Dying is not for the faint of heart.
Unfortunately, dying is also not reserved for the very old, the very ill, or the very deserving either. Sometimes, dying is unfair and ill timed—almost always, it’s irritating. Just when things are great—you’re a hotshot homicide detective married to a brilliant, beautiful professor—then, wham, someone shoots you in the heart. I’m not being figurative here; I mean right in the heart. One minute you’re alive and on this earth, and the next minute you’re dead, and, well, still on this earth.
Just to be clear, being among the living and being one of them are two separate things.
I’m Tuck. Formally, Detective Oliver Tucker, and I’m a damn fine homicide cop. Oh, I’m also dead—just not gone.
See, about a year ago, a crazed killer murdered me in my own house. Oh, he wasn’t breaking in for the cheap silver or dog cookies—he was after my wife. She’d unearthed a secret hidden for decades. A deadly secret. His secret. And I took a bullet for her.
That bullet ended my life and started a new career—a dead detective, or rather, a detective for the dead. Some call me the Ghost Gumshoe—a nom de guerre I’m not fond of, but no one asked me. Hercule hides his head when he hears that name. Angel teases me with it. Oh, Hercule’s my black Lab and best pal. Angel’s my wife and, uh hum, a Professor of History at the University of the Shenandoah Valley and acting Department Chair. She’s a local big shot, gorgeous, smart, and, well, gorgeous. She calls me a private-dic—err, detective—ever since meeting Sassie and Vincent Calaprese—my new pals from 1939.
Yes, 1939—seventy-six years ago.
See, after I was clipped by that crazy last year—ah, sorry, that’s Vincent rubbing off again—after I was murdered, I’ve been meeting the dead. Not all dead people; that would be too weird. Just those who want overdue justice. In my last case, Dying to Know, a couple pretty, young, dead girls were looking for justice and I served it up. Their killer—my killer—had been on a killing-spree for many years. He made the mistake of adding me to his list. That cost him. It cost him big.
My latest caper—Dying for the Past—just broke. There’s the big hint … for the past. Someone’s got some ‘splainin’ to do for their past. Another hint—it ain’t Hercule or Angel, either.
Here’s the short version. Angel and I were at her highbrow charity ball for the rich and famous. All the big shots were there—and they let my detective partner Bear Braddock in, too. Anyway, there we were enjoying some old swing music when this mysterious philanthropist got drilled, err killed, in front of a hundred guests right in the middle of the dance.
Crazy, right?
I was standing there watching my Angel in her sexy evening dress—icing poured hot over sultry curves—when bam!—Mr. Carnation gets clipped. (Mr. Carnation is not his real name.)
No, no one saw diddly. No smoking gun. No murderer. Nothing. The killer jitterbugged in and gunned him down to Benny Goodman.
Crazy, right?
The next thing I know, Bear and his detectives were running around chasing shadows. The FBI got involved and the US Attorney’s Office, too. Even the Russian mob got in the act. Then, someone was stalking Angel … a missing Federal witness … a lost mob stooge. Even, some crazy old lady in a karate gi (I swear!), and of course, Poor Nic Bartalotta’s hand was in the cookie jar. Oh, Poor Nic is a retired New York mob boss who settled in Winchester. He also happens to be gaga over my Angel. He’s not a bad guy, mind you, just a former racketeer, murderer, embezzler, swindler, and thug. He is retired though. So he has that going for him.
You’ll love Poor Nic, honest.
Then, just when I thought I’d seen it all, I met Vincent and Sassy. Vincent’s an old mob boss, too—from 1939. I also met Sassy, well, phew… she’s the twenty-something va-va-voom gal on his elbow. And she likes me. A lot.
How does all this fit together? A new murder and old gangsters?
It’s all about the past. It’s all about the book.
The book, see, is Vincent’s journal containing all the mobsters, spies, and miscreants from the good old days leading up World War II. You know what? A lot of those families are still around—or their crimes are. That book will lead whoever reads it to a few million in loot and a whole lot of names and dates and espionage rings and blackmail and bodies.
Needless to say, everyone wants the book. Everyone.
So, what do you think they’re all willing to do for it?
You can read more about Tuck in Dying For The Past, the second book in the “Gumshoe Ghost” mystery series, published by Midnight Ink. The first book in the series is Dying To Know.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on January 23 for the chance to win a copy of DYING FOR THE PAST. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
TJ O’Connor lives in Virginia with his wife and three Labs. Dying for the Past, the first of two sequels to Dying to Know, releases January 8, 2015—available now for pre-orders. Dying to Know is available in bookstores and online everywhere. TJ is an international security consultant specializing in anti-terrorism and investigations. Learn about his world at www.tjoconnor.com and Facebook.
Sounds like a great read can’t wait to read this sounds like this could be a great series must read thank you
Yes please Dru, I love stories with dead P.I’s solving cases. Maybe he could also work the dead case files at his old police station.
Toss my hat into the contest ring please.
These books look Really really Intriguing I Hope I win because If I do then I have to go buy the 1st one in the series before I can read the 2nd one because they both look very attention grabbing Great Job Even if I lose when I get My Kindle i will most likely buy them anyway 😀
This book looks very interesting and fun. I look forward to reading both books in the series.
I love a who done it mystery that takes you back in time and leaves you wanting just a few more pages to read please! I would love a copy of this book so thank you for a chance to win one.
This sounds really good! Thanks for the chance to win.
Love it when there is a touch of the paranormal in my mysteries.
Interesting . I’m looking for Dying to Know.
Looks like a nice series, thank you for the chance to win 🙂
This book has been on my TRL , I would love to win it
This looks like a fun book thank you for the chance to win
Tuck’s story sounds great. I will have to get the first book!
Fingers crossed I win. Currently I’m reading the first book in the series, ‘Dying to Know.’
I like the sound of this. A good read waiting for me.
Sounds like such an intriguing book and look forward to reading it.
The past mixed with the present sounds like a good plot for a mystery. I would love to have a copy of the book to read and see how it intertwines. Thank you. robeader53@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great mystery.
This sounds very intriguing!
Sounds like a great mystery read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a series I should check out!!!
Sounds like a good series. I like the mix of the old gumshoe lingo and the current PC way to phrase things.
What a great concept. I’m sure there are plenty more excellent stories to come. Thanks for the chance to win. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
I would like to win and read this book. Thank you for the chance!
This sounds like a fantastic series! Loved reading this post.
brookeb811 at gmail dot com
a new-to-me series!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
This is a new to me author and series. Thanks
I would love to read this book—thanks for the chancre to win a copy!
This sounds great. I would love to win. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds like a great new series. I’ve entered it on my want to read list. Thank you for the heads up.
Ghost Gumshoe… hehe. Sounds good. Can not wait to have a chance to read this.
Sounds like a fantastic read…fingers crossed.
Marilyn Watson ewatvess@yahoo.com
What a marvelous concept for a series; I love the dialog that reminds me of a Sam Spade ghost w Hercule Peroit investigative talents. I’d so love to have a print copy so I’m hoping to be that ‘random’ number comment. I hope my luck holds for this giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
Sounds like a good read
Looks like great mystery.
xzjh04@gmail.com
I love the way this book is sounding. Count me in.
Love the sounds of this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
We have at least one Italian mafia member in our family tree but also some in the garment industry, ice cream parlors, a judge or two, some entertainment people and writers. I’d love to get my hands on this tale.
contest is closed.