A Counsel of Death

Reverend Cici Gurule Mysteries #6

by J.J. Cagney

He thought he was investigating money laundering, but the case is far more menacing. It’s murder…

Detective Sam Chastain has been dreading his next case: he must investigate his father-in-law’s role in a federal money-laundering scheme. When a grisly murder reframes the case, he must find answers before he loses another witness.

At the same time, new evidence sheds light on the decades-old drowning death of Cici’s uncle. She’s one of the few tenuous threads that connects the two murders. And a brand-new one.

As Sam and Cici race to uncover the identity of the latest victim, they realize the killer never leaves loose ends… Like Cici.

A Counsel for Death is the sixth book in the multi-award-winning Rev. Cici Gurule Mystery series. Buckle in for a thrill ride full of twists and page-turning action.

266 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2021

About the author

J. J. Cagney is the mystery/thriller pen name of USA Today bestselling author Alexa Padgett. Her debut mystery, A Pilgrimage of Death, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Books of 2018 and Goodreads Best Mysteries of the 2010s.

Cagney holds a bachelor’s in international marketing and spent part of her twenties as the marketing director for an elite sports management firm. And, yes, she did her requisite stint with a dotcom back in the early 2000s, first as a marketing coordinator and then as a content manager. She’s penned work for a variety of websites and magazines, and she worked as a literary agent for Irene Webb Literary.

She lives in northern New Mexico with her husband, children, about a million fish, and their Great Pyrenees, Ash. Kirkus Reviews called Cagney’s latest mystery, An Artifact of Death, “An exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series.”

Reviews

[Karin]

Cici and Sam are newlyweds enjoying some much needed time that is very short lived when he’s called back to work and no way he’s going alone! I so enjoy this series and the pace and suspense of each and every book

[Nancy (The Avid Reader)]

Sam is enjoying spending time with his new wife, Cici but all good things must come to an end so to speak as Sam is called back to work on a case that he wants no part of. Sam is assigned the case because his ex insisted that he be put on the case leaving the department no choice but to agree to her commands I am assuming.

Cici would like to go along with Sam and Jeanette for a number of reasons, one, it is her father they are investigating, two, she is a little bit jealous of his ex. Cici is very suspicious, her reason for questioning it is that Jeanette insisted on being partnered with Sam.

Sam thought his new case was only investigating money laundering but boy was he wrong it was murder. While he is investigating the murder he finds evidence for a decades-old case that connects the two murders. Who is the murderer? Did the same person commit both murders? If not how do the two cases connect? If it is the same killer who is it and why were did they commit murders?

A Counsel of Death takes off on several different paths leaving clues at every turn, pulling you in deeper and deeper with each twist and turn that keeps the pages turning as each clue brings you closer and closer to the end, revealing its secrets slowly, leaving lots and lots of suspense hot on its trail.

Each book in the Reverend Cici Gurule Mysteries just keeps getting better and better with each word. Each book is chocked full of suspense and mystery with lots of action on almost every page.

I would recommend each and every book in the Reverend Cici Gurule Mysteries so go grab your copy of each book for a thrilling ride full of murder, mystery, and death with a touch of the paranormal.

[Suzy Sims]

Reverend Cici and Sam are back into the thick of things in this latest story. Still recovering from being kidnapped by a sadistic serial killer, and a surprise wedding, Cici is upset when Sam is sent out of town on an assignment. Not just any case though. Her father is suspected of being part of a money laundering scheme. As Sam’s case is slowly opening up a seemingly unrelated breaking and entering of Cici’s family home results in a murder. Cici is drawn into the case with some supernatural help. This is a roller coaster adventure of emotions and terror as Sam and Cici navigate this latest case. There are some deeply emotional moments between characters that spoke to my heart. Even if you read this as a stand-alone will be a fast read, fast thrill ride. This was a ‘could not put down’ book. I received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sheila Lee]

A Counsel of Death is a high octane, roller-coaster ride of epic proportions! Many characters have returned in the 6th book in this awesome series. Besides Cici and Sam, Mrs. Sanchez, Jeannette, Sterling, and Cici's dad round out the additional cast. The plot is twisted and intricately woven as J. J. Cagney delivers another stay-up-all-night suspense novel.
As the 6th novel, I was uncertain if the author could match the high expectations I have come to appreciate from the Cici Gurule books; but J.J. Cagney continues to "wow" me. This novel is worth the price to purchase and the time it takes to read it.
5 stars!

[Kenneth Lingenfelter]

Police detectives Sam and Jeanette, former lovers, are investigating Cici's father for money laundering. A murder that is related to a murder from years ago. Now someone is after Cici as her church was shot up. A heart pounding conclusion to try to save Cici. A thriller you will not want to put down.

[Joanne H]

The author has another great book about Cici Gurule! The book keeps you at the edge and throws you into the uniqueness of the story. A man with revenge on his mind was about to be the death of Cici and her husband Sam. Sam was with the FBI and investigating money laundering but the problems seem to come back to the family. Great book!

[Ellen White]

Sam leaving to check out Cici father’s money scheme;
a case he didn’t want.
Partner, ex lover Jeanette insisted, throwing a wedge between Cici & him
Call came and Sam knew they were being watched , and bugged.
He feels uneasy, then murder, and a decade old murder, are connected
Nothing is at it should be, and Cici was the target .
Good series, good flowing plot, with twists to unravel to the end.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[Nati]

Cici and Sam had been married only for two weeks and he has to come back to work, investigating Cici's father. But will Cici be save by her own or will danger follow her unraveling a past secret? Great thriller

[Bec]

Oh wow.
Cici & Sam’s story continues to get better and better.
So so twisty! Kept me guessing until the end.
This author is amazing!!
Recommend to all

[Denise]

Det. Sam has us entranced once again with another case. This investigation will also include his father in law with a murder close behind. We are given suspense at its highest with more to come. Add CiCi getting new evidence on her uncle's drowning though that is from long ago. Then the two get linked and together they work on this. Turn the pages on this dilly to see if they can catch a killer.

[Jovdb]

Yet again, Cici becomes embroiled in a case that involves Sam and it gets messy. Nice as Cici is, I really am not sure she is in the right profession.

And there is still that hint of the supernatural.