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MEET NEWBIE DETECTIVE ROBIN MATTHEWS.
She is young, gritty, and relentless.

Robin Matthews has just joined the police force as a new detective. She is finally pursuing her dreams, getting justice for all. But when she messes up on her very first day, she starts to wonder if this isn't the right career for her after all.

Her day takes an interesting turn when a man suddenly dies at the precinct of the police station. With no external injuries or apparent cause of death, rookie Robin and her seasoned partner, Kyle, are left bewildered. The case is more complicated than it seems...

Their investigation takes them to a remote town where they face horrors they have never experienced before. Robin must learn to fight her fears, or else she will be lost forever.

Will Robin manage to find the murderer? Can she stop him in time, or will her fears become her downfall?

A prequel to the amazing Robin Matthews series; find out where it all begins.

The Robin Matthews Mystery Thriller Series is perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, John Sandford, Robert Crais, David Baldacci, Stuart Woods, and James Patterson.

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2021

195 people are currently reading
205 people want to read

About the author

Audrey Walker

90 books91 followers
Audrey Walker is a young and rising international best-selling Author in the Mystery & Suspense niche.

Walker's books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won't see coming.

Walker lives currently in south Germany with her husband and a newly born daughter. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her climbing up the Alps in Switzerland and walking aroung the Black Forest in south of Germany.

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5 stars
245 (35%)
4 stars
182 (26%)
3 stars
147 (21%)
2 stars
74 (10%)
1 star
39 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
6,726 reviews5 followers
May 5, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Another will written murder mystery family and friends relationships adventure thriller short story by Audrey Walker (Robin Matthews Series book one). Robin and Kyle are chasing a man 🚹 but he gets away. Back in the police station a man 🚹 walks in then dies. They investigate which leads to a mad 😠 scientist that they arrest. I would recommend this free novella, series, and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡😮
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,894 reviews71 followers
September 29, 2021
Deadly Touch - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Detective Robin Matthews is the new partner of Detective Kyle Grange and he's rapidly losing patience with her, following a number of rookie errors on her part.

Yet when a murder investigation leads to the duo investigating a supposedly haunted house, a Scooby-Doo-like scenario descends into a literal fight for life...can Robin get it right this time?

An amusing snippet of a tale with a tongue-in-cheek homage to the likes of Castle or Magnum PI, why not try Audrey Walker's latest Detective Robin Matthews story, Deadly Touch today - a good coffee-break read for afficionados!
Profile Image for Sylvia Clark.
484 reviews27 followers
August 11, 2024
Quick read

I never give books that are less than 200pgs 5 stars, but this little teaser was quite interesting. I wish it had been longer.

Robin and Kyle are detectives. Robin is a rookie, and Kyle really doesn't want to deal with her
A guy comes into the precinct. He is afraid and needs help. Suddenly, he's covered with the blisters, and then he's dead
Robin and Kyle are on the hunt to find the person who has injected this deadly toxin into the dying man
They have to work together and stop the madman before he injects anyone else and kill off an entire town
Profile Image for Tom Casey.
682 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2021
Another fast paced exciting read. Great characters and well written. This story is a great insight into the start of Detective Robin's career.
Definitely should be on your must read list.
I received this arc for free and wanted to leave an honest review.
Profile Image for Lisa.
205 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2021
It was ok

Kind of corny. A short read. I don't know if I would recommend it or not.
There is at least another book about the main heroine, it's .99. This wasn't interesting enough to make me feel the need to read more of them.
961 reviews4 followers
November 8, 2022
Escapee and Toxin and Hallucinations, Oh My!

by Barbara Kelley

Deadly Touch: A gripping Detective Crime Thriller Short Story is a 49 page prequel to the Robin Masters series, written by Audrey Walker. Audrey Walker has an outstanding knack for creating jump-off-the-page characters that wind up joining you in your living room like a Saturday afternoon matinee.

This prequel introduces rookie Police Detective Robin Matthews and her partner Detective Kyle Grange. The story starts off with the two detectives chasing an elusive art thief who manages to escape apprehension. When they return to the Department, they almost immediately encounter another mystery. A man who appears drunk stumbles into the police station, screaming for help. All of the officers realize he's not drunk, but sick, and they call for an ambulance. Before the ambulance even arrives, the man screams out in pain and his skin starts to blister and melt off his body right in front of the stunned officers. The EMS arrives and pronounces him dead. The coroner does the autopsy and discovers an unknown toxin in the man's body, as well as soil and tree bark only found in certain regions. Now, the two detectives are in search of a killer. What they find is a small town with terrified citizens who don't want to go outside. This story, in just a 49 page span, has shadows, hallucinations, and military secrets. I gave this book 5 stars. I will now read the entire Robin Masters series beginning with Chasing Past. I recommend this prequel to everybody out there who loves a great mystery.
Profile Image for Joan.
2,908 reviews56 followers
April 16, 2022
Review of eBook

Detectives Robin Matthews and Kyle Grange are in hot pursuit of an art thief, but he manages to trick Robin and make good his escape. Robin, of course, is upset, and, having messed up on her first day, she wonders if she chose the right career.

But when a man wanders into the precinct and dies [in a particularly horrific manner], she and Kyle set out to investigate. Ending up in a small town, they discover a mansion where nothing is quite as it seems and they may sacrifice their own lives before they can find an answer.

What killed the unidentified man? And what now threatens the two detectives?

=========

This novella, a prequel for the author’s Robin Matthews Mystery Thriller series, introduces a new detective, Robin Matthews, and her partner, Kyle Grange. Both characters are reasonably well-developed given the length of the story. The relationship between the two is a predictable, been-there, done-that, read-it-before sort of relationship with the seasoned, six-year detective Grange resentful of having a rookie assigned as his partner.

The plot takes a few twists and turns on its way to revealing the truth; the intriguing mystery offers readers a few unexpected surprises despite the swiftness with which it is resolved.

The unfolding tale is a tad creepy, a bit grim, and a bit predictable on the part of the villain of the piece; nevertheless, t’s an engaging introduction to a new series.

Recommended.
1,759 reviews13 followers
September 27, 2021
I received an ARC for an honest review.

This book introduces the characters Robin Mathews and Kyle. Robin has jut made detective and has been partnered with Kyle. On her 2nd day on the job, she goes on a call to apprehend an art thief. Things do not go as planned. While she is at the station, an individual comes into the station and asks for help. His initial appearance was that he was drunk, however he was sick . After this was discovered, help was called, but before it arrived, he died. Kyle and Robin were assigned the case.

It was determined that this was a homicide and that he was given a toxin which created a reaction in his body. Robin identified a potential location where the event might have happened. After arriving at the site and talking to people, they decided to investigate a mansion where mysterious happenings occurred. Upon arriving, they found a strange scene.

To discover what they found at that location and what events both Kyle and Robin experienced, then you need to read this book. The ending is worth it. Once you have read this book, then you will want to read the addition books in the series.

Profile Image for Merry Chapman.
2,601 reviews24 followers
October 3, 2021
This story is the prequel to the Robin Matthews detective series and it is a gripping , edge of your seat page turner! Robin passed her detective test and is assigned to the veteran detective, Kyle much to his chagrin. He has no time to babysit a rookie, but suffer he must. Kyle put together a case where he could capture an illusive art thief he'd been chasing for a long time. This is Robin's first test to show her partner she is up to the task. Alas, her rookie move on the thief let him escape. Kyle was super angry no matter how much she apologized. But, when a man stumbles inside the precinct asking for help before he collapses and dies a horrible death as he deteriorates before their eyes. Being assigned the case we are taken through a fast-paced mystery with lots of twists and turns that bring Robin and Kyle to the edge of danger where only one of them can survive or will they? This is an amazing prequel that makes you need to read more! I can't wait to see how Robin grows in this job and works well with her partner! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
218 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2023
A Bit Of Horror

There is a bit of horror to this story but it gives an introduction to Robin Matthews, police detective, Kyle.

It’s her first day on the job and she and her mentor partner are perusing a felon that Kyle has been after for quite some time. Unfortunately Robin misses an opportunity and the felon escapes so she feels pretty down about it. Kyle is quite forgiving though and a man co es into the police station in obvious pain but despite attempts to save him he dies but not before saying “you must stop him”.

Kyle and Robin do a bit of investigating and follow the slim lead they have established. A scary mansion that is like a house of horrors and plays with their minds.

It’s a gripping story but far too short to settle down and enjoy the read, pretty much like all books I’ve read by this author. Worth reading but don’t set aside too much time to get through it. Given the shortness of her stories I won’t bother buying any more of her work as I like to sink slowly into a story but hers do t allow that luxury they are so short.
11 reviews1 follower
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July 24, 2022
Deadly Touch

This short story is a police whodunit featuring Robin Matthews, a new detective and her partner, Kyle. After losing a suspect on her first day as a detective, Robin and Kyle travel to a nearby town to investigate a murder. After talking to residents and finding there are people disappearing, and it seems to be connected to a decrepit (haunted) mansion in town, they go to the mansion. Here they experience weird and supernatural occurrences. Deciding they have been exposed to some chemical agent, they decide to ignore their visual input. Deprived of this sense, they continue and despite near death experiences, they capture and arrest the suspect. This fast paced story has suspense, danger, and investigatory techniques. I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the next Robin Matthews thriller.
Profile Image for Barbara.
760 reviews6 followers
October 10, 2021
This is a short prequel to a new series, Robin Matthews Thriller Series, and is very good. I definitely want to read more and see how Robin Matthews develops as a detective. As a new detective in town, her partner doesn’t take her too seriously. But after a lot of thought, she knew this was what she wanted to do. She just had to prove to others that was the case. They end up having a man walk into the building and die in front of them with nothing to show why. She had to solve the crime which takes them to a small town with a very weird old house which the locals say is haunted. People in the small town are missing and they believe it has to do with the house. Detective Kyle and Robin start digging in and are amazed at what they have found. There are a lot of twists and turns and enough mystery that keeps you reading.

Profile Image for Grace Convertino.
207 reviews7 followers
April 5, 2022
Robin Matthews, rookie detective, has been teamed up with Detective Kyle Grange, who couldn’t be less interested in having a rookie watching his back, especially when the first perp she chases gets away. Then a man walks in to the police station and dies a gruesome death in front of them. The coroner finds something very interesting on the man’s body, and Kyle and Robin head off to find the murderer.

Exciting, creepy, thrilling, intense, “Deadly Touch” is all of those things at once, and more. I found it impossible to stop until I’d read (sped!) through the entire prequel. This is quite a macabre police mystery, and it most definitely left me wanting more of the book specifically and Audrey Walker mysteries in general.

I’d like to thank Audrey Walker for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tina Lincoln.
471 reviews6 followers
November 4, 2022
What a spooky new case for a newbie detective!
This is a great start for a new series! Robin Matthews is a new detective, and her partner Kyle starts off not really liking having a newbie as a partner... however, that does change by the end of this story. They end up at this spooky mansion, and it has all these canisters all over, and it gets weirder... Robin hears people, and sees things.. and she cannot find Kyle... She thinks she finds him in a mirror... and then it gets even more intense!
I liked this beginning of a new series! I loved the interaction with the ghosts and unknown. What could possibly happen with Robin and Kyle on the next story?
Thank you Audrey Walker for a Great Story!
Profile Image for Ann.
1,117 reviews19 followers
February 18, 2022
Robin was a new cop and nervous about her first day. She was put with another cop named Kyle . He seemed to not like her and thinking she was probably not someone to be a cop. But in the long run she helped Kyle to solve a mystery of a dead man who came to the police station and died right in front of them. While searching for the identity of this man they ended up in a strange town. It almost was a ghost town, hardly anyone around. People kept disappearing the store keeper tells them. That old abandoned place down the road might have something to do with it. So off Kyle and Robin go to find out whats going on in this sleepy little town.
Profile Image for Terri McClean .
187 reviews4 followers
March 26, 2022
Police Detective Mystery Series Starter

This a quick short read of a series starter. I really wanted to give 4 stars but that really wouldn't be fair to other books I've read. .
Its got a neat twist in the book though.
Its a short read to introduce you to the characters. Older cop,new young cop.
Its not a bad book ,but it's not what I call a great book either. The writing was easy to follow, but pretty predictable for the most part and the villains reasoning was one that has been done too many times.
If you are looking for a read to just pass a hour or so, without having to strain your brain,this book would be perfect.
Profile Image for Donna.
824 reviews13 followers
June 12, 2022
I received Deadly Touch through BookFunnel I enjoyed reading this prequel and definitely recommend. I definitely want to read more of this writer. In this book Robin Matthews her day takes an interesting turn when a man suddenly dies at the precinct. With no apparent cause of death her and her seasoned partner Kyle investigate. Their investigation takes them to a remote town where they face horrors and must fight their fears. Will they find and stop the murderer on time or will fears become her downfall. I DEFINITELY want to read more Robin Matthews Mystery Thriller series. This book is available on Amazon
1,494 reviews25 followers
January 13, 2022
This was a nice introduction to the Robin Matthews series. It's her first day and she makes a mistake so not a great start. However, when someone stumbles in and dies and it's clear it isn't a straightforward death, her and her partner take off to a small town to investigate further.

For a short story, there is plenty of action. It's a bit far-fetched but this is fiction after all so it didn't detract from the story. I will read more of this series as I'm curious as to how Robin's career progresses.
1,612 reviews32 followers
May 22, 2022
This is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. Walker is absolutely notorious for her delightfully fleshed out protagonists, enticing and interactive concepts with engaging plot follow-through, and delightful arrays of inclusive side characters and visionary worldbuilding. This novel is one more example of her gifts
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,441 reviews30 followers
September 28, 2021
On her first day as a detective Robin is partnered with a veteran cop who isn’t happy about the partnership. Then to make matters worse, she makes a mistake on their first case. Will she be able to redeem herself with Kyle and prove that she deserves a chance? This first book in a new series was a very entertaining start. I really enjoyed it. *this honest review is based on a complimentary copy from the author*
988 reviews12 followers
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October 1, 2021
Thank you Audrey Walker for this prequel. It was a brilliant plot about Robin's experience as a rookie. People are disappearing without a trace. All indications point to a mansion. Robin and her partner, Kyle are shocked by their discovery of the happenings in the mansion. Their goal is to catch the killer. However, will they escape the mansion of death alive as the killer seems to have all the aces?
Profile Image for Sylvia Jacobs.
207 reviews34 followers
January 29, 2022
I received this book for an honest review.
The book starts off with Robin Matthews, a new police detective who is chasing down an art thief and loses him. She had recently passed her test to make it to the detective level. Detectives spend more time on paperwork than actual cases.
Any errors on the paperwork could lead to a criminal going free on a technical issue.
This book is very interesting and I love the way it is written, a page turner.
679 reviews29 followers
May 27, 2022
Great short story

Very good intro to this series. Reads like this will be an interesting series. Robin messes up on her first outing with her new partner, Kyle. He definitely does not care for her and she cost him his collar. They go out on another call after a man comes in and suddenly dies in the lobby of the police station. Can Robin redeem herself on this case? Looking forward to reading more of these books.
480 reviews5 followers
August 1, 2022
A short thriller

Even though this was a short story, it was enjoyable. Robin and Kyle made a good team. They had to figure out who killed the man that walked into the precinct and died. He was apparently poisoned. Do Robin and Kyle find the murderer?
Good short to read while standing in a grocery line, waiting in the doctor's office.

I received this book free from a promotion giveaway.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,631 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2022
2.75/5⭐: As far as prequels go this one's not bad, hopefully the series will be better. I didn't really see the need for the 1st 2 chapters, they felt un needed once you read the story. I also didn't much care for how emotional Robin became over the thought of Kyle dying. It's like he's her one and only and not some guy she's known for a week, it felt a little over the top. But all that aside I'm looking forward to giving this series a try.
142 reviews
October 19, 2022
Robin, a new detective, reports to a new precinct and is assigned to work with Detective Kyle. He makes it clear he doesn’t want to work with rookies. A man walks into the station and dies with unusual symptoms. Kyle and Robin quickly solve the case and Robin saves Kyle’s life
There is a good description of the characters.. This is not only a quick and easy read but also a page turner. I enjoyed reading this short book.
Fred
31 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2024
This was a very good read.
Robin and her partner are out trying to solve the mystery of Dave, who shocked the precinct by stumbling in and dying. Lab tests were conducted on an emergency basis and it was revealed that he died from an unknown toxin.
Following the scant clues, they end up in a small town that didn’t want outsiders or cops.
Some locals pointed them to a deserted mansion where they were attacked. Their struggles seemed futile.
Profile Image for Debi.
87 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2024
Great thriller

I really enjoyed this thriller. It's the first story I've read by Audrey Walker, and I was not disappointed. I especially like stories situated in old, vacant houses! I won't go into the plot as there are plenty of other reviews that cover it, but I just want you to know that this will not disappoint you. I ordered the box set of Audrey's Detective Crime Thriller and can't wait to start reading them!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews

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