Kill Two Byrds

by Steven Lockett

Returning from an overseas assignment, Bernard Byrd finds two separate letters summoning him to the last place he wants to be - home. Due to a tragedy that occurred there, it’s been years since he’s shown his face and the idea of returning to South Florida doesn’t have him thinking about palm trees and sandy beaches. But while he isn't itching for a homecoming, these letters have him intrigued. The first is from a stranger named Kayla Chalmers claiming to be a friend of his late Uncle Marvin. The second letter is from a lawyer representing his uncle’s estate and calling on him and Kayla to come claim their inheritance. Besides having not spoken to his uncle in years, it was common knowledge that Marvin died disgraced and penniless. What could he possibly have to leave anybody?

Bernard returns home to straighten out what he’s sure is a mistake, but keeps finding things that don’t make sense. A mysterious will, a cryptic message and a pile of money will pair him with a total stranger and send them on a most implausible quest. Over the next few days, Bernard will come to question everything he thought he knew about his uncle. Maybe things were never as they seemed. Maybe Bernard’s demons and Marvin’s demons are intertwined somehow. But one thing seems clear; a dead man is trying to tell a secret, and dead men often have deadly secrets. If Bernard and his new friend Kayla aren’t careful, this might be a one way trip.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2013

Reviews

[LiteraryMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oftentimes, it is the small details that grab my attention when considering to read a book. In this instance, it was the book cover. How can I not be curious about a man holding a gun to another man that appears to be digging a grave? Then I open the book to start reading and notice that every chapter heading has a watermark of a palm tree. Low and behold, the story takes place in South Florida.

Bernard Byrd returns from an overseas 120-day deployment to find two letters summoning him home. Due to a tragedy that occurred there years ago, he is not excited about the homecoming. The first letter is from a woman named Kayla claiming to have been a friend of Bernard's late uncle. The second letter is from the executor of his uncle's estate and advising of a will. His uncle was penniless so Bernard is sure this is a mistake. He heads home to straighten it out but finds things that don't make sense. Bernard and Kayla team up to find out the truth and discover deadly secrets of Uncle Marvin's life.

Authors write better from experience. I can tell that Steven Lockett is a mystery fan. This is his first novel and he did a great job capturing the reader and unfolding the mystery while creating suspense. The main character was also likeable so I actually cared whether he solved the mystery. Can't go wrong with these elements! Kill Two Byrds has my stamp of recommendation.

Literary Marie of Precision Reviews

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steven Lockett is a senstational new mystery author. This was a captivating story that took
you on a journey through the eyes of a man with so many facets. It was nice to read and
peel back the many layers of the main character and cheer him on as he handled one
adversity after another. I couldn’t wait to read what adventure he would experience next.
Although mysteries aren’t my genre preference, I look forward to reading many more
exciting stories from this new author.

Mika Walton
AAMBC Reviewer

[Smoochys · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not your classic mystery. Bernie Byrd has just returned from an over-seas job with a government outfit to find out that his dead uncle who hasn't had two nickels to rub together in years has left him some sort of legacy. So a skeptical Bernie has to fly down to Florida to get the details. Bernie's uncle does not do the easy thing and just tell him what his inheritance is and where to find it. Instead he leads him and his companion through a series of puzzles to their grand prize.

Finding the grand prize also solves a few mysteries too. Readers will enjoy this one.

[Leslie]

Great Storyline

This was a great read! I look forward to seeing more things from this author. The mention of local sites and history really made me see this story in color

[Jame · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book fun, with a slightly unbelievable story line with believable characters. But all in all an entertaining, well-paced mystery.