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A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller #13
An Ending on Elliott Bay
Eventually, every story comes to an end.
Thomas Austin has three weeks until his daughter is born. Three weeks to finish the nursery, keep the peace at home, and finally put the badge away for good.
Then a priest is found murdered inside a confessional at St. Thomas Cathedral overlooking Elliott Bay. His throat has been cut and a decades-old NYPD case file placed beside the body. And on his right palm, a single carved AUSTIN.
The file is from Austin’s first homicide as a rookie cop, the case that sent serial killer Alexi Chronich to prison for life. Chronich walked free six months ago after new DNA evidence ripped apart the original conviction. Now the people tied to that case are dying one by the defense team, the witnesses, even jurors.
Was Chronich innocent, or simply better at hiding the truth than the science was at finding it?
As bodies appear across Kitsap County and Seattle, Austin is forced to relive the case that shaped him. Each answer drags him closer to a past he'd hoped would stay buried. And when the killer’s final target is revealed, Austin must face a truth he's avoided for twenty-five years.
Every story has an ending. The only mystery left is whether Thomas Austin can survive returning to where his began.
Thomas Austin has three weeks until his daughter is born. Three weeks to finish the nursery, keep the peace at home, and finally put the badge away for good.
Then a priest is found murdered inside a confessional at St. Thomas Cathedral overlooking Elliott Bay. His throat has been cut and a decades-old NYPD case file placed beside the body. And on his right palm, a single carved AUSTIN.
The file is from Austin’s first homicide as a rookie cop, the case that sent serial killer Alexi Chronich to prison for life. Chronich walked free six months ago after new DNA evidence ripped apart the original conviction. Now the people tied to that case are dying one by the defense team, the witnesses, even jurors.
Was Chronich innocent, or simply better at hiding the truth than the science was at finding it?
As bodies appear across Kitsap County and Seattle, Austin is forced to relive the case that shaped him. Each answer drags him closer to a past he'd hoped would stay buried. And when the killer’s final target is revealed, Austin must face a truth he's avoided for twenty-five years.
Every story has an ending. The only mystery left is whether Thomas Austin can survive returning to where his began.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
D.D. Black
25 books608 followersD.D. Black writes crime fiction set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. He is the author of the Thomas Austin Crime Thrillers and the FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D. series. When he's not writing, he can be found strolling the beaches of the Pacific Northwest, cooking dinner for his wife, and throwing a ball for his corgi over and over and over.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 4, 2026
An Ending on Elliott Bay by D.D. Black is a gripping and emotionally charged crime thriller that immediately pulls readers into a world of suspense, secrets, and unresolved darkness from the very first page. The story delivers intense mystery, emotional depth, and powerful twists that make it impossible to put down.
D.D. Black masterfully builds tension around Thomas Austin’s final case, blending personal stakes with a haunting investigation tied to a past that refuses to stay buried. The murder inside St. Thomas Cathedral instantly creates a chilling atmosphere, and the carved word “AUSTIN” raises the suspense to another level.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is the emotional pressure surrounding Thomas Austin as he prepares for retirement and the birth of his daughter while being forced to confront a decades old case that shaped his entire career. The pacing is sharp, intense, and filled with revelations that keep readers constantly questioning the truth behind Alexi Chronich and the horrifying chain of murders unfolding across Seattle and Kitsap County.
The writing style is cinematic, immersive, and expertly crafted, creating vivid crime scenes, emotional conflict, and suspenseful moments that stay with readers long after finishing the book. D.D. Black creates a thriller filled with depth, intelligence, and emotional impact that crime fiction fans will absolutely enjoy.
An Ending on Elliott Bay is highly recommended for readers who enjoy crime thrillers, serial killer mysteries, emotional detective stories, and suspense filled investigations with unforgettable twists and high stakes. It is a powerful and addictive read that delivers everything thriller fans look for in a great mystery novel.
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June 5, 2026
This was worth the wait, and interesting plot line with a tangled solution. The pages fly by and you feel immersed in the plot and feel like the characters are old friends. Glad to see this isn't the end, put in my preorder for the next book.
June 6, 2026
Loved it
This book was over way too fast, both a complaint and praise. I love this series and can't wait for the next book.
This book was over way too fast, both a complaint and praise. I love this series and can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews