The Scott Drayco Series: Books 1-3

The Scott Drayco Series: Books 1-3
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: Crimetime Press
Total Pages: 590
Release: 2017-04-06
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0997534737
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The last thing he needed was to inherit a rundown opera house. And now, he’s just found a body inside. Scott Drayco isn’t a typical private detective: a former concert pianist with the rare condition of synesthesia—where he "sees" sounds as colors, shapes, and textures—he turned to a career in law enforcement after a violent attack put an end to his music dreams. When Drayco inherits a rundown Opera House in a Virginia seaside town following a particularly brutal case, he just wants to arrange a quick sale for the unwanted “gift” while nursing his battered soul in a peaceful setting near the shore. Those hopes are shattered when a dead body turns up on the Opera House stage, a mysterious “G” carved into the man’s chest. With himself a suspect in the murder, Drayco is forced to dig into very old, and very dangerous, secrets to clear his name. Standing in his way are a wary sheriff, hostility over coastal development, and the seductive wife of a town councilman. But as Drayco digs deeper, it becomes increasingly apparent he's running out of time to solve the unusually twisty mystery before tensions explode into more violence and he becomes the next victim. Read the first three novels in the Scott Drayco mystery series—PLAYED TO DEATH; REQUIEM FOR INNOCENCE; and DIES IRAE—finalists for the Shamus, Silver Falchion, Daphne, Foreword Reviews, and Kindle Book Awards Book in this series have been a finalist for the Shamus, Silver Falchion, Daphne, and Foreword Review Awards "Lawson's protagonist is greatly compelling." - Publishers Weekly Book Prize "Worth putting on your reading list."- Library Journal ​"I fell in love with the main character and found myself cheering him on to solve each mystery." - 5-star review ​"So good, I read it twice from beginning to end." - 5 star review Keywords: brainy detectives, thrillers, traditional mysteries, crime thrillers, murder, mystery series, private investigator, detective books, crime series, thriller series, crime thriller series, vigilante justice, detective series, private investigator series, PI series, private eye series, crime authors, thriller authors, psychological thrillers, mystery boxed sets, crime box sets

Adam Dutton & Beverly Laborde Mystery Series Box Set: Books 1-3

Adam Dutton & Beverly Laborde Mystery Series Box Set: Books 1-3
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: BV Lawson
Total Pages: 1199
Release: 2020-06-06
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1951752139
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Revenge is best served BOLD. When Beverly Laborde becomes a con artist to exact revenge on the man who shut down her grandmother's antiques business and sent her to an early grave, she comes face to face with the handsome but haunted Vermont police detective, Adam Dutton—who doesn’t know whether to arrest her or ask her out on a date. Yet, what started as a personal vendetta for Beverly against whose a man whose criminal tendrils reach far into Vermont politics and the Northeastern Antiquities League grows into something more. The quirky town of Ironwood Junction, a sympathetic local antiques dealer, and the mysterious "Mr.X" start to chip away at Beverly's hardened outer emotional shell. But can she push past her issues with trust and betrayal to settle down? And will her quest for vengeance ever truly be over? As Beverly and Adam come to terms with their inconvenient growing attraction toward each other, they have to dodge bribery, theft, extortion, and murder ... to settle old scores and to keep each other safe. Includes: STEAL AWAY: A con woman hoping to take revenge on the man she feels responsible for her grandmother's death has to fight her growing attraction for a handsome Vermont police detective and the efforts of her nemesis to silence her ... forever. But if she can allow herself to trust her instincts—and the detective—she might just have a fighting chance. HIDE AWAY: Vermont Detective Adam Dutton has to make one of the hardest arrests of his life—his good friend and godfather, Harlan Wilford, who stands accused of murder. Once again teaming up with con woman Beverly Laborde, Adam and Beverly must find the real killer before it's too late for Harlan...and for them. BURN AWAY: When a series of arsons targets Vermont antiques stores, Detective Adam Dutton and con-woman Beverly Laborde worry a shop owned by their friend might be next. But the stakes take an even deeper and uglier turn after a body is found inside one of the burned buildings. Was it an accident, suicide ... or murder? Praise for BV Lawson's mysteries/thrillers: "Worth putting on your reading list." - The Library Journal "Lawson's protagonist is greatly compelling." - Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize "Lawson’s book was so good, I read it twice from beginning to end." - Readers Favorite Reviews The complete chronology of the Adam Dutton & Beverly Laborde mystery/thriller series for those who enjoy reading in order is: Steal Away Hide Away Burn Away Keywords: mystery novel, detective novel, crime fiction, murder mystery, mystery series, police procedural, amateur sleuth, female sleuth, heist novels, thrillers, traditional mysteries, crime thrillers, murder, mystery series, private investigator, detective books, crime series, thriller series, crime thriller series, vigilante justice, detective series, private investigator series, PI series, private eye series, crime authors, thriller authors, psychological thrillers, mystery boxed sets, crime box sets

Played to Death

Played to Death
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: BV Lawson
Total Pages: 299
Release: 2014-07-12
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0990458202
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A Shamus Award Finalist and Named Best Mystery in the Next Generation Book Awards A body in a rundown Opera House. A missing manuscript. A dark family secret. Still suffering nightmares from a case that ended tragically, brilliant freelance crime consultant Scott Drayco considers retiring from crime solving altogether. When a former client bequeaths Drayco a rundown Opera House in a Virginia seaside town, he figures he'll arrange for a quick sale of the place while nursing his battered soul in a peaceful setting near the shore. What he doesn't count on is finding a dead body on the Opera House stage with a mysterious "G" carved into the man's chest. With hopes for a quick sale dashed and himself a suspect in the murder, Drayco digs into very old and very dangerous secrets to solve the crime and clear his name. Along the way, Drayco must dodge a wary sheriff, hostility over coastal development, and the seductive wife of a town councilman - before the tensions explode into more violence and he becomes the next victim. Praise for BV Lawson's Scott Drayco Mystery/Thriller Series: "Worth putting on your reading list." - The Library Journal "Lawson's protagonist is greatly compelling." - Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize "Lawson uses the gothic features of the abandoned Opera House to great effect, creating an atmospheric background for the crimes and the solving of them, all of it accompanied with music that's almost like another character. The pace never sagged and it kept me enthralled." - Long and Short Reviews "Lawson's book was so good, I read it twice from beginning to end...The citizens of Cape Unity are as diverse and multi-layered as any person living in the large cities, and Lawson portrayed them splendidly." - Reader's Favorite Reviews "The storyline here is nicely structured, and creatively ties together two murder mysteries, which occurred decades apart. The small town setting is ideal, the lead character engaging, and the supporting cast interesting and diverse. Overall, a solid start to this series." - Omnimystery News "A nice tight mystery in a realistic setting. Totally enjoyable." - Terrie Farley Moran, national bestselling author of the Read 'Em and Eat Mystery Series Keywords: brainy detectives, thrillers, traditional mysteries, free, freebie, crime thrillers, murder, mystery series, private investigator, detective books, crime series, thriller series, crime thriller series, vigilante justice, detective series, private investigator series, PI series, private eye series, crime authors, thriller authors, psychological thrillers

Melody of Murder: A Scott Drayco Mystery

Melody of Murder: A Scott Drayco Mystery
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: Crimetime Press
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2022-06-30
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1951752090
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How would you solve your own kidnapping? And what if the reason behind it was even stranger than you could ever imagine? When detective Scott Drayco is abducted and given a mysterious puzzle to solve, his predicament is bizarre enough. But after he's released and one of his kidnappers is killed—a man who allegedly died five years ago—what began as a puzzling situation turns into an even stranger quest. Meanwhile, Drayco's father, Brock, has a new girlfriend with a shady background, and the timing of the relationship feels far too coincidental. When an even shadier connection also appears to be involved in Drayco’s abduction, the stakes become deeply personal. Feeling stymied at every turn—and unable to get a song the dead man was obsessed with out of his head—Drayco wonders if he’s too close to the case to be objective. Who was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, and what were their real motives? And was the death of the one kidnapper an accident ... or murder? Drayco does know one thing for certain: he has to get to the bottom of the mystery soon, or more people could die ... Praise for the Scott Drayco Mystery/Thriller Series: "Worth putting on your reading list." - The Library Journal "Lawson's protagonist is greatly compelling." - Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize "Lawson’s book was so good, I read it twice from beginning to end." - Readers Favorite Reviews Keywords: brainy detectives, thrillers, traditional mysteries, crime thrillers, murder, mystery series, private investigator, detective books, crime series, thriller series, crime thriller series, vigilante justice, detective series, private investigator series, PI series, private eye series, crime authors, thriller authors, psychological thrillers

The Scott Drayco Mystery Series Omnibus, Books 1-6

The Scott Drayco Mystery Series Omnibus, Books 1-6
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: BV Lawson
Total Pages: 1759
Release: 2021-05-04
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1951752252
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Read the first six books in the Scott Drayco mystery series that Library Journal called “worth putting on your reading list." Finalists for the Shamus, Silver Falchion, Daphne, Library Journal Indie Best Mystery, and Foreword Book Reviews awards, with over 1,000 five-star reviews! The box set includes six complete novels in the engrossing mystery series featuring crime consultant Scott Drayco who readers describe as “not a stereotypical detective” and “an extremely complex character.” If you enjoy heart-tugging stories, twisty mysteries, and thrilling suspense, then you’ll love BV Lawson’s bestselling series. This digital box set includes: PLAYED TO DEATH: When a former client bequeaths crime consultant Scott Drayco a rundown Opera House in a Virginia seaside town - complete with a body inside - Drayco gets trapped in a tangled web of music, madness, and murder that reaches across the Atlantic into some of the darkest days of human history. REQUIEM FOR INNOCENCE: Crime consultant Scott Drayco is lured back to the Eastern Shore of Virginia to investigate an attack on a disabled girl and wades into a sea of lies, seduction, and secrets to keep the girl safe ... and stop a murderer from striking again. DIES IRAE: After a mysterious music code is left at a crime scene, Scott Drayco plays deadly games with a killer. But is it voodoo, vengeance, or pure villainy? ELEGY IN SCARLET: When crime consultant Scott Drayco’s long-AWOL mother returns and is charged with murder, he becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth even though everyone tells him to walk away. As he falls deeper into secrets, lies and cons, he begins to suspect the case may be all part of an elaborate scam ... where the only one being fooled is Drayco himself. THE SUICIDE SONATA: Can a piece of music be cursed? A song linked to suicides is found with a victim's body, but was it really suicide—or a cleverly disguised murder? After a series of puzzling incidents, and crime consultant Scott Drayco starts suffering from depression himself after playing the sonata, can he be sure of what's real or what's imagined? DEADLY DANCE: When detective Scott Drayco's ex-girlfriend begs him to prove her rich fiance is innocent of murder, he reluctantly takes on the case. But as Drayco encounters a mysterious commune, possible Russian traffickers, and false identities, he plunges deep into a cesspool where nothing is as it appears - and a deadly dance with the devil could be his undoing. What reviewers are saying: "Lawson's protagonist is greatly compelling." - Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize "Worth putting on your reading list." - The Library Journal "BV Lawson has created a memorable character in Drayco, a concert pianist turned FBI agent, turned crime consultant. He also has the fascinating condition of synesthesia, which not only adds a mysterious depth to his character it is integral to the plot." - Big Als Books & Pals Keywords: brainy detectives, thrillers, traditional mysteries, crime thrillers, murder, mystery series, private investigator, detective books, crime series, thriller series, crime thriller series, vigilante justice, detective series, private investigator series, PI series, private eye series, crime authors, thriller authors, psychological thrillers, mystery boxed sets, crime box sets

Deadly Dance: A Scott Drayco Mystery

Deadly Dance: A Scott Drayco Mystery
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: Crimetime Press
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2021-04-30
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1951752066
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Some secrets refuse to stay buried... When Scott Drayco's ex-girlfriend begs him to prove her rich fiance, Harry Dickerman, is innocent of murder, Drayco's torn; he's suspicious of Harry's motives for wanting to marry a much younger woman, but on the other hand, the man seems to be a paragon of virtue. The police think it's an open-and-shut case — the victim was Harry's ex-wife, killed in Harry's home with his own letter opener, and only Harry's prints were on the murder weapon. But as Drayco digs deeper, he starts to find cracks in that "open-and-shut" case and investigates whether corporate espionage was involved and how a shady attorney figures into the mix. Most puzzling of all, why was the victim living in an mysterious, out-of-the-way commune for Wall Street refugees? And why does the commune seem to be less about peace, love, and brotherhood and more about drugs, sex, and blackmail? With help from his former FBI partner, "Sarg" Sargosian, Drayco uncovers a possible Russian connection that may be key to the mystery. But as he plunges deeper into a cesspool where everyone seems to be guilty of secrets and lies, he's not sure who he can trust ... or whether a deadly dance with the devil will be his undoing. The Suicide Sonata is the fifth installment in the acclaimed Scott Drayco mystery series, a finalist for the Shamus, Silver Falchion, Daphne, and Foreword Book Review Awards. Praise for the Scott Drayco Mystery/Thriller Series: "Worth putting on your reading list." - The Library Journal "Lawson's protagonist is greatly compelling." - Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize "Lawson’s book was so good, I read it twice from beginning to end." - Readers Favorite Reviews Keywords: brainy detectives, thrillers, traditional mysteries, crime thrillers, murder, mystery series, private investigator, detective books, crime series, thriller series, crime thriller series, vigilante justice, detective series, private investigator series, PI series, private eye series, crime authors, thriller authors, psychological thrillers

Requiem for Innocence

Requiem for Innocence
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: BV Lawson
Total Pages: 311
Release: 2015-10-19
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0990458237
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A puzzling attack. A web of dark secrets. A race against time. In the tranquil seaside town of Cape Unity, Virginia, a young girl's puzzling attack shatters the calm, revealing a dark undercurrent of violence. Detective Scott Drayco, a seasoned investigator with a keen eye for detail, senses there's more to the story than meets the eye. With no leads, no motives, and no suspects, Drayco is drawn into a complex and dangerous investigation that uncovers twisted relationships and buried family secrets. As he digs deeper, Drayco encounters a disfigured man with a mysterious past, his enigmatic Goth son, and a potential link to a series of unsolved murders in Washington, D.C. Every discovery pulls him further into a web of deceit and danger, where each shadow conceals a threat, and every step could be his last. Drayco's growing feelings for a town councilman's wife add another layer of complexity to the case, testing his judgment and focus. As the investigation intensifies, Drayco must untangle the sinister web before the shadowy figure strikes again. With time running out, the next victim could be anyone—even Drayco himself. Praise for BV Lawson's Scott Drayco Mystery/Thriller Series: "Worth putting on your reading list." - The Library Journal "Lawson's protagonist is greatly compelling." - Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize "Lawson uses the gothic features of the abandoned Opera House to great effect, creating an atmospheric background for the crimes and the solving of them, all of it accompanied with music that's almost like another character. The pace never sagged and it kept me enthralled." - Long and Short Reviews "Lawson's book was so good, I read it twice from beginning to end...The citizens of Cape Unity are as diverse and multi-layered as any person living in the large cities, and Lawson portrayed them splendidly." - Reader's Favorite Reviews "The storyline here is nicely structured, and creatively ties together two murder mysteries, which occurred decades apart. The small town setting is ideal, the lead character engaging, and the supporting cast interesting and diverse. Overall, a solid start to this series." - Omnimystery News "A nice tight mystery in a realistic setting. Totally enjoyable." - Terrie Farley Moran, national bestselling author of the Read 'Em and Eat Mystery Series Keywords: brainy detectives, thrillers, traditional mysteries, crime thrillers, murder, mystery series, private investigator, detective books, crime series, thriller series, crime thriller series, vigilante justice, detective series, private investigator series, PI series, private eye series, crime authors, thriller authors, psychological thrillers

The Scott Drayco Mystery Series Volume Two, Books 4-6

The Scott Drayco Mystery Series Volume Two, Books 4-6
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: BV Lawson
Total Pages: 1171
Release: 2021-05-03
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1951752147
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Scott Drayco is back in the second box set edition of the award-winning mystery series. Read books 4-6 in the Scott Drayco mystery series that Library Journal called “worth putting on your reading list." Finalists for the Shamus, Silver Falchion, Daphne, Library Journal Indie Best Mystery, and Foreword Book Reviews awards, with over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads! The box set includes three complete novels in the engrossing mystery series readers describe as “not a stereotypical detective” and “an extremely complex character.” If you enjoy heart-tugging stories, twisty mysteries, and thrilling suspense, then you’ll love BV Lawson’s bestselling series. This digital box set includes: ELEGY IN SCARLET: When crime consultant Scott Drayco’s long-AWOL mother returns and is charged with murder, he becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth even though everyone tells him to walk away. As he falls deeper into secrets, lies and cons, he begins to suspect the case may be all part of an elaborate scam ... where the only one being fooled is Drayco himself. THE SUICIDE SONATA: Can a piece of music be cursed? A song linked to suicides is found with a victim's body, but was it really suicide—or a cleverly disguised murder? After a series of puzzling incidents, and crime consultant Scott Drayco starts suffering from depression himself after playing the sonata, can he be sure of what's real or what's imagined? DEADLY DANCE: When detective Scott Drayco's ex-girlfriend begs him to prove her rich fiance is innocent of murder, he reluctantly takes on the case. But as Drayco encounters a mysterious commune, possible Russian traffickers, and false identities, he plunges deep into a cesspool where nothing is as it appears - and a deadly dance with the devil could be his undoing. What reviewers are saying: "Lawson's protagonist is greatly compelling." - Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize "Worth putting on your reading list." - The Library Journal "BV Lawson has created a memorable character in Drayco, a concert pianist turned FBI agent, turned crime consultant. He also has the fascinating condition of synesthesia, which not only adds a mysterious depth to his character it is integral to the plot." - Big Als Books & Pals Keywords: brainy detectives, thrillers, traditional mysteries, crime thrillers, murder, mystery series, private investigator, detective books, crime series, thriller series, crime thriller series, vigilante justice, detective series, private investigator series, PI series, private eye series, crime authors, thriller authors, psychological thrillers, mystery boxed sets, crime box sets

Best Served Cold

Best Served Cold
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: BV Lawson
Total Pages: 97
Release: 2024-11-08
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:
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Injustices, big and small, surround each of us every day. But what can one person do? Plenty, in these stories of vengeance and betrayal - whether it's a cheating spouse, a prostitute who's had enough, or a bookkeeper who decides to stick it to "the man." Ten twisted tales of mystery, deceit, family secrets, murder and even some aliens thrown in for good measure will have you cheering for the bad guys to get their just desserts. ˃˃˃ Praise for BV's Mysteries in Crime Time "Now this story was close to brilliance...The main character was truly three-dimensional, a noteworthy feat especially in a short story. The plot was fast, dark and thrilling." - IHeartReading.net "Kept me guessing until the very end. I’d recommend this to experienced mystery readers who enjoy wrestling with skillfully placed hints that don’t easily reveal their secrets." - Long and Short Reviews "We've had the pleasure of reading these tales and can enthusiastically recommend them." - Omnimystery News "One of the best shorts I've read this year. Scary and triumphant in the bleakest kind of way with two of the best characters I've read." - AJ Hayes, author of the Mad Dog and Englishman series "Awesome story. Beautifully written...you have really written something special." - Terrie Farley Moran, author of the Read ’Em and Eat Café and Bookstore series

Hear No Evil

Hear No Evil
Author: BV Lawson
Publisher: Crimetime Press
Total Pages: 63
Release: 2018-03-24
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:
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From Derringer Award winner BV Lawson come five tales featuring Scott Drayco, a man who had everything going for him: handsome, brilliant, and a talented classical pianist in the prime of his youth. After violence scarred him physically and emotionally, he turned to an FBI career before becoming a crime consultant, taking on cases other people often don't want to touch. In HEAR NO EVIL, first published in Poison + Murder = Satisfaction, pianist Adina Dyson asks to meet Scott Drayco at a recital hall in the middle of a snowstorm, but the last thing he expects is for Adina to turn up dead. In TER-LUCK-EN, when noted defense attorney Benny Baskin finds himself in jail on Thanksgiving Eve, Drayco has to try to save his bacon. In THE LEAST OF THESE, first published in Plan B: Volume III, Drayco goes undercover at a French Embassy soiree in hopes of bringing closure to a motherless girl. In WITH SWEET LAVENDER, first published in Over My Dead Body, Drayco discovers that love is not always a many-splendored thing. In FM IS FOR MURDER, first published in Poison + Murder = Satisfaction (and honored by an American Independent Writers award), the shock-jock host of a morning radio program turns up murdered—but maybe the question is who *didn’t* want him dead? PRAISE FOR BV LAWSON'S SHORT FICTION "Now this story was close to brilliance...The plot was fast, dark and thrilling." - IHeartReading.net "All in all, an excellent read for lovers of quality mystery fiction." - Jacqueline Seewald, author of The Inferno Collection Category Keywords: vigilante justice, crime fiction, murder, private detective, suspense, mysteries, thrillers, mystery & detective, private investigator series, detective novel series, literary mystery, murder mystery series, vengeful, mystery series, thriller books, crime books, suspense books, best mystery novels, short stories, short crime fiction, mystery stories