When the Past Haunts You

Harry Bronson #3

by L.C. Hayden

What powerful forces would drive someone to cross the line? For Harry Bronson, a startling call spirals him down a path he thought he’d never take.
Bronson’s long lost sister calls him asking for help. Bitter with the memory of their last goodbye, Bronson ignores the plea until finally he’s forced to relent. He flies to Pittsburgh to meet her at a state park they both held dear in their childhood. When they first see each other, she runs to him. An unknown sniper shoots her and she dies in his arms.
Driven by guilt and remorse, he reconstructs her life. He tangles with her ex-pimp, now a powerful mafia figure, a billionaire steel magistrate, a congressman who dreams of being the next President, a questionable lawyer, and a ruthless, ice-cold killer known as the Raven. The novel’s twists and turns will leave the reader breathless.
When the Past Haunts You goes beyond the simple mystery novel. It explores family relationships, bitterness, and forgiveness. If Bronson is to solve his sister’s murder and ultimately become a decent human being, he must confront yesterday’s ghosts that hound him When the Past Haunts You.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Crime

377 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2012

About the author

Award-winning and bestselling author L. C. Hayden is the creator of the popular Harry Bronson Thriller series, the Aimee Brent Mystery series, and several standalones. Hayden is known in the mystery field for her edge-of-the-seat suspense and her surprise endings. Her mysteries have hit the Kindle, the B&N, and the Pennsylvania Top Seller Lists. The books have been finalists for the Agatha Award, the LCC Awards, the Silver Falchion Awards, the Readers’ Choice Award, and others.
Her nonfiction angel/miracle series consists of spiritually uplifting books that leave the reader wanting more. They are international best sellers.
Hayden’s other works include children’s picture books, a paranormal mystery, a guide for aspiring authors, a young adult inspirational novelette, and others.
Besides being an accomplished author, Hayden is a popular speaker who is often in demand. She has done workshops and school presentations, has spoken to clubs and organizations, and was hired by several major cruise lines to speak while cruising all over the world. From October 2006 to October 2007, Hayden hosted Mystery Writers of America’s only talk show, Murder Must Air.
Check out Hayden’s books at tinyurl.com/LCHaydenbooks and befriend her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would be difficult to find a happier married couple than Harry and Carol Bronson. Harry is retired from the Dallas police department and enjoys traveling with Carol. Harry has been involved in a number of mysteries in spite of the fact that he is retired.

Carol Bronson would be the first to tell you that there are no secrets between her and Harry. However, Carol is going to find out that this statement is not entirely accurate. Harry has a huge secret that he has never discussed with his wife. This secret is a sister that he has pushed to the back of his mind and never mentioned her existence to his wife.

Lorraine, Harry's sister, had a terrible fight with Harry's parents. She immediately left home and Harry had no further contact with her until recently when she began calling him. Lorraine begs Harry to come to Pennsylvania and meet with her. Harry finally agrees and they meet in a state park that had been a location for good childhood memories for both brother and sister. However, before the two had a chance to reconnect Lorraine was shot and killed right in front of Harry and there was not one thing Harry could do to save her life.

Even though it was too late to reconnect with his sister, Harry is determined to learn all that he can about her life since she left home. As Harry traces Lorraine's life by following up on any information he can discover, he learns that she lived quite a different life than he imagined. He also learned that she had never forgotten her brother and was always very proud of Harry and his accomplishments as a police officer.

Harry's quest to learn everything about Lorraine's past since she left home puts his life in danger but he has no intentions of giving up. Harry intends to uncover all of Lorraine's secrets and to bring her killer to justice. Harry feels that this is the very least he can do for the sister he has ignored for all these years. Lorraine's life has involved people from every walk in life, from pimps to millionaires. Harry is in for many surprises as he investigates.

L. C. Hayden has written an exciting book that keeps the reader on edge every step of the way. I have read several L. C. Hayden novels and would recommend them.

[Jakenv · Rating 5 out of 5]

You do not want to miss this one if you enjoy an excellent mystery. Leaves you guessing to the end.

[ChrisGA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mystery/action/police procedural has everything the reader could want: conspiracies, secrets, art thief, murder, unknown parentage, red herrings, really bad-guy villains and likeable heroes and heroines. Bronson is a retired cop from Dallas who lives in a camper with his wife. At her insistence, he reaches out to his long-estranged sister, Lorraine, and answers her pleas for help just in time to hold her in his arms after she was shot. Filled with grief and remorse for all the wasted years without her in his life, he sets out to find her killer with the help of his ex-partner, Mike. Several honest policepersons assist him even after they have been warned off by the powers that be. The search for that killer leads the reader through many plot twists and surprises as Mike and Bronson deal with mob figures as well as a host of greedy, vengeful, and ruthless characters. In the process of finding Lorraine’s killer, Bronson learns that the little sister he loved as a child triumphed over her rocky, rebellious teen years to become a fine woman he would be proud to claim as kin. The ending completely surprised me.

The book deals with redemption, family, honor, integrity, loyalty, and the strength found in a good marriage and a good friendship. This is the third in a series of Bronson books by the author. Although this one stands alone very well, I want to read the other two for the background of Bronson, Carol, Mike, and Ellen. They were characters I enjoyed getting to know and would like to know better.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The thoughts are my own.

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Bronson, a cop with a past that haunts him. Like any good officer, he has learned not to wear his heart on his sleeve, and has succeeded over the years in putting bad memories out of his mind. Harry's wife, Carol, is of a different cloth. When Harry's sister calls for help it's Carol who is instrumental in getting him to finally go to his sister's aid. It's too late. Or is it?

When Harry returns to Pittsburgh he is drawn into the web his sister Lorraine was ensnared in. Along with ex-partner Mike and Mike's ex-wife, Ellen, Harry tries to unsnarl the complicated life his sister lived in order to find her killer. Add the rich and famous and characters from the Mafia and you have a fast-paced page turner that will not let you rest until you have read the last page. I fell in love with the Bronson character. He is a hardball retired cop who has a soft side that he rarely shows to the public. He has tenacity and prides himself on always getting the job done. HIs ex-partner, Mike, is the exact opposite and together they make a perfect team. The scenes are full of danger, intrigue, and excitement. I changed my mind several times about who the killer was and that makes a great read!

Mysteries are my favorite genre, but one needs to be very good to hold my attention and make me want to read it again. This book will remain in my library to be enjoyed for years to come. Thanks, L.C. Hayden. Harry Bronson is a character I'll remember!

[Valerie Stocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fast-Paced Thrill Ride

L.C. Hayden keeps me up at night. Seriously.

When the Past Haunts You, her latest entry in the Harry Bronson series, has all the ingredients you’d expect to find in an L.C. Hayden book: lots of action, interesting characters, oodles of suspense, and a surprise ending.

This time, Harry is confronted with a piece of his past. His long-estranged sister, Lorraine, calls him repeatedly until he finally answers the phone. She needs him to come to her right away, but she doesn’t tell him what it’s about. Despite his misgivings, he travels to Pittsburgh to meet her.

She is murdered before she can tell him why she wanted to see him. Badly shaken, filled with guilt and regret, Harry sets out to find her killer.

What follows is a twisty, winding road leading through some of the seamier aspects of society, as well as encounters with the super rich. In the end, of course, the mystery is solved, but not before we’re taken on a hair-raising journey, in which Harry, his family, and closest friends are endangered. The path Hayden guides us on is full of sharp turns and rocky terrain, and I loved it all.

Highly recommended.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first reads winner.

A great mystery/crime/thriller novel. Will have to seek out her other novels. It was great from beginning to end. One of the best mystery novels of this year.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey there, friends and book lovers; today, I have the final catchup book in the Bronson series.

It's the third book, 'When the Past Haunts You'. This book was excellent and kept me on the edge of my seat! It's about Harry, who gets a phone call from his sister, whom he hasn't spoken to in years. She begs him to come and help her with something, but he's still angry with her and doesn't want to go. But then his wife, Carol, convinces him to give her a chance and see what she wants. He agrees and flies to meet her at a bridge that was their childhood hangout. But something terrible happened there, and I won't spoil it for you. You'll have to read it yourself to find out!

This book was so gripping and emotional that I couldn't put it down. Harry is such a great character; he's always helping people and seeking justice for them. But this time, it's personal, and he won't stop until he discovers the truth about his sister and what happened to her. This book is all about family, loyalty, and forgiveness. It's a must-read for fans of the series and anyone who loves a good mystery thriller. Grab your copy today, and let me know what you think!

• ASIN: B0078IKS8G
• Publisher: LC Hayden
• Publication Date: 2/12/2012
• File Size: 3691 KB
• Print Length: 377 pages

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect way to close out the box set introducing the Bronson series. If you've read the first books as standalones you will not be disappointed and you're sure to encounter a Harry Bronson who will surprise you.

When the Past Haunts You is the ultimate rollercoaster of a ride. If you think you know Harry Bronson from the first two books in this series, you ain't seen nothing yet! This book will bring on the thrills, chills. and feels as murder hit too close to home for the Bronson clan and Harry will do _anything_ to see justice served.

[Dr. Simone J. Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Bronson book

I really enjoyed this book because it has so much more personal emotion than his 1st book. It was quiet a complex situation and he solved it bit by bitch.

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the dropping of g's at the end of Bronson's words irritating. An okay plot.

[Rhonda Janitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Past Haunts You

Really enjoyed reading this book. Full of excitement, twists and turns. Kept my attention from beginning to end. I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Past Haunts You by L.C. Hayden is the latest in her Harry Bronson Mysteries series. Despite the word "haunts" in the title, there aren't any ghosts in this story. Just memories, regrets, and pain, both emotional and physical, for Harry Bronson. His sister, whom he hasn't seen or spoken to in years is killed and dies in his arms.

Bronson, although retired from police work, sets out to find out who killed her. In the process, he untangles her past and comes to regret their falling out. His remorse has to be set aside, though, while he digs deep into her past and the years they were apart.

I've never read a Bronson mystery, but I quickly felt comfortable with Harry. By laying bare the life and missteps of his sister, we also see his regrets and failings. I quickly eased into the story and followed him on his quest and shared in his discoveries.

As happens in real life, Harry sometimes breaks the rules and he drags in his friends to help. And as in real life, he doesn’t always come out on top and he doesn't know everything. But like the rest of us, he picks himself up and he figures out what has to be done.

While he can't go back and save his sister's life, in the end, he'll have to save his own life.

When the Past Haunts You moves quickly. There's always action and discoveries. And while I was not too worried about Harry dying (it is a series, after all), I was worried for those around him since Bronson is up against some ruthless foes.

I give When the Past Haunts You a rating of Hel-of-a-Character.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: I know L. C. Hayden from long ago. I met her through Sisters in Crime. I've not seen her in years, though. She's quite active in the writing community. If I remember right, she, at some point, taught writing classes on cruises. Now that just sounds like a mighty fine gig to me. You get to go on a cruise AND talk about writing. I'd want to do that. Well, maybe not so much now with all the craziness with cruises lately. Seems like you're likely to either tip over or drift powerless in the middle of the ocean or get boarded by pirates. Maybe a cruise down or up the Mississippi. 'Course a few years ago, the Mississippi flooded. That wouldn't be much fun. You could end up like a dry docked Noah's Ark in somebody's back yard. Maybe I'll drop this idea of teaching on a cruise ship. I'd probably end up with sea sickness, anyway. Wait a minute, what was I supposed to be saying? Oh yeah. Disclaimer. Dis is what I claim…I know L.C. She probably doesn't remember me, but I’m sure I'm on her list of co-teachers for the next cruise she goes on.

[Susan Oleksiw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Bronson, retired as a detective from the Dallas PD, gets a call from his estranged sister, Lorraine, begging him to help her. Reluctant but willing to let bygones be bygones, he heads to Pennsylvania to reunite with his sister and help as best he can. They meet at an old childhood haunt, where she dies in his arms, shot by an unseen sniper.

Harry hasn't seen his sister since she was a teenager, when they parted on bad terms. But he is haunted by her last words, "Don't leave me." He sets out to find her killer and in the process uncovers some painful truths about the woman she had become and the people she worked with. He links up with his ex-partner, Mike Hoover, and the two fall into their old pattern as partners.

Harry doesn't know where to begin, but Lorraine has left a note for him, and he begins there. The note sends him to Devono's Steak House in Pittsburgh, owned by a man the police would love to get something on, a known pimp, and a powerhouse in the city. Harry begins to unravel the story of his sister's life, which involves a devoted elderly lover, a secret passionate love, her efforts at reclaiming her life as a respectable woman, stolen art, and three very creepy, scary stalkers, among others. There are enough twists and turns on the road to the end of the story to take the reader up and down the Swiss Alps a couple of times, and each time you think you've solved it, Hayden introduces a new complication. But it's all fair play, and there's nothing the reader isn't told. This is a superb whodunnit.

[Melysah Bunting · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Past Haunts You (Harry Bronson Mysteries #3) by L.C. Hayden is a part of the mystery-crime series involving a retired lawman, Harry Bronson. In this story, Harry finally decides to visit his sister, Lorraine, whom he hasn't seen in ages. Lorraine is involved in a major scandal. Just as she is about to tell her brother all about it, boom!

The gang includes Bronson's wife, former partner and his ex-wife, some coppers, and a slew of suspects. The characters are all interesting. The plot is a fan favorite (Murder! Mystery!). The pace is even. There really isn't anything wrong with the book. It has excellent reviews on GoodReads.

I rather enjoyed it. I am a big fan of the genre. If you're into Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and the sort, you'll surely love this tale. There are a lot of twists and turns that will keep you guessing right up until the end.

[Mary Havlovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Bronson is faced with the fact that his estranged sister is trying to get ahold of him. How did she get ahold of his cell number and what could she possibly want after all these years? He has never told his wife or daughters about his sister. Now he is faced with having to share the story of his painful past with his family. This story is filled with mystery and murder. It keeps you guessing and just when you think you have figured out who the killer is, another possible suspect appears. This book keeps you wanting to read more and guessing until the very end. I liked the way the story line flowed as well as the clear description of the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thrilling mystery.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Hayden’s mystery novel, former Dallas police detective Harry Bronson was a man determined to find answers and would not rest until he uncovered them. When his sister calls him in a panic, he heads back to his hometown in Pennsylvania only to find she has been murdered. There had been a time when he’d been her fiercest protector and he turns that attention to focus on finding her killer. With help from his former partner, Harry heads out on a collision course with his past and enters the world of art and politics. With the body count rising, Harry stumbles across fraud, deceit and a love gone wrong.

A fast-paced addition to A Harry Bronson Mystery series.

[CoffeeTimeRomance andMore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art thieves, a psychotic killer, pimps, and politics are a lot to squeeze into one storyline. In fact, it all feels to me like an entire season of a seventies cop show crammed together to make up one episode. Bronson, a retired detective from Dallas, along with his ex-partner Mike, have a fairly good skill set. It is Bronson’s bullheadedness, or maybe the gallons of sugared-up coffee he drinks, that seems to get him into trouble more than anything.
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Hayden, love your books! You are an excellent story teller.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Well written with a plot that builds to a really great ending. Definite must read.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: A Harry Bronson Mystery

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plots twist left and right until a completely surprising finish.