Tahoe Blue Fire

Owen McKenna #13

by Todd Borg

The Woman Seemed ParanoidWhen Tahoe Detective Owen McKenna gets a call from a woman who’s afraid for her life, it sounds like she is excessively paranoid. But The Killer Was Dead SeriousMcKenna investigates and discovers that two other people have already died. He believes the killer is after something worth millions, a precious artifact that dates back to Renaissance Italy.The Next Potential Victim Is FamousWhen McKenna finds a connection between the victims and a famous retired pro football tackle named Adam Simms, he worries that Simms will be the next victim. McKenna’s Only Suspect Is Losing His MindSimms seems gentle as a teddy bear. But decades of football gave Simms Traumatic Brain Injury, causing loss of memory and worse. When Simms can’t remember details of his relationship to the other victims, McKenna begins to wonder if it’s because Simms is suffering dementia or if he’s a diabolical fake.The Murderer Is As Devious As He Is TwistedAs McKenna pursues the case, he will need every bit of strength and skill, for the murderer is determined to kill McKenna in the most vicious way imaginable...

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Amazon, Ebooks, Crime

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

Todd Borg and his wife moved from Minnesota to Lake Tahoe in 1990. After his fourth Tahoe novel, he sold his business to write full time.

In addition to winning the Ben Franklin Award for Best Mystery of the Year, Todd Borg's Owen McKenna mysteries have been chosen for Top 5 Mystery lists by the prestigious Library Journal, and by Mystery News Reviewer G. Wedgwood. He's won Best Mystery and Best Thriller honors from the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and received Best New Fiction accolades from libraries. His novels have also received starred reviews and raves in major trade journals and newspapers across the country.

Todd Borg and his wife live on Lake Tahoe's South Shore.

Series:
* Owen McKenna Mystery

Reviews

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three murders, a hastily scribbled note written by a dying woman, and an investigation that takes you from Tahoe all the way to Italy. ​ ​ Count me in on this investigation. :)

Owen McKenna has yet another ​case to solve that involves bizarre ​murders that are somehow connected to the Medici Family of Florence, Italy, and that lead Owen to Italy. Investigating in Italy was no safer than in the United States, though, especially after he visits a former member of The Cosa Nostra.

When the case seems to be nearing a solution, something else happens and Owen is back to square one along with the reader, but of course he doesn't give up.

Mr. Borg has given his readers another wonderfully researched and ​thrilling ​mystery that is difficult to put down.​ You won't ​want ​to stop reading as the action heats up.

TAHOE BLUE FIRE​ ​is written for historical fiction fans and especially those who love Frank Sinatra.

TAHOE BLUE FIRE also has the same wonderful characters including, Spot, appropriately named his Largeness.

Despite the terror and close calls in TAHOE BLUE FIRE, the ending is heartwarming.

If you have never read one of Mr. Borg's books, you will definitely want to so you don't miss out on fantastic story lines that generate great discussions​, include amazing locations with beautiful descriptions, and edge-of-your-seat action.

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review.​

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen McKenna gets a call from a woman who seems paranoid, but then a sniper pots her off her own porch right in front of him. Luckily, she paid a retainer in advance, so Owen investigates. The trail leads to a former NFL player with CTE, snowplows, and more sniper fire.

One of the better books in the series.

[Lynn Lerch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todd Borg doesn't let his fans down with this mystery. Spot is pot on and a new dog is introduced who I hope will be in future adventures. The description of Lake Tahoe will make you cold and the description of Italy is warm.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, though not as much as the first in the series, Tahoe Death Fall. The plot is good, though a little involved. It keeps you guessing. But, drags on bit. The author is trying to hard to paint a picture in our mind of the landscape, the people, the surroundings. I appreciate that, to a point, but, after a while it begins to seem like just words to fill the page. I began to find myself skimming over many paragraphs of this kind or skipping them completely. That said, overall, it’s a good read. I will read more in this series & by this author

[Una Tiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the descriptions of awesome Lake Tahoe are spot on, the filler takes away from the pace. I found myself skipping over much as the book deteriorated with unbelievable stretches to fill in gaps. Even the dog behavior material didn't save the book.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still enjoying the Owen McKenna series. In this book, a seemingly hysterical woman calls Owen saying that someone is trying to kill her. Owen doesn't take her seriously but agrees to meet her at her home. Just as he arrives, she is shot. Thus Owen begins this investigation without a living client and with no clues. As he progresses, he discovers that the mystery involves a retired football player, the Medici's from Italy 500 years ago, other victims, Frank Sinatra and a rare blue diamond that may or may not exist. It also puts his life at risk several times. Street and Spot still figure large in this novel, as always. I recommended this series to my sister and she likes it as well, particularly the fact that Owen is friendly and cooperative with other law enforcement agents, unlike many books in which the private investigator is continually in adversarial relationships with law enforcement.

[Glenda K. Dahms · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the...

...Best, and most emotional of Tahoe books. i kept hoping Adam would miraculously recover, but some things are not to be. But was thrilled that Street did what she did at the end. i cried. We have been to Tahoe many times over the years--vacations, weekends, daytrips. We stayed in RV'S, friends' cabins, our timeshare. Toured, explored. So it is fun to revisit those places in pages of Todd's books and in my memories. Also armed me with lots of new information for our next trip there. Also love Spot, Street, Diamond, and Owen's sense of humor. And of course Jennifer, who graciously loans boats to Owen that she never sees again. Bless your heart.

[Kelli Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Own McKenna series. I read all of Todd's books.

This series offers mystery, action, humor, relationship with your best friend (Spot the Great Dane), a little romance, great friends who help you out when you need them and usually a "lesson" about walking in someone else's shoes. All of this is set in Tahoe and obviously, Todd really knows the area!

This specific book didn't completely come together as far as how the bad guys got together, why everyone had to be killed and how quickly Owen became a target...but it was a good story.

I'll be ready to read the next book!

[Andy Plonka · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one is my least favorite in the series because there are so many detail that must mesh to make the plot work that it becomes unbelievable Owen gets shot at numerous times and chased by a snow removal vehicle that one wonders how his body can take such abuse and still function.

[Diane C Paulsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Book!

I read and read and almost cried when life intruded. Fabulous book! If you like twisty endings you’ll love this book. Wonderful descriptions, great dialogue, start reading it now! You’ll love it!

[Linda Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast and fun read. Love the dog named Spot!! Owen is a believable hero. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing and quickly turning the pages. Street is a character that needs more development-- she very flat in the book. Overall, worth the time for a fast read!

[Judy A. Kuhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just Wow!

There are many twists and turns in this tale of a diamond. I love the characters drawn by Todd; their internal colors blazing out. (I will never look at a rotary blower the same, ever.) This book brought tears to my eyes and heart. CTE is so cruel.

[Loretta Saxe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read....kept you guessing until the very end.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was surprised with the ending.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Awalys, Brilliant!

Dementia, traumatic brain injury and Frank Sinatra. I just love Borg's. Every one is an education wrapped in drama and suspence!

[Sylvia Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todd Borg is now my favorite author! Excellent work and great reads. Just like being there.

[Alex H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

I have not read the first 12 books of the series. However I have enjoyed reading this book. I think 13 books in a series is a bit much.

[Elizabeth Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great mystery with detective Owen McKenna and his Great Dane Spot. Includes some history and geography of the Tahoe area plus lots of twists and suspense with a surprise ending.

[sharon strawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This book was fantastic. All of them so far have been great but this one is the best I've read yet.

[Andrea Kauffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed Owen's adventures this time. Love the history of Sinatra and the Cal-Neva.

[Sherry E. Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining thriller

I love the characters of this series. The books can be read as stand alone books too, so if one is missed you won't be lost. Keep writing, Mr. Borg!

[Staci Pauly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned something new again! Didn’t know about the blue diamond at all.

