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Burn Marks
A brutal murder and the kidnapping of a two-year old boy disrupt the return of Milton PD Detective Steve Marks from his Florida vacation. A homeless man has been savagely murdered behind the Trips Aces Casino and Henry Burnett, the son of the owner of the Burnett Furniture empire, has been kidnapped. Clues in both cases are scarce. As more homeless men become victims of the murderer dubbed The Shadow, and there is nothing pointing to little Henry's return, the pressure on Marks and his young partner, Anders Hedberg, mounts. Milton's mayor wants fast action in both cases while the Burnett family screams for better law enforcement to be brought in. Marks and Anders fight the clock and the heat from above while trying to maintain their own sanity.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 26, 2022
Review of eBook
The brutal murder of a homeless man greets Milton Police Department Detective Steve Marks when he returns home from a vacation with his artist girlfriend Tori. In the town advertised as the place where crime was almost non-existent, it isn’t long before another major crime occurs and two-year-old Henry Burnett vanishes from his crib. There are virtually no clues in either case.
The discovery of another body . . . again with no clues . . . . puts more pressure on Steve to find some answers. And, as more homeless men fall to the murderer, now designated The Shadow, that pressure on Steve and his partner, Anders Hedberg, continues to grow.
As for the kidnapping, with no demand for ransom, and no sign of the toddler, there is mounting pressure from the Barnett family to bring the FBI into the case.
Who is preying on the homeless? And where is Henry?
=========
As the author returns to the setting for the earlier standalone, “The Murder of Fatty Fuller,” Detective Steve Marks and his partner, Anders Hedberg, find themselves hunting a serial killer and, at the same time, searching for a kidnapped toddler. Pressure from the mayor to close both cases puts the two men under considerable stress.
Told in two timelines . . . present day in Milton and 2008-2009 in Chicago . . . the unfolding story of the serial killer takes an ominous turn, revealing an unexpected connection . . . and more victims.
A bit of humor, at the expense of Steve’s young partner, keeps the tenseness of the kidnapping and the murders from becoming overwhelming. Well-defined, believable characters, a strong sense of place, and a plot filled with unforeseen twists all work together to keep the pages turning in this intriguing police procedural. Readers are kept guessing as secrets and lies are exposed while the ongoing investigation brings new facts to light.
Readers will find much to appreciate in this compelling story of intrigue, murder, and mayhem.
Highly recommended.
The brutal murder of a homeless man greets Milton Police Department Detective Steve Marks when he returns home from a vacation with his artist girlfriend Tori. In the town advertised as the place where crime was almost non-existent, it isn’t long before another major crime occurs and two-year-old Henry Burnett vanishes from his crib. There are virtually no clues in either case.
The discovery of another body . . . again with no clues . . . . puts more pressure on Steve to find some answers. And, as more homeless men fall to the murderer, now designated The Shadow, that pressure on Steve and his partner, Anders Hedberg, continues to grow.
As for the kidnapping, with no demand for ransom, and no sign of the toddler, there is mounting pressure from the Barnett family to bring the FBI into the case.
Who is preying on the homeless? And where is Henry?
=========
As the author returns to the setting for the earlier standalone, “The Murder of Fatty Fuller,” Detective Steve Marks and his partner, Anders Hedberg, find themselves hunting a serial killer and, at the same time, searching for a kidnapped toddler. Pressure from the mayor to close both cases puts the two men under considerable stress.
Told in two timelines . . . present day in Milton and 2008-2009 in Chicago . . . the unfolding story of the serial killer takes an ominous turn, revealing an unexpected connection . . . and more victims.
A bit of humor, at the expense of Steve’s young partner, keeps the tenseness of the kidnapping and the murders from becoming overwhelming. Well-defined, believable characters, a strong sense of place, and a plot filled with unforeseen twists all work together to keep the pages turning in this intriguing police procedural. Readers are kept guessing as secrets and lies are exposed while the ongoing investigation brings new facts to light.
Readers will find much to appreciate in this compelling story of intrigue, murder, and mayhem.
Highly recommended.
October 28, 2022
Burn Marks by John Sturgeon.
A brutal murder and the kidnapping of a two-year old boy disrupt the return of Milton PD Detective Steve Marks from his Florida vacation. A homeless man has been savagely murdered behind the Trips Aces Casino and Henry Burnett, the son of the owner of the Burnett Furniture empire, has been kidnapped. Clues in both cases are scarce. As more homeless men become victims of the murderer dubbed The Shadow, and there is nothing pointing to little Henry's return, the pressure on Marks and his young partner, Anders Hedberg, mounts. Milton's mayor wants fast action in both cases while the Burnett family screams for better law enforcement to be brought in. Marks and Anders fight the clock and the heat from above while trying to maintain their own sanity.
Really good read. Suspense and action. 4*.
A brutal murder and the kidnapping of a two-year old boy disrupt the return of Milton PD Detective Steve Marks from his Florida vacation. A homeless man has been savagely murdered behind the Trips Aces Casino and Henry Burnett, the son of the owner of the Burnett Furniture empire, has been kidnapped. Clues in both cases are scarce. As more homeless men become victims of the murderer dubbed The Shadow, and there is nothing pointing to little Henry's return, the pressure on Marks and his young partner, Anders Hedberg, mounts. Milton's mayor wants fast action in both cases while the Burnett family screams for better law enforcement to be brought in. Marks and Anders fight the clock and the heat from above while trying to maintain their own sanity.
Really good read. Suspense and action. 4*.
January 17, 2025
The Milton Books
All of the three Milton books were truly a joy to read. Interesting and pleasant to read how all three are connected yet it wasn’t overdone. Can’t wait to read more from John Sturgeon.
All of the three Milton books were truly a joy to read. Interesting and pleasant to read how all three are connected yet it wasn’t overdone. Can’t wait to read more from John Sturgeon.
November 27, 2022
Excellent read! Fast-paced, engrossing and filled with twists and turns from beginning to end, BURN MARKS delivers the goods. Check it out!
-John Sturgeon (son of author)
-John Sturgeon (son of author)
December 2, 2022
If you like Michael Connelly You'll love this book!!
December 11, 2022
One of John Sturgeon's best! A great whodunit that will keep you up all night if you are a before sleep reader like me. Steve Marks is a fascinating character. I hope a sequel comes out soon!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews