What do you think?
Rate this book
Fenway Stevenson Mysteries #10
The Digital Coroner
Art and the perfect recipe for betrayal—and murder.Coroner Fenway Stevenson is driving her boyfriend’s moving truck from California to Colorado. She and her friend Piper stop at a museum east of Vegas, only to be shocked at the financial and artistic betrayal of the artists on display in the name of progress.
But when the museum’s director is found dead next to the moving truck with Piper’s knife sticking out of his chest, Piper is the prime suspect. Fenway must use all the tools at her disposal to find the real killer and save her friend.
She soon discovers a betrayed wife, an angry mistress, shady investors, not to mention the hundreds of artists who had their money stolen. There’s no shortage of suspects—but none of them owned the murder weapon. Can Fenway find the killer and save Piper before becoming the next victim?
But when the museum’s director is found dead next to the moving truck with Piper’s knife sticking out of his chest, Piper is the prime suspect. Fenway must use all the tools at her disposal to find the real killer and save her friend.
She soon discovers a betrayed wife, an angry mistress, shady investors, not to mention the hundreds of artists who had their money stolen. There’s no shortage of suspects—but none of them owned the murder weapon. Can Fenway find the killer and save Piper before becoming the next victim?
- GenresMystery
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2024
25 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Paul Austin Ardoin
32 books126 followersPaul Austin Ardoin is the author of the Fenway Stevenson Mysteries. A California native with a degree in creative writing from UC Santa Barbara, Ardoin has also published short fiction and humorous essays in Bottomfish and Sweet Fancy Moses. His non-fiction articles about computer security have appeared in California Computer News and European Communications. He lives in the Sacramento area with his wife, two teenagers, and a menagerie of animals.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 24, 2025
I'VE READ ALL OF THE FENWAY SERIES AND I'VE NOTICED A CHANGE IN THE CHARACTERS. TO ME FENWAY ISN'T AS LIKABLE AS SHE WAS IN THE BEGINNING AND I'M REALLY NOT LIKING HER VERY MUCH ANYMORE. I LEARNED 2 THINGS READING THIS 1) NEVER GO ANYWHERE NEAR LAS VAGAS. 2) NEVER BUY OR GET INVOLVED WITH CRYPTOCURRENCEY OR NFTS. ;D
January 19, 2025
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Fenway and Piper drive Craig's moving truck to Colorado, while Craig starts his new job. While they stop in Nevada to checkout a NFT museum, Piper gets into an altercation and when the owner turns up murdered before they leave town, Piper is suspect #1. Fenway must investigate the murder and free Piper.
I have really enjoyed the Fenway series and though the whole gang was brought into the story, it felt a list disjointed with them being from a state away.
The concept of the NFT museum (which was a new concept for me) and Fenway being on the other side of the law was interesting and kept me interested throughout the book. Though I had figured out the murderer early on in the book, it was an enjoyable journey for Fenway. Craig's side drama about his job and his ex-wife and daughter added an additional complexity to storyline. The book set us up really well for the next Fenway installment.
It will be interesting to see if Fenway takes what she learned from this experience into the investigations back home and will OK or Officer Bardot make an appearance in the future?
I have really enjoyed the Fenway series and though the whole gang was brought into the story, it felt a list disjointed with them being from a state away.
The concept of the NFT museum (which was a new concept for me) and Fenway being on the other side of the law was interesting and kept me interested throughout the book. Though I had figured out the murderer early on in the book, it was an enjoyable journey for Fenway. Craig's side drama about his job and his ex-wife and daughter added an additional complexity to storyline. The book set us up really well for the next Fenway installment.
It will be interesting to see if Fenway takes what she learned from this experience into the investigations back home and will OK or Officer Bardot make an appearance in the future?
November 22, 2024
Helping a friend move is interrupted with a murder and an arrest - 4.5 stars
Piper Patten and Fenway Stevenson agree to drive a van filled with their friend's belongings from California to Colorado. After a stopover outside Los Vegas, Nevada and a quick visit to an unconventional art museum, they agreed to stay in the hotel and casino next door to the museum in order set off on a long drive the next day.
Ready to start their long drive in the coolness of the early morning, they notice a dead body next to the moving van with Piper's jack knife sticking out of his chest. There is no way that they could just drive away especially considering the ownership of the knife and the legal responsibility of coroners as law enforcement officers in California. While it is true that the state laws are different and that Fenway had no authority in Nevada, the fact that her friend had been remanded to jail and accused of murder, put Fenway into investigative detective mode.
First, Fenway got her father to hire a high-power lawyer. Then she started to investigate on her own. A gold badge, even from a different state, was enough to open many doors. It helped that Fenway overheard conversations concerning the victim while she was in the jail while waiting to give her statements to the sheriff. Before the sun set for the day, Fenway had found several exculpatory facts after the sheriff had concluded that Piper was the killer. The sheriff was completely confident that no further investigation was needed.
There was a connection to NFT [Non-Fungible Tokens] items (digital) items on display in the art museum and the victim was the director of the museum. In addition, several people connected to the art museum were involved in adulterous affairs so that the information that Fenway found was more than just titillating. It was plain that several people had strong monetary incentives to murder the museum director including his latest wife of only two weeks.
In addition to the murder case, the fact that Fenway's almost fiancée (Craig McVie) was the person whose belongings were being moved (you really have to read to book -- it is worth your time) gave a string of romantic thoughts and concerns including Craig's divorce, his ex-wife, and their teenage daughter.
Piper Patten and Fenway Stevenson agree to drive a van filled with their friend's belongings from California to Colorado. After a stopover outside Los Vegas, Nevada and a quick visit to an unconventional art museum, they agreed to stay in the hotel and casino next door to the museum in order set off on a long drive the next day.
Ready to start their long drive in the coolness of the early morning, they notice a dead body next to the moving van with Piper's jack knife sticking out of his chest. There is no way that they could just drive away especially considering the ownership of the knife and the legal responsibility of coroners as law enforcement officers in California. While it is true that the state laws are different and that Fenway had no authority in Nevada, the fact that her friend had been remanded to jail and accused of murder, put Fenway into investigative detective mode.
First, Fenway got her father to hire a high-power lawyer. Then she started to investigate on her own. A gold badge, even from a different state, was enough to open many doors. It helped that Fenway overheard conversations concerning the victim while she was in the jail while waiting to give her statements to the sheriff. Before the sun set for the day, Fenway had found several exculpatory facts after the sheriff had concluded that Piper was the killer. The sheriff was completely confident that no further investigation was needed.
There was a connection to NFT [Non-Fungible Tokens] items (digital) items on display in the art museum and the victim was the director of the museum. In addition, several people connected to the art museum were involved in adulterous affairs so that the information that Fenway found was more than just titillating. It was plain that several people had strong monetary incentives to murder the museum director including his latest wife of only two weeks.
In addition to the murder case, the fact that Fenway's almost fiancée (Craig McVie) was the person whose belongings were being moved (you really have to read to book -- it is worth your time) gave a string of romantic thoughts and concerns including Craig's divorce, his ex-wife, and their teenage daughter.
November 5, 2024
No good deed goes unpunished!
When Fenway Stevenson generously offers to drive her boyfriend’s moving van filled with all his belongings to another town where he has just started a new job, things quickly spiral into a Murphy’s Law nightmare. Fenway may be a coroner but finding a dead body during her weekend off from work lands her and her friend Piper in some very hot water. If you are familiar with the corollary to Murphy’s Law, that if there is a worse time for something bad to happen, that is when it will happen, you can correctly predict that Fenway and Piper are in for a truly harrowing weekend. I do not want to rob you of the fun of reading what they must endure by giving too much of the story away but I will tell you that it may well inspire some anxiety-laden dreams if you have a weekend trip planned in the near future. High-tech scammers, greedy investors, two-timing spouses, and a murderer are all players in this brilliantly plotted mystery that will have Piper put behind bars while Fenway desperately tries to unravel a massive tangle of lies and subterfuge to exonerate Piper in a county where she has no jurisdiction and in which the sheriff, hungry for a speedy conviction, has already come to his own conclusion about who is guilty. This is one of those books that simply cannot be put down as the twists and turns shepherd you along a convoluted, yet completely irresistible adventure with unforgettable characters I found myself thinking about days after I finished the book. I’m already anticipating the next story.
══════════════════
I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
When Fenway Stevenson generously offers to drive her boyfriend’s moving van filled with all his belongings to another town where he has just started a new job, things quickly spiral into a Murphy’s Law nightmare. Fenway may be a coroner but finding a dead body during her weekend off from work lands her and her friend Piper in some very hot water. If you are familiar with the corollary to Murphy’s Law, that if there is a worse time for something bad to happen, that is when it will happen, you can correctly predict that Fenway and Piper are in for a truly harrowing weekend. I do not want to rob you of the fun of reading what they must endure by giving too much of the story away but I will tell you that it may well inspire some anxiety-laden dreams if you have a weekend trip planned in the near future. High-tech scammers, greedy investors, two-timing spouses, and a murderer are all players in this brilliantly plotted mystery that will have Piper put behind bars while Fenway desperately tries to unravel a massive tangle of lies and subterfuge to exonerate Piper in a county where she has no jurisdiction and in which the sheriff, hungry for a speedy conviction, has already come to his own conclusion about who is guilty. This is one of those books that simply cannot be put down as the twists and turns shepherd you along a convoluted, yet completely irresistible adventure with unforgettable characters I found myself thinking about days after I finished the book. I’m already anticipating the next story.
