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The Burning Desire Dupe
The heat is on when a reckless chase gets insurance investigator Luna Nightcrow fired from a California fraud case. But her Alaskan cruise "vacation" becomes an even hotter mess when The Burning Desire, a houseboat turned gentleman's club in Juneau, burns. And when its shady owner Bernie Sparks is accused of arson, the heat of passion and assassination threaten Luna and fire investigator Kelly Day's race to find the truth. Ashes, intrigue, and innuendo abound in this not-so-quaint capital town.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2025
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About the author
James Blakley
4 books95 followersJames Blakley was educated at Missouri Western State College and Washburn University. While at MWSC, he was a local and national award-winning columnist and co-editor of "The Griffon-News" (Associated Collegiate Press Award 1992-93).
Blakley worked 10 1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka,KS where he worked for The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library before spending several years in clerical and customer support capacities for international computer companies such as EDS and HP. Additionally, Blakley has worked in information gathering and analysis for various government agencies and programs for over a decade.
Blakley worked 10 1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka,KS where he worked for The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library before spending several years in clerical and customer support capacities for international computer companies such as EDS and HP. Additionally, Blakley has worked in information gathering and analysis for various government agencies and programs for over a decade.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 2, 2026
The Burning Desire Dupe by James Blakely is a novel about a houseboat, The Burning Desire, in Juneau Alaska, that is burnt to the ground. Insurance investigators are brought in, and that is when we meet Luna Nightcrow.
Luna is an insurance investigator. She is fifty years old and a Cherokee. I love to see a character that is on the older side, but still manages to be able to hold her own and I do love diverse characters. She had been fired from a California fraud case, so she figured it was a great time to hop on a cruise ship heading to Juneau. She had no idea she would become embroiled in the intrigue that surrounded the destruction of The Burning Desire.
Luna runs into a familiar villain in Juneau, Casper Duppy. He thought he would have a light sentence if he was ever caught, because his crimes were on tribal land. Tough luck for him, because they would add crime on top of crime to take him out of circulation. Now he is suspected of arson.
“Meet the Sting smartphone protector stun gun.” I love it…and I want one.
“Do you want me to have a heart attack on the spot?” Stackhouse gasped.
“Don’t worry. I know CPR.” Luna tried to assure him.
James Blakely adds some lightness and humor to the death and destruction. The mystery of who burned the houseboat was not easily solved. There are plenty of suspects to go around. The danger was subtle, but I had every confidence that Luna could handle whatever came her way.
If you are looking for an intriguing mystery with some intriguing characters, you might want to give The Burning Desire Dupe by James Blakely a try.
See more at https://www.fundinmental.com
Luna is an insurance investigator. She is fifty years old and a Cherokee. I love to see a character that is on the older side, but still manages to be able to hold her own and I do love diverse characters. She had been fired from a California fraud case, so she figured it was a great time to hop on a cruise ship heading to Juneau. She had no idea she would become embroiled in the intrigue that surrounded the destruction of The Burning Desire.
Luna runs into a familiar villain in Juneau, Casper Duppy. He thought he would have a light sentence if he was ever caught, because his crimes were on tribal land. Tough luck for him, because they would add crime on top of crime to take him out of circulation. Now he is suspected of arson.
“Meet the Sting smartphone protector stun gun.” I love it…and I want one.
“Do you want me to have a heart attack on the spot?” Stackhouse gasped.
“Don’t worry. I know CPR.” Luna tried to assure him.
James Blakely adds some lightness and humor to the death and destruction. The mystery of who burned the houseboat was not easily solved. There are plenty of suspects to go around. The danger was subtle, but I had every confidence that Luna could handle whatever came her way.
If you are looking for an intriguing mystery with some intriguing characters, you might want to give The Burning Desire Dupe by James Blakely a try.
See more at https://www.fundinmental.com
October 29, 2025
If there was an option for 4.5, I would have rated this book 4.5 stars, since the only issue for me in the entire book (especially the first few chapters) was that the author has used quite a few native analogies and phrases, that I had to search the meaning for online. Someone from native America might have understood more easily though…
But other than this slight issue, the author has done a fantastic work with this story, the characters and plot are really well written, making the story flow meticulously throughout. In fact, throughout the story, my adrenaline kept on surging, with anxiety building up on what will happen next. And right until the end, there was no way anyone who could have guessed the killer was who he/she was…
The author has really put a lot of thought in the story's title, which I realized after reaching about halfway, isn't just inspired by the location of the first major crime scene.
Overall, it's a really really well written work, one which I would definitely recommend to my friends.
PS: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
But other than this slight issue, the author has done a fantastic work with this story, the characters and plot are really well written, making the story flow meticulously throughout. In fact, throughout the story, my adrenaline kept on surging, with anxiety building up on what will happen next. And right until the end, there was no way anyone who could have guessed the killer was who he/she was…
The author has really put a lot of thought in the story's title, which I realized after reaching about halfway, isn't just inspired by the location of the first major crime scene.
Overall, it's a really really well written work, one which I would definitely recommend to my friends.
PS: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2025
I liked Luna's fierce determination to fight for justice and righting wrongs and injustices. That same fire also puts her in dangers way too. This was a "high stakes winner takes all and losers die" game. It was intense, and I became immersed in the experience rooting for the good guys. Luna even manages a romantic liason!!! Will that connection return or be lost to her forever??
Check it out. A highly suspenseful, compelling read. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
Check it out. A highly suspenseful, compelling read. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
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October 14, 2025This book was wonderful. I loved it from beginning to end. All the mystery and twists and turns kept me on my toes. I would love to read more books from this author.
November 2, 2025
‘Well aren’t you just what the doctor ordered!’ – A terrific new mystery
Kansas author James Blakely earned his degrees from Missouri Western State College and Washburn University, has served as a journalist, editor, and has worked for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries in St Joseph, Missouri and The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in his home of Topeka, Kansas. James has a penchant for mysteries and his publications to date include THE STEEL DEAL, THE K-FROST CAPER, THE DIAMOND HEAD DECEPTION, and now THE BURNING DESIRE DUPE.
James’ facility with language is apparent from the Prologue of his story set in the Midwest. He easily captures the flavor of his locale, as is evident in the following lines – ‘The rays of the rising June sun ripped back. The brisk black cover of night, exposing The Western Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma. In which it lay, to what was guaranteed to be a scorching summer day. But with it came the certainty of another kind of cruelty. One that criminals fret and sweat about and is known as ‘the heat’ or, in Indian Country, the marshals.’ A tone is well set, preparing the reader for a very fine mystery adventure – and a fantastic change in locales!
The plot is well distilled: ‘Luna Nightcrow and her fire investigator partner Kelly Day are Midwestern fishes out of water who are called to Alaska to help local authorities investigate the controversial entrepreneur Bernie Sparks, whose houseboat – Burning Desire - turned gentleman’s club is believed to have been destroyed by him or others for financial gain. When murder and threats ensue, it feels like Luna has stepped into a dangerous coverup from which she might not return from alive, let alone professionally.’
Fast paced and filled with action (and romance!), this is a terrific book for an evening’s read. Satisfying on every level – a book that hints at cinematic adaptation…! Highly recommended.
Kansas author James Blakely earned his degrees from Missouri Western State College and Washburn University, has served as a journalist, editor, and has worked for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries in St Joseph, Missouri and The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in his home of Topeka, Kansas. James has a penchant for mysteries and his publications to date include THE STEEL DEAL, THE K-FROST CAPER, THE DIAMOND HEAD DECEPTION, and now THE BURNING DESIRE DUPE.
James’ facility with language is apparent from the Prologue of his story set in the Midwest. He easily captures the flavor of his locale, as is evident in the following lines – ‘The rays of the rising June sun ripped back. The brisk black cover of night, exposing The Western Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma. In which it lay, to what was guaranteed to be a scorching summer day. But with it came the certainty of another kind of cruelty. One that criminals fret and sweat about and is known as ‘the heat’ or, in Indian Country, the marshals.’ A tone is well set, preparing the reader for a very fine mystery adventure – and a fantastic change in locales!
The plot is well distilled: ‘Luna Nightcrow and her fire investigator partner Kelly Day are Midwestern fishes out of water who are called to Alaska to help local authorities investigate the controversial entrepreneur Bernie Sparks, whose houseboat – Burning Desire - turned gentleman’s club is believed to have been destroyed by him or others for financial gain. When murder and threats ensue, it feels like Luna has stepped into a dangerous coverup from which she might not return from alive, let alone professionally.’
Fast paced and filled with action (and romance!), this is a terrific book for an evening’s read. Satisfying on every level – a book that hints at cinematic adaptation…! Highly recommended.
December 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
Triggers:
Mention of explosives
Guns
Fighting
Death
Injury
Alcohol and drug abuse
Mentions of sex and innuendo
"The Burning Desire Dupe" has quite a few twists and turns. If you enjoy mystery, you'll like this one. Luna is a great FMC, and Kelly is a great match to team her up with, in my opinion. It does involve a lot of explanations and in depth investigations which slows down the pace in places, but overall, it was an interesting book and satisfying in the end.
🌶
Triggers:
Mention of explosives
Guns
Fighting
Death
Injury
Alcohol and drug abuse
Mentions of sex and innuendo
"The Burning Desire Dupe" has quite a few twists and turns. If you enjoy mystery, you'll like this one. Luna is a great FMC, and Kelly is a great match to team her up with, in my opinion. It does involve a lot of explanations and in depth investigations which slows down the pace in places, but overall, it was an interesting book and satisfying in the end.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews