Case File 2: Karla Jenkins

Kids Murder Mystery Club: Cold Case Podcast #2

by Thomas Lockhaven

Prepare to be captivated by a riveting tale of young detectives and a cold case that refuses to stay buried.In Case File 2: Karla Jenkins, Ava, Carol, and Derik—the brilliant minds behind a True Crime podcast—receive an anonymous plea to reexamine the haunting disappearance of Karla Jenkins. A simple accident? Not if they have anything to say about it.
As they sift through the dust-covered files of the past, they unearth long-buried secrets, hidden motives, and a sinister underbelly of their peaceful town. The closer they come to the truth, the more perilous their quest becomes.
With a cast of intriguing characters and an atmosphere heavy with deception, this tale of suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat. Can these young detectives unravel the tangled web surrounding Karla's fate before it ensnares them too?
Join the Kids Murder Mystery Club as they embark on a heart-pounding journey into the unknown. Don't miss your chance to uncover the thrilling mysteries of Karla Jenkins. Grab your copy now!

Genres: Mystery

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2023

About the author

So grateful to have won the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award! Thank you!

You can blame my 7th grade English teacher, Mr. Ownby. I began writing mysteries in middle school, with gripping titles like, The Secret in The Swamp and The Ghost of Hollow Lake—Mr. Ownby, would kindly read them, and then encourage me to keep writing and reading the classics. His words, some day I'll be reading your mysteries with the rest of the world inspired me.

Forty years later, I was able to fulfill my dreams and become a full time writer. When I began writing, I decided that my books would be a safe-haven from the real world. My children's series all have strong messages of perseverance, thinking outside the box, friendship and loyalty. I have a daughter, and as I work through my manuscripts, I always try to imagine what I can say to inspire and entertain at the same time.

For my cozy readers, I spent much of my life traveling to small coastal towns in North Carolina and then later in my life to the coastal towns in New England. I've always loved the idiosyncrasies of the locals, and I've always wanted to bring them to life in a book series. My Coffee House Sleuths stories are just that. And just like my children's books, I endeavor to write stories that are clean, with very little violence and no profanity. I do my best to help people disappear from the craziness of life, even if just for a little while.

I currently live in Boston, but my dream is to move to a small coastal town, stare out over the ocean, and to let the words flow. I have an incredible wife who constantly inspires and encourages me- and an amazing daughter who is my most harsh, but loving critic. As I said earlier, my passion is to write and to continually improve and perfect my craft. For those of you who read my books, I humbly thank you. For those of you who have never read my books, I welcome you with open arms.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

These kids are crime solving savants! Although if I were their parents I’d be having kittens from some of the risky stuff they do in the name of finding justice. However when all is said and done this trio of friends take on cases to help families find answers and catch culprits that have escaped punishment. It’s clever, full of action, plenty of drama, lots of laughs between friends and a great mystery that we get to follow along and solve with the crew. Great series for readers of all ages!.

I received a free copy of this book via Twisted Key Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jo Rose]

Thomas Lockhaven has written another masterful murder mystery for young people.  Having enjoyed his first Kids Murder Mystery immensely, I had been anxious to read Case File 2 as well. His plot has not disappointed. He has grappled with a cold case involving Karla Jenkins, a college co-ed who drowned in her car under dubious circumstances.  Unfortunately, the police have dismissed her death as accidental although the insightful trio of teens, Derik, Ava, and Carol, are able to prove otherwise.  Using a timely podcast as a venue to present the cold case creates interest and builds suspense. Beginning with whiteboard of data and suspects, the teens weed out nonessential information, systematically eliminating such suspects as an irate college peer to a rejected suitor. The trio delivers such a clever and quick-fire repartee that it elevates the less stellar moments of connecting the dots in the murder.  Finally, the teens are captured while uncovering the complex plot, and the audience revels in Derek's inept vehicle rescue scene. As a former middle school English teacher, I have enjoyed the unraveling of the deed which deviates from gory details and instead focuses on the mystery itself, intriguing insights, and gentle bantering among the main characters. This is another winner!! Read it; you will savor the finale.

[Susan Belman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book 2, we are reunited with the Kids Murder Mystery Podcast crew of Carol, Ava & Derik as they investigate another case. This time a fan of the show sends in an anonymous tip to look into the disappearance and death of Karla Jenkins. It was supposed to be an open & closed case, accidental drowning, but the teens agree that something about this case doesn’t feel right. Karla was found in her car. Her phone was missing and never recovered. Her seatbelt was still fastened. There were no keys in the ignition, and the gearshift was in the neutral position. The car itself was found in the middle of the river … how is that even possible? What happened to poor Karla? After digging deeper into the original evidence, it’s feeling more like this wasn’t an accident after all. Did Karla see something she shouldn’t have seen? Did someone need to silence her? Or was she simply at the wrong place at the wrong time? Can this trio once again make a wrong investigation right? Will the murderer be brought to justice?

[Carol Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lockhaven did an awesome job developing his characters for the mystery club book. You feel like these characters are real people and you are solving the mystery right along with Ava, Carol, and Derik. This case file is action packed, a real page turner that you won't want to miss! I'll be looking for more of Thomas Lockhaven books to read. I'd highly recommend this book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Twisted Key Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Ava, Derik, and Carol are laugh out loud FUNNY! I have decided that Ava is my new spirit animal. She has a sense of humor that just tickles me. I love how they are fearless in their pursuit of the truth and justice. This is a great series so far and I definitely want to read MORE!

[Joy Westermeier]

What

This was insane two murders connected and a theft so many people were involved and the way to try to execute Ava and Carol with what Derik did and how his friends felt sympathetic towards him!😯😲😕😮🤔😨😳😵😬😶🙀

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crime- Murder
Victim- Karla Jenkins, College Student
COD- ? Unknown
Accused- The police believe Karla’s death to have been accidental.
Detectives- Carol, Ava, and Derik. They are teenaged students who run a True Crime/Cold Case podcast.
I would have absolutely loved this book when I was a preteen. The mystery was very clever and there was a surprise as to whodunnit. The kids are funny; I enjoyed the humor in this book. They like to tease and bust on each other, but it never strays into the area of bullying. Parents, this book should get the parental ok. There are no sexual overtones, no drugs or substance abuse, and no profanity. There’s very mild violence, but nothing graphic. I’d recommend this book to anyone ages 11-13.

I received a free copy of this book via Twisted Key Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[B Pastore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely well written book about three young adults that continue their podcast of solving murder mysteries. This murder mystery is about Karla Jenkins and how she died. The police had this written up as an accident but these three young adults didn't believe it and dug deeper to solve the mystery of what really happened.

This book is fabulous for both young adults and grown ups. There is only one mystery that they left unsolved in this case ... and that is who took their bikes and did they ever get them back.

So looking forward to to reading more books by this fabulous author!!!

This book will be shared with our community through our Little Free Library that is located at the end of our driveway.

[Dana Busenbark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who is Karla? What do we learn about her? Who are Ava, Carol, and Derik? What are they doing as far as what happened to Karla? They sound like a fun trio of friends to have. There are three pairs of other characters that are key to this story. What is the podcast that the trio of friends do as far as topics? This was the most interesting story to read as an adult and definitely could be interesting for teens who are into crime and mystery stories. The trio takes on Karla's cold case and works to get justice for her. You'll have to read and see if they do. Enjoy the read!

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids are at it again! Ava, Carol and Derik have a tough Cold case to solve with lots of twists and turns. Find out who did it this time!
A great story line and with wonderful characters, this second book in the “Kids Murder Mystery Club, book 2” is a must read for all ages!.

I received a free copy of this book via Twisted Key Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such fun to read about how Ava, Carol and Derik worked together to solve yet another cold case! So many twists and turns along the way, but they figured it out!.

I received a free copy of this book via Twisted Key Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.