Angel Tears

Blue Moon Investigations #25

by Steve Higgs

Are you harbouring a terrible secret? Do you deserve to die?

When a series of grisly, execution-style murders rocks Rochester, the police turn to Blue Moon Investigations for their expert help. CCTV footage shows a lone figure stalking Rochester’s ancient high street after dark, dressed like an eighteenth-century executioner, face masked, weapon in hand. A ghost out of history, walking straight into the present.

Whoever is it, their victims all hid crimes the killer somehow knew about. Otherwise the murders seem random, but is that really the case? Each victim is found with a number chalked beside the body. No pattern. No obvious connection. Just a silent message no one can read.

And there’s one other detail they all share.

Tears.

Saline residue stains the victims’ clothing, and the DNA matches across every crime scene. The killer cries when he takes a life.

As the body count rises and the clock ticks lower, Amanda’s investigation gets too close to the truth and she becomes a target.

Can she survive? Is the executioner an avenging angel? Is she trying to stop something that has no physical form?

Get ready for mayhem, for the last execution might be coming your way!

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

About the author

Let's start this off with an invitation to get some FREE books. No, you didn't read that wrong, we are talking about multiple free books. I love giving away free books because once people delve into the fast-paced mystery thrills I write, they go on to buy lots more.

All I need from you is an email address to send them to. Here's the link you need - https://mailchi.mp/fd47a6eb4ae5/patri...

When I wrote my first novel, Paranormal Nonsense, I was a Captain in the British Army. I would love to pretend that I had one of those careers that has to be redacted and in general denied by the government and that I have had to change my name and continually move about because I am still on the watch list in several countries. In truth though, I started out as a mechanic. Not like Jason Statham, sneaking about as a contract killer, more like one of those greasy gits that charge you a fortune and keep your car for a week when all you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.

At school, I was mostly disinterested in every subject except creative writing, for which, at age ten, I won my first award. However, calling it my first award suggests that there have been more, which there have not. Accolades may come but, in the meantime, I am having a ball writing mystery stories and crime thrillers and will claim to have more than a hundred books forming an unruly queue in my head as they clamor to get out.

Now retired from the military, I live in the south-east corner of England with a pair of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, I doubt I will ever leave, the beer is just too good.

Links:
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Higgs/...
Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stevehiggsau...

Reviews

[Sue Diamond]

A Crazy Ride & Ruined Dresses

A Few Questions:
1 Why does the hero or heroine never let someone know what they are doing and where they are going when planning something dangerous. Didn't their mother's teach them about safety ...

2 How did BIG BEN think it was a good idea to visit Amanda with champagne when he knew she was drugged to be amorous ...

3 Why do wedding dresses always need to get ruined ...

4 And how could the Executioner think of the true murderer as an angel vs the gorgeous blonde clergy who befriended him and looked like an angel ...

And the notes in the ledger and her treatment of Amanda are a little squirrelly ...

Still love your writing, stories, imagination Steve... read Everything to date in all of your series! Keep up the great work!

[Amy R]

Please keep writing the original Blue Moon series

I found Steve Highs by downloading the first book in the Blue Moon series, Paranormal Nonsense. I have been hooked ever since. I can always count on Tempest, Amanda and all of the gang to make me laugh, cry, get angry or scared, and to ALWAYS keep me up way too late reading the twists and turns and red herrings. I could not put this book down! Mr. Higgs, I love all of your books, but, please don't ever end this series!!

[Claudete Takahashi]

Amanda is working when her wedding dress when she's requested to help in the investigation that will lead to the capture of a strange killer. There almost not clues and they are difficult to understand and the victims also have hidden crimes that the killer knew about. Thrilling, full of action, Angel Tears is another great addition to the Blue Moon Series.
I thank the author for this ARC.

[Marcia Muncaster]

Wow! Higgs always leaves you wanting more

We love these books and, with each new plot, our relationship with Tempest, Amanda, and all the wonderful cast of characters, draws us into their world, their individual stories and their absolutely awesome and mind blowing adventures. Can’t wait for their next incredible chapter.

[Brian]

Great Read

The only problem I have with this book is it takes too long for the next book to come out. Patients and Jane had really small parts in this book. I’m glad he brought in characters from other series. I think he should was a stand alone book( or series) with Mindy and Poison, they both have a lot in common.

[Becky]

What an exciting, action packed book from Higgs! Amanda is finally trying to figure out her wedding dress when she is contacted about Blue Moon helping the police find a strange killer.
This book was hard to put down. Thrills and laughs, it was very entertaining.

[Audrey Cienki]

Another great story from Steve Higgs. I love every one of Blue Moon Investigations stories and they just keep delivering. And after this story’s mystery is solved, we find out that the Klowns are back.

[Laura D]

Deadly Machinations, Who is Next?
Is there a serial killer loose?
Wedding dress shopping takes a backseat to detecting!!!
Pressure mounts, and so do bodies
Lots of action, many exciting plot lines.
I couldn't put it Down!!!
Can't wait for the next one!!!

[Susan V]

every book better than the last

Engaging, entertaining, energetic read from the Blue Moon universe… Steve Higgs has done it again. Enjoy the pace and the wonderful twists and turns of this story.

[Dianne Morton]

Angels everywhere

So many plot twists I think my head is now on backwards.
Wonderful Steve. Well done.
I've learned with your books to not start them at night. This one was a morning start but unfortunately I had to drive home before I could finish it. You'll love it everyone.

[Dale Lussier]

Angel Tears

This book had me laughing one minute and shocked the next. Amanda had two cases to solve, one was about Big Ben and the other a serial killer. While working on the cases she also had to find time to find the perfect wedding dress.

[Tony Dure]

A good read

This was entertaining, 😬 will they get married? Will they get injured, unable to attend

Why was the church against the investigation, was Ben guilty?

How much longer can this series carry on! All l can say is-keep reading

[Shirley J. Clark]

Blue Moon at its best

Angel tears, blow moon investigations, book.
Well written, exciting, and surprising at the finish. Perhaps we will see what well the wedding dress be. Amanda is bound to be stunning and whatever she decides.

[Martha Leblanc]

Well worth the time invested

This convoluted story of mystery, mayhem and surprises left me ready and begging for more. I saw and felt this story.

[Gordon McGregor]

Excellent as always

Engrossing read and a great extension of the Blue Moon series of novels. Love them all and this on is no exception.

[Joan Hill]

Are there angels

To find out you need to read the book. Will the blue moon solve the murders. A little twist towards the end. Another great book by Steve

[Mary Barrett]

2 stars

I shouldn't have borrowed this book because it is more violent than I like to read. I like Steve Higgs but I guess this series isn't to my taste. Sorry.

[Julie Myers]

Gripping and very entertaining

I love the Blue Moon series and all the characters. I can never work out who it is, so many twists and turns in the plot.
Can’t stop reading once I start.

[Margaret Phillips]

Magnificent madness!

What a ride…shopping for wedding attire, working cases, danger and intrigue…what a thrill. Enjoy but beware!!! You will be left with a cliffhanger for sure!