A Spark is Struck in Cruachan (The Chronicles of Pádraig Book 1)
Page 35
“Without it…the World would not exist,” Coinneach repeated. “Without it…we would not exist.”
As the old wizard continued the lesson, describing the events on the fourth day of the creation of the World, a strange feeling came over Pádraig and the short hairs on the back of his neck began to rise. Turning his head toward his left, he found Máiréad glaring at him from the end of the table. It was a look that he had never seen from her in all the years they had known each other.
It was as if the glow of whatever love they had had between them had been crushed out, only to be replaced by a spark of hatred.
And it saddened him deeply.
-E N D-
The Ed McAvoy Mystery Series
Even with a left leg shattered by a drug dealer's bullet and a medical retirement from the Detroit Police Force, former homicide captain Ed McAvoy feels he’s too young to be put out to pasture.
With the slower pace in the Catskills, being Chief of Police in Peekamoose Heights will be sort of like running a country club, or so he thinks. After all, how much crime can there be?
McAvoy soon discovers that his skills as a homicide detective will not atrophy from lack of use in Peekamoose Heights. Murder, as it turns out, is an equal-opportunity crime that not only resides in large bustling cities like Detroit, but in sleepy little Catskill villages like Peekamoose Heights as well.
Sample chapters of the Ed McAvoy Mysteries
may be downloaded at www.billstackhouse.com
Stream of Death
ISBN: 978-1-533-30054-6
Printed by CreateSpace
In the closing days of WWII in Sicily, the famed Isabela Pendant disappears amid a hail of machine-pistol bullets. When it temporarily resurfaces in Detroit after fifty-some years, six people are murdered. Now, four years later, a dog has dug it up in the woods near McAvoy's peaceful Catskill village of Peekamoose Heights.
“Stream of Death is an enjoyable regional mystery that links events over five decades apart. The well-written story line works because the minor subplots bring depth to the cast, making the key players seem genuine. In his debut novel, Bill Stackhouse writes like an old pro stacking his chances for success with this phenomenal police procedural that combines a hard-boiled investigation with that of a regional cozy.”
Harriet Klausner—BookBrowser Review
“Bill Stackhouse’s Stream of Death is an excellent and original debut novel which blends the hard-boiled and softer elements of the crime fiction genre. ...The field of crime literature is already indebted to Bill Stackhouse for introducing Chief Ed McAvoy.”
Andrew McAleer—A Crimestalker Casebook Book Review
“... Well-written and engrossing to read. ... Keeps the reader intrigued to the end of the book.”
Sally Fellows—Mystery News
Hickory, Dickory
ISBN: 978-1-534-90419-4
Printed by CreateSpace
In this exciting sequel to Stream of Death, McAvoy's friend Sam Douglas has bought a Queen Anne tall-case clock at auction—at a bargain price. Trading it to Kate Winthrop for her lesser-quality Massachusetts clock and then selling the Massachusetts to a third party sight unseen seems to bode well for the Catskill antique dealer—until the third party winds up dead and, in her dying breath, identifies Sam as her attacker.
“With its small town atmosphere and characters, which include McAvoy's police force and the locals, the story resembles a village version of an 87th Precinct police procedural with a little bit of Agatha Christie thrown in. I very much enjoyed Hickory, Dickory and await the release of Bill Stackhouse's next book!”
Peter K. Ackerman—I Love a Mystery Newsletter
“… the outlandish, oddball, rural characters that populate Stackhouse's stories are likable and believable. The plot is well thought out and unique with lots of action. There are twists and turns and an ending that catches you by surprise. Okay, Bill, I'm ready for the next Ed McAvoy mystery!”
Beverly J. Rowe—MyShelf.com
“… the book is a pleasure. Stackhouse has a sly sense of humor, a good feeling for characters, and a decent sense of plot. Future books by him are anticipated, while the current one is recommended.”
Mary A. Axford—Reviewing The Evidence
Encore to Murder
ISBN: 978-1-534-90506-1
Printed by CreateSpace
In this suspenseful prequel to Stream of Death, a former fashion model runs her car off a cliff at the Ashokan Pass on the outskirts of Peekamoose Heights in New York’s Catskills—or has it been made to look that way? What McAvoy suspects and what he can prove are two different things. But the retired big-city homicide detective, and now newly hired village Chief of Police, has a few tricks up his sleeve that may lead him to that proof.
“Encore to Murder is a story full of mystery, suspense, and with a cast of characters that keep the story moving fast. ... I recommend that you go out and purchase Encore to Murder, get comfortable in a cozy chair, and just sit back and enjoy. It certainly is a wonderful way to spend a cold and blustery winter night.”
Sue Hartigan—All About Murder
“... this is an enjoyable read and a great introduction to the Ed McAvoy Series. Stackhouse draws on his playwriting background to create a fun, flowing mystery with a twist at the end that will surprise readers and appeal to lovers of both classic mysteries and police procedurals.”
Cynthia Chow—The No Name Book Review Corner
“Encore to Murder isn’t quite a cozy, but it’s close. ... The characterizations of small mountain towns rings true, and if you like puzzlers, you really should enjoy this read, curled up safely in front of your own fireplace. I did!”
Vicki Ball—Books ‘n’ Bytes
Wash and Wear
ISBN: 978-1-534-90898-7
Printed by CreateSpace
In the fourth book of the series, a bank teller and owner of a small Catskill print shop is killed by a known mob hit-man who, in turn, is killed by Heather Larrabee, a Peekamoose Heights Police Officer. Now Heather's house and car have been searched, as well as the teller's aunt's house. McAvoy must find what the mob is looking for before someone else gets killed in the process.
“Bill Stackhouse writes, quite simply, a mean mystery. His characters are so credible they just about jump off of the page, which is scary when we are reading about the mob. His action is non-stop ... Wash and Wear is a mystery with lots of twists and turns, which keeps the reader glued. Stackhouse could teach a class on how to write one heckuva tale. ... I was so engrossed, I didn't want it to end...the mark of a murder most excellent!”
Shelley Glodowski—Midwest Book Review
“... first rate ... subplots are satisfyingly intricate ... Ed McAvoy and the other residents of Peekamoose Heights, as well as the victims of the various crimes, are well drawn characters that you enjoy getting to know ... A very enjoyable read.”
Sally Powers—ILoveAMysteryNewsletter.com
“The humor, especially that of Ed McAvoy, is witty, dry, and at times results in laugh-out-loud moments. ... Stackhouse continues this winning series with a mystery that should hopefully ensure many future adventures in Peekamoose Heights and with its residents.”
Cynthia Chow—The No Name Cafe Book Review Corner
Candle Snuffer
ISBN: 978-1-535-14925-9
Printed by CreateSpace
In the fifth book of the series, the ex-wife of a prominent U.S. Senator, her Country/Western singer lover, and the driver of the limousine in which they had been riding are all killed in a tragic traffic accident while trying to shake off a cadre of reporters and photographers. The sole survivor, the singer’s bodyguard Darren Corbett, has been left with total amnesia about the crash and the events leading up to it. But Darren’s memory is starting to return in disjointed bits and pieces, and attempts have been made on his life. Even when he visits his old Air Force buddy Porky Jarvis in Peekamoose Heights in an effort to escape from public view, the attempts cont
inue. Now it’s up to McAvoy to try and discover who wants Darren dead, and why..
“... a mystery filled with scandal and murder. ... Candle Snuffer is a fun read with much to keep your eyes glued to the page.”
Vogel’s Bookshelf—Midwest Book Review
Thin Ice
ISBN: 978-1-535-28136-2
Printed by CreateSpace
The festive atmosphere of the annual Peekamoose Heights Winter Carnival is shattered by acts of vandalism on a food truck during the first night of the week-long fair, and accusations run rampant among rival vendors. But when three-time National Champion Dallas Conover is attacked and injured at the National Figure Skating pre-trials being held on Stuyvesant Pond and one of the mobile chefs is found shot to death, McAvoy must get to the bottom of things quickly before the food-fight turns even deadlier.
“The plot has a lot of twists and turns …The characters are interesting and the relationships well developed.”
Helen G. Jones—Meritorious Mysteries
“…as is typical of Stackhouse novels there are lots of colorful characters to keep the reader entertained—and confused about who to blame for all the shenanigans. RECOMMENDED.”
Liz Nichols—Mystery Maven Blog
Forget Me Not
ISBN: 978-1-533-30377-6
Printed by CreateSpace
A young reporter is found murdered in the forest near Peekamoose Heights. All indications point to the fact that he stumbled across a methamphetamine-making operation. But his current assignment had nothing to do with drugs. He was supposed to writing a puff piece about German WWII POWs held in the area who had returned there to live after being repatriated. However, the reporter’s girlfriend comes forward with a computer flash drive that shows he was actually working on an article about a fifteen-year-old disappearance of a mob informant. Almost immediately thereafter, the girlfriend disappears. And there are known mobsters sniffing around the crime scene.
Before McAvoy can begin to answer the question of ‘Who murdered the reporter?’ he must sort through the various theories of ‘Why was the reporter murdered?’
The Caitlin O’Rourke Mystery Series
Caitlin (Kate) O’Rourke is not your typical Irish-American lass. At six-one and one-hundred-seventy-eight pounds, with dark skin, raven-black hair, and a nose like an eagle, the former MVP setter/middle blocker on the Italian Pro Volleyball circuit is a has-been in her late 20s, prematurely retired due to a blown-out knee.
Although retirement does not sit well with Kate, she soon finds herself so entangled in other people’s difficulties that she doesn’t have time to dwell on her own problems.
Kehough’s Irish Pub in Nashville, Tennessee, with its upstairs apartment, is home to Kate, and the pub itself not only provides employment for her brother, Seamus, and his wife, Mary Grace, but serves as an office for her fledgling confidential inquiries business.
Sample chapters of the Caitlin O’Rourke Mysteries
may be downloaded at www.billstackhouse.com
Black-Irish Setter
ISBN: 978-1-534-90921-2
Printed by CreateSpace
File this first book in the series under No Good Deed Goes Unpunished. After Caitlin rescues a damsel in distress from a mugger, she gets roped into babysitting the woman until the locks are changed on the woman's house. But when Caitlin's charge is murdered on her watch, the former Irish step dancer and former star athlete sets out to find out who did it—and why.
“The plot moves along swiftly with enough twists and turns to keep the reader riveted to the page and guessing as to the solution. This is an extremely entertaining mystery with a mix of suspense and humor that will be sure to delight all readers.”
Cynthia Chow—The No Name Cafe Book Review Corner
“...a page turning mystery where anything can happen and nothing is what it seems. ... the characters—from Yeats-quoting Kehough’s regular Mickey to Detective Ozzie Osborn, the hard-nosed female African-American cop trying to survive in an old-boys world—are engaging and the story moves along at a good clip. RECOMMENDED”
Sally Powers—I Love A Mystery
“Black-Irish Setter is a good, solid mystery and a fun read with a great amateur sleuth who will hopefully be inviting us into Kehough's bar again to take readers along for the ride in solving other crimes.”
Mary B. Stuart—Curled Up With a Good Book
Icon Feel Your Power
ISBN: 978-1-535-19311-5
Printed by CreateSpace
Kate goes undercover to investigate a mentally unstable woman's claims that art objects are disappearing and reappearing in her mother-in-law's home. But when Kate's client is accused of the mother-in-law's murder and the arson used to cover it up, Kate must find a way to prove the woman's innocence by unmasking the real killer.
“Caitlin is a complex, unique character, and the story is set in a refreshingly different location. … plenty of action and some tense moments that lead up to the unveiling of the real killer. ... Let’s raise a hearty draught of Guinness to the Caitlin O’Rourke mystery series!”
Liz Nichols—Mystery Maven Blog
“Kate O'Rourke steps into a bizarre mystery that leads to power struggles between members of a mob family. Stackhouse entices readers with this excellent mystery.”
Shelley Glodowski—Midwest Book Review
Creature of Habit
ISBN: 978-1-492-96069-0
Printed by CreateSpace
A nun is found brutally murdered on the grounds of Sacred Heart Convent and the police have no leads, no evidence, no motive, and no witnesses. But Kate’s former eighth-grade teacher suspects that a little mentally retarded girl may have vital information locked away in her mind, and she enlists Kate’s help. Now Kate, undercover as a postulant nun, must see if she can find the key to that impaired mind and, at the same time, keep the little girl safe from a killer who wants the information locked away forever.
“[Caitlin] is a strong character and one who will appeal to many mystery fans. RECOMMENDED.”
Liz Nichols—Mystery Maven Blog
“…my personal yardstick for a good mystery is when I am surprised by who the bad guys or gals are. On that note, Creature of Habit hits a home run.”
Manya Nogg—I Love a Mystery
The Chronicles of Pádraig
In Cruachan, peace has reigned since Seamus, the first High King, united the three kingdoms into a Confederation and, with the assistance of the dwarfs from the Sawtooth Mountains in the north and the elves from the Tangled Woods in the east, drove the occupying Northmen from the island nation. Yet there is an undercurrent of unrest. Some Cruachanians fought for independence, thinking that the hereditary system of government with its shire chieftains and provincial kings would be replaced by a republic. Others, who profited handsomely under the occupiers, still dream of yesteryears’ wealth.
Sample chapters of the Chronicles of Pádraig
may be downloaded at www.billstackhouse.com
A Spark is Struck in Cruachan
ISBN: 978-1-514-24460-9
Printed by CreateSpace
In Book #1 of tetralogy, the teenage son of a blacksmith has been blessed as an adept. Having no interest in attending the Academy for the Spiritually Gifted to hone his talent and become a wizard, Pádraig plans on following in his father’s footsteps. However, three seemingly disparate events may cause him to rethink his future.
A Northman assassin washes up on the beach below a fortress that the High King is visiting in the Kingdom of the Western Shires. A blacksmith is murdered in the Central Federal Region. And, in the Kingdom of the Northern Shires, the High King’s son is kidnapped.
Now the young adept must use both his wits and his unpolished gift to put the pieces of the puzzle together in order to solve the murder of his fellow blacksmith, thwart the kidnappers, and save the Confederation.
“…another five star review. … I really enjoy that while this book has to do with magic and the overall
ramifications of having magical powers, it is written in more of an everyday kind of book, meaning that it isn’t all about magic but the story of two young men, and their young girl friend and what happens in the course of a couple of months. … Everything that makes a good fantasy novel great, this book has it.”
Andretta Schellinger—Fang-Freakin-Tastic Reviews
About the Author
Mystery writer, playwright, and part-time actor Bill Stackhouse has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, and a Master’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
At Ford Motor Company and later, as Director of Quality Assurance & Training at a large automotive parts supplier, Bill became involved in the development of instructional manuals and training films. In the throes of a mid-life crisis, he decided to pursue the most enjoyable aspect of his job on a full-time basis—writing.
Bill’s scriptwriting credits include training films and promotional videos for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to name just a few. He has also written numerous radio and TV commercials.