Don’t Kill Her: An Absolutely Gripping JR Steele Detective Murder Mystery

by Mr. Bradford Gordon Wheler

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2025

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent new mystery thriller with the inimitable JR Steele

Florida author Bradford G Wheler earned his degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY as well as an MBA degree from Fordham University in New York, NY, and has served the public on boards of colleges and Chambers of Commerce. He was the CEO, President and Co-owner of Allen Electric Company until he retired, and now he spends his time transferring his ideas and experiences and thoughts and imagination to a line of very well received books. Bradford is fast becoming a readers’ favorite for his variety of books, especially Cornell Archaeological Mystery Thrillers, Wit & Wisdom series, and of course a series he introduced as the JR Steele Detective Murder Mysteries with ONE DEAD LADY, DEAD IN HER BOOTS, and now DON’T KILL HER. The series just gets better!

One of the many reasons Bradford’s series is so addicting is his ability to capture and retain the reader’s attention from page one to the end, the story opens with the following: ‘I sat on my back deck. I fed the dogs, and they were now curled up sleeping at my feet. It was a warm sunny south Florida evening. I took a sip of my drink. There is something special about that first sip of the first drink on a beautiful evening…’

The plot – ‘JR Steele is drawn into a web of murder and warring international cartels. An Army veteran, retired police detective, and semi-retired private investigator, Steele makes ends meet by working as a gunsmith. He’s just trying to enjoy a quiet life on Florida’s Treasure Coast. In hindsight, asking a favor of a powerful and shady Colombian was a big mistake. First, Steele needs to keep his associate Kate, a gorgeous cyber-smart blonde who’s getting her PI license under his watch, and himself alive. Then he must figure out how to get out of this mess involving Mexican cartels, Colombian gangs, the FBI, CIA, and who knows who else.’

Polished and highly entertaining, , this new JR Steele episode is first class! Highly recommended.
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[Israel Drazin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradford G. Wheler’s third detective murder mystery, “Don’t Kill Her,” is advertised as “absolutely gripping,” and this is what it is. The 251-page 2025 thriller will enchant readers.
There is much fascinating drama in the book. A man comes to our hero, JR Steele, from a wealthy, powerful, shady man requesting that he keep something safe for his boss.
Steele agrees and finds himself in danger. Four professional gunmen try to kill him. People are killed.
Steele runs and is protected by a 24-year-old beauty, his boyhood friend T, police, FBI, CIA, the US Army, Marines, an Afghanistan hero who says,” I am pledged to protect Mr. Steele for the service he has rendered my family and people,” and by an Afghan community.
Readers will enjoy this book.

[Adem Luca. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books I picked up “just to try a chapter” and ended up finishing much faster than planned. The pacing is excellent, and once the mystery gets going, it doesn’t let up. JR Steele is a compelling detective, sharp, observant, and flawed in believable ways. I liked how the investigation unfolded logically, without relying on unbelievable coincidences. By the end, everything fit together in a satisfying way.

[Andrew Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stood out to me most was how smoothly this book reads. The writing is clear and confident, and the story flows naturally from one scene to the next. The mystery kept me guessing, and I genuinely enjoyed trying to piece things together alongside the detective. It’s dark without being excessive, tense without being exhausting. A very solid detective thriller.

[Dantes Staggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a great job of building tension slowly and steadily. It doesn’t rush into shock moments but lets the suspense grow through careful clues and character interactions. JR Steele feels like a real person, not just a detective stereotype, which made it easier to stay invested in the case. The ending felt earned and well thought out.

[Carol Mckibben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated how grounded this story felt. The investigation unfolds in a realistic way, and the characters behave like actual people rather than plot devices. There were moments where I thought I had it figured out, only to realize I’d missed something important. That’s always a good sign in a mystery.

[George Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the opening chapters, this book establishes a strong sense of atmosphere. There’s an underlying tension that stays present throughout, even during quieter moments. The author clearly understands pacing, there’s always just enough happening to keep you reading. I finished this feeling satisfied, not rushed or confused.

[matteo caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

JR Steele is the kind of detective you want to follow through multiple cases. He’s intelligent but not infallible, and his perspective adds depth to the story. The mystery itself is layered and unfolds in a way that rewards attention. I found myself thinking about the clues even when I wasn’t reading.

[Johnson Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-constructed mystery that doesn’t rely on cheap twists. The story builds naturally, and when revelations happen, they make sense in hindsight. I liked how the author trusted the reader to connect the dots rather than over-explaining everything.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story does a great job of maintaining suspense without becoming overly dark or graphic. The tone fits the subject matter and keeps the stakes feeling real. I finished it feeling like id read a complete, satisfying story.

[Con Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

JR Steele is written with enough depth that he feels human. He makes mistakes, second guesses himself and learns as the case unfolds. That added a layer of realism i really appreciated.

[Kymberly Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

i found this book very easy to sink into. The writing isn't flashy, but its effective, which is exactly what i want in a detective story. The focus stays on the mystery, and it never loses momentum.

[Pearl Gasaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the book balances character development with plot progression. You get to know the people involved just enough to care about what happens to them, without slowing the story down.

[Sarah Alderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very engaging read. once the investigation started unfolding, i had a hard time putting it down. The pacing and structure kept me fully invested.

[Terese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad does a great job of creating tension through subtle details rather than constant action. it makes the story feel more realistic and immersive.

[ManChrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate how logical the story felt. The twists made sense, and nothing came out of nowhere just to surprise the reader. That made the ending especially satisfying.

[Kelly M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story style is straightforward and confident. it lets the story speak for itself, which i really liked. There's no unnecessary filler, every chapter moves the plot forward.