Murderland

by Thomas B. Cavanagh

You’ll pay for admission with your life . . . An amusement park hides a killer in this unforgettable thriller from “a great new talent in crime fiction” (Lee Irby, author of Bottom Feeders).
 
As Orlando’s third-largest theme park, Empire Realm, prepares to celebrate its twentieth anniversary, a public relations disaster strikes. In a span of three weeks, two tourists are found dead, victims of strangulation. 
 
Enter Kevin Lonnegan, cop-turned-private investigator. Going undercover as a park employee in the brutal Florida summer still has to be better than the seedy workers’ comp cases and messy divorces usually thrown his way. After all, theme parks are supposed to be the happiest places on earth. But a cold-hearted killer has made this one their hunting ground . . .
 
Praise for Thomas B. Cavanagh’s Mike Garrity novels, Head Games and Prodigal Son
 
“An Orlando, Florida, thriller that reads like a high-speed theme park ride . . . with dark humor so sharp it’ll make you bleed.” —Brian Freeman, New York Times–bestselling author
 
“Carl Hiaasen fans will be thrilled to know there’s a new kid on the block. If you liked Basket Case, you’ll flip over Thomas B. Cavanagh’s sardonically and outrageously funny lead character.” —Charlotte Hughes, New York Times–bestselling author
 
“With the clarity of Robert B. Parker and the complexity of Michael Connolly, Prodigal Son disturbs and charms at the same time.” —Booklist
 

Genres: Mystery

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Thomas B. Cavanagh is an Amazon best-selling, award-winning author of Florida crime thrillers. His latest novel is “Diamond Cut,” the first in the Sandy Corrigan mystery series and winner of the Florida Book Award Bronze Medal for Popular Fiction. He is also the author of “Prodigal Son,” featuring Central Florida private detective Mike Garrity, as well as the first Mike Garrity novel, “Head Games,” which won the Florida Book Award Gold Medal for Popular Fiction and was a Best Novel finalist for a Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America. He is also author of the stand-alone novel “Murderland,” winner of the Dark Oak Mystery Contest. In his career he has written award-winning children's television shows for Nickelodeon, the Walt Disney Company, and many others. He lives in Central Florida with his family and two quirky cats.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this author through BookBub's daily listing of cheap books on Amazon. I am glad I did. The pacing was good, not padded with a lot of unnecessary stuff but not too short to lack a level of complexity. The chase scenes were a little over the top (written for an action movie perhaps?). Like most detective novels it had some of the obligatory cliches (the unpleasant and uncooperative police officer, the former policeman turned PI with alcohol problems) but they weren't as exaggerated or annoying as they are in some books. The characters were multi-dimensional and believable. Sadly this author hasn't written a lot of books. I will be reading the others by him as I find them if they are as good as this one.

[Megan Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I now know more about a grown man’s massive hemorrhoid than I ever needed to know, and it added nothing whatsoever to the storyline. Between the incessant mention of said hemorrhoid and the rambling paragraphs of unnecessary detail that I ended up skimming/skipping all together out of boredom, this book could have (and should have) been 100 pages shorter. The mystery was interesting enough but honestly? I don’t recommend. The police incompetence was actually painful.

[Ken Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was hard to put down as I got closer to finishing. Plenty of rabbit holes to go down, mostly likeable characters. Some egos interfered with good judgement during the investigation. The underdogs persevered in the end with, plenty of suspense and action.

[Peta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and now I’m looking forwards to reading this Authors other novels…

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This murder mystery was written by my son’s sensai’s dad, and it is a perfect read for anyone who loves detective mysteries with some murder and a bit of humor. What adds a bit more fun is that it takes place here in Orlando within an imaginary theme park.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's the deal, a murder mystery set in a major Orlando theme park that bears every resemblance to the Magic Kingdom. Mr. Thomas is very clearly a Central Floridian and weaves a tale that "gets" the experience of being an underpaid, unappreciated front line cast member. Having worked in the theme parks, his descriptions and settings were so real that the moments where he had to take creative license were jarring. If you have worked the parks and love mysteries, 5 stars for you. Otherwise, it is a good enough murder mystery.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not wait to read this book- murders in an amusement park in itself was a great premise, but I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed the storyline, descriptions, and this was one I couldn't put down. My favorite scene was the chase on the roller coaster.

[Missy Kallenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Creative plot, characters you love and a couple you love to hate. I enjoyed the author's writing style and his ability to throw in mulitple point of views that flowed smoothly together; never choppy. Edge of your seat conclusion. I want to see what other books he has written.

[Olga DiLenge]

I just finished this one. Loved it as much as Head Games. Thomas Cavanagh is on my top ten list of authors!

[Hnmestel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than expected!