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A Fen Maguire Mystery #0.5-2
The Fen Maguire Mysteries Volume 1
Three Texas river murders. One former sheriff seeking justice. Clean mysteries in the classic tradition.This collection includes the prequel plus books 1-2, following Fen Maguire's transition from Newman County Sheriff to private investigator as he solves his most challenging cases along Texas waterways.Murder On Shinbone Creek
With ten days left as sheriff, Fen Maguire faces an impossible a hunter shot through the back while twenty feet up in his deer stand. When evidence points to his own ranch manager, Fen must solve his final case or retire with a killer on the loose.Murder On The Brazos Nine months into retirement, Fen's peace is shattered when a body floats down the Brazos River. Called back to investigate, he discovers the victim's death threatens to expose secrets powerful people want buried—and they'll kill to keep them that way.
Murder On The Angelina On his first PI case, Fen Maguire poses as an art teacher to investigate a championship paintball team terrorizing local truckers. When the team leader is murdered during a match, Fen must determine who wanted the victim dead—his victims or his own team.
Texas settings. Classic detection. Clean mysteries. Follow Fen Maguire from sheriff to PI in three compelling murder investigations.
With ten days left as sheriff, Fen Maguire faces an impossible a hunter shot through the back while twenty feet up in his deer stand. When evidence points to his own ranch manager, Fen must solve his final case or retire with a killer on the loose.Murder On The Brazos Nine months into retirement, Fen's peace is shattered when a body floats down the Brazos River. Called back to investigate, he discovers the victim's death threatens to expose secrets powerful people want buried—and they'll kill to keep them that way.
Murder On The Angelina On his first PI case, Fen Maguire poses as an art teacher to investigate a championship paintball team terrorizing local truckers. When the team leader is murdered during a match, Fen must determine who wanted the victim dead—his victims or his own team.
Texas settings. Classic detection. Clean mysteries. Follow Fen Maguire from sheriff to PI in three compelling murder investigations.
469 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2025
About the author
Bruce Hammack
63 books436 followersDrawing from his extensive background in criminal justice, Bruce Hammack writes contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries.
When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.
Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.
He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...
When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.
Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.
He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 6, 2026
Interesting series.
The Fen Maguire Mystery Series:
MURDER ON SHINBONE CREEK, prequel - My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. I like what the Sheriff did for the Sheriff-elect. Interesting story lines with good characters combined with a good writing style made this a one sitting read. 4*
MURDER ON THE BRAZOS, #1 - Takes place about nine months after MOSC ends. Enjoyable story that held my interest and attention until I finished the last page, in one sitting. One person I missed because I did not pay attention; yes, I was snookered by the smoke. Love that the author knows a bit about Texas and Texans. Source: BookSirens. 4*
MURDER ON THE ANGELINA, #2 - Picks up where MOTB ends. Interesting with good story lines and believable characters. Chicken Oil Co. closed April, 2022 due to a fire; now it looks like the author described, an aged, worn building; before the fire, a well taken care of rustic, not a dump. Source: BookSirens. 4*
The Fen Maguire Mysteries Collection, Volume 1 - This collection consists of: MURDER ON SHINBONE CREEK, prequel; MURDER ON THE BRAZOS, #1; and MURDER ON THE ANGELINA, #2. Source: My Kindle Library. 4*
MURDER ON THE GUADALUPE, #3 - Starts at the end of the Spring semester. I did not care for this story too much, yet I cannot say why. The writing style or maybe the story lines weren't as good as the previous books. Just an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
MURDER ON THE WICHITA, #4 - I was angry that I had two long round trips to two cities in opposite ends of Texas, in three days time, and every time I snuck a read the reader would hit me in the face waking me up. Finally, I was able to finish this intriguing book. Yes, I admit I'm addicted to Mr. Hammack's writing style, his core of characters, his story lines and that he's has Texas and Texans down pat. Yes, I know where he's from and that makes the difference, people. Fall semester begins. Interesting, intriguing, entertaining and constant pacing maked it hard to stop reading. See the anger bit I mentioned. I knew there was a reason for the stress placed here and there, but rumdumb me never clicked. Kinda funny find considering the snookering and deceptions that went on. Source: BookSirens. 5*
MURDER ON THE SAN GABRIEL, #5 - Another well written, interesting and entertaining read with a good variety of characters and good story lines. I figured out Whodunit rather easily. Ren is a lovable, enjoyable new character. Source: BookSirens. 5*
MURDER ON THE COLORADO, #6 - Another excellent book with interesting story lines, good characters, humor, and a possible touch of romance. I like the book cover, fits the story well. Source: BookSirens. 5*
MURDER ON THE NECHES, #7 - Interesting but too easy for me to figure out the who dun it. Always a good story from Mr. Hammack with his good characters and interesting story lines. The personal relationships add to each story. Source: BookSirens. 4*
MURDER ON THE MEDINA, #8 - I absolutely enjoy this series and Medina is another enjoyable read. A one-sitting immersion with an unexpected ending. Source: BookSirens. 5*
The Fen Maguire Mystery Series end.
The Fen Maguire Mystery Series:
MURDER ON SHINBONE CREEK, prequel - My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. I like what the Sheriff did for the Sheriff-elect. Interesting story lines with good characters combined with a good writing style made this a one sitting read. 4*
MURDER ON THE BRAZOS, #1 - Takes place about nine months after MOSC ends. Enjoyable story that held my interest and attention until I finished the last page, in one sitting. One person I missed because I did not pay attention; yes, I was snookered by the smoke. Love that the author knows a bit about Texas and Texans. Source: BookSirens. 4*
MURDER ON THE ANGELINA, #2 - Picks up where MOTB ends. Interesting with good story lines and believable characters. Chicken Oil Co. closed April, 2022 due to a fire; now it looks like the author described, an aged, worn building; before the fire, a well taken care of rustic, not a dump. Source: BookSirens. 4*
The Fen Maguire Mysteries Collection, Volume 1 - This collection consists of: MURDER ON SHINBONE CREEK, prequel; MURDER ON THE BRAZOS, #1; and MURDER ON THE ANGELINA, #2. Source: My Kindle Library. 4*
MURDER ON THE GUADALUPE, #3 - Starts at the end of the Spring semester. I did not care for this story too much, yet I cannot say why. The writing style or maybe the story lines weren't as good as the previous books. Just an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
MURDER ON THE WICHITA, #4 - I was angry that I had two long round trips to two cities in opposite ends of Texas, in three days time, and every time I snuck a read the reader would hit me in the face waking me up. Finally, I was able to finish this intriguing book. Yes, I admit I'm addicted to Mr. Hammack's writing style, his core of characters, his story lines and that he's has Texas and Texans down pat. Yes, I know where he's from and that makes the difference, people. Fall semester begins. Interesting, intriguing, entertaining and constant pacing maked it hard to stop reading. See the anger bit I mentioned. I knew there was a reason for the stress placed here and there, but rumdumb me never clicked. Kinda funny find considering the snookering and deceptions that went on. Source: BookSirens. 5*
MURDER ON THE SAN GABRIEL, #5 - Another well written, interesting and entertaining read with a good variety of characters and good story lines. I figured out Whodunit rather easily. Ren is a lovable, enjoyable new character. Source: BookSirens. 5*
MURDER ON THE COLORADO, #6 - Another excellent book with interesting story lines, good characters, humor, and a possible touch of romance. I like the book cover, fits the story well. Source: BookSirens. 5*
MURDER ON THE NECHES, #7 - Interesting but too easy for me to figure out the who dun it. Always a good story from Mr. Hammack with his good characters and interesting story lines. The personal relationships add to each story. Source: BookSirens. 4*
MURDER ON THE MEDINA, #8 - I absolutely enjoy this series and Medina is another enjoyable read. A one-sitting immersion with an unexpected ending. Source: BookSirens. 5*
The Fen Maguire Mystery Series end.
August 13, 2025
I purchased the bundle because I hadn’t read the prequel. I finished the other books earlier this year, which, of course were wonderful. The prequel was a stumper, of course with a surprise ending. Loved it.
February 14, 2026
Great Writing
The characters were interesting, and there wasn't too much extra blather in the writing of these stories. I was entertained from the beginning of the books until the end.
The characters were interesting, and there wasn't too much extra blather in the writing of these stories. I was entertained from the beginning of the books until the end.
February 22, 2026
Great storyline.
I have been having a hard time staying with a book recently but this set kept me going. Great characters and the flow is A+ I think Fen is a really interesting lead. Get it-u will love
I have been having a hard time staying with a book recently but this set kept me going. Great characters and the flow is A+ I think Fen is a really interesting lead. Get it-u will love
March 6, 2026
This is a good collection of the Fen Maguire mysteries. Take a very long weekend, or maybe a week vacation and binge these stories. For lovers of mysteries with great reveals, you can't beat this collection.
March 16, 2026
AMAZING VALUE
Prequel plus the first two Fin Maguire mysteries are excellent. Bruce Hammack does an awesome job with character development and twists in solving puzzles… This 3-part series is a great value for those who appreciate a clean mystery.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Prequel plus the first two Fin Maguire mysteries are excellent. Bruce Hammack does an awesome job with character development and twists in solving puzzles… This 3-part series is a great value for those who appreciate a clean mystery.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
April 14, 2026
Excellent
A true master of his art this author has bought together several worlds, a great back story amazing characters and wonderfully twisted plots do the rest. Can't wait to read more
A true master of his art this author has bought together several worlds, a great back story amazing characters and wonderfully twisted plots do the rest. Can't wait to read more
July 9, 2026
Very readable
Nice stories extremely well written highly recommend both books concerning Fen and Bailey how they come together and how they seem to navigate there different ideas and lives
Nice stories extremely well written highly recommend both books concerning Fen and Bailey how they come together and how they seem to navigate there different ideas and lives
August 2, 2025
I loved these books. Mysteries check. Murder check. Twists and turns check. This set is great for binge reading.
February 8, 2026
Tough love
Interesting way to process cases and he also is spending a long time mourning the loss of his wife. We all deal with loss in different ways.
Interesting way to process cases and he also is spending a long time mourning the loss of his wife. We all deal with loss in different ways.
February 26, 2026
Fen is an interesting character - No longer a Sheriff, maybe a PI. I really enjoyed the lesser characters - Lou, Chuck, Candy, Sam... and especially Thelma.
Great stories
Great stories
March 23, 2026
Enjoyable yarns about likeable characters. More cozy mystery than crime thriller despite the murders. Just what I needed.
April 8, 2026
Gave up because I got so sick of his gamy knee. He had everyone running around and pampering because he didn’t want the operation. Mentioned continually.
April 24, 2026
Hard to put down
This was another excellent Fen Maguire Mystery and kept my attention the entire time. This series is a good, clean mystery!
This was another excellent Fen Maguire Mystery and kept my attention the entire time. This series is a good, clean mystery!
October 9, 2026
Nice read. Characters are well planned and believable.
February 8, 2026
Fen is such a great character that you have to love him.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews