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Murder in the Desert
Out-of-work journalist Jake Stewart throws a dart at the map and heads for the Southwest in an aging RV he calls The Beast. He figures maybe he'll find himself. Instead, he stumbles upon a half-dressed woman standing over a dead body among the ancient buttes of Arizona.
The dead man turns out to be the editor of the local weekly newspaper and when Jake is asked to fill the position, he accepts. A paycheck is a paycheck after all. His first headline ends up being the murder of his new boss who is found at the bottom of the town’s only tourist attraction — dark caverns 200 feet below the surface.
Local law enforcement is at a loss to explain the murders, but Jake’s new girlfriend challenges him to use his reporting skills to investigate. The more Jake digs, the more questions he has. Could the murders be connected to a local legend of lost gold? Or to the mobsters who own the caverns? Or the controversial goop one farmer is spreading on his fields?
And can Jake figure it out before there are more murders?
The dead man turns out to be the editor of the local weekly newspaper and when Jake is asked to fill the position, he accepts. A paycheck is a paycheck after all. His first headline ends up being the murder of his new boss who is found at the bottom of the town’s only tourist attraction — dark caverns 200 feet below the surface.
Local law enforcement is at a loss to explain the murders, but Jake’s new girlfriend challenges him to use his reporting skills to investigate. The more Jake digs, the more questions he has. Could the murders be connected to a local legend of lost gold? Or to the mobsters who own the caverns? Or the controversial goop one farmer is spreading on his fields?
And can Jake figure it out before there are more murders?
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Published April 13, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 1, 2022
Another goodreads giveaway i won.
I enjoyed this read. Im all about a good murder mystery. Im new to this author so it was nice to get out of my shell and try someone new. I look forward to more reads by this author
I enjoyed this read. Im all about a good murder mystery. Im new to this author so it was nice to get out of my shell and try someone new. I look forward to more reads by this author
October 27, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book one of three.
Jake is traveling through Arizona when he finds a dead body. He goes to the weekly newspaper and is given a job and the fun begins. There are more dead bodies. Then they find the gold. It has a great ending.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 😤👒
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book one of three.
Jake is traveling through Arizona when he finds a dead body. He goes to the weekly newspaper and is given a job and the fun begins. There are more dead bodies. Then they find the gold. It has a great ending.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 😤👒
February 27, 2026
I normally love cozies, and I really wanted to love this one. Unfortunately, it just did not work out for me. I didn't have an issue with the writing at all because it was very clear. The author can really paint a picture with their writing and he did it so well, the story just gave me the ick in some spots. I did not enjoy that!
April 28, 2022
I've never read a book by Mike Cassidy before and am looking forward to finding others written by him soon. Good read is putting it mildly in my mind. If I owned a motorhome I believe I'd enjoy talking with Mr. Cassidy for hours. Anyone with that much imagination must be very interesting to be around.
May 14, 2026
From Downsized to Desert Sleuth: A Killer Comeback in the Canyons
Who knew a little desert homicide was all it took to cure a midlife crisis?
In Murder in the Desert, the first installment of Mike Cassidy’s Jake Stewart Mystery series, we meet a man who has lost his professional North Star. Abruptly downsized from his dream job as a big-city reporter, Jake is drifting through the Southwest in "the Beast"—an aging RV that serves as his home, his sanctuary, and a rolling reminder of his lack of prospects.
Everything changes under the glow of an Arizona sunset when Jake stumbles upon a half-dressed woman and a shallow grave. It’s the ultimate "wrong place, right time" scenario that pulls him back into the world he thought he’d left behind.
Why This Mystery Hits the Mark
The Reluctant Hero: Jake Stewart is deeply relatable. His journey from a dejected, unemployed wanderer to a sharp-witted investigator is a satisfying "reclamation" story.
The Newsroom Hook: When Jake learns the victim was a local newspaper editor, he’s offered the chance to fill the void. Cassidy perfectly captures that internal tug-of-war: the fear of returning to a profession that rejected you versus the undeniable adrenaline of the "news game."
High Stakes & Deep Holes: The plot thickens—literally—when the newspaper’s publisher vanishes down a "dark, deep hole." It’s an intriguing twist that keeps the pages turning and the mystery layered.
A Dash of Desert Romance: Driven by an unexpected new flame, Jake’s investigation becomes personal. The chemistry adds a layer of warmth to the gritty red rocks of Arizona.
The Verdict
Cassidy manages to balance a high-speed plot with a cast of lovable, oddball characters that give the story its heart. It’s a rare mystery that manages to be both intriguing and laugh-out-loud funny without losing its edge.
Final Thought: If you’re looking for a fast-paced read filled with red herrings, colorful southwestern scenery, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, Murder in the Desert is your next must-read. Jake Stewart might have lost his job, but he certainly hasn't lost his touch
Who knew a little desert homicide was all it took to cure a midlife crisis?
In Murder in the Desert, the first installment of Mike Cassidy’s Jake Stewart Mystery series, we meet a man who has lost his professional North Star. Abruptly downsized from his dream job as a big-city reporter, Jake is drifting through the Southwest in "the Beast"—an aging RV that serves as his home, his sanctuary, and a rolling reminder of his lack of prospects.
Everything changes under the glow of an Arizona sunset when Jake stumbles upon a half-dressed woman and a shallow grave. It’s the ultimate "wrong place, right time" scenario that pulls him back into the world he thought he’d left behind.
Why This Mystery Hits the Mark
The Reluctant Hero: Jake Stewart is deeply relatable. His journey from a dejected, unemployed wanderer to a sharp-witted investigator is a satisfying "reclamation" story.
The Newsroom Hook: When Jake learns the victim was a local newspaper editor, he’s offered the chance to fill the void. Cassidy perfectly captures that internal tug-of-war: the fear of returning to a profession that rejected you versus the undeniable adrenaline of the "news game."
High Stakes & Deep Holes: The plot thickens—literally—when the newspaper’s publisher vanishes down a "dark, deep hole." It’s an intriguing twist that keeps the pages turning and the mystery layered.
A Dash of Desert Romance: Driven by an unexpected new flame, Jake’s investigation becomes personal. The chemistry adds a layer of warmth to the gritty red rocks of Arizona.
The Verdict
Cassidy manages to balance a high-speed plot with a cast of lovable, oddball characters that give the story its heart. It’s a rare mystery that manages to be both intriguing and laugh-out-loud funny without losing its edge.
Final Thought: If you’re looking for a fast-paced read filled with red herrings, colorful southwestern scenery, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, Murder in the Desert is your next must-read. Jake Stewart might have lost his job, but he certainly hasn't lost his touch
August 7, 2022
Mike Cassidy is a true story teller bringing to life characters towns and events that draw you in not letting go. I found the array of characters in this mystery to be multi layered full of back stories one connecting to the next. All full of secrets and mystery within themselves. They mysterys, because oh yah there's more than one bounce off of one another in a way that entices and draws you into the drama further and then the plot wow you're not going to know what hits you this is so well written .Anywhosers the plot keeps you turning page after page until you reach its exciting unexpected and climatic conclusion. Acquire " Murder in the Desert " for hours of intriguing entertainment. Kat
March 8, 2025
I enjoyed reading Murder in the Desert. Jake Stewart is traveling in his RV called the Beast. When the editor of the weekly Gazette, Gus Noise, is discovered dead at Beaver Teeth Rocks, he is offered a temporary job. Gus wasn't the "bubbliest beer in the six-pack." Then his boss Suzanne McPhee, newspaper owner/mayor turns up dead three days later. Jake ends up staying at the 4 person run paper, meeting the locals, and wondering why the murders haven't been solved. "There are relationships in the small town hidden in plain sight." This mystery was fun to read because of all the twists and turns and the eclectic group of people!
November 18, 2022
Clueless
The story of Jake, a former editor of a big town newspaper. He stumbles into trouble in a small town. Helping out at the small-town paper, he finds himself trusting all the wrong people until the right one comes along. Searching for clues that lead to adventure in the desert, Jake and his female counterpart try to solve multiple mysteries without becoming something else that needs solved.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
The story of Jake, a former editor of a big town newspaper. He stumbles into trouble in a small town. Helping out at the small-town paper, he finds himself trusting all the wrong people until the right one comes along. Searching for clues that lead to adventure in the desert, Jake and his female counterpart try to solve multiple mysteries without becoming something else that needs solved.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
September 4, 2022
This was a quick and enjoyable read. I liked the insights into the reporters life, and getting a weekly paper to press. Then there are cool characters and a couple of mysteries to solve! I recommend it!!
March 30, 2025
Fun and entertaining
My title says it all: it was fun and entertaining. Light and quick. I kept wanting to know more about some of the characters, such as Bonny and Rodney. Maybe Mr. Cassidy can revisit them in a later story.
My title says it all: it was fun and entertaining. Light and quick. I kept wanting to know more about some of the characters, such as Bonny and Rodney. Maybe Mr. Cassidy can revisit them in a later story.
July 10, 2022
Wonderful storyline
November 24, 2023
Who killed Gus and why??? An accident??? AND then Suzanne??? I enjoyed this story and the hunt for the gold and recommended the book.
June 18, 2024
Great summer read
Every single character in this novel will capture you. And they are all characters of one sort or another. Loved this and will look for more.
Every single character in this novel will capture you. And they are all characters of one sort or another. Loved this and will look for more.
June 20, 2024
good mystery with lots of characters
There were a few good mysteries in this book. There was a lot of action but the results are a little disjointed.
There were a few good mysteries in this book. There was a lot of action but the results are a little disjointed.
August 19, 2024
This was a great mystery who don't it, with several deaths and several potential suspects. With an underlying love interest for Jake. A great fun read. Like usual didn't have a clue to the suspects.
March 7, 2025
Murders - People are dropping like flies. And poor bumbling Jake keeps getting hurt, can he figure out what is going on in this crazy town before he ends up dead?
March 10, 2025
A rather hard boiled mystery involving a newspaper, centered around a small town. With a second mystery, decades old mixed with the newer ones.
June 10, 2025
Light-hearted and engaging
An easy read with quirky characters one can appreciate. A perfect choice when stressed or just for the fun of it.
An easy read with quirky characters one can appreciate. A perfect choice when stressed or just for the fun of it.
July 9, 2025
This is putting me in a reading slump. DNF on page 180. It’s boring. The mystery isn’t Interesting. There are too many unrelated story’s from and about villagers. There is no emotional depth….
May 8, 2026
I liked the short chapters, but it seemed to jump around a lot. It seemed to wrap up and forget about important action in the storyline.
December 25, 2022
This book was an easy read. I wasn’t very impressed with the way the storyline ran but I made it through. I would recommend to anyone who likes light reading.
February 13, 2024
This is what you might call a 'poolside read'. It was easy to put down and pick back up. It was interesting to keep reading but not entertaining to read through the night. I wasn't a huge fan of all the information on people's past, it probably could have been shortened. I did like that it always kept you wondering who the killer was (and was not guessable). It was nice to see some romance mixed in as well.
September 4, 2022
An entertaining cozy mystery story with some wacky characters that keeps the story interesting. An intriguing plot about a rumor of a hidden treasure and an adventure ensues.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews