Editorial Content for Night Candy: A Colleen Hayes Mystery
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Following 2022’s LINE OF DARKNESS, the ’70s nears an end. “Inflation was over ten percent. The economy was hemorrhaging jobs.” At an astounding 85 cents per gallon, the gas-guzzling Ford Torino that tyro private investigator Colleen Hayes drives to and from Sonoma County costs $25 a week.
Three sex workers have been killed, posed with arms spread crucifixion-style. They “had been sprayed with a teen fragrance known as Night Candy,” the moniker ascribed to the serial killer. Now a fourth victim appears to have been offed in a rush, no time for posing or scent. The presumed perpetrator is identified early. Is this Max Tomlinson’s wry use of poetic license, or is he teasing readers?
"Rarely is a mystery so richly entrenched in forensics, police procedure, investigative techniques and a novice investigator who tirelessly pursues the truth."
Colleen’s grandchild died at birth and, true to daughter Pam’s style of dealing with reality, runs from it. Cop friend-with-benefits Matt has interviewed for a CIA gig on the east coast. Once an adversary, SFPD Inspector Edmund Owens had engaged Colleen as a confidential informant, paving the way for the ex-con to obtain her PI license. Murdering a spouse for raping your pre-pubescent daughter can hinder licensure when languishing in a penitentiary for a decade. Now in charge of SFPD Internal Affairs, Inspector Ryan “looked like Fred Flintstone with a hangover.” He isn’t fond of either Colleen or Owens.
Owens and his ex, Alice, attempt to reconcile at the secluded cluster of cabins in Sonoma County, where they honeymooned. After dinner, she kicks him out. The next morning, Owens is charged with murder, his pistol found in the charred cabin remains. With overwhelming circumstantial evidence, even Colleen has doubts, but she visits her friend at the local lockup. Something seems screwy. Colleen slithers under crime scene tape, uncovering evidence not documented by local beadles who have never investigated a homicide.
Rarely is a mystery so richly entrenched in forensics, police procedure, investigative techniques and a novice investigator who tirelessly pursues the truth. Multiple plotlines and characters are like fine linen threads woven into an intriguing tapestry. NIGHT CANDY is sure to earn several literary awards and nominations.
Teaser
In a tragic turn of events, ex-con PI Colleen Hayes’ daughter, Pam, has lost her baby. Meanwhile, a serial killer given the name “Night Candy” is targeting sex workers, both male and female. The situation doesn’t improve when Colleen’s friend and ally --- SFPD Inspector Owens --- is arrested for the murder of his ex-wife, who was found burned in a fire the same night the pair had tried to rekindle their love. Could Owens have really done what they say? Even Colleen has her doubts. But there are people depending on her: Owens, who needs help finding his ex-wife’s real killer, and a trio of sex workers Colleen keeps her eye on --- especially with Night Candy on the loose. Then, one of the three girls is next to disappear. If anything is to test Colleen’s resolve, December 1979 seems to be it.
Promo
In a tragic turn of events, ex-con PI Colleen Hayes’ daughter, Pam, has lost her baby. Meanwhile, a serial killer given the name “Night Candy” is targeting sex workers, both male and female. The situation doesn’t improve when Colleen’s friend and ally --- SFPD Inspector Owens --- is arrested for the murder of his ex-wife, who was found burned in a fire the same night the pair had tried to rekindle their love. Could Owens have really done what they say? Even Colleen has her doubts. But there are people depending on her: Owens, who needs help finding his ex-wife’s real killer, and a trio of sex workers Colleen keeps her eye on --- especially with Night Candy on the loose. Then, one of the three girls is next to disappear. If anything is to test Colleen’s resolve, December 1979 seems to be it.
About the Book
1970s San Francisco: the sights, the sounds, the serial killers.
As the ’70s draw to a close in San Francisco, things do not bode well for the city --- or for ex-con PI Colleen Hayes, whose daughter Pam, in a tragic turn of events, has lost her baby. Pam leaves San Francisco, and Colleen, who moved there to reunite with her, starts to wonder what she’s doing in the Bay Area.
Meanwhile, a serial killer given the name “Night Candy” is targeting sex workers, both male and female. The situation doesn’t improve when Colleen’s friend and ally --- SFPD Inspector Owens --- is arrested for the murder of his ex-wife, who was found burned in a fire the same night the pair had tried to rekindle their love. Could Owens have really done what they say? Even Colleen has her doubts.
But there are people depending on her: Owens, who needs help finding his ex-wife’s real killer, and a trio of sex workers Colleen keeps her eye on --- especially with Night Candy on the loose. Then, one of the three girls is next to disappear. If anything is to test Colleen’s resolve, December 1979 seems to be it.
