Murder is Personal: A Jake Powell Mystery (Jake Powell Mysteries, #1)

Jake Powell came to Rattlesnake Bend to disappear.

The small Texas lake town was the perfect place to outrun his past: no questions, no connections, no reminders of the life he left behind in Massachusetts. He kept his head down, drank too much at the Cock ’N’ Bull, and tried to forget April Hunter—the woman he abandoned without explanation years ago.

Then April Hunter arrives in town wearing a yellow rain slicker.

Less than twenty-four hours later, she’s dead.

With the sheriff convinced he’s guilty, Jake is forced to find the murderer himself—both to prove his innocence and to prevent another murder. But every answer uncovers another lie. As Jake closes in on the truth, he discovers that solving April's murder may expose secrets capable of destroying the life he's fought to rebuild.

Murder is Personal is a contemporary noir mystery-thriller featuring memorable characters and a haunting small-town atmosphere where everyone has a secret, and no one tells the truth.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

Character-driven suspense with emotional depth
Small-town mysteries with a noir edge
Unconventional amateur sleuths
Family secrets, shocking twists, and morally complex characters
Dry humor woven through dark, atmospheric storytelling

Perfect for readers of Chris Whitaker, Michael Koryta, and William Kent Krueger.