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Three Keys to Murder
On Amelia Island, Florida, 36-year-old journalist Fawn Cortez is adjusting to life in her new surroundings as she prepares for her upcoming marriage. Her father’s tragic death earlier in the year still haunts her. For decades, Juan Velarde Cortez obsessively hunted a legendary treasure, and his passing has left unresolved feelings for Fawn. Now, when a series of grisly killings rock the small island community—each victim’s face has a distinct signature—Fawn suspects a bizarre connection between the murders, her father’s quest, and the death ritual of an infamous Seminole Indian from the 1800s. A cigar box that once belonged to her father appears to hold the key. As Fawn draws closer and closer to solving the 200-year-old puzzle and determining the killer’s identity, she will be forced to unravel historical clues that will lead her on a harrowing journey. Time is quickly running out as a serial killer is watching and waiting in the shadows. Will Fawn discover the truth before she becomes the next victim? With historical links and storyline twists, this follow-up to Gary Williams’ & Vicky Knerly’s debut novel, Death in the Beginning, engages all the necessary elements of and delivers a fast-paced, heart-pounding thriller. This is a new release of a previously published edition.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2012
42 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Gary Williams
13 books35 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 18, 2012
Three Keys to Murder is a riveting roller coaster ride, complete with non-stop action, intriguing characters, and an amazing plotline. The beginning of the novel immediately pulls the reader in as an underwater explorer, Juan Velarde Cortez, finds what he believes to be a long lost treasure, peaking readers’ interest as he unseals the large metal box and unleashed something unexpected. This sets the pace for the novel as it then jumps ahead three months, focusing on Cortez’s daughter Fawn, as she attempts to deal with not only her father’s death, but also the mysterious circumstances surrounding the recent deaths of some inhabitants of Amelia Island. As a journalist, Fawn is drawn to the story surrounding the murders and, as the novel unfolds, Williams and Knerly produce an amazing storyline with multiple twists and turns, keeping the reader enamored with the novel from start to finish; it’s impossible to put down.
Fawn is a very strong, well-written character, vibrant and full of life. While she has her own personal demons, Fawn sets her focus on the facts surrounding the multiple murders and begins sleuthing around Amelia Island and St. Augustine, connecting historical accounts and unearthing artifacts. I love a good murder mystery, and Three Keys to Murder does not disappoint! Fawn is an extremely smart, strong female lead, and piecing together the mystery alongside her and her trusty sidekick Bailey was an intense experience that, I think, will be even more fun the second time around; I already can’t wait to read this novel again using the knowledge I now have.
Williams and Knerly have a way with words and are able to cast suspicions on all the characters as events unfold, leading the reader to believe certain characters are involved in more ways than one. This was really exciting because the authors were able to make me feel a certain way towards a character, only to cause me to change allegiances as the story progressed. With its many twists, I never saw the identity of the murderer coming, especially as Williams and Knerly were able to cast doubt and suspicion on many of the characters. I love books where I find out that the answers have been in front of me the whole time and that I just didn’t make the connections because the authors are superb mystery writers. It was also amazing to find that while I was thinking the plotline was driven in one direction, something completely different was actually taking place, and I was shocked by the revelation of what was really happening throughout the story.
One of the best parts of the book, aside from everything mentioned above, is that the setting and background for this fictional story is, in fact, derived straight from history. The amount of time and research that went into creating this novel is more than evident as Williams and Knerly explore the past while creating an enthralling storyline. Though the story is fictional, the places and people really do/did exist, and I’m always in awe of authors who are able to take facts and produce a stunning fictional story, capturing the reader’s attention from start to finish. I now want to take a trip to Florida and visit the different settings of the story on both Amelia Island and in St. Augustine. The fact that Williams and Knerly were able to take facts and flesh out a fictional story surrounding them is extremely intriguing, and finding out that these places really exist, and that the characters mentioned, such as Chief Osceola and Black Caesar, were real and are accurately portrayed, is amazing.
Three Keys to Murder, with its perfect flow and explanations behind each hidden artifact and the puzzle pieces, reminded me very much so of how Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code flowed. The storylines between these two novels are not similar in any way, but the sheer writing genius is evident in both. Up until now, I’ve always thought that The Da Vinci Code had the perfect flow for a murder mystery novel, sending the lead character on a quest to connect history with artifacts, but in retrospect, I think Three Keys to Murder might just top The Da Vinci Code. Thus, if you’re a lover of The Da Vinci Code, then Williams’ and Knerly’s novel is a must read...
To see my full review (3/31):
http://wp.me/p1jhaj-1ZH
Fawn is a very strong, well-written character, vibrant and full of life. While she has her own personal demons, Fawn sets her focus on the facts surrounding the multiple murders and begins sleuthing around Amelia Island and St. Augustine, connecting historical accounts and unearthing artifacts. I love a good murder mystery, and Three Keys to Murder does not disappoint! Fawn is an extremely smart, strong female lead, and piecing together the mystery alongside her and her trusty sidekick Bailey was an intense experience that, I think, will be even more fun the second time around; I already can’t wait to read this novel again using the knowledge I now have.
Williams and Knerly have a way with words and are able to cast suspicions on all the characters as events unfold, leading the reader to believe certain characters are involved in more ways than one. This was really exciting because the authors were able to make me feel a certain way towards a character, only to cause me to change allegiances as the story progressed. With its many twists, I never saw the identity of the murderer coming, especially as Williams and Knerly were able to cast doubt and suspicion on many of the characters. I love books where I find out that the answers have been in front of me the whole time and that I just didn’t make the connections because the authors are superb mystery writers. It was also amazing to find that while I was thinking the plotline was driven in one direction, something completely different was actually taking place, and I was shocked by the revelation of what was really happening throughout the story.
One of the best parts of the book, aside from everything mentioned above, is that the setting and background for this fictional story is, in fact, derived straight from history. The amount of time and research that went into creating this novel is more than evident as Williams and Knerly explore the past while creating an enthralling storyline. Though the story is fictional, the places and people really do/did exist, and I’m always in awe of authors who are able to take facts and produce a stunning fictional story, capturing the reader’s attention from start to finish. I now want to take a trip to Florida and visit the different settings of the story on both Amelia Island and in St. Augustine. The fact that Williams and Knerly were able to take facts and flesh out a fictional story surrounding them is extremely intriguing, and finding out that these places really exist, and that the characters mentioned, such as Chief Osceola and Black Caesar, were real and are accurately portrayed, is amazing.
Three Keys to Murder, with its perfect flow and explanations behind each hidden artifact and the puzzle pieces, reminded me very much so of how Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code flowed. The storylines between these two novels are not similar in any way, but the sheer writing genius is evident in both. Up until now, I’ve always thought that The Da Vinci Code had the perfect flow for a murder mystery novel, sending the lead character on a quest to connect history with artifacts, but in retrospect, I think Three Keys to Murder might just top The Da Vinci Code. Thus, if you’re a lover of The Da Vinci Code, then Williams’ and Knerly’s novel is a must read...
To see my full review (3/31):
http://wp.me/p1jhaj-1ZH
June 21, 2017
What drew me to this book was the setting: Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, Florida; I grew up the latter half of my teen years in Fernandina Beach and the settings brought back many memories. The authors did an excellent job with research, and I was amazed at how much of the mystery is historically accurate. It's a fun book; it has it all: cryptic puzzles, strange maps, pirate treasure, history, shady characters. While determining who the "bad guys" are is not difficult early on, it is still a fun ride and a terrific diversion on a summer's day.
April 9, 2020
The mystery of the story will keep you guessing. The main character it so amazing, brave, adventurous!!! You're in for a real page turner wanting to know what's going to happen. Love the historical reference & places visited with great details. Must read for adventure seekers!
December 18, 2020
THREE KEYS TO MURDER
Excellent murder mystery fast moving. Kept me interested .
I like history and we learned some information of Florida, President Monroe, Indian mistreatment. Information of the building of United States.
Excellent murder mystery fast moving. Kept me interested .
I like history and we learned some information of Florida, President Monroe, Indian mistreatment. Information of the building of United States.
April 13, 2012
A spine-tingling thriller that will captivate readers from the beginning, "Three Keys to Murder" is masterfully written and Williams and Knerly top the charts with their creative storytelling. Intermingled with historical facts, "Three Keys to Murder," will lead you on a suspenseful journey; keeping you guessing until the end!
