Poison in Pickensburg

By Ron Peer

"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."

"Carl Hiaasen in the Desert" - An Amazon Reader

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 affair
- The latest mistress with secrets of her own
- The powerful florist with a suspicious $50,000 check
- The Norse bodybuilder with a temper as legendary as her battle-axe
- The emotional psychic whose predictions prove disturbingly accurate

To 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.

POISON IN PICKENSBURG is a page-turning mystery perfect for fans of cozy mysteries featuring quirky characters, desert noir atmosphere, and a detective who proves you can never truly leave the job behind.

• 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"