Debbi Mack – författare

The New York Times bestselling author of Identity Crisis brings you five short stories of gritty and dark crime fiction. If you enjoy stories of psychological suspense, sometimes with a twist of dark humor, these five are sure to satisfy. This edition of the anthology includes a BONUS sixth story that''s a send-up of numerous Alfred Hitchcock films. How many references can you find? Praise from others"FIVE UNEASY PIECES packs a nasty punch that will keep mystery fans enthralled." —Simon Wood, author of TERMINATED"In her first collection of short works, FIVE UNEASY PIECES, 2010 Derringer Award nominee Debbi Mack creates modern-day noir worlds where voyeurism and sleuthing are as natural to its inhabitants as breathing. Never content to leave well enough alone, Mack’s fascinating cavalcade of off-kilter protagonists spy and insinuate themselves into other people’s lives – to mostly tragic effect. Recommended." —J.T. Cummins, author of COBBLESTONES"Each [story] rings true as a tuning fork, whether for dialogue, setting, or depth. A lean collection of gems." —Jeremiah Healy, author of OFF-SEASON and THE CONCISE CUDDY"Mack really packs twists and surprises into these five shorts." —C.J. West, author of THE END OF MARKING TIME1.“Deadly Detour” -- a female spy''s assignment goes horribly wrong when a pregnant young woman abducts her at gunpoint. The strange girl takes the woman on a detour that has deadly consequences and bodes well for no one.2. “The Right to Remain Silent” -- Dan Marinelli is a prosecutor who smells something off about the case he just won. Finding out the truth leads to more trouble than he bargained for.3. “A Woman Who Thinks” -- Dr. Morris Fein wants to help his therapy patient, Lila, with her debt problem. However, Lila has an agenda they haven’t discussed during their sessions. One that doesn’t bode well for the good doctor.4. “The People Next Door” -- When you live a cheap apartment with thin walls, what you overhear or notice about the neighbors may be cause for alarm. Especially if your spouse eggs you on about it to the point you have to prove it: a philosophy that doesn’t always pan out well.5. “Sympathy for the Devil” -- When the beautiful, but naïve, Lainie thinks her husband’s cheating on her, she tries to hire a cheap private eye straight out of Central Casting. Lainie’s situation takes an even more unfortunate turn when she returns home to find her husband in bed, but not sleeping or with another woman.ABOUT THE AUTHORDebbi Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sam McRae Mystery Series and other novels. In addition, she''s a Derringer-nominated short story writer, whose work has been published in various anthologies. Debbi formerly wrote book reviews for Mystery Scene Magazine. She writes screenplays and is interested in filmmaking. Debbi also has a podcast called The Crime Cafe, where she interviews crime fiction, suspense, thriller, and true crime authors.Debbi enjoys reading, movies, travel, baseball, walking, cats and good espresso--not necessarily in that order. You can find her online at www.debbimack.com and debbimacktoo.wordpress.com.

A missing client, a dead body, the FBI, and the Mob.

How much can one lawyer handle?

A simple domestic abuse case turns deadly when the alleged abuser is killed and Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae''s client disappears. When a friend asks Sam to find Melanie Hayes, the Maryland attorney is drawn into a complex case of murder and identity theft that has her running from the Mob, breaking into a strip club and forming a shaky alliance with an offbeat private investigator to discover the truth about Melanie and her ex-boyfriend.

With her career and life on the line, Sam''s search takes her from the blue-collar Baltimore suburbs to the mansions of Gibson Island. Along the way, she learns that false identities can hide dark secrets, and those secrets can destroy lives.                                      

How far will you go to be accepted?

"Great feel for how kids deal with emotional turmoil. Especially with minimal advice from adults."-- Reader review

SOLO MEDALIST WINNER IN THE YOUNG ADULT CATEGORY OF THE 2015 NEW APPLE BOOK AWARDS!FINALIST IN THE 2016 IPNE BOOK AWARDS

As a military brat and albino, 13-year old Portia Maddox, has bounced from school to school and is a perennial outsider. So when Denise Laughton, the most popular girl in her class, asks for her help in exchange for an invite to Denise’s big birthday party, Portia jumps at the chance to go. But there’s a catch: Portia must spy on Randy, Denise’s boyfriend, to find out whether he’s cheating on her.Portia’s spying, however, unearths a tangled web of duplicity, hidden agendas and family secrets. And when Portia’s budding friendship with social outcast Judy and her feelings for Randy conflict with her plans to befriend Denise, Portia must make the hard choices for the good of all.

Would you risk your life seeking justice for a friend?

Maryland lawyer, Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae, is strapped for cash, when an old college friend asks her to help a citizens group fight a controversial development.

Though loathe to take a zoning case, Sam is persuaded by the unusually high retainer, but the matter becomes personal when Sam finds Linda murdered. Because the citizens group is sharply divided, Sam investigates, needing to keep the client but not sure who to trust.

When her investigation reveals a tangled web of lies, political corruption, and double-dealing, the search for Linda''s killer puts Sam''s own life in danger.

REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS

"Hooray! Sassy, savvy Sam McRae is back and as determined as ever to see justice done. Deep6  opens with a gripping hook and delivers a carefully paced legal procedural leading to a satisfying, thought-provoking ending. A read you won''t want to miss."    -- Donna Fletcher Crow, author of A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary, The Monastery Murders

"When a simple zoning case escalates to betrayal and murder, Sam''s back is to the wall as she wonders who to trust. When people start dying, she must quickly uncover the truth before becoming one more victim. With long odds against her, Sam desperately navigates a complex web of deceit in this tense action tale."

-- Dale T. Phillips, author of A Shadow on the Wall

"Debbi Mack is back with another installment of her Sam McRae series. One thing you can always count on from Mack is sharp, realistic dialogue, and in Deep Six, she once again delivers. Sam McRae is a tough lady, but an everywoman, as well. ... From the opening line of this novel to its satisfying ending, Mack delivers a great, gritty, gorgeous mystery."

-- Frank Zafiro, author of the River City series

"Peppered with snappy, noir-tinted dialogue and Sam''s sardonic narration, Deep Six is a perfect whodunit for a cozy night''s reading in any season."

-- W.D. Gagliani, author of the Nick Lupo series, including the Bram Stoker Award finalist Wolf''s Trap

THREE HARD-BOILED PAGE TURNERS IN ONE EBOOK!

These novels will appeal to all fans of tough-talking female sleuths. Picture Sue Grafton''s Kinsey Millhone if she''d gone to law school. If you enjoy characters like V.I Warshawski, Philip Marlowe, or Elvis Cole, you''ll love Sam McRae.

“Debbi Mack has created a first-rate heroine in Sam McRae. Sam is tough, resilient, sassy and unstoppable. Good thing, too, as Identity Crisis moves at a slam-bam pace.”– Simon Wood, author of SAVING GRACE

“Debbi Mack crafts a taut narrative with crackling dialogue.”– Aimee Zuccarini, The Maryland Women’s Journal, Oct./Nov. 2009

BOOK ONE: IDENTITY CRISIS

A missing client, a dead body, the FBI, and the Mob.How much can one lawyer handle?Lawyer Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae''s life is upended when a client suspected of killing her ex-boyfriend disappears. When a friend asks Sam to find Melanie Hayes, the Maryland attorney is drawn into a complex case of murder and identity theft that has her running from the Mob, breaking into a strip club and forming a shaky alliance with an offbeat private investigator to discover the truth about Melanie and her ex-boyfriend.With her career and life on the line, Sam''s search takes her from the blue-collar Baltimore suburbs to the mansions of Gibson Island. Along the way, she learns that false identities can hide dark secrets, and those secrets can destroy lives.MORE REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS"If you enjoy realistic legal thrillers--and dread the thought of ''identity theft'' striking home--IDENTITY CRISIS will be a genuine treat. Debbi Mack has used her own experience as an attorney to craft a twisty yet completely credible plot. And her protagonist, Stephanie Ann ''Sam'' McRae, is a perfect example of what every client should hope for in an advocate: a professional who''s willing to take risks both inside AND outside the courtroom."-- Jeremiah Healy, Author of RESCUE, TURNABOUT and THE ONLY GOOD LAWYER"IDENTITY CRISIS is a well-written and well-plotted mystery which introduces lawyer-sleuth Sam McRae. She''s an exciting new protagonist mystery readers will want to get to know."-- Louise Titchener, Author of MALPRACTICE, BURNED IN BALTIMORE and BURIED IN BALTIMORE"Of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock once said, ''There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.'' Author Debbi Mack nails that statement in this tightly written tale about a flawed Maryland attorney, ''Sam'' McRae, and her relentless search for a killer when the domestic abuse case she has been handling kicks itself up a notch: The accused is found dead and his wife has taken off. Not good. Add to that the FBI, the Mob, identity theft, and a vulnerable main character involved with a married prosecutor and you have a darn good page-turner. Debbi Mack crafts a taut narrative with crackling dialogue."-- Aimee Zuccarini, The Maryland Women''s Journal, Oct./Nov. 2009.

BOOK TWO: LEAST WANTED

Can a lawyer defend two clients of murder before becoming the next victim?Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae''s life as a Maryland lawyer takes a chaotic turn when two clients are accused of murder. A poor, black girl is accused of killing her mother. A young man suspected of embezzlement is accused of murdering his boss. The cases collide in a bizarre way involving girl gangs and computer pornography.Sam ventures into the heart of DC''s suburban ghettos to find answers. A maniacal killer who''ll do anything to hide them stalks her. After a nearly disastrous confrontation, Sam must do business on the run. As the body count grows, Sam races to learn the truth and clear her clients before she becomes the next victim.MORE REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS

"LEAST WANTED is a brave, heartbreaking, and thrilling book with a complex plot that takes attorney Sam McRae on a dizzying tour of several circles of urban hell, against a backdrop of white-collar crime. I loved it, and I admire Mack for writing it without flinching or suggesting easy answers. It''s a sequel that outdoes IDENTITY CRISIS and holds the promise of a great series."-- Timothy Hallinan, author of THE QUEEN OF PATPONG and CRASHED"In LEAST WANTED, Debbi Mack serves up a solid mystery plot wired together with high octane suspense. Washington, DC attorney Sam McRae is smart, tough and dedicated, but her latest cases in LEAST WANTED push her to her limits. Defending two clients accused of murder, she finds herself dealing with girl gangs, pornography and crazed killers. For mystery and suspense, it’s Laura Lippman’s Tess Monaghan in Baltimore and Robert B. Parker’s Spenser in Boston, but Sam McRae is the woman to have at your back in Washington."-- Austin S. Camacho, author of the Hannibal Jones mystery series"Sam McRae is back and as brash as ever, with a colorful cast, a relentless plot, and enough twists to leave you breathless. Debbi Mack has carved her own niche in the mystery pantheon."-- Scott Nicholson, author of DISINTEGRATION"LEAST WANTED hooks you from the start and never lets go. A fascinating and absorbing mystery."-- Simon Wood, author of LOWLIFES"Fast-paced and brimming with dark, twisting plot turns, LEAST WANTED will keep crime and mystery buffs off balance and guessing until the very end."-- J.T. Cummins, author of COBBLESTONES"From its clever—and ironic—title to the carefully drawn characters ..., LEAST WANTED is a worthy sequel to Debbi Mack''s first crime novel."-- Jeremiah Healy, author of THE ONLY GOOD LAWYER and A STAIN UPON THE ROBE"Sam McRae is not your run of the mill attorney. She is a strong, intelligent, and fiercely committed advocate, who puts her life on the line in the pursuit of justice. Author Debbi Mack brings to the hardboiled genre, a fresh voice and direct writing style that gives this richly layered mystery a feeling of authenticity I found wholly compelling. The multifaceted plot grips the reader like a falcon''s talons and never lets go."--Lawrence Kelter, bestselling author of The Stephanie Chalice Mystery Series

BOOK THREE: RIPTIDE

A week at the beach could be murder.Stephanie Ann “Sam” McRae’s stay in Ocean City for the annual Maryland bar association convention turns into a busman''s holiday when her best friend Jamila is arrested for a murder she didn’t commit. All signs point to a frame, but Jamila’s local counsel must plea bargain, placing a permanent stain on the ambitious attorney’s spotless record, unless Sam and the private investigator on the case find evidence to clear her. Sam has her work cut out for her, given that the victim is the stepson of a local wealthy entrepreneur and poultry producer and no one will talk to her, including the investigator hired on the case. Even Jamila appears to be withholding information. Meanwhile, Sam''s running from mysterious pursuers and comes under police scrutiny when another murder takes place.With the clock ticking down to the convention and preliminary hearing, Sam must uncover secrets, lies, and fraud to find the real killer. At what cost will that knowledge come for Sam?MORE REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS

"I absolutely loved reading Riptide! ... Sam McRae is the best attorney sleuth ever."--Jada Temple, reviewer, Thriller Ink Spot"A fast-paced, compelling crime novel that leaves the reader as buzzed and breathless as the Running of the Bulls."-- Benjamin Sobieck, author of CLEANSING EDEN"Full of tension and suspense from cover-to-cover, RIPTIDE is a cracking good read."-- Leighton Gage, author of A VINE IN THE BLOOD"… a fast, smooth read, chock full of tension with an action payoff."-- Frank Zafiro, author of WAIST DEEP and the River City Crime series"The place is Ocean City, Maryland, a summertime paradise replete with sun, sea, sand, and ... murder. Thus begins this gritty tale and McRae''s attempt to clear a dear friend, who has been charged with the heinous crime. Our hero must bring to bear all of her considerable investigative skills as she unwinds this tightly drawn mystery, which is sure to have you hooked until the satisfying end."-- Lawrence Kelter, bestselling author of The Stephanie Chalice Mystery Series"Sam McRae is my favorite new female sleuth!"-- Scott Nicholson, author of LIQUID FEAR"Sam''s sleek, sarcastic narration propels this satisfying legal caper, which also manages to score points about lingering regional racial prejudice, providing a sad reminder that justice doesn''t always prevail unless the just take action. Another winner from the pen of Debbi Mack, author of Least Wanted and Identity Crisis."-- W.D. Gagliani, author of WOLF''S TRAP, WOLF''S EDGE, and SAVAGE NIGHTS"Sam McRae is back— and just as sassy, smart and loyal as ever."-- Donna Fletcher Crow, author of A DARKLY HIDDEN TRUTH, The Monastery Murders 2"RIPTIDE is so riveting you might forget to turn over, but the pace is so hot you’ll want to dive in to cool down!"-- Austin S. Camacho, author of the Hannibal Jones mysteries"IDENTITY CRISIS and LEAST WANTED are tough acts to follow, but Debbi Mack meets her own high standards in RIPTIDE, attorney Sam McRae''s third outing. Sam''s attempt to help a friend who''s been charged with murder leads her into an insular world where the secrets are so thick they create their own ''riptide.'' A great read."-- Timothy Hallinan, Edgar-nominated author of the Poke Rafferty and Junior Bender thrillers

"Thoroughly intriguing! A real page-turner."— Zoë Sharp, author of the best-selling Charlie Fox series

On a dare, grad student Jessica Evans writes a thriller, creating a nightmare scenario based upon the theory that the speed of light is not a constant—one that has a dark application. Her protagonist (the fiancé of a scientist killed in a car crash) is pursued by those who want to use the theory to create the world’s most powerful weapon.

However, Jessica is soon running for her life when events mimic that of her protagonist. She’s threatened by terrorist conspirators who intend to use the knowledge to create an event that causes mass destruction—even threatens the global extinction of all life. As the clock ticks down, Jessica must outwit the enemies and avert an apocalypse.

MORE REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS“Does art hold a mirror to life? Or does life mirror art? New York Times best-selling author Debbi Mack builds this surprising thriller layer upon layer with an ending that will make you want to read it all over again.” — Donna Fletcher Crow, author of An All-Consuming Fire, The Monastery Murders“Mack takes her reader on a roller-coaster ride with science, imagination, and a terrible possibility.” — Peg Brantley, author of the Aspen Falls Thriller series"[A] sleek tour-de-force exercise in Hitchcockian suspense about domestic terrorism, in which the McGuffin is a novel-within-the-novel and the novelist and her work intersect in unpredictable ways. Reality and fiction clash and spar for supremacy until the final paragraph."— W.D. Gagliani, author of Wolf''s Blind (The Nick Lupo Series) and Savage Nights ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbi Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sam McRae Mystery Series. She''s also published one young novel. In addition, she''s a Derringer-nominated short story writer, whose work has been published in various anthologies.

Debbi is also a screenwriter and aspiring indie filmmaker. Her first screenplay, The Enemy Within, made the Second Round in the 2014 Austin Film Festival screenplay contest and semifinals in the 2016 Scriptapalooza contest.

A former attorney, Debbi has also worked as a journalist, librarian, and freelance writer/researcher. She enjoys walking, cats, travel, movies and espresso--not necessarily in that order.

From the NY Times bestselling author Debbi Mack:Can Sam defend two clients of murder before becoming the next victim?Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae''s life as a Maryland lawyer takes a chaotic turn when two clients are accused of murder. A poor, black girl is accused of killing her mother. A young man suspected of embezzlement is accused of murdering his boss. The cases collide in a bizarre way involving girl gangs and computer pornography.

Sam ventures into the heart of DC''s suburban ghettos to find answers. A maniacal killer who''ll do anything to hide them stalks her. After a nearly disastrous confrontation, Sam must do business on the run. As the body count grows, Sam races to learn the truth and clear her clients before she becomes the next victim.

REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS"LEAST WANTED is a brave, heartbreaking, and thrilling book with a complex plot that takes attorney Sam McRae on a dizzying tour of several circles of urban hell, against a backdrop of white-collar crime. I loved it, and I admire Mack for writing it without flinching or suggesting easy answers. It''s a sequel that outdoes IDENTITY CRISIS and holds the promise of a great series." -- Timothy Hallinan, author of THE QUEEN OF PATPONG and CRASHED"In LEAST WANTED, Debbi Mack serves up a solid mystery plot wired together with high octane suspense. Washington, DC attorney Sam McRae is smart, tough and dedicated, but her latest cases in LEAST WANTED push her to her limits. Defending two clients accused of murder, she finds herself dealing with girl gangs, pornography and crazed killers. For mystery and suspense, it’s Laura Lippman’s Tess Monaghan in Baltimore and Robert B. Parker’s Spenser in Boston, but Sam McRae is the woman to have at your back in Washington."-- Austin S. Camacho, author of the Hannibal Jones mystery series"LEAST WANTED hooks you from the start and never lets go. A fascinating and absorbing mystery."-- Simon Wood, author of SAVING GRACE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbi Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sam McRae mystery series. She’s also published two standalone books--a young adult novel Invisible Me and a thriller called The Planck Factor. Debbi''s also published Five Uneasy Pieces, a short story collection that includes her Derringer Award–nominated story “The Right to Remain Silent.” Her short stories have appeared in various anthologies and publications, including Shaken: Stories for Japan and three of the Chesapeake Crimes anthologies.Debbi also hosts a podcast called the Crime Cafe, which features interview with crime, suspense, and thriller authors, and more.

A retired attorney, Debbi has also worked as a journalist, librarian, and freelance writer/researcher. She enjoys walking, cats, travel, movies, and espresso--not necessarily in that order.

You can find her online at www.debbimack.com.

A Marine veteran may have survived combat, but can she survive this case?

Unlicensed private eye Erica Jensen works as a “researcher” who performs background checks, conducts surveillance, and takes on other dubious assignments while battling post-traumatic stress and an opioid addiction. When a wealthy man hires her to find his missing daughter, Erica ends up with more work than she bargained for: a murder victim and unwanted attention from the killers.

While seeking the daughter, Erica uncovers evidence that raises questions about the dead man. Did the missing daughter know him? Did the victim have ties to an artifacts smuggling ring? Erica’s search for answers puts her in the crosshairs of people who kill to keep secrets.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

“Debbi Mack’s novella, Damaged Goods, is a fulfilling and exciting read and proof that the novella is alive and well. Highly recommended.”— David Swinson, author of The Second Girl and Trigger

"Pitch perfect pace and plot with a well-drawn protagonist."— M. Ruth Myers, Shamus Award winning author of the Maggie Sullivan mystery series

“Marine veteran turned unlicensed PI Erica Jensen is a flawed and intriguing heroine in this meticulous mystery. Charlie Fox would work alongside her any day!” — Zoë Sharp, author of Bad Turn

"A gritty, stunning portrayal of the impact and response to post-traumatic stress, packaged inside a compelling mystery."— Frank Zafiro, author of the Charlie-316 series

"Mack keeps the action rolling along while fleshing out a keeper of a protagonist. Excellent read for neo-noir and private eye fans!"— W.D. Gagliani, author of The Judas Hit and the Nick Lupo Series