fatal bullets. Things don’t look good for our client. Still, despite what the evidence suggests, we’re sure Buddy was set up.
Loads of people hated Picolo enough to kill him but finding the person who pulled the trigger is tricky, given the collection of curious characters—including the daughter who owes Vegas folks a few serious dollars, his son who may want to take over the businesses, an AWOL nutbar named Coco Peterson.
Our private-eyeing travels lead us down a few detours, such as the world of gambling and debt collectors. We also ruffle a lot of feathers by asking too many questions. Hopefully, we obtain answers before something significant blows up . . . like us!
https://www.amazon.ca/Cocos-Nuts-Tyler-Colins/dp/1078374368
Aloha Sunday!
March 14, 2020
Day 6 – How’s Trix?
Hey, it’s Rey again. (The Boss, by the way, is doing cartwheels down the hallway coz she found her former version of WordPress. Can you spell y-e-e-h-a?)
Today is the 6th day of promotion—the 2nd for Coco’s Nuts. It’s available for dirt cheap, like 99 cents dirt cheap!
The second official Triple Threat Investigation Agency case is a baffling one. JJ, Linda and I have to prove that socialite-turned-trucker Buddy Feuer didn’t shoot her boss, infamous entrepreneur Jimmy Picolo. Despite what the evidence suggests, we’d bet dollars to donuts that Buddy was set up. In a search for answers, we have to contend with a whack of suspects.
Loads of people hated Picolo enough to kill him but finding the person who pulled the trigger proves challenging. His daughter owes thousands of dollars to Vegas collectors who don’t wanna hear “I haven’t got it”, so the inheritance money would really come in handy. But maybe his son is super eager to take over Daddy’s business(es)? Nutty Coco Peterson, a Picolo employee, has been missing since the murder; could be he’s on the lam. And why was Buddy’s best friend gunned down a few days after Picolo? For that matter, who pumped five bullets into Mr. Razor, Picolo’s assistant?
Our detecting travels lead us along a few detours—like the world of gambling and “limb-breakers”—and has us ruffling feathers by asking too many questions. Hopefully we get answers before something significant blows up . . . like us!
https://www.amazon.ca/Cocos-Nuts-Tyler-Colins/dp/1078374368
JJ’s posting tomorrow. See ya!
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March 13, 2020
Day 5 . . . High Five
Hey-ho, it’s Rey. The Boss is having a meltdown; they’ve changed WordPress and she can’t find anything!! I can’t blame her (it’s < annoying).
Not only is Forever Poi, the fourth Triple Threat Investigation Agency mystery, still available today for 99 cents . . . so is Coco’s Nuts! Woo-hoo (do people still say that?) He-he.
So-o, you may already know what Poi is about, but just in case, there’s a wee rundown below, let me tell you about crazy Coco, someone we tracked down in our second official case as Oahu private eyes.
JJ, Linda and I have to prove that socialite-turned-trucker Buddy Feuer didn’t shoot her boss, infamous entrepreneur Jimmy Picolo. Despite what police believe and evidence suggests, we’re sure Buddy has been set up. In our search for answers, we have to contend with a slew of suspects. A lot of people hated Picolo enough to kill him, but locating the one who pulled the trigger really proves challenging. Our detecting travels lead us along a few detours—like the world of gambling and “limb-breakers”.
Forever Poi has the three of us at Triple Threat Investigation Agency (that name, by the by, was my awesome idea) tracking down the culprit that torched two Chinatown art galleries . . . and left two charred bodies in the rubble. There’s a slew of suspects: a haughty gallery owner with a questionable past, an art consultant as treacherous as she is beautiful, a risk-happy photographer who lives on the edge, and an aspiring manager with a dicey history. There are some great motives, too . . . like a major insurance pay-out, an ugly break-up, vengeance, and a cover-up for past transgressions.
Here are a couple of Amazon links:
Hope I piqued your interest! Catch ya tomorrow (if Boss Lady doesn’t cancel WordPress)!
March 12, 2020
Day Four, One More – Forever Poi Discount
Forever Poi, the fourth Triple Threat Investigation Agency mystery, is [still] available today, on the fourth day of promotion . . . for 99 cents!
For those not in the know, this is the third official case for the ever enthusiastic female P.I.s and a challenging/exciting one it is, too.
JJ, Rey and Linda, the trio running the Triple Threat Investigation Agency (that name, by the by, was Rey’s contribution) are hired to find the culprit that torched two Chinatown art galleries and left two charred bodies in the rubble. There’s a slew of suspects: a haughty gallery owner with a questionable past, an art consultant as treacherous as she is beautiful, a risk-happy photographer who lives on the edge, and an aspiring manager with a dicey history. All have viable motives: a major insurance pay-out, an ugly relationship break-up, vengeance, and/or a cover-up for past transgressions.
If your curiosity is piqued, please check it/them out.
https://www.amazon.com/Tyler-Colins/e/B01KHOZAL2%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
March 11, 2020
Day Three for Me – Forever Poi still at a Discount
Forever Poi, the fourth Triple Threat Investigation Agency mystery, is [still] available today for 99 cents.
It’s Linda on post patrol once again today.
Yesterday, I shared how much an exciting case this was. I’m hoping you’ll think the same. Won’t you please partake …?
A rundown: the three of us are hired to find out who set ablaze two upscale Chinatown art galleries and left a couple charcoal-broiled bodies in the ashes. There’s no short list of suspects. We have an arrogant gallery owner with a dubious history, an art consultant as cunning as she is stunning, a photographer who enjoys danger, and a few folks with dicey histories. Motives abound, too: insurance pay-outs, relationship break-ups, out-and-out revenge, and cover-ups for past wrongdoings.
For those that might be a wee bit curious, here are Amazon links:
https://www.amazon.com/Tyler-Colins/e/B01KHOZAL2%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Happy Wednesday everyone!
March 10, 2020
Day Two for You – Forever Poi at a Discount
Forever Poi, the fourth Triple Threat Investigation Agency book, is available today for 99 cents.
Hi there. It’s Linda on post patrol today.
This was an exciting case! The three of us were hired to find the perp that torched a couple of happening Chinatown art galleries . . . and left two charcoal-broiled bodies in the debris. We’re faced with a sundry of suspects. There’s an arrogant gallery owner with a dubious history, an art consultant as dangerous as she is beautiful, a risk-loving photographer, and an aspiring art manager with a very dicey history. And all have feasible motives—insurance pay-out, relationship break-up, out-and-out revenge, or a cover-up for past wrongdoings.
If you’d like to learn out how we solved this thrilling case, here are Amazon links:
https://www.amazon.com/Tyler-Colins/e/B01KHOZAL2%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Given Rey and JJ are on volunteer duty tomorrow, I’ll be back with another promotional post. See you then!
