The Family Man

Who would want to kill a star long past his prime?

Detective Maria Varela is back on the job—and her first case could destroy her career.

Benny Alvarez, a once-famous comedian, is found murdered in the penthouse suite of the Revelation Casino. With airtight security footage and key card records, the case should be simple. Open-and-shut.

It isn’t.

The casino owner—Benny’s closest friend—wants the investigation wrapped up fast to protect a lucrative sale. The evidence points neatly to a suspect, but Maria’s instincts tell her the truth is being buried. When anonymous leaks begin questioning her fitness as a detective and her new sergeant refuses to back her, Maria realizes someone powerful is manipulating the case from behind the scenes.

As she digs deeper, Maria uncovers secrets no one wants exposed—and a motive worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Now she must decide whether solving the case is worth the professional and personal fallout, especially when even those closest to the victim seem determined to keep the truth hidden.

Fast-paced, sharp, and layered with moral tension, The Family Man is the gripping second novel in the Maria Varela Mysteries—perfect for fans of modern crime fiction with edge.

★★★★★ “Fast paced and great dialogue”
★★★★★ “A likable character with a definite edge”