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Crystal: Case 26
She never left the party.She was nineteen and she was dead.
For twenty-five years she lay under the concrete waiting for someone to find her.
When a demolition crew breaks open a concrete slab on Chattanooga's Southside, they find a young woman's bones, buried the night before the foundation was poured a quarter of a century ago. And Kate Gazzara catches the coldest case of her career.
The girl, a waitress working a graduation party at a powerful family's riverfront boathouse, disappeared. It was the last time anyone saw her. Six of her fellow partygoers swore she walked off into the dark and climbed into a stranger's truck. But she never left the party.
Now Kate has six people guarding a lie, a mother who never stopped waiting, and a family rich enough to bury this girl all over again.
For twenty-five years she lay under the concrete waiting for someone to find her.
When a demolition crew breaks open a concrete slab on Chattanooga's Southside, they find a young woman's bones, buried the night before the foundation was poured a quarter of a century ago. And Kate Gazzara catches the coldest case of her career.
The girl, a waitress working a graduation party at a powerful family's riverfront boathouse, disappeared. It was the last time anyone saw her. Six of her fellow partygoers swore she walked off into the dark and climbed into a stranger's truck. But she never left the party.
Now Kate has six people guarding a lie, a mother who never stopped waiting, and a family rich enough to bury this girl all over again.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2026
About the author
Blair Howard
681 books350 followersBlair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Blair Howard you have done it again, another book that had me reading far into the night, Kate just gets better and better.
The bones didn't belong to an animal, they were human, demolition workers were shocked when the concrete slab that they broke, uncovered the remains of what turned out to be those of a young girl, a young girl who had laid in her dark, concrete grave for twenty five years waiting for someone to find her.
Crystal Marby was a home loving girl, they didn't have much money but she had an abundance of love from her devoted mother, a mother who still quietly waited, a mother who knew that she didn't run away.
Kate knew that she had a battle ahead but I don't think that she realised just how big the battle would be, she was fighting powerful people, people with money, people with influence.
Crystal had been a server at the graduation party of the son of a wealthy politician, she was looking forward to the party , but it was a party that she would never leave
Six close friends, including the politicians son, all gave identical accounts of how crystal left the party, Kate didn't believe them, so what did happen to Crystal ? could Kate solve the puzzle or did Crystal's mother still have to quietly wait ?
This book will have you gripped from the first page, you will follow Kate, her Brilliant team and Samson her trusty German Shepherd, as they painstakingly pull thread after agonising thread that lead nowhere, but Kate was tenacious, she wouldn't give up, a heartbroken mother was waiting for answers, Chief Johnson had her back but he was getting phone calls from on high, the pressure was mounting, who put Crystal Marby in her concrete grave ?......... my guess was wrong, well done Blair, another great story.
I received a free copy of this and my review is totally voluntary
The bones didn't belong to an animal, they were human, demolition workers were shocked when the concrete slab that they broke, uncovered the remains of what turned out to be those of a young girl, a young girl who had laid in her dark, concrete grave for twenty five years waiting for someone to find her.
Crystal Marby was a home loving girl, they didn't have much money but she had an abundance of love from her devoted mother, a mother who still quietly waited, a mother who knew that she didn't run away.
Kate knew that she had a battle ahead but I don't think that she realised just how big the battle would be, she was fighting powerful people, people with money, people with influence.
Crystal had been a server at the graduation party of the son of a wealthy politician, she was looking forward to the party , but it was a party that she would never leave
Six close friends, including the politicians son, all gave identical accounts of how crystal left the party, Kate didn't believe them, so what did happen to Crystal ? could Kate solve the puzzle or did Crystal's mother still have to quietly wait ?
This book will have you gripped from the first page, you will follow Kate, her Brilliant team and Samson her trusty German Shepherd, as they painstakingly pull thread after agonising thread that lead nowhere, but Kate was tenacious, she wouldn't give up, a heartbroken mother was waiting for answers, Chief Johnson had her back but he was getting phone calls from on high, the pressure was mounting, who put Crystal Marby in her concrete grave ?......... my guess was wrong, well done Blair, another great story.
I received a free copy of this and my review is totally voluntary
August 31, 2026
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with a crew breaking up a concrete slab when they discover bones of a human body. Kate and her team are called to the scene where the bones found are associated with a 19-20 year old girl. After the autopsy was performed, Kate treated the discovery as a homicide. The 1st step that needed to be done was to learn the identity after which they were able to key in to what happened 25 years earlier. The identification was made and now the team began looking into Crystal's activities at the time she was killed.
Read along and learn what Kate's team discovered and how a trove of information that the original detective had accumulated set a timeline and provided names of individuals that were associated with the last event Crystal was seen at. Learn the script that 6 of the individuals repeated as they were once more interviewed. Discover what information was eventually learned that shed light on potential suspects.
The ending is well done and all questions are answered. This is definitely a book worth reading, don't miss out!
The story begins with a crew breaking up a concrete slab when they discover bones of a human body. Kate and her team are called to the scene where the bones found are associated with a 19-20 year old girl. After the autopsy was performed, Kate treated the discovery as a homicide. The 1st step that needed to be done was to learn the identity after which they were able to key in to what happened 25 years earlier. The identification was made and now the team began looking into Crystal's activities at the time she was killed.
Read along and learn what Kate's team discovered and how a trove of information that the original detective had accumulated set a timeline and provided names of individuals that were associated with the last event Crystal was seen at. Learn the script that 6 of the individuals repeated as they were once more interviewed. Discover what information was eventually learned that shed light on potential suspects.
The ending is well done and all questions are answered. This is definitely a book worth reading, don't miss out!
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July 19, 2026When an old building is demolished and the concrete flooring is broken up, the remains of a body are found and this sets the scene for an intriguing investigation by Kate and her team at the Chattanooga police department. Today’s powerful, influential town leaders are twenty-five years older than when the now identified female disappeared while working as a server, at a graduation party for children of powerful town leaders. Whilst some of the party attendees from 25 years ago are still local, others have moved away and have to be found. The common thread though is that all statements about that night are word for word identical, which is more than suspicious.
When the investigation commences, Chief Johnston starts to receive pressure from above – possibly from those powerful citizens, and this along with inconsistencies in the original disappearance investigation makes for an entertaining read, with twists and turns leading to a surprise arrest. An excellent well written story.
When the investigation commences, Chief Johnston starts to receive pressure from above – possibly from those powerful citizens, and this along with inconsistencies in the original disappearance investigation makes for an entertaining read, with twists and turns leading to a surprise arrest. An excellent well written story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lt. Kate Gazarra is tasked with a 25-year-old cold case when the skeleton of a young woman is discovered while a construction crew is breaking up the concrete slab of what is left of an old building. The discovery leads Kate and her team into a confrontation with a powerful city councilman and his friends. Even before her investigation is fully underway, her boss calls her in and tells her to be careful how she goes forward. He has already received two phone calls from someone higher up at city hall instructing him to close the investigation quickly and quietly. Kate is determined that the girl was murdered and secretly buried, then covered with a concrete pour. The story continues as she and her team work to find the person or persons responsible. Howard continues to weave a masterful story and provide the reader with another great read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kate's latest case seems like a tall order - proving that a body that was buried under concrete for 25 years is a murder and finding the murderer. But as it turns out, Kate and her team are up to the challenge. That's not to say it was easy. It took a lot of leg work and help from the detective who had originally worked the case. He had a box full of information that he had collected and the team ended up with 6 main suspects.
This is a great police procedural as the team followed what leads they had while working under the constraint of not talking to any of the suspects (one of them a city councilman) until they had gathered a certain amount of information. I loved the twists at the end.
This is a great police procedural as the team followed what leads they had while working under the constraint of not talking to any of the suspects (one of them a city councilman) until they had gathered a certain amount of information. I loved the twists at the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crystal: Case 26 (The Lt. Kate Gazzara Murder Files), my eighty-fifth read from author Blair Howard. Just when you think Howard can't write a better book, he does, again! Well-written and enjoyable, edge-of-your-seat police procedurals, thoroughly entertaining this time a twenty-five-year-old cold case! I always look forward to Howard's next book. A Blair Howard book is like a visit from an old detective friend. I received a complimentary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crystal - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Crystal Mabry is a young woman secretly in love with a rich man's son, who disappears after acting as a waitress at a graduation party, held by his parents for their son and his friends. Two decades later her bones are found on a construction site owned by the same family...and six of those close friends know exactly what happened that night.
Now Captain Kate Gazzara and her team must find the proof, which is harder than expected.
See how Blair Howard's suspenseful murder mystery, Crystal, turns out... and see if you guessed whodunit ahead of the thrilling denouement!
Crystal Mabry is a young woman secretly in love with a rich man's son, who disappears after acting as a waitress at a graduation party, held by his parents for their son and his friends. Two decades later her bones are found on a construction site owned by the same family...and six of those close friends know exactly what happened that night.
Now Captain Kate Gazzara and her team must find the proof, which is harder than expected.
See how Blair Howard's suspenseful murder mystery, Crystal, turns out... and see if you guessed whodunit ahead of the thrilling denouement!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crystal. Lost and found.
Lost for more years than she lived. Only because Americans have to have ' new' buildings all the time are we even able to look at Crystal's life. Because greedy rich people got careless while carrying out a crime, she was finally resurrected.
Unfortunately, Crystal was a young lady, desperate for attention, love, money and wanted a future. The future she sought ended tragically because privileged residents from Chattanooga couldn't handle their liquor and didn't give a care about the 'help.' at a fancy party.
Crystal deserves the five stars I gave her book. Unfortunately, she and others like her, never get a chance to see success like this author has.
Lost for more years than she lived. Only because Americans have to have ' new' buildings all the time are we even able to look at Crystal's life. Because greedy rich people got careless while carrying out a crime, she was finally resurrected.
Unfortunately, Crystal was a young lady, desperate for attention, love, money and wanted a future. The future she sought ended tragically because privileged residents from Chattanooga couldn't handle their liquor and didn't give a care about the 'help.' at a fancy party.
Crystal deserves the five stars I gave her book. Unfortunately, she and others like her, never get a chance to see success like this author has.
August 24, 2026
Another great book from Blair Howard. It was interesting to go back in time to learn about Crystal and the events that shaped her story.
I particularly enjoyed watching the suspects being narrowed down from the group of friends. Each of them shared the secret, but it had affected them in different ways.
The story kept me guessing, and I liked seeing how the past gradually came together with the present. There was plenty of tension and some great twists along the way.
I love this series and am looking forward to seeing what Kate does next.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I particularly enjoyed watching the suspects being narrowed down from the group of friends. Each of them shared the secret, but it had affected them in different ways.
The story kept me guessing, and I liked seeing how the past gradually came together with the present. There was plenty of tension and some great twists along the way.
I love this series and am looking forward to seeing what Kate does next.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Riveting read when a long buried body emerges after a great many years. Missing but not forgotten this is a heartrending tale of people doing the wrong things allegedly for the right reasons whilst being encouraged by those with a great deal to hide. Complex and frustrating for the investigation however dogged determination wins the day. Did I guess the ending? No - fooled again by this brilliant author. Was I invested in it? Definitely. Great read yet again!
I received an ARC from the author this is my honest review.
I received an ARC from the author this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crystal: Case 26 is a gripping cold‑case procedural that pulls you in from the moment a long‑buried body is uncovered. Blair Howard delivers a tightly written mystery filled with tension, secrets, and the kind of dogged determination that defines Lt. Kate Gazzara. The twists land, the pacing never drags, and the emotional weight of a 25‑year‑old disappearance gives the story real depth. Once the story starts, it’s impossible not to stay fully absorbed. A fast, engaging, and expertly crafted read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great story, what I really like is the author does not leave us hanging and we get to see what happens at the beginning , at the trial and afterwards. Kate and her team catch a cold case, they have to find out who the victim is after being buried for 25 years. Then they are dealing with 6 suspects who all have the same story even after 25 years. I love Sampson, he lets you know how he feels about each person they interview and he is usually really good at picking the bad ones out. I would recommend this book. I received an ARC and the views and opinions are my own.
September 14, 2026
I have been reading Blair Howard’s novels for many years, but I must say that even though I have enjoyed them all, I believe that Crystal is one of his best. From the very beginning, this book caught my attention, and watching the details fall into place was fascinating.
Kate investigates the murder of a nineteen-year-old girl who has lain under concrete for 25 years. The clues fall into place, and she is able to figure out what happened and eventually who did it. I loved how the facts all fell into place, and the mystery was solved. A great book that I highly recommend!
Kate investigates the murder of a nineteen-year-old girl who has lain under concrete for 25 years. The clues fall into place, and she is able to figure out what happened and eventually who did it. I loved how the facts all fell into place, and the mystery was solved. A great book that I highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m a huge fan of this author’s books and this one was exceptional. It grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go until the final word. This was probably one of the teams most difficult cases and the plotting of the mystery as well as the crime solving process was complex and engaging. If you’re not already a fan you will be once you read this book.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An outstanding investigative murder thriller with a well written plot and a fantastic cast of characters.
