Murder in the Desert

Jake Stewart Mysteries #1

by Mike Cassidy

Who knew a murder or two would turn Jake Stewart’s life around?
Jake was supposed to be trying to figure out his life after being abruptly downsized from what he considered the best job in the world — being a reporter in a fast moving, big city newsroom. Now, he was wandering the Southwest in the Beast, an aging RV that was his only home in the world. No job, no prospects, no love. Then in the fading moments of a brilliant sunset in the Mesa country of Arizona, he hears cries for help, and stumbles across a half-dressed woman standing over a partially buried body among the red rocks. And everything changes.
When Jake talks to the local newspaper, he learns the dead person was the paper’s editor. The publisher, desperate to save the floundering paper, asks Jake to fill in. At first reluctant to return to the occupation that rejected him, he accepts the offer — and rediscovers his passion for being back in the news game. Then the publisher disappears down a dark, deep hole.
Using his skills as a reporter and spurred on by an unexpected romance, Jake follows the clues … but as he gets closer to the killer, the killer may be getting closer to him… and his new sweetie.
If you like lovable but oddball characters in a colorful setting, red herrings, an intriguing plot, fast-paced writing, then you’ll love this laugh-out-loud Jake Stewart mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Amazon

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2022

Reviews

[Kimberly Gershman · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 😤👒

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

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!

[Jerry L. Arthurs · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Todd Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful storyline

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Gus and why??? An accident??? AND then Suzanne??? I enjoyed this story and the hunt for the gold and recommended the book.

[Kimmarie Pozar · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Susan Spraker · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Marion Moxhay · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ebook

[Linda Whitenight · Rating 4 out of 5]

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?

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather hard boiled mystery involving a newspaper, centered around a small town. With a second mystery, decades old mixed with the newer ones.

[Dell Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

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….

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[LeighAnne Clifton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot, rough editing

This was a good story, but the lack of editing was distracting (punctuation, incomplete sentences, names spelled 2ways, etc. ).

[Joanne Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kindlelover 1220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.