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Evil Never Sleeps: A Randall & Carver Mystery
A chilling cold case. A grieving family on the brink. A truth someone will kill to protect.
Eleven years ago, Terry Fisher walked into the Tennessee night and never came home. His body was found under an old oak tree—two bullets to the back of the head. No suspects. No motive. No justice. Now, with their father terminally ill and time running out, Terry’s family turns to private investigators Mallory Carver and Tucker Randall as a last hope for answers.
Mallory knows all too well the pain of losing someone to violence. So when the case hits her inbox, she can’t walk away—especially not when the facts don’t add up and the local police seem too eager to forget.
What begins as a single murder inquiry quickly unravels into something much darker. Hidden connections. Buried evidence. And a string of eerily similar killings, all unsolved, all within a few miles of Terry’s grave.
As Mallory and Tucker peel back the layers of small-town secrets and long-standing lies, they’ll have to trust each other—and their instincts—before a killer silences the truth for good.
Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Lisa Regan, and C.J. Box, Evil Never Sleeps is a tense, emotionally rich crime thriller that blends pulse-pounding suspense with a deeply personal quest for justice.
Eleven years ago, Terry Fisher walked into the Tennessee night and never came home. His body was found under an old oak tree—two bullets to the back of the head. No suspects. No motive. No justice. Now, with their father terminally ill and time running out, Terry’s family turns to private investigators Mallory Carver and Tucker Randall as a last hope for answers.
Mallory knows all too well the pain of losing someone to violence. So when the case hits her inbox, she can’t walk away—especially not when the facts don’t add up and the local police seem too eager to forget.
What begins as a single murder inquiry quickly unravels into something much darker. Hidden connections. Buried evidence. And a string of eerily similar killings, all unsolved, all within a few miles of Terry’s grave.
As Mallory and Tucker peel back the layers of small-town secrets and long-standing lies, they’ll have to trust each other—and their instincts—before a killer silences the truth for good.
Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Lisa Regan, and C.J. Box, Evil Never Sleeps is a tense, emotionally rich crime thriller that blends pulse-pounding suspense with a deeply personal quest for justice.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2025
27 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Blair Howard
291 books345 followersBlair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 21, 2025
Randall and Carver, while planning their forthcoming wedding, are brought in to a cold case of murder by the victim’s surviving brother. They go to the small town where the family lived and the body, shot twice in the head, was found. Their investigation leads them to four more similar murders, gun running, money laundering and a series of suspects that is larger and more complex than one would suspect in such a small town. Terrific reading that leads the reader into anxiously waiting for the next Randall and Carver mystery. Thanks to the author and publisher doe an ARC for an honest review.
April 21, 2025
I am a long time fan of Blair Howard's books and I am loving this series, although Randal and Carver are Chattanooga PIs, they are so far removed from Harry Starke and Kate Gazarra that they could have been written by a different author, albeit, an author just as talented.
Tucker Randal had started his PI agency when he had, disillusioned and angry, left the FBI, he had been joined by Mallory Carver when she had needed his help, they worked well together, she had joined the agency as a partner and that had led to romance.
Mallory and Tucker each brought something different to the table, she was impulsive and worked on hunches and intuition and he was controlled and worked on evidence and logic, but it worked and they were successful.
When Mallory received a message from Gary Fisher asking for their help in finding the person who murdered his brother eleven years ago, Mallory was keen to take on the case, Tucker was not so keen, they already had three surveillance cases and cold cases were notoriously difficult to solve but Gary's parents were ailing and they needed closure before they died...........Mallory won and they headed for the little town of Duckwood.
What started as one cold case combusted into something off the scale, something that would turn the little town of Duckwood on it's head, as this story unfolds they encounter corruption at a high level, who could they trust ? they encountered murders with the same MO, why weren't they connected ? they encountered gun running and so much more and it meant Tucker coming into contact with the person who was responsible for leaving the FBI.
Running along side this dramatic story and adding humour is Mallory's older and more elegant sister Jen, trying so hard, despite hitting brick walls, to round the pair up so that she could get on with arranging their wedding, it was to prove a hard, frustrating task.
This story has a bit of everything, nail biting suspense, fast action, convoluted twists and turns, humour and gentle romance, more of Randall and Carter please Mr Blair.
I received an ARC for this book and the review is my own.
Tucker Randal had started his PI agency when he had, disillusioned and angry, left the FBI, he had been joined by Mallory Carver when she had needed his help, they worked well together, she had joined the agency as a partner and that had led to romance.
Mallory and Tucker each brought something different to the table, she was impulsive and worked on hunches and intuition and he was controlled and worked on evidence and logic, but it worked and they were successful.
When Mallory received a message from Gary Fisher asking for their help in finding the person who murdered his brother eleven years ago, Mallory was keen to take on the case, Tucker was not so keen, they already had three surveillance cases and cold cases were notoriously difficult to solve but Gary's parents were ailing and they needed closure before they died...........Mallory won and they headed for the little town of Duckwood.
What started as one cold case combusted into something off the scale, something that would turn the little town of Duckwood on it's head, as this story unfolds they encounter corruption at a high level, who could they trust ? they encountered murders with the same MO, why weren't they connected ? they encountered gun running and so much more and it meant Tucker coming into contact with the person who was responsible for leaving the FBI.
Running along side this dramatic story and adding humour is Mallory's older and more elegant sister Jen, trying so hard, despite hitting brick walls, to round the pair up so that she could get on with arranging their wedding, it was to prove a hard, frustrating task.
This story has a bit of everything, nail biting suspense, fast action, convoluted twists and turns, humour and gentle romance, more of Randall and Carter please Mr Blair.
I received an ARC for this book and the review is my own.
April 25, 2025
Terry Fisher wants to do what is correct, he was caught up in something that he does not want to be part anymore due to his upcoming marriage. He agreed to meet with the leader of the group he involved with at midnight in a location that was secluded. When the meeting starts he says he just wants out and that he would not tell anyone what is going on. What Terry got in response was two bullets in the back of his head.
Eleven years later Mallory Carver, the female partner of the private investor firm Randall& Carver, is reviewing her emails much to the dismay of her sister. Mallory was with her sister and were supposed to be working on Mallory's wedding plans since she and her partner Tucker Randall were due to get married in six months. The email that caught her attention was one that stated there was an unsolved murder and the victim deserves justice. The sender of he email was Terry Fisher's brother Gary. Gary has researched the murder and provided a timeline of the murder and the following investigation by the police. There was never any arrest made for the crime. Gary stated that his parents were declining in years, with his father having only a few months to live. Gary and his parents each wanted to know who killed Terry and why.
While Tucker was not 100% sure he wanted to take the case he agrees to go to Duckwood, where the murder took place, and meet with Gary to learn hear Gary's thoughts about what happened. Once they get to Duckwood and learning more about Terry's murder they decide to stick around and take a fresh look into things. The clincher that let them decide to look at things was that there five additional murder in the Duckwood area with similar Mos since Terry was killed. What made it any stranger was that the five murders were not even considered as connected by the local police.
Once again Blair Howard has shown that he can write a very readable and enjoyable murder mystery with characters that are very different than those in the Harry Stark or Kate Gazzara books.
Eleven years later Mallory Carver, the female partner of the private investor firm Randall& Carver, is reviewing her emails much to the dismay of her sister. Mallory was with her sister and were supposed to be working on Mallory's wedding plans since she and her partner Tucker Randall were due to get married in six months. The email that caught her attention was one that stated there was an unsolved murder and the victim deserves justice. The sender of he email was Terry Fisher's brother Gary. Gary has researched the murder and provided a timeline of the murder and the following investigation by the police. There was never any arrest made for the crime. Gary stated that his parents were declining in years, with his father having only a few months to live. Gary and his parents each wanted to know who killed Terry and why.
While Tucker was not 100% sure he wanted to take the case he agrees to go to Duckwood, where the murder took place, and meet with Gary to learn hear Gary's thoughts about what happened. Once they get to Duckwood and learning more about Terry's murder they decide to stick around and take a fresh look into things. The clincher that let them decide to look at things was that there five additional murder in the Duckwood area with similar Mos since Terry was killed. What made it any stranger was that the five murders were not even considered as connected by the local police.
Once again Blair Howard has shown that he can write a very readable and enjoyable murder mystery with characters that are very different than those in the Harry Stark or Kate Gazzara books.
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April 21, 2025Something a little different but still with a Chattanooga flavour. Tucker Randall and Mallory Carver take on an eleven-year-old unresolved case of the death of one Terry Fisher in rural Tennessee. His brother Gary, contacts them for assistance to resolve the case which has remained unsolved and to bring closure to his ailing parents in their twilight of life. The case clashes with Mallory’s sister Jen, who is anxious to help plan the bridal wear for Tucker and Mallory’s wedding some six months away.
Tucker and Mallory arrange to meet Gary Fisher in the small town of Duckwood, to establish if they can help and after just a few interviews the investigation is off and running as numerous points of concern are identified, and they get the impression of reluctance of some locals to clarify some of the matters raised in the original investigation. When they receive a warning to “back off” this has the opposite effect, and they dig into the investigation and identify a much larger criminal operation behind the murder.
With many twists and turns, all making for a very interesting story, the case is eventually brought to a satisfactory conclusion and the PI’s receive an offer which gives the couple pause for consideration. Mallory’s sister is successful in arranging her wedding dress and in a small ceremony, Tucker and Mallory are wed in Chattanooga with their future in front of them as husband and wife as well as partners in their ongoing PI business.
Tucker and Mallory arrange to meet Gary Fisher in the small town of Duckwood, to establish if they can help and after just a few interviews the investigation is off and running as numerous points of concern are identified, and they get the impression of reluctance of some locals to clarify some of the matters raised in the original investigation. When they receive a warning to “back off” this has the opposite effect, and they dig into the investigation and identify a much larger criminal operation behind the murder.
With many twists and turns, all making for a very interesting story, the case is eventually brought to a satisfactory conclusion and the PI’s receive an offer which gives the couple pause for consideration. Mallory’s sister is successful in arranging her wedding dress and in a small ceremony, Tucker and Mallory are wed in Chattanooga with their future in front of them as husband and wife as well as partners in their ongoing PI business.
October 7, 2025
Tucker and Mallory are planning their wedding that is coming up in 6 months. They both receive an email asking them to investigate why the man’s brother was slain execution-style 11 years earlier. He is anxious to solve the mystery as his parents are in poor health and he’d like them to have answers before they pass. In the email, he provides a plethora of information and is hoping that Tucker & Mallory can find the answers that he’s been seeking. They agree to take the case and head out to small-town Duckwood, about an hour and a half from Chattanooga. They are repeatedly warned not to stick their noses into his death. Of course, this does not deter them. They uncover several similar murders over the last 11 years. Are they connected? How? The local police don’t seem all that interested in solving the murders. Why not? Are they somehow involved? What they uncover is much deeper than they imagined and people are willing to kill to keep it hidden. Follow along on this case that gets more dangerous the more they discover. Another great story from Blair Howard!
April 26, 2025
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with the murder of Terry Fisher. It is now 11 years later and Mallory is with her sister Jen preparing for wedding to Tucker in 6 months. Mallory receives an email Gary, Terry's brother, requesting their services in learning who killed his brother. Gary supplies documentation that he has prepared of what happened. Tucker agrees to talk to Gary and then decide whether to take the case.
The next day the pair arrive in Duckwood to talk and after their visit begin to look into it. Starting only with the limited information they begin interviews. It isn't long before they stir up trouble once they start looking into the similar killings of 4 others. They receive a threatening note in addition to also being followed.
Read the exciting conclusion and discover who was behind it and what the reason the killings were done. This is definitely a great story. You won't be disappointed!
The story begins with the murder of Terry Fisher. It is now 11 years later and Mallory is with her sister Jen preparing for wedding to Tucker in 6 months. Mallory receives an email Gary, Terry's brother, requesting their services in learning who killed his brother. Gary supplies documentation that he has prepared of what happened. Tucker agrees to talk to Gary and then decide whether to take the case.
The next day the pair arrive in Duckwood to talk and after their visit begin to look into it. Starting only with the limited information they begin interviews. It isn't long before they stir up trouble once they start looking into the similar killings of 4 others. They receive a threatening note in addition to also being followed.
Read the exciting conclusion and discover who was behind it and what the reason the killings were done. This is definitely a great story. You won't be disappointed!
May 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a fast-paced read, but it still manages to pack in plenty of action and character development. Having Mallory and Tucker get married was a happy step forward.
One thing I really appreciate about Blair Howard’s writing is that it stays focused on the story - there’s no need for over the top or gratuitous scenes. I also liked that Mallory’s sister had a bigger role this time. It added some nice depth to the story and gave more insight into Mallory’s world.
The ending hints at some exciting changes ahead with the new business opportunity, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Thanks to the author for an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
One thing I really appreciate about Blair Howard’s writing is that it stays focused on the story - there’s no need for over the top or gratuitous scenes. I also liked that Mallory’s sister had a bigger role this time. It added some nice depth to the story and gave more insight into Mallory’s world.
The ending hints at some exciting changes ahead with the new business opportunity, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Thanks to the author for an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
May 26, 2025
Another action-packed thrill ride from Blair Howard! Small town mysteries are often the most difficult to solve. Especially when they are over a decade old. Why stir the pot now? When Tucker Randall and Mallory Carver get a call asking them to look into a murder before the decedent's parents pass away themselves, how could they refuse? But there's a good chance that trying to solve this case may put their own lives in grave danger. There's a lot going on in this small town in rural Tennessee, and it's not all good. Murder, mystery, intrigue, corrupt town officials, and more seem to be working against our duo solving this case - and surviving to tell about it.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
April 21, 2025
Tucker and Mallory were approached by the brother of a murdered sibling. The brother's request was well-written with specific details. After meeting the brother, they accepted the case. The police in Duckworth, a small rural town, were hesitant to divulge information. Tucker and Mallory were given warnings, told to be careful, and found notes on their car. The attitude of the police was laissez-faire, which didn't sit right. Their investigation led them to things they never imagined. Meanwhile, they were in the midst of wedding planning. Will they break the case? Will the wedding happen? The two distinct storylines played well together. It's a good read.
May 24, 2025
I am truly enjoying this new series by Blair Howard. After reading and loving the first two books in the series, I dove into his latest, Evil Never Sleeps. This book starts with Mallory and her sister, Jen, planning for her upcoming wedding. While Mallory is working out the details, she gets a message asking for help with an 11-year-old case where a man was shot execution style.
Mallory and Tucker leave for the town of Duckwood to try to solve the murders that have taken place there. In four days, they managed to accomplish what no one else has been able to do. Lots of action! Another great book by Blair Howard! Can’t wait for #4.
Mallory and Tucker leave for the town of Duckwood to try to solve the murders that have taken place there. In four days, they managed to accomplish what no one else has been able to do. Lots of action! Another great book by Blair Howard! Can’t wait for #4.
April 28, 2025
Evil Never Sleeps: A Randall & Carver Mystery (Randall & Carver Mysteries Book 3), my sixty-ninth read from author Blair Howard, the latest in his Randall & Carver Mysteries. Well-written and enjoyable, edge-of-your-seat PI fiction, thoroughly entertaining, as always! I always look forward to the next work from Howard. A Blair Howard book is like a visit from an old detective friend. I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
May 2, 2025
Gary Fisher does not give up on finding the truth about his brother's death. He sends an email to Tucker and Mallory to investigate as the police have made no headway into finding the murderer. Mallory persuades Tucker to take the case. Why are the police so lax and uncooperative? Tucker and Mallory are determined to find the killer at risk to their own lives and make some enlightening revelations about Terry's murder. An intriguing edge of the seat page turner with fast paced action which had me glued.
June 1, 2025
Evil Never Sleeps - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
PI Mallory Carver is making wedding preparations with her sister Jen, when they're interrupted by an earnest plea to accept a cold case.
Mallory and fiancé Tucker Randall stir up a 'hornet's nest' of trouble with their enquiries, as they uncover a major crime operation hidden in a small rural town. Will they end up as the next victims or get their HEA together?
Read Evil Never Sleeps, A Randall and Carver Mystery Book 3 by Blair Howard, to find out how the adventure ends...it's definitely one for your bookshelf!
PI Mallory Carver is making wedding preparations with her sister Jen, when they're interrupted by an earnest plea to accept a cold case.
Mallory and fiancé Tucker Randall stir up a 'hornet's nest' of trouble with their enquiries, as they uncover a major crime operation hidden in a small rural town. Will they end up as the next victims or get their HEA together?
Read Evil Never Sleeps, A Randall and Carver Mystery Book 3 by Blair Howard, to find out how the adventure ends...it's definitely one for your bookshelf!
April 22, 2025
Brilliant as expected. Carver and Randall take on a case in a little town miles away from home to try to solve a very cold murder case. This is to bring comfort to the elderly parents of the victim. They find 5 similar killings - linked by method. The local police could be involved? Evidence too of illegal arms shipments. Culminates in big shootout and clearing up of the case. Finally, afterwards, intrepid duo tie the knot!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2025
This is the third book in the author’s Randall & Carver series. As always it is well written and enjoyable. The private investigators take on a cold case and have to sift through a myriad of old clues with twists and an unexpected ending. All the while Mallory tries to fit their wedding planning in. The locale on this one is outside of Chattanooga. I enjoyed the book and if you like detective procedurals or would like to read one, I recommend this book.
May 2, 2025
PI’s Randall and Carver are asked to look into a cold case that dealt with the death of a young man 11 years prior. They find 4 other similar cases but the police department has not connected the. While interviewing people in the small town, they are warned off the investigation. Then another person goes missing. Racketeering, suspense, FBI involvement and a bit of wedding planning make for a great read.
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April 9, 2025Private Investigators Randall and Carver take on a new case. A cold case from 11 years ago. Plus, they are planning their wedding. This was supposed to be a simple case but after they tie it to other similar murders, they must use all their skills to solve this case. Excellent story with action, shoot-outs, mystery and more. I highly recommend this series.
April 27, 2025
So, book three in the series and another fantastic story for our two sleuths. I loved it, couldn’t put it down till the end. An ending which I have to say left me wondering whether there will be book four. I certainly hope so, I can see this series running as long as Harry’s and Kate’s, can’t you. Highly recommended.
May 6, 2025
I enjoy the Randall and Carver series. He is so by the book and analytical and she is more about intuition and jumps into things feet first. It makes a great story. The book moves quickly and the story is entertaining. I had received as ARC of this book and wanted to review it. I think it is well worth the read.
May 13, 2025
This story is full of danger, suspense, betrayal, twists, corruption, and so much more. I'm really enjoying this series, especially as we are getting to see more of relationship between Randall and Carver. These two work so well together and is a case where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. This is one of those books that you won't want to put it down once you start reading.
May 22, 2025
A man was killed execution style 11 years ago. His brother hires Tucker and Mallory PIs to try and find out who killed him. Five victims were killed the same way over those 11 years. The local police never connected the murders, or they hid them. Tucker and Mallory find more than just murder. A page turning thriller.
April 23, 2025
Detectives, Randall and Carver, are commissioned to solve an 11 year case. Not an easy task, but will their determination finally bring closure to the family. A great read as they uncover more than they bargained for. Highly recommended.
April 23, 2025
Tucker and Mallory are working together in a small town to solve the murder of a young man. They uncovered quite a large operation unexpectedly and ended up making more than the local news. Quite a good read!
April 27, 2025
I flew through this book finding it difficult to put down. This is the third book in the series. Each book as gotten progressively better which is amazing since the first book was stellar. The storyline was captivating and the characters multifaceted. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
May 10, 2025
I couldn't put this one down!
Tucker and Mallory are to small town Tennessee to look into a cold case. They are soon warned to back off, which, of course, spurs them on.
Lots of action and mystery make this fast-paced story a must-read.
Tucker and Mallory are to small town Tennessee to look into a cold case. They are soon warned to back off, which, of course, spurs them on.
Lots of action and mystery make this fast-paced story a must-read.
May 24, 2025
Randall and Carved !!!
These books had me crying and laughing,. Mr. Howard's books come alive, like I'm in the books. I've read most of his books. Can't wait for the 4th book. Thank you so much for you bringing me life thru books.
These books had me crying and laughing,. Mr. Howard's books come alive, like I'm in the books. I've read most of his books. Can't wait for the 4th book. Thank you so much for you bringing me life thru books.
May 24, 2025
This is book three in the Randall & Carver Mysteries series. Randall and Carver are investigating a cold case. The plot is intriguing and full of mystery, twists and turns. Plenty of action. A great read
June 13, 2025
Randall and Carver solve interesting mysteries.
The Randall and Carver series is very enjoyable. Interesting mysteries develop along with a growing personal relationship between the main characters. Look forward to more Randall and Carver stories in the future.
The Randall and Carver series is very enjoyable. Interesting mysteries develop along with a growing personal relationship between the main characters. Look forward to more Randall and Carver stories in the future.
April 25, 2025
I am really enjoying this new series it is completely different but it still inspires me to visit the area if I could.
It is very well written and engaging.
It is very well written and engaging.
April 28, 2025
Great series. .highly recommended
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews