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The priest kept a diary of confessions.

FBI Special Agent John Treehorn hunts for a killer in a small Upstate New York town who committed a double homicide of a priest and his housekeeper.

The agent joins forces with the New York State Police to investigate the crimes that occurred in federal and state jurisdictions. The investigation soon exposes a priest who kept silent about a horrible crime and then wrote the details in his private diary which the killer stole.

When it’s discovered that the two deaths and a cold case are connected by the murder weapon, the law enforcement officers hunt for the perpetrator as the Church fights to keep the original sin a secret, the State wants the criminal arrested, and Special Agent Treehorn wants justice.

Graphic This novel is for mature audiences. It contains graphic imagery of death, crime scenes, and villainous criminals doing very bad things. You’ve been warned. Just to be clear, there is no discussion whatsoever of self-stimulation. The title relates to a doorbell.

JOHN TREEHORN MYSTERY

Shadow Dancer (Book #1) January 2018
Stolen Sisters (Book #2) June 2018
Bad Penny (Book #3 Short Mystery for Charity) October 2018
Indian Posse (Book #4) June 2019
Devil’s Doorbell (Book #5) March 2020
Railroad Crossing (Book #6 Short Mystery for Charity) April 2020
The Hangman (Book #7) January 2021

Please follow my Amazon author page on updates of future novels and/or my Facebook page at Special Agent John Treehorn.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2020

208 people are currently reading
72 people want to read

About the author

Dinah Miller

19 books33 followers

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5 stars
408 (62%)
4 stars
181 (27%)
3 stars
41 (6%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Ann.
1,117 reviews19 followers
July 6, 2022
Treehorn was a Native American and was involved in solving a murder case. A priest was murdered in the confessional at the church. The church housekeeper was as murdered.Treehorn was a great solver of cases given to him and others. The church said they will handle it themselves but he didnt allow it. FBI and others got involved more when they figured out that the gun was also use when a young girl was said to have committed suicide but may have been murdered. They ended up being connected because of the gun. Churches has a bit of a reputation to cover up things that happen there. So it took alot to get more information out of them. Treehorn has so many good ways to figure things out that no one else may think of. He will get is solved for sure.
Profile Image for Patricia.
838 reviews
March 28, 2020
FAMILY PROBLEMS

At the heart of this story is a simple fact: families, no matter what kind, have problems.
It's not quite as tense a book as previous books by this author, but the characters are wonderfully developed, and the progression of fate, for each person, is logical, believable, and, in some cases, sad.
Treehorn, as usual, somehow knows more than the others can see. That leads him to do things that are not easily understood. He also seems to derive some satisfaction from moving the guilty like pawns, slowly to the final denouement.
Another MUST READ from Dinah.
Congratulations.
Profile Image for Alisha Henri.
221 reviews4 followers
March 28, 2020
Complex, Surprising, and Satisfying

I've again enjoyed reading Dinah Miller's fifth book in the John Treehorn mysteries. Greenish is a remarkable man, both intense and impeccable in his search to provide justice for the victims of the crimes he investigates, as well as all of the people affected by those crimes. Although each of these books can be read in its own, reading then from one through five is even better. Ms Miller addresses important issues in each book, and this story addresses several in a very respectful and poignant way. I recommend it highly.
3 reviews
April 9, 2020
John Treehorn is The Man!

If you love intrigue, murder and mystery - served with a dedicated, tortured, agent that strives to serve justice no matter what it costs - these books will tick all your boxes.

You'll be on the edge of your seat through the entire book wondering "WHAT?!? HOW? WHEN? WHYYYY???"

I highly recommend the entire series, Dinah fast became my favorite author with these books!
Profile Image for Terry Nelson.
58 reviews
September 9, 2021
puzzles within puzzles

I grow fonder of the John Treehorn mysteries the more I read of them. Multiple crimes and mysteries are snaked within the well developed characters and they ARE challenging. No easy or obvious solutions or answers. I’m crushing on John Treehorn even though I know he’s a fictional character. In the end it's Treehorn’s implacable character that hooks me deeper into the series. Can't wait to start the next one. Series is definitely binge worthy.
85 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2020
Smart, Compelling Story

Complicated plot that builds further details into questions from previous books in series as well as an interesting current case. Treehorn is a admirable investigator and a man of integrity, but is not predictable. Diana Miller has created an outstanding series and I look forward to many new books to come.
Profile Image for Sandra Sanders.
68 reviews
March 29, 2020
Riveting Pageturner

I think that the knowledge I have gleaned from the reservation and law enforcement makes me believe these books. The John Treehorn character is fully developed and believable. Well worth reading. I relished every moment.
Profile Image for Gail Tavis.
205 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2021
Enjoyed

Really enjoyed the book, Ms. Miller had me going till the end.
I enjoy mystery books where you have to work to get the murderer and this is one did.
3,613 reviews16 followers
March 9, 2022
Well done!

I really enjoyed #5 in this series! Was sad how things were with him and Samantha, but what a great story this one was!
104 reviews
August 1, 2022
great

John Treehorn books are the way to go. Sometimes I cannot keep up with the intrigue, but it all comes out in the end. Now on to his next story.
306 reviews4 followers
April 7, 2020
Treehorn NEVER disappoints

His novels are always well crafted fast paced, accurately written and never interrupted by mistakes. I wish there were more so I could keep going.
Profile Image for Bethel.
925 reviews7 followers
May 26, 2021
Wow, it's a who killed who and the priest is in the middle. Treehorn will figure it all out and maybe some will see justice. Great story.
12 reviews
November 1, 2022
Always a good read.

I really appreciate your style of writing.... The twist at the end is excellent. I look forward to additional games.
Profile Image for Sheila.
Author 85 books191 followers
December 14, 2023
Number five in a series, but my second read (I read number two first), Devil’s Doorbell stands alone and is an enthralling cross-cultural read of mystery, danger, and more, as a tribal FBI agent investigates the murder of a priest in upstate New York. Definitely not a cozy mystery, this is a tale with many twists and turns, dark secrets, and fascinating characters with differing loyalties and betrayals. The present-day case evokes an old cold case, and past leaks into the present as the investigation continues. A scary, sad tale with plenty of dark mystery.

Disclosure: I’m not sure why I haven’t got any others in the series, but I’ve enjoyed these two.
Profile Image for Bill Hooten.
924 reviews6 followers
Read
March 29, 2023
John Treehorn has to be one of the more fascinating characters in fiction. Dinah Miller has a main character that is half-Navajo, suffers from PTSD, agent for the FBI, and an enigma to most of the people around him. The relationship that he has with the people he works with, his family, friends, and others is complex. I have really enjoyed this series, and look forward to reading the rest of them. I would encourage others to read them, and be sure to read them in order (my strong suggestion).
Profile Image for Jeannette.
1,401 reviews
January 6, 2026
Who better to send than a Navajo FBI agent to solve the murders of a priest and his housekeeper. Also in the mix is the sucide of a young teenager who was raped and became pregnant. An interesting fast moving story, interesting characters and finally a nice tidy ending. I really enjoy the Treehorn mysteries. I am on to the next book.
Profile Image for Richard Myers.
509 reviews11 followers
September 14, 2021
Wonderful book

Again Special Agent John Treehorn is up to his neck in bad people and strange situations. He doesn’t tolerate criminals and will never close a case until he gets justice.
16 reviews
July 19, 2023
Surprise

Fast paced with lots of action, twists and turns. Sometimes confusing as to whom is speaking.
Surprise ending leaving you in anticipation of the next story.

What's next?
Profile Image for Linda.
372 reviews2 followers
March 25, 2024
Murder and cake

This was my first John Treehorn mystery. I quickly gathered the “guilty party” but needed occasional backtracks to remember “who said what and when”. An excellent character and a fabulous writer.
345 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2022
Justice?

Wow! wow! Lots of twist and turns again. Who’s dirty or not. And what is justice or righteous ? Very interesting.
Profile Image for RaChelle Holmberg.
1,869 reviews24 followers
December 10, 2022
a bit disconcerting..

Im a fan of this writer, and am reading the series in order, but this one is pretty deep, and confusing, and im re-reading.
36 reviews
July 22, 2025
Devil

Book was really good. Has a lot of twist and turns and it’s setting up for future books follow on books. This one needs to be read before any in the future books.
Author 1 book3 followers
November 6, 2025
Once again, a great story in this series. Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Julie Vandewiele.
17 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2026
Good story.

There is more than one surprise in this book. The last bit seemed like a different book. I realize the connection, just didn't think the story needed it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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