Magic City Murder by Bruce Hammack

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Magic City Murder by Bruce Hammack, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Magic City Murder 
Series: Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series #16 
Author: Bruce Hammack 
Publisher: Jubilee Publishing 
Release Date: August 6, 2026 
Genre: Mystery / Private Detective

A missing husband. A murdered journalist. A city where everyone has something to hide. 

Blind former Houston homicide detective Steve Smiley and his partner Heather McBlythe take on what looks like a straightforward case: track down a missing husband so his estranged wife can finally file for divorce. 

The simple case turns deadly when the body of the woman the husband has been living with is found in a Miami canal. She wasn't just the missing man's companion — she was an investigative journalist silenced before her story could see the light of day. 

As Smiley and McBlythe dig deeper, they uncover a trail of political corruption and cartel money that someone powerful is determined to keep hidden. With a growing list of suspects, a city full of secrets, and a killer working in the shadows, Smiley must sort through the tangle of lies before whoever is cleaning up loose ends decides Smiley's next.  

Pick up your copy of Magic City Murder today and follow Smiley and McBlythe from Houston to Miami as they chase down a missing husband and a killer who's running out of places to hide. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-style whodunits who love clever plots, professional detective work, and clean reads without the gore, violence, or explicit content.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | BruceHammack.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

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About the Author

Bruce Hammack, a native Texan, began his professional writing career in the tenth grade when the local Rotary Club sponsored a writing contest for students in civics class. To the amazement of students and teachers alike, he won the prize of a twenty-five-dollar savings bond.

After retiring from a career in criminal justice, Bruce picked up the proverbial pen again. He now draws on his extensive background with law enforcement (and criminals) to write contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries. 

An avid Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes fan, Bruce firmly believes the world can’t have enough whodunits. When not writing, he enjoys travel, classic whodunits and a quiver full of children and grandchildren. Having lived in eighteen cities around the US and the world, he now makes his home in the Texas Hill Country with his wife of thirty-plus years. 

Connect with Bruce by visiting brucehammack.com to follow him on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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My Thoughts

Miami’s shadows have never looked so irresistible. Magic City Murder by Bruce Hammack is a fast-paced, well-crafted suspense novel packed with sharp twists, engaging dialogue, and memorable investigators. Hammack brings Miami vividly to life, blending the city’s glamour, danger, and gritty underbelly into a mystery that feels both authentic and exciting. From missing persons and murder to organized crime, red herrings, and hidden motives, the plot keeps the pages turning and the suspects shifting. I especially enjoyed how the story balances traditional detective work with emotional depth, giving it heart without ever slowing the suspense. The surprise ending is satisfying, clever, and well earned. Although Magic City Murder is the sixteenth installment in the A Smiley & McBlythe Mystery series, it works equally well as a standalone. Magic City Murder is the kind of mystery that grabs you early and keeps you guessing to the very last page.

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Excerpt

It wasn’t long before the police detective returned and spoke in a firm, somber tone. “A car registered to Daniella Cutter is in a canal on the north side of the city. There’s a body in it.” Kate let out a gasp, her knees buckled, and she eased herself down to the floor. 

Steve turned his attention to Detective Ruiz. “No mention of a second body in the car?”

“Only one, believed to be a woman. I asked.”

“We’ll stay with Kate until we hear from you.”

“Thanks. You know the drill. I’ll need to talk to Ms. Bridges if it’s Daniella Cutter in the car.”

After seeing Manny to the door, Heather returned to the living room in time to see Rasheed helping

Kate off the floor. Steve wrestled a chair from the kitchen table. “Heather, help Rasheed. Put Kate next to the recliner and bring a chair over for you.” Kate took a long drink of water and seemed to rally. “Is this when the questions start?”

“We’ll ease into it,” said Steve. “By your reaction, I think you’ve heard the name Daniella Cutter

before.”

“Peter left me for her. End of story.”

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a signed paperback copy of Magic City Murder, a Smiley And McBlythe bookmark, a Reading Log, and book lover stickers!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Ready for a mystery packed with suspense, secrets, and plenty of twists? Magic City Murder is available now on Amazon! While you’re there, explore the other novels in the A Smiley & McBlythe Mystery series, along with more thrilling reads from Bruce Hammack. I’ll be back on Tuesday, September 29, with Defending the Innocent Target by Carol J. Post. Until then, have a fantastic weekend—and don’t leave the mystery unsolved: enter the giveaway before you go!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Memory House by Mary Alford

 The Memory House

Book Summary

Some truths aren't buried.

They're hidden inside us.

When grief counselor Elise Warren inherits Coldwater Hollow, the crumbling Victorian estate of her estranged father, she expects to settle his affairs and finally leave the past behind.  Instead, she finds hidden journals, secret recordings, and evidence that her father’s controversial psychological treatments may have harmed more than they healed.

As Elise digs deeper, fragments of her childhood begin surfacing—memories of a frightened girl named Ivy, whispered warnings from her long-missing mother, and a darkness lurking beneath the house itself. But the more Elise uncovers, the less she trusts her own mind.

Someone has been inside Coldwater Hollow.

Someone is watching her search for answers.

And someone desperately wants one missing piece of evidence to stay buried.  Because if Elise remembers what really happened twenty years ago, she may discover that the greatest mystery was never what happened to Ivy. It's who Ivy was.

And the truth could destroy everything she believes about herself.

The Memory House is a gripping psychological suspense novel about memory, identity, and the dangerous secrets families bury in the name of protection.

My Thoughts

Step inside The Memory House by Mary Alford, and you can almost hear the old Victorian walls whispering their secrets. This atmospheric psychological suspense pulls readers into a haunting mystery filled with hidden rooms, buried truths, and the uneasy question of what can—and cannot—be trusted when memory itself feels uncertain. Alford creates a wonderfully Gothic mood, letting the tension build gradually so each revelation has room to land with real impact. The slower pace works in the story’s favor, reflecting the protagonist’s fragile state of mind and giving the mystery a layered, immersive feel. 

While readers who prefer a nonstop thriller may find the psychological elements more intricate, those details add depth and make the final disclosures even more satisfying. At its heart, the novel explores how families sometimes bury painful truths in the name of protection, and how those truths can shape identity long after the past should have stayed behind. The reveal of who Ivy truly was gives the story an emotional twist that elevates it beyond a simple mystery. Richly atmospheric, thoughtfully paced, and full of quiet tension, The Memory House is a suspenseful read that lingers like a secret you cannot quite shake.

Get ready to fill your reading list with mystery, suspense, and plenty of page-turning excitement! Mary Alford’s The Memory House arrives Thursday, September 24, and is available for preorder on Amazon. Mary is a wonderfully versatile writer, so be sure to explore her other engaging novels while you’re there. Also on Thursday, September 24, I’ll be featuring Bruce Hammack’s fast-paced, suspenseful Magic City Murder—and there will be a giveaway, too! Mark your calendar, bring your love of mysteries, and don’t miss your chance to uncover a thrilling read and win a special treat!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington

A Killer for Christmas

Book Smmary

Wrapped in red has a bloody new meaning in this contemporary holiday romance with a murderous twist, perfect for readers who enjoyed The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year.

Christmasville, Maine, is the only place where Kelsey Hendricks has ever felt happy. When she loses both her job and her boyfriend, the move is a no-brainer, especially when she sees a listing for a position as Christmasville’s social media manager. Surrounded by twinkling lights and candy canes and with the perfect job, this tinsel town is working its magic on Kelsey. With two heartthrobs vying for her attention, her life is now just like a Christmas movie.

Except for the murders.

The first one is dismissed as an accident. But after the second, and definitely the third, it becomes abundantly clear that Santa is leaving coal in someone’s stocking this year.

Determined to bring back the holly jolly spirit to the town before tourists begin canceling their reservations, Kelsey must sleuth her way out of a chilling murder mystery and back to a holiday rom-com.

This charming and clever mystery-romance where a cozy winter wonderland warms the heart while suspense chills the bones is the perfect read for the holiday season.

My Thoughts

Pour yourself some cocoa and settle in—A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington is a festive little mystery that brings just the right dash of holiday cheer, cozy romance, and suspense. Set in the tourist town of Christmasville, Maine, this lighthearted story blends a cozy mystery with a sweet holiday-romance thread, giving the suspense a fun rom-com sparkle without letting it take over. The mystery is well paced and satisfying, with a twist that adds a nice surprise, and the plot stays refreshingly easy to follow rather than becoming overly complicated. 

The Christmas setting may be unusual for a murder mystery, but it works beautifully and never feels forced. I also enjoyed the quirky cast of characters and the warm small-town atmosphere that make Christmasville feel inviting. The romance is gentle and supportive, adding charm and coziness while still leaving the mystery at the center. Overall, this is a quick, feel-good read with steady pacing, a relatable heroine, and a festive backdrop that makes Kim Harrington’s adult mystery-romance debut a cheerful seasonal treat. If Christmasville had a welcome sign, this book would be the twinkling lights around it.

Books, porch weather, and one very determined cat—what more could a reader ask for? Kim Harrington’s A Killer for Christmas is available now on Amazon. I’ll be back on Wednesday, September 23, with Mary Alford’s richly atmospheric and suspenseful The Memory House. Meanwhile, my cat, Dickens, has decided that the screened porch is the place to be. Since it’s still hot and humid, I don’t quite understand the appeal—and Dickens doesn’t understand why I won’t let her stay outside all night. Perhaps it has something to do with the coyotes and raccoons roaming our village since the nearby woods were cleared to make way for new homes! At eighteen, Dickens still acts like a kitten, proving that a little curiosity—and a good mystery—never gets old.

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

A Heart to Cherish by Amy Clipston

 A Heart to Cherish

Book Summary

Return to Amish country in an uplifting story of faith, friendship, and finding the courage to follow your dreams—and your heart.

Jeannie Graber is grateful for her life in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where she enjoys working at her family’s fabric shop and saving for her future. Still, she longs for something more.

When customers suggest she offer quilting lessons, she jumps at the chance to remodel the storeroom into a sewing studio where she can give classes. Jeannie sees this as her opportunity to prove she is no longer the flighty girl no one takes seriously. She just needs help getting her dream off the ground.

Matthew Fisher works for his brother’s construction business, but he has dreams of his own. While he’s good with a hammer and nails, he’s even better with drafting tools. When Jeannie—the woman he’s quietly loved for years—asks him to design and build her business space, he knows God has given him the perfect opportunity to prove himself, to both his brother and Jeannie.

When a beloved elderly woman disappears from the community, Jeannie and Matthew join forces to bring her home safely. As they work side by side, faith and friendship blossom into something deeper. Will old insecurities keep them apart or will they finally trust God—and each other—with their hearts?

A Heart to Cherish is a must-read for anyone who loves the beauty and simplicity of Amish life and culture, characters with emotional depth who long to prove their value, and seeing how God brings two hearts together.

My Thoughts

Some stories feel like a gentle invitation to slow down, settle in, and remember what matters most—and A Heart to Cherish by Amy Clipston is one of them. Set in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, this heartfelt Amish romance beautifully blends faith, dreams, love, and a touch of suspense. Clipston draws readers into a world rich with wholesome traditions, close-knit community, and deeply held values, creating a setting that feels both comforting and alive. The two main characters each wrestle with personal doubts and the desire to prove their worth, which makes their journey feel honest, tender, and easy to connect with. 

The disappearance of an elderly woman from the community adds just the right amount of tension, keeping the story moving while the romance unfolds in a natural and meaningful way. Clipston’s close ties to Amish life shine through in the realistic details and emotional depth she brings to the page. A Heart to Cherish is the second book in her From the Heart Amish series and can be read as a standalone, though I would encourage readers to begin with A Heart Set Free for the fullest experience. With its small-town charm, heartfelt tenderness, quiet mystery, and uplifting message of faith and purpose, A Heart to Cherish is a story that lingers warmly long after the final page.

Grab your favorite bookmark, because today’s post has a sweet mix of heartwarming reads, cozy book news, and a little birthday joy. A Heart to Cherish is available from Amazon, and if you are new to the From the Heart Amish series, you can start with A Heart Set Free. These books come from Guideposts, the publisher behind several delightful cozy mystery series. I’ll be featuring the fifth heartwarming book in A Gift Shop Mysteries, A Lighthouse Legacy, on Tuesday, September 22. For now, I’m off to enjoy my birthday, made extra special this year by my mother and daughter, and I’m so grateful for the love they’ve poured into the day. I hope your next book brings you the kind of comfort, joy, and page-turning delight that makes reading feel like a celebration.

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Sisters of the Midnight Sun by Fiona Valpy

 Sisters of the Midnight Sun

Book Summary

Two women from different generations connect over their shared need to recover from trauma as they attempt to heal and begin their lives anew, from the bestselling author of The Dressmaker's Gift and The Beekeeper's Promise.

2001: Overwhelmed by grief in the wake of losing her twin sister, Ruby Reid has come to the north of Scotland to escape. Her new job as companion to Hanna Kristiansen, an elderly woman living on a rugged homestead in the wild and remote Shetland Islands, offers plenty of challenges and a welcome distraction from the devastating choice Ruby has to make.

1940: Hanna’s quiet life on the fjords of northern Norway is overturned when her hometown is attacked and her country falls into the hands of Nazi occupiers. But the Norwegians are a people as resilient as the ancient bedrock of their land. With her twin sister Hanna becomes involved in the resistance movement, fighting to end the war that has taken so much from her. She’s sent to Scotland for training, where she falls for a charismatic member of the shadowy special forces supporting Norway’s fight for freedom. Though she's torn between staying and going, Hanna must return to her homeland, leaving her new love behind, and face the dangerous underground work that lies ahead.

As Hanna shares her story, Ruby begins to navigate the path of her grief. Hanna in turn finds comfort in discovering that confiding in her younger friend is helping them both heal. Ruby also learns that, like the beautiful untamed land of Hanna’s rural croft, there is strength to be found in fragility, as well as hope for new life, in the wildness of an island at the end of the world.

My Thoughts

Some stories arrive quietly and end up glowing in your heart, and Sisters of the Midnight Sun is one of them. Fiona Valpy pairs a sweeping historical backdrop with an intimate portrait of women shaped by love, loss, courage, and hope. The dual timelines give the novel a beautiful rhythm, moving between the intensity of wartime struggle and the restorative pull of nature and human connection. Valpy is especially moving in her portrayal of grief and healing, showing how friendship, mentorship, and shared experience can help light the way forward. With the rugged Shetland Islands and the fjords of Norway echoing the characters’ inner strength, this is a richly layered, life-affirming novel for anyone who loves historical fiction with emotional depth and resilience at its core. By the final page, the story has left its light behind, warm, steady, and impossible to forget.

Curl up with your favorite bookmark, because today’s post has a little storybook sparkle, a pair of wonderful reads, and one very determined porch explorer. Fiona Valpy’s Sisters of the Midnight Sun is available from Amazon along with her other engaging stories. On Thursday, September 17, I’ll be featuring A Heart to Cherish by Amy Clipston. Meanwhile, my eighteen-year-old cat, Dickens, has been spending extra time on our screened porch, where she recently discovered that tiny frogs have moved in. Now she is fully committed to solving the grand mystery of their hiding place, and you would never guess she is eighteen. Here’s hoping your next good book brings as much curiosity, comfort, and delight as a cat with a mystery to chase.

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Forbidden Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray

The Amish Widows Club

Book Summary

 

She finds belonging in the Amish Widows Club--but will she dare to love across an impossible divide?

Twenty-four was too young to become a widow, but Jenna Graber is learning that grief doesn't follow anyone's timeline. Nearly two years after losing her husband, Jimmy, in a workplace accident, she's still struggling to make ends meet while raising her five-year-old daughter. When Jenna is invited to join the Amish Widows Club, blooming friendships stir hope in her heart. And thank goodness for Nelson Harper, the Englisher who runs the mill where Jimmy worked. His steady friendship and generous help have been a lifeline.

Nelson knows he's treading on dangerous ground having fallen for Jenna and her precious daughter--their worlds couldn't feel further apart. Religious differences and Jenna's grief make the divide almost impossible to cross, and Nelson carries a burden that could destroy the trust between them. As long-buried secrets surface, Jenna must face hard truths about the past--and decide what her heart can accept for the future.

An Amish romance novel about grief, healing, and second chances from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray.

My Thoughts

Shelley Shepard Gray’s The Forbidden Caller immediately draws readers in with its tender blend of heart, hope, and quiet strength. This beautifully written story explores loss and grief with compassion, offering characters who feel genuine and easy to care about. Jenna’s path is deeply touching as she begins to heal, finds a true sense of belonging, and slowly opens her heart to hope after being widowed at just twenty-four. Nelson makes a wonderful counterpart to Jenna with his friendly, calm, caring, and patient nature, and I loved watching the connection among Jenna, Nelson, and little Katie grow. Their relationship unfolds gently as they navigate different worlds, grief, faith, friendship, and the first stirrings of romance.

The Amish Widows Club is a thoughtful and meaningful part of the story, providing community, understanding, and support for widows who need space to heal without being rushed into another marriage. Although The Forbidden Caller is the second book in The Amish Widows Club series and can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading The Unexpected Caller first for the fullest experience. Warm, uplifting, and full of grace, The Forbidden Caller is a heartwarming reminder that healing can lead to friendship, love, and renewed hope.

Grab your favorite bookmark, because there are some lovely new reads and exciting book updates waiting for you. The Forbidden Caller is now available from Amazon, and if you’re new to The Amish Widows Club series, you can begin with The Unexpected Caller. The third book, The Persistent Caller, is coming on March 2, 2027. 

I’ll be back on Wednesday, September 16, to feature Sisters of the Midnight Sun by Fiona Valpy. If Amish fiction is your cup of tea, you may also want to take a look at The Amish Candlemaker’s Fake Fall Marriage by McKenzie Boone. And today brings two more wonderful releases to celebrate: Kristan Higgins’s thought-provoking The Me I Used to Be and Amy Clipston’s uplifting A Heart to Cherish. I hope one of these stories finds its way into your hands, your heart, and the happiest corner of your reading stack.

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle

 The Mystic and the Missing Girl

Book Summary

Small town secrets, a reluctant psychic, and a cold case that could expose them all.

Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects—she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.

Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.

But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain—finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging—could change everything.

In The Mystic and the Missing Girl, Vikki VanSickle seamlessly draws readers into an utterly charming world in this unputdownable, small town mystery.

My Thoughts

Grab your tarot deck and a cozy drink—The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle is ready to pull you into its small-town mystery. I was quickly charmed by the metaphysical shop, psychic gifts, and cold-case setup, and Drew Benson makes an appealing lead with just the right mix of curiosity and determination. The mystery unfolds in an accessible, satisfying way, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the ride, while the pacing gives readers time to savor the atmosphere and world-building. The story offers plenty of charm, a satisfying ending, and a fun peek into the world of mystics and psychics. For VanSickle’s first adult novel and paranormal mystery, this is a warm, inviting start—and I’ll happily keep one eye on the cards for whatever mystery comes next.

Cue the cozy reading nook and fluff up that favorite pillow—there is a new mystery waiting to be cracked! 📚✨ Vikki VanSickle’s first adult novel, The Mystic and the Missing Girl, is available now from Amazon. I will return on Tuesday, September 15, with The Forbidden Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray, the second book in The Amish Widows Club series. I hope your weekend is filled with wonderful stories, comfy pages, and just enough mystery to keep your bookmark busy. Until next time, happy reading and may your TBR stack always have room for one more! 🔖📖

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.