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Jeri Howard Mystery #10-13
Jeri Howard Books 10-13
Included in this 4-book box set:
BIT PLAYER
Murder makes a comeback – ready for its closeup! Was Jeri Howard’s grandmother a murder suspect? The Oakland private investigator has a chance encounter in a movie memorabilia shop. Now she's on a quest to find the truth about her grandmother, actress Jerusha Layne, and the 1941 murder of a British expatriate actor, shot dead in his Hollywood bungalow.
COLD TRAIL
The morgue. The last place Jeri Howard wants to be – especially if the body is that of her kid brother. Missing is not a word Jeri wants to hear about her brother Brian. He’s been gone four days. And that body in the morgue? It was found on a burned-out boat - along with Brian’s MedicAlert bracelet. The trail is getting cold.
WATER SIGNS
Oakland. A city shaped by water, money, greed – and murder. Jeri Howard worked at an Oakland private investigator firm before she set out on her own. Her former colleague Cal Brady, an alcoholic, is now sober, working as a security guard at a construction site on Oakland’s gritty waterfront. His body washes up in the estuary. Did he fall off the wagon and into the water? His daughter isn’t buying that story. She thinks Cal was murdered.
THE DEVIL CLOSE BEHIND
Fire can be deadly – in the wrong hands. That’s what PI Jeri Howard learns when her New Orleans vacation turns into a case. A phone call from her friend Davina sets events in motion. Davina’s sister Laurette, already in a bad place after the loss of husband and child, has a new boyfriend. He’s a mercurial musician who calls himself Slade.
Her family doesn’t like him. As it turns out, they have good reason. Slade has a disturbing history of getting even – and setting fires. It’s a lethal combination.
BIT PLAYER
Murder makes a comeback – ready for its closeup! Was Jeri Howard’s grandmother a murder suspect? The Oakland private investigator has a chance encounter in a movie memorabilia shop. Now she's on a quest to find the truth about her grandmother, actress Jerusha Layne, and the 1941 murder of a British expatriate actor, shot dead in his Hollywood bungalow.
COLD TRAIL
The morgue. The last place Jeri Howard wants to be – especially if the body is that of her kid brother. Missing is not a word Jeri wants to hear about her brother Brian. He’s been gone four days. And that body in the morgue? It was found on a burned-out boat - along with Brian’s MedicAlert bracelet. The trail is getting cold.
WATER SIGNS
Oakland. A city shaped by water, money, greed – and murder. Jeri Howard worked at an Oakland private investigator firm before she set out on her own. Her former colleague Cal Brady, an alcoholic, is now sober, working as a security guard at a construction site on Oakland’s gritty waterfront. His body washes up in the estuary. Did he fall off the wagon and into the water? His daughter isn’t buying that story. She thinks Cal was murdered.
THE DEVIL CLOSE BEHIND
Fire can be deadly – in the wrong hands. That’s what PI Jeri Howard learns when her New Orleans vacation turns into a case. A phone call from her friend Davina sets events in motion. Davina’s sister Laurette, already in a bad place after the loss of husband and child, has a new boyfriend. He’s a mercurial musician who calls himself Slade.
Her family doesn’t like him. As it turns out, they have good reason. Slade has a disturbing history of getting even – and setting fires. It’s a lethal combination.
1043 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2022
About the author
Janet Dawson
66 books75 followersJanet Dawson is the author of The Sacrificial Daughter, first in a new series featuring geriatric care manager. She has also written thirteen novels featuring Oakland private investigator Jeri Howard. Her first, Kindred Crimes, won the St. Martin's Press/Private Eye Writers of America contest for best first private eye novel. The most recent book in the series is The Devil Close Behind.
Her Jill McLeod historical mystery series features a Zephyrette sleuthing aboard the long-distance train called the California Zephyr in the early 1950s. The first in that series is Death Rides the Zephyr.
In the past, Dawson was a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist. She has worked in the legal field and on the staff of the University of California Berkeley. She is a long-time member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
Her Jill McLeod historical mystery series features a Zephyrette sleuthing aboard the long-distance train called the California Zephyr in the early 1950s. The first in that series is Death Rides the Zephyr.
In the past, Dawson was a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist. She has worked in the legal field and on the staff of the University of California Berkeley. She is a long-time member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Want to Read
August 20, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/20/2022)! 🎁
December 2, 2024
Jeri Howard Mysteries are well written and so fun. Have read every one of them.
April 21, 2025
Well, I read the first 2 books of this series. If you are interested in 1920's Hollywood trivia, this is for you. Endless name-dropping, with a very old cold case to solve. The second story is interesting if you want a travelogue of California's wine country highway 101. I live there, and it's definitely accurate, but boring to read about every road and small town that's there. The search for Jeri's brother is pretty well thought-out.
September 10, 2025
Very good book
This has all kinds of tails. Jeri's brother is missing. There is a murder. This is all tied together but how. Jeri is on the case she uncovers bits and pieces till it all comes together. But Brian is still missing. Then it to find him. Very good story as usual.
This has all kinds of tails. Jeri's brother is missing. There is a murder. This is all tied together but how. Jeri is on the case she uncovers bits and pieces till it all comes together. But Brian is still missing. Then it to find him. Very good story as usual.
February 3, 2026
Love These Books!
I found book one when I was looking for a good rad to get me through my 4-5 hour chemo treatments!! I was immediately hooked on Jeri Howard! Have just now finished the last book in the series and wish there were just one or two more! Hint hint hint to the author!!!
Will try her Zepher series next
I found book one when I was looking for a good rad to get me through my 4-5 hour chemo treatments!! I was immediately hooked on Jeri Howard! Have just now finished the last book in the series and wish there were just one or two more! Hint hint hint to the author!!!
Will try her Zepher series next
July 8, 2022
Jeri Takes a Roadtrip
Or at least she follows an arsonist/murderer as he tricks a friend's sister into unknowingly helping him escape. Yet through Jeri's sheer doggedness he is brought to justice and the sister kept from a bad ending. Another great read.
Or at least she follows an arsonist/murderer as he tricks a friend's sister into unknowingly helping him escape. Yet through Jeri's sheer doggedness he is brought to justice and the sister kept from a bad ending. Another great read.
February 6, 2024
another great anthology
These books keep getting better and better. I certainly hope there is more to come. I enjoy reading about. Jeri and her friends. All of Ms Dawson’s books are great
These books keep getting better and better. I certainly hope there is more to come. I enjoy reading about. Jeri and her friends. All of Ms Dawson’s books are great
June 12, 2024
hometown narrative if you’re from the east bay
Every book in this series has prolific and accurate references for BayArea connections, both events/occurences and totally accurate geography. Suits my life and memories!
Every book in this series has prolific and accurate references for BayArea connections, both events/occurences and totally accurate geography. Suits my life and memories!
November 17, 2024
She really knows the places in her stories which makes the stories all the more believable. Great characters. I couldn't put the books down until I had read all four. She's on my list of authors to look for.
July 29, 2025
I got the chance to read books 10-13 for free from Freebooksy. I hesitated. This series has started to be dull, pedantic, and encyclopedia. The author dips into a subject matter and starts writing like it’s a PBS documentary. So I’m done with book 10 about 3 chapters in, and done with the series.
August 11, 2025
Fast-paced mystery tales kept my interest
I read a lot, so I'm very critical. This series is definitely a winner! Glad I purchased these, and plan to read the entire series. If you like Kinsey Millhone, Sharon McCone, or V.I. Warshawski, you should enjoy Jeri Howard.
I read a lot, so I'm very critical. This series is definitely a winner! Glad I purchased these, and plan to read the entire series. If you like Kinsey Millhone, Sharon McCone, or V.I. Warshawski, you should enjoy Jeri Howard.
February 22, 2026
Four wonderful detection stories filled with such detailed research of the cities involved.
Because of the research, it is easy to imagine yourself right there in the action. Fascinating plots, no bad language, each story is real pleasure to read.
Because of the research, it is easy to imagine yourself right there in the action. Fascinating plots, no bad language, each story is real pleasure to read.
February 27, 2026
The Jeri Howard Anthology
As with the previous series of Anthology Books I really enjoyed these four and highly recommend that you take the time to read them all you won't be sorry.
As with the previous series of Anthology Books I really enjoyed these four and highly recommend that you take the time to read them all you won't be sorry.
July 1, 2022
Great Books
I loved all of these books. They were all set in different locations and had plenty of twists and turns. They kept me guessing until the end.
I loved all of these books. They were all set in different locations and had plenty of twists and turns. They kept me guessing until the end.
August 20, 2022
Please see individual stories for review.
October 25, 2022
Great series
I have read all of the Jeri Howard books and enjoyed each one. A lot of series get boring, predictable and repeat. These did not.
I have read all of the Jeri Howard books and enjoyed each one. A lot of series get boring, predictable and repeat. These did not.
January 3, 2023
Great series
I have enjoyed all the Jeri Howard books. Janet Dawson does a great job of researching each topic and putting all the pieces together.
I have enjoyed all the Jeri Howard books. Janet Dawson does a great job of researching each topic and putting all the pieces together.
January 4, 2023
Great! Loved all of them!
July 7, 2023
Good
I enjoy Jeri Howard series and these four stories were good. Janet Dawson can write really really good enjoyable stories.
I enjoy Jeri Howard series and these four stories were good. Janet Dawson can write really really good enjoyable stories.
December 21, 2023
Great read
I love the character of Jeri. She isn't too aggressive but at the same time doesn't back down. I always enjoy reading the books from Janet Dawson.
I love the character of Jeri. She isn't too aggressive but at the same time doesn't back down. I always enjoy reading the books from Janet Dawson.
April 11, 2024
Good read
You get history lessons , a detailed tour of the cities ,landmark locations and great dining locations all wrapped up in a tantalizing mystery . looking forward to more .
You get history lessons , a detailed tour of the cities ,landmark locations and great dining locations all wrapped up in a tantalizing mystery . looking forward to more .
Read
August 12, 20248/24
December 9, 2024
I love the Jeri Howard books. They are difficult to put down once I start reading. She has references that you can follow even if you aren't familiar with California.
July 1, 2026
Very enjoyable
I enjoyed this series by the author. Jeri, the PI, is a great investigator. I look forward to reading more if her adventures.
I enjoyed this series by the author. Jeri, the PI, is a great investigator. I look forward to reading more if her adventures.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews











