Deception Specialist

Rooting out deception is Jack O’Shea’s stock-in-trade.

On the road to redemption from his criminal past, reformed-swindler-turned-private-eye Jack O’Shea investigates a strange death at a shadowy Northern California mountain college—a “visa mill” with clandestine ties to Silicon Valley.

Accompanied by his retired racing greyhound, Jack discovers the college is built on top of an abandoned gold mine. Dark secrets lie below.

As he investigates the suspicious death, Jack’s prior sins come back to haunt. He suspected one day there’d be a knock on his door. Deception may be his specialty but not everything is as it appears.

Jack O’Shea was first introduced in a series of short stories published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. The debut won the Shamus Award presented by the Private Eye Writers of America. The second in the series was a finalist for Bouchercon World Mystery Convention’s Anthony Award.

Critical Acclaim for Deception Specialist:

“I’ve always been a sucker for a conman, and it’s a joy to be taken in by reformed grifter Jack O’Shea as he turns the tables on a murderous conspiracy.” —Dennis Tafoya, author of Dope Thief

“Won’t get fooled again, not with Jack O’Shea on the case. Master con man turned PI, O’Shea isn’t exactly on the side of the angels, but he’s our kind of rogue.” —Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author of Sleepless City

“A good, old-fashioned mystery thriller powered by a completely original and compelling protagonist, John Shepphird’s Deception Specialist speeds along at a breakneck pace while also tugging at your emotions. I read it in one sitting.” —David Housewright, Edgar Award-winning author of In A Hard Wind

“Jack O’Shea used to con people, but now he investigates on their behalf. It takes one to know one and he never misses a trick. He’s got a scar on his face and one on his soul. Anytime he finds himself in over his head, he fights to rise. Deception Specialist is two stories in one and both will catch you holding your breath.” —Jeffery Hess, author of Pascagoula Run, the Beachhead trilogy, No Salvation, and Scar Tissue

“Scammers, schemers, and scoundrels are no match for former con man-turned-private eye Jack O'Shea. This Deception Specialist navigates a murderous conspiracy while confronting the ghosts of his swindling past in this edge-of-your-seat page turner.” —Steve Jankowski, author of Below the Line

“Tragedy turns a former conman into Shepphird’s Deception Specialist: A force for good in a world gone murderously bad.” —Lawrence Maddox, author of Fast Bang Booze