Killer Motives

 What if you found out your husband was cheating?

What if his lover turned up dead?

 

 Killer Motives

Hudson Valley Series Book 1

by Bonnie Traymore

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Victoria’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems. But with two homicide detectives on her doorstep, it's about to get a lot worse.

Still reeling from the shocking discovery that her husband is having a passionate affair with his real estate client, Victoria struggles to process the mind-blowing news that Nick’s lover is dead—brutally murdered in cold blood on the very same evening she uncovered the truth.

And now two detectives are on her doorstep, waiting to question both of them. Is she a suspect?

With little hard evidence and no shortage of suspects with "killer motives," Detectives Jack Stark and Lexi Sanchez are under intense pressure to solve the high-profile murder case that rocks the picturesque village of Tarrytown just as the town is gearing up for the area’s annual Halloween festivities and an influx of tourists.

As Victoria sets out to clear herself and find out the truth, she’s faced with two terrifying possibilities—either her husband is a murderer or someone is out to get them.

Conflicted about her marriage and emotionally raw, she sets out to find the truth about what happened that night.

But does she really want to know?

Readers' Favorite 2023 Silver Medal Award Winner, Mystery-Murder
Audiobook Reviewer 2023 Best Mystery Award

"This book has all the twists and turns that make a thriller worth reading" - Amazon

Perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Jeneva Rose, Sarah Pekkanen, Kaira Rouda, or Shalini Boland.

"This book was exciting, had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, revenge, a fantastic who done it and some crazy twists and turns!" -NetGalley

"A compelling and suspenseful thriller with intriguing twists and turns." - Amazon

"Great book! Great storyline!" - Amazon

"This book is awesome sexy & suspenseful!" - Amazon

For fans of Daniel Hurst, Shari Lapena, Shalini Boland, Kaira Rouda, Minka Kent, Jeneva Rose, or Leslie Wolfe.

Amazon * Audiobook * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

Book Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Motives-Hudson-Valley-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09Y27MXSD

Audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Motives-Hudson-Valley-Book/dp/B0CBL57GTW

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/killer-motives-by-bonnie-traymore

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216550558-killer-motives

 

About the Author

Bonnie Traymore is the award-winning, Amazon best selling author of page-turner mystery/thrillers that hit close to home. Her books feature strong but relatable female protagonists. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She's an active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 GUEST POST

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

Of all my novels, the setting of Killer Motives begs for the big screen. The Hudson Valley is

spectacularly beautiful, and the region is steeped in history and legend. Setting the book there

just before Halloween, which is the biggest holiday of the year in Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown,

makes it all the more inviting. I can see the images of the Halloween parade, the backdrop of the

Hudson River, a few scenes in Manhattan. We actually won Best Audiobook Mystery from

Audiobook Reviewer Magazine, Robin McAlpine and myself, and no small part due to Robin’s

expert narration bringing it to life. Imagine what a visual element would bring. Come on all you

film people out there. Let’s do this!

 

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?

I just wrote a short story about the detective in this book, Jack Stark. In Killer Motives, Jack

talks about cold cases that he goes back to once in a while and works on. I always had this idea

to bring to Honolulu for a cold case here, so the story goes back in time 30 years prior when he

was married to another woman who he later divorced. And then it goes past the series when he

comes to Honolulu with his new wife, who was a character in one of the books. I just wrote the

story and am mulling over whether it’s good enough to put up on my website as a freebie. I had

to write it though, because sometimes a story will just stick in my head until I get it on the page.

 

Advice they would give new authors?

I just read Stephen King’s On Writing. It was excellent, not only as a writing advice book but as

a memoir. It made me think a lot about why I do this. It also had some great tips for craft. But

more than anything else, it validated what I’d already pretty much gleaned on my own. It never

gets any easier, and we are all constantly filled with self-doubt about our next book, even the

GOATS.

 

What is something unique/quirky about you?

I’m a little neurotic and I like things a certain way. If I see a doormat that’s crooked for example,

I will straighten it. Before we go to bed, I have to have all the pillows on the sofa in the right

place. My husband will mess with me and like move them after I get them in the right place and I

tell him you’re messing with the universe, dude. Sometimes I put this into my writing. For

example, in The Stepfamily, when Laura Foster goes out to check her car and pump the brakes

before driving down the hill, she mentions that she’s the kind of person who runs back into the

house to make sure she’s turned off the stove. I used to be the kind of person who had to pull

back the handle on the mailbox to make sure the letter dropped down, but they’ve replaced those

with slots so that doesn’t happen much anymore. Phew!

EXCERPT

 Chapter Three, excerpt:

Victoria was home working off some nervous energy as she put the dishes away and wiped

yesterday’s smudges off the white Shaker cabinet doors. Out the kitchen window, the sun

sparkled magically on the Hudson River reflecting the scarlet and gold of the fall foliage clinging

to its steep banks. Her melancholy mood from the evening before had turned to excitement,

bolstered by a bit too much caffeine on an empty stomach and her Alanis jams playing in the

background. She had already called her attorney and had an appointment for next week. She

would put all that out of mind until then. Today, she had a meeting scheduled at her office at

eleven this morning, an important one, and her benefit dinner tonight. It was now half past nine

and she needed to get going. She was almost finished emptying the dishwasher in her methodical

manner--only a few cups were left--when her cell phone vibrated against the granite island

countertop, its dark surface blending in with the stone. She reached over to grab it. There was a

text from her husband: It’s an emergency. Call me.

There were also three missed calls from him and a voicemail. Nick was not given to

hyperbole. Quite the opposite. He was actually a bit too laid back, never worrying much about

anything. He had never sent a text like that before. She called immediately, not bothering to

check her voicemail, putting it on speaker as she finished her chores.

“Vic?” His voice was soft, almost apologetic. He didn’t seem hurt or in danger.

“Nick. What is it?” She felt mildly annoyed, already.

“I have something to tell you, and I’m warning you it’s pretty shocking.” Was he actually

going to confess about the affair now? Over a cell call? That was totally unlike him.

“I have to get to work, Nick. What’s so urgent?” She was starting to wish she’d ignored his

text.

“My client. From the Shady Hill property. The one I went to see last night? The police called

me. She was found dead. At her house. This morning.”

Victoria placed the last clean mug on the counter. Dead? A heart attack or something? No.

The police wouldn’t call Nick for something like that. There had to be more to it. She picked up

the phone and took it off speaker.

“What happened?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.

“I don’t know, but a homicide detective is meeting me at the house any minute now. They

called and wanted to meet with me in person. ‘See if I could shed some light on it,’ was how he

put it. Jeff told me to meet them at our house, not at the station.”

“Homicide? She was murdered?” Victoria had to hand it to Nick. This certainly reached the

bar of ‘emergency.’

“They didn’t say that, exactly. He said he’d tell me more in person. I don’t know much more

than you do at this point. What if I was the last person to see her alive, Vic?” Nick’s voice was

shakier now, almost panicky.

“So? You’re certainly not responsible for her death?”

 

“That’s what Jeff said.”

“What does Jeff have to do with this? You called Jeff before you called me?” She thought

that sounded like the actions of a guilty person, reaching out to your attorney friend. But guilty

of what?

“He’s an attorney! And he knows her! I told you, remember? They had that law suit going.

Let’s not do this now. Please!” His tone was harsher now, devoid of sentimentality. “I just

wanted to give you a heads-up. The detective might get there before I do. They’ll probably want

to question you too. Tell them I’m on my way. I’d appreciate some support. I’m your husband,

Victoria, please try to remember that.” He hung up.

She picked up the mug she’d left on the counter, looking out to the sun’s rays sparkling on

the Hudson, her thoughts suspended in the timeless currents of the flowing river. It was all

starting to hit her now, just what a disaster this was. The photos that were supposed to liberate

her from the marriage were now a liability, potentially placing her at a crime scene. What do

detectives look for? Means, motive, and opportunity? She had two out of three for now. Should

she be worried? And what about Nick? He was acting strangely last night, and she’d attributed it

to a guilty conscience. The affair, she assumed. But could it have been more? She knew Nick

wasn’t overtly violent, but anyone could commit murder given the right circumstances. What if

the woman had gotten pushy? Demanding? Threatening? How far would Nick go to protect what

was his? She needed time to think, consult with an attorney. But she didn’t have the luxury of

time.

The gate buzzer sounded, jolting her out of her stupor, and the mug slipped from her hand,

shattering into pieces on the travertine tile floor. She quickly picked up the big chunks, but the

shards of porcelain would have to wait.

Author Links

Website: https://www.bonnietraymore.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonnietraymore

Twitter: https://twitter.com/btraymore

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonnietraymore/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bonnie-l-traymore

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bonnie-Traymore/author/B09Y92P6FZ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22411066.Bonnie_L_Traymore

 

Giveaway

$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner,

Audiobook of Killer Motives – 2 winners

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://bit.ly/KillerMotivesTour