Cracks in the Wall

When Linda Phillips is found brutally murdered in her home, it appears to be an open-and-shut case. However, potential suspects multiply as Detective Parker Havenot digs deeper. He is finally left with only circumstantial evidence in a well-planned and executed crime.

However, Detective Havenot isn't convinced by the circumstantial evidence. He has a hunch that Linda's tragic death is the last link in a chain of events that began deep within her past. Months pass, and his relentless pursuit of the truth produces no other leads except to uncover a side of the quiet, rural town that surprises the seasoned homicide detective. Will the trail grow cold before Parker can identify the killer?

About the Author

Duke Southard is a retired educator, having published professional articles in Media and Methods magazine and winning an Edie, the New Hampshire Excellence in Education Award, for his contribution to the school library/media profession in the state.

His first novel, A Favor Returned, was a finalist in both the 2013 NM/AZ Books Awards and the 2015 Indie Publishers Next Generation Book Awards. His second novel, Agent for Justice, was published by Hot House Press and also was a finalist in the NM/AZ Book Awards for 2014. His third novel, Live Free or Die, received similar honors in 2015.

The author of two nonfiction books, The Week from Heaven and Hell and The Nick: A Vision Realized, he has garnered numerous awards for short story and personal essay/memoir entries.