══════════════════
I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
November 2, 2024
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with Fenway and Piper driving a van with Craig's belongings to Colorado. Piper convinces Fenway to stop in Ruby Dunes, Nevada to checkout a museum and stay overnight. Piper is anxious to see the display and Fenway learns that Piper invested in it. The museum did not go well and Piper in the end wound up yelling at Trask one of the owners. As they left the museum, Piper's purse wound up dropping everything that was inside. Once Piper and Fenway got into the room, Fenway got ready for bed. Once she got out of the shower, she looked for Piper. Not finder, she dressed and went outside. It was then that she learned that Piper had lost her knife.
The next morning as the two were getting ready to go on the road, they discovered a body and it had Piper's knife stuck in it. Once the sheriff arrived, both Fenway and Piper were taken to the sheriff's office for statements. Fenway was released, but Piper was held.
Mow, instead of continuing to Colorado, Fenway spent her time trying to prove Piper was innocent. To learn what Fenway did in her investigation who was killed and who the killer was and why he did it, you must read the book! You won't be sorry.
This story begins with Fenway and Piper driving a van with Craig's belongings to Colorado. Piper convinces Fenway to stop in Ruby Dunes, Nevada to checkout a museum and stay overnight. Piper is anxious to see the display and Fenway learns that Piper invested in it. The museum did not go well and Piper in the end wound up yelling at Trask one of the owners. As they left the museum, Piper's purse wound up dropping everything that was inside. Once Piper and Fenway got into the room, Fenway got ready for bed. Once she got out of the shower, she looked for Piper. Not finder, she dressed and went outside. It was then that she learned that Piper had lost her knife.
The next morning as the two were getting ready to go on the road, they discovered a body and it had Piper's knife stuck in it. Once the sheriff arrived, both Fenway and Piper were taken to the sheriff's office for statements. Fenway was released, but Piper was held.
Mow, instead of continuing to Colorado, Fenway spent her time trying to prove Piper was innocent. To learn what Fenway did in her investigation who was killed and who the killer was and why he did it, you must read the book! You won't be sorry.
November 3, 2024
On a road trip to take McVie's belongings to Colorado, Fenway finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation in a small town outside Las Vegas. Fenway has a role reversal in this book from finding the murderer to instead proving reasonable doubt for the suspect, Piper, arrested for the murder. She uncovers multiple suspects who have motive to kill the victim but can she find means and opportunity for any of them? The Sheriff is convinced he has arrested the correct suspect and wants a speedy resolution. Fenway definitely has an uphill climb in this case.
In the mean time is Fenway's and McVie's relationship on rocky grounds because she said "not yet" to the marriage proposal? A long distance relationship can be trying in normal circumstances but then mix in a misguided determined daughter and chaos ensues. McVie has decisions to make on the course he will take with his life but unfortunately will have to wait for the next book to find out.
Received an ARC and this is my voluntary honest review.
In the mean time is Fenway's and McVie's relationship on rocky grounds because she said "not yet" to the marriage proposal? A long distance relationship can be trying in normal circumstances but then mix in a misguided determined daughter and chaos ensues. McVie has decisions to make on the course he will take with his life but unfortunately will have to wait for the next book to find out.
Received an ARC and this is my voluntary honest review.
November 24, 2024
An unexpected and fatal travel delay…
I’ve really enjoyed this series. There is always a murder mystery to be solved and personal complexities for Fenway to resolve. Thus, it held my interest despite sensing who the guilty party was early on – you cannot always be too sure, though. This time, her friend and travel companion, Piper, make an overnight stopover while driving a moving van for McVie to Denver. Within hours of their arrival, Piper is caught in the midst of a case due to circumstantial evidence and accused of a murder. Obviously, Fenway is torn between her obligations but can not turn away from discovering the truth and saving her friend from what appears to be a slam dunk case with the local authorities. Well-written, along with interesting characters, the plot thickens and eventually justice is served – but getting there is the crux of the story…I am grateful for having had the opportunity to read and offer an honest and voluntary review.
I’ve really enjoyed this series. There is always a murder mystery to be solved and personal complexities for Fenway to resolve. Thus, it held my interest despite sensing who the guilty party was early on – you cannot always be too sure, though. This time, her friend and travel companion, Piper, make an overnight stopover while driving a moving van for McVie to Denver. Within hours of their arrival, Piper is caught in the midst of a case due to circumstantial evidence and accused of a murder. Obviously, Fenway is torn between her obligations but can not turn away from discovering the truth and saving her friend from what appears to be a slam dunk case with the local authorities. Well-written, along with interesting characters, the plot thickens and eventually justice is served – but getting there is the crux of the story…I am grateful for having had the opportunity to read and offer an honest and voluntary review.
October 27, 2024
Couldn’t put it down. McVie, Fenway, and Piper get into one mess after another after Piper insists on a stop at the new museum, NNOV8. With its combination of NFTs and art she couldn’t wait to see the exhibits. When they find a body next to their moving van with Piper’s knife in it’s chest, they’re unable to continue with bringing McVie his belongings in the moving van as they’re stuck in the small town pending the murder investigation. It only gets more convoluted both in the investigation with too many suspects and motives as well as McVie’s new job, belongings, and family. Held my interest throughout and am looking forward to the next book. Enjoyed it even though the science involved was beyond my knowledge so educational as well.
Received an ARC and this is my honest, unsolicited review.
Received an ARC and this is my honest, unsolicited review.
November 3, 2024
If you like determined, brave female detectives, the Fenway Stevenson mystery series by Paul Austin Ardoin could be just the series you have been waiting for. Fenway is a coroner in California,which means it’s her job to investigate murders. She’s a complex character who is loyal to her friends and has good instincts as a detective. She is also capable of saying or doing the wrong thing and of second guessing herself. In other words, she is human.
I don’t give five stars to mysteries in which I guess the murderer well before the end of the book. Still, if you start the series at the beginning, you will grow to enjoy Fenway and her friends enough that you won’t want to miss The Digital Coroner.
I received this ebook as an ARC. This in no way influenced my review, which is voluntarily given.
I don’t give five stars to mysteries in which I guess the murderer well before the end of the book. Still, if you start the series at the beginning, you will grow to enjoy Fenway and her friends enough that you won’t want to miss The Digital Coroner.
I received this ebook as an ARC. This in no way influenced my review, which is voluntarily given.
November 13, 2024
The newest Fenway Stephenson mystery is even better than the previous ones! Fenway is stuck in a town outside Las Vegas on her way to deliver her boyfriend’s household goods in a rental truck. Piper and Fenway visit a unique “museum” and Piper winds up jailed shortly after. Fenway must work from a different angle this time—she’s not part of law enforcement in Las Vegas, just California, so she is trying her best to get the deputy to release Piper by finding someone else who might have committed the murder of which Piper is accused. Murder, investigations, personal drama, and a tense ending will keep you reading far into the night. I was provided an advanced reader copy and this is my honest review. I loved it!
November 10, 2024
THE DIGITAL CORONER is another winner in the Fenway Stevenson Mysteries series! Out of her jurisdiction, without allies, tired and off-balance, Fenway pursues justice for her friend, Piper. As usual, nothing comes easy. Can Fenway prevail?
I love Fenway’s self-knowledge, honesty, and loyalty. She’s a wonderful protagonist!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.
I love Fenway’s self-knowledge, honesty, and loyalty. She’s a wonderful protagonist!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.
November 12, 2024
Fenway and Piper are driving a truck to Colorado with Craig's belongings. A stop just outside Vegas so Piper can view an NFT art exhibition leads to a dead body and Piper's arrest. Fenway is out of her jurisdiction with no authority; Craig needs his things; Piper needs Fenway's help. The desert heat is murder. I stayed up all night trying to decide whodunit and cheering Fenway on. One of my top ten favorite series.
November 1, 2024
The newest Fenway Stevenson is a good read.
Helping her lover moving his things, Fenway gets involved in a murder mystery.
Outside her jurisdiction it is not easy.
It is quite fascinating how the case evolves.
What I really liked, was that this time the mystery did not play in Fenways normal haunts.
This made it more interesting.
Quite enjoyable read.
Helping her lover moving his things, Fenway gets involved in a murder mystery.
Outside her jurisdiction it is not easy.
It is quite fascinating how the case evolves.
What I really liked, was that this time the mystery did not play in Fenways normal haunts.
This made it more interesting.
Quite enjoyable read.
November 7, 2024
In California Fenway has jurisdiction as coroner but in Nevada she has none. So how can she get Piper out of this murder charge? A hectic few days of investigating and the murderer falls into Fenway's sight by the strangest of clues. McVie's chaotic life come crashing down on them both. Where do they go from here? Highly Recommended.
November 10, 2024
This is another thrilling entry into the Fenway Stevenson, Coroner, mysteries series. Fenway is a terrific character but she is out of her comfort zone in this one as she is out of her jurisdiction when she and her friend, Piper, stumble upon a murder. Great read.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
November 12, 2024
The Digital Coroner is yet another brilliant installment in the Fenway mystery series by this accomplished author. This series never fails to deliver. The characters have depth and always come to life. There is plenty to engage and entertain you with twists and turns which kept me guessing who was the murderer until the very end.
Highly recommend not just this book but the entire Fenway series.
Highly recommend not just this book but the entire Fenway series.
November 12, 2024
The digital coroner by Paul Austin Ardoin
Fenway, a coroner is helping her boyfriend move his belongings to another city. Fe ways ride along friend,Piper, gets charged with murder. Multiple twists and turns in this plot line kept me going in circles, trying to figure out “who done it”!
Check this writer out !
Fenway, a coroner is helping her boyfriend move his belongings to another city. Fe ways ride along friend,Piper, gets charged with murder. Multiple twists and turns in this plot line kept me going in circles, trying to figure out “who done it”!
Check this writer out !
November 17, 2024
As always just a few pages in and I'm hooked. Finding out what Fenway and friends are up to and how they can solve another one keeps me reading until the end with as few breaks as possible. I always look forward to these stories and am always so disappointed when I reach the end as I know I have to wait a while for the next one. Another great story.
November 18, 2024
Boy, dead bodies really do follow Fenway around. This was an enjoyable story (not for Fenway or Piper) and I would recommend it. I’m with Fenway that the desert is not the place for me. Oppressive heat and lizard skin! Yuck! It can be beautiful in its own way, but for very short periods of time. Anyway, lots of clues, lots of suspects. Can you figure it out? Try it.
November 20, 2024
A page turner :
I have rated a five star ( Fenway Stevenson Mystery Book ten)
It was an exciting, fun, who done it book. I have loved all ten books of this series. I can't wait until the next book will be written so I can read that one as well. I loved the characters, the plot, wondering who the killer really is. What was the reason. A total page turner that's for sure.
I have rated a five star ( Fenway Stevenson Mystery Book ten)
It was an exciting, fun, who done it book. I have loved all ten books of this series. I can't wait until the next book will be written so I can read that one as well. I loved the characters, the plot, wondering who the killer really is. What was the reason. A total page turner that's for sure.
December 1, 2024
The Digital Coroner by Paul Austin Ardoin. (Fenway Stevenson Mysteries Book 10)
Another great mystery and an engaging read. This is book 10 in a series and while this could be read as a stand alone book, in my opinion, a lot of references would not make sense. The relationship between Fenway and McVie takes an unexpected turn, which will make for an interesting story line in the next book.
Another great mystery and an engaging read. This is book 10 in a series and while this could be read as a stand alone book, in my opinion, a lot of references would not make sense. The relationship between Fenway and McVie takes an unexpected turn, which will make for an interesting story line in the next book.
October 25, 2025
The Digital Coroner was great.
I love the way Paul Austin Ardoin weaves his characters together. They’re so full bodied and human. Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I get choked up but I’m always entertained. Book #11 here I come!!
I love the way Paul Austin Ardoin weaves his characters together. They’re so full bodied and human. Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I get choked up but I’m always entertained. Book #11 here I come!!
Read
January 6, 2026A very enjoyable read and one that kept me in suspense to the very end. Having family in Las Vegas, and knowing the desert terrain between Las Vegas and Colorado, it was easy to immerse myself in the setting and in the heat.
October 28, 2024
This is another great mystery. I have enjoyed every book in this series . The characters are great and the plots are terrific. Can’t wait for the next one.
October 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, lots of action from start to finish. Great cast of characters. An edge of the seat page turner.
November 1, 2024
Fantastic book . I really enjoyed reading this book. Lots of twists and turns .i enjoy reading about Fenway and friends. Can’t wait to read the next one
November 12, 2024
Another great instillation in the Fenway series! I highly recommend this book and this series to any lovers of mystery.
November 14, 2024
Fenway is a great character and I love Piper. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
December 8, 2024
Fenway gets a lit done despite being out of her jurisdiction. I liked O.K. Hope he makes an appearance in future books.
December 25, 2024
Fenway does it again - this time, in the Nevada desert. It’s a nice change of scenery for this 10th book in the series. Each one is so fun to read and I can’t wait to see where Fenway heads next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews