What If I Don't?: A Murder Mystery

by Tony Lindsay

This story introduces four family members (all therapists) who open a community mental health center on Chicago’s southside. The much-needed center becomes a community staple until one of the therapists gets murdered. Not satisfied with the Chicago police inquiry, the family decides to investigate the murder themselves.

They soon discover the center’s involvement with insider trading, a therapist sex worker, a marital affair, a murdered police officer, a hostile divorce, a murdered husband, and an avenging professional killer.

The story climaxes with the shocking death of more family which leaves the center in peril and the community angry. The ending pages toss the reader from shocking scene to shocking scene with unexpected events which thankfully lead to the community center’s survival. The story is packed with twists and turns that make it a must read.

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2025

About the author

Tony Lindsay is the author of seven novels; One Dead Preacher, Street Possession, Chasin’ It, Urban Affair, One Dead Lawyer, More Boy than Girl, One Dead Doctor and four short story collections titled Pieces of the Hole, Fat from Papa’s Head, Love, Lust, and Addiction, and Almost Grown. He has published book critiques and reviews for Black Issue’s Book Review. He was a contributor to the anthologies Don't Hate the Game, Lucious, and Fire and Desire. He has also contributed to the on-line encyclopedia Identity.com, and Mosiac.com. He has been published by to the African American literary web-site ‘Timbooktu.com’, as well as the young adult magazine Cicada. He writes bimonthly articles for Conversations magazine, and he writes non-fiction book reviews for Hartman Publishing’s N’DIGO Magapaper. Lindsay has a Post Graduate Certificate in Multicultural and Transnational Literatures East Carolina University, an MFA in Creative Writing from Chicago State University, and Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Illinois – Chicago. He teaches at Calumet College of St. Joseph, Harold Washington College, Ivy Tech Community College, and South Suburban College.

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and involving mystery thriller

Having read most of Tony Lindsay's substantial output of books of all types, this reader comes back to the same thought shared with those who pick up his books: `The stories have a great deal of flavor because of the polished gift Tony Lindsay has in writing in the vernacular: he adds pepper and spices in the lingo of the characters without impinging on the flow of his well-crafted stories.' Said once, said again. There are few writers who can create the entire atmosphere of a story - descriptions of place, time, characters, motivations, and street talk - as well as Tony Lindsay.

Lindsay’s craft is especially polished in this new novel, a murder mystery and so much more. Set in Chicago, his cast includes a family of therapists who have founded a mental health center, and the murder of one of the family triggers an investigation by the remaining family. As is credible in a mental health facility, variations of ‘normal’ bring focus to a therapist sex worker, marital affairs, insider trading, revenge for a murder, et cetera, and the manner in which Lindsay weaves these variables results in a mind-spinning mystery. The tale is so mesmerizing that once opened, this book retains attention to the final page. Another Tony Lindsay winner!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony Lindsay's "What if I Don't" is a masterfully crafted narrative that will keep readers on high alert, thanks to its numerous shocking twists and turns. The story's female characters are particularly noteworthy, taking on powerful roles and becoming private investigators in their own right. Although men also play significant parts, the women are undoubtedly the driving force behind the narrative. The story tackles weighty issues, such as mental illness, which has a positive impact on both the community and individual families. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that greed and corruption are of unwelcome influence , with money laundering and murder taking center stage. As key witnesses are killed, the question of who can be trusted becomes increasingly pressing. This story is begging to be adapted into a movie, with its themes of systemic corruption, dirty cops, and loyalty. It's a gripping, 5-star page-turner that's an absolute must-read.