Blue Sun

by Michael R. Lane

Alice and Don Harriman are the owners of Blue Sun, the largest residential real estate and construction service in the Pacific Northwest. When a house cleaner stumbles upon two masked men holding Don Harriman at gunpoint in his own bedroom, she is able to flee the scene before being captured. Outside, neighbors from this quiet, affluent, suburban neighborhood respond to her screams for help. They patiently listen as she frantically tells her harrowing tale. Two of the neighbors bravely venture inside the Harriman house to investigate. They find nothing, no men, no body, and no sign of a struggle. The police investigation supports their findings. There is no physical evidence to substantiate the house cleaner’s claim. It is only later, when Don Harriman’s beaten body is found floating in the Willamette River, that the house cleaner is believed.
Homicide Detective Destini Pendleton is assigned the Harriman case. During her preliminary investigation, she discovers the victim contacted ex-DEA agent, tri-ethnic private investigator, C. J. Cavanaugh on the day he was abducted. C. J. admits to having received a peculiar text message around that time. The problem is, he doesn’t know Don Harriman and has no idea what the text message means. C. J.’s curiosity is piqued by this mystery and the opportunity to capture a murderer. He offers his services pro bono to Destini to help solve the crime. Due to an extra-heavy caseload, Detective Pendleton categorically accepts his offer provided C. J. keeps her fully informed and operates within the boundaries of the law. Aside from a few inconsequential discrepancies from the last portion of their agreement, C. J. manages to maintain his side of the bargain.
For the Cavanaugh investigation team, what began as a couple of minor events sets off a shockwave of discoveries that lead to intrigue, narcotics trafficking, violence and murder.

242 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2023

About the author

Michael R. Lane is the founder of Bare Bones Press. He is a published writer and poet who turned to Indie Publishing. His novels include the C. J. Cavanaugh mysteries, The Family Stone, and Exchange Student. His short story collections are Emancipation, UFOs and GOD, and Long Journey Home. He has also penned five books of poetry: A Leap Year of Haiku, Love & Sensuality, Mortal Thoughts, Sandbox, and A Drop of Midnight.

Reviews

[Leigh Goodison · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a young housekeeper stumbles upon two men holding her boss hostage, Don Harriman, she escapes to alert the neighbors. When the police arrive, there is no body or evidence to suggest a crime. Several days later, Private Investigator C.J. Cavanaugh learns of the case from his love interest, Destini, who is a Portland homicide detective. Harriman’s body has been found and the abduction has turned into a murder investigation. C.J.is called in to assist in the case and interrogates a series of ingenuous witnesses, including the housekeeper, all of whom have something to hide. But when C.J. is finally able to link a cryptic text message he received prior to Harriman's abduction, motivations become clearer, and ultimately point C.J. toward the killer. Blue Sun, the second novel in the C.J. Cavanaugh private investigator series, is a taut, riveting mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the end.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lane's Blue Sun is reminiscent of the great Robert Parker, concise, to the point, and engaging enough to want to finish in a day. A cross between Parker's tough and loyal Spenser and gumption of TV insurance investigator Banacek, following Cavanaugh into the real estate world in this mystery is easy and one even this normally cozy reader would want to see again and again.

[Divya Mahajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've Just finished the book "Blue Sun" by Michael R Lane and I'd say it was worth the time.

Though in the initial pages it was slow to build up the part but then suddenly I was like "WOW" it escalated fast and what was a simple case became deadly; This book makes you double think and then think again and makes for good riveting read

This book has all the right ingredients for a blockbuster.

[Dancan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Craving Book That Will Make You Want to Know More

The book kicks off by two men wearing black ski masks bursts into Don’s bedroom, sidestepping him and tapping his wrists behind his behind. The two men were in need of the business diary that Don used to write important information on it. The two men insisted on the diary but Don was not easy to tell them where it was. Don realized what the men wanted in the diary and decided not to give them. Luckily when Don closes his eyes to pray, he hears a woman’s voice and opens his eyes only to find that it was Suzanne Kwong. Don shouted at Suzanne instructing her to run away from the danger. Suzanne who is quick to respond runs outside to alert the neighbors for help. Suzanne who is panicking tries very hard to explain to the neighbors what was taking place at the scene. Lock and Janice decides to go inside Harriman’s house as one of the women decides to alert the police. Unluckily, Lock and Janice found nothing no body and no sign of a struggle. The story line continues to flow smoothly as the murder of Don Harriman is put under a private investigator C.J Cavanaugh after he develops an interest from his lover Destini who is a homicide detective. Destini explains to C.J how she received a call from Crystal Gardens about a possible murder of Don Harriman. The book continues to become more interesting to read as the investigations become more intense when a business card of Mr. Cavanaugh is found out the murder. A lot of drama here as the investigations continues to be carried out, I just wish even the author could turn the book into a real movie. This book will surely leave you in a craving situation of wanting to know everything up to the end.

[D. Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes of at a run! When Don Harriman is murdered by two men in ski masks, the mystery only deepens. Why was he killed? What was this diary? Where was he taken when Janice and John entered the building?!

The murder puts the spotlight on a private investigator when Destini (a homicide detective) finds CJ’s business card at the crime scene. His involvement takes him to visit the widow, which lands him in an almost mafioso type entanglement with two strangers waiting for him when he got outside, claiming to want to protect the widow. The author’s writing is smooth and brilliant.

As the investigation goes on, more twists and unexpected turns come into light. Just when you think that you’re starting to put a finger on who committed the crime, a wrench is thrown in it! But don’t get me wrong. The writing is true to how investigations can go, and that was what I really enjoyed about the book. It didn’t feel forced, it felt like a true investigation. Crossing off suspects. Investigating new avenues.

Infidelity, real estate, construction, marriage, and murder. That’s enough for a great story, right? KEEP READING. This book will take you on a heck of a ride! I even had to look to see if this was based on a real case when I was done reading it, it was so well done. I would love to see this turned into a movie.

[Valery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Sun : A CJ Cavanaugh Mystery by Michael R. Lane is a great book that gets off to a fast start. When a housekeeper happens upon some men holding Don Harriman, her boss, hostage, she manages to get away and tell the neighbors. However when the police show up, there is no evidence of a crime, no body, or anything else. But PI CJ Cavanaugh finds out about the crime, and is soon on the case. Of course a body turns up eventually and it is indeed Harriman. This is the second novel in the series by Lane, and true to form, it does not disappoint. With riveting scenes, and many topics covered from construction to infidelity and murder, it's hard to figure out who the murderer is. Saucy characters, a solid plot, and quick pace all make this an intense book. Lane writes with an exciting and fast pace, keeping your attention until the very end of this engaging story. Highly recommend for an interesting and engaging read.

[Monica Bothwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book difficult to read. It started well, with Harriman in a spot of bother. The idea for the plot is good, but I couldn't connect with the main character, C.J., the investigator is too perfect in his own image and I found it tiresome. He actually gives this excuse for not needing to take notes, "I have a good memory. An excellent memory. Not bragging, just fact!" I'm sorry but an investigator that doesn't take notes and relies on memory is lazy. Also we are always in C.J's point of view, it makes the book one dimensional. The supporting characters Destini and Renita, in reality, are not given anything to do other than sarcastically annoying each other for guess what? Both want the extremely tall good looking C.J. It would have benefit the book to have had their point of view.
There's too much telling in the story, not enough showing. The writer doesn't allow the reader to draw to any conclusions. C. J., constantly assumes what the other characters are thinking as fact.

[Ibraheem Haneef · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a mysterious murder that happened in mysterious conditions with no clues at all. I would say it is just a typical story with a typical ending , nothing amazingly twisted or shocking. But I liked the book in general.

[Kaitlyn Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't turn down a detective crime drama, so when I came across this book, I knew I had to give it a read. 'Blue Sun' starts off strong with an intruder scene and the introduction of a character who plays a larger role further along in the novel. This opening scene sets a good pace that continues throughout the book.

I love how the author discusses the relationship between the Detective Cavanaugh, his colleagues and those he encounters through the novel. This gives more depth to the crime drama, as you understand C.J. Cavanaugh's though process better and see the challenges and urges he faces in his everyday life.

It's easy to get hooked the further along you get in the novel, as answers begin unfolding and new questions surface. I couldn't stop reading once I got to the halfway point because I wanted to figure out the reasons behind the crimes that took place and who was behind it all. It's a really captivating read all the way through to the last chapter.

The only issue I had with the novel is the overuse of adjectives in some scenes, especially when describing the characters. While it did help create an image in my mind, sometimes I found that it took away a bit from the text.

That being said, I definitely plan to read more works by this author! I found the novel to be well thought out and I enjoyed the way the characters' lives intersected throughout the book.

**Disclaimer: I received a PDF of the book from the author via Booktasters in exchange for an honest review.**

[Gabriela Vulpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining account of detective C.J.Cavanaugh latest endeavour. Yes, he is solving a murder mystery – a really good one. The story flows seamlessly, told by CJ himself, who carries us through the events and through his daily life in a swift and calm manner. I was kept guessing about the murder and was surprised when the truth unravelled. In the meantime, I got to know several likeable and/or dubious characters and meander through their life stories. CJ’s relationship with some of them is quite central to the narrative, which I found really enjoyable.
Whether you want to escape daily routine for a few hours, or kick start your holiday reading, do it with this page turner.