Kate must work a 25-year-old case involving multiple subjects with the help of her team. Contains plenty of suspense and several twists. The best book in the Kate Gazzara Murder series and not to be missed. Highly recommended murder thriller!
Kate must work a 25-year-old case involving multiple subjects with the help of her team. Contains plenty of suspense and several twists. The best book in the Kate Gazzara Murder series and not to be missed. Highly recommended murder thriller!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A 25 year old case. A body entombed under a building revealed when the building is demolished for new construction. The body didn’t get there by accident. Who is it? Who killed her? Kate and her team have to re-invigorate a very cold case. Are they up to it? Of course they are.
I received an arc copy of the book.
I received an arc copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A 25 year old cold case comes back to life after a body is found in the concrete of a building being demolished. What happened at that prom party all those years ago? Kate will find out just what lengths someone will go to to cover it up. It is a case of the rich and powerful against a working class family. Can Kate solve the mystery and bring the guilty party to justice?
Review of advance copy
When a building is demolished, a body is found under the concrete. A waitress from a party disappeared and was not heard from again. Kate Gaxzara takes on a 25 year old murder case. Six friends at the party state the same story word for word. This is another page turning mystery with a huge twist at the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really do enjoy this series and it is so interesting to see how Kate has grown since the beginning and fully deserves her series. This can be read as a standalone but is better as part of the series.
I always find the crimes that the author discovers so interesting as they are so far away from my real world it just makes it interesting and I just get into it and cant stop reading.
I always find the crimes that the author discovers so interesting as they are so far away from my real world it just makes it interesting and I just get into it and cant stop reading.
September 4, 2026
Crystal.
Another great case for Kate Gazzara. Loaded with doubts and suspicions, and which one of the six suspects is the murderer. Blair Howard takes you on a ride from the beginning, to the court case at the end. Nice to see Sampson getting a mention in almost every chapter, even if it is only a wagging tail. A page turning good read.
Another great case for Kate Gazzara. Loaded with doubts and suspicions, and which one of the six suspects is the murderer. Blair Howard takes you on a ride from the beginning, to the court case at the end. Nice to see Sampson getting a mention in almost every chapter, even if it is only a wagging tail. A page turning good read.
September 11, 2026
Another Blair Howard masterpiece! Kate and Sampson at their best with Kate’s team solving an old case that had many people in town wondering what ever happened to that little girl so many years ago. They all believed that she would never have run away. Kate proved that money didn’t always keep you safe from being caught with your hand in the cookie jar.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The perfect twist, OMG, so good!!! Man some things are so frustrating. The law protecting the guilty.
This is a very well written book. You learn all the answers and you know the outcome. A book worth reading, but then all of Kate Gazzara's are excellent books!!!
This is a very well written book. You learn all the answers and you know the outcome. A book worth reading, but then all of Kate Gazzara's are excellent books!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A cold case for Kate and her team. A young girls body is uncovered on an old building site and the search begins. The pages are filled with a cover up, lies, murder and justice. An excellent murder mystery. I received a complimentary copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 2, 2026
This is the twenty sixth book in the awesome Lt. Kate Gazzara Murder Files series. Kate and her team are investigating a cold case. The plot is gripping, fast paced, complex and intense. There’s drama, suspense, secrets and a surprise twist. Very good mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is like watching an episode of Bones or Criminal Minds – you’re completely absorbed in the pages and the captivating story. It’s exceptionally well-written and a really good read.
September 2, 2026
This one kept me guessing till the end. Another great story from Howard. I don't know how he does it. He's a great story teller!
September 5, 2026
really good
Well thought out and full of twists . Enjoyable quick read that makes you look forward to the next in the series.
Well thought out and full of twists . Enjoyable quick read that makes you look forward to the next in the series.
September 11, 2026
Epic
I concur with one of the other reviewers... This is either the best one in the series, or damned close to it.
Brilliant.
I concur with one of the other reviewers... This is either the best one in the series, or damned close to it.
Brilliant.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another exce!lent book in the Kate Gazzara series .All the usual ingredients and another ingenious plot. All he usual characters , I enjoyed it and see no reason you shouldn't so buy and enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews