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Alamo City Mystery #1

One Inner Voice

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Sometimes, the High and Mighty need to be taken down a peg or two. Everyone should have a purpose, and this is mine: to make a difference. One death at a time.

San Antonio Police Detectives Randy Monroe and Danny Beckman know two things: a serial killer is on the loose, and they don’t have enough clues to catch him. Surely the fact that the victims are murdered elsewhere and the bodies moved and dumped at churches means something, but what? With every new incident, Randy and Danny become more obsessed with unraveling the facts. But the closer they get to the truth, the more it looks like it might take a miracle to bring the killer to justice.

260 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2018

34 people are currently reading
70 people want to read

About the author

Kay Wyont

5 books4 followers
Kay Wyont aka Gena Webb

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5 stars
36 (30%)
4 stars
51 (42%)
3 stars
24 (20%)
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8 (6%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
Profile Image for Steve.
925 reviews18 followers
May 13, 2020
I received this directly from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review.
This was well-plotted, and the characters very well developed.
Although there was a lot about Bible passages involved I would not classify this as Christian fiction.
I was able to follow the thinking of both the perpetrator and the detectives.
If you are looking for hard-boiled detectives and gory scenes, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a compelling serial killer mystery with psychological undertones, this is for you.
Profile Image for Divya Sharma.
44 reviews20 followers
June 26, 2020
What makes a great murder mystery? A compelling plot, strong characters, brilliant execution and nail biting sequences, and congratulations to Kay Wyont for scoring full marks in almost all these areas. The Inner Voice is an absolute page-turner. Right from the first page till the end, you will find yourself glued. This is also the reason that your expectations are high right from the beginning; Wyont leaves you craving for more.

The story is about two detectives who work as a team to catch a serial killer who is on a killing spree in the city of San Antonio, Texas. Six murders have rocked the city and killer is in no mood to stop just yet. The situation is such that killer is always 20 steps ahead of the cops and all he leaves behind is a clean slate crime scene and a verse from the bible. All they have is a verse that would turn out to be the key to crack this case. This is not a cat and mouse chase kind of crime because killer is on a mission and has absolutely no fear of getting caught.

One Inner Voice is a good story, with strong characters. The main two detectives Randy and Danny, who are also the protagonists, are smart and witty at the same time. I like how they are the blend of both seriousness and fun at work. Some of their conversations are hands down funny and enjoyable. Like the saying goes, a’ll work and no play makes jack a dull boy,’ just like that the book might have been a bit dull without their wit.

There is always some element in serial killer stories that scare the hell out of readers, and in this book I thought it was the simultaneously running chapters where killer himself is a narrator telling his side of thestory. With this, Wyont has been able to create a feeling of dread that is very much required in a book like this.

The end seems a bit hurried. The killer is caught, the confession is made, and the case ends but it leaves you disconnected. There could have been an elaborate ending or a little bit more explained. There is not enough weightage given to the climax which is the only low in the book., though expect one last twist at the end.

Overall a great murder mystery, a quick read and highly recommended for people who love this genre.
Profile Image for Jeff Lowe.
28 reviews
August 4, 2024
I received One Inner Voice (Alamo City Mystery Book 1) from the author, Kay Wyont and Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review. I promise no spoilers in my review.

There's a serial killer running rampant in San Antonia, TX, all centered around a Bible verse

Jeremiah 33:5 New International Version
“In the fight with the Babylonians: They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness”.

Jeremiah 33:5 King James Version
"They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city."

No, it's not a religious book, or Christian Literature.

The book is well written, and as a refreshing change I found no misspellings, or errors, (a HUGE pet peeve of mine, that is far too common in books today). The plot is well thought and moves along at a good pace. The two main characters, Detective Daniel Beckman and Detective Randy Monroe are likeable throughout and at times a little off-putting. They get along as one would imagine being partners for as long as they have been. There's humor, disagreements, and the two working well together when events call for it.

Several real-life serial killers and their cases are cited throughout the narrative. The plot is well thought out and Wyont did her research. There’s nothing far-fetched or hard to believe while reading though I did question one point. The scene of one of the murders happened at a location that would have had security cameras, yet the book never mentions the detectives reviewing the video from that night and surely would have at least given them a suspect earlier on in the narrative. That would be my one nit-pick, or criticisms on the overall writing of One Inner Voice. It’s these seemingly minor points that can make the difference between a good book and an excellent book.

There are a great number of details on what goes into the investigation of serial crimes, the hours and tediousness of an investigation along with the pressure from superiors, the press and the public. You can imagine the fear the city must be feeling knowing the killer is out there and the dread of who will be next.

Wyont kept me on the edge of my seat right up to the exciting end when they arrested the killer and WOW, what a surprise! I am sure that you, like myself, will be shocked!
I highly recommend giving this one a read, I’ve added Kay Wyont to my list of Authors to follow and fully intend on reading more by her.

A HUGE thank you to Kay Wyont and Voracious Readers Only for putting this book in my hands.

This is my honest and complete review. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own and without any influence.
Profile Image for Roxx Tarantini.
576 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2020
“Jeremiah 33:5 [New International Version]
“In the fight with the Babylonians: They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness”.

There’s a serial killer on the loose. They’ve dubbed this one the Church Killer because of a preference for dumping the bodies in front of a church. And the note that is left with each corpse.
The death toll is up to six before Randy, Danny, and the team catch even a slim break or two. While the bodies pile up, there’s a good deal of humour in Wyont’s narrative. I often catch myself chuckling at the interactions of the lead detectives and their wives. When ultimately, it’s Randy’s wife Margaret who puts them on the right track, it just seems to fit.

This is a cozy with a bit of a difference. You will love the characters, and the humour that’s injected through these books is great. These aren’t, strictly speaking, amateurs because they’re police detectives; but the wives – who have a good bit of input - are most definitely the fresh eye that the weary police detectives need. The pile up of bodies – while not being explicitly bloody – might be daunting, so be prepared. But please don’t let it put you off, you’ll miss some great writing if you do!

Great characters and a gripping tale; I never imagined the identity of the killer! And it doesn’t stop there, there’s a twist coming that makes this whodunnit totally unexpected. Yet it all makes perfect sense too.

Inner Voice mentions Finding Miss Write by Gena Webb, and that novel also mentions Inner Voice. I find that detail interesting and amusing at the same time. It’s like books happening in real life, but not. Quite a plot point. The books interact quite a bit throughout both series' actually, it's a fun tidbit.

Highly recommend, I’m swiftly moving on to Book Two!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]
49 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2021
This story surrounds Detective Daniel Beckman and Detective Randy Monroe as they try to solve the murders of a number of rich businessmen in San Antonio, Texas. We follow them on the case as they try to figure out what connected the men and why they were targeted.

As they work with a taskforce, and get a little help from their wives, they track down every clue and chase every lead. As the body count rises, so do their frustrations, all they need is that one clue to break the case.

This story took a little while for me to get into. I felt like the characters spent a lot of time talking things out and the story moved quite slow and while I grew to like Danny and Randy as the story continued on, that also took a little time.

As the story moved on I found myself intrigued and waiting for that one clue that would knock everything into place.

While this story is not as fast paced as the ones I usually read, I found myself caught up in the mystery and feeling for the detective’s as they worked so hard to figure out what was going on.
At some points things seemed hopeless and I had no idea what their next move would be but I couldn’t wait to see how they solved the mystery and how everything concluded.
137 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2020
I received a complimentary copy from the Author and I enjoyed it very much. It is a well written mystery abut a serial killer operating in a city and the bodies are piling up and the pressure is on to find the culprit. The victims have had their throats cut and a passage from the bible is found on a piece of paper on their bodies. It becomes apparent that they are murdered in one place and the bodies removed to another place on the other side of the city but there are no witnesses and it is like the person is invisible and it takes a longtime for the Detectives (and their wives) to work our why they are being targeted . The reader is given all the clues as they go along and all the frustrations and daily grind involved in police work but there is an unexpected twist which eventually reveals the murderer. the book is gripping and the tension mounts as the pressure is on the Detectives to catch the rep. The book cleverly refers to a character in a different series and and weaves that into the plot creating an interesting side line.
It is light reading which is just the thing to relax with without having to read chick lit. I would definitely recommend this book.
98 reviews
November 11, 2024
I got this book through Voracious Readers because I really tend to love murder mysteries.
Look, I gave this two stars because the plot was good, and overall I thought the plot twist at the end was ok.
However, the writing was just of poor quality, and often the dialogue overshadowed the actual plot. It didn't help that the dialogue was confusing to read as Kay Wyont rarely reminded us of who was talking where, particularly after long periods of just dialogue.

Additionally, I disliked the main characters, and found it hard to distinguish between the two, not only because of the reasoning above, but also because they were just too similar.

There also (at least to me) was unconsciously a subtle misogynistic undertone to the main detectives (both male). This seemed in part due to the fact that In Wyont's effort to make them no seem misogynistic, it swung right back round the other way. It felt like it was trying too hard, and the characters often felt forced at times.

I feel overall that the book could have been developed and drafted more, as a lot of it was lost in the seemingly never-ending dialogue that was hard to parse through.
Profile Image for Lisa Denn.
510 reviews4 followers
April 25, 2020
One Inner Voice (Alamo City Mystery Book 1) by Kay Wyont, which I was given an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy to read and post an honest review online) from the author was not what I expected - not by a long shot.

I enjoyed the book however I was disappointed to not be able to participate in solving the crime on my own in a race to the finish with Detectives Randy Monroe and Danny Beckman. I guess I should have expected a more sidelined participation given the numerous times the author mentions in another of her book series that keeping the criminal mind behind her plot twists unknown is a goal of hers. Kudos to the author! I was baffled until the last chapter! Mission accomplished!

I've never read a book that has crossover characters from one series to another and has references to characters from the two series before reading One Inner Voice. It was quite interesting seeing how the author worked her character Carla Williams (who serves as the author's amateur sleuth/writer in her book Finding Miss Write) into One Inner Voice. Highly recommend.
182 reviews2 followers
January 23, 2021
One Inner Voice was definately an interesting read. I must admit I havent read a book where the killer was who they were. Its nice to see a twist with the justification taken from Christian references.

As a first book I think I would have preferred a bit more fleshing of the characters as we are introduced to them for the first time. However this is a short story that finishes at just under 170 pages. Realistically something would have to be compromised on a page count of that number. The story felt a little slow for my liking to begin with, but this only offers what would be a realistic scenario in many real life cases. The novel really sped up towards the end and finishes on a climax getting the reader to wonder if the story has really ended.

This is a great read for anyone who fancies a lighter read as it wasn't very heavy. Having read the author's other novels I can definately say they get better. I received this from the author for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review.
16 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2024
One Inner Voice – Kay Wyont
I have just finished reading this ... all in one sitting (bar getting more tea), it is that gripping!
Frustrating, annoying, can't the criminal leave just one clue? But persistence pays off, especially if you work in a team and listen to each other. Thinking outside the box, and what a twist! This is a great piece of writing, the attention to detail gives the reader an idea of just how challenging police investigations can be; even if, from the outside, it looks like nothing is being done, but, there is always somebody doing something on a case. The characters grow and develop into people you feel you know, and like. Splitting the narrative between the mind of the criminal, and the police investigators, gives the reader more insight than the investigators have, but still does not answer the question; 'who done it?' And once you have that answer ... to find the answer to the next question; 'why', well, there's still more to this story - read it to the very end!
10 reviews
June 10, 2020
I received this book in exchange for my review. Please note that I will keep this review spoiler free, which limits what I can say.

This was a well written mystery. It does not contain gore, sex, or other trivial elements, focusing instead on one very well written mystery. This places it near the pinnacle for me, as I see no need for those elements in a good mystery. It is lacking in character development, but the tight focus on the element of mystery is plenty to ensure my attention despite this and I never felt the lack until I turned the final page, wondering more about the characters. The only reason I give this only four stars is due to the fact that the author does not follow all of the Knox Commandments, which truly take a mystery from well written to great In addition, I felt that the author could have made the final plot twist less obvious, but other than that, it is a good book. I will look for other books from this author in the future.
62 reviews5 followers
January 28, 2023
I was introduced to this author by receiving advanced reader copies of two of her other books to review. One of those was from a series which directly ties into the books in this series, which I thought was an interesting concept. Having read and enjoyed those other books, I decided to buy this book to see how that tie-in worked, and it was done very well. It's not necessary to read the two series together, but it adds to the enjoyment if you do.

In terms of the book itself, this was actually my favorite of the three I have read so far. It focused more on the detective aspect of the crimes, and the frustration and tedium and clutching at straws sometimes involved in solving them. I thought at one point I had worked out who the murderer was, but no. The final reveal was definitely not expected and a great ending to the book. I'm very keen to read the next book in this series now.
Profile Image for CR1017.
103 reviews
June 10, 2024
I received a complimentary copy from the author in return for a review.
Having read the first two installments in The Misadventures of Miss Write series, I decided it was about time to start reading the Alamo City Mystery series, since both are set in San Antonio, & written by the same author, under a pseudonym.
One Inner Voice is a bit slower paced than the Miss Write stories but just as entertaining.
Despite being a story focused on the search for a serial killer, there is no gratuitous graphic content describing the murders, etc. Instead, the focus is kept on the emotional or mental state of the characters.
If you enjoy the Miss Write books, I think you should give the Alamo City series a look.
At the very least, it might help you understand a bit better when Carla discusses her writing, which are in fact The Alamo City novels.
Profile Image for Shannon pumpkinqueen73.
144 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2024
One Inner Voice
By Kay Wyont
4stars

Looking for a serial killer detective Short read? This a great weekend easy read. This was my first book by this author and I started with this series and will definitely be seeking out book 2 to see the story develop.

Great characters, enjoyed the plot. Questioned the religion references a bit, felt a bit much at times, but it fits into the development of the story and the killer’s story well.
The story portrays the grunt work that goes into trying to solve the case; the frustration, weariness the detectives go through.
I really enjoyed hearing the killer’s thoughts throughout. Great job in not revealing who the killer was. There were some turning points I saw coming, not sure if that was intentional.
Overall solid read and will be adding book 2 to my next read.

Thanks to Kay Wyont and Voracious Readers Only for the complimentary copy.
205 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2020
The story - Two detectives on the hunt for a serial killer. The author provided good insight into the inner workings of a homicide unit while searching for a suspect. Unlike TV, it wasn't glamorized but realistic in its' approach - days and days of nothing but going over known facts, mindless amounts of paperwork to sift through, ruling in/out of suspects, etc... Also provided were the ramblings of the killer and their justification for murder. Although well written, I wished the characters had been a little bit more developed and the religious overtones more muted even though they were the motives for the killings. By the ending, I knew whom the killer was and was not surprised by the twist making me question if the next book was worthy of a read.
Profile Image for Louise Brighton.
20 reviews4 followers
August 11, 2020
This short novel of two detective partners searching for a serial killer is well-written and interesting, but not terribly exciting. The detectives’ frustration with the slow progress of the investigation is nicely developed, as is the relationship between the two detectives themselves. However, I was disappointed with the ending because it felt to me that the killer could have been practically anyone, and that the author just chose someone to pin it on to end the book. I also did not like the shameless plugging the author did for one of her earlier books inside this one! [I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review.]
Profile Image for Sandra Hernandez.
722 reviews3 followers
September 5, 2025
This book was given to me by Voracious reader for a honest review. I have to say I enjoyed this book. The plot and storyline was really well dealing with the Ten Commandments and some of the storylines and mentioning other mystery books. My favorite part was I think when Randy talked about Monk and a quote from the show. Randy and Danny are the two police officers trying to catch the serial killer. They have similarities and differences Randy is older and Danny is younger. But they seem to have respect for each other and compliment each other overall I enjoyed this book. The ending did feel a bit rushed but overall a good 4 stars
1 review
May 4, 2020
A free book from Voracious Readers, thank you.
An enjoyable read: nice characters, interesting plot, plenty of humour ... yet I found that I was wanting more.
I found it difficult to connect to any of the characters in anything more than a superficial way. Yes, it was a page-turner, as I really wanted to know if my guess as to the murderer was correct (I was on the right track, but you'll understand why I wasn't spot on once you have read the book).
All-in-all, a pleasant book to curl up with, but I'm not sure I'll be racing out to get the next in this series.
5 reviews
July 15, 2020
I love a good murder mystery, and this one didn’t disappoint. I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only. I enjoyed how the detectives played off one another. Their relationship was believable. The story kept me guessing. I like how the author let you inside the head of the killer without giving anything away. I didn’t see the ending coming. I love it when that happens. Predictable books are boring, and this is far from it. I will be on the lookout for the next book. I liked all the characters and would be interested to see how they are doing.
Profile Image for Felina Pittman.
166 reviews9 followers
December 10, 2024
The book features San Antonio Police Officers Randy Monroe and Danny Beckman teaming up to solve the mystery of the "Church" serial killer's identity. Considering their personalities and age gap, the two cops have an indisputable chemistry going on for partners.

There is a slow and simmering rising action that is almost undiscernible. The thrilling sequences in the narrative is pretty much tame and tractable, not rough or callous. The perpetrator has an unconventional method of finding victims and murdering them. Readers will be really surprised when they find out the name and affiliation of the liquidator.

From the looks of it, this is going to be start of a detective series so be on the lookout for the new heroes on the block!!!
Profile Image for Kimberly Hickey.
42 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2025
One Inner Voice by Kay Wyont was a decent first book in a series. The book is about two detectives in San Antonio Texas trying to solve a serial killer case before the killer can complete the mission. The characters are interesting and well developed. The plot is good and has a twist at the end. The ending sets up the series for more stories in the future. The book is a fairly quick read which I appreciate. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
12 reviews
May 1, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kay Wyont through Voratious Readers Only, to write an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a great serial killer mystery.
It will keep you guessing all the way to the end. This book takes you on a journey that is sometimes frustrating and then exciting as the police detectives search for a lead before the killer strikes again. The ending is unexpected and leaves you eager to read the next book in the series.
6 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2020
Just finished reading this book. I love a good “who did it “ book and this one fit the bill. I enjoyed the respect and understanding shown between Randy and Danny. I like the fact that they even brainstormed with their wives. I especially liked when Randy stood up for the newbie officer against his partner. As I read the book, I tried to figure out who the killer was using the clues given like I was on the task force myself lol. But I still wasn’t expecting the twist at the end. Good job!!
Profile Image for Kathryn O'loughlin.
4 reviews
Read
May 29, 2020
As requested I received this directly from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review.
A simple to read book that had a good twist in the plot which proved to be the hook needed to hold my attention.
I would read more books in this series, as light reading.
Enjoy the book, and congratulations to the writer as this type of police mystery is a well published genre, therefore difficult to enter the arena.
13 reviews
June 11, 2020
Homicide detectives Randy as Danny are investigating a baffling series of murders. With the help of their wives and a taskforce of other detectives, they solve the crimes. The killer was quite a surprise to all involved.
I enjoyed reading this story because it shows police work with all of its difficulties. Randy and Danny are not shown to be crime fighting superstars which makes them more believable.
I will read the next book in this series.
3 reviews
July 5, 2020
I received this book directly from the author via Voracious Readers. I enjoyed the back and forth conversation between detectives Monroe and Beckman as they try to solve a serial killer case. The reader got clues to the murderer throughout the book with short passages in italics that reported the thoughts of the murderer. I found this disconcerting at first, but as the detectives figured out more clues it just added to the intrigue. A good, quick read.
47 reviews
August 10, 2020
I received this book through Voracious Readers. Although this book deals with a serial murderer,(There don't appear to be single murders these days) it is reasonably light in overall mood. The detectives become frustrated at times but there is a lot of light hearted banter between them as well. The plot is interesting and it is a good account of the amount of work that detectives can put into a case with few results. In the end, it is a minor clue that opens the case and leads to a conclusion.
69 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2024
What a good book! I enjoy a good police procedural and this is a good one. Read along as the detectives chase a serial killer who moves the bodies after killing them and leaves them in front of churches. There is some playfulness in the dialogue between the cops which is an added bonus. You also get to read what’s in the mind of the killer as the writer also provides insight into what the killer is thinking along the way.
456 reviews5 followers
October 1, 2024
If by the end of the prologue you aren't sucked into this book, you are an impossible sell. Once I started reading I couldn't stop! The characters and the suspense became so real. Randy and Danny are the next crime solving duo. They are written so well you can imagine them bickering and having each others back no matter what. The characters are very well written and very complex. The suspense will raise your heart rate. Read with the lights on!
Profile Image for Amanda Wallace.
62 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2024
I was given a copy of this novel via voracious readers only in lieu of an honest review. This was a great murder mystery book. It left me guessing who the culprit was until they were caught. It was definitely a different approach from other murder mysteries I’ve read in the past - as you got to see the point of view from bothe the murderer and the cops trying to track down the perp. I would definitely read more books in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews