Final Audition

Marshall James #3

by Mark McNease

In the third instalment of the Marshall James Thrillers, Marshall has one more tale to tell, one last journey to take, back into a past that is inextricably connected to his present. Marshall decides to search for the man who had once been the center of his life: LAPD Homicide Detective Mac McElroy. Mac had told him all those years ago, when Marshall had his last showdown with death and the men who traffic in it, that he never wanted to speak to him again, and he hasn't. But is Mac still alive? Can Marshall find him? And what will be the end of their story if he does? Find out in Final Audition, as Marshall returns once more to a life he'd abandoned, only to find out it had never abandoned him. Along the way he introduces us to a Los Angeles long gone, a theater group where some dreams are nightmares, an innocent man whose life will hang in the balance, and evil determined to destroy him if it can.

Genres: LGBT

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2022

About the author

I've recently released 'Blank Page to Bookshelf: From First Sentence to First Sale,' condensing two years of my workshops into one easy to read guide on fiction writing, character creation, and self-publishing.

I've also written horror as M.A. McNease - not a pen name, it's my initials. Books under M.A. McNease include 'I, Warlock,' 'A House in the Woods (1 and 2)', and 'Hell to Pay' (a two-book volume of both House in the Woods books).

I'm the author of the Kyle Callahan Mysteries, two of which have been best sellers on Kindle. In 2022 I released the second Maggie Dahl Mystery, 'Open Secrets,' with Maggie pursuing another killer in sleepy Lambertville, NJ.

My Detective Linda mystery, 'Last Room at the Cliff's Edge', was released in September, 2016, and called a winner by Publishers Weekly. I released the first Marshall James thriller, 'Murder at the Paisley Parrot', in 2017, followed by 'Beautiful Corpse,' 'Final Audition,' and most recently 'Night Flight to Murder Town' in 2025.

'Black Cat White Paws: A Maggie Dahl Mystery' was released in 2018, followed by 'Open Secrets.'

I have 10 audiobooks currently available (Audible, Amazon, various retailers). My short story 'Stop the Car' was selected as a Kindle Single and is now an audiobook narrated by the amazing Braden Wright. It was selected twice to be included in the Amazon Prime reading library.

For old time's sake I also have two Emmys for Outstanding Children's Program for 'Into the Outdoors', a television show I co-created and wrote for two years that is now in its 17th year.

I live in the New Jersey woods with my husband, Frank, and our two cats, Wilma and James.

You can find me at my website, MarkMcNease.com.

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so emotional

This one took me back to Boy underground, I was a bit worried when Marshall wanted to revisit the past but it worked out in the end, this was so emotional I had to stop reading for a bit just to compose myself and it was a beautiful conclusion to the series 😍🤍

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the final of a trilogy of stories given from MC Marshall's reminiscing of his wilder younger life back in LA. As usual - murder seems to find Marshall wherever he goes with this sleuthing adventure going to the heart of what is ultimately the demise of his relationship with PD Mac. There was a judicious use if back-n-forth timeline chapters serving to bring to light the dramatic series of events that saw the love of Marshall's life walk out the door and Marshall's current search for that same man decades later for a possible reunion of sorts. A great conclusion to a good series mostly set in 1980s.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which is the primary story or are both of a piece? After a difficult life he met the homicide detective (wh0 pretty much rescued him) and they loved each other 35 years ago in LA. But it ended badly after a horrific experience, and now he really wants a better closure at this point in life. So, he hits the internet and more while mentally reliving the events. Even though he dearly loves his current husband (who is more than supportive), he feels compelled. Nuf said before I get into spoiler territory.
As always, the characters are memorable and engaging, the atmosphere is well described. McNease never fails to hold the reader's interest while bringing in a well-crafted story!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the other 2 books in the series. I received the book for free. I enjoyed the book. The book is fast-paced. It has 2 stories a mystery and trying to reconnect with a past lover/partner.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved This Story

I love Marshall James, he's my favorite character. The story was well written, and had a wonderful story line. I loved it.