The Lake Murray Murders

The Lake Murray Murders #1

by Steven Jacobs

In 1990, the sleepy community of Lexington, South Carolina, was rocked by the brutal slaying of a man found floating in a small boat one morning in nearby Lake Murray. Police identified the man as Jonathon Blackwood from a middle-class family in Lexington. While the investigation unfolded, the community held its breath, waiting to see who could have done such a terrible deed. Sadly, after several months of investigating the trail went cold, and the perpetrator was never caught.
After the murder, rumors swirled throughout the county about a land deal gone bad and who could have been behind Jonathon’s killing. Everyone seemed to have their own opinion about who did it and why. Still, everyone agreed on one someone in the affluential Harrington family had something to do with it.
Time moved on, and over the years, the Blackwood murder was all but forgotten … until it happened again. This time, the body of a young woman was found in an eerily similar way as Jonathon Blackwood’s body was found. This time, Lexington County detectives had a clue that would get them closer than ever to solving the case that has haunted the community for thirty-three years and, once and for all, put a name to … Erebus, a prolific international art thief who vanished after a string of thefts in the 1960s.

Genres: Mystery

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2024

About the author

Steven Jacobs was born in 1971 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and at an early age, he became interested in all aspects of history. He became a history buff by watching old movies with his father that contained great actors such as Cary Grant, John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Steve McQueen, and many others.
Later in high school, Steven excelled in United States history, especially in the turbulent years of the early to mid-1900s, and this is where his love for military history flourished. By the time Steven was thirty-five years old, he had read countless books on United States history with a focus on the era of World War II.
At the age of forty-five, he wrote his first book about the disappearance of a German U-boat in World War II called The Disappearance of U-491. Steven had such a wonderful time writing his first book that he continued writing and, to date, has just finished his fourteenth book. 
Now, at the age of fifty-three, Steven lives in Columbia, South Carolina, and he has worked for the government for fifteen years.


Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 1 out of 5]

In one word: awful. The writing was amateurish, the dialog was trite and clichéd, and the juvenile banter between the detectives painted them as middleschoolers rather than adults. Their constant smirking, giggling, and teasing each other about the opposite sex was so annoying and unrealistic. This read more like an episode of Scooby Doo than an adult novel. Really lame!

[Shalissa Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a good murder mystery this one is for you! Was a very suspenseful read! Immediately grabs your attention and after each chapter leaves you wanting to know more!
I’d give it 4.5/5 stars! Was a quick read which is nice when you wanna get through your long TBR. Will definitely be reading more from Steven!

[Christina Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read for Lexington Locals

This was a good storyline with a satisfying ending. The story started a little slow but I thought the story had a good twist. It was also cool that it was about a town I live in (although it’s fiction) and see places mentioned locally. Overall, pretty good read!

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…we may close two cases simultaneously.”
~~~~
Since it’s my work bestie, guess I gotta leave something. But in honesty, it was a good quick murder read!
And for me also a palette cleaner since this isn’t the genre I read often.
Characters were hilarious and the plot was great. Finished it within one day, couldn’t stop reading it.

[Denese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Local mystery

If you love to read a cozy mystery about your local area and you live in South Carolina, this is the book for you. The characters were believable and relatable. The dialogue had an easy flow, which made you want to continue he to read. It is part of a trilogy and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[John Dos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book cover to cover and LOVED every minute of it. I could not put it down. I actually read this book in two afternoons. I thought the characters were great and loved the friendly back and forth between some of the characters. I cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick easy murder mystery set right here in Lexington. It was well thought out and I enjoyed the banter between characters. Love how more than one mystery gets solved and enjoyed the story as a whole.

[Rachel]

DNF. Just not catching my attention.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars. Good story, but the writing is atrocious.

[Mary Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great read, I’ve lived within 20 miles of Lake Murray all my life and it’s been good reading this exciting book. Looking forward to reading more.

[Darlene Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

As a Columbia, SC native its was nice to read a book focusing on state and town. I look forward to reading more from this author

[Greg Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up at Creekside, happy to support a local author. The story itself isn't terrible, but the writing & dialogue are unrefined and in desperate need of an editor.

[Mandy Jolly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was a struggle. Repetitive phrases and wording was distracting and the dialogue felt unnatural. What could be a decent story is in desperate need of an editor.

[Bethany Broome · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the most boring book i wasted 10$ on... it took me a whole 2 months to read cause it was boring and i found other things to do. when i first got it i thought they were talking about real murders that had happened but instead its just a fiction story on a murder that never was true

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I love all things Lake Murray, this book was entertaining and a real good easy read.