Dead Lines

Lydia Barnwell Mysteries #3

by James H. Lewis

Crime writer Parker Stevens is found murdered hours after revealing he solved a cold case that has eluded Pittsburgh police for three decades. Detective Lydia Barnwell and her partner, Lyle Jeffrey, investigate, uncovering Parker's tangled personal life and financial woes. As they delve into the cold case, a convicted pedophile emerges as a suspect in both murders, leading to a chase and a shocking revelation about the killer's true identity. Barnwell goes off on her own, defying the instructions of her boss, to unravel a web of lies and betrayals, ultimately bringing justice to both the slain writer and a long-forgotten victim.. What drives her to risk her career to bring a killer to justice?

The third book in the Lydia Barnwell series of police procedurals, which have earned five-star ratings.

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2025

About the author

JAMES H LEWIS is the author of ten novels. Eight are mysteries. Belonging is a family drama, while The Quadrant Conspiracy is a historical novel set in WW2 Canada.

His latest book, Dead Lines, is the third in his Lydia Barnwell series of Pittsburgh-based police procedurals. It grew out of the Chief Novak trilogy.

Lewis is a former journalist, public media executive and fundraising professional, and consultant to the nonprofit community. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, PennWriters, Sister in Crime, and The Author's Guild.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been such a a great series. Lydia is such a great character. I really love all the main characters. They're a great team. The little quirks and their personalities make it so good. The mystery… she's. that was a lot. In the back of my mind, I kind of suspected who was at the core of this, but I wasn't expecting it to turn out the way it did. There were so many great little twists to add to it. The secrets, the lies. So good!

[Bonnie Moore. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dead Lines is a police procedural mystery in the Lydia Barnwell series. A true crimes writer/former journalist is hit over the head with a shovel and killed when he returns home from a book festival. His wife has a solid alibi and professes complete innocence. His adult son and daughter show up to support their mother. His best friend and his wife from across the street can’t seem to help enough.

The writer has been investigating an old cold case and thinks he has finally solved it, and this may have scared someone from the shadows. The cold case involves the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl. Someone was convicted, but years later, DNA evidence proved his innocence, and the case hangs over the head of a retired police chief. It’s up to detectives Lydia Barnwell and Lyle Jeffrey to make sense of both cases.

The plot is intriguing, and ultimately both the cold case and the murder of the crime writer are resolved. In addition, a subplot revolving around Lydia’s upcoming marriage folds into the first few chapters as she gets to know her soon to be in-laws.

On the first day of the investigation, the team gets a clue as big as a Mac truck, but no one notices it until well into the investigation. They diligently interview and gather evidence. In most police procedurals, we see the team taping evidence to a whiteboard. They draw lines between facts and stare at them until something significant pops out, and they meticulously verify every minute on a timeline for every person involved. A suspicious detective would have asked for the traffic monitoring evidence and identified the incriminating time lapse within days, but it took a long-awaited second look before someone realized they already knew more than they thought they did.

Instead, and to make it far more intriguing, Lydia Barnwell becomes more interested in solving the gruesome decades-old cold case rape and murder that intrigued the slain crime writer, which she does in fairly quick order.

In the meantime, her partner, Jeffrey, is fixated on blaming the neighbors across the street for the murder. He uncovers a bushelful of secrets and lies, and of course an affair or two, but no murder confession. But thankfully, it all eventually comes out in the wash.

I found reading the story to be jarring in places because of editorial failures. Especially in the beginning, some facts were repeated over and over and over, when the first set of facts would have sufficed with a quick summary when it came up again in the conversation. Sometimes the dialogue was confusing as to who said what; and facts were inconsistent from one page to another.

I’m not giving this story the credit it should get because the investigation seemed unprofessional in a couple of areas, as if actual police procedures were not familiar to the author. I’m also knocking off a point for the myriad editorial mishaps, which would have been so easy to fix.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. I enjoyed the first two books in the series but this one has brought things to another level, I think. Lydia and her partner investigate when an author is murdered. Was it due to his declaration that his forthcoming book would identify the real person behind a heinous crime years earlier for which a boy was found guilty but later exonerated, or was there another motive behind the killing?

