Poison in Pickensburg

By Ron Peer

If Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich had a desert-dwelling love child, it would be Brian Dawson.

"The mayor is dead, the suspects are weird, and the detective's ex-wife keeps showing up at crime scenes. Just another day in Pickensburg."

Dale Hampton, the charismatic mayor of Pickensburg, Arizona, and real estate mogul with his eye on bigger political prizes, opens a letter in his office and collapses dead moments later. The mysterious white powder that killed him leaves behind more questions than answers.

Enter Brian Dawson: a 45-year-old ex-detective who inherited a quirky roadside motel and a second chance at life after a near-fatal shooting. Brian traded his badge for bestsellers and his crime scenes for a reading chair. The last thing he wants is to be dragged back into the world of murder investigations.

But when Sheriff Watkins begs for help and Brian's young desk clerk is arrested for the crime, he can't turn away.

The list of suspects grows by the hour: The scorned wife who knew about every affairThe latest mistress with secrets of her ownThe powerful florist with a suspicious $50,000 checkThe Norse bodybuilder with a temper as legendary as her battle-axeThe emotional psychic whose predictions prove disturbingly accurateTo complicate matters, Brian's estranged wife and sharp-tongued defense attorney, arrives in Pickensburg just as the investigation heats up. Their chemistry is undeniable, their history complicated, and their future uncertain.

When a second victim is poisoned, Brian realizes the killer is still hunting. In a town where everyone knows everyone's business, the deadliest secrets are the ones hidden in plain sight.

Why readers are loving this small-town mystery:

Quirky Desert Noir: Set against the vibrant, searing backdrop of a fictional Arizona town.

Amateur Sleuth Duo: A retired, reluctant investigator teamed up with his soon-to-be ex-wife and their loyal golden retriever companion.

A Touch of the Psychic: A mystery where intuitive twists keep you guessing until the very last page.

Laugh-Out-Loud Humor: Fast-paced dialogue, lighthearted charm, and eccentric small-town secrets.

Perfect for fans of biting wit, quirky characters, and hilarious mysteries. Welcome to Pickensburg - escape into an absolute page-turner today

"Carl Hiaasen in the Desert" - An Amazon Reader

"An entertaining concoction of infidelity, revenge, murder, and enough red herrings to satisfy any mystery connoisseur. Very highly recommended." - an Amazon Reader

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0G9SCRPX7
• ISBN13: 9798279122325
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"