Months after saving their flamboyant theatre friend from disaster, Dannel Ortea and Osian Garey are back with a thrilling murder investigation in the third London Podcast Mystery series novel.
Dannel and Osian’s breakfast double date rapidly devolves into a murder mystery when a dead body is found in their solicitor friend’s car. Wayne is taken for questioning by police. He was last seen arguing with the deceased.
When Wayne’s tie is identified as the murder weapon, it’s hard to refute the growing evidence stacked against him.
Convinced of their friend’s innocence, Dannel and Osian throw themselves into the investigation. When Wayne’s boyfriend, Roland, finds himself suspended from the police, they realise powerful people are involved in the murder.
With a philandering crown court judge, two disgruntled wives, and an angry client as suspects, the clock is ticking for them to find the killer before Wayne winds up arrested—or dead.
Author: Dahlia Donovan
Title: Crown Court Killer
Series: London Podcast Mystery, #3
Genre: Cosy Mystery
Release Date: May 27th
Word Count: Approx. 50k
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London Podcast Mystery Series
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“We’re here.” Osian nudged him out of his thoughts. “Not sure the Uber driver wants to idle forever.”
“Sorry.” Dannel muttered an apology to the driver and got out of the car. He leaned his forehead against Osian’s shoulder after the vehicle had driven away. “Maybe we should’ve stopped for coffee.”
“Poor lad.” Osian reached up to gently massage Dannel’s neck. “It could always be worse.”
“How?”
“Chelsea could’ve already won.”
“Arse.” Dannel went to push him away when flashing lights caught his attention. “Ossie.”
“Hmm?” Osian followed his gaze to the numerous police vehicles blocking off a section of the car park. “Someone’s died.”
“Checked your crystal ball?”
“Don’t be daft.” Osian gestured to a group off to one side near the entrance to the building. They walked closer, trying to see what was happening. “Haider’s over there. Why else would they call him in, since he mostly handles homicides?”
“Rolly.” Dannel spotted his brother speaking with Detective Inspector Haider Khan. Roland was waving his hands about quite animatedly. “He’s not happy.”
“Inside voice,” Osian murmured. “Let’s not draw the attention of the nice constables and detectives just yet.”
“Look.” Dannel elbowed Osian in the side, nodding his head toward a familiar figure seated in the back of one of the police vehicles. “Not good.”
“Wayne locked up in the back is more than not good.” He caught Dannel by the arm, guiding him forward. “Let’s see if Haider will tell us anything.”
“Wayne’s car.”
They’d moved close enough to easily see the vehicle cordoned off with caution tape. Several detectives were inspecting the interior while others, who Dannel recognised from the coroner’s office, lifted a body out of the boot onto a stretcher. He had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
“Danny.” Roland drew their attention, jogging over. He gripped Dannel’s arms tightly as if he’d fall over without the hold. “They won’t listen to me.”
Gone was his confident and strong brother. Dannel awkwardly hugged Roland. He couldn’t recall ever seeing him so affected.
Dannel didn’t quite know how to help his brother. He couldn’t tell if Roland was angry or sad; deciphering emotions didn’t come easily to him. “Who’s not listening to you about what?”
“DI Khan. Any of them.” Roland shook his head, stepping back and standing up straight. “They’ve taken Wayne in for questioning because they found Barnaby’s body in his boot.”
“I’d honestly hoped we’d run out of dead bodies to find.” Dannel kept a hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“Maybe third time’s the charm?” Osian suggested.
“We’ve discovered more than three bodies.”
Another fun (can that be a word for it?) cozy murder mystery with Ossie and Dannel and the rest of the crew. Poor long suffering DI Haider, although he is great at pretending to not care, but he does.
I love that these guys are not supposed to get involved, but really can’t help themselves. They have people they care about, and are not willing to let them be railroaded, so they just poke around until they find what they need, usually when it’s too late and someone is in danger. It’s just fun, enjoyable to read.
The relationship between Osian and Dannel is perfect. They do not feel the need to be glued to each other’s sides. And Osian knows when Dannel needs time on his own, and not only respects that, but doesn’t allow anyone else to disrespect that. Meanwhile, Dannel knows that Osian will take care of those things that Dannel just doesn’t have the capacity to deal with. He doesn’t question it, he just knows that Osian will cover it, and that kind of love and trust shows that not only are they an established couple, but one that has known each other for their entire lives. The short crayon story by Dannel’s father really showed how integral they’ve always been in each other’s lives.
I won’t give any spoilers on this, other than to say that the entire group gets involved in this one…and who knew about Ian??? 🙂 …Another really good story, and I can see how this series just blooms in different directions but still can focus on two such different MC’s but with such a loving and companionable relationship.
You will definitely want to read this if you’ve read the first two books.
4 pieces of eye candy
Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.
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