Role: Sheriff Jax Turner’s right-hand gal
Ever hear the expression herding cats? Well, that pretty much sums up my job when it comes to managing Sheriff Jax Turner and his deputies at the Misty Pines’ Sheriff Station.
There’s not much that happens in the station, or town, that I don’t know about. My husband Frank and I have been longtime residents, and at work, I do everything from open case files, get messages to the sheriff, and keep his deputies in line. Let’s be honest, a station full of young men and a sheriff struggling to function, often leaves me taking care of them like I’m their mother.
But let me start over and tell you about a typical day. It might begin with my fielding a call from a local citizen or two with some small-town problems. An older gentleman who’s misplaced his glasses, certain his wife hid them is a common one. Or a woman who believes that a thief is on the loose stealing clothes off her clothesline. Of course, I have them look everywhere first. That old fool I hear from often has lost those glasses at least once a month every month for the past year. Last time they were in the freezer. Besides, I know his wife—she’s too busy playing Bridge to be hiding his bifocals. And the crows can be troublesome around here. They do have a penchant for the colored socks especially.
I’m also moral support—again, case in point—Sheriff Turner. Now he’s had a rough go of it. Losing a daughter to cancer is enough to stop even the toughest of them. But instead of moving forward, being there for Abby, his now ex-wife, he turned inward like he’s the only one that has ever lost a child. My Tommy was in Afghanistan. So, I understand. But Jax’s been a mess—and we all have had to live with that.
Although I don’t let him get away with much for too long. Let’s just say we have an understanding of who really runs the show.
Another part of my job is making sure the good people of Misty Pines are taken care of. And when that call for Allison Krueger came through, I wouldn’t let up on the good sheriff until he answered that damn radio. As tragic as the call was, the timing was perfect and might have been exactly what Sheriff Turner needed, providing him that proverbial kick in the butt. It gave him a mission to grasp onto—a purpose if you will. Nothing like trying to find a young girl who might have been taken under dubious circumstances to do just that.
I will say, despite all the gruffness Jax likes to display, he’s a good man. He won’t stop until he succeeds. Past demons I suppose drive him to that end. But Allison’s situation required such focus, so I won’t be faulting him for that.
Just wish he’d lower those sky-high walls and call his ex-wife and reconcile. But ego. Men are just full of that on occasion, aren’t they?
I know, I know. It takes two. Abby hasn’t been a cakewalk either. But she still holds a flame for Jax. She could have moved to another part of the state if she didn’t. And yet here she is real close to Misty Pines. I tell him that every so often when he starts feeling sorry for himself.
Oh, that phone is buzzing again. My work is never done. Need to pop a sandwich on Jax’s desk, and make sure the boys ate something too. But you know, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hidden Pieces, A Misty Pines Mystery #1
Genre: Police Procedural
Release: October 2022
Purchase Link
Sheriff Jax Turner is staring down the barrel of his broken past. On the brink of ending it all, he feels like a failure following his daughter’s tragic passing and his subsequent divorce. But when a schoolgirl vanishes and her backpack is found in a sex offender’s backseat, the weary lawman drags himself into action and vows to nail one last sociopath.
Shocked to discover the teen’s aunt had lost her life in an abduction years prior, the devastating outcome that he’s taken personally, Jax believes the killer has returned with a vengeance. But as the desperate cop frantically hunts down a mysterious relative in search of a suspect, the girl’s time keeps ticking away. . .
Can the jaded sheriff take down the culprit in time to bring the young girl home alive?
About the author
Mary Keliikoa is the author of the multi-award nominated PI Kelly Pruett mystery series, and Hidden Pieces, the first book in the Misty Pines mystery series. Her short stories have appeared in Woman’s World and in the anthology Peace, Love and Crime: Crime Fiction Inspired by Music of the ‘60s.
A Pacific NW native, she spent many years working around lawyers. When not in Washington, you can find Mary with toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach. But even under the palm trees and blazing sun, she’s plotting her next murder—novel that is.
GIVEAWAY: Mary has generously offered to give away one signed copy of Hidden Pieces. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends October 31, 2022. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Sounds like a great start to a new series.
Thank you, Gram!
Would love to be entered in the drawing for Mary’s book. Beth Schmelzer
Thank you for entering, Beth!
For rest in a new series and already sounds interesting!!! Good luck all!!
Thank you, Sheryl!
This book sounds like a perfect fall read to curl up with. I just don’t know how I have missed this author’s books before now.
Thank you, Anita!
Will you be doing an audio version
Hi Beth! I am still awaiting word, but my fingers are crossed that it will be available in audio soon!
Intriguing cast of characters – sounds like a good start to a series.
Thank you, R.B.!
Sounds like a good read. Can’t wait to start reading it!
Thank you, Beverly! I hope you enjoy!
Intriguing and captivating.
Thank you, April!
Sounds like a great book. Looking forward to reading it.
Thank you, Dianne!
A series which interests me greatly. Enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks.
Thank you, Ellie!
I was lucky enough to read an ARC on Netgalley and loved it! Jax is such an interesting, caring person who is at the end of his rope. Great mystery too!
So glad you enjoyed it, Pat!
Sounds like a good one. I’ll be on the lookout!
Thank you, Alicia!
Sounds like you have some interesting characters for your new series.
Thank you, Sharon!
Mary, the new series sounds like a wonderful mix of mystery and guidance that a disillusioned and down trodden sheriff needs! Life isn’t easy and he certainly doesn’t see the best of people in his profession. But it sounds like some lighter moments are infused in the book, and will be interesting to read! Thanks for your generous offer to Dru’s readers.
Thank you, Barbara!
Interesting characters – thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thank you for entering, Mary!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Diana!
Sounds like a great beginning to your new series. Great sounding characters. I love mystery in my books. Thanks for a chance to win.
Thank you, Linda!!
One of my favorite genres to read, sounds like a good series!
Thank you for the chance to win this!!
Sounds like a really great read