[Addison Public Library]

When Owen Mckenna receives a call from a woman who tells him she fears for her life, he finds her story unbelievable. Agreeing to meet her anyway, he is shocked to find her murdered body. When McKenna discovers that two other people with connections to her have also died, he becomes convinced that the killer is after an artifact that is worth millions. Along with his intrepid Great Dane, Spot, McKenna knows he must find the killer before more people die, including people who are close to him. Thirteenth in the Owen Mckenna series set in Lake Tahoe.

KD 10-16

Check out this book today!

[Cathy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read one of Todd Borg's Owen McKenna books, I simply cannot turn the pages fast enough. There's always a first-class mystery to solve, new things to learn, plenty of adrenaline-pumping action to survive, and-- most of all-- a wonderful cast of characters to catch up with.

As usual, the gorgeous scenery of Lake Tahoe can be considered a character in Tahoe Blue Fire, and like most characters it can sometimes be high maintenance, which is why readers get to learn a bit about the machines that remove all the snow that falls in the area, and how they get rid of the huge piles of white stuff so we can drive safely on the roads. However, if snow and machinery aren't your things, you can also pick up information on computer forensics, Traumatic Brain Injury, service dogs, and history-- from the Medicis in Italy to local Tahoe history when Frank Sinatra was in town.

The story is yet another good one, although one segment that takes place away from Lake Tahoe made the story's momentum falter a bit, and the curious behavior of one of the characters clued me in to the identity of the killer too soon for my liking. Tiny blips on my radar however, because Tahoe Blue Fire is packed with goodies.

As usual, Borg's wonderful cast of characters provide the majority of those goodies. Owen McKenna has a great supporting cast: two buddies on the local police and sheriff's departments; a love interest with a brilliant mind of her own; and Owen's constant companion, a Harlequin Great Dane named Spot who wears a faux diamond stud in one ear. Spot is fantastic-- one of my favorite dogs in literature. Spot is a well-trained dog that helps out whenever and wherever he can, but the thing I love about him most is that Spot isn't Super Dog; he doesn't go around spelling "Help!" in the mashed potatoes. Mostly he wags a lot. And watches you eat. Spot's a typical dog that makes a difference each and every day, just like a lot of other dogs.

When it comes to characterization, Borg knows that the best kind is most often found in small but telling details. It's the fact that McKenna gets himself into a lot of dangerous situations, yet he doesn't carry a gun. It's the fact that he has a key to his girlfriend's house, but only uses it when she tells him to. It's the fact that McKenna feels guilty because he didn't take his client more seriously and she was killed as a result. And it's the fact that he takes the time to show a young K-9 officer how to care for his stressed-out dog. The entire Owen McKenna series is filled with moments-- facts-- like this, and as a result, this reader has come to care deeply for these characters.

If you see that this is the thirteenth book in the series, and you just don't feel like investing in something this long, I hope you'll reconsider. You'll find that Tahoe Blue Fire reads very well as a standalone. If you're the type of reader (like me) who loves good stories and characters who feel like a part of your family, you'll be glad you've found a series with some meat on its bones. Either way you look at it, this series is one of my favorites, and I recommend it highly.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written book with great twists and turns. Great utilization of known facts bring the conclusion.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tahoe Blue Fire starts out with a bang, someone getting murdered in a violent way. From there Own McKenna gets a call from a woman that is afraid someone is going to burn her house down with her in it or be shot. When the later comes to play Owen finds himself trying to find the almost illusive killer.

Then he stumbles upon Adam Simms, a former pro-football player that is suffering from serious brain injuries resulting from playing football. If that isn’t enough to peak your curiosity throw in the victims having a love of the Renaissance and Frank Sinatra. People are seriously trying to kill Owen but that doesn’t detour him from finding out what is really going on.

I love all of the Owen McKenna books, I really can’t praise them enough. And Tahoe Blue Fire is no exception to the rule. There doesn’t seem to be any link between the victims yet Owen finds himself in Italy trying to find the link. You will follow him meet Adam Simms and learn how he doesn’t have very long to live yet has a spark for poetry. You will also meet an old timer that loves Frank Sinatra and collecting his memorabilia.

But trust me, this is all linked together and has a spectacular ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once again I didn’t expect the killer until the end, which is a typical Owen McKenna story. And I have to say that I did have a tear in my eye at the end of the book.

The best part is although this is the 13th book in the series, each book can be read as a stand-alone but why would you want to do that to such a great series. Plus I love how everything is based in Tahoe. Since I live 30 minutes away it just makes the book that more special.

For all the mystery lovers, all I can say is you have to read this series. Tahoe Blue Fire is a must read. You will not be disappointed.

I received Tahoe Blue Fire from the author for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lake Tahoe has always held a soft spot in my heart, as apart from the gambling casinos and huge businesses catering to the seasonal crowd, there is also the breathtaking beauty both winter and summer of the area. Temperate in the summer with plenty of fun summer-time adventures accommodating hiking, camping, and cycling, the winters are even more special. Majestic mountains gleam snow-white in the brilliant sunshine, beckoning skiers, photographers, and gamblers from all over to the world class resorts. Who knew what it took to keep those roads clear, the machines, the technology, the dedication? (Only someone who makes his home in the Tahoe Basin year round.) The descriptions of those mighty behemoths were truly terrifying. Unfortunately, as smart as Owen McKenna is, he didn't take seriously enough his client who insisted on extreme caution measures at their first meeting. It's good she had lots of bucks, as his failure to protect her came with the implicit contract to complete the assignment. His girlfriend Street and his dog, Spot, manage to provide assistance along the way, Spot being intimidating just by his size. He is one gorgeous black and white Great Dane. By virtue of the dog, we get a number of canine lessons along with Tahoe snow disposition description. Owen and his girlfriend manage to throw in a quick trip to Italy to chase down information on the diamond in question, finding the one man in the world who would have knowledge of the blue ice before assisting him to his timely death. Interwoven in the curious plot is background on the old casinos and Frank Sinatra. Fascinating stuff! Maybe Owen is getting a little old for the biz tho--he seemed a little slow on the uptake this time--but still made for a good moving plot, solid characters, enough dog info to compete with Cesar, and a real righteous twist. Yeah, I'll read another.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great Owen Mckenna mystery! I like how Borg has lots of history in his books; it makes them very interesting. The Lake Tahoe setting always intrigues me, and Owen, Street, and Spot are some of my favorite characters.

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todd Borg Never Disappoints

Mr Borg once again has taken me on a thrill ride...it truly amazes me how much knowledge is packed into his stories written in such a way that the reader is constantly engaged. The way he layers the characters as the story builds brings so much depth to them...they are nearly walking right off the page.

Owen McKenna is brilliant in such an understated way...the dialog is always crisp, with the batter so witty that if you're not on your game you miss out on the elements that make up the genius of the moment. The relationships built up through each book just continue to bring such a wonderful dimension to who Owen McKenna is...and of course Spot is the scene stealer each and every time. From the movements of his eye brows when he's following those around him, whether his head is resting, on his paws, or a table top, it matters not...to his huffs when he's put out, and the hanging of his head when he's depressed, no dog could be more real in our three dimensional world, than Spot is in his two dimensional one.

I'm already looking forward to the next Owen McKenna installment, but wonder just how in the heck is the author will top this ride!

[Mark Bacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todd Borg creates multifaceted puzzles in his Owen McKenna mystery series, but he also knows how to scare the pants off you. The first chapter of Tahoe Blue Fire begins with a description of “…single-purpose machines built like tall, square locomotives, big boxy monsters that prowled the highways at night.” These giant, diesel-fired snow blowers with twin engines producing nearly 2,000 horsepower have massive, sharp blades designed to cut snow as deep as 12 feet. Imagine a train-size snow blower as a murder weapon and have a good idea how the story starts.

This thirteenth installment of the series could be the best of all. The book evokes different emotions and combines erudition, intrigue, violence and sorrow. Ex-San Francisco PD detective-turned Lake Tahoe PI Owen McKenna hits the ground running searching for someone who has killed at least three people—apparently at random—and now has his sights on McKenna. The first half of the book crackles with suspense and impending doom. It’s almost (but not quite) mild compared to the book’s scary concluding scenes.