Twenty Centavos

Murder in Mexico #1

by John Scherber

Twenty Centavos

Does an artist really see things differently? Painter Paul Zacher, preparing for a gallery show in the Yucatan, is unwillingly drawn into a murder investigation in his home town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A prominent antiques dealer has been shot in the head, and a twenty centavo coin found in his mouth. Zacher draws on the help and expertise of his Mexican girlfriend, Maya Sanchez. and his retired detective friend, Cody Williams, to comb the prosperous expatriate community for clues as he tries to stay out of the way of the police. The action ricochets from the heartland of colonial Mexico to the steamy jungles of the Yucatan as Zacher inches closer to the killer, only to find himself marked as the next victim.
Twenty Centavos is the first book in the Murder in Mexico series.

Genres: Mystery, Contemporary

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2010

About the author

John Scherber, a Minnesota native, settled in México in 2007. He is the author of 15 Paul Zacher mysteries, (The Murder in México series), set in the old colonial hill town of San Miguel de Allende, as well as his three award-winning nonfiction accounts of the expatriate experience, San Miguel de Allende: A Place in the Heart, Into the Heart of Mexico: Expatriates Find Themselves Off the Beaten Path, and Living in San Miguel: The Heart of the Matter. In addition, two volumes of the Townshend Vampire Trilogy have appeared, and a paranormal thriller titled The Devil’s Workshop.
His work is known for its fast pace, irreverent humor, and light-hearted excursions into the worlds of art and antiques––always with an edge of suspense. Neither highbrow nor lowbrow, his books are written as entertainments and dedicated to the enjoyment of reading. While he has acknowledged being no single one of his characters, he also admits to being all of them.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good start to a new series of mysteries with an artist living in San Miguel de Allende as the amateur sleuth. He is asked to investigate the murder of the expat husband of his Mexican girlfriend's friend because she thinks that his training to see details through his work as an artist will help him figure out what happened to her husband. As unlikely an idea as this is, it does seem to pay off, although he also has the help of a retired cop friend and the aforementioned Mexican girlfriend. Besides his investigative activities we also get a view into his portrait painting process. 3.5 stars

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge thinking he had been taken by the art dealer, in what he had bought from him. Leaving a coin in his mouth, which was less than two cents, insignificant, and not used now. The widow wanted him as a painter, to view the scene, he was use to details. The police were not to be trusted, nor to do anything. Checking the desk, he was puzzled, there was no evidence of him and his business transactions.
Good flowing plot, rich with the Mexican settings, paintings and lifestyle.
New author and enjoyed, and looking for more.

[Lori Bindner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genealogy and collections

Are well featured here, once again keeping my mind occupied. I enjoyed each new character and the different personalities. I think I'm addicted to this motley crew of the Detective Agency.

[Peter M. O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting story line!

International murder mystery with historical elements involving non- detectives trying to solve a crime. Very fun and intriguing read that I would recommend!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the series makes me want to read the rest. While this might be considered a cozy mystery it is so much more. The development of the characters and plot was great. I didn’t know until the end who the killer was.

[J M Banicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read

This is not only a good story but a interesting location. Good characters if a little predictable. I enjoyed the artist connection. I will read more by this author.

[Bonnie J Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading about Mexico and San Miguel...... Can't wait to read the entire series! Makes me feel like I am back there.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

This was an interesting story. I liked the characters and it had a great setting. Can't wait to continue the series.

[Mikel Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

From my Amazon review: A good plot, good characters, and some good writing form the basis for a satisfying whodunit set in Mexico. This was the first book from the author that I read after meeting him in his retirement village of San Miguel de Allende, and it won't be my last. He has a deft way with words and phrases, plus a knack for storytelling. Interesting main character, plus intrigue about whether the hunter will become the prey.

[Tracey S Choat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of a great series

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this book while searching for my next read! This is a great mystery, likeable characters, lots of action and the first book I've read about expats living in a Mexican city. This won't disappoint!

[Suzi Hellwege]

Just finished all of the books in this series (Amazon Prime Kindle Unlimited). Great summer reading, enjoyed learning about SMA and surrounding areas, as the books are full of local color and culture. Reading 20+ books in a row the author repeats lots of details around core characters for reference, but still they are interesting and fairly fast paced, as well as short and enjoyable reads. Will keep reading future books in the series, and plan on visiting SMA this year as well!