Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Ricki James is faced with a pair of baffling murders and a desperate killer in this suspense-filled mystery/thriller.

Will a cold case from fifty years ago put her in a grave today?


There is no doubt that Maxwell Hardy was shot in the chest. So was the other body lying nearby in the rundown and long-abandoned lighthouse. Aside from that, all Special Agent Ricki James knows is that Max was a private investigator, the other victim was an unknown park ranger who was never reported missing, and both died in the same way and the same place. . . fifty years apart.

As Ricki digs into the past to find the connection between the two murders, the baffling cases quickly take a dark turn. Without any warning ‘accidents’ start to happen, each one more deadly than the last.

Someone who was willing to kill half a century ago, is ready to kill again today, and his sights are set on Ricki. The closer she gets to the truth, the more likely she will end up in a grave of her own so that an old, closely kept secret, can stay buried forever.

If you like Melinda Leigh, Helen Pfeifer, Mike Omer, and AJ Rivers, it's time you met Special Agent Ricki James!

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 14, 2021

521 people are currently reading
123 people want to read

About the author

C.R. Chandler

17 books72 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,208 (63%)
4 stars
512 (26%)
3 stars
154 (8%)
2 stars
17 (<1%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
1,507 reviews7 followers
January 18, 2021
One Last Scream

Really enjoyed this series. I hope it will continue. Really great story line. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book
Profile Image for Janice Spina.
Author 53 books111 followers
September 17, 2022
One Last Scream is an intriguing mystery that keeps the tension going until it’s conclusion. This is book 2 in this thrilling series.

The main protagonist is a strong, fearless Special Agent who will stop at nothing to solve the murders her son stumbles across. Even though one of the murders is 50 years old, she perseveres through multiple attempts on her life. Her only concern is the safety of her teen son.

I enjoyed the myriad characters and how the story unfolded solving the 50-year murder. Ricki James is a resilient and fascinating character who keeps the story interesting. There are men in her life, an ex-husband and a boss who both care about her. Her intentions with both keep you guessing whether she cares for them as much. Since there are more books in this series any thing can happen along with more mysteries to solve and danger at every turn for Ricki James.

An enjoyable read!
1,450 reviews12 followers
January 19, 2021
Wow! It’s an amazing mystery thriller with a side-kick of humor. How can that be? Smiling, having a good laugh, and, a killer on the loose. There is so much excitement that you move through chapters at warp speed and the plot comes together in grand fashion. Ricki James has so much talent with her hiking the forests, obtaining information on a tit-for-tat basis, and, putting the pieces together like a puzzle. Her son is her main-man in her life so co-workers, business partners and relatives take second place because being a terrific Mom is first. I love this book as a cold case is solved, bodies are buried, humor is inserted via people involved, and, the author closes the book on a fantastic event that is the high-note. Thanks for a great read!
114 reviews
June 1, 2025
Nice Work, C. R. Chandler !!

This was one of the best mystery books I've read in years. An excellent balance of hidden clues', frustrating, 'dead ends' and danger!! Coupled with a death from 50 years ago to "why now and why there" , the author lays out several "threads" for you to follow !!
I put it down several times, only to be drawn back 10 minutes later, curious about "what's next" !!
I also found the balance between the character's concern for each other, the 'small town closeness' (I kept thinking of an 'outsider' but it was there 'in plain sight' !) and the "unraveling" of the truth that held my interest to the end !!

Again, just an excellent mystery/puzzle that I thoroughly enjoyed !!!
Profile Image for Aimee.
318 reviews7 followers
May 21, 2022
Much Better

One Last Scream was definitely better than the first book. I found one Final Breath lacking, but with a new series and a new cast of characters that can happen. I found One Last Scream was a better story, the main characters are a bit more polished and the mystery was more thought out. C.R.Chandler still has room for improvement, but this book is a move in the right direction.
43 reviews2 followers
August 3, 2024
Ricki James is my new favorite character

Chandler's tight prose and great characters made this a perfect choice as a new author to follow. Having read the first book in the series, I wasn't concerned that the next book would not meet my expectations. I do have to admit that I figured out who did it, but it was a fun read. I will continue the series which I am excited to know has more than a dozen books. Lots of hours of reading pleasure ahead.
153 reviews
March 22, 2021
okay, I read the first and said it was okay. I went ahead and read the second one...mostly because I really like the chief of police (who isnt the main character). The main character was kinda whiney and made stupid decisions...hero complex! I figured out who dun it pretty quickly, but did read through to the end.
1,993 reviews23 followers
April 4, 2021
Secrets

Just know in this life we live in, secrets, deception and lies is eventually are no longer secret, deception and lies forever. The truth will always come out. My Mother's favorite saying was "maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow the truth always finds a way." This story proved it. Good story. Just so many people had to get hurt to solve the crimes.
304 reviews
January 19, 2024
I LOVE A GOOD TWIST…

A very good novel, crisp writing, good pacing and a lot of intensity. I actually figured out the villain, but not the story of how it came to be. Knowing that did not ruin it for me. I can usually figure out whodunnit in books and tv/movies. It’s sorta a gift/curse. I still enjoy the journey anyway.
I’m ready to hop on CR Chandlers next book in the series.
Profile Image for Lori.
25 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2024
Excellent read

I love this book! I am not a fan of the quick romance nor the intense focus on the sex talk, actions and all that go with it. It has complex characters which I completely fell in love with and rooted for throughout the book. Want an excellent read by an excellent author? Well then you need to check out C. R. Chandler!
177 reviews
April 12, 2021
So glad there is more

Another great read. The characters have become real and the author makes you really care about them. I can’t wait for the next book and I hope there is more to come after that one.
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,623 reviews8 followers
August 28, 2021
Is “delightful” the wrong word for generational homicide….

Really enjoyed the unraveling of a newly discovered but decades old homicide - alongside a fresh murder - and how events tie together over a generation of deception and lies.

Ultimately heartbreaking in its resolution.
17 reviews
November 4, 2021
A mystery for sure

This one had me stumped. So many suspects to choose from and not one but two intertwining murders to solve. A fun way to spend a few days using all your smarts to figure it out! Get a grip and have a good read!!
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,002 reviews19 followers
January 2, 2022
Great characters, great series

I lik Ricki the best, smart and doesn’t take any crap from anybody. Her son finds a corpse as he and friends are testing their bot. Another body nearby is a skeleton and turns out died 5-0 years ago.
24 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2021
Fast moving exciting read.

The characters are interesting and genuine. The plot is fast moving and intelligent. The everything you need in a great story.
30 reviews
March 23, 2021
It was a good book; but it was repetitive over too much everyday things.
300 reviews6 followers
March 27, 2021
Good read

Another good read in the Agent Ricky James series.
This is filled with action twisty turns and above all family.
I recommend
19 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2021
Fascinating whodoneit

Character development delivered at full throttle; action packed adventure in every page; looking forward to much more from this author.
Profile Image for Rima Mathewson.
8 reviews
October 4, 2021
I was unable to put this book down.

Through twists and turns, this story kept me reading until the late night. I am going to read more of this Author’s book
20 reviews
January 29, 2022
Ricki James

Great reading. Love the way the book keeps you reading. Enjoy the way she keeps you guessing right up to the last chapter.
98 reviews
January 16, 2023
Awesomeness

Love Ricki, love this series. Kept me turning pages.. A must read. Thank you.. Can't wait for the next one
Profile Image for Patricia Brown.
1 review
January 31, 2023
Attention keeper

I read this book in two days. If I had to put it down I picked it back up as soon as I could.
I really liked each character and the action never stoppe.
1,276 reviews
April 8, 2023
Fantastic book. Great story line, and characters. Keeps your attention until the end.
416 reviews
April 18, 2023
a real puzzle……..

What does a skeleton and a body found near each other in a remote area have in common? How about, they were shot with the same gun!!!
11 reviews
April 26, 2023
great read!

I love the way the characters interact and take care of each other like family. There is always something surprising popping up.
1,052 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2023
Ricki has to solve a murder mystery that is 50 years old. Love these characters and stories, especially learning more about out national parks. Ready for book #3 of the series.
231 reviews
January 10, 2024
Good reading

Just finished the see book in this series. Going to be a good series. Has great story line and just a good homey storyline.
47 reviews
April 14, 2024
Great followup

Very well paced, interesting characters, unique and unusual storyline. What more can you ask for!! Anxiously waiting for book three!!
23 reviews
May 26, 2025
Death at the lighthouse

This was a great book, exciting and very well written. I really enjoyed reading it. It is a great book for those who enjoy a good mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.