If you asked my sister, Lindsay, what a typical day in my life is like, you’d fall asleep listening to her answer. She describes me as a workaholic. Like work is all I care about. Holding a different view than my big sister is pretty much our norm. Just don’t tell her that in this instance, she could be right.

As a paralegal at our father’s law firm, I begin and end my day reading over files, summarizing transcribed statements, answering questions posed by opposing counsel, and generally making the attorney I work for, Craig Bartell, look good. Sometimes that includes taking care of his cat, Murphy, when he’s out of town. I love Murphy—though he reminds me of my sister in that he’s always getting into trouble!

A big part of my identity has been being Lindsay’s little sister, even if she thinks I’m the spitting image of our father. See—always agreeing to disagree. Here again, however, she’s kind of right. I’m the “good” daughter as she likes to remind me, and that includes having breakfast with the parents. Often “mandatory” for everyone…except for Lindsay.

Let’s face it, not everyone can be a free-spirited investigative reporter. Which is why I often have to be the adult. Seems I’m always bailing my big sister out of some kind of fiasco—usually after being arrested for a protest at City Hall, or a Save our Beach sit in.

Tonight, however, is different—and the toughest yet. The attorney I work for has been murdered in his office, down the hall from me. One guess on who is running from the scene. Yep. Lindsay. There are so many issues with this, but a glaring one is the police are looking at me like I know more than I’m telling. And typical Lindsay, she’s left me a message, pulling out our sisterly code we’ve followed since we were kids when she’s done something she shouldn’t—don’t ask, don’t follow. Like I could do that. This isn’t her sneaking a boy out of her bedroom as a teenager. This is serious stuff, and I could pay the price if I cover for her. I love my sister; I’d do anything for her. But jail?

In my heart, I know she didn’t kill my boss, but there’s something she’s running from. While I’m terrified to know what that is, and where it will lead, I can’t leave Lindsay out there to face it on her own. She’ll need my help to get out of this mess. It won’t be easy, but then nothing with Lindsay has ever been.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Release: June 2024
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

Murder, dark family secrets, and the unwavering bond of sisterhood— regardless of the cost

Beth Ralston, a paralegal in Portland, Oregon, would rather be racking up billable hours than mingling at an office party— especially when her sister Lindsay, aka her plus one, is a no-show.

After making her obligatory rounds, Beth returns to her office to find that her boss, who she’ d talked with moments before, has been murdered. She sees a woman fleeing the scene. Wait— was that Lindsay? Unable to catch up to her in time, Beth waits for the police to arrive and notices that Lindsay has left her phone behind with an unsent text message to Beth displayed on the screen: “ Don’ t ask. Don’ t follow.”

Lindsay is unreachable for days, and when Beth starts to come under suspicion for the crime, she decides that waiting is impossible. While retracing Lindsay’ s steps, determined to bring her home, Beth uncovers what her sister, an investigative reporter bent on changing the world, was trying to expose— corruption, secrets, and betrayal on an unimaginable level. Revealing the truth might bring back the one person she’ s desperate to find— but it could also destroy the only life and family Beth’ s ever known.

Perfect for fans of Gregg Olsen and Karin Slaughter

About the author
Eighteen years in the legal field, and an over-active imagination, led Mary Keliikoa to plot murder—novels that is. She is the author of the domestic thriller Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow, the Misty Pines mystery series which is an IPPY Silver Award winner, Silver Falchion finalist, and a Foreword 2023 Indies award finalist. She’s also the author of the Shamus and CLUE Finalist, and Lefty, Agatha and Anthony nominated PI Kelly Pruett mystery series. Her short stories have appeared in Woman’s World and the anthology Peace, Love and Crime. In addition, she’s the President of the Columbia River Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and an active member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Willamette Writers. Connect with Mary at marykeliikoa.com.