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.