Dear readers, I got some good feedback on my book, Step, Turn, Murder, and I wanted to share it with you for your enjoyment:
The first is from Karen, a popular reviewer on goodreads:
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Private Investigator Mickey Romanoff is a mess. He smokes and drinks too much, owes money to a loan shark, struggles with depression, and may unknowingly have hemochromatosis—the same genetic condition that contributed to his brother’s early death. What Mickey desperately needs is a well-paying case that might finally pull him out of his relentless downward spiral.
That opportunity arrives when a billionaire hires him to solve a murder. Will it be Mickey’s ticket to a better life—or just another path to even more trouble?
Mickey is a throwback to the classic hard-boiled detectives of crime fiction noir. Like the iconic private investigators of the genre, he’s a solitary, old-school man navigating dangerous streets while clinging to his own uncompromising code of honor. His biting, sardonic wit provides plenty of sharp humor, yet beneath the gruff exterior is someone who genuinely empathizes with the weak and victimized. It’s that combination of flaws, resilience, and decency that makes him such a compelling protagonist.
Determined to solve the case—and collect the substantial paycheck—Mickey plunges headfirst into an increasingly tangled investigation.
Will this deeply flawed private investigator find a way out of the darkness? No spoilers from me.
At fewer than 300 pages, this is a fast-paced, tension-filled page-turner that should especially appeal to fans of Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe.
My only real criticism involves the large cast of characters. While each is introduced with purpose and contributes to the story, keeping track of everyone occasionally slowed the momentum. The author thoughtfully includes a character list at the end of the book, though I couldn’t help but think it would have been better placed at the beginning so readers would know it was available.
Check out the author’s note at the end to see how the story began.
I was given a complimentary review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author and Mercury Press for providing a copy for our Little Free Library Shed. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 Stars
The second review is from Christian author, James Collins:
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Engaging and Intense
Step Turn Murder: A Romanoff Mystery by Brendan Shea is engaging and intense. The story centers on Private Detective Michael Romanoff. One morning, he hears a call on the police channel about a murder at Dance Place, the studio where the victim, Jessamyn Cartier, had lived, and where she died. Romanoff decides to go to the scene of the crime, and is eventually hired to investigate the murder by billionaire Tomas Kline Edgerton. Edgerton had been in a relationship with Jessamyn Cartier and wants her murder solved.
Romanoff struggles with his own problems. He suffers from mental illness and his brother recently died and he struggles to help his widow, Cassie, and his nephew, Jackson. To make things worse, he has a loan shark named Cardenillo after him because he borrowed $75,000 to help save his brother who died. There is a love interest, Sherry, and Romanoff wants to build a relationship with her.
While the book is a Christian book, you don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy it. Still, the author does an excellent job weaving biblical truths into the narrative. If you are a believer, you will appreciate the faith content. There are times when story makes you stop and think deeply about your own life.
The book is a page-turner with a gripping murder mystery storyline full of twists and turns. The characters are interesting and well-developed. Sherry and Novarro are standout supporting players. The writing is well-executed. The author does an exceptional job of exposing characters’ thoughts and actions. Michael Romanoff is a very strong protagonist. The author says that much of this “suspense story” is based on facts from his own life. Perhaps that is why the characters seem so real.
Overall, I strongly recommend Step Turn Murder: A Romanoff Mystery. The book grabs you from the first page. I look forward to the sequel.
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Here is a link to the book; I hope you love it!
Positive Press 
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