A spectacular page turner that you won't want to put down, "Three Keys to Murder" delivers! (Move over Dan Brown!)
A spectacular page turner that you won't want to put down, "Three Keys to Murder" delivers! (Move over Dan Brown!)
January 10, 2015
Interesting, but...
I liked the historical foundation of this book. However, Fawn was not plausible enough as a character: she's supposed to be a journalist, but is not cynical enough and far too ready to take people at face value and make snap judgments. Also, the misused words dotted throughout the story became distracting ("in an eloquent array" to describe the crown?) If you're using a speech-to-text program to transcribe your narrative, you need to proofread!
I liked the historical foundation of this book. However, Fawn was not plausible enough as a character: she's supposed to be a journalist, but is not cynical enough and far too ready to take people at face value and make snap judgments. Also, the misused words dotted throughout the story became distracting ("in an eloquent array" to describe the crown?) If you're using a speech-to-text program to transcribe your narrative, you need to proofread!
September 3, 2015
This was an action-packed ride from the start. One of the many things that I love about the books by this duo is the amount of history included with the fast-paced story. The characters are great, and the story keeps you guessing. As with their other books, I love the settings in Northeast Florida and can easily picture the areas visited in the story. Another winner of a story!
August 2, 2012
Great book. From the first page to the last, the book kept you interested the whole way through. Love the history reference. There were nice twists, which kept you guessing most of the way though the book.the book was exciting and couldn't put the book down once i started.
August 20, 2012
It's not just the book, it's the writing of the authors. I don't think it would matter what they wrote, I'll read it. I feel like I'm in the adventure, feeling all the anticipation, worry, elation, curiosity and more that the characters in the book are feeling! It's so real!
November 4, 2014
A must read!
Another wonderfully crafted suspenseful mystery woven with historical facts. Williams and Knerly have written another great read, you will be hooked from the first pages!
Another wonderfully crafted suspenseful mystery woven with historical facts. Williams and Knerly have written another great read, you will be hooked from the first pages!
March 8, 2016
Oh. Boy!
I ask sure glad I am retired. This is his fourth book I have read in three weeks . I can't get enough of them. They keep you on edge throughout the entire process. Can't wait to download the next one. Thanks for filling the long days with adventure.
I ask sure glad I am retired. This is his fourth book I have read in three weeks . I can't get enough of them. They keep you on edge throughout the entire process. Can't wait to download the next one. Thanks for filling the long days with adventure.
April 9, 2016
Lacked Luster
Took a while to get into, several chapters. Not as engaging as other books by these two authors. Actually, I became more intrigued towards the middle of this book. At that point, I could not put down.
Took a while to get into, several chapters. Not as engaging as other books by these two authors. Actually, I became more intrigued towards the middle of this book. At that point, I could not put down.
October 1, 2012
A great adventure. Love the characters and the Florida geography and history mixed in to make it realistic and interesting. Gary and Vicky are an excellent team of literary talent. I am a fan!
October 27, 2012
Another home run, brilliant :-)
November 30, 2014
Interesting
The ins and outs were interesting but some details were rather murky. Was a good read as fast as mystery went.
The ins and outs were interesting but some details were rather murky. Was a good read as fast as mystery went.
December 22, 2014
Action packed
This is a book you do not want to put down. I could not wait to read it. It started with action and keep you guessing on who done it till the very end. Loved it.
This is a book you do not want to put down. I could not wait to read it. It started with action and keep you guessing on who done it till the very end. Loved it.
March 8, 2015
Good story
Kept you guessing until the end and learning something from the past. Enjoyable book, will read more from this author.
Kept you guessing until the end and learning something from the past. Enjoyable book, will read more from this author.
April 2, 2015
Good read!!
Enjoyed reading this book it had many twists and turns was very suspenseful. Really liked the way this story was written...
Enjoyed reading this book it had many twists and turns was very suspenseful. Really liked the way this story was written...
December 31, 2015
Quick read.. not too taxing, and a pretty interesting story.
January 23, 2016
Wild ride
It began as a simple murder mystery and ended with a treasure hunt. Full of twists and turns and I was totally surprised when it all ended
It began as a simple murder mystery and ended with a treasure hunt. Full of twists and turns and I was totally surprised when it all ended
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews