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Defensible Murder: No. 5 in the Mavis Davis Mystery Series

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No. 5 in the Mavis Davis Mystery Series

Six-week-old twins are kidnapped from a church during a Wednesday night service. The parents, not trusting the attitude and advice of the HPD officers, hire Mavis to find their babies.


Despite being told to butt out (as usual) by the police, Mavis and her team immediately begin dissecting the case. Mavis heads into the field, her focus on church members. Her team puts out feelers on social media and at the county courthouse, hoping someone in family or criminal law will know something about the human trafficking scene in Houston.

Just when Mavis has zeroed-in on the child-snatching perpetrator, the police arrest the P.I.’s innocent client, charging him with the suspect’s murder. Now, with the twins still missing and possibly victims in a baby-selling ring, a killer on the loose, and the father in jail for murder, Mavis must once again prove to the authorities that she is up to the task.

After her team's inquiries supposedly render a result, Mavis places herself and her young assistant, Candy, in jeopardy as they accompany a stranger into the night to a rural location where the children might be located. Will she find the children and clear her client of murder, or will she and Candy become the next victims?

Click BUY NOW above to enter into the world of child trafficking and to see if the detectives survive.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2022

7 people are currently reading
5 people want to read

About the author

Susan P. Baker

20 books75 followers
My English war bride mother was a real penny pincher, but in the early years of their marriage, my parents had to pinch pennies. Not long after my mother arrived in the U.S., she encouraged my father to complete his education. He used the GI Bill to obtain a law degree while she was having four babies and working part time doing such odd jobs as collecting the money out of coin-operated machines in washaterias.

We moved to Galveston when I was four, which is when my father claimed he taught me to read. We lived on the water, swimming, fishing, and crabbing in Offatts Bayou. As far as I can remember, we had no purchased books in our house when I was growing up. We didn't have the money. But Mom took the four of us to the Rosenberg Library every two weeks where we'd check out the maximum number of books allowed, six each. We even took library books on vacation with us so we could read them in the car instead of fussing and constantly asking, "Are we there yet?"

I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. I used to write little stories as well as entertain my invisible friend, Sally, who lived in my side of the closet. My parents discouraged me from seeking a writing career, so after several false starts I eventually obtained a BS in Criminal Justice.

I finally was hired as a Probation Officer about a week before I started law school. I was married with a couple of kids of my own by then, so I worked and attended Law School (in Houston) for three years.

I mostly practiced criminal and family law. In fact, I was board certified in family law. After eight years of practicing law, I ran for district court judge and was elected. I was the first woman in Galveston County to run.

By that time, I was writing a lot. I'd published My First Murder. I moved away and back to Galveston several times and now live in Cypress near my younger daughter.

People often approach me with ideas for books, but with a background like mine, I have no shortage of my own.

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
2,587 reviews45 followers
December 17, 2022
The twisted tentacles of evil were far reaching and from unimaginable sources!! Greed without a conscience and opportunity played large parts in the corruption and motives. The evil had a trickle down effect, and I actually felt sorry for many of the victims (especially the last one) who got pulled into this scheme. Greed and money (in this case) truly was the root of all evil. It changed people and not for the better. I enjoyed following along to the conclusion.
Profile Image for A.J..
622 reviews8 followers
September 13, 2024
This series keeps getting better!

This book is about kidnapped babies, human trafficking, and the "defensible murder" of a heartless, greedy person. Sounds kind of depressing, but really ends well and is exciting and occasionally funny, with interesting characters and realistic dialogue. I love this series!
13 reviews
December 21, 2022
Susan never dissapoints.

I really enjoyed this book. Great storyline and well written.
Once again Mavis solved the mystery, with a little help from me. Ha.

You will enjoy this one.
1 review1 follower
February 11, 2023
Great addition to the Mafia Davis series

Defensible Murder is a page turning story that keeps the reader on the edge if their seat. The characters are well developed and described. The plot includes not only murder but kidnapping as well. This well written novel is a must read!
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,049 reviews2 followers
December 21, 2022
This is a good book. Even though I was given a copy of this book by the author, it in no way influenced my opinion, and this is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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