Who Killed the Centurion?

by David Crawley, Alex Daily (Editor)

A detective who can see through time runs into the one case he can't read like a The murder of the world's greatest superhero.

Praise for Who Killed the Centurion?:
What would you get if you belted Richard Stark's Parker with gamma rays? Or if Raymond Chandler got bitten by a radioactive cigarette? I'm not sure either, but you may end up with something close to Crawley's smart, funny and compulsively readable debut. -- Justin McElroy, #1 New York Times bestselling author.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2025

Reviews

[Kyle Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The superhero genre is a little crowded nowadays. However, the occasional story will jump out, grab you by the arm, and take you on an impossibly clever adventure, like this gem from first-time author David Crawley. Crawley’s sprawling murder mystery features a number of powered individuals, including our main character – a meta-human posing as an "ordinary" intelligence operative. Some powers and their uses will feel familiar, but nothing can prepare you for the bevy of the fresh characters and powers the author has conjured for this escapade. And how about that twist at the end?? Hanging around the dim edges throughout the story, there are a couple of really important lessons to keep in mind: First, the exercise of power - not just super-power but ALL power - comes with a cost. Second, a stark reminder of the expectations and demands that we tend to put on our heroes. Can anyone truly live up to the hype? Or even survive it? Fair warning if you’re sensitive to the occasional bit of language, but I think you are going to find this a really imaginative and enjoyable read. Kudos to the author, Mr. Crawley – an excellent first outing! I’ve cleared off a space on my bookshelf beside “Who Killed the Centurion?” for your next production. Where will you take us next?

[Bella S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a really charming book. There were points where I wished that it was a bit longer and characters/events were more developed, but overall, it was a quick, fun read.

The setting and premise were interesting and the narrator is extremely likeable without being a typical hero. If the author came out with another book or a sequel, I would definitely give it a go.

[F. Tenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something just a little different than your usual detective or superhero story, which is exactly what makes this enjoyable! A story that keeps you guessing, with a nice twist at the end.

If a superhero detective story sounds like a good time to you, this is a fun, easy read -- I'm looking forward to the sequel!