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Jill Quint, MD, Forensic Pathologist #12
Embers of Murder
California Wildfires have a long history of being started by humans. . . An arsonist and dry brush are a combustible combination. What if simply starting wildfires no longer brings the same thrill? Yes, the power of crackling fire and heat are exciting, but what if the arsonist could do more? Like ridding the dating pool of men that don't belong there anymore.
Enter Dr. Jill Quint, a forensic pathologist by training and licensed PI. She left the medical examiner's office to pursue her own winery but was called back by old colleagues to comment on cases. Those referrals expanded into a business where Jill offers second opinions on the cause of death. She also has her PI license and can be hired to investigate a suspicious death. Her friends assist her with cases by bringing their own skills like accounting, interviewing, and social media research. Nathan is her partner and a world-renowned wine label designer. An insurance adjusted who routinely investigates fires for insurance claims notices that lone men are found dead once a wildfire is put out. Is this coincidence or something more devious afoot? He calls a county medical examiner's office that is examining the latest victim. He wants to make sure that someone notices this pattern as the deaths occur in different State regions. Jill's former colleagues contend with a large bus fatality and don't have time to dig deeper into the insurance adjustor's comments. Instead, they hire Jill as a forensic pathologist and a PI. She finds evidence to support the idea that some of these cases are homicide, and she goes on the hunt for the killer. Are they looking for an arsonist or a murderer, or are they one and the same?
The wildfires continue across the state as the dry weather and endless brush present the usual opportunities for an arsonist. Jill's winery is surrounded by dry brush. Should she worry about the arsonist coming after her?
Enter Dr. Jill Quint, a forensic pathologist by training and licensed PI. She left the medical examiner's office to pursue her own winery but was called back by old colleagues to comment on cases. Those referrals expanded into a business where Jill offers second opinions on the cause of death. She also has her PI license and can be hired to investigate a suspicious death. Her friends assist her with cases by bringing their own skills like accounting, interviewing, and social media research. Nathan is her partner and a world-renowned wine label designer. An insurance adjusted who routinely investigates fires for insurance claims notices that lone men are found dead once a wildfire is put out. Is this coincidence or something more devious afoot? He calls a county medical examiner's office that is examining the latest victim. He wants to make sure that someone notices this pattern as the deaths occur in different State regions. Jill's former colleagues contend with a large bus fatality and don't have time to dig deeper into the insurance adjustor's comments. Instead, they hire Jill as a forensic pathologist and a PI. She finds evidence to support the idea that some of these cases are homicide, and she goes on the hunt for the killer. Are they looking for an arsonist or a murderer, or are they one and the same?
The wildfires continue across the state as the dry weather and endless brush present the usual opportunities for an arsonist. Jill's winery is surrounded by dry brush. Should she worry about the arsonist coming after her?
222 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2021
About the author
Alec Peche
46 books61 followersAuthor’s Bio
I have fourteen books published in the Jill Quint, MD murder mystery series. They are best described as soft-boiled mysteries.
The books are set in different locations in the United States and Europe. The lead protagonist is Jill Quint, a forensic pathologist. She worked for a state crime lab, but left as she became disenchanted with court appearances, paperwork, and politics. She operates a vineyard in the central valley of California producing Moscato wine.
Jill also works as a private consultant providing a second opinion on the cause of death for families not satisfied with what they are being told about their loved one's death. She had developed a lab that serves two purposes: she can analyze specimens from a crime scene and she can create organic solutions to pest control and fertilizer for her vines.
Jill is partnered in her adventures with her three best friends who live in another state. Each of those friends has unique skills that move a case forward to being solved.
I also have a second series featuring Damian Green, a loner who lives on an island in San Francisco Bay. He's a computer genius and inventor and his entire family were murdered seven years ago by a mistakenly released prisoner from Soledad Prison. Now he helps Natalie Severino, a retired police detective that solved his family's murders with cold cases. There are 5 books in this series.
I'm a book lover with mystery (mostly) and urban fantasy and romance (occasionally) being the only three genres I read.
Writing mysteries is an adventure - trying to plan for twists and plots to make the story richer. I can get engrossed researching a particular angle of each case. For example, in CASTLE KILLING set in Cardiff, Wales, I spent hours studying different angles of the castle to make sure I threw my victim out the right window. He needed to be four stories up to be dead rather than have multiple broken bones. Yes, I know it sounds like a gruesome question, but if I didn't ask it, one of my readers would.
I hope you will enjoy these stories!
I started a third series with Michelle Watson, a CIA operative with a teleportation skill. Imagine what a spy could do with that skill! There are 3 books in this series.
Alec Peche
I have fourteen books published in the Jill Quint, MD murder mystery series. They are best described as soft-boiled mysteries.
The books are set in different locations in the United States and Europe. The lead protagonist is Jill Quint, a forensic pathologist. She worked for a state crime lab, but left as she became disenchanted with court appearances, paperwork, and politics. She operates a vineyard in the central valley of California producing Moscato wine.
Jill also works as a private consultant providing a second opinion on the cause of death for families not satisfied with what they are being told about their loved one's death. She had developed a lab that serves two purposes: she can analyze specimens from a crime scene and she can create organic solutions to pest control and fertilizer for her vines.
Jill is partnered in her adventures with her three best friends who live in another state. Each of those friends has unique skills that move a case forward to being solved.
I also have a second series featuring Damian Green, a loner who lives on an island in San Francisco Bay. He's a computer genius and inventor and his entire family were murdered seven years ago by a mistakenly released prisoner from Soledad Prison. Now he helps Natalie Severino, a retired police detective that solved his family's murders with cold cases. There are 5 books in this series.
I'm a book lover with mystery (mostly) and urban fantasy and romance (occasionally) being the only three genres I read.
Writing mysteries is an adventure - trying to plan for twists and plots to make the story richer. I can get engrossed researching a particular angle of each case. For example, in CASTLE KILLING set in Cardiff, Wales, I spent hours studying different angles of the castle to make sure I threw my victim out the right window. He needed to be four stories up to be dead rather than have multiple broken bones. Yes, I know it sounds like a gruesome question, but if I didn't ask it, one of my readers would.
I hope you will enjoy these stories!
I started a third series with Michelle Watson, a CIA operative with a teleportation skill. Imagine what a spy could do with that skill! There are 3 books in this series.
Alec Peche
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 7, 2021
This is the second book written by author Alec Peche that I devoured. Again, I am floored by the plot's originality and precision and by the sophisticated ideas and details that Peche comes up with. I love police procedurals that are credible and well-researched and full of novel insights. "Ember of murder" has it all. Dr. Jill Quint, the main character, is extremely capable and very likable. She dives into a perpetrator's mind and dissects it with sophisticated modern methods. At the same time, she skillfully uses interesting technology. Quint is never haughty but squeezes other experts for their knowhow in order to be able to get ahead of the murderer. Very cleverly done and with lots of enjoyable surprises along the way!
April 3, 2021
Very good
I read book 1 which was awful . I decided to try this book to see if there was improvement , and I am happy to say that the author has worked on his writing style and editing .
Arson is scary . What drives an arsonist is hard to explain . This case has a female , which is rare , and includes murder of men. It is a puzzle which Dr Quint slowly unravels.
I read book 1 which was awful . I decided to try this book to see if there was improvement , and I am happy to say that the author has worked on his writing style and editing .
Arson is scary . What drives an arsonist is hard to explain . This case has a female , which is rare , and includes murder of men. It is a puzzle which Dr Quint slowly unravels.
January 14, 2021
Ms Peche always adds an unusual element to each of her books which is why it’s so exciting to read her stories. I usually learn something when I read her books and the storylines are always entertaining and often nailbiting. I couldn’t put this book down, I was up most of the night reading it. Thanks for a great read!!
February 21, 2021
Awesome
I love this series and it's crazy heroine, Jill, and her boyfriend, Nathan. She has a very eclectic group of friends that also double as partners in her forensic endeavors. It is intriguing how her mind works to solve these cases, which somehow always become personal. I've thoroughly enjoyed this series!
I love this series and it's crazy heroine, Jill, and her boyfriend, Nathan. She has a very eclectic group of friends that also double as partners in her forensic endeavors. It is intriguing how her mind works to solve these cases, which somehow always become personal. I've thoroughly enjoyed this series!
July 19, 2021
Embers of Evidence
This book was a little different than most of the others in the series. For one thing it has Jill at home with her interaction with Nathan and a new friend owning a vineyard too. Then an old forensic pathologist friend called and asked her to help do an autopsy. That’s when the excitement starts!
This book was a little different than most of the others in the series. For one thing it has Jill at home with her interaction with Nathan and a new friend owning a vineyard too. Then an old forensic pathologist friend called and asked her to help do an autopsy. That’s when the excitement starts!
October 21, 2021
One of Alec’s Best
I have enjoyed every one of her books, but this one seems to have topped them all. I truly hope that there will be a book 13 and beyond. Please keep up the good work Alec.
I have enjoyed every one of her books, but this one seems to have topped them all. I truly hope that there will be a book 13 and beyond. Please keep up the good work Alec.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews