Murder On The Wichita

A Fen Maguire Mystery #4

by Bruce Hammack

Fraud, deception, murder… what else awaits this detective along the banks of the muddy Wichita?

Substituting for an art professor on medical leave, artist and private detective Fen Maguire is asked to investigate a long-standing cold case. Seven years ago, a real estate broker swindled local residents out of millions, then disappeared without a trace. Her victims want their money and they want justice.

When the reporter who wrote exposé articles on the fraud victims is found dead, the police have a new crime to solve. With the senior detective no longer interested in solving the fraud case, Fen gets no help from the police. The waters get even murkier when he discovers the paths of the missing broker and the dead journalist intersect.

Digging deep into the past, he finds a long list of people with reason to kill both the reporter and the real estate broker. When the senior police detective refuses to believe there’s a connection, Fen is left on his own to follow the trail to the money… and the killer.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2023

About the author

Drawing from his extensive background in criminal justice, Bruce Hammack writes contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries.

When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.

Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.

He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...

Reviews

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is the fourth in a series featuring Fen Maguire who was in law enforcement for 20 years and now is a very successful painter and art professor. He is also operating as a private detective. The book works well as a standalone, but I am now going to look at earlier books in the series to learn more about his young protege Bailey and his researcher Lou. They are both interesting characters, especially Bailey.

Fen is in Wichita substituting for an art professor on medical leave. He had hoped to paint some scenes in that area, but he is asked to investigate a cold case involving the fraudulent theft of millions. The reporter who covered the fraud is murdered and Fen is ordered by local police to stay away from their murder investigation. Of course, the crimes are linked.

There is serious investigative work but also some humorous moments. The side characters were well portrayed, and I learned a bit about painting. There are twists and surprises. I thought Fen might have been missing a point, but he easily addressed points that I missed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fen and his protege Bailey are away from home, while he substitutes for an art professor in Wichita Falls, Texas. Fen is roused from sleep by a fire alarm, while Bailey and her new friend, J.W., are coming out of the pool. But there’s a larger police presence than would be normal. It turns out that a man has been murdered in the room next to Bailey’s, which unfortunately has a connecting door, putting her on the suspect list! The man is disliked county-wide as an investigative reporter who kicked mud on a lot local reputations of people who got caught up investing in a con. There’s lots of action, some strong personalities, and a few surprises toward the end! I received a free ARC of this book and write this review voluntarily.

[Terri Swick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Hammock has turned out to be my favorite author. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Thought I had it figured out but was wrong. Love a book that keeps me guessing to the. Can't wait to start his next book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy clean mystery set in contemporary Texas. Part of a series.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books and the main characters just get better and better, I read it all in one sitting. Can't wait for the next one.

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

When this author came out with a new series I figured it would be good because he's a really good writer! But I absolutely love this series it is fantastic!!! And this book might end up being my favorite in the series. So well written with enough backstories to make it really in-depth. deception!! Wow... I am floored at the ending!! Unbelievable!! High five Mr. Hammack, this is one of the best books I've ever read!!!

[KerryO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Fen Maguire processes information and clues as he seeks answers to a crime. This is such a breath of fresh air. I can only hope that many more stories are on the horizon from this talented author. I received an ARC from Book Sirens and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Texas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on the Wichita, #4 - I was angry that I had two long round trips to two cities in opposite ends of Texas, in three days time, and every time I snuck a read the reader would hit me in the face waking me up. Finally, I was able to finish this intriguing book. Yes, I admit I'm addicted to Mr. Hammack's writing style, his core of characters, his story lines and that he's has Texas and Texans down pat. Yes, I know where he's from and that makes the difference, people. Interesting, intriguing, entertaining and constant pacing maked it hard to stop reading. See the anger bit I mentioned. I knew there was a reason for the stress placed here and there, but rumdumb me never clicked. Kinda funny find considering the snookering and deceptions that went on. Source: BookSirens. 5*

The Fen Maguire Mystery Series: Murder On Shinbone Creek, prequel - My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. I like what the Sheriff did for the Sheriff-elect. Interesting story lines with good characters combined with a good writing style made this a one sitting read. 4*

Murder On The Brazos, #1 - Takes place about nine months after MOSC ends. Enjoyable story that held my interest and attention until I finished the last page, in one sitting. One person I missed because I did not pay attention; yes, I was snookered by the smoke. Love that the author knows a bit about Texas and Texans. Source: BookSirens. 4*

Murder On The Angelina, #2 - Picks up where MOTB ends. Interesting with good story lines and believable characters. Chicken Oil Co. closed April, 2022 due to a fire; now it looks like the author described, an aged, worn building; before the fire, a well taken care of rustic, not a dump. Source: BookSirens. 4*

Murder On The Guadalupe, #3 - Starts at the end of the Spring semester. I did not care for this story too much, yet I cannot say why. The writing style or maybe the story lines weren't as good as the previous books. Just an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
The Fen Maguire Mystery Series end.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "Booksirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story continues in Wichita Falls, Tx. where Fen is sitting in for a professor on medical leave. Fen is napping at the hotel when he is awoken by the fire alarm. Knocking on Bailey's door to make sure she is up, Fen heads outside where the weather is cold and damp. Spotting Bailey, he gets her along with J.W. them into his truck to get warm since they were in the pool and only wearing bathing suits. When it is time to go back into the hotel, they are herded into a room where the police are taking statements. It seems that an individual was killed in the room where the smoke alarm went off from. In addition, the room was next to Bailey's so that made her a suspect.

As a result of this incident, Fen was asked to look into a case which happened many years earlier. It seems that a real estate developer swindled many local people and J.W.'s mother wanted that person found. As a side note, the individual killed wrote an expose on those locals taken. Fen agreed to take on the case and received assistance from Lou, his journalist friend, as well as Bailey. Working with a former sheriff and a police detective, the sheriff's daughter, Fen began searching. Bailey initially wasn't any help because she and J.W. got ill after the incident at the hotel.

Eventually Fen stumbled accross a clue while painting which answered the question where the realtor disappeared as wll as who killed the journalist.

To discover what roadblocks Fen had to overcome that a zealous detective caused, what uproar got Fen, Bailey and Lou in bad with the town and what ultimately broke the case wide open, then you need to read this book. It is a winner!

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth book in which we learn more about the art of Fen Maguire.

If you haven't already acquainted yourself with Fen and his cast of strong female characters then give yourself the pleasure of reading the previous books in order so you will better appreciate the character development and interaction. I can't unread the previous books and think this would work as a standalone, but some of the previous plots or outcomes are given away here.

Fen and company become personally involved in a murder in Wichita Falls and the location is integral to the story. He encounters a man with similar background to his own and part of the plot twists involve Fen managing to get antagonists onside and helpers becoming antagonistic. Who to trust and whittling down a lengthy suspect list with similar motives is part of the clean mystery solution. There are good plot lines, but this is chartacter driven narration and more enjoyable for that.

Knowing Bruce Hammack's method allowed me to guess the criminal early on, but I was only half right. I particularly liked that Fen's artistic skills were central to the solution and although part of that arose out of diversion fort a character, I felt Fen was due a bit of luck. Easy, enjoyable and interesting read with satisfying conclusion. I look forward to the next in this series - plenty of rivers out there and why restrict yourself to Texas?

I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a man is found dead in the hotel room next to Bailey's (with a connecting door), it soon becomes clear that the police chief wants to find her guilty. The man turns out to be a reporter who, seven years earlier, made a lot of enemies in the town by lampooning them for falling for a massive real estate fraud. Fen is blocked from investigating much about the murder, but asked to try his hand at solving the cold case of the fraud - the woman disappeared with the money and has never been caught. But the old sheriff and his daughter have been hunting her for years - can Fen succeed where they've failed? And as time begins to run out, will he be able to keep Bailey out of jail?

An enjoyable character-driven mystery, pleasantly complicated but with plenty of hints along the way as to what was going on. I guessed part of the solution but not all, and enjoyed the interactions among the various characters as much as the mystery itself. A clean, well-written story with a well-done mystery, intriguing characters, and the odd surprise. Definitely enjoying Fen's adventures (not to mention Bailey and Lou), and hoping for more soon. Note that this can be read as a standalone story, though I'm appreciating getting to know Fen and Bailey as characters as well as seeing them solve mysteries. Recommended.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[John Presler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fen is spending a week in Wichita Falls as a substitute art teacher. On a different topic, Fen is asked to investigate a cold case from the past, where many of the local citizens were cheated out of a lot of money by a fraudulent real estate deal. The issue is that the real estate agent, Regina Cox, has disappeared without a trace and the people who were cheated want their money back, if possible. To make matters worse, a newspaper reporter, Charley Cleg, wrote an array of disparaging stories about the fraud victims. When the reporter turns up dead, things get a lot more complicated. One of the detectives on the case wants to charge Bailey with the murder, even though she was at the pool when the murder occurred. His reasoning is that because there is a door between Bailey's room and the victim's room, she must be guilty. Fen has a feeling that the two cases might be related. Fen is determined to prove Bailey's innocence and catch the actual culprit.

Who killed Charley Cleg? Where is Regina Cox? Can Fen solve Charley's murder? Can Fen locate Regina and recover the missing money?

Bruce Hammack has a great Christmas story with this latest adventure. The story has some unique challenges and a great solution!!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. I read Murder on the Brazos recently - not because of the clean or Christian description, but because it looked like my kind of book. I enjoyed it so much, I also chose this, book 4 as an advance copy to read and review. Fenn Maguire, well known artist and ex sheriff, now Private Investigator, Bailey, the young girl he befriended as a promising art student and Lou, investigative reporter, have become a team through the intervening books 2 and 3. When Fenn is invited to take a week long assignment as art art adviser at the college in Wichita, the fire alarm goes off late at night in the hotel they're staying at, and a man is murdered in the room next to Bailey's. The people of the town were defrauded out of a lot of money some time previously - by a woman who disappeared, and the dead man had upset those same people. Art figures large in these stories and, whilst not full of excitement and action, the characters are so well written I feel as though I knew the principles early in the first book and the methods used by the team are interesting. Although I worked out how the fraud was managed some time before the end, it was a good read to the end.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on the Wichita is an excellent read.

Fen was sheriff for 20 yrs and now retired, but this type of situation always drags him into another investigation.
He's also an accomplished artist, private investigator, art professor, and always up for a challenge!

A fire alarm goes off in the hotel where Fen and Bailey are staying. The real problem begins when the fire alarm goes off, and a dead body is found in the room that connects with Bailey's room! That puts Bailey right in to the middle of the investigation along with her new friend J.W. As the police swarm the hotel, looking for evidence on who murdered the investigative reporter. Was it all related to the now dead reporter having ruined so many of the locals reputation years before?

Just when I think I've figured out who did the crime and why, there's always another intriguing twist!

I received this Advanced reader copy for free and leave my honest review voluntarily!

[Korinne Tande · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book as the author is a wonderful storyteller. In the book, Fen is a likable character and I enjoyed how he worked with Bailey. Seems like Fen (as usual) is in the right (possibly wrong) place at the right (possibly wrong) time. And, of course, got to love the dog! With many characters added along with the twists and turns (plus I knew I would be writing a review), I found it helpful to take notes-lots of details are woven throughout the story. The author does a great job of balancing seriousness with fun. All in all, this was an enjoyable read with characters that made me laugh. It is important for readers to pay attention to detail! I will also add that one of the thoughts that came to my mind while reading this book is that Fen can sure stir the pot! I also appreciate reading a book that never made me blush. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DJ McCready · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth in this series I have read and probably the most fun as it develops the characters extremely well. Moreover the plot is intriguing (won't say more as I do not wish to spoil it) - complicated by illness, romance, Christmas, rotten policemen, and a Queen of Wichita Falls.

The main characters are familiar from the prior books in the series with the only one not engaging in person this time being Sam. One gets new insight into the Journalist in her interest in romance and her intense need to protect access to the press - both become more pronounced in this book.

I am so thoroughly enjoying the series, which differs significantly with another series I love by the same author involving Blyth and Smiley so clearly this author has a depth and breadth not seen in many authors.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of crime stories/mysteries. Many of them end up being very dark and full of a lot of graphic violence and foul language. This book was a refreshing change from that. It wasn't as campy as a cozy mystery (although those are fun to read!), but not as disturbing as many murder mysteries can be. The characters were mostly relatable with a few exceptions that were a little on the cartoonish side, i.e. the angry, chauvinistic detective. The story was enjoyable and not predictable enough to figure it out halfway through the book. There was a particularly amusing scene that involved the housekeeper and her "homemade" cough medicine. All in all, I really liked this book and would most likely go back and read the rest of the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fen would like you to think that he is just a painter. But really:
“another day or two of painting, his mind would take seemingly unrelated facts and put them in order.”
it's his secret weapon to solve cases. The cases aren't particularly easy to solve. In fact:
“Instead of eliminating people, the list grew larger.”
This case didn't start off as a murder investigation, but the murder came close - real close. The fraud and the murder just conveniently had their facts line up. The author did a superb job of pulling the reader in and letting you see Wichita Falls and the characters through Fen's eyes. You love the details and the way the facts swirl through the investigation. You'll love how Bailey comes through with a genius move of her own.

A great story for those who love a good mystery.

[Myra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retired sheriff and talented artist Fen Maguire is back with another crime (or two) to solve, and as always, he's way ahead of the cops. In fact, Fen and his art protégé, Bailey, are fast becoming my favorite fictional crime-solving characters.

This story finds the duo in Wichita Falls, Texas, in the days leading up to Christmas. Even though I'm a native Texan, I never knew the falls the town is named for are actually man-made! That's one thing you can count on with author Bruce Hammack--his Texas settings are true-to-life, and I always learn something about the areas that I didn't know before.

If you enjoy intriguing "clean" mysteries, Bruce Hammack's Fen Maguire series is well worth picking up.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much most of the story is like a huge game of hide and seek between the cops and Fen's crew. And the cops don't play fair at all! It was humorous and exhilarating. Just when I think I know who Fen is, he reveals another side of himself , and I enjoyed it all.

I couldn't stop laughing about Hope and her helicopter mom ways- extreme!!! This was very exciting to read, especially when Fen does the big reveal at the end. It was phenomenal how Fen explained it all, and it was very ingenious. I would have never solved this one- not even close. I'm still getting little tingles of excitement from it all.

A GREAT READ!!! I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. I love Fens character, the way he uses his art to help him work his magic when solving crimes. Drawing on his own law enforcement experience helps the author make this feel so authentic and his writing style is so readable, it’s a joy to read. My only quibble, as always, is that I almost read it in one sitting, I didnt want to put it down. The characters are developing even more, and Bailey is really coming into her own. Can’t wait for the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A natural instinct when there is a fire in the hotel., of what's going on. To Fen it seemed like something else also, for too many firetrucks were coming.
The author has gotten our attention, into the series and I enjoy Fen and him raising a teenage ward. Good plot and with good characters.
Bailey his nineteen year old ward saying it was not illegal to ask a question to the policeman. The policeman proceeded to put hang cuffs on her.
Fen stepped up asking if the camera was on, when he too was handcuffed.
Full of twists and humor. Given arc for my voluntary review

[Trudie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This is the first one I have read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last. This isn’t a typical murder mystery, full of finding clues and red herrings. You could argue it is a little slow, but somehow that seems to really work. I was thinking along the right lines by the time I got to the end, but it still came as a surprise. The characters are interesting and diverse. There are references to previous books, making me want to go back and read them. I highly recommend this book and this author.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on the Wichita by Bruce Hammack is the 4th book in this series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I would suggest that you read them all - in any order - but read them! You will not be disappointed. The plot and characters are well developed. I will not go into detail about the content, you can read that in the description of the book. I do not think that you will figure out whodunit until the very end. I received a copy of this book on BookSiren and I always review every book that I read. I highly recommend this book, series, and this author. Enjoy.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on the Wichita is book 4 in A Fen Maguire Mystery by Bruce Hammock. I thought that the murder and mystery was unique and excellent. I was so surprised at the ending. I so enjoy Fen, Bailey and the other regular characters. The characters written for this book are well written and blend perfectly with the core characters. I found surprises throughout the story. I think this author has written a grand slam! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in this series, and it doesn’t disappoint. I like these stories because there are always a few people who have a motive for murder, so it isn’t easy to figure out who did it. The main characters are interesting, with each having their own quirks; and they keep developing with each book. I look forward to the next one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Claudia Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Hammack is a wonderful storyteller. He adds so many details it makes the reader feel like they are there solving the crime with Fen. Fen is an artist and a retired sherif. He likes to solve crimes others can’t. Wonderful surprising ending. I have followed this series since book one Each book is like catching up with old friends. However each book can be read as a stand alone and enjoyed. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher

[Adpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic story! I have read a few of Mr. Hammack's books in another series but I jumped the chance to review this ARC book. SO glad I did! The story is well written, fast paced, and keeps you guessing to the end. I also truly enjoy that it is a clean (in action and speech, and editing) story that is entertaining. I highly recommend this book.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book; this is my honest review.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fen and Bailey are on another case in Wichita Falls. The case involves a real estate broker woman who swindles the town people of a lot of money. While there working the case, a murder happens that puts Bailey in the crosshairs of the local police. Hope Ellison is the 'town's protector' and what she says goes, but both Fen and Bailey get on her bad side. That makes things more complicated. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another clean, suspense filled book by Bruce Hammack.

Fen and his friends are on the hunt again. This time the murder also involves a financial scheme and a missing person. Bailey and her boyfriend, J.W., are on the local police’s suspect list and Fen has been warned to stay away from the murder investigation.

There are some very interesting twists and turns in this one. Good luck figuring out the guilty party.

*I received this book as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.