The story had me intrigued right from the start. It wound one way, then another, as Lydia pulls at one string and her partner delves into another. The investigation is methodical but never boring and I loved how we gradually learn about both events of the past and also about the true character of the deceased. Lydia is a great character and I look forward to seeing what lies in store for her next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jacqueline Boulden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Lydia Barnwell has her hands full in Dead Lines, the second book in the Lydia Barnwell series by James H Lewis. The parents of Lydia’s fiancé, Calvin, are staying with them, and Calvin’s father isn’t exactly warm and welcoming to Lydia. Never mind that Lydia has her own father issues. She pops in and out of the house while her work as a detective for the Allegheny County Police Department keeps pulling her into an investigation into the murder of an author at a signing event. As he did in the first book in this series, Lewis does a good job handling the racial issues and misogynist issues that a headstrong Lydia has to deal with. The reason for Calvin’s father’s inattention is a neat twist at the end, and almost everyone’s going to be headed for a church wedding. I’ve found both of these police procedurals enjoyable, and they kept my attention.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally agree with the author's claims that a mystery about Pittsburgh or near me is very appealing and interesting to me, so I quickly fell into this gem. I really enjoyed the mention of different landmarks in the area making me identify more with the book and become more invested in the story. This was a solid two for one murder mystery. They start out looking into a cold case, then progress to a newly murdered author who felt he had solved that case. When the author's murder was solved it made me feel sick, then I felt rage!!! An intriguing journey you can't miss. I blamed everyone but the killer!! I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Sherie Miklas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of a series, but reads well as a stand alone story. Detective Lydia Barnwell is investigating the murder of an independent author who claimed he solved a cold case and was about to release a book exposing the killer. At first glance the murder appears to be an attempt to silence the author. The more Lydia digs, she uncovers marital infidelities, financial problems, and family strife. The cold case also strikes a personal nerve for Lydia which she can’t ignore.

There were so many clues and motives, but the author still surprised me with a satisfying conclusion. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a in depth murder mystery with Detective Lydia Barnwell and her partner, Lyle Jeffrey are investigating and writers death that happens after he says his next story has solved a cold case. There are a lot of twist and turns that go on in this story, that really mangle up the investigation, but that is how real life is… not simple and straight cut. It was a surprise ending, as I had not figured it out.

If you like detective stories, grab this one. You will not be disappointed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Lines is an excellent police procedural and murder mystery all wrapped up into one. The story is engaging and difficult to put down. The characters are realistic and multi-faceted, and the writing is so easy to read that you find yourself turning pages as quickly as possible. I highly recommend these stories to all mystery fans and can't wait until Mr. Lewis adds to the series. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel very much. A very easy read, a compelling story, and the author does a great job of describing each scene while keeping the narrative moving along at a nice pace.

It was nice to see an old character from previous works weaved into the narrative. It was like reconnecting with an old friend.

I would highly recommend this book along with any other works by this very talented storyteller.

[Clarkfamilybooks]

This is the third book in the Lydia Barnwell series of police procedurals, which have earned five-star ratings. Do I need to say anything more? When a crime writer is murdered, Lydia and her partner investigate. Was it because he claimed to solve a decades old cold case or was it something else entirely? Dead Lines is an excellent police procedural and murder mystery all wrapped up into one.

[Carol Stefanik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy police procedurals so this was a good read. No major surprises. Not action packed. Decent plot. OK characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nancy Fagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a must-read. The clues keep you jumping from person to person and back again. There are also two investigations going at the same time. Well worth a read.

I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Urszula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Not too complex pleasurable mystery. Well developed characters and relationships among them. I enjoy the remake detective.

Good reality and background.

Pleasurable and relaxing read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nichole Montanez · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a 40-year-old with twin daughters, my life is mostly chaos, drama, and questions like “Why are there pen marks on my wall?” So when I get to read, it better be worth hiding in my bedroom for.

Dead Lines delivered. Twisty plot? Check. Smart, flawed heroine? Check. A murder mystery that let me feel clever without needing a crime scene diagram? Yes, please. It’s the perfect book for when you need a mental break but still want to feel like a grown-up who remembers how to finish a sentence—and a chapter.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.