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Fenway Stevenson Mysteries #11
The Disloyal Coroner
A dead deputy. A reopened murder case. And a coroner caught in the crossfire.When a young sheriff’s deputy is killed in a late-night hit-and-run, Coroner Fenway Stevenson soon discovers it was no accident. The deputy had only been on the job for a few days—but had he started unraveling secrets within his department?
Then a second case is thrown back on Fenway’s a murder that was supposed to be solved two weeks ago. But with new evidence, Fenway starts a new investigation—and someone in town is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the truth buried.
While Fenway chases two tangled murder investigations, her department is showing cracks. Her newest detective is missing critical details, and her working relationship with the sheriff—never exactly smooth—is growing increasingly tense. When doubt creeps in from all sides, Fenway must decide who she can rely on… and what it will cost to find the truth.
Sharp, layered, and brimming with suspense, The Disloyal Coroner is a tense and compelling entry in the Fenway Stevenson Mysteries. For readers who crave high-stakes investigations, forensic detail, and a protagonist who won’t back down, this series delivers page-turning thrills with heart and grit.
Then a second case is thrown back on Fenway’s a murder that was supposed to be solved two weeks ago. But with new evidence, Fenway starts a new investigation—and someone in town is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the truth buried.
While Fenway chases two tangled murder investigations, her department is showing cracks. Her newest detective is missing critical details, and her working relationship with the sheriff—never exactly smooth—is growing increasingly tense. When doubt creeps in from all sides, Fenway must decide who she can rely on… and what it will cost to find the truth.
Sharp, layered, and brimming with suspense, The Disloyal Coroner is a tense and compelling entry in the Fenway Stevenson Mysteries. For readers who crave high-stakes investigations, forensic detail, and a protagonist who won’t back down, this series delivers page-turning thrills with heart and grit.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
23 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Paul Austin Ardoin
32 books126 followersPaul Austin Ardoin is the author of the Fenway Stevenson Mysteries. A California native with a degree in creative writing from UC Santa Barbara, Ardoin has also published short fiction and humorous essays in Bottomfish and Sweet Fancy Moses. His non-fiction articles about computer security have appeared in California Computer News and European Communications. He lives in the Sacramento area with his wife, two teenagers, and a menagerie of animals.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 6, 2025
Mishaps, Misdirection, and Mayhem!
Paul Austin Ardoin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author best known for The Fenway Stevenson Mystery Series and The Woodhead and Becker Mystery Series, both incredibly popular for good reason. The Disloyal Coroner is the eleventh and latest Fenway Stevenson adventure. I urge you to grab a copy and buckle up for a thrilling ride that begins when a sheriff’s deputy, new to Estancia and fresh from training, is mowed down in a hit-and-run accident that turns out to be no accident at all. The day before meeting his untimely and somewhat horrific demise, the young man had reached out to Fenway asking for her help but was interrupted before ever getting the chance to fully explain the nature of his request. Fenway feels a crushing responsibility to uncover why this young colleague was murdered. She uses all her grit and determination to find the killer, but the path to answers in this case is a long and twisted road leading Fenway directly into the face of danger. I offer no spoilers to ruin your reading enjoyment, but I will say that loyalties are tested and suspicions run rampant among Fenway’s colleagues. As the title of my review implies, there will be bountiful mishaps, copious misdirection, and more than a modicum of mayhem as Fenway unravels the clues of this tragedy. This riveting story is another example of how this author has won widespread recognition for interesting and relatable characters, tightly crafted plots, superlative suspense, relentlessly escalating tension, and twists you won’t see coming. Don’t be surprised if your palms get a bit sweaty as you tightly clutch your book or e-reader while feverishly flipping page after page well into the night just to see what will happen next. As always, the story is wrapped up nicely, all questions are answered, characters have grown and evolved from their experiences, and I finished the book with a sigh of satisfaction and a longing for the next adventure.
══════════════════
I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
Paul Austin Ardoin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author best known for The Fenway Stevenson Mystery Series and The Woodhead and Becker Mystery Series, both incredibly popular for good reason. The Disloyal Coroner is the eleventh and latest Fenway Stevenson adventure. I urge you to grab a copy and buckle up for a thrilling ride that begins when a sheriff’s deputy, new to Estancia and fresh from training, is mowed down in a hit-and-run accident that turns out to be no accident at all. The day before meeting his untimely and somewhat horrific demise, the young man had reached out to Fenway asking for her help but was interrupted before ever getting the chance to fully explain the nature of his request. Fenway feels a crushing responsibility to uncover why this young colleague was murdered. She uses all her grit and determination to find the killer, but the path to answers in this case is a long and twisted road leading Fenway directly into the face of danger. I offer no spoilers to ruin your reading enjoyment, but I will say that loyalties are tested and suspicions run rampant among Fenway’s colleagues. As the title of my review implies, there will be bountiful mishaps, copious misdirection, and more than a modicum of mayhem as Fenway unravels the clues of this tragedy. This riveting story is another example of how this author has won widespread recognition for interesting and relatable characters, tightly crafted plots, superlative suspense, relentlessly escalating tension, and twists you won’t see coming. Don’t be surprised if your palms get a bit sweaty as you tightly clutch your book or e-reader while feverishly flipping page after page well into the night just to see what will happen next. As always, the story is wrapped up nicely, all questions are answered, characters have grown and evolved from their experiences, and I finished the book with a sigh of satisfaction and a longing for the next adventure.
══════════════════
I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
July 17, 2025
Coroner and her friends become prime suspects in murder case - 5 stars
Law enforcement officials can be difficult working partners. In Dominguez County California, the new sheriff seems to have a strong suspicion that Coroner Fenway Stevenson and her crew are involved in the drug trade. Fenway is on excellent terms with the people she works with in her office. The sheriff (Gretchen Donnelly), who won her election replacing Fenway's boyfriend as sheriff seems to act strangely, seemingly hiding information and acting at arm's length on simple professional matters.
After a girls night out, Sheriff Donnelly arrests Rachel Richard, one of Fenway's closest friends. Overnight, Rachel's car was involved in a hit-and-run murder of a deputy sheriff. A death from a still unsolved murder is strongly related for both Gretchen and Rachel. The suspect list for the sheriff is short while the coroner concludes that there is a mole in the sheriff's office.
The story is told in a way that nearly each chapter ends in a major revelation adding both suspense and drama to encourage the reader to keep on for at least one more chapter. While Fenway's live-in boyfriend (Craig McVie) knows most of the sheriff's department employees, Fenway doesn't want to let crime-investigation-related information go to a civilian even though Fenway needs help.
The sheriff's department employees are aware of the conflict between Sheriff Donnelly and Coroner Stevenson. The relationship is strained between their two departments, making daily work much more difficult for both agencies. In California, a coroner is a law enforcement officer. In fact, Fenway has been aggressive and successful in capturing murderers.
As the plot develops, there is an increasing number of suspects and excellent reasons for back-and-forth suspicion of the motivations of both agencies. While the reader is certain that the coroner is innocent, the statements by the sheriff's detectives lead to doubting information that has been presented. Who did it and why?
I encourage you to get "The Disloyal Coroner" and learn the details. This is a well-done mystery with little truths along the way and a confession coming out at the bitter end; it is an excellent read.
Law enforcement officials can be difficult working partners. In Dominguez County California, the new sheriff seems to have a strong suspicion that Coroner Fenway Stevenson and her crew are involved in the drug trade. Fenway is on excellent terms with the people she works with in her office. The sheriff (Gretchen Donnelly), who won her election replacing Fenway's boyfriend as sheriff seems to act strangely, seemingly hiding information and acting at arm's length on simple professional matters.
After a girls night out, Sheriff Donnelly arrests Rachel Richard, one of Fenway's closest friends. Overnight, Rachel's car was involved in a hit-and-run murder of a deputy sheriff. A death from a still unsolved murder is strongly related for both Gretchen and Rachel. The suspect list for the sheriff is short while the coroner concludes that there is a mole in the sheriff's office.
The story is told in a way that nearly each chapter ends in a major revelation adding both suspense and drama to encourage the reader to keep on for at least one more chapter. While Fenway's live-in boyfriend (Craig McVie) knows most of the sheriff's department employees, Fenway doesn't want to let crime-investigation-related information go to a civilian even though Fenway needs help.
The sheriff's department employees are aware of the conflict between Sheriff Donnelly and Coroner Stevenson. The relationship is strained between their two departments, making daily work much more difficult for both agencies. In California, a coroner is a law enforcement officer. In fact, Fenway has been aggressive and successful in capturing murderers.
As the plot develops, there is an increasing number of suspects and excellent reasons for back-and-forth suspicion of the motivations of both agencies. While the reader is certain that the coroner is innocent, the statements by the sheriff's detectives lead to doubting information that has been presented. Who did it and why?
I encourage you to get "The Disloyal Coroner" and learn the details. This is a well-done mystery with little truths along the way and a confession coming out at the bitter end; it is an excellent read.
July 10, 2025
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with Craig and Fenway returning from Colorado moving Craig's storage boxes. Craig is to be living in Fenway's apartment. Fenway receives a call from Rachel advising Fenway of a potential call that she might get. During the call, Fenway discovers that Rachel is down in the dumps because of a breakup with Brian, her boyfriend. Craig convinces Fenway to help her friend, so Fenway puts together a girls' night out. After dropping Rachel off after the party, the next morning Fenway is called to a scene of a death. Because of this accident, Rachel is picked up by the sheriff's dept. and is jailed. Fenway is told that she could not work on the case, but the reopening of a case winds up connected.
Follow along as Fenway investigates her case while also trying to find out who killed the deputy that Rachel is suspected of. Discover what connections there were between the two cases, who and why Fenway was under suspicion and how it all fell out in the end.
This is another great book in the series and well worth reading.
The story begins with Craig and Fenway returning from Colorado moving Craig's storage boxes. Craig is to be living in Fenway's apartment. Fenway receives a call from Rachel advising Fenway of a potential call that she might get. During the call, Fenway discovers that Rachel is down in the dumps because of a breakup with Brian, her boyfriend. Craig convinces Fenway to help her friend, so Fenway puts together a girls' night out. After dropping Rachel off after the party, the next morning Fenway is called to a scene of a death. Because of this accident, Rachel is picked up by the sheriff's dept. and is jailed. Fenway is told that she could not work on the case, but the reopening of a case winds up connected.
Follow along as Fenway investigates her case while also trying to find out who killed the deputy that Rachel is suspected of. Discover what connections there were between the two cases, who and why Fenway was under suspicion and how it all fell out in the end.
This is another great book in the series and well worth reading.
July 11, 2025
A rush to judgment brings distrust…
Although I had my own suspicions, Paul Austin Ardoin meticulously crafts suspicions in a number of directions to make this read into a very worthwhile mystery from start to finish. It helps if you’ve read the previous novel, although, it probably works as a stand-alone, as well. When a newbie in the evidence department alerts Fenway to a problem but is killed before he can explain, a friend and co-worker is held accountable. Thus, begins the roller-coaster to proving her innocence. Fenway is assigned to another case but links the two together causing much friction between her and her superior. In fact, theories and accusations are flying everywhere and casting a shadow on Fenway, herself.
This well-contrived plot and an array of realistic characters will keep you reading into the night. I think this may be Paul Austin Ardoin’s best of the series due to its many layers, twists and character development…I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to read and offer my honest and voluntary review.
Although I had my own suspicions, Paul Austin Ardoin meticulously crafts suspicions in a number of directions to make this read into a very worthwhile mystery from start to finish. It helps if you’ve read the previous novel, although, it probably works as a stand-alone, as well. When a newbie in the evidence department alerts Fenway to a problem but is killed before he can explain, a friend and co-worker is held accountable. Thus, begins the roller-coaster to proving her innocence. Fenway is assigned to another case but links the two together causing much friction between her and her superior. In fact, theories and accusations are flying everywhere and casting a shadow on Fenway, herself.
This well-contrived plot and an array of realistic characters will keep you reading into the night. I think this may be Paul Austin Ardoin’s best of the series due to its many layers, twists and character development…I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to read and offer my honest and voluntary review.
July 4, 2025
I received “The Disloyal Coroner” as an Advance Reader Copy. However, the review below is not influenced or dependent upon that or anything else; it is my own opinion.
Paul Austin Ardoin’s eleventh book in the Fenway Stevenson series was a pleasure to read. I am drawn to police procedurals. Fenway’s investigations are similar to those, since her role as a coroner in California involves investigating sudden, unexplained deaths. (I’m probably not describing her function correctly, but hopefully you can understand.). There is much to puzzle about in this book and plenty of red herrings. I found it very entertaining, so I recommend it! Actually, I think the entire series makes good reading. Why not start at the beginning?
Paul Austin Ardoin’s eleventh book in the Fenway Stevenson series was a pleasure to read. I am drawn to police procedurals. Fenway’s investigations are similar to those, since her role as a coroner in California involves investigating sudden, unexplained deaths. (I’m probably not describing her function correctly, but hopefully you can understand.). There is much to puzzle about in this book and plenty of red herrings. I found it very entertaining, so I recommend it! Actually, I think the entire series makes good reading. Why not start at the beginning?
July 11, 2025
The Disloyal Coroner is the 11th book in the Fenway Stevenson coroner mysteries. This one picks up where book 10 left off. I think it could be read as a stand alone though, as the author does not harken back to the previous book too terribly much. Nothing that leaves the reader feeling lost or disconnected to the story. As the protagonist, Fenway is a great character. Smart, sassy and totally committed to finding the truth no matter where her suspicions land. In this one, the stakes are pretty high as Fenway seems to be under the Sheriff's microscope herself. Excellent read. Well written, paced nicely and enough clues and miscues to keep the reader invested.
I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
July 5, 2025
Another great read in the Fenway Stevenson series. What did the evidence room cop discover? Did this lead to his murder or was it a simple hit and run accident? Suspenseful as Fenway tries to uncover new evidence in a case that they thought was already solved that they discovered, they arrested the wrong person. Are these two incidents connected? Does this all tie into the local drug cartel? You won't want to put this book down cause you will have to find out who is behind all these incidents. Recommend. Received an ARC and this is my honest voluntary review.
July 6, 2025
Good story line, and well written and great characters, although having been an investigator myself, I find Fenway's tendency to zone out in the middle of interviewing a possible suspect, to be unprofessional and rather unlikely, given she gets into the middle of the danger, I would have thought that her performance appraisals would have trained out of her before now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2025
THE DISLOYAL CORONER is another winner! Fenway’s real world problems and perceptions sometimes get in the way of her superb sleuthing abilities, but that is oh so realistic. Great mystery, excellent detective work, and wonderful characters and character interaction!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.
July 16, 2025
So many plot twists and turns! Fenway (as usual) winds up in a messy case (actually, two) and cannot trust the people working those cases. Her partner being back from a failed move to Colorado and moving in with her is a complication she didn't count on, but she rolls with the punches on that while trying to figure out who to trust and who might want to kill even more people. It's a great read!
July 17, 2025
My only complaint about the Fenway books is they end too quickly. As always Paul has me right into the story and I am eagerly reading to see what Fenway is up against and how she solves the crimes. I love how she works her way through the evidence to get to the answers. Can't wait for the next one.
July 18, 2025
The Disloyal Coroner is yet another brilliant installment in the Fenway mystery series which never fails to deliver. The characters have depth and always come to life. There is plenty to engage and entertain you with twists and turns which kept me guessing who was the murderer until the very end.
Highly recommend not just this book but the entire Fenway series.
Highly recommend not just this book but the entire Fenway series.
June 29, 2025
The disloyal coroner by Paul Austin Ardoin
Another Fenway story which quickly captures your attention.
Multiple lines of tips, inquiries and red herrings keep the reader engaged. Perhaps a few less red herrings might be beneficial?!
Regardless, a delightful read!
Another Fenway story which quickly captures your attention.
Multiple lines of tips, inquiries and red herrings keep the reader engaged. Perhaps a few less red herrings might be beneficial?!
Regardless, a delightful read!
July 20, 2025
Distrust and suspicion keeps growing between the sheriff's office and the coroner's office as Fenway is forced to recuse herself from an investigation. But why is law enforcement being targeted? And why Fenway? Another terrific book in a terrific series.
August 1, 2025
Fenway Stevenson
Absolutely one of the best crime /mystery series ever. Love a good puzzle and this series gives that in spades as well as great characters! Can’t wait for more! Just hope I don’t miss any!
Absolutely one of the best crime /mystery series ever. Love a good puzzle and this series gives that in spades as well as great characters! Can’t wait for more! Just hope I don’t miss any!
August 3, 2025
A page turner:
I have rated the eleventh book of this series a five star. It was definitely a page turner. It keeps you guessing and makes you wonder what's going to happen next. I couldn't put the book down. I can't wait to read the next book once it's written.
I have rated the eleventh book of this series a five star. It was definitely a page turner. It keeps you guessing and makes you wonder what's going to happen next. I couldn't put the book down. I can't wait to read the next book once it's written.
October 26, 2025
Fenway Stevenson Mysteries always deliver!!
I just finished book 11 and I’m already anxious for the next installment. The Disloyal Coroner was excellent. The pacing was on point and the characters didn’t disappoint. My only complaint is now I have to wait for #12.
I just finished book 11 and I’m already anxious for the next installment. The Disloyal Coroner was excellent. The pacing was on point and the characters didn’t disappoint. My only complaint is now I have to wait for #12.
June 29, 2025
I loved this book. The plot and characters are well developed. I could not put this book down. I had to find out whodunit.
July 9, 2025
I enjoy reading about Fenway and the rest of her friends/ colleagues. Lots of twists and turns. Really enjoyed reading this book
July 10, 2025
Another great Fenway book! I highly recommend this series!
July 18, 2025
Plenty of plot twists
Love this series, preorder before the next book is available.
Well developed characters
Can be read alone or as a series.
You won't be disappointed.
Love this series, preorder before the next book is available.
Well developed characters
Can be read alone or as a series.
You won't be disappointed.
July 29, 2025
I loved it!!!
October 5, 2025
WOW this one was a nail biter, great series, can't wait to read the next...
November 29, 2025
I WAS GLAD EVERYTHING GOT STRAIGHTENED OUT I HOPE THE NEXT BOOK WILL BE COMING OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THIS WAS GREAT! ;D
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews