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A Wolf's Demise: A 1940s Romantic Mystery with a Fairy Tale Twist
"You’ve met the wolf, huh?"Dallas, Texas, 1949
Ruby Stedman expects her first few days in the secretarial pool of a large business to be challenging, especially with her lack of training. But she's determined to prove to the boss who doesn't want her there that she can learn quickly and excel in whatever task she's given. Even if it means working for some of the less than gentlemanly executives on the upper floors.
But dealing with her difficult boss becomes the least of her troubles. She doesn't expect to be literally chased around an office. Nor does she realize she's being set up for a rendezvous on the top floor of the building - an empty, after-hours building.
When she finds the leader of the wolf pack lying in a pool of blood, not only is she implicated in the man's murder, she suddenly becomes a target herself. Even her favorite Dallas detective, Chris Wilson, can't seem to keep her safe.
Can they figure out all that is going on before a killer strikes again? Get your copy of A WOLF'S DEMISE.
Ruby Stedman expects her first few days in the secretarial pool of a large business to be challenging, especially with her lack of training. But she's determined to prove to the boss who doesn't want her there that she can learn quickly and excel in whatever task she's given. Even if it means working for some of the less than gentlemanly executives on the upper floors.
But dealing with her difficult boss becomes the least of her troubles. She doesn't expect to be literally chased around an office. Nor does she realize she's being set up for a rendezvous on the top floor of the building - an empty, after-hours building.
When she finds the leader of the wolf pack lying in a pool of blood, not only is she implicated in the man's murder, she suddenly becomes a target herself. Even her favorite Dallas detective, Chris Wilson, can't seem to keep her safe.
Can they figure out all that is going on before a killer strikes again? Get your copy of A WOLF'S DEMISE.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2024
About the author
Marji Laine
25 books509 followersMarji is a "graduated" homeschooling mom who's thrilled to avoid the empty nest for a while longer. She lives in the Dallas area with her hubby of 35 years, her twin daughters, and a rescue pup named Rosie (or Madam Barksalot, depending on the day).
When Marji isn't editing or formatting for her authors or writing on her own projects, she leads a ladies' Bible study, works with the women's ministry at her church, and sings alto in the adult choir. As often as possible, she's playing strategy games and card games with friends and family.
She prefers mountains to beaches, dogs to cats, Tex-Mex, white roses, and the Pumpkin Pecan Waffle candle from Bath & Body Works. Her watching preferences include Hallmark mysteries, NASCAR, NFL games, and Perry Mason reruns.
You can find her here on Goodreads or at her website MarjiLaine.com
When Marji isn't editing or formatting for her authors or writing on her own projects, she leads a ladies' Bible study, works with the women's ministry at her church, and sings alto in the adult choir. As often as possible, she's playing strategy games and card games with friends and family.
She prefers mountains to beaches, dogs to cats, Tex-Mex, white roses, and the Pumpkin Pecan Waffle candle from Bath & Body Works. Her watching preferences include Hallmark mysteries, NASCAR, NFL games, and Perry Mason reruns.
You can find her here on Goodreads or at her website MarjiLaine.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 20, 2026
"A Wolf’s Demise" grabbed me from the very first paragraph! The author does an incredible job of setting the stage - Ruby Stedman is an instantly relatable underdog. You can’t help but root for her as she enters the lions' den (or in this case, the wolf pack) of a high-powered corporate office.
What starts as a classic "fish out of water" story quickly spirals into a terrifying, fast-paced nightmare. The transition from the everyday struggles of a secretarial pool to a life-or-death murder mystery is handled brilliantly. The imagery of the empty, after-hours office building creates a suffocating sense of dread that kept me turning pages late into the night.
Ruby is a strong, determined protagonist, and her chemistry with Detective Chris Wilson adds a great layer of depth to the story. The stakes feel real, the "wolf pack" of executives is appropriately chilling, and the twists keep you guessing until the very end.
If you love a mystery with a courageous heroine, a touch of grit, and a plot that moves like a freight train, this is a must-read. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Ruby!
What starts as a classic "fish out of water" story quickly spirals into a terrifying, fast-paced nightmare. The transition from the everyday struggles of a secretarial pool to a life-or-death murder mystery is handled brilliantly. The imagery of the empty, after-hours office building creates a suffocating sense of dread that kept me turning pages late into the night.
Ruby is a strong, determined protagonist, and her chemistry with Detective Chris Wilson adds a great layer of depth to the story. The stakes feel real, the "wolf pack" of executives is appropriately chilling, and the twists keep you guessing until the very end.
If you love a mystery with a courageous heroine, a touch of grit, and a plot that moves like a freight train, this is a must-read. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Ruby!
September 25, 2024
This novel is an enjoyable mystery set in 1949 Dallas, TX. The buildings where the majority of the story takes place are based on real buildings that are historically and structurally interesting. (I love architecture of the early 20th Century.) I also had a lot of fun trying to guess who the bad guys or girls, good guys or girls, and not-so-bad guys or girls were. The author's smooth writing style allowed me to relax and really get into the characters and situations they found themselves in. I had not read the previous book of this series but had no trouble understanding anything about this one, including the budding romance.
September 27, 2024
Ruby Stedman has a new job in the secretarial pool - one she is perhaps not really qualified for, but she is very willing and a quick learner. However, finding a dead body was not what she signed up for. The mystery begins.
Lots of excitement, mixed up files, accusations and more are sure to keep the reader trying to figure out who killed the wolf, and was he even the wolf? Someone was behind all of this. It was up to the Dallas Police Department to figure it out, with a little unsolicited help.
An early copy of this 1948 Fairy Tale Mystery was received through Pursued Books and Write Integrity Press. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
Lots of excitement, mixed up files, accusations and more are sure to keep the reader trying to figure out who killed the wolf, and was he even the wolf? Someone was behind all of this. It was up to the Dallas Police Department to figure it out, with a little unsolicited help.
An early copy of this 1948 Fairy Tale Mystery was received through Pursued Books and Write Integrity Press. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
September 17, 2024
I loved this book. There were so many twists and turns that kept me reading all night long. I really felt like I was part of the story.
October 2, 2024
This was a great book! I really enjoyed reading it!
September 23, 2024
I loved the characters expertly crafted and woven into this delightful tale of suspense and mystery.
I meant to only read the first chapter, but author, Marji Laine, kept me turning pages far into the night! Who could sleep with all those questions circling? Oh, no, what has Ruby gotten herself into now? I loved Opal and Ruby Stedman in the previous story, A Troll Falls. So, I couldn’t staunch the smile as they reappeared in this one. Ruby is definitely my favorite of the two, perhaps because of her penchant for trouble. And speaking of trouble, Ruby’s handsome love interest from the former book returns in this one, a few degrees warmer. How can she possibly resist? Laine skillfully weaves the romance in among the escalating danger and suspense.
If you are a fan of the forties, as I am, and love suspense that will sometimes tickle your funny bone, you won’t want to miss A Wolf’s Demise.
I meant to only read the first chapter, but author, Marji Laine, kept me turning pages far into the night! Who could sleep with all those questions circling? Oh, no, what has Ruby gotten herself into now? I loved Opal and Ruby Stedman in the previous story, A Troll Falls. So, I couldn’t staunch the smile as they reappeared in this one. Ruby is definitely my favorite of the two, perhaps because of her penchant for trouble. And speaking of trouble, Ruby’s handsome love interest from the former book returns in this one, a few degrees warmer. How can she possibly resist? Laine skillfully weaves the romance in among the escalating danger and suspense.
If you are a fan of the forties, as I am, and love suspense that will sometimes tickle your funny bone, you won’t want to miss A Wolf’s Demise.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews