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
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